Return what has been lost

by Celino

Belle is at the hospital after being shot by Hook, and Mr Gold realizes that she has forgotten everything. But he still needs to find his son. Is there hope that he can have both back? Started as a one-shot, but is now a story. Changed the rating to T because of the violence introduced in chapter 11.

10. Chapter 10

Author's note: Hi everyone! Thanks again to all my followers, readers and reviewers-I really appreciate the feedback.

Now, this is chapter 10, and while I do love it, it involves some pretty important points, so I'll understand if what I've written isn't to everyone's liking- just remember, this is my interpretation and we'll find out what really happens in a few weeks time.

On that note, I've just found out that Season 2 of ONCE will air in New Zealand on Valentines day! Yaaaay! I'm so excited!

So, here's chapter 10, please enjoy!

~..~..~..~..

Henry sat excitedly in the passenger seat of his mom's car as they drove. Mr. Gold and Neal were in the backseat. It was the only seating arrangement that Emma could agree on.

Henry turned to look at the man sitting behind him. Rumplestiltskin's son.

His father…

Emma had started crying not long after she steered him into Neal's bedroom last night.

Henry could understand why she was so upset. She had thought that Neal had never loved her. That he'd set her up and left her without caring.

But Henry told his mother that it was just like when her parents sent her away: Neal had left so that she could be the savior.

He wasn't sure if it had helped or not.

Henry turned to look at Neal again.

When Emma had told Henry that his father was dead, he was sad that he would never get the chance to know him.

But he wasn't dead.

Henry grinned to himself.

Emma had said that their story wasn't great, but Henry had thought it was. It reminded him of Snow White's story: How she and Prince Charming met after Snow had robbed him.

Thinking about the story of his parents, Henry was reminded of all the times he'd surprised his mother by hiding in the backseat of the car.

He grinned again. Maybe he was more like his father than he thought.

"So," Neal broke the silence awkwardly, "what's Storybrooke, like?"

"It's a little town," Rumple began. "Harbour on one side, forest on the other."

"My mom's the mayor." Henry supplied, and Neal looked quizzically at Emma.

"You're the mayor?"

"He means his adoptive mother." Emma answered, her eyes not wavering from the road. "Regina."

"She's the Evil Queen." Henry explained.

"Emma's the town Sheriff." Rumple finished.

Neal raised his eyebrows. "You're the Sheriff?"

"Yeah," Emma replied. "So I hope you're clean now, Neal."

"I am," he said, flicking a glance at Henry. "I'm totally legit, now."

"Good, because her father is her Deputy." Rumple thought his son should be as prepared as he could.

"Your father?" Neal repeated. "He's 'Prince Charming', right?"

"They look the same age, though," Henry added. "Because the curse made time stop."

"Are you worried?" Emma asked, glancing in the rear view mirror to see Neal's reaction.

"Should I be?"

"Well, you did lead his daughter into a life of crime," Rumple said lightly.

"Hey," Neal objected, "She stole from me." He took a moment to gaze fondly around the small car. It hadn't changed one bit.

"You stole this car first." Emma shot back.

"Snow White stole from Prince Charming." Henry piped up. "That's how they met."

"Really?" Neal asked, feeling himself relax. "Well, then, he can't hold that against me, can he?"

"It'd be rather hypocritical, I suppose." Rumple stated mildly.

"I'd still be prepared, if I were you." Emma warned. "He may well have his sword with him."

Neal simply smiled.

"I'm not afraid." He said calmly.

The majority of the car trip passed by in silence. Everyone had things they wanted to discuss, but no one was yet brave enough to voice them.

Henry jolted himself out of a doze when his eyes caught a sign saying they were leaving Boston.

"We're nearly there!" He announced. "Mom, can I use your phone?"

"Sure, it's in my bag." Emma told him, and he dove, rummaging until he found it.

Henry dialed quickly before putting the phone to his ear.

"Hi Grandpa!"

Neal's head shot up. That must've been Emma's father on the phone.

"Yeah, we're just leaving Boston." Henry reported.

"Yeah, we found him." He continued excitedly. "And you'll never guess-" Henry paused.

"Yeah." He said slowly. "How did you know?"

