Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon A Mattress. Wait. That's wrong. Once Upon a Crime. Crap! I don't own Once Upon a Thyme. NO!
I do not own ONCE. UPON. A. TIME.
There.
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But, any of you who are familiar with this website know that review count is the closest thing that they have to a rating system. I assume that if you're still reading this, you really like it - and I'd love for more people to discover it! When you're sorting through literally a thousand similar stories, it's really hard to figure out what to take a chance on. I usually go by review count. I'm sure I've missed some awesome ones because of that, but I don't know what else to do. :( So - if you like this story enough and think other's would too, please leave a review. Even if it's "Nice chapter, pal." I'd appreciate it, and a potential reader might thank you for it!
Belle had spent all night and the majority of the morning in her bedroom. It was now just before noon. She was afraid to go downstairs. Afraid to see him.
She sat curled up in a chair by the window, knees to her chest, looking out into the front yard. She was still in shock over what happened last night. She let her face fall forward onto her knees.
Where did that reaction come from? She thought they'd been discussing things sensibly, and then he just...snapped. Belle lifted her head again, pulling her knees closer to her chest. Thinking about it turned her stomach into a knot of apprehension. She hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon, and probably couldn't if she tried.
He had told her to leave, and she didn't know what his reaction would be to seeing her again. She didn't know what her's would be. He was obviously mad, for whatever reason, and she... she should be livid. The only problem was that anxiety wasn't the only thing thinking about last night made her feel.
She blushed as she recalled her hands on him. His mouth on hers. The look in his eyes as he told her to kiss him.
She shook her head in an outward effort to push away those thoughts. She should show him that he had crossed the line. That he couldn't do things like that to her.
Except he could. That's what that little demonstration was all about, wasn't it?
The thing was, she knew him well enough to know that he was trying hard to push her away. She shouldn't let him, but everything about that confrontation left her feeling confused. Conflicted. Afraid. No matter what he did, though, she knew now she couldn't let him go.
She loved him.
She had for a long time. Before they came to Storybrooke. The problem with love, though, was that feeling it and admitting to it weren't always the same process.
She heard the front door open and close. Looking out the window, she saw Ru limp towards his car. Her eyes widened. He'd been so adamant about not being apart. Where was he going?
When he got to his car door, he paused, and looked up at her window. She instinctively shifted away from the glass. He continued getting into his car. After a moment, he started the engine and drove off.
She jumped out of her seat and left her room, rushing down the stairs. She took long strides towards the front door, and pulled on the handle. Locked. Belle sighed. She should have known. As she turned away, a note on the table in the hall caught her eye. It was weighed down by a small and ancient looking key. She picked it up, turning it over in her hand. A house key? She opened the note.
Belle,
I've been considering your proposal to find someone else to help with the search. I believe I know of someone qualified, and am going into town to enlist her services.
Her? Belle felt a pang of jealousy.
I don't know how long I will be gone, so I am leaving you a key, in case for some reason you must leave. I urge you not to. The house should be safe against harm.
R. Gold
Two more words were printed below the signature, like an afterthought.
I'm sorry.
She gripped the letter in her hands, tempted to tear it in two. He was going to meet with another woman, and he was sorry he kissed her. She took a deep, steadying breath and told herself she was being childish. She smoothed out the letter and placed it back on the table, with the key on top, and went into the kitchen. Maybe if she spent a little time putting together a meal, she would feel like eating it by the time it was ready.
After about an hour, lunch... or dinner was well on it's way to being prepared. Without thinking, Belle had made enough for more than one, even though she didn't know if Ru was going to be coming back anytime soon. There was always the option of putting it away for leftovers, but... Belle stopped to consider. Maybe she could invite her father over to share it. He'd been calling her daily since the day of the accident. She's successfully fielded his questions, but she could tell he wasn't satisfied with just talking. He wanted to see in person if she was alright. If she invited him here, that would lead to many more explanations. Explanations she would have to make eventually, though. She picked up the phone to call him.
He answered after a few rings. "Hello? Belle?"
She smiled into the phone. "Hey, dad."
