AN: MERRY CHRISTMAS! As a Christmas present for anyone reading this here's a new chapter for you! It's longer and we finally get to meet one of my favorite characters. Hope you enjoy it and have a happy holidays!

Discliamer: I do not own OUAT or it's characters.

Hattier Manor was easily Belle's favorite place in the world. Having grown up in a tiny one bedroom house with her father the manor was almost overwhelming, but the atmosphere more than made up for its outrageous size. When she was let into the house by Jefferson she was immediately assaulted by the scent of enchiladas cooking in the oven and the sound of Grace talking a mile a minute to someone in the kitchen. The house was filled with pictures of Jefferson and his beautiful girl along with drawings and other artwork that Grace had made for her proud father. Despite that Belle technically lived in a small apartment above the library for her cover, Hattier Manor was where she considered home.

Located at the very edge of Storybrooke on an acre of private land it was the perfect spot for the local headquarters. Every weekend when Gaston though she was going out of town to visit her dad in a hospital in Portland she was really coming here. She'd trade-off her car with a young woman who looked enough like her to fool anyone who might be following her and while the decoy went on a trip to Portland, Belle spent the weekend playing board games with her handler and his adorable daughter, or even just spending time reading in their vast library. Either was better than any date Gaston had to offer her.

After Belle had shrugged off her coat and hung it in the closet she happily followed Jefferson into the kitchen where twelve year old Grace sat talking with her friend Henry Swan. Henry's mother Emma was a former agent turned academy teacher. She had demanded the career changer after Henry was kidnapped when he was four. The boy didn't remember much of the ordeal but it had been enough for Emma to decided it was time to change. Now she was one of the best teachers the academy had to offer, specializing in hand to hand combat and small arms.

Belle took a seat between the two gossiping pre-teens, ruffling each of their hair, before snatching up some of the war tortilla chips Jefferson had set out for dinner. The first bite brought a happy noise from her mouth, they were sooooo much better than the salad Gaston had made her eat. "Hey Grace. Hey Henry. Is your mom here too?" As much as Jefferson had tried to deny it in the past Belle knew something was going on between him and the blonde.

"No she had to go on a trip so I'm staying with Jefferson until she gets back."

Belle cast a glance at Jefferson who had sat down across from them. With his signature top hat in place Belle was reminded of just who this man was. Before he was her handler he had been a field agent in his own right, nicknamed the Mad Hatter. He had been known for accepting missions no one else would have wanted and then going about them in the most crazy way possible. He had been a legend in the division but more than that he had been her idol and mentor. He had retired from active duty when his wife Alice, a good agent in her own right, had been killed during a compromised mission. Instead of retiring completely, like he could have, he had decided to work behind the scenes.

Belle had met him during her internship with the CIA five years ago. He had taken her under his wing and had aided her in her venture to become an agent. Rumor had it he had even insisted she get placed under his leadership after graduation. He was more than just her mentor and handler, he was her best friend and the older brother she had never had.

At her questioning look Jefferson shook his head minutely. He'd tell her more about Emma's trip and Henry's stay later. In the mean time they had a delicious meal to enjoy. Dinner consisted of chicken enchiladas, wild rice, and homemade salsa with tortilla chips. It was more calories than she had consumed all week and it was absolutely delicious. She didn't know when Jefferson had found the time in his life to become such an amazing chef but she was glad he had. After dinner and dessert, apple pie à la mode, Jefferson caught her eye and nodded towards the door. Dinner was over, time for work.

"Alright guys, Belle and I have some things to discuss. Why don't you guys clean up and then watch some TV? I think there's even a new "Who's the Boss?" on tonight. And if we're not done before then, remember that bed time is nine-thirty."

A chorus of "Yes Dad/Jefferson" followed them as together Belle and Jefferson left the dining room and went up to the sound proof conference room. The room was huge, the only rooms bigger being the library and the gym in the basement. Along the walls were different top hats, Jefferson once told her he had worn each one on a mission at some point, and he used them as a reminder of that time in his life.

The most dominating feature of the room though was the large table in the center. Most of it was empty, except one end which had an untraceable phone which they used to call the Director and files detailing the mission Belle was on and her reports so far. It was at the end that Jefferson took his seat at the head and she sat to his right. "So what's up with Emma? They didn't send her on an assignment did they?"

"No, you know David promised no more field work for her. She's just been loaned out to MI6 for a couple of weeks. In return we'll be getting one of their weapon specialists and trackers, some Irish bloke named Graham. The order came from the Director of National Intelligence and the director of the Joint Intelligence Committee. Something about international relationships, allies working together, learning from each other, blah blah blah. Emma just didn't want to pull Henry out of school so she asked if I'd watch him."

"Aww, watching your future stepson! Aren't you so sweet."

"I don't know what you're talking about Bluebelle."

"Sure you don't"

"Don't you have some information to deliver?"

"You're the one who hasn't dialed in Director Nolan yet."

Jefferson mumbled something under his breath about know-it-all brunettes, as he dialed up the Director. She took his murmured comments with a smile, reminding him that he loved her despite what he said. He waved her off and as she waited for him to get Director Nolan on the line she got up and made both herself and Jefferson a cup of tea. She had just finished pouring them when Director Nolan's voice sounded through the speakerphone. "Ah Agent Beauty, how's your beast?"

Her annoyance at the nickname must have shown on her face going by the way Jefferson started chuckling into his teacup. She had been bestowed the nickname when she first entered the academy. No one, but Jefferson and Director Nolan, had believed she'd make it past the first week. Looking back at it she supposed coming in the first day wearing five-inch heels and a cute little skirt didn't exactly lend itself to believing that she'd do great as a spy. Once the nickname was brought up no one would let the stupid thing drop. Then, when she had called Gaston a best during her first debriefing, the ribbing had intensified. "You know I hate that title Director Charming."

"Ah...well yes. On to business then."

It helped that the director had his own embarrassing nickname. She would definitely have to thank his wife for that little tidbit later.

"Not a lot happened this week. Gaston has been surprisingly closed lipped about everything."

"Is there any new information at all?"

"Well he did say he's been working on something big at the office but I think that was just talk. There hasn't been any signs of increased operations has there?"

"Nobody has reported anything so far. Are you any closer to infiltrating the organization?"

"Actually I think so. Gaston said I might be able to bring him lunch at work this week. If I can get him to actually let me I think we'll be set."

"That's great news Agent French. Keep up the good work."

"Thank you Director."

A few more formalities were taken care of before the call ended and Belle and Jefferson once again sat together in silence drinking their tea.

"How are you doing Bluebelle?"

Belle gave a shrug as she sipped her tea, it was rapidly growing cold. "You heard my report to the director."

"Yes but I want to know how Belle is doing, not Agent French. I know how hard these first couple missions can be on a person. So I'll ask again. How are you doing Bluebelle?"

Belle stared down at her now cool tea, swirling the contents around as she thought over the question. She did love her job, he loved helping her country, but it was hard too. She did miss seeing her father, she hadn't really seen him in about year and a half, her only friends were co workers and their families, and sometimes the role she had to play did get to her. She could feel Jefferson's grey eyes boring into her, waiting for her response. "It's hard, I won't lie about that, but I know it's all for the greater good. I love the work I do, and the people I work with. I'm happy...I think."

"Bluebelle, if you have to think about it, you're not truly happy."

With that Jefferson said he'd was going to check on the kids. He left with a pat on her shoulder and a kiss to the top of her head. Sitting in the dark, alone except for her thoughts, Belle wondered about what Jefferson had said. Was she truly happy?

There you go! Hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review and tell me what you think!