Belle climbed the chairs to the loft as if she were headed for the gallows. Her feet hit each step heavy as she not only hauled her own self up but also her emotional baggage that she carried like a sack of concrete on her shoulders. She knew he was watching her, she didn't risk glancing over to see his face at the back window; she didn't want him to see the apprehension on her face. He had said he would leave the door open if she needed it; after all she was no child, she could do this.

She closed the door behind her and looked around. Now what was she to do with herself she sighed, it seemed to vibrate through the walls in the small apartment; Maybe a bath.

She ran the small tub full of hot water. She like the tub in the house better; this one was small but it served it's purpose. It was actually made more for showers but Belle had always prefered baths. She slipped into the water after removing her clothes; the steam made her sweat. Sweat made her head itch, she dipped the cup in the water and poured it over her hair. the bottle of shampoo smelled nice as she lathered her curls. she stayed in the water till her fingers and toes had gone all pruny.

She opened the chest of drawers to look at the folded pile of unfamiliar clothes. She pulled open the top drawer to revel bras and underwear; things he had purchased for her. It all matched; in every color. She selected a pale blue set and put it on, the silk felt soft on her skin. The next drawer held night things. He had explained as she went through the boxes that he had selected a few gowns for her; they were beautiful things. The one Belle selected was white; it buttoned all the way down the front. Little rows of lace decorated the front and along the bottom, she ran her hands down it feeling the cottony softness against her skin before she went into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of milk; she wondered what he was doing.

She put a few cookies on a plate and climbed into her bed with a book. She had a hard time reading; she was very happy when he had let her take a few of the books home from the shop and even more thrilled to have him read to her. His voice was soothing on those nights where she felt too afraid to shut her eyes. she laid down the book after unsuccessfully being able to concentrate on the words; why was it so much better with Lachlan's voice threading the words together in her mind as she concentrated on his voice and his words. She gave up and decided to paint her nails. She shook the bottle of polish; pumping iron was the color, it looked like a molten silver as she slowly shook the bottle to see the color mix, it would go perfect with her dress.

Tomorrow night was the charity event; she prayed she didn't somehow embarrass him. Her worst fear was that someone would recognize her and she would be humiliated for him to have to explain why he had a common whore on his arm. Her nerve was waning, she concentrated on her nails before polishing her toes with the same metallic color. Time ticked slowly on up into the night but Belle couldn't close her eyes, midnight came and went ; so did two am, still she sat in her bed. Finally exhaustion took its toll and around three or so Belle gave in to sleep; but her dreams returned since their was no one there to stave them off.

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"So your new here huh?" Belle nodded her head at the man who stood in line behind her in the chow line. She didn't turn around but she could smell him, a mixture of sweat and alcohol. She wished he would quit speaking; he laughed low under his breath as if he were privy to some secret joke. "No family?" Belle didn't know what he was getting at but she wished he would go ahead and make his point soon, she took a few steps as the line moved; there were a lot of people in the shelter tonight.

"If you'd ever like to make a few bucks I know how you could do it." That was the last straw, Belle turned around to look the man in the eye. He didn't look as bad as he smelled, but the smug look he wore made her want to smack him in the face.

"I think I know what your talking about and no thanks, I don't need money that bad." The man smiled at her before looking her up and down; he laughed under his breath again.

"No, maybe not yet, but soon; and when that day comes you let me know, I'll be real quick; give ya twenty bucks?" Belle looked disgusted at the thought of letting another man touch her. She didn't care how bad she needed the money, it would never happen again.

"You don't look like you have ever even seen a twenty much less have that much to throw away; your lying, leave me alone." she retorted before spinning back around, resuming her place in line.

"That's fine, I'll leave ya be; for now." The tray in Belle's hand shook as she sat the plate down on it; she told herself it was the weight but as she took it to the far corner and sat down, opening her carton of milk Belle could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. He was right, she needed money if she was going to ever get out of here. She looked up and immediately caught his eyes staring at her from across the few tables that separated them. He raised his carton of milk toward her as if to say cheers.

