Belle's eyes danced with delight when she entered Gold's library. Floor to ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, each shelf filled with books. Books that wouldn't fit on the shelves sat in neat piles in the corners of the room. She wandered over to one of the shelves and scanned the books. Many of them were related to law, but she also caught glimpses of fiction.

"Fan of the written word, Ms. French?" Gold's voice brought Belle out of her trance. Her hand was currently wrapped around a book that she had planned to remove from the shelf, but instead she let her hand drop. When she turned, Gold was sitting in a brown leather chair to the right of a fireplace. A light fire was flickering. When did he light the fire? She watched as the light from the flames danced on Gold's face, highlighting the small smirk on his face.

"I like a good book every now and then." She walked to the other chair and took a seat.

"Strange hobby for an assassin." Gold reached over and poured them both a glass of Scotch.

Belle took the glass from him. "Thank you." She took a small sip then set the glass down on the small table next to her. "What's an acceptable hobby for an assassin, Mr. Gold? Hunting? Target practice? Knitting?" Gold laughed. "What about you, Mr. Gold? What are suitable hobbies for a man in your position?"

"I think reading is a suitable hobby for anyone. There is much one can learn from the words of others."

"Hmm." Belle thought over Gold's words and instantly agreed. It was one of the main reasons she loved to read. She believed there was always more to learn. Books helped fuel her curiosity. They also reminded her of her life before her parents were taken away from her. Back when she was a teenage girl who only cared about her grades and achieving a great future. What did she want to do back then? Belle picked up her glass once again and downed it. She couldn't remember what she wanted to do prior to her parent's death.

"Something wrong?"

Belle provided a weak smile, but didn't meet his gaze. Why did this man make her feel vulnerable? There was something about him that made her extremely uncomfortable, but she also felt she could share her secrets with him. "I miss the outside." She lied.

"Friends? Family?"

"Freedom."

"Ah.. Freedom. The one thing that Neverland truly takes away from us." He took a sip of his Scotch.

"You have a good life here. You are free."

Gold stared at her for a moment before replying. "I do have a comfortable life. I do not hate Neverland, but it is certain that I am not free." He finished his drink. "Neverland is a cage. A government experiment that surprisingly works. Impossible to leave once you step inside." He pulled his sleeve up, revealing his own number. "They mark us. If we were ever to leave, we wouldn't be able to hide. Only prisoners of Neverland bear these."

Belle reached up and rubbed at the tattoo on the back of her neck. It wasn't till now that she realized how permanent the mark was. She knew it was necessary to get so people truly believed she was a criminal, but how will the tattoo affect her life outside? She's a federal agent, would she lose credit because of this mark? Will people view her like the criminal most believe her to be. David was the only one who trusted her enough to give her a second chance, everyone else wanted to throw her in Neverland when she was caught two years ago. "Neverland does change everything... Doesn't it?" She didn't realize that she had spoken the thought aloud.

"Yes, yes it does." Gold leaned over and refilled their drinks. "Tell me about your life before you became Lacey the assassin."

Belle watched Gold carefully. Why did he want to know about her past? Why did it matter? "Will you tell me yours in return?"

He quirked up an eyebrow. "There's not much to tell."

"Will you?" Belle pressed.

"Yes." He leaned further in his chair. "Now, let's hear your tale."

"I was born in Sydney, but in the bad part of the city." Belle was telling the story that David created for the fictional Lacey. "It was just me and my father. It was a decent life, but when I turned twelve he became a drunk. He was abusive, punished me for everything, including things I didn't know about. I love my father very much, but I had to leave. I ran away and came to America for a better life. Sadly.." Belle paused. "I got involved with the wrong people. They forced me to train and enter this life. I didn't hate it, so I continued down the path." She took a drink. Even though this story was fake, it was still hard to tell. "I thought I was too good to be caught. Apparently I was wrong."

