Chapter II

Their journey to Storybrooke wasn't very comfortable; Rumple often tried to start conversations but they always ended up in an uncomfortable silence. Emma was really quiet and took some time to think about her future and how different it would be now that things didn't turn the way she'd expected.

''Are you sure you're not hungry, Bae- Neal?'' Rumple asked when the flight attendant walked by. Neal rolled his eyes. ''No, I'm not hungry,'' he said coldly.

Rumple felt really bad about his actions, especially now he realized what he had forced his son to endure.

He turned to Emma. ''What about you?'' he asked trying to keep his mind off his son. ''Are you hungry?''

Emma shook her head. ''No thank you, sir. I'm still full of the pizza,'' she said politely. Rumple smiled and leaned back in his seat. He closed his eyes and sighed softly. So I've found Bae, but now I have to take care of this girl too? he thought. But I don't know anything about girls. Belle used to do everything on her own back in the Enchanted Forest; I just minded my own business back there.

Wait, Belle. Maybe she can help me. He opened his eyes and took his cellphone from his pocket. He opened it and composed a message for Belle.

He waited patiently for her to answer. When the phone gave a soft 'pling' he quickly turned it on and read her response.

She had agreed to help him nurture Emma.

He closed his eyes again and fell, without noticing, asleep.


He had an unusual dream. It started with them entering the shop and Emma and Neal admiring his antique.

Rumple ignored their gasps and 'oohs' and went to the back of the shop. ''Just don't touch anything,'' he called over his shoulder as he opened the door leading to a small room.

''We won't break anything,'' Neal said reassuringly. Rumple sniggered and entered the room. Then the unusual part started; Belle sat at the table reading a book.

He froze. She looked up with a warm smile. ''Belle?'' he asked raising an eyebrow. ''What are you doing here?'' he asked surprised. She stood up still that warm smile on her face. ''What do you mean, Rumple?'' she asked walking toward him.

''Since when do you call me Rumple?'' he asked confused. His head was spinning and he didn't understand what was happening.

Belle chuckled and took some steps toward him. ''After you saved me from the Evil Queen and we kissed.''

She was really close to him now, there was only one step length between them. ''Kissed?'' he asked his eyes wide. ''But that has never happened,'' he said.

She had stopped in front of him and watched him with a small smile. ''At your estate, in the Enchanted Forest before the curse.'' She caressed his cheek. He shivered and felt very uncomfortable, though he unexpectedly savored her touch. ''You-you remember the Enchanted Forest?'' he asked surprised. She nodded. ''I've been waiting here for you to return.''

He watched her confused. ''Have you found your son?'' she asked. Rumple slowly nodded not leaving her eyes.

He never noticed what a beautiful eyes she had. He wanted to drown in them, and never escape. He never wanted to leave her, not anymore.

She watched him with an enchanting smile and a kind face. He slowly tucked some stray hairs behind her ear. Her skin was soft and warm.

His hand lingered on her cheek and his heartbeat sped up when she leaned toward him. He didn't fight it, he wanted it. Her soft lips met his and a jolt of excitement shot through his body.

He woke up to Neal's urging shakes. ''We've landed,'' he said trying to wake his father. Rumple slowly opened his eyes and sighed when he found himself back in the plane between Emma and Neal.

He had never felt such a thing before and this was nothing more than just a dream. This doesn't mean anything, he thought trying to convince himself he couldn't fall for some weakness like love. Love is weakness, he thought fighting his longing.

''Come on, we have to go,'' Neal said desperately. Rumple shook the thoughts away and stood up leaning against his cane.

They quickly exited the plane and set for the airport. Rumple hoped his thoughts would cease after some time, but the more he tried to push them away, the stronger they became.

He focused on the clicking of his cane against the stone ground. When they had left the airport Rumple brought them to his car. ''Quickly, we have to hurry if we want to make it back before dark,'' he said. But that wasn't the real reason why he wanted to go so badly.

He tried to push the thoughts away again but they returned every time. Come on Rumple! Focus. She can't love you, not even if you love her. No one loves you, he thought trying to regain his focus.

He heaved a sigh and concentrated on the road.


The sun had almost vanished behind the trees of the forest when they arrived in Storybrooke. Rumple stopped the car in front of his shop. ''You wait here,'' he said to Emma and Neal. ''I have to check something in the shop,'' he said.

Neal didn't respond and looked through the window; he had a hard time accepting that he was back with his father after what had happened between them. But Emma nodded and smiled politely. ''Thank you, sir,'' she said. Rumple smiled quickly and then exited the car.

