X

"Belle, what are you doing here, dear? Henry said you'd gone to the cabin for a few days so Rumpel could rest."

Belle groaned inwardly as that most hated voice met her ears, so filled with condescension it set her teeth on edge. She and Regina would never be friends, but she wondered if she'd ever be free of the little tingle of apprehension which skated up her spine every time the woman was near. She took the small bag of prescriptions from the pharmacist and shoved it into her purse along with the receipt before turning to the queen.

"Rumpel's ankle. I wanted to have Viktor have a look at it," she said in a neutral tone. She mustered up a warm smile for the man next to her. "Hello, Robin."

Robin leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Hello, Belle, lovely to see you as always. Is Rumpelstiltskin going to be alright?"

"He's fine, though grumpy as ever. What brings the two of you here today?"

Robin winced, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Zelena is having her first ultrasound today and we're here to make sure the baby's healthy and all."

Regina smiled tightly as Belle's gaze swung to her. "Belle are you alright?" the queen asked as the color drained from the brunette's face.

Belle looked down the hall towards the waiting room, her breath hitching as she noticed the two orderlies stationed outside the arched entryways. A whimper of panic tore from her throat as her heart slammed into her ribs. "No! Rumpel …" She didn't offer an explanation, a goodbye or anything else which society deemed polite. Her feet were already moving down the long corridor, one thought prevalent in her mind … Rumpelstiltskin and the sheer terror he would surely be feeling if he found himself trapped in the same room as that vile woman.

She pushed past one of the orderlies and stopped dead in her tracks, rage, the likes of which she'd never felt before, rose up in her in a red haze. To see that witch's hands on him, taunting him in that cultured tone which left him shaking and frightened. His lips moved silently, his eyes wide with fear and panic, yet he seemed frozen in the light of the threat. Her bag hit the floor with a muffled thump as she hurried across the room, the carpet muffling her footsteps, and grabbed a handful of the witch's long ginger tresses.

Belle yanked as hard as she could, reveling in the howl of pain and outrage Zelena emitted. "Get the hell away from my husband!" she raged, flinging her away from Rumpelstiltskin before letting go. She took infinite satisfaction in seeing the woman stumble and barely catch her balance before she could tip over onto the floor. Regina gasped as she came into the room, but Belle wasn't concerned with her, magic or no. "How dare you!"

Zelena turned her stunned gaze on her sister, expecting sympathy from her. "Are you going to let her treat me like this?"

Robin arched a brow in her direction as if to say it was far less than she deserved, but Regina simply stared at her coldly. But Belle wasn't done, her hand snaking out and connecting sharply with the side of the witch's face. "You don't get to touch him! You don't get to speak to him! You don't get to be in the same room with him!" she shrieked, her eyes brimming with angry tears. "You've done your veritable best to destroy him and I won't allow it any longer!"

"Really, Belle, there's no need to become violent," Regina sniffed. "We'll just –"

"What, Regina?!" Belle sneered. "Continue to allow her to spew her bile. I'm not going to let her hurt my husband any longer." She choked back the sob welling in her throat. "She broke him, Regina, and left him a shell of his former self because of her bid for power and some insane notion that she loved him. But then, you're all too familiar with her insanity, aren't you, your majesty."

"Belle, there's no reason to attack Regina –"

"Oh, shut up, Robin. You truly have no clue as to what she's capable of. She's changed, granted, but it doesn't change her past! And this …" she stared down her nose at Zelena – quite a feat with her diminutive stature – "… this bitch," she spat, "is far worse." She advanced on the woman, her eyes flashing hotly, giving her no choice but to back up into the relative safety of her sister. "I'll warn you now, Zelena. If I ever so much as see you within fifty feet of my husband again … pregnant or not … I. Will. End. You!"

Zelena laughed shrilly and braced her hands on her hips as she sneered down at Belle, her lip curling back over her teeth. "No, you won't, dearie. You're a hero and heroes don't kill." She looked over Belle's shoulder at Rumpel's shaking form. "Though it would probably be a blessing to put him out of his misery."

Belle's eyes narrowed as she drew in a ragged breath. "Try me, Zelena. I learned quite a bit of darkness while I lived with Rum in the Dark Castle. You don't want to test me."

Viktor rushed into the room, his face twisted into a mask of confusion. "What the hell is going on in here? Belle … Damn!" he cursed as he noticed Rumpelstiltskin pressed back into the wall, his breath coming in sharp rapid pants. "Drizella, show Zelena and her family to room three, please."

