Another

By RosexKnight

The Dark One has made his entrance. Belle must make a choice. Colette has one last deal to make.

Chapter Seven ~ Wedding

The atmosphere in the church shifted immediately as the imp stood. His eyes wandered over the crowd, relishing the looks of shock and terror. Up front, Colette was the only one unafraid, her look instead expectant. Rumple gave her a glower. A metal sound rang off the walls and The Dark One returned his attention to the couple. Gaston had drawn his sword and stepped in front of Belle, shielding her from the monster.

Belle herself was motionless, back still to the rest of the crowd. She was only vaguely aware when Gaston left her side to stand between her and Rumpelstiltskin. Her body was disobeying her, keeping her frozen there with her hand over her mouth as waves of emotions crashed over her. Relief. Anger. Sadness. Hope. They all bubbled inside her chest and made her hands tremble.

He was here. He was here.

Rumpelstiltskin faltered for a split second, wondering why she hadn't moved. He was here. That's what she wanted right? Unable to dwell on the thoughts with an audience, he walked from his seat in the back to stand in the middle of the aisle, just before the closed door. He gave a flourish of hands at Gaston's glare. No one else moved, the tension that settled in the room becoming palpable. Heavy. Able to be cut through with a knife.

"No." Maurice said immediately, leaping up in his daughters defense. "You are not welcome here, Dark One."

"Oh?" The spinner chimed, "But I received an invitation from your lovely Colette."

His words were smooth, unfazed by the warning look Colette had shot him.

"No matter." He waved his hand dismissively. "I didn't plan to stay long."

"I won't let you do this." Gaston said firmly, holding his sword tightly, his body as tense as a bow string, ready for anything. "You separated my beauty from me once. I will not allow it a second time!"

"Your beauty?" The words were a snarl from Rumpelstiltskin, and with the flick of his wrist Gaston was flung to the side, a pot filled with maroon carnations cushioning his fall. "Don't make me regret releasing you any more than I have already, dearie."

"You sent her away." Maurice said reasonably, his tone obviously holding no patience for this.

"So I did." Rumpelstiltskin moved forward, turning on his heel to face Belle' father. "And now I've changed my mind."

"Seen the error of your ways?" Colette shot back, staying comfortably in her seat, her eyes holding nothing but petty satisfaction.

The Dark One gave her a glare, one she returned easily, and an audible gasp was heard from a few maids beside her. A stare down between Colette and Rumpelstiltskin was obviously not on the original agenda.

"Indeed..." He retorted with a dry tone. "But Maurice has a point. I was the one who sent her away. I'm not here to drag her back. Then she'd just be weeping all over again and where would that get me?"

Belle relaxed, still motionless as she commanded her body to move. Turn around. Face him. Make sure his eyes were as sincere as his voice. Why couldn't she move?! Something inside was holding her back. Fear?

Colette's eyes did not break from Rumpelstiltskin's. Though finally, she nodded, understanding the pleading look that fleeted to her through his eyes and evaporated in a moment. "Very well."

"Colette!" Maurice said in horror.

"Moe we are in no position to argue with The Dark One." Rumpelstiltskin snorted in amusement. "It'll have to be Belle's choice whether or not she goes with him..."

Another giggle erupted from The Dark One, though this time not quite as sincere. He turned to face the front of the church, and lifted a hand to her. "Well my dear what do you say?" Belle still didn't move, and for a moment his insides faltered. "Belle?"

Her name on his lips seemed to release her, and her legs were suddenly moving. With every emotion whittling inside of her she was storming down the aisle to him, relishing in the cluelessness in his eyes. She stopped just before the spinner, raised her hand, and slapped him. The satisfying sound echoed through the chapel, and Colette was the only one not to let out a frightened squeak.

A silence fell over Belle and Rumpelstiltskin as the rest of the world seemed to fade away with his stinging cheek and her tingling hand.

"Well that was disappointing." The Dark One muttered, rubbing his cheek tenderly.

"I called you." Belle finally said, her tone stabbing him like a knife.

"I know..." The edge of guilt in his voice was less than obvious to anyone but her.

"You never answered."

"I answered your mother." He offered, and Belle glanced over to her mother. An apology was in her eyes that Belle had to forgive.

