Hey, y'all. Sorry it took a little longer than expected to get this chapter out. Life happened, lots of work to do and not a lot of time. I don't own Once Upon a Time nor any of the characters I will be using. So here's chapter two:)
Summary:
The seemingly endless twenty-eight years are over, and Belle is alive and remembers everything. The pain and the heartache, but also the love. And Rumpelstiltskin couldn't be happier. All that's left now is to find his son. But that happiness doesn't last very long when Regina releases a wraith to destroy Snow White, and of course, Belle wants to help. In order to keep her safe, the Dark One offers his services to help dispose of the creature. But tragedy strikes when Belle falls through the portal, and Rumpelstiltskin isn't about to let her go again.
Chapter 2:
Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a strip of golden light over the beauty's face. Slowly and reluctantly, she opened her eyes, almost to immediately to close them due to the brightness of the sun. She was distinctly aware of his arms wrapped around her waist as she sighed contently. She had never felt safer in her life than she did in his arms. Belle thought her life was over when the queen had taken her captive, it had been more than twenty eight years of pain and misery. But just when she had been about to give up, just when she was about to let go of that dwindling ray of hope, the blanket of darkness was replaced by bursts of light. She had found her true love once again.
Belle hadn't felt this well rested in at least thirty years. He scared away all of the nightmares that had plagued her sleep. The beauty tried to slip out of his embrace, only to find that he tightened them even more around her. She turned around to face him.
"Rumple... Rumple, wake up." She giggled, trying to wriggle out of his arms. "I'm hungry."
His eyes slowly opened, blinking away the sleepiness. His face stretched into a grin. "Hey."
"Good morning." She said, giving him a warm smile. That smile turned kind of sheepish, "Could we maybe get some breakfast? I'm starved."
"Of course." He responded, his voice sounding a bit groggy. "Why don't you get dressed and I'll meet you downstairs."
"Alright." She threw off the sheets and stood up, stretching. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
That was his cue, he left her room and returned to his to get ready for the day. Rumpelstiltskin was the luckiest man alive, he had the most amazing woman in all the realms. When he first met her, he believed she would be selfish, like all those others privileged to be born into nobility. That's why he had wanted to take her in the first place, he was curious to see if she would break under all the stress. But Belle was different, she had volunteered to save her family, her friends, and even complete strangers. In other words, she was everything that he was not.
The Dark One had never met someone so selfless and brave, someone who looked past his flaws and could see the man behind the monster. He finished buttoning his shirt. Grabbing his coat, he made his way downstairs.
As he entered the living room, he saw Belle sitting on the couch with a book. She was wearing the light blue dress that he had left in her room. She looked absolutely beautiful, as he knew she would.
"Hey." The beauty turned, a smile donning her face. "So, what's for breakfast?"
"Well, I was actually wondering if you would like to accompany me into town. We could get food at Granny's and I could show you around." He offered, with a shrug. "Or we could stay here and eat."
"I think seeing the town would be lovely."
"Rumple, why are they all staring at us?" Belle questioned as yet another person walked past, giving them a strange look.
"Because I am The Dark One and you... you are far too beautiful to be with me willingly. They most likely believe that I have captured you, and that I'm now using you for my own 'evil' purposes." He said sarcastically. His expression then turned to apologetic. "We could turn back if you would like."
"No, it's alright. I don't care what people think. I'm just happy that I found you again." She responded.
"I truly don't deserve you," He said as his heart swelled. They had just arrived at Granny's, he stopped to kiss her softly before they walked in. Ruby greeted him with a glare, telling them both to take the booth in the back corner. Belle, being her perfect self, thanked Ruby with a soft smile. The entire place went silent as people watched them walk back to their booth. As Belle and Rumpelstiltskin sat down, conversations slowly started back up.
Belle talked all throughout breakfast about the book she had found in his living room. He listened intently, giving her his thoughts, but was careful not to spoil anything as she had only read the first few chapters. He watched how her face lit up when she talked and the way she moved her hands to help convey her thoughts, she was absolutely breathtaking.
"Are you ready to go explore the town?" He asked when she was completely finished with her pancakes.
"Yes." She said with an excited glint in her eyes.
They walked around, still garnering looks from the people of Storybrooke. He showed her the small shops, the school, where they saw the children outside playing, and the library. Belle was especially interested in the latter. And he just so happened to have the keys. They spent hours perusing through all of the books, and when they were finally done, she had a pile of about thirty novels that she wanted to read. The Dark One snapped his fingers and the books disappeared, back to his home.
