As Milah's carriage sped rapidly along the road to the Emerald City, Rumple's anxiety increased with each passing mile. Without knowing exactly what the Wizard wanted, the others agreed that there was no sense in trying to plan anything. Going in without a plan, on the other hand, was foolish. He always knew the exact outcome of every deal and transaction, and planned for all eventualities, even the most remote, but this time there was more at stake. He twisted the handle of his wooden cane nervously. He realized that even the slightest mistake could cause Belle's death, and no doubt the death of their entire party. I can't be responsible for this. He had been responsible for the deaths of many people throughout his evil tenure as the Dark One, but this was different. Without magic, he was just like any man, entering an unknown situation without adequate information or the ability to prepare. He pictured Belle sitting all alone, hope running out, losing faith in the one person she knew would rescue her. He lashed out in anger at the closest object, which unfortunately for him was the wall of the carriage. He remembered too late that he was not able to heal himself, but the satisfaction of the punch made the pain subside a little faster. He rubbed his hand ruefully, and resumed his dark worries about Belle's fate.

The carriage pulled up to the Main Gate and they disembarked, walking deliberately to the next phase of their journey. The bell was answered by the same taciturn Ozian Guard they had met previously. He didn't have to ask them who rang the bell, because he recognized them right away. Of course, Milah, or the "Wicked Witch," was well known in Oz, and the Guard bowed without expression, to her and to Rumplestiltskin. Jefferson was accorded a slight nod of the head. As he escorted them through the gate, Milah told him their business.

"We'd like an audience with the Wizard," she demanded in an imperious tone.

"He'll see you right away," the Guard replied. "Please wait in the hall." He kept walking, presumably to announce them to the Wizard.

"That's odd," Milah said, looking suspiciously at the Guard as he walked away. "Usually one has to wait several hours for an audience. It's almost like he was expecting us."

Rumple didn't like the sound of that, and he almost followed the man, but at the last moment he met Milah's eyes and she shook her head. He forced himself to wait in the hall with Milah and Jefferson. What did this Guard know that he wasn't saying? As it turned out, he didn't have much time to brood about it, as they were immediately ushered into the Wizard's throne room. Rumple and Jefferson looked around but all they saw was an empty throne. "Now what?" Rumple asked Milah.

"Shhh! Just wait." An ornate, jeweled throne was set in the middle of a huge alcove, which was beginning to change before their eyes. Smoke filled the area, lightning flashed and the Wizard's huge head appeared in the space above the throne. His booming voice echoed through the cavernous room and his countenance was stern and forboding.

"Who...goes...there?" With each word, more colored lights and lightning illuminated the alcove, and the rumbling of thunder could be heard as if they had been transported into the midst of a severe storm. Jefferson looked as if he was going to make a run for it, but he suspected the doors were locked, as indeed they were. Rumple, although it wasn't in his nature to defer to anyone, realized quickly that Milah's experience with the Wizard would serve them well. He allowed her to take the lead.

"Your humble servants, requesting an audience." Milah knew what the Wizard wanted to hear, so she played along, but Rumple could tell she was merely acting a role. She had to shout the words to be heard over the thunder, which didn't lend her words any degree of believability.

"The Witch of the East, Rumplestiltskin, and Jefferson, I believe." The noise in the room was becoming deafening and Rumple resisted to urge to cover his ears. He tapped his cane on the floor quietly.

"Yes, oh great and powerful Wizard!" This was said with so much sarcasm that Rumple stopped tapping and glanced sharply at Milah. There was no point in antagonizing the man at the very outset of their conversation.

"Rumplestiltskin, step forward!" Rumple, aided by his wooden cane, stepped closer to the throne and looked up. "What is it you are seeking?" As if the Wizard realized that his guests needed to shout to be heard, the loud thundering ceased and the lightning became intermittent.

"You are holding captive a young woman by the name of Belle. I would like her released immediately." Rumple spoke dismissively, as if he were in control of the situation. Without magic to insure his victory, he relied on his cunning, bravado and air of superiority.