"Oh. No, it's been great," Henry assured. "What's it been like there?"

There was a long pause, and Emma turned her head to glance at her son, whose mouth was dropping open.

"Awesome." He breathed.

Another pause, and Henry nodded.

"Don't know how long it'll take, but we can go to Granny's when we get back."

Henry grinned, nodding again.

"Sure. Don't worry, I'll tell them. Bye Gramps."

Henry hung up.

"So?" Emma encouraged.

"Grandpa says 'hi'." Henry reported, turning to his mother. "He also says that the Outsider got better and left town, Hook's out of the hospital and is laying low, Cora's made an appearance, they haven't seen my mom, but they know she's up to something and they've had a bit of trouble with a giant."

"A giant?" Emma repeated.

"But, Grandpa said he was able to take of it." Henry was quick to reassure her. "It sounded so cool, I can't wait to hear the whole story."

Henry paused, looking curiously at his mother. "You told Mary-Margret who Neal was?"

"Yes, I did." She confirmed.

Henry turned to look at Neal.

"Grandpa says he's looking forward to meeting you."

Neal nodded slowly. "I'm sure he is."

"He won't do anything." Rumple told his son, but it sounded more like a promise than a reassurance.

"So, no sign of Regina or Hook?" Emma questioned, and Henry shook his head.

"No, but the giant was found, shrunk to human size, on Hook's ship." Henry explained what David had told him. "So, we're thinking Cora was behind that."

"Who's Hook?" Neal asked. "Who's Cora?"

"Cora is Regina's mother, and a very powerful magician." Rumple explained. "Hook is a pirate, and responsible for Belle losing her memory."

Neal looked sideways at his father.

"Something tells me that there's more to it than that."

"Oh, yeah." Emma said.

"Well, if I'm going into Storybrooke," Neal began, "I think I should know what I'm getting myself into, here."

Rumple sighed. He'd been hoping to save this particular conversation for when they got home. Preferably for when he was alone with his boy, maybe Belle at his side, so he could explain everything.

But now, Bae had a point, and deserved an answer.

So Rumple began with the safest of the two options.

"Cora," He began slowly. "As I said, is Regina's mother, and Henry's adoptive grandmother. She was also a student of mine."

"A student?" Neal repeated slowly.

"I taught her magic." Rumple explained reluctantly. "Everything she knows, she learnt from me."

"Including how to rip out people's hearts?" Emma asked drily.

Rumple sighed, wincing internally, "Yes."

"What?" Neal's voice went up an octave in shock.

"I also taught Regina." Rumple thought he'd better get that part out of the way as well.

"Who also has a thing for hearts, as I recall." Emma muttered.

Neal's eyes were wide as he regarded his father. He'd seen him turn people into snails…but to rip out someone's heart?

"And you?" He asked, not sure if he wanted the answer. "Did you like ripping people's hearts out?"

Rumple knew he needed to tread very carefully. It wasn't time yet.

"I taught Cora and Regina." Rumple repeated. "But I've always liked the small weapons. Subtlety. Like the fine print on a deal."

"Cora and Regina," Rumple continued, "had a love of collecting hearts, so they could control their owners. I never did that."

"That's what happened to Sheriff Graham." Henry explained sadly. "He was the Huntsman. He spared Snow White's life, so the Queen ripped out his heart."

"So, what happened to him?" Neal asked Emma. "If he was the Sheriff before you?

"He died." Emma answered shortly.

"The Evil Queen killed him." Henry explained. "She crushed his heart."

"And…" Neal began after a pause. "This is your adoptive mother?"

Henry nodded. "Yep."

"He doesn't live with Regina anymore." Emma put in quickly.

"Good." Neal sighed with relief.

Neal became silent, thinking.

"There it is!" Henry pointed.

Neal lifted his head, noticing how much the time and the landscape had changed. He hadn't even noticed.

Looking ahead, where Henry was pointing, Neal could see a line painted across the road in orange spray paint, near a sign that read 'Welcome to Storybrooke.'

"We're home." Rumple whispered.

As the car approached the boundary line, Neal felt his father tense beside him. Turning, he was in time to see the rippling purple light surround his father as he reentered the town's boundary.

