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Chapter 7:

The Dark Castle: Five Months Before The Dark Curse

Excitement swam through her as she ran down the stairs. She heard the doors opening and surely it would be Rumpelstiltskin returning from his latest deal, and she had the best news possible; they were pregnant again. She was so exited to tell him, to start planning their family.

Sure his curse would wipe them away from this world, but they would be together, he'd worked that out or so he said.

Rushing down the stairs, holding her dress up so she didn't trip, she skidded to a stop in the great hall, the smile slowly falling from her face when she saw Jefferson standing there.

"Hey there, love. Wow, no love for me is there?"

She shook her head and smiled again. "Oh no no, it isn't that. Its just that I was expecting Rumpel. I haven't seen him in days since he went to make that deal with Cinderella. I just...miss him is all." she explained with a small smile.

Jefferson watched her face and shook his head. "Nooo thats not it. Come now, sweetling, I know that look, you had something in store for our dear Rumpel, didn't you?" he asked, taking his bag off and sitting it on the grand table, moving to take a seat and looking up at her.

A sigh came from her lips and she looked around, making sure nobody had followed him before looking back at Jefferson, a smile replacing the frown she'd carried. Walking up to the other side of the table, leaning against it and looking at her friend. "I'm with child."

The news made his eyes widen and mouth fall open, but he returned to a smile. Standing up and walking around the table, hugging her tightly. "Oohh thats wonderful news!" he said happily.

She giggled as he leaned to fold his arms under her butt, picking her up and playfully spinning her around.

"Ahh! Jeff! Stop!" she giggled out, her arms around his neck gripping his shirt a little as he spun her, shaking her head. "Stoppp or I'll get sick all over your pretty hair!"

At the threat, he stopped and chuckled. "Point taken." he said, lowering her down to her feet and looking at her face. "Really, Belle, thats wonderful news, it couldn't happen to a better person.

She smiled, looking up at him and nodding a little. "I know. I am so excited I just wish Rumpel would get back from his deal." she said, leaning back from Jeffersons arms and starting to walk over to the spinning wheel that sat in the great hall, the one Rumpel always used to spend a lot of time at. Running her fingers over the antique wood and closing her eyes halfway. "I miss him more than he'll ever know."

"Yes, about that..." he started with a sigh, looking up at her. "I've come to talk to you, to tell you something..."

Looking back at him, her smile fading at the look on his eyes and she blinked. "What is it? Where is my husband?"

Jefferson looked down guiltily and sighed. "Imprisoned. The deal with Cinderella was a trap. A trap to trap his magic and save her child. He cannot escape the prison walls that hold him. I'm sorry."

She heard his words even though she didn't want to. Tears welled up in her eyes and slowly slipped down her cheeks, looking away as she shook her head. "No...no you have to be lying. You have to be. I need him, Jefferson! I need him here with me!" she declared. Anger rose through her as she gripped her hands into tight fists, her nails digging into the skin of her palm.

"Shh, calm down, princess. He is perfectly safe, they cannot kill him without the dagger, and then someone else would take the powers of the Dark One, and they surely don't want that. Besides, they're too good to kill him, they wouldn't."

"You think that makes me feel better!?" she yelled, looking up to him, tears streaking down her cheeks. "You think any of this can make me feel better without Rumpelstiltskin here, home, where he belongs!?" she yelled at him, unable to contain the rage that spread through her. Oh, Rumpelstiltskin was rubbing off on her surely.

She walked to the table, grabbing one of the empty potion bottles that sat there and quickly turning to throw it against the wall, hearing the glass shatter upon impact. "Damnit!" she yelled.

Jefferson watched her and sighed, shaking his head. "I suppose it won't make you feel better. We can...we can still get your news back to him you know."

"No..." she said, looking down and slowly sinking to sit in one of the chairs, looking at her lap. "I don't need him depressed, Hatter. If he is imprisoned than that means the curse is on its way. Events are falling into place, he's where he needs to be right now for all of that. I just...I just wish I could have changed his mind about this whole curse business."

Walking up behind her, Jefferson sat his hands on her shoulders and rubbed them slowly. "If you insist. Though I do think he has a right to know he'll be a father, Belle."

She nodded, reaching to wipe her eyes as tears continued to slip down her cheeks. Damned hormones, her moods felt everywhere and no where at once, and neither of the moods were happy. Gently she rested her hand on her still flat stomach, looking down at it. "He will know, in this town we'll be banished to. His new persona will know right away, but Rumpelstiltskin will know in twenty eight years, when the savior comes to pass."