"I've been doing the calling, lately. What's the occasion?"
"I was wondering if you'd like to come over and have lunch? I made chicken a l'orange. Your favorite."
"That sounds wonderful. I'm glad you're feeling well enough to cook. You must be getting better. I'll be over in half an hour."
"That's great. And... dad?" She look a deep breath. "I'm not at my apartment."
"Oh. Do you want me to wait and give you time to get there?"
"No dad. I'm at Mr. Gold's house." Silence.
She chewed her bottom lip. "He won't be here." Still no reply. "Do you need directions?"
"I know where it is."
"Dad..."
"Don't you think you're moving a little fast, Belle? I know you went through a traumatic thing, but this..."
"The accident doesn't have anything to do with it." she lied. "I told you we were dating."
"Yes, but does that mean you have to spend every waking moment with him? Don't tell me you're living with him?" He sounded on the verge of disgust.
"...he has a better kitchen."
She could hear a sigh come through the phone. "I'll be half an hour," and he hung up.
Belle put the phone down. She hadn't asked Ru about inviting her dad over. She didn't know how he would feel about the man being in his house, but he wasn't giving her much of a choice. If he didn't want her leaving, then she'd have to let him come here to see him. He couldn't honestly expect her to never see her father again without his supervision. Her expression determined, she finished preparing the food, and set the table. Shortly after she was finished, she heard the doorbell ring.
Taking the key off the table, she inserted it into the lock, and pulled the door open to see her dad waiting. She smiled as she let him pull her into a hug.
"I'm glad you're ok." He stepped inside, pulling his coat off. It had gotten colder outside, lately. Winter was coming. She supposed it was good Ru was finding help now to look for Regina's artifact. Belle was sure a change in seasons wouldn't make traipsing around in the woods any more enjoyable.
Belle led her father to the smaller, more intimate table in the kitchen instead of the main dining room. They both sat and she took a plate, filling it and placing it in front of him.
"This is...nice. I haven't had this kind of cooking since you moved out. Your mother used to make it for me, too..." he trailed off. Mention of the woman long dead always caused Mr. French to pause, even after all these years. Belle didn't have many memories of her mother, but she always enjoyed cooking french food. She reached over to take her father's hand in her own, and he squeezed it tightly.
He took a deep breath. "So, do you do much cooking for Mr. Gold?" She could tell he was trying to be amiable, but a note of anger crept into his voice. In his mind, he was losing the only family he had left.
"Once or twice." Belle took a bite of her food. "Nothing from the fatherland, yet." She smiled at him, and the bitter expression haltingly melted into a smile of his own.
They ate slowly, talking of nothing particularly important. He didn't seem keen on discussing anything more on the subject of Mr. Gold, and it was enough just to be in each others company for the moment.
Just as Belle was beginning to wonder if they should linger any longer, she heard the door open, and the uneven gait of Ru walking towards the kitchen. She tensed, her guilty gaze going to the doorway where she knew he would appear. When he did, she looked to her dad, who wore a determined expression on his face as he stood and walked over to the man who's kitchen he was now occupying.
"Mr. Gold." He thrust his hand forward, his motion making it look like it was an uncomfortable thing to do.
Ru glanced down at the proffered appendage and then back up to meet Mr. French's gaze. He raised an eyebrow, then took his hand, shaking it once, firmly.
"Mr. French." His gaze slid over to Belle, still sitting at the table, fidgeting nervously with her fingers. "Welcome to our home."
She could see her father tense at the use of the word "our". His gaze sharpened as he regarded Ru, who in turn looked rather blasé.
"I'll admit that I'm an old fashioned man. I can't say I approve of two unmarried people living under the same roof."
"Indeed."
"However, my daughter has seemed happier since she told me she was with you than I've seen her for a long time. And that's the most important thing." He cleared his throat, as though clearing the remnants of the awkward words from it.
"I see." Ru looked over at Belle again, who could feel the blood rushing to the surface of her skin. She hadn't mentioned her previous conversation with her father to Ru, yet.
"Just don't hurt her, old man. You'll have me to deal with."