"Well." He said, offering his arm. "Shall we, milady?"
"Of course, good sir." She said with a giggle, as she laced her arm through his.
Finally the two got back around to his shop. The familiar sound of the bell ringing was comforting.
"I just have to retrieve a few things in the back of the shop that will help me find my son." He opened the curtain and walked to the cupboard for a few potions. He heard her gasp and turned to see her staring at their cup.
"You still have it," She said, while gingerly picking it up. "My chipped cup."
"Yes, of course. There are many, many things in this shop, but this..." He gestures to the chipped tea cup." This is the only thing I truly cherish."
"I can't believe you've kept it all these years." She breathed out in amazement. "Rumple, that is the sweetest thing anybody has ever done for me."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a gentle kiss. His hands drifted to her waist, pulling her flush against him. She sighed as he turned his head, deepening the kiss. They were so lost in their own world that they didn't even hear the bell ringing.
They heard gasps of surprise and broke apart quickly. Seeing the whole Charming clan, Rumpelstiltskin scowled.
"To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" He growled out, but they were too busy staring at Belle. "And the curtain exists for a reason. This is the back of my shop."
"Who is she?" Emma blurted out, ever so subtle.
"She can speak for herself." Belle said, slightly annoyed at the fact the she wasn't directly addressed. "I am Belle, of Avonlea."
Snow, who was a bit less forward, asked "I don't want to offend, but may I ask, are you here willingly?"
"Very willingly." Belle said with a reassuring smile. "Rumpelstiltskin is my true love."
"I thought you told me that she died." Charming butted in.
"I thought she had." His said, his voice laced with bitterness. "Anyways, what is it you need? As you can see, I have better things to do with my time."
"Why did you lie to me?" Emma said angrily. Her face had turned slightly red. "Henry could have died. And what did you do to this town?"
"Let me answer your questions with a few of my own... Did your dear boy survive?" He asked.
"Yes." Emma admitted reluctantly.
"Is the curse broken?" He smirked as she, once again, confirmed. "Oh, and how long have you been searching for your parents? Looks like you're finally reunited. You should be thanking me."
"Twist my words all you want, but-"
"Emma." Snow interrupted, trying to keep the peace. "Rumpelstiltskin, we need your help. Regina summoned a wraith and it's wreaking havoc all over Storybrooke."
"She marked Snow with a medallion, it seems to be some sort of homing device for the creature." Charming added in somewhat intelligently.
"And what makes you think that I can help you?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.
"You're the Dark One." Emma said as if that explained everything. "You must have some idea on how to defeat this thing."
"Let me rephrase that question: what makes you think that I would want to help you?" He demanded.
"Rumple." Belle reprimanded. "We should help. It's the least you could do after bringing magic to this world."
"That purple cloud thing was magic?" Emma looked like she was about to pass out.
"Yes, as you so diligently put it, that purple cloud thing was magic." Rumpelstiltskin informed with a smirk. He turned to Belle who gave him a pleading look, practically forcing him to agree. "Fine, I will help you dispose of the wraith. But it's going to cost you. Miss. Swan, another favor, perhaps?
"Wait, you owe him a-" Charming started.
"Fine." Emma interrupted. The Dark One smirked.
"Alright, it's settled. Meet me at the town hall at seven o'clock... Oh, and try not to die until then." He said with a sneer.
As soon as the door shut and the Charming's were gone, Belle turned to him. "Why do you have to be so difficult with people? I understand that all magic comes with a price, but why don't you offer them a deal when they first ask?"
"Because the Dark One doesn't play nice, dearie." He snapped, immediately regretting it as he watched her face fall. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Belle. It's just… I've done enough for them, and what do I get in return? I get locked in a cage. No matter what I do, they will never accept that I could possibly be on their side; So why even try? They expect darkness, so that's what they're going to get. Plus, I need to focus on more important things, like finding my boy."
Why should he show them any kindness? At least with Baelfire, he had a chance of redemption, a chance to be loved.
"I understand, but helping them is the right thing to do. They would soon see the man that I see." That wasn't even in question, they would never see him as anything more than the Dark One or some magical conniving beast. Damn, she was staring up at him with a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"I will try to be better, Belle. This creature is something I must face on my own." He said, changing the subject. "Promise me you will stay home while I deal with the wraith. I just got you back, I don't want to lose you again."
"I promise to try to stay away."
That was a relief, he had thought she would've fought him on it. "Good. I'll drive you home before I go, and then I have to go see a man about a hat."