Fire and lightning erupted from the alcove, illuminating the Wizard's head even further. "You dare dictate terms to me?! Who do you think you are?" Jefferson and Milah stepped back a few steps, but Rumple stood his ground, certain that he was very close to receiving information about Belle. Backing down now would not get them any closer to discovering more.

"I am a true wizard," Rumple stated calmly. "True wizards rely on their power, not on cheap carnival tricks. Who are you really and what are you doing here?" Milah stepped forward, as if to warn Rumple, but he waved her off impatiently as if to say, I know what I'm doing.

At once the image of the Wizard's head disappeared, only to be replaced seconds later by an image of Belle in her cell. She appeared to be sleeping. Rumple's heart caught in his throat at the sight of her looking so fragile and vulnerable in the blue gown he had made for her. The cell door opened and the Ozian Guard entered the cell, holding a syringe and leering at Belle, moving toward her slowly and deliberately. Rumple practically jumped out of his skin.

"Leave her alone!" he shouted to the image. The Guard crept closer and then the image faded, replaced once again by the image of the Wizard. He spoke calmly, with a deadly edge to his voice.

"Well, well, well, it seems I have something you want, Rumplestiltskin."

"If she is harmed in any way..." Rumple knew that without his powers his threats were meaningless, but he hoped that the Wizard would be intimidated enough to reveal more.

"Oh, I won't harm her. Yet. Coincidentally, you also have something I want. Can you guess what it is?"

"You want power."

"Very good. Yes, but not just any power. I want your power."

Rumple tried a different strategy. "Yes, well, there seems to be a slight problem with that, dearie. First of all, I have no power here, and second of all, there is only one way to take that power, and you aren't able to do that. I can't just give it up; it must be taken."

"NOOOO!" The wrath of the Wizard shook the building, as smoke and fire erupted from the alcove.

All of a sudden, Rumple fell to the ground, holding his head. He regained his balance quickly, but he continued pressing his fingers to his temples, as if he had a headache and was trying to relieve the pain. What he saw was a jumble of many different images, but one thing stood out clearly, and he knew it was the one piece of information he needed.

"You were right," he whispered to Milah. "He's not a wizard." With this, he began walking calmly around the perimeter of the throne platform, searching for the source of the Wizard's "power."

"What are you doing?" hissed Jefferson. "He still has Belle, you fool!" Jefferson's fear only served to embolden Rumple as he tried to stall for time, every minute another minute that Belle was alive and unharmed.

"You can come out now, whoever you are," Rumple taunted in his usual sneering voice. "Come out and discuss this like...well, like a man." The smoke and fire disappeared instantly and the room became cloaked in darkness. Only a glimmer of light from two wall candles illuminated the area. The whir of a motor sounded gently, and a platform rose from beneath the throne's stage. On that platform was a man. He was an older man, probably in his sixties, with graying hair, spectacles, and an air of intelligence about him. He stepped off the platform and stood before the little group. They could hardly believe this was the Wizard that had power over all of Oz. Even though Milah had known that he was a charlatan, she wisely realized that even a fake wizard could still pose a threat to them. He now had people who believed in him unquestioningly and, magic or not, those followers could do them, and Belle, real harm.

Rumple was the first to speak. "I want Belle returned to me immediately."

"I will not release her unless you deal with me, Rumplestiltskin. If I can't access your power, then I have no hope of surviving here. "

Rumple took a moment to ponder this new turn of events. There may be a way, he thought. Belle would want me to do the right thing, but is it the right thing for anyone to have this much power? I need to talk to Belle. But that's impossible. Think, Rumple! He could feel the strain as he worked through the conflicting emotions of his desire for Belle, his desire to insure her freedom and his desire to be the man she wanted. I would do anything for Belle. I know that now. My power means nothing to me without her. He calmly thought through many different scenarios in a matter of he knew what he had to do.

"Summon Glinda," he told the wizard. "I need to talk with her." But as he said those words, he could hear the tinkling sound from a distance, and Glinda entered the room in her orb. She smiled as she gracefully glided to a stop on the floor.

"You could have summoned me anytime, Rumplestiltskin. All you had to do was ask."

Rumple turned to Glinda, relaxing his guard and meeting her eyes directly. "I need to speak with you. Alone."

