A/N: Sorry everyone for the slow update, I was in the hospital (I'm okay now). This is a heavily drama filled chapter just like I promised. But that also means its adult. Verrrrrrrrry adult. There *may* be a sex scene. Soooo if you're not into that stop the story at "You could never love me, it's not in the stars." This also is the last chapter. Please enjoy it!

Belle held Ruby as she sobbed. "Do you think you'll be safe here a while?" she asked in the most soft soothing tone she could muster. She pulled her away from her body so Ruby could give her a clear answer.

"I…think so. Sundown isn't for another 8 hours…" Ruby said emotionally drained.

Belle glanced down at the photo again. Chills went down her spine.

"I know what you're thinking…why I haven't told anyone? The truth is no one else believed me. No one except Mr. Gold." Ruby's eyes had gone uncharacteristically vacant. "That…thing you met in the woods…he's been trying to get to me since I was a kid."

Belle remembered her blind encounter. The sheer terror that she felt just being spoken to by the monster. The pain she felt when it tackled her...she couldn't imagine how she could have coped as a helpless child.

"What was your payment to Mr. Gold?" Belle said trying not to disturb her.

"25% of my paycheck. I'm deep into debt. He let it go for a while… like I said before, Gran wasn't feeling so hot for a number of months…then the hospital…then he just started taking things instead as payment. Finally didn't have anything else to give."

"Where is Gran?"

"She checked into the hospital three days ago. They were just doing some routine tests on her heart and needed her for a while…"

"Stay here. Barricade the door downstairs…with a dresser or something. Make sure no one can get in." Belle frowned. "I will call you. We will beat this."

"Belle…"

"Yes?" Belle stood on her feet wiping her uniform.

"…you're the bravest person I know."

Belle treaded softly on the dirt path. She tried to listen for any strange noise as she walked but birds were the only animals she could sense. Leaves roared through the wind and branches danced side to side. She could see in the distance the white chipped paint of Mr. Gold's shop. She stopped. Broken logs lined the side of the path where she had been beaten. The sight made her legs weak. She trotted her way through the section trying to be as silent as possible without alarming…anything.

Her luck was unfortunate. She froze looking to her left, there was a man, filthy, tall and making a grunting sort of noise as he breathed. She could quickly estimate that he was in his thirties. His hair was dark she could see he was shirtless- what was being worn was tattered and unkempt. She could not stop staring. In his hand was an axe streaming with old blood. He pulled it over his enormous shoulder and laughed.

Belles heart was pounding in her throat as she gave an uncontrolled whimper. Petrified she froze in place.

"Hello, young one." He sported showing a toothy grin. He slowly made his way toward her. The shade of the wood flickered on his body giving it a spotty appearance. Muscles and dirt protruded as he calmly walked towards her. "Such big, blue eyes you have."

"Wh-what do you want?" Belle's hands started shaking.

"What I wanted was Ruby. But unfortunately for me, no one can reach an agreement as to whether or not I can hunt her down." He stood still looking over Belle. She felt exposed as she pulled her arms over her chest. "I grow very tired-" He emphasized the last word snarling into the air, and for a moment she could swear he had turned into a wild animal. "of making deals. But…I think you'll make a fine replacement for Ruby." He laughed with mad eyes. He leaped towards her axe swung in front of him.

Belle's survival instincts kicked in. She turned around and ran towards Mr. Gold's shop as fast as her legs could carry her. Desperately gasping in the air that was resisting her she made a cry of terror. Mercilessly the wolf-man laughed as she heard a large crack of broken wood fly past her head. The shop was so close it was cruel. She could see she was only a couple feet until the reach of the woods was behind her. But it was too late.

"Miiiiiiiinnnnne." The man laughed as the butt of his axe hit Belle in the back impacting her to the ground. Belle felt the man grasp her ankle and drag her body slowly back into the darkness like a slow descend out of consciousness. Belle felt all hope leave her soul. Her nails dug into the black earth as a feeble attempt to slow down the murder. Her thighs and stomach rolled over rocks and wood scratching and bruising her pale skin. She let out a loud, even, spine-chilling scream as tears rolled down her face blurring the shop she knew she'd never reach.

