Sorry I haven't updated in over a month. I just got so behind. But I promise I will finish this story, if any one was wondering.

Thanks to the wonderful CharlotteAshmore, like always, for betaing this chapter for me.

I really appreciate the reviews you guys give me. They make my day.

"You live in a castle?" Zelena asked excitedly.

"You live in a castle?" Regina asked, not quite so excitedly.

The two girls, with Cora and Rumpelstiltskin stood outside his front gates. The mage had used his magic to take them away from the burning castle that was Regina and Zelena's home.

"Yes, I live in a castle," Rumpelstiltskin snapped. "Now stop being so...judgy. It's annoying. You girls are so much cuter when you're aren't speaking."

"We are not cute," Regina said, annoyed. She had only known Rumpelstiltskin for a few moments, but she could already tell how much of a pain he was.

"Oh, I know," The Dark One said. "That's why I called you annoying."

Cora laughed, putting a hand on Rumpelstiltskin's arm. "Regina just doesn't know what to think yet. This is all so new to her."

Regina gaped. "It's new to you too, Mother. Last time I checked, you had only known The Dark One for a week!"

"Yes, but I'm not the one pitching an attitude." Cora batted her eyelashes innocently. That was the first time Regina ever wanted to smack her mother.

"Shall we go inside?" Rumpelstiltskin waved a hand towards the closed gates.

"Lead the way." Cora nodded, pleased to be entering her new home.

Cora was dazzled by the grandeur of Rumpelstiltskin's castle. It was huge, and soaring, with tall spires reaching into the sky. Once inside, Cora was amazed by the expansiveness of the tall windows, albeit they were covered with tapestries, and the grand dining hall. She was pleased that Rumpelstiltskin had money, so she wasn't "marrying" down, so to speak. Though, she figured that anyone who could spin straw into gold could afford to live extravagantly.

What Cora wasn't too happy to see was a woman standing in the dining hall. She had long, brown hair, and was a bit on the tall side. Cora new Rumpelstiltskin was married, as he had told her when she was in her cell, but that still didn't ease her irritation at seeing his wife.

"Milah, step forward," Rumpelstiltskin barked, waving a hand.

Milah bowed her head, though Cora noticed a scowl enter the woman's face. Cora did like that fact that Milah, at least, didn't seem like a submissive doormat. Though Cora hoped that fact wouldn't get in her way.

"Hello," Milah said softly, trying to smile, but failing miserably at it.

Cora's lip curled. "Hello."

Rumpelstiltskin was looking between the women, his eyes moving back and forth almost comically. "You two aren't going to tear each other apart, now are you?" Cora couldn't tell if he wanted that to happen or not. The Dark One did look a little disappointed though when Cora said, "Of course not."

"I wouldn't want to hurt your wife," Cora continued speaking.

"And I wouldn't want to hurt your...," Milah eyed Cora up and down, "plaything."

Rumpelstiltskin laughed, especially when Cora gasped in outrage.

Cora whipped her head in Rumpelstiltskin's direction. "You're going to let her speak to me like that?"

Rumpelstiltskin shrugged. "She's my wife. She can say what she wants."

Cora had the feeling that Rumpelstiltskin just liked to do and say things to piss people off. If that was the case, he was most assuredly doing a good job. Cora was irritated, though Rumpelstiltskin's grating personality just made him more desirable. She really did want to take him up on the suggestion of them fucking. She had first assumed that was what he had wanted when he'd first entered her cell. She was outraged at the presumption, even though that wasn't what he was looking for. Now she was excited at the idea of them sharing a bed. She couldn't wait to get her daughter's settled, and leave Milah to do whatever it was she did, and go with Rumpelstiltskin to his bedroom. Her new bedroom.

Or so she thought. Cora was under the impression that she and Rumpelstiltskin would share a room, since he had told her he and his wife didn't sleep together anymore. Well, clearly Rumpelstiltskin wasn't under the same impression as she, since she figured out pretty quickly that she would have her own room. She wouldn't be sharing his bed. She really was starting to think Rumpelstiltskin just wanted to piss her off.

Belle was in the library dusting off the bookshelves, while secretly trying to read at the same time. She had a book tucked into the crease of her elbow, her eyes drifting to the open page, her hand holding the feather duster, moving around aimlessly. She hoped Rumpelstiltskin wouldn't show up, and criticize her for not doing her job properly.

