IX

Belle's eyes fluttered open as bright light fell across her face, shining through the open window as it was. She blinked, disoriented and wondering what tricks her wily master was up to now and why there was a window in her cell. Her late-night excursion crashed into her almost as hard as when she'd opened a door Rumpelstiltskin had told her not to and everything had come crashing down upon her. She wondered briefly if he still laughed about that little episode.

She pushed away that wayward thought and took time to dwell on the pleasure she'd found in his arms. Heat stole up her neck to settle in her cheeks, although it was nothing compared to the heat which settled between her legs. She wasn't a complete innocent. She knew the mechanics of what occurred between a man and woman. But no one had dared to tell her it would be so enjoyable. She stretched luxuriously and burrowed deeper into the pillow in contentment. It had been so long since she'd slept in a bed this soft.

"You might as well rouse yourself, my darling girl. Lord Sourpuss is expecting us for tea," Jefferson said from the open doorway. "I was sent to fetch you."

She noticed he looked decidedly uncomfortable.

Belle sat up with a deep frown drawing her perfect mouth down. It worsened when she noticed the pink gown lying across the foot of the bed. There were also matching slippers and combs for her hair. But what truly disturbed her was the small black velvet box resting next to the slippers. Her fingers shook as she lifted the lid.

Jefferson casually sauntered over to the bed to peer into the box, his curiosity getting the better of him. He whistled softly as he took in the opal pendant nestled onto a bed of black velvet. "Seems Rumpel's feeling a bit guilty this morning. Question is, my dear, what does he have to feel guilty about?"

Her eyes flashed angrily, not at Jefferson, but at the stubborn imp who was no doubt drowning in guilt several floors below them. "Out!"

"What did I do?" Jefferson asked in alarm.

"Well, I can't very well dress with you watching, now can I?" she asked, shooing him out the door.

When Jefferson was behind the closed door leading into the corridor, she moved to the bed and whipped her nightgown over her head, tossing it onto the floor in her haste. She lifted the pink gown over her head and pulled it down to settle over her body. She had to admire Rumpelstiltskin's taste in clothes. He always knew just what would look right on her. The bodice was pink silk with long fitted sleeves and an empire waist. But the skirt was a work of art. It was long and gauzy and studded with pink gems. It looked like pink stars glittering up at her. Too bad she was too furious to stop and admire it.

She whipped the cover off the mirror in her room and pinned her hair up before slipping her feet into the slippers. She paused at the doorway, her hand on the door handle and glanced back at the mirror. She moved back to her dressing table and tossed the cover back over the mirror. She didn't want to incur his wrath over an uncovered mirror. She was sure he was to be plenty wrathful enough when she was done with him. She snatched up the black velvet box and made her way down to the Great Hall.

The double doors opened automatically for her as she neared them, which was a good thing since her steps never slowed. Jefferson and Rumpelstiltskin were already seated at the dining table sipping tea. Jefferson's brows shot into his hairline as she paused briefly to slam the velvet box onto the table near Rumpelstiltskin's elbow before she made her way to the end of the long table to nurse her fury and prepare herself a cup of the steaming brew.

Belle watched Rumpelstiltskin rise slowly from his chair and approach her warily. "I take it you didn't like the pendant," he said, his amber eyes glowing as he took in her appearance.

She shot a pleading glance at Jefferson who nodded discreetly and left them alone to stand near the window and well out of earshot. Still she kept her voice low. "Feeling guilty about what we did last night? Or did you want to treat me as your whore and this is my payment?" she asked, her eyes flashing blue daggers at him. "I don't see why you wish to pay me when you received so little from the experience."

His eyes widened briefly before narrowing. "Well, I am a monster, why not act like one?"

Belle's hands balled into fists, itching to slap the smirk off his face. What the hell, she thought, clearly at the end of her patience. She slapped him with all the strength she could muster, leaving a bright red hand print to shine through the green and gold tint of his skin. She pulled the combs from her hair and tossed them on the table, but he didn't move. The only evidence of his upset was the sharp ticking of the muscle in his jaw. She was growing uncomfortable under his angry gaze, but she refused to back down or break contact with his eyes. Her hand moved to the bodice of her gown, ready to pull it over her head.

"Belle!" he barked, his voice ragged with emotion. He glanced over his shoulder at their friend. "Jefferson, leave us." He knew the hatter would make a hasty retreat as he turned back to Belle.