When the purple haze disappeared, Neal watched his father's stunned eyes as he let out a breath.

"Mr. Gold?" Henry asked, worried.

'Anyone who crosses the town line loses their memory,' Neal remembered.

"Papa?" Bae began to panic.

Rumple raised his eyes to view his son. And smiled.

"Baelfire."

Neal let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"You're okay," he gasped with relief.

"Yes, son." Rumple slowly reached up and carefully removed the shawl from around his neck.

"We're home."

A few minutes later, the yellow bug pulled into Granny's.

"This is a bed and breakfast," Emma told Neal as they got out of the car. "So, if you need a place to stay…"

"You're welcome to stay with me, son." Rumple said quickly. "I have plenty of room."

Neal nodded.

"Thanks."

Suddenly, the doors to Granny's diner opened.

"Emma!" Mary-Margret came running out happily, followed by David and Ruby.

"I'm so happy you're back!" Snow White wrapped her daughter in a tight hug.

"You said you'd come to Granny's when you arrived, so we've been waiting since you called."David explained as he took his daughter in his arms.

A movement caught his eye, and Charming looked over his daughter's shoulder to see a stranger standing beside Rumplestiltskin.

Neal stared back. He could easily guess who this other man was, even though they looked roughly the same age.

Rumple saw Charming's expression change and moved closer to his son.

Charming let Emma go to approach Neal, folding his arms across his chest as he came to a halt before Rumple's son.

"So," he began slowly. "You're the one who left my daughter pregnant and in jail."

Neal raised his chin, looking Emma's father in the eyes.

"And you're the one who abandoned her as a newborn." He shot back.

Rumple saw Charming's jaw clench and he tightened the grip on his cane.

"I did that because I love her." Charming's voice was low and clear.

"So did I," Neal answered strongly. "If I hadn't let her go, she would never have come to find you."

"You know, he's right." Rumple interceded. "If my son hadn't left her, Emma would have never have given Henry up for adoption. Henry wouldn't have become Regina's son, and he would never have left Storybrooke to find his mother and bring her back. And don't forget," Rumple continued. "You did send Emma away as a newborn. A great leap of faith on your part, how would you have known that she would even be found?"

Charming swallowed as his gaze shifted slowly to Rumple, only to land back on Neal once more.

"Rather hypocritical of you," Rumple finished softly. "Judging someone who did the same thing as you. For the same reasons."

Charming kept his eyes locked on Neal, who held his ground.

"Don't expect me to be grateful to you." Charming's voice held a warning.

"I don't." Neal replied, still not backing down. "I've been beating myself up for eleven years."

"How tragic," Charming scoffed.

"Well, you couldn't even remember what you'd lost," Neal told him, eyes flicking to the dark haired woman who still stood beside Emma, before returning to the man before him.

"So, I suppose I can't really expect you to understand what it's like."

Charming raised his head slightly, considering.

"Yes, I do." He whispered. "But let me make something very clear. If you ever hurt my daughter again," Charming vowed, "you will have me to answer to."

"I have no intention of hurting her again." Neal whispered back slowly. "Once was torture enough."

"I'll hold you to that." Charming finished before he backed away.

"What did you say to him?" Emma demanded as David approached.

"Only what a father has to." Charming told his daughter.

Rumple turned to his son.

"Well, that went about as well as it could have," he said quietly.

"Great first impression, huh?" Neal muttered.

"Actually," Rumple considered. "I think it was."

Neal stared at his father incredulously.

"You didn't back down." Rumple told his son. "You stood by what you did, even though it was difficult. I think that impressed him."

"Gold."

Rumple looked up to see Snow White and Red approach.

"We thought you might like to know how Belle's doing." Snow began slowly.

Rumple stepped forward eagerly at the sound of his love's name.

"Well?"

Ruby smiled. "She remembers."

Rumple's eyes widened. "What?"

"She remembers." Snow repeated happily. "Everything."

Rumple felt almost faint from the relief.

"How?"

Ruby shook her head. "Sorry, but we can't tell you."

"We promised Belle we'd let her do it." Snow added.

"Where is she now?" Rumple demanded.