But some wishes just wouldn't come true.

"What are you doing, dearie?"

Belle jumped, dropping her book to the ground, and spinning to see Rumpelstiltskin casually leaning against a bookcase. She quickly bent down to pick up her novel, blushing in embarrassment at getting caught reading on the job.

"I'm just..." She looked helplessly at the book in her hand.

A knowing glint entered Rumpel's eyes. "Oh, I know, little maid." He stepped up to her, plucking the book from her hands. "What could be so interesting that would take you away from your chores?" His eyes skimmed the novel, lips pursing. "The Adventures of Flynnigan Rider." He paused. "Huh. An adventure novel. I didn't even know I had this."

"It's really quite interesting," Belle said, excitedly. "It's about this man, Flynnigan Rider." Rumpel shot her a pointed look.

"Really, dearie? You don't say." His sarcasm was evident. And not appreciated.

Belle rolled her eyes. "Well, obviously. Anyway, he goes on all these adventures, all over the world. They're really fun."

Rumpel flipped through the book, looking it over. "How does he manage that?"

Belle paused in her excitement, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean does he have magic to transport him all over the world?"

Belle shook her head. "No, he just has a ton of money."

Rumpel also shook his head. "It doesn't seem to me he could get very far, just with money."

"Well, you have a lot of money," Belle pointed out.

"Yes, but I also have magic. So...it's a moot point."

Belle laughed, taking the book back. "Oh, Rumpel. You're too funny."

"Why are you reading anyway when you should be working?"

Belle's expression turned sheepish. "I couldn't help myself. Flynnigan Rider is way too enticing to leave alone."

Rumpel smirked. "Oh, he is, is he?"

Belle nodded, emphatically. "Yes, he's witty, dashing, and extremely handsome."

Rumpel frowned. "Handsome?"

"Oh, yes. Very."

Rumpel shook his head. "But he's fictional. How can he be handsome?"

"Well, he's described that way," Belle said, obviously. Clearly Rumpel didn't read as much as she did. Nor did he probably find fictional heros as charming as she did. "And the way I imagine him in my mind, makes him very handsome."

Rumpel started looking decidedly uncomfortable. "You seem to like this...Flynnigan Rider very much." He was starting to curse himself for having that book in his library. He didn't even know how it had ended up in his library to begin with. Maybe Regina or Zelena had brought it from home. But whatever the reason, he didn't like how Belle's eyes lit up when she spoke about...Flynnigan Rider. Really, to himself, Flynnigan Rider just sounded like a pompous ass.

"I really do like him. He's very entertaining." Belle clutched the book to her chest.

"So," Rumpelstiltskin couldn't believe he was asking his next question. "You find him attractive?" Even though Belle had already said Flynnigan Rider was handsome, he wanted to hear her say it again.

"Yes, with his brown hair and smoldering eyes, what woman wouldn't?" Belle blushed when she realized she was gushing. Over a fictional character. She knew she was a little strange, but even this was a little beyond her understanding. All she knew, was that reading about Flynnigan Rider made her weak in the knees. Of course, a certain sorcerer made her week in the knees as well, though she would never tell him that.

"Smoldering eyes?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, uncomfortably.

Belle tilted her head. "Are you all right?"

Rumpel frowned. "Of course I'm all right. I don't know what the issue is, dearie."

Belle's concern started to shift to a knowing glint. He didn't like that glint. "Wait a minute. Rumpelstiltskin, are you jealous?"

He scoffed. "No. You're delusional, little maid." But Belle's words rang true. He was jealous. Of a fictional character. A fucking fictional character. What was he turning into?

Belle smirked, pointing a finger at him. "I do think your jealous." She tucked the book under her arm, frowning again. "But why?"

Rumpelstiltskin eyed her up and down. "I never said I was jealous." He sound like a petulant child.

Belle's smirk softened into a grin. "Why? Is it because I said he was handsome?"

"No."

"Because I said he was witty?"

Another scoff. "No."

"Because I said he was dashing?"

"No, dearie."

"Because I-,"

"Enough, little maid. I think I get it." Rumpelstiltskin rolled his eyes.

Belle laughed. "I just find it funny that the infamous Dark One is jealous of a fictional character." Belle turned and put the book on a shelf.

Rumpel crossed his arms over his chest. "I never said I was jealous. You just assumed."