Gold listened to her story, making no move to interrupt her or asking any additional questions. Silence lingered in the air for a couple of minutes before he spoke. "Liar."

"Ex-Excuse me?" Belle could feel her heart pick up its pace. She needed to remain calm.

"Your story is entirely false, Ms. French."

Belle sucked in her bottom lip and tried to think of a way past this. It was harder to lie to Gold then it was to others. Killian didn't even ask about her past. "There might have been parts I changed. My past isn't a fairy-tale... It's not sunshine and daisies." She turned towards Gold and looked him dead in the eye. "I also do not wish to tell my life story to a stranger."

Gold chuckled and leaned closer to her. "Lacey, please. The truth."

"My father owed people a lot of debts." She picked up her glass to give her hands something to do. "He didn't care about me. He was an abusive alcoholic who traded me away to pay his debts." She was telling another lie, but she hoped that it would pass. "They intended to use me as a sex slave." She shivered at the thought. "Luckily... They realized I was more useful to them as a killer." She took a tiny sip. "I was so angry. Somehow they were able to turn that anger into what I am now."

Gold was still leaning towards her. He moved closer, placing his mouth close to her ear. She could feel his warm breath against her skin. Fighting the urge to lean closer to him, Belle closed her eyes and waited for his words. "Liar." He softly whispered and then he moved away from her quickly.

Belle jumped up and stared Gold down. "How dare you accuse me of lying about my past!" She knew she was getting upset over a false story. "Why would I lie about my past?" Her anger continued to build. She was yelling in his face, but it didn't seem to faze him. Belle looked up at the ceiling and laughed slightly.

"Why are you upset over a false story?" Gold's tone was even. Her attitude wasn't even affecting him.

Belle picked up her glass and throw the amber liquid in Gold's face. "Bastard." She dropped the glass and went towards the door. She wanted to go to her room and just sleep this off. She wasn't even sure why she was upset. As Gold said, she had no reason.

Belle was stunned when Gold's cane slammed against the door, blocking her exit. How did he reach the door before her? "How did you-"

Gold smirked, but kept his cane in the doorway. "Reach the door before you?" He gestured to his bad leg. "It's an old injury that I've learned to live with. I'm still very capable, Ms. French."

"That's nice to know." She looked down at his leg then back at his face, leaning in. "I now feel less guilty by the thought of having to hurt you. Mr. Gold, you're either going to let me leave this room, or I'm going to make you."

"I doubt you can make me do anything." Gold moved to replace his cane and blocked the door with his body.

Belle let out a frustrated breath. "What makes you so sure of that?"

Gold leaned in closer and Belle could feel his hand on her hip. "I just am." His lips then met hers in a fierce attack. He kissed her like a dying man would. Belle instantly responded to his kiss and pushed his body closer to hers. Gold moaned at the contact and turned them so he could press her against the door. She could feel his tongue lightly line her bottom lip, wanting permission to enter her mouth. Without a second thought Belle allowed him entry and let out a small whimper when she could feel his tongue on the roof of her mouth.

Belle had kissed many men before. It was required of her job in some situations. She even kissed Killian more than she cared for. None of those kisses could compare to what Gold's kiss felt like. She could feel heat build up in her. She pushed into him, wishing for more contact. Kissing Gold felt like breathing. Something she wasn't willing to live without.

Her arms were wrapped around his neck now. One hand tangled in his hair, which was soft to her touch. She could feel heat building in her, as she desperately kept her and Gold locked together. "Please" She whispered against his lips.

He broke their kiss, but kept his lips against her skin as he began to place open-mouth kisses to her neck. She could feel his teeth softly biting into her skin. Soon his lips were at her ear, nibbling at her earlobe. "Please what Isabelle?"

Belle felt as if cold water was just poured on her. She pulled away from Gold, but was unable to go far because of the door. Wrapping her arms around herself, Belle stared at Gold. He watched her carefully, his eyes slightly wide at her reaction. "How- How do you know that?" Tears started to fall from her eyes.