She waited until the doors had closed behind Jefferson before she spoke. "I never want to hear those words pass your lips again, Rumpelstiltskin. You are a man. Most of the time you are a good man. You just keep making bad choices. If I can see it, why can't you?"

He bowed before her. "My apologies. It was not my intent to offend." He motioned for her to turn.

"Why?" she asked warily. He gathered her hair in his hands and twisted it up at her crown, securing it with the combs once more. His hands trailed to the curve of her neck, unable to resist touching her, however innocently.

"I just thought you would want to look nice for our trip."

"What trip?" she asked, searching his face for any hint of deception. He was prone to it, after all.

It was taking every ounce of his control to keep his features blank. "I need to return an item I have in my possession and I thought you might like to accompany me. Would you?"

Oh, how she wanted to believe him. It would be so lovely to spend time with him away from the Dark Castle. An impending sense of doom settled over her, making her stomach roil with anxiety. "You've never asked me to go anywhere with you before. Why now?"

"I think it would be good for you." He was forcing himself to remain calm, to put on a brave face for her. If she knew where exactly he wanted to take her, she'd probably smash the entire tea service over his head. His insides felt like they were being boiled alive.

A hesitant suspicious smile played upon her lips. "Very well, Rumpel, but I'm not wearing the pendant."

"Why not?" he asked, drawing her into the circle of his arms.

"Because you gave it for the wrong reasons. Remember that next time you wish to give me a gift."

"Are you ready?" he asked, pressing his face into the curve of her neck and breathing her in. He drew in a ragged breath. He would never be able to smell roses or peaches again without thinking of her … his Belle.

"What? Now?" she asked in surprise.

He nodded. "Just put your arms around my neck and we shall be off."

Belle's stomach churned, alarm bells ringing in her ears. He was being too nice. His usual morning surliness was missing. He was actually wanting her to touch him. "Rumpel —" Too late, they were already being enveloped by his tell-tale purple smoke. She could feel the world drop away from her feet, almost as if she were caught in a swirling vortex. Too soon it was over, and she could feel the cool stones beneath her feet. Stones?

He released her from his embrace, but held onto her hand to make certain she was steady on her feet. "Open your eyes, sweetheart, we're here."

Belle squeezed them tightly shut. "I don't want to, Rumpel. I'm frightened." Tears coursed down her face. Everything felt wrong. She didn't want to see. "Please … don't make me look." Her usually strong voice sounded frail to her ears. What had he done?

Voices burst into life around her, confirming her suspicions. Every voice except the one she wanted to hear. She tightened her grip on Rumpelstiltskin's hand, terrified he was going to let her go. Finally, she opened her tear-bright eyes and looked up at him. "Why? Why have you done this?"

He laid his hand against her cheek, catching a tear on his thumb. His amber eyes glowed with the love he felt for her. He brought her hand to his lips and brushed her knuckles with his lips. "Goodbye, my Belle."

"Rumpel, no —" Her legs gave out from under her as he disappeared in a fresh wave of purple smoke. She didn't know how long she sat there on the stone floor in her father's war room, sobbing hysterically. She felt Maurice wrap his arms around her. She heard his voice as he asked his questions, but it was as if she were in a dream ... no, a nightmare. A nightmare of epic proportions. He'd left her. Left her! Gone!

"Belle, Belle, what happened, my girl?" he asked, holding her gently. "How did this happen?"

She accepted the handkerchief from her father and dried her tears, squaring her shoulders determinedly. "He doesn't want me anymore, Papa." She stiffened as she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"You should be thanking the gods he let you go," Gaston sneered, unmindful of her tears, her pain and the great gaping hole in her heart. "Don't worry, Belle. I'm still here."

A visible shudder wracked her petite frame at those softly uttered words from her former fiancée. "How lucky for me, Gaston," she sneered sarcastically.

But it was his next words which sent ice spiraling through her veins. "And as soon as it's proven you're still a maiden, we can be married immediately."

*.*.*

Jefferson closed the book he'd been holding and set it down on the low table as Rumpelstiltskin poofed into the Great Hall and collapsed to his knees onto the stone floor, tears coursing down his face. He'd never, in all the time he'd known the Dark One, seen him in such pain.

"Rum," he said, his tone cautious as he took a tentative step towards his friend. He halted abruptly as Rumpelstiltskin lifted his tortured eyes, revealing the raw pain clearly ripping his soul apart. "Where's Belle?"

Rumpelstiltskin dragged himself to his feet and sat down on the sofa. "I brought her home. Home to her family, where she belongs. She doesn't belong here in the darkness with me, Jefferson."

