It all seemed too good to be true. Mr. Gold had romantic feelings for Belle! She hadn't imagined it! And she almost couldn't believe it. It was like a dream come true, a dream she didn't even know she had. It had only been moments since she left his shop. She had barely made it halfway back to the bookstore, but already it felt like it had been hours since she was with Mr. Gold.

After leaving the pawnshop, Belle could feel eyes on her; she knew onlookers were wondering what the odd little bookworm could possibly be doing at Mr. Gold's. And why she would possibly emerge from that place with such a huge smile on her face. There were even a few whispering to each other, but Belle didn't care; she didn't even glance their way. It was none of their business. Let them gossip. She wasn't going to let anything or anyone spoil her mood.

Perhaps she should have cared, she considered briefly. She surely didn't want her family to find out about Mr. Gold from someone else. She wanted to be the one to tell them. But the thought of doing that was frightening because although she wouldn't let their feelings persuade her decision, she was certain she would experience a lot of ridicule from them. She was accustomed to ridicule from her siblings, so that didn't worry her too much. No it was mainly her father—Maurice—she was concerned about. He may have made some horrible decisions in his life with the gambling and drinking, but she knew he cared deeply for her and wouldn't want to see her hurt. Belle didn't think Mr. Gold would hurt her, but she knew Maurice wouldn't see it that way. Not with Mr. Gold's reputation.

Ideally Belle wished she could put off telling them and allow an opportunity for Mr. Gold to prove to them he wasn't as bad as people said. Then perhaps she could gain her father's blessing. But with the way people gossiped in Storybrooke, Belle knew they would find out sooner rather than later. Especially if Ruby, the widow Lucas' granddaughter who ran the diner across the street from the bookstore, found out. Ruby had the biggest mouth in town and she always hung around with Ludovic. He would know before her father or sisters.

So Belle knew it would be impossible to put off telling them. Yet, she decided she wouldn't tell them that evening. She had only been on one date with Mr. Gold, if she could really call it a date. And although they may have kissed, there was always the possibility it could go nowhere. By gods she hoped not, but still, it was too early to tell. She didn't want to cause an unnecessary scene with her family.

The townspeople had indeed seen her in the pawnshop, but they didn't see anything incriminating. And her sisters already knew she was delivering a book to Mr. Gold. It would all be innocent in their eyes, no matter what the gossip. But she was returning with the same book she was supposed to deliver. A gift, how would she explain that? They would know she didn't buy it. She wasn't fond of lying, so she just prayed they wouldn't notice.

By the time she stepped up to the shop door, Belle had managed to ignore any pair of eyes that had been on her. Since the bookstore was a fair distance away from the pawnshop, most stares had dissipated by the time she arrived. Still, there was one pair of eyes in particular that had been watching her keenly, whose owner slunk behind the building corner as soon as she was inside. Shrinking in size, the spectator slid over to a nearby carriage where a small glass jar sat heedlessly on the ground. The black blob slithered up the side of the jar and under the lid. Once inside, a hand adorned with jewels and bright red fingernail polish picked the jar up, withdrawing it into the carriage. The person inside ensured the curtains remained shut as to not reveal who was behind them. Once settled, the carriage lifted up and drove off.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As Belle entered the bookstore, she was too ecstatic, too happy to even try and conceal her feelings. She knew being in such a good mood would seem out of the ordinary to her sisters, but she did not care. They would just have to drill her.

Expecting to immediately be bombarded with questions, Belle was shocked when that wasn't what happened. Instead she found her sisters occupied amongst themselves, chatting and seemingly getting ready for something. They didn't even look up at her when she walked in.

"Felicie?" Belle queried, wondering what was going on.

Felicie looked up instantly, smiling with relief. "Oh Belle! You're back!" she exclaimed.

"Finally," Adelaide breathed, annoyance in her tone of voice.