"Shhhhhhh little one, it'll be over soon." The man cooed coldly.

"You're right. It will." Mr. Gold's voice echoed fiercely. Belle felt the man let go of her leg and she flipped over swiftly. Mr. Gold was standing a foot away from the tall man with a shot gun embedded to his shaggy head. "I will blow your fucking brains out, so help me god I will. And no one will be sorry I did."

The wolfish man put up his arms in surrender and grunted with rage. His axe was next to Belle. She picked it up quickly.

"Belle, go in the store. Now. Don't look back and walk calmly."

"I can't-"

"Now." Mr. Gold shook the barrel of the gun pushing it roughly against the man who rolled his head with it. Belle got off her feet and wiped her face from tears and dirt as she limped towards the shop. It felt like a lifetime as she got up to the stairs and threw her whole weight into the door. It jingled pleasantly as she fell to the ground. Her hands were bleeding as she grasped the rug in a thankful cry as relief overwhelmed her. She was alive. She crawled on her hands and knees to a small sofa to the corner. The sunlight pushed through the shops windows making the items in the cases dance. She starred at each one trying to get back to reality.

Mr. Gold walked through the door making the bell jingle furiously as he set the gun down. Belle jumped as he shuffled towards her. He quietly bent down and grabbed her hands expecting them. He then pushed her lightly against the seat looking over her torso then her arms and her face.

"I-I'm sorry-" Belle gulped back tears trying not to cry. Mr. Gold put his hand up to her mouth to hush her.

"He's a monster." He said simply holding her face. He got up and walked to the back room. Belle sat there quietly as she swallowed what bit of air was keeping her from losing it. He returned with bandages and what looked like antiseptic. Sitting next to her he dabbed a bandage with the bottle and began to wipe her face. She looked straight ahead of her at a painting of a lion.

"I-I almost died." She said and couldn't help the overwhelming feeling of tears course through her head. He put a firm hand on her jaw forcing her to look at him. His eyes were deep with concern and sorrow. She could see him struggle internally but wasn't sure why. He got up quickly and moved towards the main counter.

"Thank you…for saving my life." Belle said trying to get his attention.

"You're welcome." He said awkwardly.

"Ruby...I can't sit by idly and see her hurt."

"Miss Ruby's fate is the result of her own misfortune. She wasn't able to uphold her end of the deal."

"Are people's lives really worth deals to you?" Belle breathed disbelieving.

"Obviously not." He pulled out a glass and what looked like whiskey and set it on the counter. "I promised I would leave you alone…but I didn't leave you to die." He poured the glass.

"Did you let him live?" Belle shook as she asked the question. She inspected her clothes and saw that there was only minor damage to the uniform. Her legs were another story.

"…Yes. But he won't be around you again." He took a slow sip from the glass.

"And Ruby?" Belle got up and walked to the counter. She could tell he was focused on his drink pretending not to notice.

"She made her choice-just like you did." Mr. Gold sneered. "No Miss Belle. I'm not here to grant your every whim and wish just because you give me big eyes and sensual lips."

"She is a young girl fighting for her life!" Belle grabbed his hand desperately across the counter. "I beg you, if there is any humanity left in you, make a deal with me!"

"My girl, you made two with me. Both you weren't able to keep." Mr. Gold shook his hand away. "First was a simple kiss every morning. I'm sorry you found that too repulsive. Then, to leave you alone. Yet here you are, alive…begging me for a favor. If you do another deal with me, it will be for a very steep price." He whispered assertively through his teeth. Belle trembled with her lips slightly parted. Her hair fell from behind her ear. He pushed away her brown locks. "Your previous favor to leave you alone? It's now void. And this favor will be one you cannot break."

Belle thought of a world without Ruby. She thought about arriving in the diner every morning without her smile, her jokes, her hugs, her crazy antics. She thought about how scared she was, how helpless and sure that she was going to die only moments ago. "I promise I will do whatever it takes for her to be safe." Belle breathed. Mr. Gold starred at her studying her sincerity.

"If I hear you whisper a complaint…you even dare to wince in disgust…" he warned sternly pointing his finger in her face.