"Well, just shit!"

"Where are you going?" Rumpelstiltskin asked. He dropped his head into his hands in despair.

"Home!" Jefferson called over his shoulder, walking out of the Great Hall and down the front steps of the castle. He couldn't very well tell his friend he was going to Avonlea. He hadn't enjoyed his time as a snail and had no desire to return to that state. Rumpelstiltskin would surely turn him into one again if he knew where he was headed. Only this time he would be a sticky gooey mess beneath the Dark One's boot. He stopped near the gate as the sound of glass and wood shattering and splintering reached his ears. But that was nothing compared to the inhuman howls of anguish coming from his friend. Jefferson began walking down the road leading away from the Dark Castle. He didn't have any time to lose.

*.*.*

Three days. Three miserable days and three failed escape attempts. She wasn't even going to dwell on the examination she'd had to endure so those buffoons could be assured her maidenhead was still intact. A shudder passed through her as she couldn't help but remember it. Her father was a complete ass! He refused to listen to her pleas.

"I'm going home, Papa," she insisted.

"You are home, my girl."

"No, Papa, this is not my home any longer. I'm going home to the Dark Castle, to Rumpelstiltskin."

First, he'd looked at her with horror. "He's bewitched you."

"I love him!"

Then he'd looked at her with disgust. "You're under a spell."

She hadn't been allowed to utter another word as she'd been dragged off to her room for a physical examination by the clerics. She was beginning to feel sick as she thought of those pious demons posing as clergymen. She'd been caught using her bed sheets to climb out of her window, so now her bed was stripped bare. She'd then tied the dresses in her wardrobe together and tried again. Needless to say, the only attire she was now allowed was the thin nightgown she wore. Her third escape attempt is the one she felt guiltiest about. Her poor maid. The girl had brought Belle dinner on the third day and Belle had clubbed her with the tray and stolen her scullery uniform. She'd nearly made it all the way to the stable before she'd been discovered.

Since it had been proven, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the Dark One had never touched her, Maurice had decreed that her wedding to Gaston would commence without delay. Only two days left. She massaged her sore throat. She'd screamed her throat raw that first day to no avail. Rumpelstiltskin wouldn't answer her. He wouldn't come for her. And she knew he could hear her. Just you wait until I get home, Rumpel. But she couldn't think of him now. Thoughts of him only brought the tears, the pain. She wouldn't think of ... what the hell is that? Of course, she didn't have anything she could use as a weapon against an intruder; they'd taken everything.

Belle crept closer to the door, wishing she had her dagger with her. Then she heard it, coming from the window. She whirled around in time to have something smack into her chest, knocking her to the floor. Her eyes flew to the window to see a man crawling over the sill, clearly out of breath from his climb. She felt the tears spring to her eyes as he lifted his face to take her in, crumpled and crying on the floor as she was.

"Cover the mirror! Quickly!" he hissed quietly lest they be overheard.

Belle rushed to do as he asked before throwing herself into his arms. "Jefferson! I have never been so happy to see you in my life."

He squeezed her tightly and then set her away from him to assure himself she was unharmed. "I'm so glad I wasn't too late. I had to make a slight detour before making my way here."

"How did you find me?"

He quirked a brow at her. "Can we save that for after we're quit of this place?"

She nodded and moved to the open window before glancing back at him. "How're we going to get out?" Her eyes widened as he held up his hat. "I don't want to go to Wonderland or Neverland or any other blasted land, Jefferson. I want to go home."

"Here," Jefferson hissed, tossing her a small bundle which had been tied about his waist. "Put those on. And I'll have you know, I had to do a favor for someone I really detest in order to get this spell."

"Spell?"

"It's a potion I can pour on my hat. It won't bring us to another realm, but right outside the gate where our horses and provisions are waiting for us."

Belle threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek warmly, her smile radiant. "You are the best." She kissed his other cheek. "Friend I've ever." She kissed his nose. "Had."

Jefferson pried her off and picked up the hat, pouring a bright yellow liquid onto it. "I hope this stuff doesn't stain." He held out his hand to her and gave the hat a twirl, opening a violent purple vortex on the floor of her bedroom. "Shall we?"

I'm coming home, Rumpel! she thought happily and jumped.

A/N: Angst! Horrors! Betrayal! Yeah, I know, I'm just awful lol. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter. Remember, the fluffy, lovely moments of making up is going to be worth it for our OTP.