Chapter 2. Habits.

Belle was surprised to see Will walk into the library, hands full with two coffees, the very next day. And the next day, and the next, until she stopped being surprised and just assumed he would be there every day at the same time. She would research how to save the fairies and around five, Will would stroll in with two coffees. He would help her clean up the books and they would talk. And laugh. And just all around enjoy each others company.

Belle enjoyed the visits because it gave her a chance to forget that the fairies were trapped in the hat and that she couldn't find the spell to save them. She'd also be lying if she said she didn't enjoy Will's company. He didn't treat her like some delicate flower. He didn't tip toe around her feelings and certainly never made her feel guilty for not feeling better. He also made her laugh in a way she hadn't laughed in a long time, even with Rumple.

She enjoyed his visits because she just simply enjoyed being around him.

Will didn't know why he came back the next day after their first coffee night. One second he was walking around town, the next he was walking out of Granny's and heading to the library, two to-go cups in his hands.

He had been nervous at first, not entirely sure she'd want to see him again, especially so soon. But as soon as he opened the door and she looked up from her book and smiled at him, he felt his nervousness disappear.

After that, he couldn't keep himself away. He tried to reason with himself that he only went so that he could help her. After all, who knew the pain of never being good enough for the one you love better than him?

But part of him, deep down inside, knew that wasn't the whole answer. He enjoyed spending time with her because she was the first person in a long time that made him feel like maybe he wasn't so alone. Her optimism was a refreshing break from his normal pessimistic outlook on life.

Even though he could see the pain and heart ache in her eyes every time he looked, she still insisted that things would get better.

He liked that. He liked her.

After a full week of their routine, he finally asked, "What do you spend all day readin' about, anyhow?"

Belle continued to put away the books as she answered, "Well, Killian and I are trying to find a spell that can bring back the fairies."

"I take it it ain't goin' so well." He guessed.

Belle paused for a moment, and sighed, "No, it's not."

Her voice was sad, but there was also something deeper there. It was almost like chiding herself.

"You'll figure it out." He said.

She shook her head, "But what if I don't? Those fairies are stuck in there and god only knows how terrible it is. If I don't find a way to save them..."

Will put the books down and walked over to the worrying brunette. He took the books out of her hands and placed them to the side, before turning her to face him, "You will."

She looked down, "It's been over a month, Will. If I haven't found it yet, when will I ever? It's all my fault that they're in there, I have to find a way to save them."

"Oi, hold on a second," He lifted her chin up to look him in the eyes, "Who says it's your fault? Last time I checked you didn't hold that hat and put the fairies in there. And you weren't the one forcin' Hook to do it, either."

"No, but I should have realized Rumple was up to something. I should have stopped him... I-" Her eyes were filling with tears, and Will hated seeing her cry.

"You didn't know 'cause you believed the best of 'im. You believe the best in everyone, an' it's not a bad thing. You're good an' you want to believe everyone else is too, that's one'a the best things 'bout you. Don't let Rumpelstiltskin's mistakes make you feel guilty. The fairies are on him, not you."

He wiped away one of her runaway tears with his thumb, "You're gonna find a way to save 'em, I know you are 'cause you're the smartest damn person in this town, an' if you can't find it it's 'cause it ain't there to find."

Belle wanted to believe in what Will was saying. She wanted to not feel guilty. But she also knew that no matter what others might tell her, her inability to see Rumple as a villain made her just as guilty as he was in every terrible thing he did to the town.

But the fact that Will had so much faith in her... it made her want to cry even more. She didn't know what to say, so instead she just wrapped her arms around his chest and buried her head into his neck.

Will froze for a minute, unsure of how to handle this. He couldn't remember the last time he had to comfort a sobbing woman. Tentatively, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He rested his head on hers, and just held her.

He wanted to make her stop, and he wished that he knew the magic words to erase the guilt she felt, but he was at a lose. So he held her, and hoped that it helped.

The next day, Belle was feeling a little better about the search. She still had no idea how to save the faeries, or where to even continue searching, but she felt better. She knew it was because of Will, and as she thought about her newest friend she smiled.

The pressure to save them felt a little less intense now that she had finally vented out her stresses. Knowing that Will believed she would find a way to save them, that he thought she was the smartest person in town, also helped her a lot.

It felt good knowing that she had someone who believed in her, even when she couldn't believe in herself.

So instead of allowing herself to wallow in self pity for another moment, Belle went to work finding the spell she knew had to be somewhere in her library.

She had been deep in concentration for three hours straight, when the door to the library opened and brought her back to reality. Assuming it was Killian, she didn't bother to look up, but instead kept reading, "I found some promising books in the back. I've read through the three over here, but there's still two more on the counter that I haven't touched yet."

Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the man walk over to the counter and grab one of the books before pulling out the chair across from her and sitting down. She didn't look up until a familiar hand pushed a to-go cup of coffee towards her.

Shocked, she looked up and smiled, "Will! You're here early."