Gold remained silent. He tried to cup her cheek in his hand, but she moved away, not wishing for him to touch her. He was hurt by her actions, she could see it in his eyes.

"Tell me." Belle whispered.

He moved away from her and went back to his chair. She followed slowly, her arms still wrapped around her. She was scared that Gold knew who she was. Did anyone else know? Was she in danger?

Once they were both sitting down, Gold refilled both their drinks, having pulled out a new glass for Belle. She didn't reach out to take it from him instead gesturing to the table. He placed her glass there then leaned back and downed half of his. "Your name is Isabelle Avonlea, Heiress of the Avonlea Fortune." He looked up at her to gauge her reaction. She nodded. "Everyone thinks you're dead." His voice broke slightly.

"I am dead. Isabelle Avonlea is dead."

"You're sitting in front of me. You are very alive."

Belle could feel her tears on her face. "She died with her parents."

"Isabelle-"

"Belle," She interrupted. "Please call me Belle. My parents called me Isabelle."

Gold sighed and Belle watched as he ran both hands through his hair, pulling at the ends. "I was a friend of your father's."

Belle looked up at him with disbelief. He was friends with her father? How did they know each other? Her father was an honest business man, not someone who would deal with Gold. Why did she never hear about Gold from her father? "Friends? My father was an honest man!" She could feel her anger returning. It was a shame that her daggers were hidden from her.

"We were business partners who became friends."

"He was an honest business man!" Belle yelled.

"He had gotten bored. Wanted to do something else with his money... He made some investments with my company."

"Prove it."

Gold gave her a quizzical look. "Prove that he invested in my company?"

"Prove that you were friends with my father. Prove to me that you are not lying."

Belle watched as Gold sat silent in his chair. Different emotions crossed his face and she could see him deep in thought. "For your sixteenth birthday he built you a library. He complained about that damn library. Said you spent all your time in it." He smiled at the memory, the lines disappearing from his face, making him appear younger.

The memory reopened fond memories for Belle. It was her favorite of her father, the day he opened those doors to reveal a beautiful library that stunned Belle. It was two stories high with an elaborate steel staircase that spiraled up to reach the top shelves. Books new and old filled the shelves and she couldn't wait to explore to new worlds they opened. Thousands, possibly millions, was spent on this library for her. It was the best gift anyone could have ever given her. "My father definitely knew the quickest way to my heart." Belle laughed and wiped the new tears that were falling. She had to admit it was nice to be able to talk to someone about her past. She didn't have to hide anymore.

"He was very proud of you Belle. At our meetings he would talk of nothing but you. You were his pride and joy." He reached over and took her hand in his and lightly squeezed it. Feeling comfort from his touch, she refused to allow him to pull away. Shock was visible on his face for a moment, but he then smiled.

"Tell me more."

"Hmm," Gold brushed his thumb over her hand. "He told me that I might have a shot at beating you in a game of chess."

"Did he?" Belle laughed. "No one, even to this day, has beaten me in chess. I doubt you can either, Mr. Gold."

"Shall we put that to a test?"

"Not now." She stood up and walked over to a window. "I want to talk. It's been too long since I have been able to truly be myself." Footsteps came up behind her and Gold once again took her hand. She allowed him to gently lead her to a leather couch that was tucked away in a corner of the room. Together they sat down and Belle leaned in Gold, resting her head on his shoulder, his arm draped around her. "I miss them. My mum was an amazing woman. Kindness followed her and infected the people she encountered." Gold hummed. "My parents had an amazing marriage. I remember seeing rumors print in the papers about how my mum married my father because of his money, but I knew differently. They were a perfect picture of true love. Growing up in that home was a true blessing. A blessing that was ripped away from me." Bitterness crept up in Belle's voice. Gold pressed a kiss to her hair and held her tighter.

"The world lost two great people that night. Three people actually." He looked down into her eyes. "The world still believes that you are lost."