"She's still working at the library," Ruby explained, "That's why she's not here. We didn't think you'd get back till the evening."

"I'll go there now." Rumple said eagerly, before turning to his son.

"Bae…" he began apologetically.

"You go ahead, dad." Neal said quickly. "I look forward to meeting Belle later."

"We'll meet at Granny's for a welcome home dinner," Ruby said. "In the mean time," she continued, stepping forward to link her arm with Neal's, supportively, "we'll protect him from David."

"Thank you, ladies." Neal smiled, "I appreciate the help."

Rumple nodded, wanting to get to the library.

"Alright." He agreed, knowing his son could handle himself. "I'll see you later, Bae."

Neal watched in wonder as his father walked off. He'd never seen him so worked up over a woman, before. Not even his mother.

"Belle must be something else." Neal commented to the women at his side as they headed back to the diner, where Emma, Henry and David were already seated at a table.

"Well, she certainly brings out a new side to Mr. Gold." Ruby smiled.

Neal paused before they reached the doors. Looking back over his shoulder, he could still see his father walking in the distance.

Curiosity had risen in Neal's mind when he'd first heard of Belle, but now, Neal wanted to see this woman who had the power to lift the Dark One's curse with a single kiss.

"Where's the Library?" He asked.

~..~..~..~..

Rumplestiltskin entered the Storybrooke Library, trying to be as silent as possible with his cane.

Casting his eyes around the large room filled with bookshelves, he could tell that Belle had been hard at work, making the abandoned building feel loved again, bringing light into the room, and a new, warm atmosphere to the once cold walls.

Belle seemed to have a real talent for things like that.

He soon spotted the young beauty in question. She stood on a ladder against a bookshelf, returning some stray books to their rightful places on the top shelf.

As Rumple watched Belle place a particularly large book on the shelf, he noticed the ladder give a slight shudder. Concerned, he moved forward.

Belle looked around and her face broke into a smile.

"You're back!" She exclaimed in delight, quickly descending the ladder.

Rumple opened his arms as Belle rushed into his embrace.

"You're back." She sighed into his shoulder.

Hardly daring to believe it, Rumple carefully cupped Belle's face with one hand, gazing hopefully into those sky blue eyes.

"You remember who I am?"

In answer, Belle gently pressed her lips against his in a soft, sweet kiss.

Rumple didn't know how long the kiss lasted. Time had lost all meaning. When they finally broke apart, however, they were both gasping for breath.

"I'll take that as a yes," Rumple said, a smile spreading across his face.

Giggling, Belle kissed him again, returning the smile.

"How?" Rumple's eyes drank in every inch of his Love's face.

"The wishing well." Belle answered proudly. "It's a very special place you know. The waters than run below, are said to have the power to return that which one has lost."

"Of course." Rumple shook his head in wonder, marveling at the woman before him

"I got the idea from Henry's book." Belle continued. "As well as some help from Doctor Hopper."

"You figured it out." Rumple whispered, and Belle nodded proudly.

"Gods, I love a woman with a head on her shoulders." Rumple told her and Belle laughed.

Her laughter! Rumple couldn't remember hearing sweeter music.

"I missed you." He whispered, his voice slightly hesitant. He still wasn't used to being honest about his feelings, but Belle gave him a soft kiss in reassurance.

"I missed you too." She said. "I mean," she amended, "you know, once I remembered you."

A chuckle escaped Rumple's lips as he continued to gaze at the woman he held in his arms.

"Did you find your son?" Belle asked curiously after a few moments.

Another smile pulled at the corner of Gold's mouth as he nodded. "We found him in New York." He answered.

"What was it like?" Belle asked eagerly, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Crowded." Rumple answered. "Which reminds me," he reached into a pocket of his coat, "I brought you back a souvenir."

"Henry picked it out," Rumple explained, holding up a figurine.

Belle took hold of it in wonder.

"What is it?" She asked.

"A figure of the Statue of Liberty." Rumple told her. "She stands on Liberty Island in New York City, and represents freedom to all who enter. She's over one hundred and fifty feet tall," he continued causing Belle to gasp in surprise, "but even she is dwarfed by the buildings of the city. Buildings so tall, they look as if they could touch the sky."