Glinda considered this carefully as she looked into the depths of Rumple's eyes, and nodded. "Very well. The rest of you may leave." The words were said abruptly but her tone was kind. No one argued. They all walked quietly out of the room. The wizard was the last to leave. At the last moment, he looked as if he was about to speak, but instead gave Rumple a piercing look and was gone with the others.

"You've made a decision." Glinda didn't mince words. "What is your choice?"

"There is only one way that I can give up my power."

"The dagger." If Rumple was surprised that Glinda knew about the dagger, he didn't let on.

"Yes, the dagger must be used to either control me or kill me." Rumple came closer. "This wizard is holding Belle hostage." His voice rose in frustration. "I don't even know if she's here in this palace somewhere." Rumple began pacing, back and forth, as if unable to stay in one spot. "I won't be able to find her before he gives the order to kill her. Those who carried out the order I could certainly find and punish, but Belle would still be dead. I have to cooperate with him."

"What are you saying?" Glinda looked at Rumple intently.

Rumple stopped pacing and turned to Glinda, his mind made up. "I need you to retrieve the dagger from the Dark Castle."

"For what purpose?" Glinda now was genuinely concerned. She was powerful in her own right, but her powers were limited in that they could only be used for good.

"I think you know." Rumple smiled sadly. "It's the only way to save Belle. I think I always knew this was a possibility when Jefferson and I talked about the hat's rule."

"Yes, the hat requires the same number of people to enter and leave. Perfect symmetry."

"Perfect symmetry..." Rumple sounded old and tired. He had defended his power for centuries against some of the strongest sorcerers and magicians of the ages. His heart beat quickly, imagining all that the end of his magical powers implied. It meant the end of his life, the relinquishing of his quest to find Bae, the abandonment of hope of a life with Belle. Belle would never approve, he realized. She would tell him she wasn't worth the sacrifice. His resolve increased, giving him strength to rise above his fears and forge a new path of bravery. This time he would show her that she was worth it...but the finality of the decision tore at his heart. He would never see her again, of that he was certain. He looked up at Glinda, who could see the conflict raging through his mind and heart.

"You are sure this is the only way," Glinda said quietly.

"If there is even a remote chance that Belle will survive this and lead a happy life, then I want her to have that chance. She's young, intelligent, and strong. She'll miss me, I know, but she'll move on with her life. Yes, it's the only way to guarantee her safety. Anything else would involve risking her life and I won't do that."

"So do you intend for the wizard to kill you with the dagger?" Glinda hated saying the words; they sounded so final, so lacking in hope. She prided herself on finding positive solutions, on guaranteeing happy endings; this felt like failure.

"Yes." Rumple's face was like iron, immovable and set.

"I'm very much against this, Rumplestiltskin." Glinda paused, lost in thought for several minutes, as she battled her innate goodness and her desire to protect this flawed man from his dangerous choice. "However, I am allowing it for the greater good. If you attempted to oppose the wizard, it could lead to fighting and eventually a battle. More Ozians would be killed. I am their sworn protector and I cannot allow that to happen. Very well. I will go." She left the room before Rumple could see her tears, but he heard the sadness in her voice, which mirrored his own. He bent his head and sank to his knees, alone in his grief.

Jefferson was summoned to return to the Enchanted Forest with Glinda and Lizzie by means of the hat. He would then return with Glinda and the dagger, and would take Belle back through the hat after she was released. The Rule of the Hat would be followed to the letter. Jefferson stole a glance at Rumple before they left, but Rumple was stoic, looking straight ahead and seeing nothing. He had already gained the permission of the wizard to speak with Belle before he died, so he was thinking seriously about the words with which he wanted to leave her. He didn't want to frighten her, but she deserved his honesty and respect for her ability to accept and handle this separation. He owed her that much.

Milah watched him carefully, waiting for him to break into full Dark One mode and curse everyone within the vicinity. But he just kept staring. Occasionally he seemed to be speaking softly, as if rehearsing words and phrases before his talk with Belle. She had to speak now; it would no doubt be her only opportunity.

