Yay! I finally have somewhere I'm going with this fic! Not too much more left though. Fortunately? Unfortunately?
It was Belle's turn to share her tale, and it took her the better part of the day. She shared how she left the castle, taking the long way back home, meeting some dwarves and helping one of them find love. She told him of how her father was thankful she was back, but leery of what corruption she endured, and locked her away, her only visitors being priests to cleanse her soul. She left out how often she cried out for him and how often he never came to her aid.
She continued with the queen coming to see her, promising to take her somewhere nicer, but only throwing her in a dungeon with no visitors but the queen herself. Belle was only given enough food to survive and enough clothing to prevent freezing to death. And then she was in the asylum. Still no visitors, still very little food and hardly any clothing, and absolutely no memory of the life before. But she was sound of mind, and that's what helped her get away and get on her own two feet. Mr. Gold was still an excellent listener, didn't interrupt her once and made the visits with the three customers he had all day extremely brief.
"I was doing just fine until I met some man in the diner who thought he was king of the world," she teased him, "And then I couldn't get him out of my head. Now I know why."
He smiled at her while he continued to close up the shop, counting the money he made that day and sifting through the mail. "You do realize I returned after you left and retrieved the money. My agreements are always honored."
"I assumed as much," she returned his smile, "Especially considering we made a deal, something about forever if I remember correctly. And here I am to stay. With you. Forever."
He rose from his chair and pulled her off the desk so he could embrace her, burying his face in her hair. "I should have never believed her," He whispered, more to himself than Belle, "I knew she was a liar and yet I trusted the lies she weaved, and ignored the truth you showed me. I am, without a doubt, the most incompetent fool in all the lands."
Belle just giggled, "What are you talking about? You are making absolutely no sense."
"Not too long after I made one of my more regrettable decisions," she looked at him quizzically, "Telling you to go," he explained, then continued on his original path, "Our friend the queen showed up. She told me you had jumped out of a tower… and didn't survive," he finished quietly, "I believed her."
"You have no idea how much better that makes me feel," Belle's shoulders relaxed and she would never doubt in her mind again how much he loved her because now there was a perfectly legitimate reason as to why he never came to find her, never came to save her. The queen had lied to him just as much as she had lied to Belle. And they were both equally guilty of believing her.
He sat back down in his chair and sighed, dreading the answer to the question he knew he had to ask, "Did the queen ever… take anything from you?"
Belle looked at him quizzically, "What would I have that she could take?" She followed his gaze to the empty box with the chipped cup sitting next to it, "I don't understand. What does that mean?" She knew it meant something more than a cup in a box to him.
"The queen likes to collect… hearts," He hesitated, "I think by putting that cup in one of her heart boxes, she was trying to tell me…" He couldn't finish.
"She was trying to tell you she had my heart." Belle said for him. "But wouldn't I be dead? Wouldn't I remember something like that?"
"That's what I'm trying to determine. If it is nothing more than an empty threat, or if she means to turn you against me."
She put a hand under his chin, trailing her fingers along his jaw, "I would die before that could happen."
He swallowed roughly, "She'll do just that. If you don't listen, she'll cause you unbearable pain, and if you still refuse to comply," he looked at Belle sternly, taking both her hands in his, "She will kill you. Promise me that when the day comes, you will do whatever she asks of you." Belle pulled away from him, walking to the window, "Belle… promise me."
"I will not make that promise." She told him bluntly.
"Belle, please-"
She cut him off, "I will not make that promise. I can't make that promise. If she would have me hurt you, I would rather die." She finished with a whisper, "We can't let that happen. We must get it back," it felt odd to be speaking of her heart like it was a material keepsake.
He stood up and joined her at the window, without his cane, so he could wrap his arms around her waist. He closed his eyes as her arms snaked over his shoulders. In less than a day their relationship had become what it should have been thirty years ago. And it was perfect, if you left out the fact that the queen had Belle's heart somewhere in her possession. He could not leave out that fact, and he would not relax until her heart was in safe hands, preferably her own.
"The sheriff owes me a favor," he said into the top of her head, "It will be difficult to get Miss Swan to go along with this but in the end, she'll come around," he reassured Belle. But he already had a plan, and it did not involve the sheriff.