"I promise." Belle interrupted.

"Don't you dare tell her what you saw. She'd die of fear."

Belle gulped. "I promise."

"You will come in the morning before your shift and do whatever service I require of you at my home." Mr. Gold ordered. "For as long as I want to keep you. Do you understand?"

"I do." Belle nodded desperately. "I promise I won't disobey you."

Mr. Gold looked over Belle's body. "You should go home and take care of your wounds. Don't worry about that…man. He no longer resides in Storybrooke. Come see me 8 a.m tomorrow."

She understood his dismissal. Turning from him she shivered looking at the woods through the store's window. She needed to be brave again.

Belle called Ruby. It rang several times before the other end picked up. There was no voice to answer her.

"Ruby? Ruby it's Belle!" Belle tried to sound cheerful. "Ruby it's going to be okay- I made a deal with Mr. Gold…"

"Belle I was so scared!" Ruby sobbed on the other end finally acknowledging her.

"I know…so was I." Belle remembered her promise. "But it's okay now…he's never going to bother you again." She hoped it was true.

"You don't know what this means to me." Ruby gasped relieved.

"I think I do…" Belle whispered back. "Hey Ruby…I gotta go. I have some cleaning to do…"

"What was his price?" Ruby interrupted concerned.

"Mr. Golds? He…wanted me to come before my shift every morning to do whatever task he wanted."

"Sounds…exhausting." Ruby sighed.

"It was worth it." Belle replied with vigor. "Anyway I gotta go. I just wanted to let you know…you know…I love you and you're safe."

"…Thank you Belle."

The mansion was enormous. Belle glared at the red brick and wondered why someone who lived alone would require so much space. She took a quick peek at her watch. 8:03am.

"You're late." Mr. Gold called after her. Belle sighed. "Your task today is laundry. You'll take the clothing to be laundered by your job. I prefer a professional cleaning." He clutched his cane leaning all his weight into it. Dressed in only a white tee shirt and long flannel pajama pants it was a shocking change from his formal exterior. "Come in."

She gasped as she walked through. Big tapestries hung from the ceiling with dark purple banners. Some of the finer statues and art decorated the area. She found a hallway within her sight with full suits of armor standing attention. Flowers scattered beautifully over white wooded furniture.

"Through here if you please." Mr. Gold lead. She noticed that he winced with every step. He opened two dark wooden doors to reveal a light blue bedroom. Belle walked in trying not to observe too intently. Mr. Gold brushed past her quickly and stood in front of her expectantly.

"Your clothes, Mr. Gold?" Belle asked politely as she folded her hands in back of her confused.

"Just the clothes I'm wearing." He gestured to himself. "Take them off."

Belle gasped. "T-the clothes on your body?" Her head began to spin.

"Yes." He nodded. Belle stood shellshocked as she could feel her embarrassment seething through her. He let go of his cane and let it fall to the floor. "Well?" He asked impatiently.

She couldn't watch him. She just couldn't. Stepping into his private space she grabbed the bottom of his shirt. Slowly pulling it up he lifted his arms to make the task easier. She didn't dare to look anywhere except the ceiling as she felt the garment slip over his chest and head. In a swift movement she looked down and found the garment laying limply in her hand. She let it fall on the floor on top of his cane. Shaking, still not gazing anywhere on his body, her hands searched for the waistband of his pants. She slipped both thumbs under the material careful to only grab the pants and not his underwear. She gazed to her left to allow him to have his privacy. Her face felt hot as she gently pulled it down past his thighs. When the pants fell to his feet he stepped back slowly making it sit on the floor next to the shirt. Belle got up. He was so close to her she could feel his body heat and hear every breath he took. She expected at any time he would yell at her for being so shy, for not even looking at him, but out of mercy no words came. She trembled remembering her promise. Forcing herself she glanced down at his body and grabbed for his briefs. She felt him put his hands on hers stopping the motion. She immediately made eye contact with him and saw he looked concerned.

"Leave those on, please." He said kindly. Belle lifted her hands releasing the fabric. He let go of her hands and stepped back. A sadness masked his face when she allowed herself to look at him. His right leg was stripped with old white scars. "My cane, please."