Belle didn't wait to see if they left with the nurse, her anger cooling minutely as she rushed to her husband's side and watched him slide down the wall to sit on the floor and pull his knees up to his chest. He whimpered softly and jerked away as the doctor reached for him, shrinking into himself. She put herself between them, giving Viktor a warning look, and pulled Rumpelstiltskin into her arms. He came willingly.

She pulled his head into the crook of her neck and carded her fingers through his hair. "It's alright now, my love … I'm here now," she crooned. "It's my fault. I never should have left you."

A violent tremor shook him as he clutched desperately at her waist. "BelleBelleBelleBelleBelle," he whispered brokenly over and over again.

"Mrs. Gold … Belle, you have to get him to calm down before he passes out. Do you want me to give him a sedative?" Viktor asked, worried for the man's health. "Or if you want, I can let you have one of the exam rooms for a bit of privacy."

"No," she said, keeping her voice even so as not to upset her husband. He needed quiet and calm just then. "I've got this, Viktor. He needs me. That's all. Could you just keep everyone out for a bit and if it's not too much trouble, have Drizella call Archie. And I need a bottle of water."

"Of course." He rose to carry out her wishes, but her voice stopped him.

"Viktor, I hope I don't need to stress the need for your discretion."

"I won't tell a soul, Mrs. Gold," he assured her.

"Well, this wasn't what I expected," Regina said softly from the shadows as the lights continued to flicker. She knelt beside Belle and put a hand to her shoulder. "He's got –"

"Please don't say it. He doesn't know," Belle pleaded, keeping her voice low. She held onto him tightly, humming softly and rocking him gently. "It's alright, my love. I need you to take a deep breath for me, Rum. Please? She's gone now, and I won't let her near you again. I promise, Rum, please … please I need you to breathe for me."

"Belle … is there anything I can do to help?" Regina asked.

Belle gave her a withering glance. "Yes, you can keep your psychotic sister under lock and key until she turns to dust." She huffed out a bitter laugh. "You should be beside yourself with glee seeing him like this. The great Dark –" She cut herself off before she said too much. "Just go, Regina, please. Just leave us be."

"I … no, I don't, Belle. At one time yes, I would have reveled in his weakness, but now –"

"Don't you dare pity him," Belle hissed furiously, her body shaking with suppressed rage. "He may be a little broken, but he's still Rumpel and he will return to his former self. You don't want him to know you pitied him; he'll hate you for it. Not to mention your actions against me in an effort to rein him in haven't endeared you to him."

Regina flushed guiltily, remembering leaving him just days ago to die on the floor of his shop as well. Thankfully, the little librarian didn't know about that. "Regardless of my actions, you're going to need help."

"Not yours."

"Then whose?" Regina snapped. "You can't do it alone. Let me help you with him, I –"

"Mayor Mills, Dr. Whale is waiting for you in room three," Drizella called from the archway. "Here is that water you wanted, Mrs. Gold," she said, setting it on the floor beside Belle and giving her a conspiratorial wink.

Belle offered her a wan smile, more than thankful for her interruption. "Thank you, Drizella."

Regina rose and reluctantly turned to follow the nurse, but tried one more time to get through to Belle. "At least think about it."

Belle hummed softly, hoping it would comfort her husband. She didn't have time to dwell on Regina right now. She knew the former queen must be desperate for help with Emma if she was offering her services. Nothing mattered aside from her husband and making him better. "I'm here, darling," she cooed softly, her voice a whisper of breath. "That's it, love … deep breaths."

He drew in a deep shuddering breath and whimpered when it burned his chest. He concentrated on her voice, her scent and the warmth of her touch as she soothed away the sting of panic which held him tightly in its grasp. "Take me home," he breathed against her soft skin, his lips brushing against her neck. "I don't want people to see me like … like this, Belle. Please. P-Please … I want to go h-home … t-to the cabin."

Belle laid her head back against the wall and sighed in relief that he was slowly coming back to himself. She uncapped the water bottle Drizella had brought and eased him back from her. "Drink this, love. It will make you feel better, ok?"

"Mrs. Gold?" Dove's soft voice intoned from the archway. "Do you need assistance?"

Belle shook her head, thankful he'd responded so quickly to the text she'd sent him while waiting on line at the pharmacy. She dug in the pocket of her cardigan for the keys to the Cadillac, handing them to the gentle giant. "No, Dove. Thank you so much for coming. Did you have any problems with the Fiat?" She still wondered how he was able to squeeze his tall frame into her tiny car.

"No, Mrs. Gold, no problems," he smiled.