Belle's face was alight with wonder at the sound of such a city.

"That sounds…amazing." She whispered. "I wish I could have seen it."

Rumple held his Love's eye with his own.

"I promise, Belle." He said earnestly. "I will make more potion for you. I'll make you your own talisman, so that you'll be able to cross the town line safely. So you can see the world, as you've always wanted to."

Belle smiled as she tilted her head, gazing fondly at the man she loved.

"Maybe…"she put forward, "we could see it together."

Rumple gently ran his fingers down Belle's face.

"I would love that." He whispered, drawing her in for another kiss.

When they broke apart, Belle remembered the reason for Rumple's departure.

"And your son?" She queried

"He's now here in Storybrooke."

Belle's eyes widened. "He's here?"

Rumple nodded. "Though, to be honest," he said hesitantly. "I think he came more for Emma and Henry, than for me."

"It's going to take time." Belle rubbed one hand up her Love's arm, trying to comfort as best as she could. "He's here, that's the main thing."

Rumplestiltskin sighed as he relaxed at her touch. This was why he had come to Belle. She had a way of making him feel that all was right with the world.

"You said that Baelfire came here for Emma and Henry?" Belle asked curiously. "Why would he do that?"

Rumple let out a breath, shaking his head slightly at the odds. "Fate certainly has a sense of humour." He granted. Seeing the confused look on Belle's face, he explained. "He's Henry's father."

Belle's eyes widened again. "Your son is the true love of the savior?" She clarified. "Henry's your grandson?"

Rumple nodded.

Belle appeared to take a moment to absorb this new piece of information, before turning her attention back to the man before her. "Have you spoken much with your son?"

Rumple bowed his head. "I don't want to push him," he said. "All these years, I've been searching for a way to find him, and now I have...and I can't even bring myself to make the first move to reconcile with my son. I guess I'm still a coward." He added ruefully.

Rumple felt gentle hands framing his face, and he lifted his eyes to meet Belle's.

"You had the courage to find a way to cross the boundary line, leave this town and find your son." Belle told him firmly. "Your son is now here, and you finally get to have that second chance with him. Just be honest with him. We were able to have a second chance," she reminded him. "Now you can have that same chance with your son."

"I'm still afraid." Rumple admitted. "I've never been brave, like you."

Belle smiled at the compliment but didn't allow herself to be distracted. "You're braver than you think." She told him. "I wish you could see that." Leaning in, she gave her love a soft kiss.

"That," Rumple whispered as their lips parted, "made me feel better."

A giggle escaped Belle as she gazed at the man she loved. She could see how conflicted he was. Longing to reconnect with his son, but afraid that trying to do so would only push him further away.

"Could I...meet your son?" She asked timidly.

Hope shone in Rumple's eyes as he nodded. "I would like that." He whispered. "But," he added, "I should probably try to talk to him myself first."

Belle nodded. "Where is he now?" She asked. "The sooner you reach out to him, the more likely he'll understand how much you want to make things up with him."

"He's at Granny's at the moment." Rumple said hesitantly. "I just wanted to see you, first. I shouldn't have left him there."

Seeing the question in Belle's eyes, Rumple elaborated.

"The first resident he met here was Prince Charming himself."

Belle nodded in understanding. "Emma's father."

"Yeah." Rumple whispered. "Bae handle himself very well, I thought."

"Well, meeting a girl's father for the first time is always difficult." Belle told him. "And you and my father have never got along well."

Rumple laughed softly at the gross understatement of his relationship with Lord Maurice.

"Still," Rumple added, "I tried to speak up for my son."

"Of course you did." Belle told him.

"But I think he may have resented my help." Rumple voiced his fear.

Belle shook her head. "By speaking up for him, you showed Baelfire that you still love him. Any parent would have done the same."

Rumple took a breath. "I just want my son back," he said. "I want to be a part of his life again."

"Then go find him." Belle told him. "Talk to him."

He closed his eyes, trying to steel himself for the task ahead.

"No need." A voice said.

Turning, Rumplestiltskin saw his son appear from behind a nearby bookshelf. How long had he been standing there?

"Bae." He whispered. "Son."