Belle smiled slyly. "It's all right, Rumpel. You can be jealous. And besides, your eyes are so much more smoldering that Flynnigan Rider's ever could be." With that, Belle left the library, leaving Rumpelstiltskin standing, trying to prevent his mouth from gaping open. He straightened his stance, rolling his eyes at his foolish feelings, though his lips started to form a grin. She thought his eyes were 'smoldering.' Despite the idiotic turn of phrase, he was mildly pleased.

The Dark One could never be usurped by a fictional character.

After Belle left the library, she headed down to the great hall to work on cleaning the massive windows. She couldn't help but giggle at the look on Rumpel's face when she said he was jealous. He had no reason to be. Flynnigan Rider could never compare to him. Rumpel was much more amusing and vastly more entertaining than any fictional character.

As she started to wipe down the glass on the window panes, Rumpelstiltskin followed after her into the room.

"I would have thought you'd gone to go work in your laboratory," Belle mused.

Rumpel shook his head, sitting down at his spinning wheel. "I just had a certain little vixen tease me, so I figured that I would repay the price. I couldn't possibly well do that in my laboratory, now could I?"

Belle laughed. "True." Her smile turned sly. "Or maybe you just wanted to be around me," she teased.

Rumpel smirked, pointing a finger at her. "There you go again, teasing me. You need to stop, dearie." But the tone of his voice made it clear that he didn't really want her to.

"I don't think that's possible." Belle went back to cleaning the window. As she was wiping off dirt from the glass, she felt a cold chill enter the air. She frowned, looking over at Rumpel. She saw that he was glaring, rising to his feet. Belle turned to follow his gaze, gasping when she saw Cora standing in the doorway.

She was smiling triumphantly, her expression gloating. But what Belle feared the most was the item in her hand. She was holding a dagger. And by the look on Rumpelstiltskin's face, the dagger was his.

"Cora," snapped Rumpelstiltskin. "Whatever are you doing with that? And how the hell did you find it?"

Cora strutted into the room, smirking. She lifted the dagger, and stroked it. "Coincidentally enough, it was Zelena that gave me the clue to finding your precious dagger."

Rumpelstiltskin started tromping towards Cora, but she held up the dagger, forcibly preventing him from coming any closer. "We made a deal. You wouldn't even think of touching my dagger, if I agreed to let you live here. Now you broke your deal so..." Rumpel shrugged, acting as if Cora was just going to hand over the dagger.

Cora chuckled "Oh, Rumpel..." She sighed, looking at him pityingly. "I never made that deal. It was a promise I made, so you only have my word. Which can easily be broken."

Belle could tell from Rumpel's face that he was fuming. His gold and green speckled skin was turning red. "Give. It. Back," he seethed. "Or I'm going to do unquestionable tortuous things to you, if you don't. I can already think of one. It revolves around your heart, not beating, in my hand." He clenched his hand into a fist, clearly to get the message across.

Belle gasped at his words, taking a step farther from him and Cora. Belle knew Rumpel was The Dark One, but she had never seen him so angry before. It was terrifying.

Cora glanced over at Belle, her eyes narrowing at the paralyzed girl. "Look at that, Rumpel. You're scaring your little girlfriend."

Rumpel shot a glance at Belle, his eyes softening slightly at the obvious fear on her face. But then Cora continued talking and that soft expression became hard again.

"You might be wondering how I found your dagger," Cora said, walking around Rumpel. He was trying not to squirm, Cora noticed with no small amount of satisfaction. The Dark One never squirmed but when one had your dagger, one tended to become uneasy.

Rumpelstiltskin snorted. "I was wondering that the minute you walked through those doors. No might about it."

"Right." Cora rolled her eyes. "Well I was trying to figure out where you were keeping your precious dagger, when Zelena suggested that the object I was looking for, might be hiding in plain sight." Rumpelstiltskin froze at her words. "Now," Cora continued, "where could that be? I wondered. Then it dawned on me. Where does Rumpelstiltskin keep the things he loves the most." Cora looked at Belle, raising an eyebrow. "Do you know?"

Belle shook her head, while Cora snorted. "Of course you don't. You don't know the real Rumpelstiltskin like I do." She turned back to Rumpelstiltskin. "I know where you keep your loved objects. Where you keep your heart."

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. "I never told you that. How could you know?"

