Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Dilemma, Part Ten

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

" Why can't I help down here? " Henry whined as David hacked away at a rock. They were down in the mines, David helping the dwarves look for diamonds. Henry had tagged along because it was Saturday and there was no school.

" Because, " David grunted. " This is heavy work and too dangerous for you to do. "

Henry rolled his eyes, " There's got to be something I can do. "

" Just stay out of the way, " David said. " Besides, I'm leaving as soon as Red comes with snacks for the dwarves. "

Henry furrowed his brow, " Where are you going? "

" The sheriff's office, " David grunted. " I'm taking your mom's spot since Doctor Hargreaves vanished. "

Henry tried to act like he didn't know anything about it. He recalled the pile of ashes in the office when he found Emma there. From what the two of them could figure out, she had fried him somehow. Questions had started to arise about his whereabouts but Henry had kept his lips sealed.

" Vanished? " Henry furrowed his brow, feigning confusion. He wanted to see what other people thought had happened.

" Yeah, " David said. " A lot of people think he hightailed it out of town when he heard about that angry mob. I suppose he figured he was next since he covered up all that stuff and ran. "

Henry blinked, " But if he left then he's like Sneezy. "

David shrugged slightly, " More than likely but there's nothing we can do about it... Or I want to do about it. "

" He was creepy, " Henry said what he was pretty sure he was expected to say.

David nodded, " Yup. He was. "

Henry watched as David got back to work, nothing left to say. Knowing that his mom had zapped Doctor Hargreaves gave him hope she would alright...

Belle walked along the harbor, cradling her arms against her chest. She wore a charcoal gray sweater Rumplestiltskin had given her, the garment slightly big on her. She would have preferred not to have anything of his at that moment but the cold deemed it necessary. She was so angry with him, she had dressed quickly before fleeing the house via the trellis that ran along the side of her upstairs window.

She had moved quickly though she wasn't that heavy, unsure of how much weight it could handle. She had to do it barefoot, carrying her heels in her teeth. They were fairly new shoes so she had no qualms with carrying them in such a way. Once she was across the backyard, she had put them on and made her escape.

She couldn't think of anywhere to go so she decided the harbor was best. She was reconsidering that though because the morning was much colder than she had expected. She was thinking about somewhere else to go when she heard a gasp. She looked up from the ground to see The Blue Fairy walking towards her quickly.

" Oh my goodness, " Blue said as she got closer. She couldn't hide her relief at seeing her, " There you are. I was so scared. "

Belle furrowed her brow, " Why? What's wrong, Blue? "

Blue blinked, " Your father and Gaston said you disappeared. They found the delivery truck parked in the alley behind the shop and they heard Rumplestiltskin had returned. They were just certain he had kidnapped you and then the wraith... "

Belle let out a strained chuckle, " I was not kidnapped. I went with him... Willingly. "

" Oh, " Blue said. " And how's that going? "

Belle heaved a sigh and forced another chuckle, " Not as I expected. "

" Would you like to talk about it? " Blue touched her left arm with her right hand. " I know you were quite troubled when you came to me before. "

" I was, " Belle nodded. It was when she remembered her past and went to The Blue Fairy for guidance. It was her words that had made her want to confront her father and Gaston about the lies they had told her. She never got the chance, her surprise meeting with Rumplestiltskin changing her plans completely.

" You still seem as troubled, " Blue said. She frowned, " Perhaps more. "

" Reuniting with Rumplestiltskin didn't go as I hoped, " Belle said. She shook her head, " He hasn't really changed at all. I thought maybe he had but he's done things to prove to me he hasn't. "

The Blue Fairy sighed, " You have to understand that he's still The Dark One. As long as he still under such a powerful curse, he will not change. The only thing that will make him change is True Love's kiss. "

Belle let out a sharp sigh, " But we HAD True Love's kiss and he didn't change. He started to... But something fought it back. "

" No curse can stand up to True Love's kiss, " Blue looked troubled as she said the words. " Unless there's something he loves more than you. "

Belle scoffed, " I already know what that is. He loves his power more than he loves me. He told me that when he threw me out. "

" No, " The Blue Fairy said. " It can't be that. It has to be another person. Love of power and love for a person are completely different. "

Belle blinked, " But who could he love more than me? "

The Blue Fairy covered her mouth, like she had said something she wasn't supposed to or a thought occurred to her suddenly. " Oh my... Why didn't I see it before? "

" See what? " Belle grabbed her arm. She gripped it tightly as she asked, " What are you talking about? "