Ivy and ferns grew through the crevices of the winding stone path, which led directly to the large structure. The mansion loomed proudly behind shiny iron gates, flanked by rows of luscious trees crowned in green, swaying gently to the wind. Rumpelstiltskin walked up the path to reach a set of tall, brown doors. He knocked and waited until the doors flung open to reveal the slightly disheveled hatter
"Ah, Jefferson." Rumpelstiltskin smiled. "An absolute pleasure to see you again."
"Rumpelstiltskin." The Mad Hatter said quite hurriedly. "I can't talk now, I'm quite busy."
"No doubt about trying to figure out how to confront Grace after all this time."
Jefferson looked suspicious, "What do you want?"
"May I come in?"
"Make it quick." Jefferson said with the wave of his hand. He, perhaps, received the worst part of the the curse. The hatter was forced to live in a large manor, isolated from society. He was burdened with memories from the past, which reminded him daily that he wasn't with his daughter. Twenty-eight years of solitude and loneliness would drive any person mad.
Rumpelstiltskin could relate to the man. He had lived alone for hundreds of years, separated from his child, waiting for the day that they would be reunited. That was his only drive to live, that he would one day see his son again.
"I would like to discuss a deal. Regina has released a wraith into town and I need to get rid of it, so-"
"Let me guess, you need my hat." The Dark One nodded in confirmation. "You may have it, I have no use for it anymore.
"Just like that?" Rumpelstiltskin's eyebrows rose in question. Jefferson stood and left the room for a moment, coming back with his hat.
"Here. Now go, I have work to do." The Hatter said, thrusting the tattered hat into Rumpelstiltskin's hands. He started to walk away when,
"Jefferson, I would like to help you with your daughter." He said.
The Mad Hatter stopped completely, spinning around with a look of shock, "What, why?"
"I will never forget what you did for me, for Belle. Freeing her from the Evil Queen's clutches. I owe you." He said as he stood up. "Grace will understand why you couldn't contact her during the curse, you just need to gather enough courage to talk to her. Take it from a man who has lost nearly everything important to him. You don't want to waste any precious time that you have with her."
Rumpelstiltskin snapped his fingers and disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.
He arrived at precisely seven o'clock to find Emma and her father discussing plans, while Snow talked to Belle? Hadn't he told her to stay home?
"Belle, what are you doing here? You promised me you would stay at home." He knew it was futile, but he had to try. The monster would soon be there for Snow White.
"I promised to try to stay away." She put emphasis on the word try. "But I didn't just want to sit there and do nothing, so I'm here to help"
"You need to go home." He demanded. "I will not have you hurt in any way."
"Rumple, I am staying here. I want to help, you don't get to make my decisions for me."
"Fine, but you will stay next to me at all times and you won't put yourself in harm's way. Promise me." He begged as the lights started to flicker. The wraith was almost here.
"I promise."
"Great, now that that wonderful discussion is over, let's get inside so we don't die." Emma suggested.
"Good idea." Rumpelstiltskin and Snow said in unison. At least they could all agree on something.
The Charming's followed in after Belle and Rumpelstiltskin. Charming held up a broomstick made some interesting remark about 'torches' and being 'old fashioned' as Rumpelstiltskin knelt down to start on the portal. Magic was vastly different in this world, making his job even more difficult than it should be. The air grew colder and the lights flickered until they burst. Suddenly Snow screamed from next to him as Emma was thrown across the room.
"Emma!" Charming yelled as he saw his daughter fall. He swung at the wraith. "Rumpelstiltskin, now would be the time!"
"These things take time!" Rumpelstiltskin called back as Charming was thrown into the wall. These idiots expect him to make it work in a matter of seconds. Belle touched his arm and the portal sprung to life. He turned to her in shock, he felt raw power as soon as her hand had come into contact with his shoulder. Belle had made the portal work, which meant she possessed magic. How had he not noticed it before? She had spent nearly a year with him in The Dark Castle. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear when Charming yelled for them to watch out.
"Rumple!" Belle screamed as she jumped in front of him, flying into the portal as the wraith crashed into her.
"Belle, no!" There was absolutely no hesitation in The Dark One's voice as he yelled, "I'm not losing you again!"
And he jumped in after her.
Finally, the adventure starts next chapter! I'm going to be loosely following the story line, but I will be making a lot of changes, as it will be Rumple and Belle instead of Snow and Emma. It will probably be around a week or two before the next chapter is posted. Drop a review to tell me how I did, whether it be good or bad. Thanks and see you next time:)