"Well, it's not as if you're such a tough cookie to crack, Rumpel." Cora trailed his dagger down his right cheek, making Rumpelstiltskin flinch. "You're pretty transparent in your fear." She tapped his nose with the dagger. "You always think you can trick people. You hide in plain sight, so why not your dagger as well?"

Rumpelstiltskin blanched, quickly walking over to his large, white cabinet in the middle of the great hall. He flung the doors open, quickly grabbing a chalice from one shelf. He grimaced, and threw the chalice to the ground.

Cora laughed, while Belle frowned in confusion. Cora, at seeing Belle's look, elaborated. "Rumpel likes to keep his prized possessions on display for everyone to see. It's a matter of pride. I figured he wouldn't have his dagger lying around, when I thought to use an unraveling spell. I used one on all the objects in his cabinet, and finally got lucky with the chalice he just threw on the ground." Cora rolled her eyes when she saw that Belle was still frowning in confusion. "Oh, for heaven sake. He disguised his dagger as a chalice to throw anyone off the trail. He just never thought that I would be able to unearth his hiding place."

Rumpelstiltskin stormed up to Cora. "Why? Why take my dagger?" He sounded desperate and angry.

Cora laughed. "Isn't it obvious, Rumpel? I'm not your favorite anymore."

Rumpel snorted. "That's what this is about, dearie? I chose the maid over you, and now you want revenge?"

Cora tsked. "Oh, no. The problem is that I don't have power over you anymore." She looked down at the dagger in her hands. "So I figured I would take it instead."

Rumpel paused, staring at Cora incredulously. Then he started to laugh. "You never had power over me, Cora. You just wanted the power I could give you."

Cora shrugged. "True." She waved the dagger mockingly. "But now I have the power."

Rumpel started to use a spell that would choke Cora, when she threw up her hand holding the dagger. Rumpelstiltskin stopped, lowering his hand.

"I control you," Cora spat. "Don't even think of hurting me. And you will give me the power that I want."

In all this conversation, Belle had been steadily backing away from Rumpel and Cora. She wanted to go get Regina for help, and in Cora's altercation with Rumpel, Belle was able to leave the room. Though her worry spiked when she heard Cora screech, angry that Belle got away. Belle knew that was the perfect time to hurry along.

She lifted her skirts, running up the stairs, heading to Regina's room. She burst in, startling the other girl. Regina looked up from a book with concern. "Belle?"

"Regina, Rumpelstiltskin's in trouble," Belle gasped. "Your mother found his dagger."

Regina's eyes widened. "Uh, that's not good."

Belle quickly shook her head. "No I don't think it is. I need your help."

Regina stood up, putting her book away. She was way too calm, Belle thought. "What can I do? I can't go against my mother!"

"I'm not sure. All I know is that Cora sounded like she wanted to do some serious harm with Rumpelstiltskin under her control. I don't know what she'll do to him. I'm worried she might even kill me," Belle whispered.

Regina's eyes widened even farther. "Yeah, that's really not good," she muttered. "And there's probably no 'might' about it, Belle. My mother hates you. If she has Rumpelstiltskin's dagger...I'd run for my life if I were you."

"Well, thank you for the advice, but there's no time for that." Regina didn't think she had ever heard Belle sarcastic.

Though before the girls could leave Regina's room, her door was flung open, reveling Cora and Rumpelstiltskin standing in the doorway.

Regina stood up from her bed, and went to stand next to Belle. "Mother, what are you doing?"

Cora strode into the room, Rumpelstiltskin following behind diligently. "Chasing after the little girl who thought she could escape."

Regina's eyes widened, while Belle gasped. "Mother, why don't you just let go of Rumpelstiltskin's dagger, before anyone gets hurt." Regina placated, holding her hands up.

Cora chuckled menacingly. "Daughter, that's the plan."

Regina frowned. "The plan for what?"

Cora rolled her eyes. "The plan to cause pain. Specifically to her." Cora lifted the dagger and pointed it at Belle.

Regina shot a glance at Rumpelstiltskin. "Can't you try to stop her?"

Rumpelstiltskin looked ready to roll his eyes at the same time his expression was grim. "Yes, and while I'm at it, why don't you make yourself useful and get my dagger."

Regina sighed. "You don't have to be sarcastic about it," she muttered.

Cora sighed as well. "Enough with this talking." Cora turned her hatred filled eyes on Rumpelstiltskin. "Dark One, I command you to rip the heart out of your precious little maid."

