A/N: Loved all your comments about Isabelle for the last chapter! More past life stuff to come (it's the only way I can validly incorporate smut, after all, but I do intend to have plot points in there too :)
Guest: yes, I will be putting Cerin and Elena in this fic. I have a prompt or two to answer in that regard. Plus there will be more on Lira and Cameron.
NaraTemariS2, Kiri Huo Ziv, crazykat77, thecadencerose, AngelOfMusic44, Grace5231973, MyraValhallah, deweymay, RaFire, jewel415, anawake14, Erik'sTrueAngel, orthankg1, Twyla Mercedes, NeverIsTheEternal, CharlotteAshmore: you are all awesome!
Belle looked forward to Ruby's birthday with rising excitement. It had been a long time since she'd been to a birthday party that she actually wanted to attend. The fact that it was just her and her three friends at the only club in Storybrooke was an added bonus. She managed to get through Friday without losing her concentration too much, and was unusually talkative in the car on the way to Storybrooke, making Gold eye her with amusement as he went through his paperwork.
"You should take care tonight," he advised, when she paused for breath. "There are questionable types down at that fire hazard of a club. I've threatened to close the place down on three occasions."
"Please don't close it down until after Ruby's birthday," pleaded Belle, and he smirked at her.
"A reprieve until Saturday morning," he assured her gravely, and Belle grinned.
"I hope she likes my present," she said anxiously, clutching her purse, which held the silver wolf in a tiny box, tied with a red satin bow. Gold put down his pen, leaning towards her a little. His eyes were very dark, his expression knowing, and she felt her stomach flip as he smiled at her.
"Miss Lucas will love it," he said gently. "If there's a reaction other than her hugging you harder than you've ever been hugged, feel free to ask me for your money back."
Belle beamed at him, settling back in the seat as Dover steered the car across the Storybrooke town line.
Ruby was a mass of excitement as she met Belle at the door of the inn, and practically snatched her suitcase from Dover, grabbing Belle by the hand and pulling her upstairs. Belle gave Gold a rueful smile over her shoulder as she disappeared up the stairs, and her last sight of him was of his amused smile, his fingers laced over the top of his cane.
"Snow and Emma will be here soon," announced Ruby, pulling Belle into her room. "What are you wearing? I have a new red dress that I need to sneak out in. Granny'll flip if she sees me in it."
Belle privately doubted that; Ruby's outfits were getting more revealing by the day, but Granny didn't seem to do anything beyond glare disapprovingly over the top of her glasses.
"I have a new skirt," she said, and opened up her case, pulling out a short, flared black skirt with a lace overlay. She had a cap-sleeved blouse to go with it in black silk, and Ruby exclaimed over it.
"Oh, it's pretty! Come on, let's get dressed!"
Belle was buttoning her shirt when Ruby finished donning her dress, a hot red silky slip that skimmed her slender figure and looked good against her pale skin.
"Wow," said Belle approvingly. "You look great!"
Ruby preened. "You don't turn seventeen every day," she announced. "We're gonna knock 'em dead, girl!" Suddenly, with a crafty expression on her face, she reached under the bed and pulled out a bottle of wine.
"Where did you get that?" asked Belle, eyes wide, and Ruby giggled.
"Downstairs. I didn't steal it!" she added hastily. "Leroy bought it for me. Told me not to tell Granny, which of course I won't. Want a glass?"
Belle rolled her eyes. "Alright. No drinking in this club though, okay?"
"Oh, no worries there," said Ruby, deftly uncorking the wine. "You need your wits about you in that place. We're on the soft stuff all night, honey, so make the most of this!"
She poured two glasses, and Belle clinked her own against her friend's. Ruby put her glass down on the nightstand and threw herself onto the bed with a sigh. After a moment, Belle climbed on beside her, crossing her feet and sipping at her wine. She had drunk wine on a few occasions, with her parents, but never more than a glass on New Year's Eve, or something. It tasted good, like black cherries, and she let it warm her throat as it slid down, her head falling back against the headboard.
"I'm hoping there'll be some new people for you to meet tonight," said Ruby, drawing her knees up and flexing her feet. Belle looked interested.
"Oh? More Storybrookers I haven't seen yet?"