She turned to Rumpelstiltskin who was leaning back against the wall with his eyes closed. The hand holding the water bottle still trembled. She reached out and grabbed his cane from where he'd dropped it. "Here, Rum, let's get you up now. Easy," she cautioned as he swayed to his feet. She took the bottle from him and discarded it in a waste bin and then curled her hand in his free one.

Drizella stopped them, her dark eyes sympathetic. "Mrs. Gold, Dr. Hopper wasn't in, but I left a message for him to call you as soon as possible on your cell. Is there anything I can do for you or Mr. Gold?"

"No … thank you, Drizella," Belle murmured as she urged her husband past the reception desk. He stared straight ahead, refusing to meet the eyes of anyone they passed, fighting valiantly to hold himself together long enough to get home.

They made it out of the hospital without incident. Rumpelstiltskin didn't even complain as he settled into the passenger seat of the Fiat. Dove in turn, left to return the Cadillac to the house before going back to the shop. Belle was going to have to see he received a nice fat raise in his pay package. The man really did go above and beyond for them. She even drove extra slow so as not to scare him. She bit her lip as she watched him from the corner of her eye. He was withdrawn and sullen, keeping his eyes trained on the gold handle of his cane. He didn't seem to care for the passing scenery, nor for the conversation Belle tried to start with him. He was a captive to the memories fighting for dominance in his head.

Belle looked relieved when he took her hand again and followed her up the short set of steps onto the front porch of the cabin. She quickly unlocked the door and went inside to throw the curtains wide to bring as much natural light as possible into the dim interior of the cabin. "I'm sorry," he whispered brokenly as she returned to his side and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into her embrace. "I-I'm sorry, B-Belle … I didn't m-mean to fall apart on you at t-the hospital."

"You have nothing for which to apologize, Rum … nothing," she crooned softly, toying with the ends of his hair as she offered him comfort. "She shouldn't have been out of her cell, she shouldn't have been allowed the freedom of the room where she could even talk to you."

His tears splashed against her skin and soaked into the fine cashmere of her cardigan as his arms slipped about her waist. "Don't let go, Belle, please … please don't let me go." His cane clattered to the floor as his hands splayed over her back. "I can't stand this! I don't want to feel weak," he spat, "but all I can see when I close my eyes is her touching me, Belle. She's touching and pawing and licking and it makes me sick to my stomach."

Hot tears fell from her own eyes, but she didn't let go. "She can't get you here, Rum … I won't allow it. I won't let her hurt you again … I promise."

"There's more. I think I remembered something, and I can't even trust my mind to tell me if it was real."

"Come with me," she said, grabbing his hand and urging him to follow. She led him into the kitchen to the back door, pausing only long enough to fetch two glasses and the bottle of scotch from the cupboard over the stove. The late afternoon sun had begun to sink low over the tree line, casting its dappled light just past the edge of the back porch. She sat on the chaise, her legs hanging over either side and beckoned him to sit between them and lean back against her chest. When he'd settled back against her, she poured them each a small measure of the amber whiskey and handed him one before sipping her own. She pressed her lips to his temple as she wrapped an arm over his chest, her fingers toying with the buttons on his shirt. "Better?"

"A little," he agreed, taking a deep breath, one that didn't feel as if he were breathing in the fires of hell. "I can breathe easier out here."

Belle set her drink on the table next to her and laced her fingers with his. "Tell me what you remember. Maybe I can help?" She tried to keep her touch light as her other hand stroked over his hair, his cheek with its days' worth of growth, his chest and arms. Her need to comfort was as strong as his need to be comforted and she prayed he wouldn't push her away. "Is this alright, Rumpel? Are you comfortable here with me?" She needed his reassurance that she was helping … especially after his most recent breakdown. She needed to know she was giving him what he needed.

Rumpelstiltskin turned his head, so he could press his face into the curve of her neck, breathing her in and letting her scent soothe him further. The incessant buzzing, the unbearable itch beneath his skin which plagued him when he was parted from her eased away and he hummed low in his throat as he relaxed into her embrace. "You always make me feel better, my Belle. You soothe my soul. I might not understand how it's possible, but I can't deny it." He felt more and more of his anxiety slough off of him as she continued to pet him. "I don't want to tell you what I remembered … I don't want you to think I'm going round the bend."

Belle's eyes stung with unshed tears. True love … the most powerful magic … it was still there between them, still in his heart whether he remembered or not. It gave her hope. "I'm not going to think you're crazy, Rum. I love you … all of you. Don't be afraid to talk to me."

He sighed, closing his eyes as he let the memories wash over him. "They were only flashes really. Darkness … cold … pain. I remember nothing, a dark gaping void of nothingness and then … you, Belle. You were there in the moonlight, crying as if your heart were breaking … and a man. Who was the man, Belle? I know he was important, but I just can't remember why!"