"So, you must be Belle." Neal's eyes were focused on the young woman at his father's side as he stepped forward.

"Neal Cassady." He introduced himself.

Belle took the hand he offered, a smile appearing on her face. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Neal," She said, graciously.

Neal flicked his eyes toward his father, a smile tugging at the side of his mouth.

"Beauty and the Beast, huh?"

"Yes." Rumple's eyes were wary. What did Bae think of this?

"Well," Neal turned his eyes back on Belle. "I have to say, you certainly live up to your side of the story." He kissed her hand graciously.

"Thank you." Belle said, curtsying in response.

Neal's gaze moved back to his father.

"Uh, I'll let you two talk." Belle excused herself quickly. "If you need me, I'll be in the back room doing...something."

As Belle moved off, father and son regarded each other warily.

Neal's eyes flicked toward Belle as she moved into the back room before returning to his father.

"How long were you standing there?" Rumple asked.

"Long enough." Neal answered, his face showing something in between confusion, amusement and relief.

"I've never seen you flirt before." He commented.

"Well, that explains how long he'd been standing there.' Rumple thought to himself.

"I wasn't flirting." Rumplestiltskin said quickly.

Neal raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth again.

His son was smiling? Rumplestiltskin felt hope tugging at his heart. Maybe there was a chance...

"Okay, maybe a little." Rumple admitted.

"I can't remember you ever acting like that around any woman before." Neal continued, stepping closer towards his father.

"Belle must be pretty special." He finished.

"Oh, she is." Rumple breathed. "And by some miracle, she loves me back."

Bae finally let out a laugh, running a hand through his hair.

"How, in the world," he wondered, "did you get her?"

Rumple sighed in relief.

"No offence," his son was quick to add. "I mean, I'm very impressed…but, how?"

"I have no idea, really." Rumple explained. "But I'm eternally thankful, nonetheless."

"Excuse me."

The two men turned to see Belle rejoining them, her bag over her shoulder and a large book in her arms.

"Sorry to interrupt," Belle apologized as she approached. "But I thought you needed to know what's happened while you've been gone." She turned to look at Neal. "And if you're going to stay here, I think you should know as well."

Neal nodded, and Rumple became serious.

"The Outsider, Gregg, has left town." Belle began. "He was asking me questions about what happened at the time of the accident."

Belle turned her concerned gaze to Rumple.

"He saw you, standing with fire in your hand." Belle told him.

Rumple felt his throat tighten.

"What did you tell him?"

"I said that we had pulled over to the side of the road, because the car had died."Belle explained. "And that you were holding up a lighter in order to see, because it was so dark."

"I had a lot of fire in my hand." Rumplestiltskin felt his throat tighten more as he remembered that night, and the pirate he had summoned fire for.

"That's what he said." Belle admitted. "So, I said that the flame caught the sleeve of your coat." Belle shrugged apologetically, as she had been unable to think of a better lie.

"What about Hook?" Rumple asked.

"He saw him." Belle confirmed. "He wondered why he was dressed strangely. I went out on a limb and told Gregg that there had been a fancy dress party in town, and that the man he'd seen had drunk too much rum." Belle raised her eyes hesitantly. She'd never been very good at lying.

"And did he believe it?" Rumple asked her.

Belle shrugged. "I think so." She nodded. "I hope so." She mumbled.

Rumple wrapped his arms around Belle, grateful that she'd lied for him.

"He's gone now. That's the main thing," he told her. "Our town is safe again."

Belle nodded.

Rumple remembered something else…

"Charming told Henry that Cora had made an appearance," he began.

Belle nodded. "Yes. To me."

"What?"

"I'm okay." Belle held up her right hand. "Your ring worked perfectly."

Rumple pulled Belle closer to him, concerned.

"What did she do?" He demanded, a growl entering his voice.

"We met twice." Belle explained. "Once, just before I went to the wishing well, and the second was this morning."

"What did she do?" Rumple repeated.

Belle shook her head in confusion. "The first time, she didn't really say anything." Belle explained. "It felt like she was just…trying to get the measure of me, or…making sure I wasn't a threat." Belle took a breath.

"But she did reach for my heart."

"What?" Rumple's voice was a full growl now.