She looked at the watch on her hand, it was barely past eleven. She reached over and grabbed the cup of coffee, glad for the much needed caffeine break.

"Yeah," Will shrugged, "I had some free time, figured I'd help ya out."

"Will, you don't have to do that."

He gave her a look, "No, but I want to. Besides, I doubt I'll be much help, but at least you won't be cooped up in here alone."

She laughed, "I'm sure you'll be more help than you think. Thank you."

Will felt his face turning warm, and had to look down at the book, "Don't mention it."

Belle tried to contain her happiness. The truth was, working in the library all by herself was starting to drive her a bit mad. A person could only handle being cooped up alone for so long, before they started to go stir crazy.

She had never seen Will blush before, and she was surprised to find that she rather liked the way he looked when he did. The look on his face was bashful, almost childlike. It made her smile even more.

Will looked up from his book, and gave her a disapproving glance, "That book isn't going to read itself." He said, trying to contain the blush spreading across his face.

Damn it was embarrassing. Will Scarlet didn't blush, he just didn't. Yet as he sat across from the studious woman and felt her staring him down, he couldn't help himself.

He had decided last night as she sobbed into his shoulder that he was going to start helping her. She shouldn't be the only one responsible for finding a way to save the faeries. Even though she had said Killian was helping, Will didn't feel like the man was doing very much it. After all, it was Belle that spent all day, everyday searching through all those endless books. It was her who seemed haunted by the faeries, guilt ridden to find a solution to a problem she had no hand in creating in the first place.

Will knew books weren't exactly his specialty, but he knew how to read, and he'd be damned if he was going to sit by and let Belle drown herself in guilt. He'd help her, and he wouldn't stop until they found the spell she believed was somewhere in here.

Belle held back the giggle she felt coming, and looked back down at her book, "You're right, sorry."

When he was content that she really was reading again, he put his attention back on his own book.

As Belle read, she couldn't help but cast quick glances at the man across from her. Smiling to herself, she was thankful yet again that she could count Will Scarlet as one of her friends.

Only an hour and a half later, Will snapped his book shut and dropped it on the table. He looked at Belle, "That's it. I'm officially callin' break. I'm starvin', let's go get somethin' t'eat."

Belle jumped at the sudden noise, losing her place in the book as she nearly dropped it. "Oh, that's okay, you go. I'm not that hungry."

She didn't normally stop for lunch. With the stress she had been under, she had never really been very hungry in the first place, but she also never wanted to waste the time. She had so many books to read through... well eating just didn't seem like the most important thing when she knew those faeries were stuck in that terrible place.

"Now, Belle. There's one a' two ways this is gonna go down. Either you put down that book an' come with me t' Granny's for lunch of your own free will, or I'm gonna pick you an' carry you all the way t' Granny's." He looked at her as he stood up, not joking at all, "Your choice."

Knowing he wasn't kidding, Belle placed the book on the table, and stood up, "When did you become so bossy?"

"You've been rubbin' off on me." He said as he rolled his eyes.

The diner was full when Belle and Will walked in. Seeing a free booth, Will put his hand on the small of Belle's back and led her past the other patrons.

"I don't know how you can do that all day long." He said as he sat down

"I like reading."

He laughed, "You'd have to."

She smiled at his comment, "You know I appreciate the help, I really do. But I don't expect you to do it all day. You're free to go whenever you want."

He shook his head, "Ah, don't listen to me. I jus' like to complain. How do you do it though?"

Belle shrugged, "I'm used to it, I guess. My mother loved books. She would read to me everyday. Her love just rubbed off on me."

She traced circles into the table, letting herself relive the past for a moment.

"My mother was the bravest, kindest woman I ever knew. When she died... well the only thing I had left of her was her books. At that time when I would read her favorites it was like I could almost hear her voice reading it to me. I still can, sometimes." Belle didn't know why she was telling him about her mother. Maybe it was because she missed her mother. Maybe it was because nobody asked about her, not even Rumple.

But as she told Will about her mother, it just felt right.

Will listened to her without interrupting. He could see that losing her mother was something she still felt strongly.

He also enjoyed learning more about Belle. It was like unraveling a mystery with her. He wanted to know everything he could about the young woman sitting across from him. He didn't really know why, he just did. He wanted to know what made her smile, what made her frown, and what she loved, what she hated.

He wanted to know, well, everything.

"You miss her," he said, without hesitation.

She nodded, not trusting her voice. She paused a moment before she felt she could trust herself not to break down, "It's been so long since she died, but she was taken from us before her time, so violently, so suddenly, that it's hard to let go."

Belle could tell he wanted to ask more, but was unsure if he should. He didn't want to push her too far.

She answered, without needing to be asked, "It was during the ogre wars. Our castle was under siege by the ogre armies. My father had ordered that everyone evacuate, but my mother couldn't bear the idea of leaving behind her books. Knowledge to her was the best weapon against everything. So she went to the library and gathered all the books she didn't want falling into the wrong hands."