Rumpelstiltskin looked pained, yet he strode up to Belle, who backed up, chest heaving, fear in her eyes. Regina started to run towards her mother, to somehow get the dagger from her, when Rumpelstiltskin started to laugh.

Cora whipped her head in his direction, her smirk changing into a frown. "Why are you laughing?"

Rumpelstiltskin was standing before Belle, his hand hovering over her chest. "I'm laughing, dear Cora, because you can't command me to do that. I can't hurt Belle."

"What the hell does that mean?" Cora seethed, while Regina stood in the room, awkwardly, her eyes shifting from Cora to Rumpelstiltskin.

Rumpelstiltskin reached forward and lifted the end of the necklace from around Belle's neck, holding it by the tips of his fingers. "She has the protection amulet I made for her. I can't harm her using magic, meaning I can't rip her heart out."

Cora's lips sneered. "Then rip it off her."

Rumpelstiltskin was still shaking with laughter. "I can't, dearie. I made the amulet just so, that no one, including myself can remove it. Only Belle can."

Cora looked ready to scream. "Are. You. Fucking. Serious?"

A smug expression overcame Rumpelstiltskin's features. "I really fucking am."

In this whole debacle, Regina snapped out of her frozen stance, determined to prevent her mother from hurting Belle. While her mother was distracted, Regina whispered an incantation Cora herself taught her. One that involved immobilizing her mother's body. The changes took a few moments to take effect. But it was pretty obvious when Cora realized she couldn't move.

She struggled, despite her body being frozen, though it would only last a couple of minutes. Regina didn't have enough power to hold a spell for long. Cora whipped her head in Regina's direction. "What are you doing?"

"Stopping you from becoming the villain, Mother." Regina grabbed the dagger from Cora's hands, watching her mother's face fall. Regina stepped away, handing the dagger back to its rightful owner.

Though the minute Regina gave the dagger over to Rumpelstiltskin, she realized it might have been beneficial to hold onto it longer, especially when she saw the menacing grin spread over Rumpelstiltskin's face.

Regina was mentally slapping herself.

Rumpelstiltskin turned on Cora, tilting his head, his yellow eyes practically glowing. He shot his hand out, forcing Cora to fall to her knees, her hands wrapped around her throat. She was struggling to breath.

"You thought you could take my dagger, and get away with it?" He crouched before the kneeling Cora, his hand reaching out to hover over her heart. "You messed up, dearie."

"Please," Cora begged. "D-Don't."

Rumpelstiltskin laughed. "You're begging me? Oh, how pitiful. The wonderful, magnificent Cora Mills forced to beg on her knees. Shame I don't feel bad for you. You've only become a nuisance these past weeks anyway."

Right as Rumpelstiltskin drew his hand back to slam it into Cora's chest, a call of wait was yelled out. One would think it would be Regina, wanting Rumpelstiltskin to spare her mother's life. But, by the surprise on Rumpelstiltskin's face, it was Belle who called, "Wait!"

Rumpelstiltskin frowned. "What, little maid? I'm somewhat busy right now." He nodded his head at Cora, still on her knees, gasping for air.

"Wait," Belle repeated, more calmly. She drew closer to Rumpel, hesitantly lying her hand on his shoulder. He flinched at the touch. "You're going to kill her, aren't you?" She sounded scared, a tremor of fear quavering in her voice.

He lifted an eyebrow. "Well, dearie. She did try to make me kill you."

"I-I know," Belle stuttered, "but you can't kill her."

Rumpel stared at her as if she were insane. "Why ever not?"

Belle ducked her head, quietly saying her next words. "Because I won't recognize you if you do. Don't let your anger goad you into murder. Be a better man than that."

Cora laughed, the sound distorted as she was still struggling to breathe. "He's The Dark One. He's not above any sin. He usually creates them."

Belle slowly shook her head. "No. The man who caught me when I fell from a ladder, and gave me an amulet for protection wouldn't kill a woman, no matter how deserving, on her knees."

Rumpelstiltskin's hand shook, as he listened to Belle's impassioned speech.

Cora continued laughing past her closed throat. "You're not seriously, uh," cough, "considering," cough, "listening to her." She paused. "Are you?" Cora sounded relived, shocked, and a little disgusted.