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The sound of the alarm going off woke Belle up from the dream. She fumbled with the off button and set up in bed; she didn't feel like she had gotten a wink of sleep.

Mr. Gold sat at the bar sipping a cup of coffee; he hadn't slept much last night. He blamed it on the light and his leg but every sound he heard he thought surely it was Belle changing her mind, coming back to the house. The sound of the door opening brought his eyes to her as she came in the backdoor; he smiled.

"How was your night?" Although he wished her no misery there was this small flicker within him that hoped that she had not slept well enough to continue and somehow would want to come back to the main house; she wore a face of calm.

"I slept great; never better," she fixed a cup of coffee and joined him at the bar. Neither had much to say; both hoping the day went better than the night they had just spent.

Mr. Gold had went out for lunch and upon bringing something quick back to eat he announced he had a surprise for her. Belle didn't quite know what to think as he told her he had payed the local beautician Ariel Clearwater to come over that evening and help Belle to do her hair. He explained that such a lovely dress needed an expensive up-do and Ariel was the best in town. Belle just nodded her head before going back to her work; she didn't know what to say. She had never had anyone do her hair; it all seemed so extravagant for her. She really hadn't thought about what she was going to do with her shock of long wavy hair; she supposed that letting him do this for her was just another one of his little quirks; he must like doing all these things for other people, he seemed so generous with her; she wondered how he could ever think himself a monster?

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He paced in the kitchen as the two women remained upstairs in the bathroom for has seemed ike an eternity. surely the charity ball had started by now. He checked his watch, barely seven; shit it didn't even start for another hour; why did he feel so nervous? His head shot up as he heard laughter through the walls; what were they doing up there? He rubbed his sweaty palms against his black tux. He felt ridiculous, he could have; no should have stayed at home, just have forgotten this, but he had already gone to all this trouble, the dress, the beautician ...He felt a jolt of electricity course through his body that seemed to keep him from sitting still as he heard the door to the upstairs bathroom open; oh God here they come.

Gold almost let out a sigh of relief when it was only Mrs. Clearwater who emerged and came down the steps with her large bag. "Belle said she would be down shortly; and thank you." Gold gave her a curt nod of his head. Ariel had always seemed intimidated by the cold stand offish pawnbroker but this afternoon when he had entered her shop and demanded her services, promising to pay nearly triple if she would come to his house to work on who she highly doubted was his niece , Ariel just couldn't quite resist the offer of such a large amount of money and the chance to see the inside of his house.

She took the generous tip he offered and left leaving Gold to resume his pacing in the kitchen.

"Ready?" Oh shit he hadn't even heard her coming; he was almost frightened to turn around but was glad he did. She could have stopped time with that dress; that hair. He tried to wipe the look off his face but she had caught it and smiled a bit mischievously as she bit her lip before blushing under his gaze.

"Do I look alright?" She already had his answer; it was written all over his face and she felt like Cinderella going to the ball. Ariel had pulled her hair up with a few tendrils hanging down to curl around her face. She had also done Belle's makeup.

Belle had never felt so beautiful. She was a little bashful in such a reveling dress but seeing the approval on Mr. Gold's face put her at ease.

Gold felt at a loss for words; his tongue felt thick in his throat and nodding dumbly was all he was able to poorly articulate at the moment. He didn't want to embarrass her or himself if he told her that she was the most beautiful thing his eyes had ever held and that she would have put a queen to shame with that dress so he just smiled politely and coughed, trying to loosen up his tongue.

Belle felt a tingle when his hand touched the small of her back as he guided her toward the awaiting car He had ordered for the evening and Belle felt like some sort of movie star as he got her door, his warm touch at the small of her back guiding her in to sit on the plush leather upholstery before he went around and took a seat next to her.