That seemed like something Belle would do, Will realized. Rushing into a deadly situation, thinking they were doing the right thing. "You went with her, didn't you?"

She chuckled, "That obvious, huh? Yeah, I did. I couldn't let her go by herself and honestly I couldn't bear to be parted from some of those books either. We had been about to leave when an ogre broke down the door to library..." she took a breath trying to steady herself, "We hid under one of the tables, praying that it would pass right by. It didn't."

She closed her eyes and Will reached over and took her hands.

"I don't remember what happened after. I think it's for the best too. All I know is that she gave gave her life so that I could live..."

"She sounds like a pretty great lady."

She smiled, "Yeah, she was."

Emma and Hook were sitting at the bar waiting for their lunch when the door opening caught Emma's attention.

Belle, for the first time in what felt like months, was walking into Granny's... laughing?

Emma thought that by itself was strange. After all, Belle had been so withdrawn since Rumpelstiltskin's banishment. She rarely did anything but sit in the library reading or sit at home reading. And she certainly seemed to be avoiding Granny's like a plague, despite Emma's open offer to join her for lunch anytime.

But the strangest part of Belle's sudden reappearance at Granny's was that she didn't come alone. Following behind her was a man that Emma knew well enough to know he certainly wasn't someone Belle would normally associate with.

"What the...?" She said mostly to herself as she watched Will Scarlet place his hand on Belle's back and help Belle to the only open booth in the diner.

"What is it, love?" Killian turned to see what had Emma so enthralled. "Well... that's interesting."

"Interesting?" Emma shot back, "Suspicious is what it is."

"Suspicious of what exactly, Swan?"

"Scarlet isn't exactly Belle's regular company. He's up to something."

Killian looked at the two across the diner. They seemed as if they were in there own little world. The way she laughed, the way he smiled. Killian knew the look forming on Will Scarlet's face, he knew it only too well. The poor lad could hardly keep his eyes off of her.

He laughed and turned Emma so that she was facing towards the bar, and not staring at the young pair trying to have lunch.

"The only thing he's doing is setting himself up for disappointment, not exactly worthy of your investigation skills."

"What do you mean? He's a thief and she's the richest woman in town since she kicked Gold over the line. There's no way he's not up to something."

"Just trust me on this, Swan." He looked over and saw Will leaning across the table, taking Belle's hands in his, "The only person in danger over there is him."

Okay, first of all, I want to thank everyone who favorited, followed, and reviewed the last chapter. I love all of you, and I hope this chapter was as enjoyable as the last.

Second, I'd like to tell everyone that I've got an idea of what I want to do with this story. It was plot line I was playing around with ever since Rumple started his quest for uncontrolled power, that I had thought the writers might have been leading up to. They weren't and I'm glad because it allowed Belle the chance to find out just how strong her character could be.

Third, I have serious question to pose for everyone who has read this far. Am I going too fast in building their relationship? I have some trouble building believable relationships between people, and tend to skip directly to fluff that I desperately want to write. I'm trying to convey that they're just friends right now, but both of them seem to be drawn to each other, something neither one of them is entirely ready for. Should I try to slow it down more?

To RedTailedHawkens, thank you so much for reviewing! I want you to know that I respect that while you don't support the pairing, you are at least willing to give this story a try. Honestly, when I began writing this I figured I was going to get some serious Rumbelle hate, it never even crossed my mind that Will Scarlet has a pairing that people know and love and will fight for too. Because of that, I'm going to try to respect the pairing as much as I can, while still supporting ScarletBeauty. (That being said, I don't think you should give up hope on Ana and Will, if Rumbelle will inevitably come back together, there is some hope that they will too.)

Now about how Belle feels judged, you're right. In some ways, she is projecting. She's been through a very traumatic experience. She's been lied to and used by the one person she thought she could always trust. She's been pushed to the edge and now she's trying to protect herself by withdrawing from the world.

But I also don't think very highly of the townspeople (if they have one more mob on the show, I'm going to seriously lose my shit on these people). Which is why I feel some people (those who were wronged by Rumple) still feel the need to take their anger out towards Belle. But these people are definitely in the minority! Most people are just keeping their distance because they don't know how to help Belle, so they'd rather just stay away until she feels better.

And about Wonderland, I definitely agree. I need to watch it.

When his character started getting screen time in Storybrooke I tried to watch it, but it wasn't on Netflix and WatchABC wouldn't let me download the episodes on my tv, so everything I've learned about Will and Ana comes from their Wiki pages. I agree with your point about Ana, Alice, and Lizard (I don't know much about her character, but on his wiki page I did read that she had been in love with him) caring about him, but with his pessimistic, almost self depreciating outlook on his life at this current moment, I felt like maybe he wouldn't see it that way. Not when he's alone in Storybrooke, and they're so far away from him.

Hopefully I'll be able to clear up some of his skewed beliefs in future chapters, I honestly can't wait to write more about him, but I want to watch at least some of Wonderland before I try.