"Rumple..." she approached him tentatively.

Rumple shook his head. "Not now." He watched as she retreated while fighting back tears and he relented. "What is it, Milah? I don't have much time."

"I know. I'm sorry." She took a deep breath. "I need to know where he is."

"Who?" At first Rumple was truly mystified, but then the light dawned. "Killian Jones again."

"Please, Rumple, just tell me where he is." Milah was not above begging, but she hoped she wouldn't have to. But Rumple had nothing to lose by revealing that information. It came as a relief for him to do something good in his final moments.

"It's an island...an island called Neverland. You can't get there from here by any regular means. You need a magic bean for a portal. If by any chance you find one, do all you can to obtain it, because these beans are rare indeed."

Milah gasped. "A bean...like this one?" Milah pulled a sparkling bean from her pocket, her eyes gleaming with joy.

"Where did you get that?" Rumple was in shock. As far as he knew from the Blue Fairy, the last bean was the one that Bae used to escape the Enchanted Forest. This meant that Milah could still look for Bae, that there was a chance Bae could be found. Tears filled his eyes and he spoke so softly that Milah had to lean forward to hear him.

"That's what took Bae away from me, from our world. A bean just like this one. Now it's up to you to find him." He would never understand the twists and turns of fate. "Maybe it was meant to be you all along. I ask one thing. Tell him I never gave up and I never stopped looking for him. Tell him I love him."

Milah fought back tears and turned away to collect her thoughts. Was it possible that she could find her son and Killian? She attempted to focus on Rumple, on what was happening to him today, but for the first time in her life she had hope, and she was selfish enough to want to keep that hope in the front of her mind. "Thank you. I'll make sure Baelfire knows how much you tried to find him." Rumple nodded, accepting, forgiving.

Glinda and Jefferson approached them. Glinda was holding the dagger closely, and Rumple sighed when he saw it. "My old friend and my sworn enemy," he said, referring to the dagger.

"We'll get the wizard while you talk to Belle." Glinda looked at Rumple again to see if he was still willing to go through with this. Rumple nodded, understanding her unspoken question.

And all at once she was there. Rumple felt her presence before he saw or heard her. It was like sunlight filled the room. He turned around and saw her and his heart caught at the way she smiled at him, so happy and so confident that he would save her. He took her gently by the hand, dismissed her guard with a wave and pulled her into a small chamber adjoining the throne room. Belle threw her arms around him and they held each other in a clutching embrace. Rumple knew then that all his rehearsing had been in vain, that he would never be able to tell her the truth. He tried to think, but the only thought in his mind was how perfectly she fit in his arms and how, if life was fair and the gods merciful, this moment should last forever. At once, Belle knew something was wrong. She looked up at him, questioning, but not doubting.

Rumple spoke first. "There's something I need you to do for me," he began. "When you get back home, I need you to destroy the curse I was working on."

Belle's confusion deepened. "The dark curse? The one Regina was going to cast? Why? I mean, I'm happy about it, but why, Rumple? What is going on?"

"I'm going to stay here for awhile, and you're going to go back with Jefferson. Only two can return in the hat now."

"What about Lizzie?"

"Lizzie is fine. She's already gone back. You'll see her very soon." Rumple smiled, trying to play his part so that Belle would go and not look back. But his smile didn't fool her.

"I'm staying with you. Did you really think I would leave you so soon? No! Send someone else back with Jefferson. We'll go back together." She looked up at him, with all her love and hope shining in her eyes.

At this, Rumple's control broke and a tear spilled over his eyelid and down his cheek. "Sweetheart..." but he couldn't continue. Belle knew.

"You're not coming back."

"No, darling, I'm not. It's not possible."

"What aren't you telling me?" Belle started to shake and Rumple pulled her into his arms again. He rubbed her back slowly. She buried her face in his chest and he kissed her hair over and over.

"I can't tell you. I'm sorry, but I just can't."

Belle straightened up and stepped back from Rumple. Looking him in the eye, she said, "You're going to die." Her bravery stunned him. She was willing to face directly what he had been unable to tell her. "You're trading your life, your power, for my freedom."