Belle scrunched her eyebrows as she looked between her two sisters. She hadn't thought she was gone that long, definitely not long enough to get this kind of reaction. Usually they didn't care whether she was there or not. Not unless they wanted something.

"We just found out we're invited to Kathryn Nolan's party tonight," Felicie explained.

Yes, they wanted something. And Belle knew exactly what it was. They expected her to stay and close up the shop all by herself while they went out to purchase new clothes for the party. And although they would open the bookstore as usual tomorrow, Belle knew they would be useless after staying up all night doing who knew what at that ridiculous party.

The Nolans were known for their expensive, extravagant parties. They threw one almost every month. It was a wonder anyone could afford such frivolities, but Kathryn's father, Midas, was a king in a neighboring country who somehow had accumulated more riches than any other royal who ever lived.

"Yeah, and since you took so long, we don't have much time to shop before all the stores close!" Adelaide was very irritated, but that wasn't unusual. Belle ignored her snide comment. An argument would ensue if she was to reply, and she would still end up in the wrong no matter what.

"I hope you don't have any other errands. We need you to close up shop." Felicie requested, nicer than Adelaide, but there was still expectation in her voice.

"No, it's fine. You go. I can handle the shop," Belle replied, too happy about Mr. Gold to care that they didn't even consider her feelings. She wouldn't have gone to the party anyway, but she wished her sisters would be a little more selfless.

The two girls squealed and were out the door in the blink of an eye.

It didn't bother Belle that she was left alone to run the store. She honestly preferred it that way. At least she wouldn't have to put up with her sisters' excessive questions. She wasn't sure if she could hold her tongue about Mr. Gold if they were there.

She spent the remainder of the evening working in the front of the shop since it was by herself. A few customers came in every so often, but nothing she couldn't handle. She hadn't expected to have many in the first place. Now that the soldiers had shipped out, the town was almost deserted.

While being alone had its advantages, it made the time go by so slowly. All she could think about was Mr. Gold and seeing him the next day. It was like it would never come.

Oh! She realized with a start. It hadn't occurred to her before, but as she thought about Mr. Gold she realized she didn't even know his first name. By gods, how could she be this entranced with a man when she didn't even know his name?! A blush crept up on her face. Luckily there was no one around to see. But how could she have not even thought to ask? And if she wanted to know she would have to ask. He didn't seem too inclined to tell. She couldn't go on calling him Mr. Gold…at least she didn't want to. It was too impersonal. 'Well,' she thought, 'I will just have to ask him first thing tomorrow.' Suddenly the thought of seeing him made her nervous. How embarrassing it would be to ask for his name after everything.

When the clock finally struck eight, Belle was relieved she could close up so she could prepare for her date the next day. Putting away the last books in their place on the shelf, Belle was about to turn out the lights and head out the side door when she heard the bell at the front door ding as the door opened. The sound of footsteps followed.

Belle froze in place, nervous. She was certain she had locked the front door. How did this person get in? She knew it wasn't any of her family. They wouldn't use the front door after hours. And there was no way her sisters would ever leave a party early.

Did someone break in? Though, it didn't sound like the door was forced. Perhaps she hadn't locked it. Still, as a precaution, she grabbed the nearest thing she could find that she could use as a weapon. It was only an umbrella, but it would have to do.

Slowly she crept out from behind the corner, peeking around to see who was there. For a spilt second, she saw no one, only a flash of something black, but then a woman stepped into view. She was a tall, slender, very elegant looking woman, dressed in a long, fine, dark purple dress that reached the floor. A huge matching fur was draped over her shoulders, and atop her head was a very large and expensive looking hat, which covered almost all of her face. The only thing Belle could see was the woman's lips, red as blood, curled up into a sinister smile.

Gathering her courage, Belle stepped out into view, alerting the woman of her presence. "Madam, I'm sorry but the shop's closed," Belle said politely, "I thought I locked the door."