"Twenty eight years?! Holy gods, Belle, by then the child will be grown!"

"No it won't." she said, keeping her head down. "Time will stand still, Jefferson. I'll be pregnant for twenty eight years before I can give birth. And I just hope to any god thats listening...that Rumpel is right and we'll be together in this new world, a family." she said, her fingers rubbing along her stomach slowly and sighing, tilting her head back against the chair.

"I do hope so too, princess." he said, rubbing her shoulders still slowly, looking down at her. "Until then...Rumpel has entrusted your safety with me, and that means the safety of your child as well. I will not let either of you down."

"You better not, Hatter...you know what Rumpel does to those who let him down." she said, glancing up on the mantle where the single red rose was held in its pot. It was just one red rose, and it was forever in bloom, Rumpelstiltskin's magic when he'd turned Gaston into that very rose.

Jefferson nodded, looking up to where her gaze sat on the rose. He had no idea the story behind it, but it had been there on the mantle for as long as he'd known. "You are becoming too much like Rumpelstiltskin for your own good, my dear." he joked with a small chuckle.

"He is my husband." she said with a sigh. Slowly standing up from the seat and walking out towards the balcony, opening the huge doors as she walked out. Leaning against the railing and looking over the woods. The breeze felt good on her skin, running through her hair. "Rumpel...I miss you. Are we always destined to do this? To be apart? I hope not." she said with a small sigh.

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Storybrooke: A Week Later

She hadn't been back to Gold's shop in a week, and not because she didn't want to, but because Jefferson hovered entirely too much, rarely ever letting her out of his sight. It was really getting on her nerves, she just wished he'd let her out of his sight for a few minutes, leave her be. She couldn't even go down to the pawnshop to see Nicholas, and it was driving her absolutely up a wall. She was still remembering things, remembering bits and pieces of their life together, and she wanted to talk to him, ask him questions.

Lacey sat in her living room, Jefferson at her side with one arm around her shoulders as they watched television. Well, he watched television, she sort of stare off into space. One of her hands rested on her stomach, looking down at it. She was eight months pregnant now, and in the past week it felt like her stomach had grown entirely too much, she felt like a beached whale, like she was about to pop any minute.

Shifting uncomfortably as she grit her teeth, looking up at Jefferson.

"Dear, would you get me some tea, please?" she asked sweetly.

He nodded at her request, leaning to kiss her cheek. "Right away, love." he said, moving to stand up and walking into their kitchen, leaving her on the couch.

She settled back against the couch and looked down at her stomach, rubbing it slowly. "Oh Elsa...what should mommy do..." she asked in a small whisper. She hadn't told Jefferson about cheating on him, about the fact that the baby wasn't his. How would he take it? He'd be devastated, she knew, he was so looking forward to this baby. Could she really take that away from him? More importantly, could she really carry that secret?

When Jefferson returned a few minutes later, he handed her a teacup, smiling. "Here you are, sweetling." he said happily.

Reaching out, she took the cup and nodded. "Thank you." she said with a sigh. Reaching to take the remote control and turning off the tv, looking at Jefferson. "Can we talk? I don't want to watch television..."

He turned to sit sideways on the couch, holding his own cup of tea, slowly sipping at it and nodding. "Of course, what would you like to talk about?"

Slowly she chewed on her bottom lip, looking down at her stomach where her daughter resided. "About Elsa..."

A smile played on his lips as he reached to sit his tea cup down on the coffee table. "What about her? We've got everything ready, the room is ready just how you wanted it." he said happily at the thought of his daughter.

She looked up at him and smiled weakly, shaking her head. "No...not about her room, about her. Theres um...theres something I've been keeping from you, and...and I really should tell you..." she started to say.

Worry showed itself in his eyes and on his face at her words. Tilting his head to one side, he reached to rest one hand on her stomach. "Whats the matter? Is something wrong with our daughter?"

"No no...nothing is wrong with her.."

"Then what is it?" he asked with a small pout.

She took in a deep breath, looking up at him. "Its just that she..." she started, but she stopped at the feel of a pain in her stomach, a contraction. But, it was worse than the false labor she'd felt a month ago. Her free hand darted out to grip onto his shirt, her mouth falling open in a silent scream.

"Lace?" he asked, concerned. Taking the teacup from her and sitting it on the coffee table, resting his hands on the sides of her neck. "Lacey what is it? Whats wrong?"

