Another Chapter up tonight! Hope you enjoy, and for Twala I promise that I will get to Gold's POV I'm just waiting until there relationship grows a little more before I put his two-sense into it.

Chapter 7

Running into the Beast

I woke up with a start, not knowing anything about where I was, or what I was doing. My eyes shoot open reviling nothing but foggy images. I was on the verge of panic desperately trying to find a clue about the predicament I've seem to have found myself in. And then like a sudden stack of bricks hitting my head, my body feel limp. My back fell into leathery fabric with a plop. My head was on fire, and my eyes still weren't sending me clear pictures. I blinked rapidly trying to clear the fog.

Finally with a sigh I gave up, calming down for the first time sense I woke up. My shoulders sank down, and everything felt peaceful other than the massive migraine. Then without warning everything came back to me. My memory flooded in with a bang, suddenly and unexpected. The last thing I remembered was yelling at Gold before descending the staircase. I could vaguely remember tripping, and I think I heard Gold cry out my name, but then everything was gone. All my memories after that cease to exist. I must have fainted when I fell. That would explain the headache, but that still didn't explain where I was.

But that cleared up in a matter of moments as his shrill voice cut through my ears like daggers. "Look who finally decided to wake up." He said drawing his teeth over his bottom lips. He smiled at me, but this time it was warm, and caring not like the cruel ones from this afternoon. I let out a theatric sigh, leaning even further back into the… what was I on? My eyes had finally stated working properly, so I turned my head slightly to meet a deep velvet red, leather wall. It appeared I had been laid on some random couch, now just where was this couch located? "Feeling better dearie?" his voice was calm, and practiced. It sounded like he was making an extra effort to not slip up.

"Do I look like I'm better?" I angrily mumbled just loud enough for him to hear.

"I guess not… well can I get you anything that would make you feel better?" he offered with kindness shining through his words, but I was still too angry to care.

"I don't want anything from you. I just want to go back to my room, and rest." My voice burning like acid through my teeth. I began to sit up again, but when I tried the pain amplified itself to every corner of my body causing me to audibly wince.

"Slow down there, dearie. We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself any further. You had quite a fall." His true tone was full of compassion, and concern, but all I heard was the mocking voice from earlier. I couldn't bring myself to think he actually had the ability to care about me. After hearing nothing but evil remarks this afternoon.

"Why would you even care?" I asked snapping my words at him.

He gave me a shocked face, opening his mouth dramatically as if my accusation was preposterous. "Well why wouldn't I care?" He said, his body becoming stiff losing its theatrical flair and becoming serious. He acted like I should know that he cared, but in all honesty I doubted he even gave a damn.

"I don't know, maybe because you're an ass." I snarled out, rolling my eyes. I shouldn't have said that. He is a teacher after all, but I was so infuriated by his presence I let it slip. I don't care if I receive detention or any other form of punishment because it was totally worth it. My eyes bore into his with a fire that could burn down kingdoms.

His expression that held concern- which I was sure was fake- changed to a pained, hollow stare. He held that blank look for a while before he was willing to give me a response. "Your right Belle, I am an ass. I won't deny that, but you must believe me when I say that I care." I rolled my eyes, still frustrated with the circumstances, and pissed off at him.

"Sure you do." The words just flowed out of my mouth now. I'd seem to have lost my filter, and was now just spitting out whatever came to mind. I wasn't normally like this. I like to think I can be pretty fair, and understanding, but the way I was acting was totally against my nature. Something about Mr. Gold mocking me, and thinking of my opinions in such a low manner sliced through me like a knife, causing me to react in an unlady-like manner. No one has every wounded me like this. I always held myself with dignity never letting others words penetrate me, or cause any pain, but when he did it everything changed. When his words stood against me it hurt more than anything I've ever experienced before. I hated this feeling of betrayal, and all I wanted to do was to get back at him. I was desperate to prove my point, to change his mind. Nothing else seemed to matter except beating him.

"Believe it or not, but I do. And I like it if you did believe me." His voice was small. The great and powerful Mr. Gold was just made small…. By me?

Everything seemed to click, and make sense in that moment. My words hurt him just as much as his hurt me. Why did they hurt him? Why would they hurt him? Did he care about my opinion on him just like I cared about his? I don't even know why I cared about his opinion so much, but the point was I did care, and just maybe he cared too.

I didn't respond to him. Instead I leaned back into the couch, still having a hundred questions about what exactly was going on.

After a long and drawn out silence—due to the fact that I wasn't exactly eager to talk to him- he finally spoke, "I'll go get you some water then." He said awkwardly avoiding any eye contact. He sounded so sad, so small. It almost frightened me how much his stance changed due to my rejection. The Mr. Gold I knew was strong, independent, powerful, and never would he ever back down to anyone, especially not the likes of his students.