The charity dinner was beautiful and everything looked so elegant when Belle and Mr. Gold arrived. A huge open bar awaited them after they found a seat at one of the near by tables. Thick cotton cloths covered each table with pristine white plates set upon silver chargers. What looked like a canopy of lights hung overhead as Belle watched the elegant couples come together on the dance floor as she waited patiently for Gold to return with a drink. The different hues of color swirling together around in a multitude of colors held her eyes captive until her he set down a fruity concoction in front of her complete with a small pink umbrella.

"The bartender said you might enjoy this one" His voice low and hypnotizing as all the rest of what Belle had been taking in. She swirled the umbrella around in the glass after thanking him and when the sweet taste touched her lips she smiled in satisfaction; closing her eyes then reopening them just to see if the dream would fade away, laying her once again on the shelter cot, she smiled when she felt his hand on hers.

"Would you care to dance or would you rather we got something to eat first?" Belle wanted to dance, she wanted to be a part of the patchwork of color that made up the monstrosity of the dance floor. She took his hand as he led her toward the center; just as the song ended and another began. His warm hand slid around her back and with it came the tingling sensation of his welcome touch. Belle wanted to arch her back as his fingers caressed her skin with a feather light touch, his other hand he held out for her to place her fingers within his. "Now remember what I taught you; just close your eyes for a moment and before you realize it we will be gliding across the floor."

Belle opened her eyes with a giggle as he guided her around the floor, her laughter was infectious as he saw the wonder and merriment in her eyes; "You're a wonderful dancer Belle." Her hand at his shoulder tightened instinctively as he drew her a hair's breathe closer to him; her warm smile a magnet for his eyes. The song ended too soon for both of them as he released his hold on her to gently clap in applause.

"Would you care to continue?" Belle stepped closer, about to take him up on his offer when she felt a hand at her shoulder, she turned around to stare into the eyes of a woman.

"I'm sorry my dear, would you mind terribly if I were to cut in; I've been dying to talk to your gentlemen but he seems to be enjoying your company so much I'm afraid the night will slip away and I might miss my chance; there's a good girl." Belle looked back to Gold who seemed to have a somewhat confused look on his face; he didn't know her Belle realized.

"Uh, certainly." She smiled at Gold, "I'll just get a drink; seems this dancing is making me thirsty." Gold nodded, clearly put on his guard by the mystery woman who turned at once putting Belle behind her as she glided up to Mr. Gold with ease. The music began and Belle was left there for a scant few seconds as she watched him smile politely but coldly down at his new partner; Belle felt as if once again she were an outcast.

Belle found her way to the bar and ordered another drink from the bartender. she put her back to the bar as her eyes scanned the sea of dancers for Mr. Gold and the mysterious woman in his arms. A small frown turned her mouth down at the corners when she noticed him laugh at whatever the woman had just said; he was at least to Belle's eyes clearly enjoying himself.

A twinge how ever so slight, of jealousy flashed a pale green in her eyes as the woman laughed as well with whatever quip Mr. Gold had came back with. Belle's lips pulled into a sullen pout. As she was about to put her glass to her lips a warm hand touched her bare shoulder, she looked over to see the smiling face of one Garrison March.

"It's a surprise to find you here Mrs. French." Belle turned toward the young man, she sat down her glass before responding.

"I could say the same as well, Garrison." He liked the way his name sounded on her tongue. He had watched her for some time, hidden among the crowd. He watched her dance with Gold and he had been the one to send over Mrs. Ursula Black to cut in, telling her of Gold's money and prestige was enough to send the wallet chasing battle-axe running at Belle's employer; giving him enough time to get his primary target alone so that he might ask her to dance with him. Her dress was the most beautiful in the room as was its wearer and he deserved only the best; in fact that had always been his motto.

"Would you dance with me Belle?" She looked hesitant at his offered hand but his charming smile had knocked many a girl off her feet and right in his arms and he was confident that Belle would be no different.

Belle took one more glance at the dance floor at her employer dancing with Ursula before accepting his invitation with a smile.

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Sorry if I have been delayed. I'm sick as a dog right now; yep more kidney stones and this time a fever, so be kind and review. Thank you for reading. If there are mistakes or poor grammar it's because I'm writing this with a fever.