Chapter Ten: Where to Look

Storybrooke: Current Time

Henry sighed in frustration as he slammed the cover of his book. He laid his head in his hands and felt angry tears prickling in the corners of his eyes.

"Hey."

Henry didn't move, "Leave me alone."

He felt someone sit down next to him in the booth, and then an arm was encircling his shoulders.

Henry finally looked up and was surprised to see August was the one sitting next to him. The man smiled at him and squeezed his shoulders in a comforting way. Though the man had only come to Storybrooke several weeks earlier, the two had become good friends over the space of time. And because of this, Henry had shared his fairytale theory with the writer. August had nodded and asked him a handful of questions, and it would seemed the man . . . believed him.

"What's going on? You look like someone just spoiled your ending." When August's question was followed by silence, he knew what the problem was. "Is it about Operation Cobra?"

Henry nodded.

"Are you still making a list of characters?"

Henry nodded again.

August studied him for a moment before he asked, "What's going on?"

Henry's large brown eyes met August's blue ones, and the man felt his heart break. The child was obviously upset about something, and it was making his whole face droop.

After a few moments, Henry finally burst into tears, "I can't keep my promise!"

August remained quiet and waited for him to elaborate, though he continued to rub Henry's shoulder blades gently.

"I-I-I-I've looked through this book for days, but his story is missing!"

"Whose story, Henry?"

The boy looked at the man sorrowfully, "Rum-Rumpelstiltskin."

August personally didn't have a clue who Rumpelstiltskin might be, but he wasn't going to tell the child that. Instead he raised an eyebrow, "Why the sudden urgency to find him?"

Henry sighed again, his breath shaky, "I made a promise that I would find him."

"Who did you promise?" August asked gently.

Henry took the next several minutes explaining the voice he had heard, and what it had said. He ended with a firm conviction that he had to find the fairytale character as soon as possible.

August was silent for a moment. "So Rumpelstiltskin isn't in your book?"

"Nope," Henry said, his tears now abated.

"Is he mentioned anywhere in the other stories?"

Henry frowned, "That's the funny thing . . . he makes an appearance in almost every one else's stories, but he doesn't have a story of his own . . . at least not in this book . . ."

August thought about this. "Henry," he asked finally. "Do you know what Character Profiling is?"

The boy thought for a moment before he shook his head.

"Character profiling is when you make a list of a character's attributes."

Henry still looked confused.

"Here, let me show you." August grabbed Henry's notebook and pencil and wrote down two names: Snow White and Prince Charming.

Henry couldn't help but smile.

"What is Snow White like?" August asked not looking up from the paper.

"She's really nice," Henry said immediately. "And she's a hero."

August jotted down what the boy had said underneath the name Snow White.

"What about Prince Charming?"

"He's a swordfighter, and he's very honest." Henry said with a large grin as he talked about his grandparents.

When August finished writing down what Henry had said he looked up at the boy. "Do you see what I'm doing? I'm learning about Snow White and Prince Charming, by writing down their personalities and qualities."

Henry's gasped, "Could I do that for, Rumpelstiltskin?"

"I don't see why not." August shrugged. "Go through the book and write down everything you can about Rumpelstiltskin's dealings. I'm sure there will be something in there to help you out."

Henry wrapped his arms around August, and the man laughed.

As Henry let go, his smile finally reached his eyes. "Thanks August. I owe you one."

August winked at him, "No problem. Just promise, you'll tell me who he is when you figure it out."

Henry nodded, "I've got to get to work!"

August stood up from the restaurant booth and walked away, feeling happier than he had in a long time.

Children really are a wonder . . . The simplest truth can beguile the purest youth.

August left Granny's Diner and walked towards his bike. He needed a ride.

Belle cried in her sleep, tears of heartache staining her pale cheeks. Ever since she had left Rumpelstiltskin, she had always had the same dream. Though it wasn't truly a dream, rather a memory. . .

The Enchanted Forest . . . The Past

"I don't want you anymore dearie."

Belle felt as if a knife had been jammed into her chest. She had never felt so desolate. Why couldn't he just admit that he loved her? Why couldn't he see that she loved him in return? The woman turned to walk out of the dungeon cell, but stopped. She couldn't leave without saying what needed to be said. Belle turned around and walked over to stand in front of Rumpelstiltskin, her eyes wet from the tears that threatened to spill from them.

"You were freeing yourself," she said pointing her finger at him accusingly. "You could have had happiness if you just believed that someone could want you. But you couldn't take the chance."

"That's a lie," Rumpelstiltskin whispered dangerously.

"You're a coward Rumpelstiltskin, and no matter how thick you make your skin, that doesn't change." Belle only now realized how laced with emotion her voice was. For once she didn't care. She couldn't care.

"I'm not a coward, dearie. It's quite simple really: my power means more to me than you." Though Belle knew it wasn't true, she could feel the despair feel her.

"No. No it doesn't." Belle said firmly. "You just don't think I can love you."

Rumpelstiltskin's face remained an unreadable shell, as she continued.

"Now you've made your choice . . . and you're going to regret it . . . forever." Belle almost choked on the words, but she forced herself to stay strong.

"And I'll you have, is an empty heart . . . and a chipped cup." Belle turned and left as quickly as she could, her heartbroken in two.

Storybrooke: Current Time

Mr. Gold sat up in his bed sweat covering his thin face, though he was chilled to the bone. It was the same as every night for countless years.

The man closed his eyes, but the image of Belle still remained behind his eyelids. He hated himself for pushing her away, but now it didn't matter. Belle was dead . . . His Belle was dead.

Gold looked over at his bedside table and reached out in the darkness. As his hand touched the chipped cup, he let out a silent cry.

Belle had been right after all.

Author's Note:

I can't wait for the Finale! It's going to be EPIC! Gold is going to kill Regina when he finds out Belle is still alive! (I'm counting on it!) Please leave review and tell me what you think!

(Also I would like to thank Emma for all the kinds words and boosts. She is an amazing friend and has helped me in more ways than she will ever know.) You know who you are dearie, so take the time to pat yourself on the back. ;)

~Lyn Harkeran