A choked sob tore from her throat as she buried her face in his hair. "Baelfire," she whispered, waiting to see if the name sparked more of the memory. She fought back a pang of disappointment that it didn't. "Your son, Baelfire."

"My son? I have a –"

"Had … h-he died, Rum." It was killing her to be the one to have to tell him, but she'd promised herself and him that she wouldn't lie to him. She couldn't break her word.

"I can't r-remember." He squeezed the hand he held so tightly within his own, pressing it over his heart. "I need to remember."

"You will. It's slowly coming back, darling. We just have to be patient." She kissed his cheek and rested her brow against his temple. "Tell me more," she urged. "Try to focus and maybe it will unlock more."

He took a breath, inhaling deeply through his nose to maintain his fragile hold on his control. "S-She was there … with a dagger … always with the dagger. She was in my head and I couldn't push her out and she ordered me to kill you. I wanted to kill you," he cried, a shiver of fear tripping along his spine causing his wiry frame to jerk in her arms. "Why?! Why would she do that? How could she make me want it so badly?"

"Shh, love, it's ok … you didn't hurt me. You'd never hurt me, Rumpel … never."

Rumpelstiltskin brushed angrily at his tears with the back of his hand. "Cage … there was … she put me in a cage like an animal." His chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath as the walls of his mind began to collapse in upon themselves, his heart slamming painfully against his ribs. "She wanted me to … to hurt people … you … people I care about. There was never any peace … not even in sleep … just pain."

"Oh, Rumpel …"

"You came for me …" He turned in her arms, his dark eyes large and liquid. "You came for me, Belle."

Tears streamed over her lashes as she cradled his cheek in her warm palm. "I did. I couldn't leave you there!"

"But I couldn't leave. S-She came and … I made you leave. I made you leave before she could hurt you. I made her … I made her punish me instead." He moved to her side, pulling her into his arms and blanketing her with his body, his grip almost painful. "I couldn't let her hurt you. The witch could do things … things I can't explain, Belle. It's crazy … I'm crazy. I don't know if it's true or some kind of coping mechanism in my head."

Belle burrowed against his chest, reveling in the warmth and comfort he now offered her. His innate need to protect surged to the surface despite his fear and surrounded her. She was enveloped in his scent, his touch and she never wanted to let go. "You're not crazy, Rumpel."

His nose nuzzled against hers as he brushed his lips over the corner of her mouth. "I'm so sorry I ruined our day." He traced over her full lower lip to the other corner to press a soft kiss. "Forgive me," he whispered. "Please. I'll make it up to you."

She chased his lips with her own and caught his lower lip, giving in to the heady desire fogging her good sense. The scotch he'd drunk only enhanced his own unique taste and it sent a surge of heat coursing through her veins as his tongue pushed past her lips to duel sinuously with hers. He was careful, hesitant, as if he was just waiting for her to push him away as he explored the honeyed recesses of her mouth. Her soft sigh, a moan, and she was pulling him closer, the hand at his nape urging him to banish the distance between them, begging him to take what he wanted. Delicious tongues of need pooled at her belly and sent tendrils of flame licking at her core. It reminded her of their first time after the curse had broken and she'd been so shattered herself. He'd been almost afraid to touch her then, too.

"T-There's nothing to forgive, darling. You didn't do anything wrong," she purred deeply in her throat, her hands slipping beneath his shirt to rub at his lower back, her nails digging into his taut muscles. "I don't need anything else as long as I have you, Rum."

"My Belle … my wife. All mine," he whispered, nipping at her lower lip. "You make me feel whole, alive. You pull me out of the darkness and make me see it's possible to flourish in the light." He deepened the kiss, trying to convey his emotions without the need for words. His long fingers twisted in the satiny strands of her hair, holding her a willing captive to his caress. "I need you, Belle. I feel safe with you. You make me strong," he sighed against her lips.

"I'm here, Rum … my husband," she moaned, tugging on his hair as she urged him to kiss her once more.

Rumpelstiltskin withdrew, just a bit, silently bemoaning the loss of contact, but he wanted her to know. "I'd be lost without you." He leaned in and kissed her again, his lips feverish against hers. "You make me forget the pain she inflicted." He captured her hand and pressed it to his cheek, holding it there with his own. "Your touch banishes hers." He turned his face into her palm and pressed a lingering kiss to her warm skin. "You heal me, Belle."