"Your ring protected me." Belle said quickly, holding up her hand to show him. "It blasted her back. Cora couldn't even touch me."

Rumple still fought to keep his breathing under control. He wanted to break something. Preferably Cora's own heart.

Belle took hold of Rumple's hand, and placed it on her chest.

"My heart is still here, Rumple." She assured him. "Cora didn't get it. You protected me, even when you couldn't be here. You saved my life."

Slowly, Rumple's breathing slowed, but he could still feel his anger bubbling beneath the surface.

Then, realizing his son was still beside him, he removed his hand from Belle's chest, knowing how it would look.

"And what happened this morning?" Rumple asked in a calmer tone.

Belle hung her head before moving to place her bag on a nearby table.

Opening it, Belle carefully took out their cup and placed it gingerly on the wooden surface.

Rumple moved forward, in shock.

The cup was no longer merely chipped, but had cracks crisscrossing its surface, glue the only thing holding it together.

"What is that?" Neal shifted his eyes from his father to Belle, questioning.

"That is," Rumple explained in a shocked whisper, "our dream catcher."

After a moment, Neal nodded in understanding.

"What happened, Belle?" Rumple asked her.

"Cora." Belle said sadly. "She broke it."

"Why?"

Belle shook her head.

"I was starting work again, and I kept the cup with me, to remind me of you." Belle began, and Rumple reached out a hand to brush her cheek.

"I knew that I couldn't let Cora know that I had got my memories back, so when she asked what I was doing here, I told her that I was trying to trigger my memory. Then she saw the cup."

Belle took a breath.

"I didn't want her touching it," Belle continued. "I knew that if my memories were still gone, I wouldn't have minded so much, but…"

Belle hung her head again.

"Cora had said that she was the only one who knew you." Belle said slowly, her voice low. "That she was the only one who understood who you were. I told her what the cup meant to us." Belle confessed, as tears finally trailed down her cheeks.

"Cora didn't believe me, saying it wasn't like you to be sentimental."

Belle took another breath.

"So I told Cora that she didn't know you as well as she thought." Belle's voice caught slightly.

"Then Cora dropped the cup, smashing it on the floor."

Rumple pulled Belle into his arms as she cried.

"I'm so sorry, Rumple," Belle apologized tremulously. "I tried to fix it as best as I could."

"It's alright Belle." Rumple soothed her, but Belle shook her head.

"No it's not," Belle argued. "It was my fault."

"No, it was Cora's." Rumple told her firmly. "To her, this was just a cup."

"But it's not just a cup." Belle wiped her eyes.

Rumple shook his head. "No," he agreed. "It's not."

He raised a hand, magic engulfing his fingers in a rippling, purple light.

"Can you fix it?" Belle asked hopefully.

"Let's see." Rumple said as he gently touched the lip of the cup.

Threads of purple light criss-crossed their way along the small cup, mending the cracks and replacing the missing pieces until the cup stood perfect, once again.

"You did it." Belle smiled, kissing her love delightedly.

"There's still a chip in it.' Neal pointed out. But Belle shook her head.

"It has to have a chip in it." Belle explained, reclaiming their cup. "That's how we know it's our cup."

Belle breathed a sigh of relief, holding the treasured cup to her heart. Cora couldn't break them that easily…

"Okay," Neal smiled. "Tell me the story."

"You can read it, if you like." Belle smiled.

Then she gasped.

"There's something else." Belle remembered, berating herself for leaving the most important thing till last.

"What is it?" Rumple asked as Belle quickly placed the story book on the table.

"Just before Cora left, she mentioned that she was looking for something." Belle said, flicking through the pages hurriedly.

"She said: 'You think Rumplestiltskin is all-powerful, but all power has its limits.'" Belle quoted, still turning pages. "She said: 'Even immortals can still be killed.'"

Rumple and Bae glanced at each other, fear rising in their chests as both knew the truth of the statement.

"She said that she had promised Hook that she would help him find the one thing that could

defeat his enemy." Belle had finally found the picture she'd been looking for.

"I reread your story, and I think they're looking for this."

She held the book up.

It was a picture of Rumplestiltskin's dagger.

"But I don't know where it is," Belle finished fearfully.