"No wait." I called out a little too loudly. I felt extremely guilty making him act belittled. The look of pain that masked his face made me hurt for him. I wasn't going to force him to avoid me because I was making it awkward. All this time Gold was trying to be kind and make this better, and I was doing the opposite. I was the one being difficult. This was so unlike me. And honestly I hated how I was acting. He did treat me wrongly, but that didn't mean I had the right to treat him the same way. "I'm—I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." I still wasn't ready to be completely open around him, and I defiantly wasn't comfortable in his presence, just yet. But I was willing to try and act civil, and if apologizing for my ridiculous behavior was the first step, then I would gladly take it.

A hint of a smile curved at the corners of his lips. He didn't look smug like one might expect him to look after he 'won' an argument (If me apologizing was even consider winning?). Rather than looking cocky he actually looked relieved and somewhat happy. "It's perfectly fine. I probably deserved it anyways, but I should get you that glass of water. I'll be right back." He quickly got up, disappearing around the corner. With him gone I took the opportunity to look around. Hoping I could figure out where I was. The room was large and dark. Painted with dark reds, deep browns, striking blacks, and hints of gold here and there. I was in a very medieval themed room, but that didn't surprise me considering I had taken up residence in a castle after all. There were large floor length curtains covering what appeared to be massive bay windows. I appeared to be in some kind of sitting room, or living room. There was a large couch which I happened to be laying on, and a few matching chairs positioned around it. An elegantly decorated fire place was in front of me with a steady flame burning as I waited for Gold to return. The crackling of the wood was the only sound that broke the utter silence in the room. A few other common pieces of furniture stood around the room like a dining table and chairs. Some bookshelves, along with cabinets, and tables with strange knick-knacks on them just like the ones in Mr. Gold's office. But what really caught my eye was an old fashioned spinning wheel sitting in the back of the room. The wood was warn hinting that it was used quite often. There was still some material hanging off the spindle. The object didn't look like yarn though. It actually looked like straw. Why would straw be on a spinning wheel? I would have to investigate that more thoroughly later. My eyes still wandered around the room, but nothing hinted to where I was. I figured I was still in Hogwarts because the ceilings and walls were made out of the same material the rest of the castle was. The architecture looked familiar, but unfortunately nothing in the room did.

Soon Mr. Gold was back with a tall crystal glass of water in his hand. "Here we are dearie." The perk in his tone seemed to have reappeared, and his confident stance returned to him. With long strides he made his way to me, placing the water on the spherical coffee table that sat directly in front of me. The glass hit the table with a click causing the water around the rim to splash out in little puddles. Mr. Gold didn't seem to notice or care about the droplets of water laying randomly around the bottom of the cup, so I ignored it too.

"Thank you." I responded. Sure I was still pissed don't get me wrong, but being kind was in my nature. Besides I think I'm starting to forgive him. I've never been one to hold grudges, and I doubt I'll be able to hold something against him for long. I was just a bit bitter from the initial shock of his mockery. I didn't see it coming, nor did I ever think Mr. Gold would do something like that to me, despite the rumors I hear.

"Of course." He answered his voice low. He took a seat in the chair closet to the position I was sitting in. He took a sip of the tea that he had carried into the room for himself. His eyes were looking at me over the sharp rim of his tea cup.

"So, um… I have a question. I was just wandering where I was…" I asked awkwardly smiling at him in a joking way.

"Oh, that." He said, eyebrows raised, but his posture became stiff, his tone mellowing. There were still some traces of his playful, confident self, although he once more became the serious and business like Mr. Gold. "Well, dearie. I followed you out the door when you left. I saw you fall…, but I wasn't quick enough to catch you. You didn't look well, not to mention you were unconscious, so I brought you back to my quarters to fix you up. I thought it be the most logical thing to do." He said giving me an explanation to why he did everything. I didn't know why he felt that he had to explain his actions and motives, but somehow I thought it was sweet. His insecurities coming out through his words.

I was grateful that he helped me, but I was also very puzzled by this.

So, he ran after me when I left? And he made sure I was okay? And on top of everything he took me to his room? Why did he take me to his room, and not the Hospital wing?

I suddenly became more aware of our current position. I quickly pulled the blanket that was lying on my legs up to cover my neck. Thankfully I was still in my uniform, and Gold hadn't took it upon himself to undress me.

Being aware of where I was made me very insecure. It was one thing to be with Mr. Gold in his classroom, but in his chambers was completely different. I was at a loss for words, wondering what I should say, what I could say. Should I question him, or thank him, even ridicule him? My filter failed me again, and I ended up saying the first thing that came out of my mouth, "Your room?" the words rolled off my tongue sounding confused, and just slightly disturbed. I didn't mean it to come out that way, but it did and now there is no going back.