Rumpelstiltskin's hand continued to waver, when he turned to glance back at Belle. "I'm The Dark One, little maid." With those words, his hand stopped shaking. Especially when it plunged into Cora's chest.

"No!" screamed Regina, flinging out her hand. A burst of power rushed through her fingers, slamming into Rumpelstiltskin. Regina wasn't the most powerful magic user, but she had enough to make Rumpelstiltskin stagger back, causing his hand to fall out of Cora's chest. Cora slumped forward, alive with her heart intact.

Rumpelstiltskin turned on Regina, fury in his eyes. "Regina," he snapped. "What are you doing?"

Regina was breathing heavily, her own hands shaking from the power she used. "Preventing you from killing my mother."

Rumpelstiltskin looked at her as if she were insane. "She's been a complete annoyance to you. Keeping you locked up here. I thought you would be happy to be rid of her."

Regina shook her head. "No. I hate my mother, for what she's done to me. Locking me away. Cheating on my father...but I don't want her to die. She's still my mother."

Rumpelstiltskin snorted. "No doubt, dearie. You have her passion." He rolled his eyes. "Fine," he sighed, dramatically. "I won't kill her. But she's not staying here." He sneered, looking at Cora. She was struggling to stand up. "You're coming with me." With a swish of his hand, he and Cora disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving Regina and Belle standing behind, wondering what Rumpelstiltskin would do.

"Does she have to stay here?" Cora asked, lying in bed with Rumpelstiltskin.

Rumpelstiltskin laughed. "She's my wife, dearie. Where else is she going to go?"

Cora harrumphed, brushing her fingers down his chest. "Yes, but why do you keep her around? You don't love her. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here."

Rumpel stared up at the ceiling, thinking. "She's my wife. I don't want her to leave."

Cora snorted. "That sounded ominously possessive."

He nodded, turning on his side to face her. "I am. Ever since becoming The Dark One, I've developed a queer sense of covetousness. Our marriage became even more binding after I transformed. Milah cannot leave. It's impossible."

"And if she does?" Cora murmured, leaning down to trail kisses on his throat. He hummed in pleasure.

"Let's hope, she doesn't."

Cora laughed, rolling on top of him to continue their evening of pleasure. Once they were finished for a second time, lying next to each other in bed again, Cora became oddly contemplative.

"You don't love your wife." She hesitated. "But could you ever love me?"

Rumpel stared at her a few moments, intently. "I could. But one of us will probably end up betraying the other."

Cora smiled, sadly. Whispering, she asked, "Why would you say that?"

His fingertips stroked her face, gently. It was a surprise gentleness after the way they ripped and tore at each other in the height of passion. "Because...I'm a difficult man to love."

Cora gasped when she saw that she and Rumpel were in a part of the enchanted forest she was unfamiliar with. She wasn't sure if he was still going to kill her, but she wasn't going to go down without a fight, especially after her power and energy was being restored. She somewhat hoped he wouldn't kill her, for obvious reasons. But she also hoped that he would try. She didn't want him to become a mush over some little girl who thought she had a hold on him. She didn't want him to chose the maid over his power.

"So, what are you going to do to me?" Cora demanded.

Rumpelstiltskin stormed up to her, standing right before her. "How could you steal my dagger?"

Cora chuckled. "That's what this is still about? Are you embarrassed to have been almost taken down by me?"

"Almost. You didn't succeed. You will never be able to."

"I stole your dagger because I wanted power." She shook her head. "Nothing else."

"You're lying." He gapped her shoulders. "Tell me the truth."

"I don't kn-,"

"Don't lie!" He yelled, sounding desperate.

She drew up short, hesitating. "I...stole your dagger." She steadied herself. "I stole your dagger because I didn't want to lose you."

He paused, staring at her. "Why?"

"Isn't it obvious, Rumpel? I love you."

He snorted. "No that's not obvious." He shook his head, disgust evident on his face. "Stealing my dagger doesn't exactly inspire warm and fuzzy feelings within me. You don't love me Cora. You never have. You only wanted me for my power."

Cora choked on a laugh. "And what? You love me? You're hurt that I wounded your pride. Nothing else. You've always hated me."

Rumpelstiltskin had been pacing, but then he turned on her. "I loved you, Cora." She laughed, not believing it. "Someone with your type of power...you were a need to be sated. I wanted you."

"And now?"