"No," Belle mumbled into his shoulder, "No I don't want to involve anyone else. Emma could get hurt if we bring her into this. I think…" Belle trailed off, unsure how to word it, "I think we need to convince Regina that we mean nothing to each other. Convince her that it doesn't matter if she has my heart because I don't wish to give it to you."
"Absolutely not," he stepped back from her, "I've been without you far too long, I will not push you away willingly, façade or no." She put a hand on his arm, worried she had upset him.
"It's the only way," she pleaded with him.
"No, it's not," he limped back to the desk and scribbled directions on the envelope of some junk mail, "Belle, go home, and get your things." He handed her the envelope as she walked over to him, "I want you to come stay in my home."
"Our home?" she asked quietly.
"Our home." He agreed, "I'll be in later this evening, I have some calls to make." He grabbed his coat, taking the shop key from the key ring in the pocket for his use, leaving the house key in the pocket for hers, and draped it over her shoulders. He had his suit jacket to keep the afternoon chill away, where as she had only a long sleeved shirt. He walked with her out the door, locking up behind him, "Don't worry about dinner, I'll find something to bring home."
She looked down at the envelope and the hastily scrawled directions, still in shock. He was asking her to come and live with him. She should be elated, overjoyed. But she couldn't help but wonder why he was doing this so urgently. Was it an attempt at keeping her safe? Did he simply need a caretaker for his 'rather large estate'? Or was he lonely? She leaned up and gave him a 'thank you' peck on the cheek, not caring who saw, before heading to her apartment to pack.
"Oh and Belle?" he called after her. She paused and turned to him over her shoulder, "No cleaning." She waved him off and continued on her way.
He stood a moment, smiling, watching her go, and then glanced down at his watch. It was just after five. What a perfect time to visit the mayor.
He took a moment to pause in front of the mayor's excessively elaborate office door. Fortunately for him, this Saturday was a city council meeting (a legitimate one), which had kept Regina occupied for the day and now left her in her office, alone, to wrap up the days business. He took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and blasted through the doors. If he had his magic he would have shattered the hinges, just for good measure.
"Regina, how lovely you're looking today," he sneered at her, admiring her black eye and swollen jaw, poorly covered with make-up.
Despite the physical marring she flashed one of her most spiteful grins, "I trust you're not here to simply make rude remarks. If that is the case, you can leave. I was actually on my way out now."
"Oh no, I don't think so. I think you were just about to sit back down," he glared at her, and she obeyed.
"You received my peace offering, I assume?"
"Peace offering?" he spat, slamming his fists on her desk. "That was supposed to imply you wanted a truce? Wow," he paused, straightening back up, "You truly have no idea how to conduct proper business."
"Oh, no. You misunderstood my gesture. You have no say in this. You will obey me, or I will end her."
"So," he whispered, "You do have it." He sank into a chair in front of her desk as she leaned back victoriously. One simple word would do it. She would be forced to hand it over. But what would the price for that one be? His instinct was to do things properly. Strike up a deal to get what he wanted, completely avoiding the dangers of using magic. But his instinct had also told him power was better. His instinct made him trust the lie Regina fed him. To hell with his instinct.
He rose up out of the chair, menacingly towering over her still sitting form, "Give me her heart, in its current condition, and never do anything that will hurt her in any way ever again. Please."
The expression on Regina's face was of pure shock. She never expected him to take that risk. Or to go quite that far with the request. She underestimated his love for the girl, assumed his cowardly self would get the better of him. And now, as her hands mechanically unlocked the drawer on her desk, she regretted assuming anything. Especially when she assumed he wouldn't remember a thing of their past lives.
"I cannot wait to see what your consequence for that display will be," she snarled at him.
"I would pay any consequence to ensure her safety. Surely you must remember what that feels like? Didn't you have someone you would die for? Someone who you would sell your life away to protect?"
"Don't you dare talk about things you know nothing about!" Regina was practically screaming as she held out a small drawstring bag, "I can only pray that is exactly what you just did. I can only pray that your 'life' just fell in the wrong persons hands. I can only pray that I am the lucky one to stumble across that jewel. Then we shall really see who has more power."
He gingerly took the bag from her. He would have snatched it and stormed out had its content not been so precious. He wanted so badly to tell Regina to jump off the clock tower. Please. But he knew she was right. All magic came with a price. And he could only pray that if the price was going to be that blasted dagger showing up, Regina would not be the one to find it.