The Blue Fairy took a step back, " The answer to your question but it's not my place to tell you. You must ask Rumplestiltskin yourself. "

" But how do I know he will not lie to me again? " Belle knew he probably would dodge the subject if she flat out asked him. " Can you at least tell me if it's another woman? "

The Blue Fairy shook her head, " I cannot tell you anything else. You have to find out for yourself and it has to be from him alone. Now, I have to get back to the convent. "

Belle didn't let her go, " Please! Stay and talk to me! "

The Blue Fairy shook her off, " I told you I can't. You need to talk to him about it. "

Belle made a grab for The Blue Fairy but she stepped back quickly before turning and taking off as fast as she could walk. She felt like the world was crumbling around her as the words she had just heard washed over her...

Mr. Gold walked up to Moe French's flower shop, a hand-drawn flyer in his hand. He had found it on a telephone pole not too far from where he had parked his car. He had parked down the street a way, the van taking up the parking spot in front of the shop. He steeled himself and opened the door, walking inside.

Moe looked toward the door, frowning deeply when he saw who had come in. " Why are you here? Doesn't that restraining order mean anything to you? "

Mr. Gold sighed, recalling Moe had filed the order after his probation had been cut short. Though Moe couldn't go anywhere but home and work, he still took the order out to make sure Mr. Gold didn't bother him again. He had no interest in seeing the florist again at the time so he fluffed it off. Now, he needed Moe's help though he knew chance were slim he would get any.

" I was wondering if you heard from your daughter, " Mr. Gold held the flyer out to Moe.

Moe snatched it from his hand, " Is this some kind of cruel joke? Would I have made this flyer if I knew where she was? The only reason she's missing is because you kidnapped her as soon as you got back to town. "

" I did not kidnap her, " Mr. Gold said. " She came with me willingly. "

" After you tricked her into meeting you at the well? " Moe said sharply. " And back then, forcing her to go with you? "

" She came willingly then as well, " Mr. Gold replied. Moe still saw things differently than how they really were. Though he had chosen Belle as his reward for his services, her choice to go with him had been hers to make.

Moe scoffed, " I bet she wouldn't have if she had known what you were going to do to her. The shape she was in when I collected her from Regina... Starved and beaten... "

" I was not responsible for that. It was Regina... " Mr. Gold started.

" Lie to me all you want, " Moe cut him off. " I almost lost her several times while she was unconscious but she somehow survived. All the work I had to do to rebuild her life... "

" I am not lying, " Mr. Gold said evenly. He was trying so hard to keep his temper in check. He had hated Moe for so long, thinking it was his cruel treatment of Belle that had caused to her to kill herself. He had long since realized it was just another of Regina's lies but it seemed Moe was going to hold fast to the ones he had been told.

" It's all you know how to do, " Moe said. " Lie, cheat, steal, destroy... It's all you are capable of, " Moe's face was becoming red with anger but he did not make a move forward. He narrowed his eyes, " I could always tell her what you did to me when I didn't even know who I was. What did you do to make her leave you or do I even want to know? "

" That's my business, " Mr. Gold walked towards him, taking the flyer back. He was coming to the end of his patience but he didn't want to make a bad situation worse. There was a lingering fear in the back of his mind, one about how Belle would react when she found out about the beating. It had been joined by the fear of her finding out just exactly how Gaston had lost his legs.

Those two secrets being revealed would be like adding fuel to a fire, one he had started that morning in the kitchen. " I don't expect you to help me, " Mr. Gold frowned and spoke softly. " I just want to know if she's safe. "

" Now, thanks to you, neither one of us know where she is, " Moe spoke just as quietly. He continued, " You're a monster, Rumplestiltskin. Now, leave or I will call the police. "

Mr. Gold had no rebuttal, his heart sinking. He took a deep breath and turned to walk out of the shop. The word 'police' made him think of Emma. He couldn't remember a time she had ever used the word to describe him.

If she had, he didn't recall her saying it to his face. She chose to duel with him, her street smarts and wit making her a good partner for juicy arguments. She seldom had to resort to name calling. Name calling was the last resort of someone unwilling to admit defeat.

He walked out to the sidewalk, trying to think of another place to go to find help. He couldn't think of many people but one did come to mind. He went to his car and got in, hoping he could find Charming. He knew he would be breaking his deal but the prince's plight was similar to his and hoped they could set their differences aside...

