Three weeks into the class, and Belle had gotten on Professor Gold's good side. She had no idea how, but it was most likely her willingness to learn. She had written article after article, story after story, report after report. Everyone in the class complained, except Belle. She was enjoying the challenge. But when she got handed back her best work yet, she had to resist the urge to crumple it up and throw it at her professor. She waited until class ended to confront him.

"I demand an explanation." Belle said, practically slamming the paper down onto his desk. "I've been doing so well and then you give me a D?! I don't understand." Her anger was getting the best of her, but these were her college credits on the line.

Gold sighed, closing his eyes before rubbing his temples. "I didn't see enough depth in the paper. You've got to try harder than this."

Belle's mouth fell open, her brows furrowing. Try harder? She worked HOURS on this paper. She would be damned if she let this go. "I am trying harder! But maybe if you weren't such a hard ass all the time, I'd actually be doing better in this stupid class."

He looked up at her, his frown deepening. "I'm sorry? Did I really just hear those words come out of your mouth?" He tried to stop the anger that was boiling up inside him, but it broke free. "I know you think you're hot shit, Miss French. That you're going to be the world's next best author. Well, welcome to reality. Your writing sucks. You don't describe enough, and your words are limited. You write like a child, and I doubt even they would be able to read it." He stopped, his knuckles white he was gripping the chair so hard. He finally looked up at her, a pang of pain going through his chest as he saw the tears in her eyes. "Oh. God, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

A choked sob rose from Belle's chest as she grabbed her paper, running blindly for the door.

"Miss French! Wait! Miss French!" He called desperately, standing up. When he saw that wasn't working, he planted his feet, the terror rising in him. "BELLE." He practically shouted at her, stopping her dead in her tracks. He had no idea why he didn't just let her go. Student's tears never met anything to him.

She slowly turned around, tears streaking her face. "What did you just call me?" Had she heard him correctly? Did he really just call her by her first name?

He sat back down, ashamed by his words. "Please. Come back. I didn't mean to yell at you. That was out of line."

'Damn right it was.' She thought to herself, but kept quiet. She reached up, quickly wiping away her tears before speaking again. "You've never called any of your students by their first name before. I wasn't even sure if you knew mine." She admitted, her voice cracking slightly.

"I didn't mean to take my frustrations out on you. I've had a bad week." He explained, but then shook his head again. "That isn't a valid excuse. Here, give it to me again and I'll add some constructive criticism and you can write it again and I'll grade it."

She handed him her paper, her hand shaking slightly from his outburst. "Thank you, Professor. I shouldn't have gotten so angry." She quickly pulled her hand back as theirs brushed together, her eyes downcast. "I should get going. I can't be late for work." She paused for a moment, cursing under her breath. "And papa has the car so I have walk."

"Do you need a ride?" He asked, regretting the question as soon as it came out of his mouth. She was his student. But it was just a ride, right?

Belle looked up at him, shocked by the question. Why was he being nice to her? He'd been mean to students before, but never turned nice after. That was just...well, him. "You don't have anywhere to be after this? Don't you usually have a class?" That sounded a little more stalker-ish than she wanted it to be. She didn't know his full schedule, but on Thursdays he had a class after.

He shook his head. "Private writing. And they cancelled today, so I'm free for the rest of the afternoon. I was going to grade papers, but it's fine. When do you have to be there?"

She glanced at the clock, chewing on her lower lip in thought. "Three hours? I usually head home first."

"I can drive you to work then. It's too hot for you to be walking around." He almost laughed at his compassion, but stopped himself. It was true, it was nearly 95 outside. Hot for Storybrooke.

She smiled at him slightly, then nodded slightly. "Are you forgetting where I'm from? I relish the heat. But I also love air conditioned cars. I won't be rude and turn down a ride."

This time, he did smile, which shocked even himself, let alone Belle. "Give me 10 minutes and I'll be ready to go."

"Earth to Belle. Hellooo?"

Belle was snapped out of her day dream by Ruby Lucas, one of her best friends. "What? Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts." Truth be told, she was thinking about the ride earlier that day.