He took a key from his pocket and opened the shop door. He entered and slowly walked toward the door that led to the small room he had seen in his dream. I'm sure it was just a dream, he thought eyeing the door suspiciously. He didn't quite believe it actually. At least, he hoped it wasn't.

He reached out for the door knob and opened the door. No one; the room was empty. He cursed softly and turned to leave the shop.

He locked the door and stepped back in the car. Without a word he drove toward his house.


He wasn't able to sleep that night. He turned and shifted continually. He didn't want to believe it. I can't be in love. I'm the Dark One. Love is weakness, he stated. And I have no weaknesses, he thought frustrated. He closed his eyes and dozed off into a troubled sleep.

He dreamt the same dream, but this time the dream didn't stop at the kiss. When Belle retreated she smiled that adorable smile of hers. ''Did you really forget?'' she asked. Rumple watched her frozen. How could she have kissed him? No one loved him.

She waved a hand in front of his eyes. ''Rumple,'' she said softly. Her voice sounded like the most beautiful music and her face was the fairest of them all. ''What have I forgotten?'' he asked staring into her deep blue eyes. ''Our date,'' she said softly. ''You said that when you returned we would go on a date.''

He couldn't help but grin broadly. ''You want to go on a date, with me?'' he asked. She chuckled amusingly. ''Why wouldn't I? You're my true love,'' she said again stroking his cheek. ''But I- I'm a monster,'' he said trembling under her touch.

She smiled. ''You're not a monster,'' she said reassuringly. ''You're just a man who's lured into the darkness, and now I'll help you escape it,'' she said. Her eyes twinkled softly when they met his. ''Do you really think that?'' he asked mesmerized. ''No,'' she replied. ''I don't think it. I know it.''

Rumple grinned and leaned forward. He brushed her lips waiting for her reaction. She didn't fight and surrendered to him. She put her arms around his neck, and…

He woke up. His eyes shot open and he found himself in his bedroom, sweating. He sat upright. The sun shone through his window and dim sun rays through the curtains.

He was trembling like mad and beads of sweat covered his face. ''Why do I keep having those dreams?'' he asked himself. He felt feverish and was battling with his feelings.

He left his bed and walked to the sink. He splashed his face with water and looked into the mirror. ''What's happening to me?'' he asked his reflection.

He heaved a deep breath and dressed up. He took his cane and walked downstairs. He settled down on a chair and looked out of the window for some time, thinking about his dream.

I can't be in love.

Is it even love? he thought. Maybe it's just something like the flu and it'll blow over, he thought.

He was so focused on his thoughts that he hadn't noticed Emma had entered the room. ''Good morning, sir,'' she said yawning. He looked around startled but relaxed when he saw it was Emma. ''Good morning,'' he replied smiling quickly.

He stood up and walked to the kitchen. ''What do you want for breakfast?'' he asked opening the fridge.

Emma followed him into the kitchen. ''I dunno, I rarely have breakfast,'' she said uncertain. Rumple tipped against his chin thoughtfully. ''What do you say about bacon and eggs and orange juice?'' he asked grinning.

She nodded greedily. Rumple sniggered. ''Can you go and wake Bae- I mean Neal?'' he asked taking eggs and bacon from the fridge. She nodded quickly and climbed the stairs.

Rumple started cooking. The moment he was alone his mind started racing again. Can I truly love her? he thought. I've felt like she was a friend back in the Enchanted Forest, maybe I didn't realize I felt more back there. I hadn't felt love for at least a few centuries.

He cracked an egg and poured it into the pan. Maybe she loves me too, he thought dreamily.

No she doesn't, no one loves me.

He added another egg. No, I'm not even sure if I love her, he thought quickly. Love is a weakness, and nothing more, just a distraction.

I'll just see how it goes, he decided finally. He took some plates and scooped the bacon and eggs onto them. He put them on the table and cleaned the kitchen.

Emma and Neal came running downstairs and started eating.

At that moment the doorbell rang.

Rumple left the kitchen and entered the hall. ''Coming!'' he called. He leaned against his cane as he opened the door.

He couldn't believe it. Not now, he thought desperately. ''Hey,'' Belle said smiling. ''You texted me yesterday, I'm here for Emma.''

A/N: RUMBELLEEEEEEEEE! I love the couple so much. I hope you enjoyed the second chapter, I'll try and update as much as possible. Keep reviewing. It motivates me to continue.