Ruby wrinkled her nose. "Students. I meet a lot of them in the diner. There are a couple that are pretty cute. Viktor and his friends are pretty delicious."
Belle looked doubtful, and Ruby nudged her. "Come on! A little flirting would do you good. There are some hot boys in town this year."
Belle pulled a face. "Count me out. You go for it, though. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of potential birthday kisses." She grinned at her friend, taking a sip of wine.
"I can't indulge in kisses if my girls aren't having fun!" protested Ruby. "Seriously, Belle! These guys are good-looking, smart, and have enough money to eat at Granny's rather than root through dumpsters, so all things considered, how could we possibly lose?"
"I don't like boys," said Belle dismissively, taking another drink, and Ruby chortled.
"Since when? You're always pointing out guys you think I'd like. Bonus points for Jefferson, by the way, he's delicious! Probably too old for me, but seriously biteable."
She raised her eyes to the ceiling with a blissful expression, and Belle giggled, before Ruby looked at her sternly.
"Come on, missy! Don't interfere with Auntie Ruby's matchmaking service!"
"I don't like boys," said Belle patiently, hoping that her friend would take the hint. Ruby's eyes widened.
"Oh? I had no idea?" She was only momentarily flustered. "Did I introduce you to Mei-Ling? She's kinda cool, and she's into girls. I bet she could hook you up."
"What?" Belle was confused, then realised that Ruby had taken entirely the wrong hint. "Oh! No, I don't mean I'm gay, I meant…" She bit her lip, her eyes straying to the window. "I meant I don't like boys."
"You mean you like men, you vixen!" chuckled Ruby triumphantly. "Well, I'm all for a bit of older-guy action myself. Who is it? No, no, let me guess…" She chewed her lip, pondering. "David? He's pretty cute. Nah – he's only a few years older than us. What about Viktor?" Ruby held up an admonitory finger. "Whom you cannot have, by the way, his ass is mine!"
Belle was giggling. "No, it's no one like that." She looked down at her hands, her fingers tugging at a loose thread on the coverlet. Ruby nudged her.
"'Fess up, Belle, you have a thing for that old professor, don't you?" she said, with mock seriousness, and Belle burst out laughing.
"Ew! I love Doc, but ew!" She waved a hand. "Forget about it, I'm not even sure I want to talk about it anymore. It's stupid, it could never work out, and he's never even looked at me that way anyhow."
Ruby nodded and sat back a little, before suddenly lurching forward, eyes wide.
"Oh. My. God!" she said in a breathless whisper. "Belle, please tell me you're not serious!"
"Can't," said Belle miserably. Ruby stared at her for a moment, her lip curling incredulously.
"Mr Gold?" she asked. "Seriously?"
Belle nodded, and Ruby sat back again, still staring.
"But he's…" she protested. "He's…"
"I can't stop thinking about him," confessed Belle, blushing hard. "I even had a couple of sex dreams about him, Rubes."
"Really?" Ruby grinned wickedly. "I'll be asking you about those later, just to forewarn you. Come on Belle!" She shook her head. "The guy's a total asswipe!"
"Not to me," said Belle defensively. "He's never been anything but kind and generous."
"Because he wants to get in your pants, the sick old pervert," scoffed Ruby.
"I wish," grumbled Belle, and her friend burst out laughing.
"Oh, honey, this is too good not to share. We need Snow and Emma in on this one."
"Great. Two more people to know of my hopeless obsession," said Belle gloomily.
"Hold that thought," said Ruby sternly, slipping off the bed. "I'm guessing they'll be here any minute. Hide the wine while I'm gone."
"Fine," sighed Belle, flopping back onto the bed. Perhaps her friends could talk some bloody sense into her. She listened out for the sounds of feet on the stairs, and was rewarded after a short while by Snow and Emma's voices, almost drowning out an excitable Ruby.
"Okay, presents: check. Hot outfits: check. Hot ladies: check." Emma announced, as she entered the room. Belle sat up with a giggle. Emma looked stunning, her blonde hair curled and shining, her slender body clad in a tight black halter top and black leather pants with heeled boots. Snow was dressed somewhat more demurely in a lavender dress with cap sleeves and a neckline that showed some of her cleavage. Ruby danced over to the bed, snatching up the wine bottle and pouring for the others. Emma immediately scooted up the bed next to Belle and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Okay, Rubes, what's the plan?" she asked brusquely, and Ruby grinned.