"Oh, yes I hope you don't mind I…"

"No, no its fine—I—I just didn't expect that answer" Even though I should have guess where I was based on my surroundings, "But um, why… why didn't you take me to the Hospital wing?" I asked perplexed, yet eager to hear his answer.

"You think I would take you to those fools? No, no, no I would never allow them to treat you for something I could take care of. They probably have you drink nasty medicine that wouldn't help. Besides they would most likely be too busy to set their full attention on you, and make sure you got proper care. It would be pointless for them to do a job insufficiently that I could manage myself." He bluntly stated as if it was something obvious. I didn't exactly see his point. The women would have been able to treat me fine, maybe not with their absolute attention but they would get the job done.

Then it accrued to me that Mr. Gold cared enough to take his time to make sure I was okay, and he wanted me to have the full attention of the person treating me, his full attention. I had Mr. Gold's full attention… He put extra effort into making sure I had proper care… his care. But why? Why did he go through all this trouble? I couldn't comprehend why he would even consider tending to me, and insisting on doing it himself? It all seemed absurd. I just couldn't warp my finger around the idea. "I didn't think you thought so lowly of those women." I said bowing my head so our eyes didn't meet. I couldn't focus being under his practiced and concentrated stare. He did say he wanted me to have his full attention, and that I did.

"Well one might say lowly, but I prefer held with the upmost respect of their ability to not do their task correctly." He joked with his usual childish giggle.

I rolled my eyes at his statement, "Isn't that the same thing?"

"Not exactly, dearie." His tone was light and airy. I should have thought of it as a mocking manner, but somehow I didn't. Instead I felt like I was with the old Mr. Gold, the one I knew before our argument.

"Sure it isn't. Now you're just twisting words." My words were simple, and stated in a friendly manner, but his expression changed from relaxed too stiff in a blink of an eye. I was taken back by his sudden change in mood. Instantly I regretted what I said. Somehow my words must have hit him in a tender spot, otherwise he wouldn't have the expression he held. It must have been my words even though I meant no harm in them.

"Belle—"He began slowly, facing the ground, "I—I just wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier. I realize I shouldn't have been so harsh, and fuel to you. I'm afraid I got too worked up over the topic, and I let it slip. I'm very sorry, and completely embarrassed of my behavior. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me." His voice was sincere, and I trusted that he meant it.

Of course I would forgive him. I couldn't hold a grudge. It wasn't in me. "Yeah, yes of course—I forgive you." I paused thinking about my next words. Sure I was willing to forgive him, but that didn't mean I didn't want an explanation. "But, um. I'm sorry I just really would like to know why you did get so angry. I know it's ridiculous, but I think I would have the right to know why I got yelled at." I hid my face trying to calm my blush. I shouldn't feel embarrassed to ask this, but I did.

He looked at me for a long moment not saying anything just looking. It didn't seem like he was going to answer my question, so I was going to ask again, but right before I did he spoke. "Yes, I suppose you do have the right to know. Belle, I—I, the games they… they—aren't something I prefer to dwell on. When I said my friend died… it wasn't my friend. The man who died that night was my son…" his expression was cold and deep, "I wasn't a student at Hogwarts at the time, I was a teacher. I was at the games—I saw him die. I watched that mermaid slit his throat…. I didn't do anything. I should have, but I couldn't according to the rules of the games. I was a coward, afraid and stupid. I wasn't even strong enough to save my son. I fell victim to my own cowardice. So I made myself an enemy of the games. I hated them. I blamed them for the death of my son. It was the only way I couldn't blame myself.

Ever sense then I've despised them. I was afraid—afraid for you. I thought you join them. I thought you want to me a hero by winning the games. I was afraid that if you thought they were a good thing then you would put your name in the cup this year. I was hoping if I could make you think they were evil, then you wouldn't be interested in them. I didn't—I didn't want to—"he stopped himself from finishing his words. He wanted to say something else, but he didn't. I sat there patiently, waiting for him to say what he wanted to, but he never did. Instead he just sighed, and waited for me to respond.

"I'm so sorry about your son. I… I really am sorry." I said looking at him through broken eyes. It hurt to think Gold lost someone so close and significant in his life. I wanted to cry for him, but no tears came out, instead silence reigned over us.

He nodded his head in response, but didn't make a move to talk. After a moment I thought it better to just continue myself, "You, um didn't want to what?" I asked going back to his first statement that he never did finish.

"Nothing, nothing. I just didn't want you to enter the competition." He said hoarsely, holding back something.

"So you thought if you scared me into not liking the games I wouldn't join them?" I questioned with a sarcastic smile.