A blush spread over her cheeks as she felt something burst, looking down a little before looking up at him. "M-My...my water broke..." she muttered slowly. It was still too early, she was eight months along, not nine, she still had another month to go. But, she knew the baby would be okay being born at eight months.

"Seriously!? Okay, okay...okay don't panic, it'll be okay. I'll call Doctor Whale and then get you to the car." he said, taking out his cell phone and dialing the number to the doctor, telling him what happened in a quick voice before he nodded. "Alright, we'll be right there." he said, closing his phone and putting it into his pocket.

Jefferson stood up, taking her hands and carefully bringing her to her feet. "Come on, love. A little early, but we're going to greet our daughter today." he said, trying to hide the nervousness he felt.

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She'd been rushed to the hospital, Jefferson barely obeying the speed limits, stop lights or stop sighs, he was in a panic but trying not to show it.

The nurses had gotten her into a hospital gown and into her room, though she'd thoroughly refused the drugs, saying something about side effects to the baby and the fact that it was unnatural. She'd wanted a natural childbirth, like one she would have had in the Dark Castle.

But, if she'd been giving birth in the Dark Castle, Rumpelstiltskin would be there with her, holding her hand.

Laying back against the bed, taking in a few deep breaths as she looked up at the ceiling. She wanted him there more than anything in the world.

"So, Mrs. Stan..." she heard Doctor Whale say as he walked in, making her turn her eyes to look at him. "You seem to be progressing normally. Its a little early, but I don't see why it shouldn't be a normal routine birth. Are you sure theres nothing I can give you for the pain?"

She shook her head slowly. "No, I don't want anything. It all has side effects for Elsa, and I'd rather go through a little pain than harm my child."

"Understood, and we'll respect your wishes." the doctor said with a small smile. Looking up at Jefferson slowly. "Will you be accompanying your wife in the delivery room?"

"Yes."

"No."

They both answered at the same time, he wanted to be there, but she didn't want him to. Lacey looked up at Jefferson, biting her bottom lip. "I'm sorry...did you...want to be here?"

"Of course I want to be here! What father wouldn't?" he asked with a small smile.

She nodded, taking in a breath. "Jeff, could I talk to Doctor Whale alone for a minute please?"

"Alone...what for?"

"I just...I just need to talk to him, okay? Please?" she asked.

Reluctantly, he nodded and started to walk from the room, closing the door behind him. She took in a deep breath and looked up to Doctor Whale. "Doctor...can you do me the biggest favor in the world?"

Whale smiled and nodded. "Of course, I am your doctor after all. Do you not want the father in the delivery room?"

She shook her head and looked down. "No...no I do want him in the delivery room...but..." she started, taking in a deep breath. "Do you promise what I say will not leave this room? Not even to Jefferson, no matter what...?"

"Of course, you have a right to your privacy, and I'll keep that at any cost."

Her eyes rose to meet his as she tried to read him. Deciding she could trust him, she sighed a little. "Jefferson is not my child's father."

The secret caused the doctors eyes to widen. "Are you certain?"

"Very."

"Well then...who is the father? Does he know?"

She nodded a little, looking down at her stomach. "Yes, he does know. Um...the father is...Nicholas Gold." she said with a blush.

Well, that shocked him even more. Not many people in town liked Mr. Gold. More accurately, nobody in town liked Mr. Gold, except Lacey it seemed. "Mr. Gold?"

"Yes...and...and I do want him here, but my husband wouldn't understand."

"Then what it is you'll have me do, Mrs. Stan?"

She thought about that for a moment, looking at him. "May I call Nicholas? He needs to know."

Doctor Whale nodded a little. "Of course you may. You may use the phone right there. And..what of the childs birth certificate? What name would you like put down as the father? Whomever name it is will have to sign you know..."

That took a minute or two more of thinking as she took in a deep breath. "Gold. I want Golds name on the birth certificate. But please, don't tell my husband. That is something I have to tell him, in my way, and not right now."

He nodded again. "As you wish, Mrs. Stan. I will not say a word to Jefferson. And now I'll go outside and keep him busy while you make your phone call." he said, giving her a small smile before walking out of the room.

She was nervous as she picked up the phone. Groaning a little as she felt another contraction, breathing through the pain as she gripped the phones receiver. The pains were intense some of the time, but mild other times.

As the pain passed, she carefully dialed the number to Mr. Golds shop, knowing he'd still be at work. Putting the receiver to her ear and tilting her head back, taking in a few deep breaths. Hearing the phone ring on the other end, she breathed deeply, trying to control her breathing and the pain so she could talk to Nicholas.

And he picked up on the fourth ring. "Golds Pawn Shop."