"Dare I say presents first?" she asked eagerly, and Snow rolled her eyes.
"Figures," she said dryly. "Okay, honey, knock yourself out."
She dropped a bulging bag onto the bed next to Ruby, who squealed with delight and opened it up, pulling out a box wrapped in patterned red paper. She tore the paper off eagerly, and discovered that the box held a new pair of shoes, sky-high red sandals that had ankle cuffs and thin gold heels.
"These are from both of us," said Snow. "Too expensive for just one of us."
"Wow," said Ruby, in awed tones. "Where the hell did you get these, girls?"
Emma shrugged. "I could tell you, sweetie, but then I'd have to kill you."
Ruby immediately pulled on the shoes, admiring the way they lengthened her already sinfully long legs and showed off her shapely feet.
"Awesome!" she breathed. "I will be knocking them dead at the Rabbit Hole tonight. I love you guys!" She pulled Emma and Snow into a hug, squashing Belle in the process and making her giggle.
"Okay, my turn!" she said, feeling a little nervous. She knew that Mr Gold felt that the present was perfect, she just hoped Ruby thought so. She got up off the bed and went to fetch her purse, smiling as Ruby bounced up off the bed to meet her. Belle opened up her purse and handed Ruby the little box, and her friend bent over it excitedly, pulling off the ribbon and lifting the lid. Belle watched her anxiously.
"Oh my God!" breathed Ruby, picking up the silver wolf. "It's beautiful! Did I ever tell you how much I like wolves?" She turned to Belle with a wide smile, and Belle shrugged.
"No," she admitted. "I just – I saw it, and it…felt right, that's all."
"I love it!" Ruby caught her in a hug, squeezing her hard, and Belle hugged her back, laughing. Ruby pulled back, holding up the little silver wolf. "Oh, it's so gorgeous! Is it old?"
"Mr Gold says it's Victorian," offered Belle. "The keychain was obviously added later."
Emma whistled. "You bought that from Gold? I hope you paid for it. He's not one for generous credit terms."
Ruby suddenly looked up with a grin. "Maybe that's Belle's ingenious plan. Force Mr Gold to ask for payment in another way."
Emma and Snow exchanged puzzled looks. Belle glared at Ruby, then sighed and dropped her head.
"Okay, go on, you know you want to," she said resignedly.
"Belle's totally in love with Mr Gold," said Ruby, in a rush. "She has sex dreams about him, and she wants him to tie her up and screw her senseless, and totally wants to have his babies."
Snow burst out laughing, then clapped a hand to her mouth as she looked at Belle.
"Seriously?" said Emma disbelievingly, and Belle nodded, blushing.
"Not the tying me up thing," she added hastily, then smirked. "Well, probably not, anyhow."
Emma put her hands on her hips.
"You have to be kidding me," she said flatly, and Belle squirmed.
"Don't be so judgemental," scolded Snow, stepping forward and taking Belle's hand. "Mr Gold is – well, kind of charismatic, you have to admit that."
"Yeah, but it's a character I often want to kick in the balls," remarked Emma, and Belle chuckled.
"So do I, on occasion," she admitted, and accepted a refill of her wine from Ruby with a sigh. "It's not as though anything would happen, anyway. He never looks at me like that."
"Well, of course he doesn't," said Emma, surprisingly. "You're sixteen. The guy doesn't want to get put inside for statutory rape, does he? Even if he wanted to take you hard over the shop counter, he'd have to bide his sweet time."
Ruby winced. "Thanks for that image, Emma."
Belle was frowning thoughtfully, rolling her glass between her fingertips. "I hadn't thought about that," she admitted, and Emma smiled ruefully.
"Trust me on this one," she said ominously. "You hit eighteen, it'll be a different story."
Belle bit her lip. "But how do I know if he likes me?"
"He's a man, right?" said Emma, gesturing with her wine glass. "He likes beautiful things, right? So, unless he's gay, and I don't get that vibe from Gold, I think it's safe to say he likes you."
"I don't know…" said Belle uncomfortably. "He's kind to me, that's all."
"And he's not kind to anyone else," nodded Emma. "See my point?"
"He probably thinks you could never be interested in him," offered Snow, in her usual insightful manner.
