Redemption
Chapter Ten:

Storybrooke

"Belle, what's wrong!" Ruby hurried to her friend's side as everyone else in the diner stared at the beautiful, but obviously distraught, woman.

"Something very important was stolen from Rumple's shop!" Belle told her.

"OK, tell me what and I'll find out who took it," Ruby stated matter-of-factly. "Was it jewelry? Money?"

"A cup."

"A what?"

"A porcelain cup with a chip on the edge."

"A broken cup?" Ruby was incredulous. Belle was flipping out over a cup?

Belle sniffed and explained in a quiet voice, "It's our cup."

"Ah you and Mr. Gold, I get it. OK," Ruby looked around the room and inquired, "Did anyone take a china cup from Gold's shop?" She was met by silence and quizzical looks. She looked back to Belle. "I'm sorry Belle; I don't think anyone here took it."

"Well someone did," Belle was on the verge of a melt-down. She'd been holding things together and trying to be brave, but the thought of not having their cup to remind her of their love was unbearable. Rumple had kept it all those years they were apart and she needed to do the same. She turned and left the restaurant. Not even bothering to go back and lock up the shop, she headed home to Gold's house for a good cry.

Later at Gold's House

Being too upset to eat dinner, Belle headed upstairs to the bedroom, closed the door, and undressed. She donned a short nightgown and then walked to the bed to turn it down.

Her eyes began playing tricks on her. How else could she explain seeing the chipped cup perched on her pillow? "I'm mad with grief," she determined. But when she reached for the phantom object her hand told her it was very real. She even ran a finger over the broken edge to be sure. "How in the world?" she asked herself out loud.

There was no time to answer even if she could. The bedroom door flew open and a cold chill blew into the room. Belle turned away from the cup and looked towards the entrance. A menacing shadow flowed in and hovered in front of her. Belle screamed.

Outside the House

Neal and Emma looked at each other as they heard the scream. They were headed to visit Belle and check on her. Mary Margaret had earlier filled them in on Gold's last request that they all look out for Belle. Additionally, they had just been in Granny's and been informed by Ruby that Belle was very upset. Neal was happy to ensure she was all right. It made him feel useful to his father while he waited for the beans to grow.

Emma pulled out her Sheriff's gun and ran towards the front door of Gold's house. Neal overtook her and kicked the door in himself.

Upstairs Belle, frozen in place by fear, was unable to flee as the shadow gathered her in what felt like an embrace. The embrace felt very familiar. "Rumple?" she questioned.

The dark specter did not respond but picked her up and began flying back out the door. Belle's fear vanished; she knew it was Rumplestiltskin. They flew down the stairs and out the front door whooshing past a startled Neal and Emma.

"What the Hell was that?" Emma exclaimed.

"Pan's shadow," Neal sullenly replied. "That means he did kill my father and now, he's taken Belle."