Rumple returned her gaze, proud of her steadfast spirit. "Yes. Will you promise to do as I ask, about the curse, I mean?"

"No."

"What?" This was one thing he never considered, that Belle would defy him and refuse to honor his wishes. Then he realized that she just hadn't given up yet.

Belle's voice raised in volume. "We are not done talking about this. There must be another way."

"None that guarantee your safety with no risk or loss of life." He stopped when he could see that ploy wasn't getting through to her. He sank to his knees, holding her hands, kissing them gently. "Belle, I'm trying to be a better man, to be someone you would be proud of. You need to let me do this. I've thought it through and I'm ready."

"But I'm not ready." Belle looked at Rumple accusingly. "What good is it to me if you're a better man if you have to die in order to prove that?" But she could see the determination in Rumple's eyes. At last she reached acceptance. She had to give him up, to let him redeem himself. She couldn't deny him that chance, if that is what he felt he had to do.

"When?" she asked, resigned, with hope draining from her eyes.

"Very soon. Glinda has the dagger. I wanted to talk to you first. Belle, I want you to know..."

"Rumple, if you keep speaking I will not be able to keep it together. Listen to me." Rumple rose and drew her close once again. "I'm so proud of you and so undeserving of your love. You've made me so happy. I'll tell Baelfire all about you, how you never gave up on him, and how you never gave up on me. I know he'll be found, Rumple. I just know it." She pulled away out of frustration. "I just wish you could be the one to find him...that he could know the man you are now."

"I love you, Belle, with all my heart." Belle practically jumped into his arms, and they kissed passionately, knowing it would be the last time. Rumple dried Belle's tears and she dried his. Then, arm in arm, they walked out to the throne room.

The wizard was standing alone, holding the dagger. He looked uneasy, as if this part of the deal was not something he was expecting. His hand shook as he held the curved blade. As Rumple and Belle walked into the room, their love was apparent to everyone in attendance. Rumple gave Belle one last kiss and cupped her face with his hands. She brushed his hair away from his face, gave him a sad smile, then released him.

Rumple walked over to the wizard and stood silently before him. He unbuttoned his shirt and indicated his willingness to proceed. The wizard didn't move. Everyone looked around nervously. There wasn't really a protocol for this situation. Finally, the wizard raised the dagger and stabbed Rumple in his bare chest. Belle screamed as Rumple collapsed on the floor, but something was very wrong. There was no blood. The wizard raised the dagger and stabbed him again. Still no wound appeared.

"Stop!" Glinda stepped forward and took the dagger from the nearly convulsing wizard. The older man was shaking badly and could not have held the dagger another second. His guards helped him to the throne and he sat quickly. Belle ran to Rumple who was still lying on the floor, breathing heavily, but definitely breathing.

"What happened?" Rumple sat up and looked over at the wizard but it was clear he had no explanation.

"You don't know?"asked Belle. If Rumple didn't know, then who would? He was the only Dark One still living. Then she came to her senses. "Why are we trying to figure this out right now?" she said with a laugh. Taking his face in her hands and kissing him over and over, she exclaimed happily, "You're alive!" But Rumple couldn't celebrate just yet. He rose and walked cautiously over to Glinda.

Glinda held the dagger out to Rumple. He took it from her and looked at the blade. No longer was it emblazened with "Rumplestiltskin;" it was smooth and shiny, like any other knife blade. He turned it over and looked at the other side. It was the same. When Rumple looked back at Glinda, she was smiling.

"You knew," he said.

"No. I had my suspicions, but I didn't know for certain. Dark curses like yours are susceptible to deeds of love, such as True Love's Kiss and, in this case, an act of unselfish, sacrificial love. I would say that your curse has been broken, Rumplestiltskin."

"I'm no longer the Dark One?" Rumple couldn't believe the words, even as he spoke them.

"Well, your name isn't on the dagger, is it?" Jefferson remarked with his usual wit, now that he was breathing again.