Belle looked out the window. After leaving the harbor, she went to Granny's for something to eat. Her hunger had caught up with her and she knew she would have to eat something if she were going to stay out until she had her head sorted out. She really wasn't sure when that would be after talking to The Blue Fairy.

Her words kept going around and around in her mind about how Rumplestiltskin loved someone more than he loved her. The way The Blue Fairy had reacted when she asked spoke volumes to her. She wondered what the big secret was and knew that Rumplestiltskin would probably never admit it to her. She sensed there were so many things he hadn't told her and was fairly certain she would never know them.

That thought brought fresh tears to her eyes. She wanted to know everything she could but he rebuffed her curiosity at every turn. She was starting to feel like he didn't feel the same as he did when they were together before. That notion made her heart hurt, just like the notion he would never change.

She startled slightly when Ruby, Granny's granddaughter, set a full glass of iced tea down in front of her. She looked up and smiled, " Thank you. "

" Are you okay? " Ruby asked. She smiled gently, " That's your third iced tea this morning. I don't want to have to call you a cab. "

" I've never had iced tea here before, " Belle said. " Just the coffee and the food. It's delicious. "

Ruby smiled even wider, " I thought I had seen you in here before. You're Moe French's daughter, right? The delivery driver? "

Belle nodded then sighed, " Well... I was but I quit. I needed to make a few changes... "

" Is that why you're crying? Do you feel bad about leaving your father's business? " Ruby asked.

Belle grabbed a napkin and dabbed at her tears, " No. I'm afraid it's something a little different from that. "

Ruby sat down across from her, " Let me guess. Bad break-up? "

" I think I may be headed there, " Belle sighed. Ruby had seen her with Gaston numerous times so she decided to let her believe it was with him. She dared not to say it was Rumplestiltskin because of his reputation. " And I can't go home because I don't want to see him. "

Ruby looked concerned, " Do you have a place to stay? Any other family besides your father? "

" No. Just my father but we... Well, we aren't speaking, " Belle said.

Ruby put her right hand up, " Say no more. I understand. Granny and I won't speak to each other for days sometimes. "

" So I'm on my own for now, " Belle sighed.

" I could ask Granny about a room here, " Ruby offered.

" Really? " Belle blinked. " But you hardly know me. "

" But I've seen you around, " Ruby reached over and touched Belle's hand. " I've kind of seen what you've been through... What you have to deal with. "

Belle nodded but said nothing. She knew Ruby meant Gaston and the situation with her father. " Thank you... Ruby. "

" You're welcome, " Ruby said. She chuckled, " I'm sorry, I know your face but I don't know your name. "

" It's Belle, " She replied. She sighed, " What I really need now is a life... A job. "

Ruby looked like she was thinking then sighed, " What do you like to do? I mean, beside flowers. "

Belle thought for a moment, a thought occurring to her. She liked flowers well enough but her true passion was books. She had put it aside though when she had to take care of Gaston and work for her father. Between the shop and Gaston, she hadn't had the time for it.

She smiled, " I do love books. "

Ruby cocked her head to the side, " The library. It's been closed forever but things are changing now. Maybe they need a librarian. "

The idea made happiness swell up in Belle. She would be able to meet lots of people and have an endless supply of books to read. She smiled, " Can you show me the way? "

Ruby nodded, " Come on. "

Belle watched as Ruby scooted out of the booth then got up from her side. She followed Ruby to the front door of the diner. Ruby opened it and Belle looked at her, " Is it far? "

" Not at all, " Ruby said. She pointed down the street to the clock tower, " It's the building under the clock. You can't miss it. "

" Great, " Belle said then gasped. She covered her mouth, " Oh dear. I don't have the money to pay you for the drinks. "

Ruby smiled, " Don't worry about it. I'll pay for them out of my tips. "

" You don't mind? " Belle asked.

Ruby shook her head, " I think I can spare a dollar fifty for a new friend. "

Belle wrapped her arms around Ruby, hugging her. Ruby let out a surprised gasp before hugging her back lightly. " Thank you again. "

" No problem, " Ruby said.

Belle let her go and glanced down the street, " I'm going to go check it out right now. "

" You do that, " Ruby said. " You know where to find me when you're done. "

David sat at the counter in the apartment. After checking in at the station, he decided to come home for lunch. He ate a sandwich and stared at the picture of Emma and Snow, hoping they were alright. He tried to hide his anxiety around Henry because the boy didn't need any more stress than he was already feeling.

