She was going to do it. Today was the day she would actually do it. Her father had never allowed her, but she never had any intention of actually listening to him. Yes, today was the day she would visit the pawnshop.

It was Belle's lunch break. She was the town's librarian and her father was the manager. He'd always told her not to talk to the local pawnbroker: Mr Gold. He didn't trust him and he thought him to be a dangerous man. Belle always thought he was exaggerating a little, but never dared questioned her father.

Before heading out to lunch with Ruby (at least that's what she told her father anyway) she heard the manager call from the back of the library,

"Belle, nowhere near that pawnshop, you hear me?" his tone was completely serious, but Belle couldn't help smile,

"Yes papa, I'll be back in half an hour." And she pushed open the doors, heading straight for Mr Gold's Pawnshop. Belle would've done this ages ago, but not because her father wouldn't let her. Simply because she was afraid to. She'd never had the courage to talk to him. How would she? How could she? How do you talk to the man of your dreams when he doesn't even remember you? But Belle had to talk to him. She couldn't stand the fact that their two shops were just round the corner from each other and she'd never even met the man. Well in this world at least.

When Belle reached the pawnshop she realised she didn't even know what she was going to say. It'll come to her when she sees him. Hopefully. When Belle put up her hand to push the door open she realised she was shaking slightly. Oh great. I'm going to muck this up so badly.

She pushed open the door and the bell above her rang, signalling her entrance.

He wasn't there. Rumplestiltskin wasn't there. She felt a wave of sadness and disappointment rush over her. She felt tears begin to prickle her eyes but she quickly blinked them away and cleared her throat,

"R-Mr Gold?" she quickly corrected herself. The new name felt weird on her tongue.

She didn't like it.

No reply. She tried again. Louder this time.

"Hello? Mr Gold? Are you here?" she was only answered with more silence. No one came. So, sighing sadly, she turned around to leave.

"Miss French?" a voice from behind stopped Belle in her tracks. Her heart immediately lifted and she simply could not stop the smile that tugged the corners of her lips.

He was here. She turned around with a huge grin across her face,

"Mr Gold," She said cheerfully, looking at the man who stood behind the counter. He seemed confused, surprised. Maybe, pleasantly surprised?

Belle was desperately trying to hide her trembling hands. She didn't know why she felt so nervous. It's only Rumplestiltskin.

"Please, call me Belle." She didn't like the way a lot of people called her 'Miss French'. It was too formal. Just Belle.

"Belle." Rumplestiltskin smiled gently, not continuing to call her Miss French as most people did. His smile sent butterflies through her stomach. She loved the way he'd only smiled-really smiled- for her. "Quite unusual to see you here. I believe we haven't met." He added. Belle felt her smile fade a little, the last sentence reminding her of how both of them were supposed to have never met before in this cursed town.

"No, I believe we haven't." she said quietly. She walked up to the counter where Rumplestiltskin was resting both hands on his cane, and he said,

"So, may I help you with anything, Belle?" he asked casually, smiling gently, purposely using her name. And she loved it. But Belle was absently staring into his eyes. They've changed colour. She thought. She was looking for any recognition in them. Belle had always found that in Rumplestiltskin's eyes, the truth can always be found. But this was Mr Gold. And his thoughts and emotion were hidden behind a mask.

Then Belle suddenly realised she hadn't answered his question,

"Oh, um, yes. I'm, uh, looking for a new book," she stuttered. Belle wasn't that good at lying on the spot. So she leaned forward on the counter, resting her hands on the corner. Trying to seem a little more casual.

"I see. And is there any book in particular you are looking for?" Belle's eyes sparkled as she nodded.

"Beauty and the Beast." Rumplestiltskin was silent for a moment before speaking.

"Ah, the fairytale. I've never really liked that story." He said with a smile, and Belle returned it, liking his answer.

"Me neither. It seemed a bit…wrong, to me." she said slowly, looking for the right word. And Belle wasn't lying. She didn't like the way the fairytale version of them had practically all their facts wrong.

"Then may I ask why you are looking for this book, if you dislike it so much?" he said with what seemed like an amused smile. Belle's eyes were long and distant and she didn't seem entirely focused.

"Just to see if you remembered." She spoke without thinking, and then immediately froze when she realised what she had just said.

"Excuse me?" Rumplestiltskin asked, seeming a little less confused than Belle had expected. But she still tried desperately to think of an excuse.

"Um, I meant, if you remembered what the book was about." She said quickly, screwing up her face a little, hoping that was a good enough explanation. Rumplestiltskin flashed a big smile and she knew she was safe.

"I see. Well, would you like me to find that book for you?" Belle dipped her head and smiled, then looked back up.

"Yes please." Then he nodded and limped off into his office. Belle felt sorry for him, that his curse was to walk around with a bad leg, and what seemed like no family or friends. Damn this cursed town.

Belle started wandering round the shop. Looking at various items that hadn't been touched in years. A beautiful baby's mobile hung in the air, with glass unicorns and other ornaments that sparkled in the sunlight. She guessed this might have belonged to Snow White and Prince Charming, to give to baby Emma. Then Belle walked past on of the counters that held two dolls sitting side by side. She shivered. These were the same two dolls Rumplestiltskin had kept in his castle. Belle never liked them. They freaked her out. And yet she still had to dust them every day.

She smiled to herself. Remembering the time when she had worked for the Dark One.

It seemed everyone's possessions from their world, that they don't use here, were kept here in the pawnshop.

Belle stopped, frozen to the spot as all the air left her lungs and her heart stopped. She had made her way back to the main counter where she had been talking to Rumplestiltskin. And she hadn't seen it until now.

In the glass cabinet she had been leaning on, was a set of china. And in the middle of the set was a chipped cup. The chipped cup.

Belle looked down at it through the glass and the tiniest bit of hope flowed through her body. If he'd kept the cup then he must remember. He must…

"Here you go, Belle. One copy of Beauty and the Beast." Rumplestiltskin stepped out of his office to see Belle staring at the chipped cup. "Belle?" he said, and hobbled over to the counter, opposite Belle, placing the book to the side.

"You have a chipped cup." She breathed without looking up.

"Yes." Rumplestiltskin said casually. Belle looked up, sadness clearly showing in her face. He wasn't showing her he remembered.

"But, why? Why would you display it here if it's…chipped?" she looked pleadingly into his eyes, searching for an answer, begging him to remember.

Rumplestiltskin stepped out from behind the counter and stood in front of Belle. He was standing close. So close…

"Just to see if you remembered."

Belle's heart stopped, and her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him.

"Rumplestiltskin?" she whispered. He put his hand on her cheek and leaned forward.

And kissed her.

Belle closed her eyes, savouring the moment. This was happening so fast. But she smiled against his lips as his kissed her softly. Oh, so softly. As if he were afraid he might break her.

Belle wrapped her arms around his neck and then pulled her lips away, resting her forehead against his.

"You remember?" she breathed.

Rumplestiltskin wrapped his arm around Belle's waist, bringing her closer. He put his mouth against her ear and whispered softly,

"I remember."