Summary: What might have happened if Regina had been telling the truth and Belle had actually died after leaving Rumpelstiltskin's castle? Who else would be capable of loving him? Who else would he be capable of loving? AU Rumple/OFC.

Disclaimer: It's the show's world. I just play in it (with my own toys).

1

The stranger had dark brown eyes and long chestnut hair drawn away from her face with a silver hair clip. She wore a simple brown skirt and a pale pink-and-white-striped shirt under a black leather jacket. Her low-heeled boots clicked on the hardwood as she worked slowly through the shop, pausing occasionally to run her fingers over an object before moving on.

Mr. Gold watched her from his office, hidden by the curtain between rooms, mildly curious and more than a little suspicious. No one ever browsed his wares. They always came for a specific item, or to ask his advice, or cut a deal, or accuse him of something. But no one came to browse, and certainly not strangers.

Best to nip this in the bud.

He straightened his tie and smoothed his hands down his suit jacket before throwing back the curtain.

"Anything I can help you with, dearie?" he asked, affably aloof.

The woman turned, almost knocking a box to the floor with her purse. She caught it as it fell and set it back on the counter.

"Sorry," she murmured, wincing with a smile. "Are you Mr. Gold?"

"I am."

"I was told you were the one to help me. I'd like to rent an apartment, if you have any available."

An apartment? Strangers didn't visit Storybrooke, and they most definitely didn't come to stay.

"We don't get a lot of newcomers," he replied. "What brings you to our little town?"

"I'm looking for my sister," she said, briefly distracted by a mobile of glass unicorns as she approached his counter. "Well, half-sister. A friend said I might have some luck here."

"Who is your friend?"

"You probably wouldn't know him. He hasn't been in town long."

August. He was supposed to be encouraging Miss Swan to break the curse. What was he thinking, bringing an outsider into Storybrooke? Who was she?

"I know everyone, dearie," he said. "As for the apartment, I would have to check before I could tell you anything."

But the stranger wasn't listening. She was staring intently at something behind him.

"What is this place?" she whispered, mouth parted in a combination of fear and awe.

Gold followed her gaze to a lit tea candle on the shelf. For a moment he watched it flicker lazily as tiny tendrils of smoke rose from the wick and disappeared into the air before turning back to the woman.

"This is Storybrooke."

"I changed my mind," she said, her voice small and faraway.

"Well, then-"

"I want to buy a house."