She gathered her breath, biting her bottom lip. "R-Rumpel...?"

"Belle? What is the matter?" he asked, instantly concerned by the sound of her voice.

"The baby...Elsa...she's...she's coming." she whispered slowly. "I'm at...I'm at the hospital. Room...room 402. Please Rumpel..."

His brown eyes lit with worry, it was still a month too early for Elsa to be here right now. "I will be right there, love. Don't worry, Elsa will be fine."

She nodded slowly, a small smile on her lips. "I know. I just...I need you Rumpel, please...hurry. I'm scared..." she said. She was scared, scared that her child wouldn't be okay, of the actual labor itself.

"Don't be scared, my Belle. I'll be right there." he said, hanging up the phone and moving as quick as he could out the shop door, flipping the closed sign and going to his car. He didn't even think of anything right then but getting to his Belle, and his sweet daughter.

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The Dungeon: Three Months Before the Curse

Rumpelstiltskin was going mad sitting there in the dungeon that Cinderella had tricked him into. Of course he knew he'd be imprisoned before the curse, however he didn't know it would be that particular deal. Seeing the future was funny that way, he couldn't see particular things only the bigger picture.

But he wanted to see his Belle so badly. He had no idea that her stomach swelled with his child again. All he knew for certain was that she was safe in the confines of their home. The Mad Hatter would keep her safe, he knew it.

Sighing a little as he looked up when he heard footsteps coming down the hallway leading to his cell. Moving to stand up, he walked up to the bars and put on a grin that would fit The Dark One. He was shocked, however, when he saw who approached him.

Jefferson walked down the hallway with a purpose, a cloak on him, securely hiding his face from view. Walking up to the bars of Rumpelstiltskin's cell, looking up to meet the Dark One's amber gaze. "Rumpelstiltskin. I see you're fairing well."

"Jefferson. Why are you here? Why aren't you with Belle?"

"She's procuring the squid ink you requested. I still don't know what thats for, but she should have it by next week."

Rumpelstiltskin gripped the bars a little. "And you let her do it on her own!?"

"She insisted, my friend. Besides, Belle is a smart girl, she knows how to handle herself." he said. He'd been uneasy with the girl doing it on her own, but she'd given him quite the hard time. "Besides, you know how she is when she wants something."

"Aye, that I do..." he said with a small nod and smile. His Belle was always so stubborn, and he loved her. "Then, what are you doing here now?"

Jefferson gulped a little. He wanted to tell his friend, tell him that Belle was with child, that he was going to be a father. But Belle specifically told him not to, it was not his news to tell. Slowly he held out an envelope that held a wax seal, the seal straight from Rumpelstiltskin's desk. "She wanted me to bring you this. She won't be able to come and give you the ink, I will. I know you must have wanted to see her, but you can't. Getting in and out of this place is more dangerous than you would think. And if Snow or Charming caught her?"

"Snow and Charming would not hurt her, it is not in their way." he said, reaching out to snatch the letter from Jeffersons hands.

"Perhaps." he said with a shrug, crossing his arms across his chest. "However, there are things we cannot risk right now, Rumpelstiltskin."

"Things? What things? My Belle is safe enough getting squid ink but not sneaking in to see me? She has magic, dearie."

Jefferson nodded. "That she does. But its just...things. I cannot tell you, Rumpelstiltskin, it is not my place. That is Belle's decision, not mine." he said. Truthfully, Belle was starting to show in her pregnancy, and they were both worried about what would happen if the Evil Queen caught wind of it. "She wished me to bring that to you...she wanted me to bring it post haste. I must go, before I'm caught. But take heed, Rumpelstiltskin, whatever Belle is doing, she is doing for you. I will protect her with my very life if I must."

"You better." Rumpelstiltskin said, glaring up at him. "If one hair on my Belle's head is harmed, it is you that I will destroy, Hatter. This prison cannot hold me forever."

Jefferson grinned and nodded. "Warning received." he said, bowing his head a little. "And now, I bid you adieu." he said, turning on his heel and starting to walk away.

He watched Jefferson disappear for a moment before he sighed, looking down at the letter in his hands. Moving to sit back in the far part of the dungeon, he slowly ran his fingers over the wax seal of the Dark One, the very seal that was in his desk at home. How he missed home.

Opening the letter, he spied Belle's dainty handwriting and smiled.

Dearest Rumpel,

You can stop worrying, I'll be fine. And don't even say you don't worry, because I know you do. We'll be together once this curse breaks. Or, perhaps we'll be together in this new life in the other realm. I cannot wait to see you again, in this realm or the next.