"Indeed not." Rumple tried to take everything in, to think about what this all meant, but he couldn't stop looking at Belle, in awe of this remarkable woman who believed in him so strongly, even to the point of her willingness to let him die for something in which he believed. He grabbed her tightly, certain he would not be letting her out of his sight any time soon. All he wanted was to get out of the Emerald City, out of Oz, and back to their home...but then he stopped and turned to Jefferson. "The hat..."

Jefferson threw up his hands in despair and said, "The Rule of the Hat, my friend. Two go in, two come out. If ever I wished I could alter that rule, this would be the time."

Belle, Jefferson, Rumple, Milah, Glinda and the wizard all looked at one another. "I'm sure we can figure this out," Glinda said. And they did.

Jefferson and the Ozian Guard planned to return to the Enchanted Forest in the hat. The Guard had never liked Oz, apparently, and agreed to help Jefferson with his portal jumping business, doing most of the traveling, while Jefferson planned to stay at home and run the business. His surliness eventually gave way to a kind of well-concealed anticipation of this new opportunity.

"We need to give you a name," Jefferson announced. "Were you ever called anything other than 'Guard?'"

"No. I was given that name when I was apprenticed to the previous Guard," the man said in a matter-of-fact tone. In Oz we are called by our occupations. I guess you could call me 'Portal Jumper' now."

"Not Portal Jumper...but I will call you PJ!" Jefferson burst into laughter, so happy was he to have discovered the perfect name for the former Guard. PJ bowed formally and shook Jefferson's hand. He would remain in Avonlea until after the wedding, and he was very happy not to be in the same region as Rumplestiltskin for awhile. Lizzie and Jefferson would travel back to Oz for the wedding, which would take place in a secluded forest somewhere nearby. Glinda was charged with finding a suitable spot for the ceremony.

"Well, my darling Belle, do you realize this means that you will be marrying a common spinner?" Rumple asked as they strolled around the Emerald City.

"If you only knew how happy that makes me!" Belle pirouetted a few steps before Rumple tried to catch up with her, laughing. "But I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't break the curse with True Love's Kiss." She pouted as she looked at him over her shoulder. "I guess we'll have to practice kissing a lot more to get it right."

"Belle..." Rumple warned playfully, wagging his finger at her. But it was too late. She was already in his arms, kissing him with abandon. He gave in to the kiss, contented to be able to kiss Belle without reservation, and without fear of losing his power. Nothing to lose now, he thought happily.

Belle sighed with joy. "We'll have such a life together, Rumple!"

"But first, a wedding...if you'll have me."

"I'll have you," Belle whispered wickedly. "I'll have you in every way imaginable." She was surprised to see that Rumple could blush, now that he had the skin of a regular man. He didn't look that different to her, minus the greenish gold sparkling skin, and crocodilian jacket, which had turned into a regular cloak almost instantly. All she had to do was look into his eyes and she could see that he was her Rumple. He was just a simpler, less scary version of himself. She could get used to it. Especially when she could make him blush so easily. This was going to be fun.

"So, first a wedding...and then a journey." Rumple the Spinner had a one-track mind and was not going to postpone this wedding any longer. It was a little unorthodox, but Rumple, Belle and Milah would be journeying via the bean portal to Neverland, hoping to gain information about Baelfire in the process. As Rumple explained, it was much easier to get anywhere from Neverland, because of the many kinds of magic that existed there. Belle, always up for an adventure, was excited about seeing new lands and experiencing new things with Rumple at her side.

"Yes, first a wedding, my love. Poor Friar Tuck! I know he was looking forward to marrying us."

"Yes, wouldn't he be surprised now? And think of everyone else in the Enchanted Forest."

"Think of Regina." Belle grimaced as she said it. Hopefully they would not think of Regina until much, much later. Jefferson had agreed to destroy the dark curse the moment he returned to the Enchanted Forest. Regina's revenge against Snow White would need to be postponed indefinitely, and she would not be happy. "Or not."

Rumple seemed to agree as he gave her another lingering kiss, right on the Emerald City street. "Not thinking of Regina, or anyone else right now. Only you, Belle."

"It's all right if you think about Bae too, Rumple. We'll find him together." Her smile lit up the street and he held her close.

"I'll think about him after our wedding night," he whispered into her hair.

Belle smiled. "Deal."