"You know the answer," he said, quietly. "How could you do that to me?"

Cora scoffed. "As compared to the way you treated me? You threw me to the wayside when your precious little Belle showed up. Threw me away like I was trash...and you haven't even looked back."

"I knew I loved you when I met you in your cell." Cora scoffed again, while Rumpel shook his head. "I'm telling the truth, dearie."

Cora looked up at him, and saw pain in his eyes. She rarely ever saw pain in his eyes. It was startling. It made her feel a little a bit of sympathy for him. Or well, that was, until he opened his mouth again. "But then you became a colossal haggard bitch consumed with wanting my power, and I sort of lost any love I used to have for you." He even had the audacity to do that damn high pitch giggle of his. She wanted to slap him.

Her eyes flashed with anger. "You bastard. I gave up everything for you. My life, my husband, to come live with you in some isolated castle in the middle of nowhere. And you laugh at me."

He held up a finger. "From what I recall, dearie. You were about to be executed for adultery, when I saved you. It didn't seem to me you loved your life or husband all that much."

She glared. "Stop being an ass, Rumpel."

He laughed. "And you stop being a haggard bitch, like I said before." He paused. "If you hadn't heard me."

"Ugh," Cora spat out. "You are so annoying!"

"And you're going to be the death of me, so..." Rumpelstiltskin shrugged. "Get over it." He sobered from his mockery, and became serious again. "I never want to see you again, Cora. I won't kill you right now, since I somewhat like Regina, and the poor girl has been miserable lately. It's the least I can do for her. But if you show yourself to me one more time, I will kill you. That's my promise."

He snapped his fingers and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Cora leaned heavily against a tree, resisting the urge to cry. But she wasn't weak, and she surely wouldn't cry. No, she wasn't going down without a fight, like she said before. Rumpelstiltskin could hide behind his castle walls and play pretend with his maid, but Cora still knew the real him, and she knew he could never resist getting what he wanted. He had wanted to kill her. It was just a matter of when. And when he did, she would bring him down, becoming the most powerful sorceress around. She even got satisfaction knowing that Belle, ugh, would see his true colors, even more than the little maid did today. That just made Cora smug.

After Cora and Rumpelstiltskin disappeared, Regina hurriedly ran to find Milah.

"Regina?" Belle asked, following after her. "Are you all right?"

Regina nodded, then after a pause, shook her head. "No. Hopefully Rumpelstiltskin doesn't murder my mother, but I need to find Milah. I have to get out of here."

As the two girls were running down the hall, Zelena rounded a corner and ran into them. "What's going on?"

Regina resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "You're telling me you didn't hear all the ruckus made from when Mother stole Rumpelstiltskin's dagger?"

Zelena's eyes widened. "What?"

Regina nodded. "Yeah. Where have you been?"

Zelena hesitated. "I was...reading."

Regina snorted. "You don't read."

Zelena sighed, frustrated. She threw her hands up. "Fine, I was sleeping when I should have been reading in a book on potions. You happy?"

"Yes," Regina said, pushing Zelena to the side, "but I'm off to find Milah, so...move." Regina continued down the hall, Belle still following after. The girls just barely heard Zelena mutter, "You don't have to be rude."

This time Regina really did roll her eyes. She went to Milah's room, and saw that the older woman wasn't there.

"Where is she?" Belle asked.

A creeping sensation came over Regina. "Ugh," she groaned. "Don't tell me my mother locked Milah away. Let's go look in the dungeons."

Sure enough, when the two girls made their way to the hallway of cells, Milah was sitting on a wooden bench, wringing her hands.

She shot up when she saw Regina and Belle. "Are you two all right?"

They both nodded, Regina using magic to unlock the cell. Milah rushed out, looking frantic. "Your mother ran into me out in the gardens. I saw her do the spell that unearthed my husband's dagger. She promptly locked me away after that."

"That's terrible," Belle gasped.

Regina nodded. "That is. But now we can get out. Rumpelstiltskin has taken my mother away, not to kill her, but I'm assuming to banish her. My mother's deal is broken. I can leave, and you can come with me."

Milah's eyes became painfully hopeful. She clasped Regina's hand. "Then let's get out of here."

"I'm happy for you," Belle said.

"Come with us," Regina said, holding out her other hand.