I have some news for you, but I'm not sure how, or if I should tell you. I think you'll have to come home for that, love. And I cannot wait for you to come home, you and Baelfire, our son.

My secret is too powerful to write on parchment, but just know its good, and its the best news, love. But were this to fall into the wrong hands...that would be bad. You know more than all of us, my love, that knowledge is power. And I'd rather not give Regina any more power over us. I just wanted to give you an incentive to come home to me as quickly as possible.

I've got everything prepared, I just need the squid ink, and I'm working on that, I promise. It'll be another few days, but I'll get it. Again, don't worry, I'm hiring someone to get it. Making a deal, if you would. Be proud, my love, I've learned quite a bit from you.

Everything will go off without a hitch. I do hope you're okay, that they're treating you right, feeding you well. I worry about that...worry that you're not eating right. I miss you more and more every single day, and I cannot wait until I'm in your arms again.

Love Always,

Belle

Rumpelstiltskin smiled at his wife's handwriting, leaning back against the rock. She had news for him? What sort of news? At first he'd worried, but she promised it was good news. The idea of a child didn't even cross his mind, not once while he sat there, staring up at the ceiling. He wanted to get back from her so, so bad. He'd never thought he could miss someone as much as he did Baelfire, but the way he missed Belle was different from the way he missed his son.

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Storybrooke: A Few Minutes Later

When Gold finally got to the hospital he went up to her room only to find Jefferson standing outside it.

Looking up from where he was, Jefferson gripped the cup of coffee in his hands a little, moving to stand up straight and stepping in front of the door. "Where do you think you're going?"

Gold gripped his cane a little. "In to see Lacey, of course."

Jefferson shook his head. "No no, you see...you won't be seeing Lacey. Why would you?" he asked.

"Because she called for me and asked me to be here for her, why else would I be here?"

But Jefferson didn't budge, he only shook his head again. "No no, see...that is my wife and child in there, not yours. I don't know what you think you're doing, but it ends now. She's not coming back down to your shop, you're not seeing my child, none of it. You see...Regina told me that you like my wife, that you kissed her? Lacey hasn't said a word, probably trying to protect your feelings. But this is my family, and we are in love, and we will raise our daughter together. You need to accept that."

Grinding his teeth, Gold held onto his cane tightly, shaking his head. "Why, what ever did Madame Mayor tell you? You should speak to Lacey, find out if me staying away is what she wants."

"Perhaps, but I won't. She's my wife, I know best. And whats best for her is for you to turn around, get back into your car, and drive back to your pawn shop and leave us be."

Gold shook his head, grinning as he looked up at him. "You only think she's your wife and thats your child. No no, thats my child. Elsa is my daughter, and I will not give her or her mother up without a fight."

Jefferson gripped his hand into a tight fist, shaking his head. "You're lying."

"Am I? Lets get one thing perfectly clear, Mr. Stan, I am very protective over what I consider mine. Lacey and Elsa? They're mine. And Lacey knows it, too. She's just trying to spare your feelings. I, however, am not quite as nice as Lacey. Never have been. Never will be."

"Leave." Jefferson said, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Gold. "Or I'll put in a call and have Sheriff Graham escort you out. You're not welcome here near my wife and child. And I'll just tell her you never came. Why would she choose you over me? Aren't you old enough to be her father?"

Gold's insecurities rose to the surface with Jeffersons words, but he couldn't let it bother him. He had to keep his wits about him. Grinning slowly as he stared Jefferson down. "Age doesn't matter, dearie. She'll choose who she loves, and I'm pretty confident that is not you."

"We'll see about who she loves. Until then, leave. Before this gets ugly, Mr. Gold." Jefferson said. He was definitely not one of the people in town who feared Mr. Gold, mainly because whatever properties Gold didn't own, he did. Gold didn't have power over him like many of the other people in town, so he had no reason to fear him. "Now, if you'll excuse me, my wife and I are about to welcome our daughter into this world." he said, turning and walking into the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Gold standing there fuming.

Oh and he was fuming, alright. He would not give up his wife and child without a fight, he was never one to just lay back and let things happen to him after he'd become The Dark One. And Belle was one of those things he was definitely not willing to let be taken from him.

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The Jolly Roger: Three Months Before The Curse

This was a bad idea, and she knew it. Possibly the worst idea she'd ever had. But she needed help, needed a Captain of the high seas, and the notorious Captain Hook should be just the right one to help her out. Of course, she did know about Hook and Rumpelstiltskin's relationship. Or, the fact that Hook wanted Rumpelstiltskin dead, she knew about that. He'd never lied to her when it came to something important, Rumpel always told her the truth.