"Isabelle is lost. Belle is very alive." She could feel Gold's eyes on her, but she had to look away.

"What happened to you? What happened to the girl that I heard about constantly by her prideful father?"

"She died with him."

"I mean after that. How did you survive?" He held her gaze, causing her to not shy away. She was slightly ashamed of this part of her story. "I already know about Japan."

Releasing the breath she didn't realize she was holding, Belle leaned further into Gold. There was something about him that brought her true comfort. "My father knew something was going to happen so he sent me to his friend who lived in Japan. I'm afraid I am sworn to secretly on his identity." Gold nodded and waited for her to continue. "He's from an old family as well.. Not exactly the kind of family most people get involved with, but they are good at what they do."

"And what do they do?" Gold was now twirling her hair around his finger.

"They take care of problems, for a price."

"Problems?"

"Let's leave it at that." She smiled at the floor. She felt she could tell Gold the truth, but it wasn't her place to share their story. Only hers.

"Were they the ones who trained you?" He moved his free hand, motioning to her body.

"Yes. They raised me as their own. Taught me everything that landed me in this place." She shrugged. It was important for her to play the role of assassin. It seemed that Gold had no idea about her being a federal agent. Would Gold treat her this way if he knew about her job? Doubtful. "I killed them, you know."

"Mmm... I figured it was you once I realized you became an assassin."

"It took so long to track them down, the bastards." Belle gripped both her hands into tight fists. "Years I tracked them down, killed them one by one." She lifted a finger from one fist. Gold didn't say a word, but she knew he was listening to her. "Have you ever killed a person Mr. Gold?"

"I have." Silence followed the statement. Signaling that he wasn't going to tell Belle the story.

"Did you enjoy it?" She whispered.

Gold's body froze. "More than I should have." He murmured into her hair.

"I enjoyed it. Too much." She stressed. "Revenge ruled my life for many years. It became an addiction almost. Hunting down the bastards who took away my life, it became my obsession." Relief flooded her. It felt as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. Relieved to be free from her dark thoughts, Belle started laughing.

Moments passed and Belle continued to laugh. Eventually her laughter turned into tears which caused her to stand from the couch and pace around the room. Growing restless from her thoughts, Belle picked up any object she could get her hands on and threw it in the wall. The sound of glass shattering pleased Belle's ears. It had been too long since she had truly let go of herself. She never properly mourned for her life or the lives of her parents. Until this moment Belle had never felt free.

When Belle ran out of objects to throw she turned and faced Gold. He was still sitting on the couch she left, looking at her with patient eyes. The light from the fire casted a gentle glow across his face, making him look welcoming. She searched his face for any kind of anger he might have for her for breaking his things, but instead he looked at her with affection. Was it possible to feel affection towards a person after only knowing them for a day? Belle couldn't deny the chemistry between them, but was it possible there was more there? Her own parents had married after only knowing each other for a week. Her mum constantly retold the story of their first meeting, love at first sight she had said.

Belle shook the thoughts away. It wasn't possible for her to be falling in love with Gold. She hardly knew the man. They simply had many things in common. He had told her that he was a friend of her father's, surely that meant she could trust him. Gold continued to watch her, not appearing to make a move towards her. She sighed and went towards him and fell on the floor in front of his legs. He slowly parted them and allowed Belle to curl up in between them, her back resting on the couch, while her head was in his lap. His hand instantly began to stroke her hair and Belle closed her eyes. She enjoyed the feeling of his fingers tangling in her hair. "I'm sorry."

Gold leaned forward and placed a kiss to the top of her head. Belle smiled. "I never liked those things anyways."

Belle hummed softly. "What is this?" Hoping that Gold would understand what she was asking.

"I do not know" Gold grabbed her hand and placed a gentle kiss to the back of it. Belle leaned in closer to his warmth. "But I would like to find out."

Deciding that she was willing to take the risk she turned around and pulled him tightly to her. "Me too."