She had waited outside the building, leaning against the wall when he came limping out, his brief case in his hand. She walked beside him, not saying a word as they approached his car, a Bentley Continental. Belle's jaw almost dropped at the sight of it, but she remember to keep cool. "I like your car." She said, mentally slapping herself.

Gold looked over at her, his lips playing at a smile. "Well thank you, Miss French." He unlocked it, and Belle climbed in on the passenger side. It smelled brand new. She closed her eyes inhaling the scent, her lips turning up into a smile.

Gold pulled out of the parking lot, but stopped for a moment. "Where do you work?" It had occurred to him that he didn't know where she worked.

"Oh, right. Granny's Diner." She said, chuckling. "I didn't tell you."

Gold raised an eyebrow at her, glancing back at the road. "I've never seen you there. I go there every once in a while."

"I just started working last weekend. And they've got me working the kitchen for now. I'm starting as a waitress today since their other one quit. Something Ruby said I guess."

"Or did." Gold said under his breath. Ruby was not exactly a good girl. She was known for sleeping around or ruining relationships.

Belle ignored his comment, knowing it was true. She noticed a CD sitting on the dashboard and picked it up. "No way! You listen to The Clash?" She flipped the CD over, reading the song titles. "I've got this CD somewhere in my collection."

He glanced over at her before nodding. "I saw them live on many occasions when I was a teenager."

Belle grinned at him, popping in the CD. "I love them. My friends used to make fun of me for it." She played the first track, tapping her foot to the beat.

Gold almost laughed at her, but instead turned it up. He was enjoying this short time with her. He never saw her let go like this, she was always so uptight in class.

She looked over at him, her heart fluttering. Why was he getting to her head? He was as old, or most likely older, than her own father. This crush that was beginning needed to stop. Nothing like this ever ends well. She pulled out her cell, texting Ruby that she was going to be early before looking out the window.

When they finally arrived, Gold parked in front, watching as she got out. "I'll see you for class tomorrow." He said, smiling as she closed the door.

"Belle?!" Ruby's voice came through her day dream once again, causing Belle to shake her head. "I'm so sorry, Ruby. I keep zoning out."

"I can tell. I was asking who you were thinking about. You've got a far off look in your eyes. That can only mean one thing." A wicked smile came across Ruby's face. "Who's the lucky boy?"

Belle swatted her away. "No one. Someone from back home." 'Liar' She almost heard Gold's voice in her head. "Shut up. Go away." She said out loud, cursing as she saw Ruby's face light up.

"I knew there was someone! What's his name? Where's he from? Does he live here? Did you just meet him? Is he-"

Belle cut Ruby off, putting her hand up. "Ruby! I said no one! I'm just daydreaming."

Ruby snorted, getting a warning look from Granny. "Right. Well, your shift is almost over. You should get out of here as soon as you can. Granny's in a bossy mood. You got here early, so I'll let you off of cleaning duty."

Belle laughed, pulling off her apron. "Thanks, Red. I owe you big time. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" She walked toward the door, but stopped in her tracks when she saw a familiar car.

"Who's that?" Ruby asked, suddenly appearing behind Belle.

She jumped, stuttering. "My grandfather." She quickly lied, turning around to kiss Ruby on the cheek. "Thanks for covering for closing. Again, I owe you!"

Belle quickly composed herself before walking out to the idling car. "What are you doing here?" She asked, leaning into the open window.

Professor Gold smiled up at her, a genuine smile. "You think I was going to make you walk home? Not a chance. Get in."

She laughed, opening the door before getting in. "You're becoming my favorite teacher. You know that?"

He rolled his eyes teasingly. "And you're my favorite student, hands down. Now. Show me the way."

They arrived at her house 20 minutes later, and Gold reached to shut off the music. Belle couldn't bring herself to get out of his car yet.

"Would like to come in for a drink? No alcohol, I promise. I made some amazing raspberry ice tea, if you'd like to come in and have some?"

He shook his head, glad he actually had an excuse. "I've got plans for later. I should probably get going."

Belle nodded, a little disappointed. She smiled anyway, getting out of the car. "Right. Well, I guess I'll see you for class tomorrow." Smiling sweetly at him, her heart skipping a beat as she smiled back at her.

"I guess you will."