Chapter 3

Belle awoke encircled in Gold's arms. She smiled and got up without waking him. She went into the back room of the shop to write him a note about her heading off to continue her research. She found paper easily but couldn't find a pen. In her search she tipped over a box and a blade wrapped in cloth fell out. She pulled the cloth back to discover the Dark One blade with "Rumpelstiltskin" written on it.

Belle quickly put it away and found a pen. She left the note on the pillow next to Gold, still asleep.

Belle stared at him. Unsure about what she had seen. She knew he had a duplicate fake at one point and she had found it rather easily. He normally hid the dagger much better. With everything that had happened between them she wasn't sure she could trust what she saw and decided to figure it out later. Regina and the Charmings needed her help right now.

She picked up the book she had found the mark in and headed to the well.

She found the mark, two diamonds, one on top of the other with a line down the center of both. She began to circle the well looking for another clue and that's when she saw a pair of feet sticking out from behind a nearby tree.

She approached the feet cautiously. "Hello?"

It was a woman in a white t-shirt and jeans with a denim jacket.

"Miss are you hurt?"

She knelt down touching the woman's shoulder. The woman began to stir and lifted her head.

"Emma?" Belle stammered.

"Huh?"

"Emma, how did you get here?"

"Who's Emma?"

"You don't remember?"

"Sorry. I'm just very confused. Where am I? Who are you?"

"I'm Belle and you're in the woods just outside of Storybrook Maine."

Emma sat up looking around very confused.

"Do you know how you got here?"

"I…I…don't remember anything actually."

Belle gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay. Come let's get you inside."

As she helped Emma up she went over the possibilities of where she could take her. She wasn't sure she could trust Rumple right now and she didn't want to cause Emma's family more pain until she could get her memories back. Anywhere they could see her or run into her was out of the question. She remembered August's trailer in the woods. Surely he wouldn't need it now living with Gepetto.

"What should I call you?"

"Uh I don't know. I'm not sure what my name is. You know me?"

"Yes, I do."

"You said my name is Emma?" Belle nodded. "Then call me Emma."

"Alright Emma. I'll help you get everything all figured out. I know where you can stay for the time being where no one will bother you."

"Thank you" Emma smiled. Belle could tell just how distraught Emma was over one person bombarding her, she knew her family as much as they would want to help would probably overwhelm her and make matters worse. August's trailer was going to be the best place until she got everything figured out.

Belle had so many questions. How was Emma even alive right now? There had been witnesses to her death and then her body vanished. She had no heart. It was given to Killian to save him.

After getting Emma settled in and coming back with a cell phone Emma could use to contact her if she needed anything she went straight back to the library.
~~~

Regina went to her desk and pulled out the envelopes Emma had given to her. She had written everyone a letter presumably explaining what she had done and saying good bye. She had called everyone to come over so she could pass out the envelopes. She sat down and opened the one addressed to Regina.

As she read it tears began to stream down her face. Emma had written her a heartfelt note. She and Emma had grown beyond friendship and had become sisters. Emma's letter made it clear that she had grown to feel the same way.

Robin knocked on the door and peeked in. "Everyone's here and seated in the living room."

"I'll be right out."

With a nod, Robin left. Regina took a deep calming breath and wiped away her tears and headed towards the living room with the letters. She sat down on the couch next to Robin who put a comforting arm around her.

Everyone looked as if they hadn't slept in years.

"I'm sure you are all very mad at me. I cannot apologize enough and I would have left you alone. Given you some space, but Emma asked that I give you these as soon as possible."

Regina handed out the letters. One addressed to Snow, David, Henry, Killian, and one to Robin much to his surprise.

No one opened their letters. They just stared at them and at each other. Finally Henry opened his and everyone else followed. Snow and David giving each other a pained looked before reading theirs.

Each letter was tailered to that person but all were filled with hope and love and asked for forgiveness for Regina.

Robin's letter asked him to help Regina and be her support. She had asked Regina to do more than anyone should be asked to do.

Henry stood up and ran up to his room slamming his door.

David put his arms around Snow who continued looking down at her letter silently. "Thank you Regina."

"Please don't thank me. I didn't want to do this."

Finally looking up Snow said "which is exactly why we should thank you."

Snow and David leave and Regina walks them to the door. "Henry will be fine here."

Robin looked at Killian who hadn't opened his letter yet. "You going to read that?"

"Not sure I'm quite ready for that yet."

"I understand. Let's get you home. You need some sleep."

"Aye, that I do."

Killian and Robin leave as Regina returns and stares at the fire. Her phone rings.

"Belle?...you found something? What is it? Okay, I'll be right there."

Regina hangs up and walks to Henry's room to tell him she's going to the library. Henry nods glad that she might have some lead on what happened to his mom and says that he's just going to take a nap.