Belle rushed back to her room as fast as she could, 'That was a close one. When did I fall asleep?' She spent a few minutes recounted her moments before sleeping. She must have dozed off while reading aloud, but she couldn't figure out how she ended up on Rumplestiltskin's bed. Her face turned bright crimson as she realized he must have carried her over there. The thought of his arms wrapped around her made the stomach butterflies return.

She slept well that night. She had wonderful dreams that involved both her and Rum. Sometimes he didn't look like himself. There were dreams where he no longer had his green gold skin, but looked more human. She found him very attractive either way. She awoke the next morning flushed. A red face on her seemed to be the norm recently. 'Attractive? When did I start thinking of Rum that way?' She shrugged it off as just being a dream, and not all dreams mean what they seem. At least that's what she told herself.

Belle went about her usual morning routine, and visited Rumplestiltskin's room after breakfast. To her surprise, he wasn't there. She began to worry. She searched all over the castle but couldn't find a trace of him. She even ran into her father at one point, but if he knew where Rumplestiltskin was, he never said anything, and there was no way she could ask without him becoming suspicious. She searched until lunchtime with no luck. She decided she would give up for now and go help Mrs. Potts fix lunch.

Mrs. Potts was busy at the oven. She glanced up at Belle when she walked in, "Why hello my dear, why do you seem so down today?"

"Rum's not in his room, and I can't find him anywhere. I'm worried."

"Oh he's not here. Your father sent him on an errand last night."

"An errand? Where did he send him?"

"I haven't the slightest idea. I was just given orders not to take food up there until he returns."

"Do you know when that will be?"

"Should be another two days."

"Two days?" Belle sighed and looked down at the floor.

Mrs. Potts detected Belle's disappointment, "Don't worry my dear. He'll be back before you know it."

A tiny smile appeared on Belle's face, "I guess you're right. Do you need any help making lunch?"

"No, I'm almost done now, but you can come back later and help with dinner if you like."

Belle nodded, "That would be great."

After lunch, Belle decided she would read. Reading always made the time fly, and she so wanted time to go by as fast as possible. She hated that she wouldn't see Rum for a few days.

She remembered she had left her book in Rum's room, but chose not to retrieve it. She promised Rum that she would read it to him to prove him wrong, so that particular book would be saved for the two of them. She didn't have many books she hadn't read yet, so she picked out one of her favorites. 'Perhaps tomorrow Papa will let me go into town to the bookstore for some new books.'

She went outside to read while she still could. Winter would arrive soon, and she would not get so many chances enjoy the outdoors. She did her best to concentrate on her book, but her thoughts kept wandering to Rumplestiltskin. 'What was my father making him do?' She had no idea. Her father had told her he was here to make their kingdom prosperous again, but she assumed that was what the gold was for.

It was getting late, so she came to a stopping point and went to help Mrs. Potts with dinner. That night she didn't sleep as well. She didn't have nightmares, but there was something that wasn't quite right, something that wasn't just because Rum was away, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

That evening, after supper, King Maurice was surprised to hear he had a visitor. It was late, so it was unusual. He walked to his throne room to greet whoever had arrived.

"Your majesty, may I present Queen Regina of Snowland," said the royal announcer. Regina came strolling in, in a very fancy long blue velvet ball gown. It showed off her figure very well. She took a bow, "Your majesty."

"Regina, so good to see you," King Maurice stated.

"And you as well."

"I hope everything goes well in your kingdom?"

"It is more than fine."

"I heard about Snow White. I'm so sorry for your loss."

Regina made a fake, but convincing sad face, "Yes, I had a lot of trouble with her passing. Especially since my husband passed a few years ago."

"Yes, I couldn't imagine losing my only daughter. I lost my wife over ten years ago and not a day goes by that I don't mourn her."

Images of Daniel, a stable boy Regina had loved once upon a time, flashed in her mind, making her sadness more genuine, "It's something you never get over."

"I assume you are here to confirm the rumors?"

"Rumors? No, what ever do you mean? I've come to discuss some changes I would like to make to our kingdom's treaties. I'm sorry for arriving so late, but I've been traveling for over two days."

"So you haven't heard?"

"No, please enlighten me."

"I have done what no one else has been able to do. I have captured the dagger of the Dark One and now control him." Regina could tell by his voice he enjoyed bragging about it.

Regina gasped, "Surely you can't be serious? I must see it to believe it."

"He's not here at the moment. I've sent him on an errand, and he won't return for another two days. However, I'm assuming you plan to stay a few days to discuss anything we need to address about the treaty?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Very well. You can see for yourself in a few days time. Till then I will have a room prepared for your stay."

"Thank you."

"Belle will be around in the morning. I'm sure you would be delighted to see her. I know her and Snow were close."

"Yes, very. It will be nice to catch up."

"Until the morning then."

"Until the morning." Regina bowed as King Maurice left the room.

The next morning Belle was greeted by her father before she went down to breakfast, "Papa! I was just coming to see you. Would it be possible for me to go to town today? I need some new books."

"Do you really not have enough?" he teased.

Belle giggled, "Papa, you know how much I love reading."

King Maurice smiled at his daughter, "Yes, but today will not be a good day. We have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

"Yes, Queen Regina arrived last night. She will be here for a few days. I trust you will provide her good company."

Belle smiled at her father but was not too thrilled. She never cared for Regina. Something about her rubbed Belle the wrong way. However, Regina had always been more than nice to Belle, so she couldn't be too upset, "Yes, Papa."

"Good, she should be down soon, and you can catch up with her at breakfast."

"I'm on my way down right now. Will you not be joining us?"

"No, I have some business to attend to. I will see you later."

"Ok, Papa. I love you," she leaned up, kissed her father on the cheek, and went to breakfast.

When Belle arrived to the dining area, Regina was already there.

Regina looked up from her glass, "Hello, Belle. I trust you are well."

"Yes, your majesty, and you?"

"I couldn't be better. And I've told you before, you can call me Regina."

Belle nodded, "I'm sorry about Snow White. I was very sad to hear of her death. She was my best friend."

Regina was getting tired of hearing about Snow White's death. She was very glad to be rid of her, but sick of having to pretend she cared, "Yes, dear it was very hard on me as well."

Belle had a seat, "What brings you to our kingdom?"

"I have some business to discuss with your father."

"Would it be about the new prisoner we have here?" Belle regretted her words as soon as she said them. The last thing she wanted to talk about to this woman was Rum.

Regina looked intrigued, "No dear, I didn't even know about him until I arrived last night. Have you met this prisoner they call the Dark One?"

"Only on the night Papa introduced him to the royal court. I haven't seen him since. My father keeps him locked up somewhere in the castle." Belle knew she was a bad liar so she really wished she could find a way to change the subject. 'Why did I have to bring it up in the first place?'

Luckily, Mrs. Potts bringing in the food interrupted their conversation. Belle sighed a sigh of relief. Regina did not bring Rum up again after Mrs. Potts left, and Belle was thankful. They spent the rest of their meal talking about idle gossip and things that were happening in their kingdom.

Belle went back to her room feeling more uncomfortable with Regina's presence than she ever had. Something told her Regina was up to something, but she didn't know what.

a/n: If you were wondering, I'm going with the more traditional story of Snow White, where the queen thinks the pig's heart is really Snow's for a while unlike the show when she figured it out immediately. Thanks for reading and reviewing!