Belle shook her head. "You know why I can't. Unlike you, my deal is still in place. I can't leave, but I'll be all right," she added quickly at seeing Regina's frown. "Rumpelstiltskin won't hurt me. It was your mother that was the problem."

Regina nodded, her face resolved. She spontaneously gave Belle a hug. "I wish you luck."

"You too," Belle said, returning the hug. Milah gave her a sympathetic smile.

Regina turned to Milah. "Let's go."

The two women ran from the room, leaving Belle behind. She wondered if she would ever see them again. She was happy though, that it seemed they were getting the freedom they so longed for.

That's exactly what it felt like when Regina and Milah passed through the front gates. They had finally found peace.

Or so they thought.

Belle made her way to her room, feeling exhausted after the day's events. She slumped to her bed, still reeling from Cora, but happy for Regina and Milah. She went to grab a book, but quickly turned her head to see a figure standing in her doorway.

Rumpelstiltskin.

Belle gasped, not expecting him to be standing there. For the first time in a long while, she felt hesitant around him. They had fallen into a familiar routine, one Belle immensely enjoyed. But now seeing him, Belle felt a little...fear. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, but after seeing the way he treated Cora, almost killing her, Belle couldn't help but be wary.

He hesitantly entered her room, walking a little ways past the threshold, but not venturing any further. "Are you all right?" he asked.

Belle nodded, clutching her book to her chest. "I wasn't the one almost killed."

He flinched at her words. He didn't seem to know what to do with his hands or body. That scared Belle. Rumpelstiltskin was always so sure of himself. "I didn't kill Cora."

Belle breathed a sigh of relief. Not for Cora, obviously, but for Rumpelstiltskin doing the right thing. "Good."

He arched an eyebrow, taking another step into the room. "Good? Dearie, she tried to kill you. She tried to get me to kill you."

Belle nodded, shrugging helplessly. "I know. But you did the right thing in not killing her. Murder isn't an admirable trait."

He pointed a finger at her. "Self-defense is." He expected her to laugh seeing as it was a quip, but Belle wasn't exactly in a laughing mood.

She stood up, walking towards him. She still held her book in front of her, almost like a shield. "I don't want to be afraid of you," she whispered, "but today, for the first time...I was."

He flinched again, averting his gaze. "I know, little maid. It's written all over your face. I really am a monster. A beast."

Belle quickly shook her head. "No, Rumpel. You're not. I've never thought of you as a...beast. You're just The Dark One, whom, I forget, can do dark things. It's who you are," she said, melancholy, having to accept the truth.

"But you're not all right with it," he grimaced.

She hesitated. "It goes against all my morals." She grabbed his hand before he could pull away. "But that doesn't mean I don't see the good in you. I always have. I just need to figure out what I'm feeling."

He nodded, subdued. This was the longest Belle had ever seen him not make a joke. "Take your time, Belle." He started to turn away. "Tell Regina I didn't kill her mother." He paused when he saw Belle bite her lip. "What is it, dearie?"

"Umm," Belle mumbled. "Uh, nothing." She was a terrible liar, and Rumpelstiltskin knew that.

"What?" As he stared at her, Belle ducking her head, Rumpelstiltskin's eyes shot up in realization. "She isn't here, is she?"

Belle lowered her head, clearly signaling that as a yes.

"She left the minute I took Cora away. Her mother's deal broken." Rumpelstiltskin shook his head in admiration. "I should have guessed." He brushed his coat with his hands, starting to leave again. "Well, I should probably go free Milah from wherever Cora hid her."

Belle bit her lip again, ducking her head, She wished her facial expressions weren't so obvious.

Rumpelstiltskin rolled his eyes. "Are you going to tell me next, little maid, that Milah is also gone?" He didn't sound as impressed this time. He really just sounded angry.

Belle squeezed her eyes shut, nodding her head. "She wanted to be free," Belle said.

"Oh, I have no doubt, but Milah can't be free of me. Our contract is binding. If she left, she just broke our deal."

"What are you going to do?" Belle asked, hesitantly.

Rumpelstiltskin grimaced. "I'm going to get my wife back."

Whew! This chapter took me awhile to write for some reason. If anyone is wondering, that is definitely not the end of Cora Mills. That bitch isn't easy to get rid of.

Upcoming: Milah meets a certain pirate, Rumpelstiltskin seeks his wife, and Belle tries to figure out exactly what she feels for our favorite 'sex god' sorcerer.