Belle turned away and got on her knees to the floor. She stretched out her arm to feel him take the cane. She picked up the garments and turned to exit the door.

"Thank you." Mr. Gold said quietly. "It is very painful in the morning to undress."

Belle hugged the clothing continuing to walk out the bedroom as the doors shut behind her. She knew it wasn't really laundry that he wanted, but help. She didn't know what she felt at the moment.

Upon seeing Belle Ruby rushed to hug her. She allowed herself to be comforted by her close friend.

"What's wrong? Did he make you wash blood stained evidence of his unholy night rituals? "Ruby teased, or so Belle hoped.

"I…don't think I can talk about it actually." Belle spoke, still astonished. "So…did you ever have to help him before?" Belle asked rubbing her arm.

"Urgh once I had to clean his car because someone egged it. It was sort of like 'punish the whole town because of one kid'. Still haven't figured out who to thank."

"No I don't mean like that, I mean…help him."

Ruby turned to her curiously. "Like, up the stairs?"

Belle dragged Ruby to the back and spoke in hushed tones. "He wanted me to do laundry today so I helped him undress!"

Ruby opened her mouth in shock and then started laughing.

"Ruby it's NOT funny!"

"Well tell me is he hung?" Ruby grabbed her stomach laughing. "Is there another reason he needs a cane? Like it's putting too much weight on one side and he needs the support?"

"Ruby shhhhhhhh!" Belle giggled.

Ruby laughed so hard tears formed under her lashes. "I'm sor- I'm sorry! I just thought you were in so much trouble-" she grabbed on to Belle's shoulders for support. Belle shook her off.

"What would I do without you?" Belle laughed as she put her order pad in her pocket. She grabbed the two pots still laughing and made her way on the floor. She could hear Ruby's belly laughs through the glass.

"Hello, Mr. Gold. How are you today?" Belle smiled sweetly. Mr. Gold didn't have his paper.

"Fine." Mr. Gold pushed his coffee cup towards Belle shortly.

"Regular or decaff?"

"Regular." He shifted uncomfortably.

She poured the cup observing Mr. Gold's behavior. He looked upset.

"It's not particularly nice laughing at others for their shortcomings." Mr. Gold remarked hesitating. His arms were folded across his chest as he averted her gaze.

"What?" Belle felt fear build. She tried to remember quickly how much of Ruby's conversation he could have possibly heard.

"My scars are a part of my past. Although you may find my abnormality amusing, I would have hoped you'd been more discreet."

"Oh-oh no- Ruby and I weren't laughing about that-" Belle could see he was unconvinced. "I am discreet- I would never-"

"Nevermind." Mr. Gold cut her off. He pulled a newspaper from his side jacket and started to read it.

"It doesn't matter you know, the scars." Belle said gently. "They don't bother me." He was unresponsive but she saw some tension leave his body. She walked away.

The screen to the door was left open to the mansion. Belle held a fancy package of Mr. Gold's pajamas to her chest as she looked in through the glass. She was proud of herself for being on time today. "Mr. Gold?" she called opening the screen. Walking into the room Mr. Gold sitting on the side of the bed rubbing his leg flinching.

"Belle…come in." He reached over to grab yellow bottles of pills. They littered his side table.

"If this is a bad time I can always come back." Belle interjected still holding the package.

"Don't be silly. You won't be late for work." Mr. Gold put two very large pills in his mouth and threw back his head to swallow them. Belle set down the package of clothing next to him on the bed. She waited for his orders but none came. She began to feel foolish standing there in his bedroom while he was crippled by pain. Looking to her left there was a glorious pedestal unusually higher than the other furniture. Curious, she got on her tippy toes and put a gentle hand on the item sitting upon it.

"What is this?" Belle looked at a dusty tome. Its spine was worn and tattered with age, or love, she couldn't tell which. She was told when a book looked wrecked it was because the person who had it loved it very, very much. She found that odd.

"Read it to me." He said with new vigor. "Read page 304. The last paragraph, if you please."

"You don't want to start from the beginning?"

"I've memorized the beginning. Please." She saw that he had a sort of desperation in his demeanor.

