Hey everyone! Huge thanks to those who reviewed! You guys are awesome. I'm sorry for the shortness of this chapter but I have had a headache all day and I'm in a pretty shitty mood at the moment because you know, life sucks a lot of the time.
Sorry for any mistakes and hope you all enjoy!
8
Guilt gnawed at Belle all day and by the time she was able to close the library she wanted nothing more than to curl up in her bed and wish she had never been at the library so late all those weeks ago. She hadn't been able to eat or drink anything which was making her feel even worse.
She had manage to avoid Regina and Graham for the rest of the day and she hadn't even heard from Gold. The look on Gold's face had stayed with her all day and had made the knot in her stomach tighten. She hated the whole situation.
When it finally reached five thirty and she locked the doors as quickly as she could. She started cleaning up, straightening the shelves and picking up the stray mess that had been created throughout the wasn't enough though to distract her thoughts from Gold.
As she was re-arranging the children's section the library doors rattled.
"We're closed!" she called, not looking up from her books.
She froze though the when the lock clicked and she heard the creak of the library door as it swung open and closed. She clutched the book tightly in her hand and slowly turned. She raised it above her head, ready to strike…
"I never would have thought as Winnie the Pooh as a weapon."
Belle flushed deeply and lowered the book as she tried to avoid looking at Mr Gold. She had been expecting Hook to come through door. The guilt she had been feeling all day reached its highest point as she looked at him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked quietly. She fiddled with the book in her hand, needing something to do with her hands.
"You left rather quickly," Gold said, placing both hands on his cane. "We didn't have the chance to talk."
"I didn't think you wanted to talk to me," Belle admitted. "You didn't say anything."
"Out of all the things I had imagined," Gold said. "You being in witness protection was not one of them." He shook his head, his slowly greying hair falling over his eyes. He looked at her, looking at her softly. "Belle."
She shivered. She had imagined him saying her name in multiple different scenarios but none of them had ever done his voice justice. Her breath hitched as he stepped closer to her.
"You've been through a lot," Gold said. "And you are… so brave."
Belle blinked. "You think so?"
Gold nodded. "Oh yes. I know Hook. We've crossed paths once before."
"You have? When?" Belle gasped.
"Years ago," Gold waved it off. "He tried to smuggle in some goods in a shipment of vases I had acquired. It's how I damaged my leg. It's also how he lost his hand."
"Oh my," Belle said. She stepped towards him. They were so close now and her heart was hammering widely in her chest. She slipped the book back on the shelf and looked back at Gold. "I know I lie to you..."
Good shook his head. "There his no need to apologize. You were protecting yourself. I'm sorry that you crossed paths with Hook." He gritted his teeth and his grip tightened on his cane.
Belle gently touched his hands, stepping even closer. "I have to do the right thing. He has to be put away."
"Yes but I wish it didn't have to be you," Gold said quietly. His eyes were trained on their linked hands. "Hook is dangerous."
"I know he is," Belle said and she smiled shyly. "But I've been looking at it a little differently since being here. After all, I got to meet you didn't I?"
"Belle," Gold said again.
Before she could second-guess herself she was leaning up and kissing him. It was a soft kiss that only lasted a few seconds but it was enough to make her stomach loosen. She pulled away, smiling and feeling giddy. She gasped when Gold dropped his cane and pushed her against the shelves and his lips slanted over hers. He wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her tight. Her arms came to wrap around his neck and her fingers threaded into his hair.
He grunted softly and kissed her deeper, his tongue darting out to trace her bottom lip. Belle sunk into the kiss and sighed happily as her fantasies were finally coming true. She nearly whined when he pulled away but he kept his arm wrapped around her.
He was panting and was looking at her like she was the most beautiful thing in the world. Belle leant in and kissed him lightly on the lips three times before letting her head fall back against the shelves.
"Belle, I-" Gold started his voice lower than usual.
"Please don't apologize," Belle interrupted, his blue eyes widening. She pulled herself tighter into his chest. "I've been thinking about this for a while now."
Gold rested his forehead against herself and closed his eyes.
"I want you," Belle whispered. "If you'll have me. I know I lied-"
"No, Belle. I'm not upset at that," Gold told her urgently. "I want you, I do."
Belle smiled brightly and pulled him into another kiss, the library mess forgotten.
Hook observed the workers moving around his ship with smug satisfaction. He had just brought in another successful shipment of drugs in. He had worked hard to have a crew that wouldn't double cross him or try and steal his business.
He frowned as small man scurried across his deck heading towards him. "Smeede," he greeted jovially. "And what brings you aboard?"
The man took off his read beanie and wrung it in his hands. "I have some information for you."
Hook sighed. "I am in the middle of unloading a shipment. Make it quick."
"The girl who witnessed you," Smeede said. "I have information on her."
This made Hook pause. He turned and gave his full attention to the shorter man. "What do you know?"
"Her name is Belle French. Her father owns a flower shop called Games of Thorns," Smeede explained. "But she's not there. He told a customer she on vacation."
Hook snorted. "Vacation. No, the police got to her. She'll be in Witness Protection." He fixed the shorter man with a glare. "Can you find her at all?"
"I'll see what I can do," he bowed.
"Make sure you do. I want Miss French. She's the only thing keeping me from jail and I would rather her be out of my way as soon as possible."
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