A/N: Hello! This is one of my first fanfics, so I hope you enjoy. It's set during the time of Skin Deep, however depending on how things go, I might take things a little AU. As it is my first story, I would love some feedback. ~Pippi

Belle's nerves were practically shot as she walked out of the the hall of her home for the last time, accompanying one of the most feared men in the land, moments after agreeing to be his housekeeper. She tried to keep her mind focused on the fact that she was saving both her village and her father, rather than focusing on what it cost her to do so. She could still hear her father weeping, begging her to change her mind, but there was no going back. She had made a deal, and everyone knows you don't go back on a deal with Rumpelstiltskin. She shuddered as she thought the name, glancing over at her new master, with his manic grin on full display.

"Don't I need to pack?" She asked as he headed towards the castle's entrance.

"No need dearie, all that you need will be provided for you." He said in a high pitched tone, reminiscent of a court jester.

Belle kept walking with her head down as they exited the castle. She couldn't bare the looks of pity from the soldiers who were guarding the castle. She was however, relieved to hear the silence outside showing that Rumpelstiltskin had kept his side of the deal, and the fighting ceased. No more lives would be lost to the foolishness of war, and Belle assured herself that that was more important than even her own life.

The odd gray/gold man and his beautiful companion made their way down the main road, and out of the town on foot. Belle kept waiting to them to make it to his carriage or something. She wasn't exactly sure how he had arrived, but she was fairly certain he hadn't walked all the way. Rumpelstiltskin was a strange man, but based on his dress he wasn't a walker. She could see the people of her town peering out of their windows with looks of horror. She wanted to tell them that it would be okay, and that they were safe, but she was too scared to risk the wrath of Rumpelstiltskin. Finally, after Belle felt that they must have walked over a mile she asked,

"Are we going to walk the entire way?"

Rumpelstiltskin spun around to face her, inching toward her. Belle backed away as much as she could until her back was touching the trunk of a tree. " Afraid of a little work dearie? Tsk tsk, that's not becoming of a housekeeper. Surely you aren't trying to back out of our little deal already?"

"N-n-no" Belle stuttered, " I just figured we'd be traveling some other way. You did appear in our hall after all"

"Yes, yes I did." He said grinning at her in a way that made it look like a wild animal baring it's teeth, as he moved even closer toward her. Belle had to suck in her breath to keep their bodies in two separate spaces.

"You see dearie, I figured a nice walk out of town would be nice, kind of like a funeral for your old life. If we had planned ahead I would have even gotten flowers for the display. The town's people surely enjoyed the sight. Your exit with the beast will be the only thing they will be able to speak of for quite a while, 'Poor Belle, what a brave girl, all of us are indebted to her.' I did you a favor, made you a hero in a way you can't even understand."

"I didn't want to be made into a hero." She spat back, blood boiling. "I didn't do this in pursuit of glory, I did it because it was my duty to my town." Rumpelstiltskin started laughing hysterically.

"But of course you did, that's the only reason. A beautiful young martyr, why it's sensational! I'm sure they'll build a statue in your honor, and stories will be told by fires about your bravery. I'm just helping the story along. But did you think dearie that in this story you have to live out the forever after? Did you think about how you will be spending the rest of your eternity? Whilst a fan of vanity, I wonder how long it will take you to crack. How long until you are pleading for a new deal, so you can run back to your precious broken town, idiotic father, and fop of a betrothed." He was now pacing around the forest waving his arms to add emphasis. Belle was so angry she could see straight. How dare he belittle what she had done, what she had given up. Life as she knew it was over and he was making one big joke of it. Without thinking of the consequences, Belle marched right over to Rumpelstiltskin and slapped that stupid smile off his face, causing him to falter in his ranting, and just stand there looking at her in shock.

The pause gave Belle just enough time to begin to panic over the consequences. What if he hurt her? What if he considered it violation of their deal and her village would be destroyed regardless? All of the stories she had been told as a child made it clear that if Rumpelstiltskin was anything, he was creative with his punishments, and there was no telling what he would do to her.

Belle braced herself for his wrath, but it never came. He just looked at her dumbfounded for a few seconds.

"Oh, you have a bit of fight in you, aye? This should prove to be more interesting than I previously thought." With a terrifying giggle, Rumpelstiltskin grabbed her hand, and before Belle knew what was happening they were standing in the entrance way of the Dark Castle.

"Welcome home dearie." He said as he guided inside.