But still, being on the Captain's ship made her nervous. She waited in his room for him to return, moving back and forth, her fingers running along his desk a little, looking down at it. Rumpelstiltskin would flip out of he heard she was in the den of the notorious Captain Hook while she was four months pregnant.

She'd done well to hide that, she wore her long dress that was loose on her and wore a cloak overtop, the hood down so her face could be seen. The clasp of her cloak was clasped together with The Dark One's seal in a gold setting.

When she heard the door behind her open, she smiled a little. "Well, nice of you to join me Captain."

"Aye, I'm sorry to keep such a lass waiting aboard my ship. I hear you seek audience with me?" he asked, studying her from behind.

Turning around slowly, she looked up at him and nodding. "I do. I have a...business proposition for you, Captain. If you'd agree."

He raised an eyebrow, looking at her, taking in her face and smiled. "Ah, what a lovely lass you are, too. What business could such a beautiful woman have with a pirate? Hm?" he asked, stepping towards her and brushing his fingers along her cheek, catching a bit of her brown curls as he looked down into her eyes.

"It is something I seek. Something I cannot get on my own. And I would be hoping you'd...procure it for me."

"And what is it you seek, lass? My services do not come free, you know."

She smiled and nodded, leaning back from his touch. "No service does. In fact...everything comes at a price. 'Tis something my dear husband has taught me well."

He didn't recognize her, nor did he recognize the symbol on her cloak. "Ah, you are married?" he asked, looking at her. "Then where is this...husband? Shouldn't he be making these deals for you?"

"Its...complicated. My husband is...otherwise detained. I have come in his place." she said with a small smile, looking up and letting her eyes meet his. "Tell me, are you the man for the job?"

"Depends upon the job."

"I seek...squid ink. A special kind, in fact. One that lives only in Neverland. I've heard you've been there?"

His face paled as he looked at her, shaking his head. "Aye, that I have. Neverland is not an easy place to visit love. What would I get in return for my troubles?"

She slowly drew a small pouch from her cloak and opened it, showing off quite a bit of gold stashed inside, gold that had once been straw. Looking up at his face, she smiled. "This. And information."

"What sort of information?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"The kind that'll save your life in three months time. I'm afraid thats all I have to say of the matter, though. I'm not stupid, you know." she said. Tossing the pouch to him, smiling a bit. "This is half. The other half comes after you've done what I require. Call it...a down payment."

He caught the pouch in his one good hand, looking down at it and his eyes narrowed. Resting the pouch down, he reached to pull one of the strands of gold out. "This used to be straw..." he said, glaring towards her. "Rumpelstiltskin!"

She held up one hand, shaking her head. "No, not Rumpelstiltskin. Well, I'm not that is. My name is Belle, I'm the Princess of the Dark Castle, I'm Rumpelstiltskin's wife."

He ground his teeth together, shaking his head. "And why should I do a favor for anyone related to Rumpelstiltskin?"

"Not a favor, a job. A job you will be handsomely rewarded for."

"Did Rumpelstiltskin send you to me?"

Belle shook her head, chuckling a bit. "No. In fact, I do think Rumpel would be quite angry with me for coming to visit you."

"So...the imp doesn't know you're here. What would he do to hear his dear wife is in peril? Hm?" he asked. Quickly moving to grab her neck and shoving her up against a wall, looking down into her eyes.

She took in a breath, glaring up at him. She wasn't afraid of Rumpelstiltskin, so she wouldn't be afraid of the Captain either. "Nothing. He'll do nothing because he cannot do a thing. Haven't you heard? My Rumpelstiltskin is imprisoned, captured by Cinderella and her prince. Everyone in the realm knows that. He cannot escape the prison the dwarves built, and no one can reach him."

"Is that so?" he asked, moving his hand down over her shoulder.

"It is." she said, sighing and shaking her head. "If you cannot do what I require than I'll find another Captain. The gold will go to another, and all will hear of how Captain Hook cannot procure a simple squid ink."

He grit his teeth at the shot to his pride, shaking his head. "Fine. I'll procure this...squid ink. I cannot wait to hear of the information you'll gather for me." he said. Running his fingers down her cheek before he let her go, stepping back and grabbing the pouch full of golden straw.

She let out a breath she'd been holding once he let her go, looking up at his face. "Good, we have a deal then, Killian."