She stared up at him in wonder, warm tears leaking from the corners of her eyes to spill over into her hair. That he could trust her so much as to lay his heart bare to her … "We can heal each other," she whispered brokenly. If only he would still want her when his memories returned … if he could forgive her. She'd already forgiven him for what he'd done, and that wouldn't change. Gods, she just wanted him to remember! "Rumpel … I need you, too. We'll heal together. Together, anything is possible."

He offered her a tentative smile and let his head fall to her shoulder, his eyes heavy but his heart so much lighter. His arms closed tightly around her, the tension seeping out of him as she returned his embrace. It felt so good to have her soft little body wrapped about him, offering comfort and love. For the first time in days, he wasn't afraid to fall asleep, knowing she'd be there to watch over him. His Belle would never let anything harm him.

~*X*~

Belle groaned as she woke, her eyes blinking against the darkness which permeated their bedroom. She peeled her tongue from the roof of her mouth and rubbed at her throat, feeling as if she'd swallowed a mouthful of sand. Why was she so thirsty? She smiled softly, in spite of her discomfort as she felt her husband nuzzle at her nape. He was spooned against her back, one arm tight about her waist, the other curled around her shoulders to lay across her chest, one hand clamped firmly over her breast. Slowly, she was getting accustomed to his sleeping patterns again. Rumpelstiltskin had always clung tightly to her in the depths of his slumber, always fearing she'd be ripped from his arms in the middle of the night. She hated to leave him in the bed alone, but needs must.

Carefully, she pried his arms from around her, thankful he didn't wake as she eased herself off the mattress. She dragged her feet to the door, constantly glancing over her shoulder to make sure he wasn't suffering for her absence. Finally, she turned the knob and let herself out of the room. She couldn't help but allow her mind to wander back to the events of their evening. He'd been relatively calm as long as he was able to keep her in his sight. The memories and what had happened at the hospital had left him on edge, still doubting his mind. He wouldn't tell her some of the things he'd seen, but she could tell when it became too much for him and she did her best to distract him. She knew the things he'd mentioned Zelena being capable of doing must involve magic. He felt he couldn't share the details with her because if he didn't believe them to be possible, why would she? Sooner or later, he was going to lose his control and then she'd have to explain it to him. That wasn't a conversation she was looking forward to.

Belle had made a simple soup for dinner, using the fresh ingredients Dove had provided. It was hearty and warming and seemed to comfort them both. She'd let him choose their activity for the evening and wasn't surprised when he'd chosen to watch a movie. She'd mostly been lost to her own thoughts, barely paying attention to the comedy, but he'd seemed to enjoy it. The fact that he was stretched out on the couch with his head on her lap and her fingers in his hair surely had nothing to do with his happiness. She couldn't suppress her smile as she wandered into the kitchen and reached for a glass off the drain board.

Rumpelstiltskin had grumbled when she'd ordered him to bed, but she wanted a decent start the next day. She was determined to try again and have him relax and enjoy himself. Even with the nap they'd taken on the chaise, he'd been able to fall asleep quickly. Being there with him at the cabin reminded her of their time together at the Dark Castle when it had just been the two of them. Things seemed less complicated without the problems which always seemed to crop up. Out there, no one was constantly barging in on them asking for some magical solution to their dilemma, no research into the histories when someone new came into town. The peace and quiet of the cabin brought her a feeling of contentment and it was one she relished.

Belle drank deeply from her glass, draining it and then refilling it under the tap. Her nose twitched at a familiar scent. It sparked more memories of the Dark Castle … ozone, wood smoke, and tallow … magic. She gasped, the glass tumbling from her numb fingers to land with a crash in the stainless steel sink, the sound reverberating through the kitchen. A tingle of fear skittered up her spine as cold fingers closed around her throat and a slender arm pulled her back against a lithe form.

But it was the words spoken ever so softly, gently, almost reverently against her ear which caused her true panic. It wasn't the soft tones of her friend, but something altogether different.

"Hello, precious …"

A/N: So, the Dark One finally makes an appearance … dun dun dun! Wonder what she's got up her sleeve for brave little Belle? Well, I hope I didn't disappoint with the confrontation between Belle and Zelena. I know some of you wanted lots of violence, but I don't see Belle that way. She's a princess and has breeding and refinement. Though she's not above a good bitch slap :D I also figured a little cattiness wasn't out of place for Belle and Regina. There's a lot of bad blood between them and as forgiving a person as she is, I can't see her forgiving Regina any time soon. I hope you're still enjoying the story. I still have a lot of ideas of how I want this to go, so bear with me? Please? Thank you all sooooo much for reading and leaving me such wonderful reviews and comments. You guys rock! See you tomorrow :D