The woman didn't respond immediately, but didn't make a motion to leave. She tilted her face upward in Belle's direction, but Belle still couldn't see her eyes. The smile remained on her face, and it was beginning to make Belle uncomfortable. She wanted this mysterious lady to leave.

"Such a miserable little shop," the woman sneered, "All these cheap, old books no one could possibly want. There's nothing special in this boring old ugly shop…it suits you."

Belle was appalled at the lady's words. She was not going to put up with being insulted, especially from a stranger. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Your rudeness is unwelcome."

"Huh. Bookworm's got guts," the woman chuckled, but she still didn't turn to go. "I wonder if you know who I am?"

Slowly the woman tilted her head all the way up so Belle could finally see her entire face. The woman was absolutely breathtaking. With dark black hair that cascaded past her shoulders, pulled all to one side, creamy white skin, and chocolate brown eyes, she was one of the most gorgeous women Belle had ever seen. Belle knew that she could never look like that, no matter how much makeup, or what kind of clothes she wore. Still though, she honestly had no idea who this lady was.

"I'm sorry, no," Belle replied. Was she supposed to know her? Had they met before and she couldn't recall? Belle was sure she would remember meeting her.

"Then perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is Regina."

Regina? The name didn't process with Belle at first. She stood there quietly, confused.

Regina continued, "Or more commonly known as…"

"The Evil Queen," Belle gasped, finishing the sentence as she suddenly realized who stood before her. Oh gods, she thought, what was she going to do? She had heard stories of this woman, of the power she held, and it seemed somehow she had unintentionally made her angry. At least she thought she had. Why else would the woman insult her?

Regina's grin only grew larger. Belle was frightened. She didn't know what to do. If she called for help, no one would possibly hear her. If only Mr. Gold was there. If only he had provided her with a way to contact him. He warned her about the Evil Queen, but Belle had never expected the woman to just show up in her bookstore.

Belle considered running, but before she could move her feet, she discovered she was frozen in place. She couldn't budge at all. The only thing she could do was watch. Watch as the black glob creature that had chased her weeks before swelled up behind the witch taking the form of men. It wasn't just one creature, but several, and it was terrifying.

"A nice curse will teach you not to try and take what is mine!" the Evil Queen exclaimed angrily, scowling at Belle.

Before Belle could say or do anything, even think, a heavy wind washed over her. It came out of nowhere, and if she hadn't been locked in place she knew she would have fallen to the ground. And although the Evil Queen didn't flinch, Belle knew she had used magic.

Regina's smile returned and the tone in her voice went back to the sweet but insincere one she started with. "Give my regards to Rumplestiltskin." And with that the Queen and her Henchmen were gone, slamming the front door behind them, a few books falling to the floor with it.

As soon as the Queen was gone, Belle could move again. Curse? Had the witch just cursed her? She didn't feel any different. She glanced over at her reflection in the glass. She didn't look any different either. But something certainly happened. That wind came out of nowhere. Maybe Regina was just trying to scare her?

"Just relax," she said aloud trying to reassure herself. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Yet, something had happened. But what? She considered going to Mr. Gold to tell him what happened. Perhaps he could use his magic to see if there was a curse on her and remove it if there was. But it was nighttime. He probably wouldn't be at the shop; it had to be closed, and she didn't know where he lived. Her only option would be to wait until morning.

Regina's last words lingered in Belle's mind. Rumplestiltskin? Why would she say that? Belle had never met the wizard. How could she give him regards? She didn't have time to dwell on it though, because suddenly the room began to spin, slow at first, then faster and faster. She needed to lie down. So with what little strength and balance she had left, she stumbled up the stairs, forcing herself into her apartment. Her head begun to ache and it was getting so bad she was losing the ability to think. Just before she made it to her bed, she felt herself grow weak. No longer able to hold herself up, her body collapsed onto the floor, the room around her going completely dark. Mind racing, she lie there unable to move until she finally lost consciousness.