Ru rested both hands on his cane in front of him, regarding the taller man for a moment. He inclined his head slightly. "Wouldn't dream of it."
"Well... then. I'll be going." Mr. French shifted, as though unsure of what to do next. He glanced past Ru, who was blocking the exit from the kitchen, and back to Belle, still sitting wide eyed at the table.
"Belle." He nodded towards her, "I will see you later. More often, I hope." Belle nodded her assent. "...I love you." He turned back towards Ru.
"Mr. Gold."
"Yes?" Ru quirked an eyebrow in amusement, as though expecting a similar endearment.
"I...need to get past."
"Certainly." He moved aside. "It was a pleasure to see you again, Mr. French."
"Likewise." He walked past the other man, looking slightly addled by the entire conversation. After a moment Belle heard the front door open and close once again.
She and Ru stood in the kitchen for a minute, not quite looking at each other. It was finally Belle that broke the silence.
"Where did you go?"
He took a breath. "Into town. Granny's Diner. I think Ruby should be able to help us locate the item we are looking for."
"Ruby?" Belle furrowed her brow.
"Yes." He turned around, walking out of the kitchen. As he did, he said over his shoulder. "She used to be a werewolf, you know." Then disappeared around the corner, leaving Belle sputtering.
She got up, following Ru to his study. "What do you mean she used to be a werewolf?"
"In the other world. It makes her an excellent tracker." He sat down, sighing. "She's unaware of the fact. It took a little convincing to make her accept the job."
Belle crept cautiously into the room, her hand on the door frame. "What did you tell her?"
"That if she helped us, and was discreet about it, there would be considerable monetary compensation."
"Ingenious." Ru glanced up at her, and Belle kept her expression carefully blank. He grunted and turned away. "You know, Ruby isn't exactly known for her discretion."
"I'm aware of her reputation. It won't be a problem." He sounded sure. Belle felt the pang of jealousy from earlier resurface. Ru began shifting through some of the books that constantly covered his desk now. Belle chewed on her lip, considering her next words. She took a deep breath.
"I know why you did that to me last night."
He paused in his motion, not looking up at her. He seemed to be waiting for her to continue.
"You're trying to push me away. I know you well enough to see that...but it isn't going to work. I'm not afraid of you."
He turned to look at her. "No?" His voice sounded lightly curious, but his eyes were dark.
She swallowed. "I know you won't hurt me. You haven't yet, so I don't know what you're trying to prove."
"I'm trying," he emphasized "to give you a chance to walk away from this."
"From what? From you?"
"From a life of imprisonment, Belle. A life that isn't your own." He turned his chair to regard her. "I'm not a well liked man, even in this world with all my leverage gone. My teeth dulled. In our world, you know I'm hated. If you stay with me no one will want anything to do with you. They'll be too afraid. Including that man you've just begun mending your relationship with." He gestured with one hand towards the door.
"I made that choice when I first came with you."
"Well, now I'm letting you unmake it."
Belle sucked in a slight breath, taken aback. "Why?"
Brushing his hair away from his face, he stood. "I know these past thirty years for you have passed like a dream, trapped in the same fog as everyone. For me, though, I've lived every moment. Not that it was much of a burden. I've been around for much longer than that." He paused for a moment, looking away. "Do you know how old I am, Belle?"
"No, you haven't been very forthcoming."
"I'm old enough that my name is part of the folklore of our home. Centuries. So much longer than the lifetime of one small girl." He was closer to her now, looking at her intently.
"What is your point?"
"There's no future for us, Belle. You should go home. Get married and have children. That way some part of you will live forever, too." He touched her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek.
They stood there for a minute, just looking at each other. Belle tilted her head, and leaned forward to kiss him, her hand reaching towards his face. She heard his indrawn breath, before he backed away, putting a few feet of space between them.
"I have work to do. Ruby will be over in the morning and we will start looking again. For now, I need to concentrate. Alone." he specified when Belle didn't move.
Belle's clenched the hand she'd been reaching out with into a fist. She was unsure of whether to leave, or force him into talking. Finally, she bowed quietly out of the room and closed the door behind her.