Belle had tossed all of her belongings in a garbage bag (she didn't have very many, and a book bag or suitcase was not one of the things she had needed to buy) and had it hanging on her back over her shoulder as she followed the directions to her new home.
"Halt citizen." Belle stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, turning towards the direction of the voice and seeing Emma jogging over to her. "I am required by law to pull you aside and search your bag. You are exhibiting suspicious actions." Emma gave her a playful hip check and Belle knew she was only kidding.
"I'm sorry officer I cannot comply. You have no search warrant." She teased right back.
"Okay but seriously," Emma stayed in step as Belle continued onward, "Whatcha got there? Stolen goods? A body?"
"Children," Belle grinned, "I'm going to skin them for their pelts." It was much funnier for Belle due to past experience with the phrase, but Emma still laughed pretty hard.
"Sorry Belle, you just don't really seem like the child-skinning type. But since you're not going to imply," Emma grabbed the bag and peeked inside. Belle just smiled and held out her hand, silently asking for it back, "Is this all your stuff? I don't understand. Where are you going?" Emma handed her the bag.
"I've been offered an alternate place to stay. It's free, I think, and I jumped on the opportunity."
"Really?" Emma sounded skeptical, "Where at?"
Belle blushed, "With Mr. Gold," she mumbled.
"What?" Emma shouted and stopped walking. Belle shushed her and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her forward to keep walking, "Belle I know you are perfectly capable of making your own decisions but I don't think you really thought this one out. Don't you think that's kind of a bit much and a bit soon?"
Belle couldn't tell Emma that this transition had been thirty years in the making, and that the two of them had already lived together in another life. Or that another reason she had no qualms about this was because it was true love. Did he have alternate intentions? Most likely, but his main reason she knew was because he didn't want to lose any more time with her. Especially if the queen was up to something. But she had to tell Emma something, "I don't know, sometimes you just do things because you know it's inevitable so why not just go do it?"
"But Belle," Emma stopped her walking, "You just got out on your own. You're strong and independent. Don't you enjoy that? Why would you just rush into someone's arms? Especially his," Emma added as an afterthought.
She was rewarded with a scowl and sigh, "Not everyone enjoys being self-sufficient and solitary. He and I enjoy each other's company. What works for you works for you and what works for me works for me."
"As long as I've known him, which is longer than you," No it's not, Belle thought, "he's enjoyed being self-sufficient and solitary. I hope your best interest is what he has in mind, and he's not doing this for… typical masculine reasons."
Belle gave Emma a playful cuff to the back of the head, "Emma, trust me. My best interest is what he has in mind. As strange as it may seem, we love each other. Since I can't persuade you to see things my way, can we agree to disagree?" They were on the sidewalk in front of what Belle assumed to be his residence. It was… pink? Perhaps, but it was gorgeous. Two stories with a wraparound porch and a backyard open to the woods. It was a little close to the neighboring houses for her taste but could get used to it. "This is it?" she confirmed with Emma.
"This is it." Emma answered, "Your new…. home," she sniffed.
"I'll have you and Mary Margaret over for dinner sometime soon, okay?" Belle grinned, mostly teasing.
"I'll hold you do it," Emma agreed, shocking her, "If only to make sure he's doing right by you."
"I'm fairly certain he would die before doing anything besides."
Emma smiled, "I may not agree, but I am happy for you. Good luck," Emma gave Belle a parting hug and wave as she walked away back into town, and Belle walked up the path and up the stairs, reaching the front door. She took a deep breath and reached out to turn the handle, shoulders falling when the door didn't budge. It was locked, and she didn't have keys. She walked the porch around the house to the backyard.
Tossing her bag on a bench next to a backdoor she leaned against the railing, gazing out at the yard and woods. She smiled as she imagined sitting on the same bench (maybe a comfy wicker chair she might acquire someday) in the early morning with a warm coffee, watching the forest wake up. The sun started to peek out from behind a cloud, throwing warm rays out onto the green spring grass. Belle shook off the coat he had let her use earlier and tossed it next to the bag, prepping to run down the steps and flop down in the lawn, but the jingle of a key made her stop.
She picked up the coat by the neck and shook it, hearing the jingle. She paused a moment, eying the back door and the back yard, weighing the options, shifting from foot to foot. The sun was fleeting and wouldn't last, but she had been in grass before, not his house. She grabbed the key ring from the pocket and slipped the house key into the lock, grabbing her bag and the coat as the door swung open and she stepped inside.