There was silence for a whole ten seconds.

"No." Bae shook his head. "My father's not the Dark One anymore. Not in this world."

"My power was taken by the curse, son." Rumple reminded him slowly. "Now that it's broken…"

"But you said so yourself!" Bae said. "You can tell just by looking at you!"

"Yet, I am still immortal." Rumple reminded. "I may not have magic as ingrained within me as when I was fully the Dark One, but it still touches me."

Rumple closed his eyes.

"And I brought magic to this place."

Opening his eyes, he turned to his son, his face deadly serious.

"The dagger would still work, Bae." Rumple told him. "If Cora holds it, she could control me. If Hook holds it, he could kill me."

Belle stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Rumple protectively.

"That won't happen." Her voice was determined.

"Absolutely." Bae agreed. 'We'll just get the dagger before they do."

"We'll keep it safe." Belle added, looking her love in the eye.

"I'll find it." Rumple told them firmly. "I can't let you two risk yourselves."

"No way." Bae said stubbornly. He wasn't going to lose his father again.

"We're going to help you Rumple." Belle was adamant. "Because that's what you do for those you love."

Rumple's eyes moved from his Love, to his son, and back again.

"I finally have you both back." He whispered. "I don't want to lose you again."

"And we don't want to lose you." Belle countered. "We're helping you."

"Where's the dagger?" Bae asked firmly.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Rumple couldn't help a smile appearing on his face.

He had his family back.

"Alright." He nodded. "I'll show you."

~..~..~..~..

Author's note: So? What do you think? (Flinches defensively.)

I'm sure you have questions, so I'll try to answer them as best as I can

First: Henry never held any anger towards Emma, so I doubt that he would feel anger towards his father, who didn't even know he existed. I think he'd be more angry at August for breaking them up, to be honest. But Henry, ever the optimist, would think that, even though Emma and Neal were seperated because of the curse, now that it was broken, they had found each other again (just like in a fairytale) and they could have a second chance.

Second: I love the idea of Prince Charming finally able to do the 'protective dad' thing and confront Neal, but I also like the idea that Neal would stand up for himself, to prove that he is strong enough, and worthy of Emma. I also thing Rumple would do the 'protective dad' thing and defend his son as well, and so I tried to fit those things together.

Third: I wanted Belle and Rumple's reunion to be touching, but not over the top, and I think that would have only been possible if they were alone. Rumple doesn't seem to like much of an audience! I also wanted for Rumple's son to see just how much Belle affected his father, and how much they loved each other, rather than meeting Belle while surrounded by other people.

Forth: The cup! As the series progresses, I'm going to try and tie in as much cannon as I can, to keep my story authentic. The cup was shattered in the series, so I had the cup break in my story. But tried a more possitve take, with Cora being the one to break it, Belle trying to fix it and Rumple restoring it.

Fifth: The Outsider. I realised that I hadn't mentioned him, and, as I said above, I'll try and keep my story following the series, and he does ask Belle about what he saw. So I tried to have Belle come up with a cover story. However, once Gregg recovers, I see no real reason for him to stay, so I thought it best he leave...hopefully convinced of Belle's story...after all, as Jefferson says, many people in this world refuse to believe in magic, despite what their eyes tell them. But, knowing the writers, I doubt that'll be the case!

Sixth: The dagger. I remember reading a synopsis for 'Tiny' saying that Cora and Hook were looking for 'something precious' that belongs to Rumplestiltskin. Other than the cup, the dagger was the only thing I could think of that Rumple would call a precious object, as it is his lifeline. I think Cora wanted Rumple out of town, so that she and Hook could search for the dagger. Hook would've told Cora that Belle didn't know how to kill Rumple, but I think Cora still wanted to find out if Belle was a threat.

Seventh: I can't really understand how Rumple's curse works here. He doesn't look like the Dark One, but still is immortal and can do magic. And that wasn't taken away when Belle kissed him. So, I think there is enough magic in our world now to still tie Rumple to the dagger, but not enough to fully transform him back into The Dark One' that he was in the Enchanted forest.

I think those are the main points covered. Any other questions, please ask me, I'm open to discussions and theories.

Review please?