Belle slowly opened the book, and saw that there was handwriting with blotchy black ink littering the pages. The last paragraph on 304 was underlined with a heavy hand. She hesitated to find her place.

"And she looked up and saw not a man, but a beast. His nostrils breathed fire and with an ox head the muscles pulsed in it's neck to destroy her…she was sure of it. Teeth that were made for ripping erupted like shards of glass between his lips. A roar came forth with a hunger that could not be satiated. The only part of him that was human was his eyes, but they too were covered in a film of sorrow. With those eyes he saw Beauty, a tenderness the beast could not comprehend. She took pity on him because it was not his nature. She wondered if there was…"

"…go on…"

"She wondered if there was enough love and pity in her to transform the beast back into a man."

None of them said anything for a while. Belle put the book back on the pedestal. She then sat next to Mr. Gold on the bed. "Do you need-"

"Please don't speak." He interrupted. "Please…sit here with me. For a while."

They both felt the heaviness of the silence in awe of how much they needed each other's company. Belle turned to face him but it was too late, he had already beaten her into the kiss. His left hand positioned itself on her in such a way she could only assume he had expected her to try to leave. His other hand grasped at her hair tightly. She didn't think she could have stopped even if she wanted to. Belle did feel pity for him, like the passage, as his violent need for affection was thoroughly conveyed by the force of his caress.

He let her go gradually allowing her to become independent from the bold kiss. He looked at her with pleading eyes, like she should have known an answer to a question.

"There is no power or object in this time or the next that can keep me from loving you till the end of my forever." He promised. He didn't need to though. Somehow she had always known.

"Why are you so sad?" Belle stroked his cheek feeling wetness on her hand.

"You could never love me. It's not in the stars."

"But I do."

It was the affirmation he needed. He pushed her down against the bed with his hand against her chest. She submitted feeling the strength of him as her hair fell against the comforter spreading in a messy circle. His mouth tightened as she saw the deep longing in his eyes examining her clothes. He pulled down a couple buttons on her top to show her bra. Like a child who had been too exposed to candy he shook in anticipation. She shifted her skirt down to reveal her panties. He began to pull down both his pants and briefs. She didn't look down but at the ceiling of the bed. He pulled off his shirt and rolled on top of her completely naked. She felt his hardness on her leg as he began to kiss her.

She interrupted him and pushed him away as she pulled her top over her head.

"Let me take those off." He said quickly referring to her underwear. She grinned wondering how many times he had thought about it.

He gently held her back as he unhooked her bra. She cuddled close hugging him around his neck enjoying the heat from his body. She let go bouncing back on the bed. He looked over her approving his prize. He then proceeded to pull the corners of her panties down past her scratched up legs. He glared at her.

"This is what you want? I won't be able to stop." He warned seriously.

"I think so…" She breathed.

"No. That's not good enough." He hesitated looking at her naked body. "Don't say yes unless you mean it. I can't stop myself."

"Yes."

He laid back down on top of her. They both embraced as he pulled himself inside of her. In mutual love and rhythm he began to mate with her. Gasps of pleasure left her mouth as he pushed.

"I've wanted this for so long-" he grunted by her ear pushing harder.

"I believe you!" Her eyes wide she gasped taking in the ecstasy.

She felt his hardness break inside of her. Unmoving they both tried to catch their breath. He hugged her in the bed.

"I love you, Mr. Gold."

"You can call me…Rumplestiltskin."

"…That's your name?"

"Yes."

I love you, Rumplestiltskin."

"You do…now. So let me live this moment. Let me have it to remember."

"What do you mean?" Belle got up from the bed and looked down on his face.

"Nothing is sure in this place, Belle. You might not remember what we've done…in another place, another time. This is like one big dream. But I will hold on to it. Forever." Rumplestiltskin looked right past her. Belle laid down and folded her hand in his.

"Why do you spin so much? I doubt you donate to charity."

"To forget."

"Forget what?"

"I've already forgotten!" Rumplestiltskin laughed madly. But he was a grand liar. He would always remember the memories of Belle that could not be taken away from him.

A/N: The end? For this fanfic! I will make another Belle/Rumple fic, but it'll be in fairytale land this time. Happy reading!