Henry was out with Hansel and Gretel. Henry had called to let him know that their father had come to the diner and the kids had asked if he could come over. David told him he could and he would just have to be home by dark. It would give him the time to work on a few problems on his own and give Henry some time to relax.

He sighed, reaching for the picture. He wanted to take the back off and look at the sonogram of the twins. He had to keep reminding himself they were real and he would have to deal with them. He did not look forward to Rumplestiltskin finding out about them, unsure of what the imp would do if he did. He got the last prong pulled up when there was a knock at the front door.

David furrowed his brow as he set the picture back up, unsure of who would be visiting him. He wondered if it was one of the dwarves to tell him they had found diamonds but he realized they would have just called him on the phone if they did. The person knocked again and David called, " I'm coming. "

He reached the door and opened it, unpleasantly surprised to find Rumplestiltskin standing on the other side of it. He found it eerie that the imp had shown up just moments after he had thought about him. He held up a piece of paper and said, " May I have a word... " His eyes dropped down to the badge on David's belt. He looked puzzled as he said, " Sheriff? "

" Acting sheriff, " David stammered. He put his right hand up, " And I'm already late on another busy day cleaning up the mess you made. "

" My apologizes, " Rumplestiltskin walked into the apartment, ignoring the fact David had his hand on the door. He sighed, " That was a moment of poor judgment on my part. "

David let his hand fall away from the door when he realized Rumplestiltskin was not going to be deterred. He lamely motioned into the apartment as if to tell him to go ahead and come in. He decided to see what he wanted then to make him leave. He wasn't in the mood for him or his foolishness but he would have to tolerate it.

" And it's not lost on me now I'm here to ask for your help, " Rumplestiltskin turned to face him.

David scoffed, " Then it should be lost on you when I say 'no'. "

" Hear me out first, " Rumplestiltskin was acting very humble. David wondered what he was up to but he wasn't going to say it out loud. He held out the paper, " I'm here to report a missing person. "

David hesitated for a moment before he sighed and took the paper. If it was what it would take to get the imp out of the apartment then he would look at it. David unfolded it and found it was a hand-drawn picture of Belle, the woman Emma had attacked. He stared at it, unsure of why she was with Rumplestiltskin to begin with.

" She left my home early this morning, " Rumplestiltskin explained. " Her name is Belle. "

David suddenly recalled something Rumplestiltskin had once said. He looked at him, " Back in our land, you mentioned you loved someone once. Is this... "

Rumplestiltskin looked at the floor, " Yeah. "

" You also said she died, " David remembered that too.

" I thought she had, " Rumplestiltskin moved towards the counter.

" Why don't you just use the tracking spell you gave me to find Jefferson? " David asked. In his mind, he was thinking that perhaps Rumplestiltskin didn't know about Emma's condition. If he did, he wouldn't have gone back to Belle so quickly. Then again, Belle was supposed to be his true love and he wasn't exactly sure how much of a relationship Emma and Rumplestiltskin had.

" It only works if you have something the person owned, " Rumplestiltskin said. He sighed, " I don't. "

" How can you be sure she's gone missing and not run away? " David asked. Rumplestiltskin was getting close to the picture of Emma and Snow. If he had been a few moments later, the picture of the twins would have been laid out in plain sight.

" I can't, " Rumplestiltskin sighed. " Look. The townsfolk are less than sympathetic to my plight but you are in the rather unique position to understand exactly what I'm going through. "

David realized what he meant and looked at the picture. If Rumplestiltskin missed Belle as much as he missed his wife and daughter then he knew what the imp was feeling. It was strange to think of him having love for anything other than his own power but it seemed he really had feelings for Belle. He was also saddened to think that it seemed Rumplestiltskin no longer cared for Emma.

The real question was if he ever cared in the first place or if he had just been using her. He knew that they had a relationship but Emma had never really discussed it with him. It was obvious how it had ended up but David was unsure if it was ended. After watching Emma agonize for a month, barely able to care for herself and sad all the time, he knew it wasn't over for her.

David wanted to know the answers to so many things but he knew better to ask. Too many questions would make Rumplestiltskin suspicious and he would eventually find out the truth. David wanted to keep it from him for as long as he could, fighting the urge to lay it all out on the table.

He knew if he did that, the protection spell on the babies would be jeopardized and he couldn't put Emma in that kind of danger... Especially in The Enchanted Forest. There was no telling what kind of dangers they had already faced or were going to face. He sighed, " Fine. We'll look for her for an hour. No longer. "

" Thank you, " Rumplestiltskin said.