Quickly he glared back to her. "My name is Captain Hook! Killian died long ago."

Belle smiled and shook her head. "Thats where you're wrong, dear. You're still Killian Jones. You'll come seeking your revenge for Mila, but how successful will you be?" she asked before she turned to walk out of the cabin. "I'll give you a a period of one week to procure what I seek. One week, Killian." she said before she disappeared, a handy trick that Rumpelstiltskin had taught her.

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Storybrooke: The Delivery Room

Lacey was in so much pain, but she still refused the drugs. Nicholas had never came, and she wanted to cry. Well, she didn't think Nicholas had been there, she'd been assured that he hadn't, and it broke her heart. Maybe choosing him over Jefferson was in fact a bad idea.

But she'd think about that later. Now, she had to deliver her daughter, it was time for Elsa to be born. Shifting to lean up on her elbows, taking in a deep breath and pushing hard when the doctor told her to. One hand gripped Jeffersons in a vice-grip as she grit her teeth, slowly letting out a small scream at the pain.

Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back, gripping onto Jeffersons hand, her nails digging into his skin. Her eyes rolled back into her head a little as she pushed. When one push was done, she nearly collapsed, breathing hard, sweat on her skin.

"You're doing great, Lacey! Come on, give me another push!" Whale instructed.

And she nodded, taking in a few deep breaths through her mouth and bracing herself to push again, gritting her teeth through the push and letting out a loud groan, closing her eyes tightly. It felt like she was being ripped apart, and she wanted Nicholas there so bad, her Rumpel.

"R-R-Rumpellll!" she groaned out, tilting her head back against the bed, panting a little. It was the only word she could utter, his name. Tears slowly moved down her cheeks as she glanced around, unable to find him. Magic pulsed through her veins, a magic that was untamable, something raw. Very little magic came through to this realm, only small amounts of it did, and small amounts of this magic did. And it screamed inside of her to let it out, but she couldn't.

Falling back onto the bed, taking in a few deep breaths, looking at the ceiling, her eyes closing halfway.

"Alright, I see the head. Lacey, give me one more big push. Big push now and she'll be here."

She shook her head, sniffling a little. "I can't...I can't I can't..." she muttered. Glancing off to one side, the opposite side Jefferson was on, looking around for Rumpelstiltskin. The mixture of pain and magic were jarring her memories loose, the intense desire for her husband tugged at her so hard.

Leaning up on her elbows, she felt as though she were just spectating what was happening. Her whole body didn't feel real, she felt disconnected. Breathing out a few times in almost slow motion as she let go of Jefferson's hand. Both hands fell to the bed, gripping her fingers into the sheets as she took in a breath. Pushing hard, her face twisted in pain as she grit her teeth and slowly yelled out.

At the end of the push, she fell back to lay against the bed, staring up at the ceiling, seeing stars. Was this really happening? Was it a dream? No, it couldn't be. But where was she?

Slowly her face looked around, turning her eyes around and letting them lay on Jefferson. "H-Hatter...?" she asked, confused.

But he was looking down at the baby, smiling. "Oh Lacey...she's beautiful. Our Elsa." he said as he watched the doctor clean off the baby who was crying slowly.

"Elsa? Elsa..." she said with a small smile, glancing over towards the baby and shifting to sit up. Letting the doctor lay the baby in her arms, she smiled down at her. "Oh Elsa...Rumpel's going to love to meet you..." she said. She remembered now, she'd been pregnant. Pregnant with Rumpelstiltskin's child, and she was beautiful.

Elsa seemed to calm down at the sound of her mothers voice, her eyes opening a little bit and looking up at her mother. Both sets of blue eyes met one another and Belle smiled. "My Elsa..." she said. Reaching one hand to close Elsa's fingers around her pointer finger.

"Lacey?" she heard a voice ask.

Looking up at Jefferson, she blinked a bit. As she settled down, things were slowly put back into place. She was supposed to be Lacey, she was supposed to be married to Jefferson. But...that wasn't right, she was married to Rumpelstiltskin. It was like her brain went through re-organizing thoughts all over again, trying to figure out what was what.

"Hey..." she said to Jefferson before turning her attention back down to Elsa, smiling to her. "You're so adorable sweet pea." she said happily.

The child had bright blue eyes, much like her mother, and soft tufts of blonde hair atop of her head. And she looked perfectly normal, no greenish gold skin, nothing strange. And for being a month early, she looked like a full term child, she seemed very healthy to her.