"I called you, Rumple. I needed you."

"And I'm here now."

"Why?"

The question shook him for a moment, and he searched her eyes, begging, pleading for her to understand what he could not say. He knew it. Deep down he knew. But he was a coward, and the words would not come. Certainly not in a crowd. Perhaps back home. While she was reading to him as he spun at his wheel. Or while they shared tea. Or any other time he could focus on her and only her. To make sure he could see her eyes when he said it. If he could.

"The castle's gotten quite dusty."

He was teasing, but damn it if it didn't make Belle relax and even smile.

"Cutting it a bit close weren't you?"

"Well I had to make an entrance." He said, giving a flourish. "It's forever dearie. And this time I mean it."

Belle gave a smile. "Then I will go with you."

"On one condition." Belle turned to her mother, who seemed just as surprised as her at the words that had fallen from her lips. "That's what you do isn't it Rumpelstiltskin? Make deals? Do you expect me to hand my daughter over to you for nothing?"

"No I suppose not..." The Dark One muttered, giving a dry look to Colette. "You did say it was her choice."

"And she's chosen you. But a mother needs peace of mind." Colette stepped forward, embracing her daughter tightly. "After all, I must be sure she'll be safe with you. Taken care of. Honor upheld."

"Mother..." Belle whispered to her mother in objection, almost fearful of her safety. She knew there was only so far you could push Rumple.

"Belle. Let me have this. Let me be sure my daughter will be happy right out instead of having to search for it..."

Belle's knees went weak. She could have melted into her mother on the spot. Happiness. Colette wanted confirmation. For the sake of both of them. She smiled, nodding. "Yes mother."

Colette turned to Rumpelstiltskin, ignoring the protesting whispers and looks she was getting from Gaston and Maurice. Right now it wasn't about them. It was about Belle. Belle and her true love.

"She'll be safe?" Colette asked, her tone turning motherly "Warm? She'll have enough to eat?"

"She'll want for nothing." Rumpelstiltskin promised, placing a hand over his heart and raising the other in an oath.

"No harm will come to her in your care? You'll treat her like she ought to be treated?"

"Like the most delicate rose."

"You'll come every time she calls?"

A tension wove between them. One that felt too familiar to Belle. The spinner's eyes narrowed. But he nodded. "Even if it's because of a spider."

"And you'll love her?"

Belle gasped at her mother's boldness, stepping away without realizing she had done it. Yes. Fear was indeed what had kept her frozen.

"You know the answer to that one already." He answered easily, much easier than the brunette had expected. Easily enough for her to realize Colette did already know. And she'd had no intention of letting Belle go with him if she did not like the answer.

Satisfied, Colette relaxed. "Very well. I am at ease." She announced, taking Belle's hand and placing it in the oddly-colored hand of The Dark One. "I know she'll be taken care of and her honor kept in tact. I would hate for nasty rumors to start. It's a deal then." She jutted a finger at the man, poking him in the chest. "Take care of her, Rumpelstiltskin. Or I shall have to come do it myself."

"Oh I have No doubt that you will dearie. No doubt that you will."

Rumpelstiltskin put his arm around Belle's waist, and with a wave of his hand the world shifted about them, bringing them back to The Dark Castle. Home.

"Did your mother just...?" He gestured between the two of them.

"Yes I think she did." Belle said, stumbling back slightly. Magical travel always took her a moment to adjust to. But this time she didn't mind it. The castle was far too welcoming, especially with its master by her side.

"Well good to know all that didn't go to waist then." He said with a nod, turning stiffly, almost nervously, to go.

"When on earth did you meet my mother?" Belle asked, trailing after him as he walked through the dark hall and taking the familiar route to her chambers.

"Oh she…might have dropped by because of my doing about three days ago."

"She summoned you...and you brought her here?"

"Yes and look at all the dust gathering that she got an eyeful of. She wasn't happy with me to say the least."

Belle giggled as he opened the door for her. Her room was unchanged. Even the books were still scattered about in the same place she'd left them. "Well I'll fix that."

"Oh I hope so..." He said, following her into the bedroom and shutting the door behind them. "I do hope so..."