"Well I was hoping." He said while his lips turned upwards. I was happy to see him smile after just having a morbid conversation.

I tried to keep in my laughter, but I couldn't help myself. I burst out in a fit of giggles, while trying to explain myself. "Okay firstly, you don't have to worry. I wasn't even planning on entering the games anyways. The games are for the strong brave heroines, and I am neither of those things. Secondly you should know I can't be scared into not doing something. I'm the stubbornness person I know. There's no way you could have changed my mind, but you don't have to. Trust me when I say I have no interest in entering the games." I said laughing at the idea of him thinking he could change my mind. If I am one thing it's stubborn, and once I get an idea in my head no one changes my mind but me.

"I assumed that. I really didn't think I could change your mind. I was just hoping—I mean if you were going to enter it that I could influence your decision, and Belle, don't underestimate yourself. You are brave. Trust me when I say that, because no coward would ever befriend a beast like me."

He thought I was brave? He called us friends? Were we friends? I wanted to be, but the question was did he?

"We're… friends?" I asked astonished.

"Well yes… If that's what you want, I mean." He said awkwardly, again losing all that known confidence, and becoming insecure.

"Yes! Yes absolutely we can be friends." I said a little too enthusiastically. I didn't want him to feel insecure, so I spit the statement out louder than necessary, not meaning to sound as dramatic as I did.

A warm smile stretched out on his lips. "Good. I was hoping you say that." He answered happily. "Now sense we're friends… you wouldn't mind if I ask you why you like the games so much if you don't want to enter them?" he held a curious and confused expression in his eyes giving me a since of insecurity. I didn't like it when he was at a lack of knowledge. I've always known the man to be full of wisdom. If you had a question he could answer it, and for him to look so confused made me feel tiny and out of place. He was like a backbone who knew anything, and everything you would ever want to know, but when it came to human emotion he was oblivious.

"It's not that I like the games rather I like the contestants. The idea of being brave, of being a hero. It's almost as if they are from some book or fantasy. It's nice to feel like you're in some far off kingdom battling dragons and saving damsels in distress. The world we live in is so dull, with not so many chances to be a hero, or show people what you can do. I wish I could compete in them, but the fact is that it isn't some fairy tale, but its real life. And they are dangerous, so you can't treat them like some book where the main character hardly ever dies, because in the games… you can die. I know it's morbid, but it's the truth, and I prefer not to risk my life if I don't have too. Now coming here to Hogwarts that was my fantasy that I get to live. Coming here was a way to escape my average life, and become part of some fairy tale world that muggles only dream off. The games are some people's far off worlds, but to me Hogwarts is enough." I said trying to explain to him why I felt this way. I know it's a little farfetched, but it's how I saw it.

"And being at Hogwarts, was it everything you had hoped?" he asked waving his finger in the air theatrically, and grinding his teeth into a smile.

I sat up on the couch cringing at the pain, but I battled through it, wanting to be face to face with him. "Well I did want to see the world. That part didn't exactly work out, but being here is a dream come true. So, yes it's enough."

"Enough? Dearie you're a witch. You could travel the world in the blink of an eye using a portkey. Why wouldn't you use one of those to fulfill your dreams?" he asked dumb-fuddled to my reasoning of not using my resources to follow my dreams.

"I would use one, but um… I—I don't know how." I admitted, shyly glancing at the ground.

"You, the smartest witch I've ever met doesn't know how to use a portkey?" he said amazed by what he was hearing.

"Well yes. I've heard the most horrific stories of people losing their arms, or legs while trying to use them. I for one do not want to lose my pinkie while traveling the world!" I stated comically, yet sternly getting my point across. I was flattered that he thought of me so highly, but still he did need to understand that I'm not perfect, and obviously not cable of using every magical object correctly. I don't want him to think I'm some master minded witch who can cast any spell, or conjure any beast. I rather him not overestimate my abilities.

He pondered this for a while, drumming his nibble fingers over his chin. "How about I make you a deal? You see I happen to travel the world quite frequently. I'm quite found of the art that is deal making, and a lot of the times those deal require me to travel here and there. Most of the time I use Floo powder, but when that's not available I'm quite handy with a portkey. If you like I can teach you how use one, so you don't lose a pinkie."

"And what do you get in returned?" I asked narrowing my eyes. He never makes a deal where he doesn't come out on top, so I was hesitant to say yes, even though none of our other deals so far have turned out badly at least for me.

"How about you just owe me a favor, deal?" he offered putting his hand out.

I thought about it for a moment, but really I had nothing to lose. "Deal." I repeated, firmly grabbing his hand and shacking it.

Playlist

You found me- The Fray

Beautiful Soul- Jessy McCartney

Believer- American Authors

Clarity- Zedd

Count on me- Bruno Mars