Doctor Whale looked at them with a smile. "Well, it seems as though she's perfectly healthy, Mrs. Stan. I'd still like to run a checkup on her in a couple of hours to make sure. But I don't see the problem with letting her stay with you for now."

She nodded, looking up at him slowly. "Whale...where is Nicholas?" she asked as her memories seemed to jog themselves at last with the pain being gone.

"He...never showed up."

Her face fell in a soft sadness. How could her Rumpel not show up? It was their child, and she knew he knew about her. Looking down at Elsa, she smiled a little. "Thanks anyway, Doctor Whale." she said slowly.

And Jefferson tried not to show his jealousy, but he shook his head. "Why does Nicholas matter so much anyway? Hm? I'm here, Lace. Can I...can I hold her?"

She glanced at him and sighed, looking down to Elsa again. "Theres things you won't understand Ha-Jeff..." she said, trying not to call him Hatter was difficult now that she remembered who he was.

"What won't I understand? I'm your husband, I'm her father, I want to hold her."

Lacey sighed and shifted to let Jefferson take ahold of Elsa, looking up at them slowly. It was so wrong, letting Jefferson hold her like that. That should be Rumpel holding his daughter.

And Elsa didn't seem to think it was right either. As soon as she was fully in Jeffersons arms, she looked up at him and closed her eyes, starting to cry loudly. At the sound of her daughters cries, she felt stiff and uncomfortable, pouting. "Jeff give her back please..." she said, wanting anything to silence those cries.

He stood up straight, looking down at her, bouncing her slowly. "Shh shh, heyy hey Elsa, its daddy...its daddy."

But she still cried her eyes out, squirming in his arms.

"Jefferson..." Lacey warned.

After a minute he stepped back to her and moved Elsa back into her mothers arms, shaking his head. "I...I don't get it..." he said.

Slowly Lacey took Elsa into her arms, smiling and looking at her. "Shhh sweetheart, mommys right here, right here." she said, kissing her forehead softly as she rubbed her back. And in her arms Elsa slowly calmed down, sniffling as she cuddled into her mothers chest.

"She hates me.." he said slowly. "My own daughter hates me."

Looking up at him, Lacey shook her head. "Jeff...she's...she's not your daughter. Nicholas is her father. I...I wanted to tell you, I swear I did, but I didn't know how. I'm sorry."

"No. I'm her father. I'm here, he's not. If he were her father wouldn't he be here? If he even wanted to be her father wouldn't he be here?"

She sighed and looked down, closing her eyes halfway as she looked at her baby. "Yeah..I...I don't know Jeff, please, give me a break, okay? I just...I just want to be with my little girl." she said, rubbing Elsa's back and moving her back and forth in her arms a little.

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Storybrooke: Across Town At The Sheriff's Station

Gold sat securely in a cell brooding. He was becoming a father at this very moment, and he couldn't be there. Looking up from the bench at Sheriff Graham. Moving to stand up and taking ahold of the bars.

"Sheriff, you have no reason to keep me. You'll let me go."

Graham looked up at him and shook his head. "I'm sorry Mr. Gold. But Jefferson Stan is pressing charges, so I have to hold you."

Gripping the bars, Gold shook his head. "Jefferson is just trying to keep me from my family."

"Theres nothing I can do, I've told you that. What did you do to him, huh?"

Gold sighed and moved to sit down, looking down. "I told him the truth. My daughter is being born right now. Sheriff Graham, and Jefferson is convinced its his. Thats what problem he has with me."

Grahams eyes widened a bit in surprise, leaning forward in his seat and putting his paper down, looking over at Gold. "Your daughter, hm? Well thats interesting, congratulations are in order though I suppose."

"Yeah...if I could get out of here."

"You know I can't do that. We've got to hold you until your bail hearing." he said with a sigh, moving to stand up and walking towards the cell. Leaning and sitting down on the arm of the couch, looking at him. "But maybe Jefferson will have a change of heart once his wife hears about you being in jail. I mean, if you are her child's father...perhaps she'll help you. You can always use her as your one phone call.."

Gold shook his head, looking up at the sheriff. "No...she's a little busy at the moment."

"Very well." he said, shrugging a little. "Best thing you can do right now is to sit still." he said, standing up and walking back towards his office.

Looking down at the floor, gritting his teeth. Gold was fuming, how dare that hatter have him actually arrested? He couldn't believe it. Oh he would get even, he surely would.

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A/N: Tadaaa. :-p. Enjoy? Yes? Haha. I love that people are liking this story, and I hope you like this chapter.

As always, read and review! Let me know what you think.