"Because that's what we're all finding a little weird, to be honest," added Emma, grinning over the top of her wine glass.
"So, just kind of – sidle up next to him," said Ruby, taking a hip-swaying step up beside Belle. She was grinning wickedly. "And then – ever so subtly – grab his ass." She slapped her hand against Belle's rump, making her start. Emma burst out laughing.
"I don't think the phrase 'ever so subtly' is something we associate with you, Rubes," pointed out Snow, and Ruby pulled a face.
"Don't say I never try to help out my girls in the art of seduction," she pouted.
"I'm not seducing him," sighed Belle. "I wouldn't know where to start, and besides, I don't want to get him in trouble."
"Good girl," said Emma briskly. "In the meantime, what do you say we get down to the Rabbit Hole and take your mind off things?"
Ruby squealed with delight, and Belle nodded readily. A night out with the girls was just what she needed.
The weather was turning colder, and Belle was pleased they had all thought to wear coats, their breath misting in the air as they walked arm in arm to the Rabbit Hole. Ruby led them inside, and Belle looked around curiously as they entered. The club wasn't as dim as she had been expecting; lights shone over the pool table and near the bar, but the rest of the place was fairly dark, with shadowy people huddling in the corners out of her line of sight. It smelt of spilled beer and cigarettes, and she couldn't help remembering Mr Gold calling it a fire hazard. She looked around for the fire exit, fixing it in her mind, just in case. It was just after eight, and the club was fairly quiet; several small groups of men crowded around the tables, or leant on the bar. Most of them were eyeing the group of girls as though they had no previous experience of viewing the female form, and Emma curled her lip.
"I see this place attracts the classiest of Storybrooke's inhabitants," she remarked loudly, and most of the men dropped their stares. Ruby snorted.
"Okay, girls, let's get a drink and some quarters for the pool table." She approached the bar, leaning on it with a wide grin as the bartender approached. He was in his mid-twenties, dark and fairly handsome, but there was a predatory gleam in his eye that Belle didn't trust. He wiped his hands on his apron before leaning on the bar to face them, his eyes running over them. Snow put a hand to her cleavage, blushing slightly, and Belle couldn't say she blamed her.
"Ladies," he said, drawing the word out. "What a pleasant surprise. Ruby, are you gonna introduce me to your gorgeous friends?"
"I guess so," said Ruby, uninterested. "Girls, this is Keith. He doesn't own the place, he just works here. Oh, and he still lives with his mom, by the way. I hear the 'house' he takes girls to is a place he caretakes for while the owner's out of town, so don't believe a word he tells you."
Keith glared at her, and she shot him a sweet smile.
"Okay, so this is Emma, Snow and Belle," she said. "They're my girls, so be nice, okay?"
"I'm always nice!" he complained, and bent over Belle's hand, his lips grazing her knuckles and his eyes running over her body and making her want to bathe. She snatched her hand back, and he smiled.
"So!" He clapped his hands together. "What can I get you ladies? First one's on me, since it's Ruby's birthday. I could make you a Cosmopolitan, or would you prefer Sex on The Beach?" He wiggled his eyebrows at Emma, who wrinkled her nose.
"Yeah, I think I'll just have a Coke," she said dryly.
"Make that two," added Snow.
"And what about you, my lovely?" Keith leant on the bar and ogled Belle. "You look like the kind of girl who'd appreciate a Cosmo."
"No thanks, no alcohol for me," said Belle awkwardly. "You know we're all underage, right?"
Keith shrugged. "What the boss doesn't know won't hurt him," he said, grinning at her. "Come on, Belle, you want to play with the big girls, right?"
"Hey, she said no!" said Ruby sharply. "You're not gonna make her do something she doesn't want to, okay? No alcohol!"
Keith held up his hands, attempting a pacifying tone.
"Hey, okay, it's cool!" he said soothingly. "I have the perfect thing. Invented it last week. It's called a 'virgin princess'. Let me make you one."
He turned his back to them, and Ruby watched him like a hawk as he started mixing together various soft drinks, adding crushed strawberries and finishing with cream. He presented the glass with a flourish, and Ruby nodded at Belle.
"It's okay," she said, and Belle took a drink, the sweetness of strawberries and cream on her tongue, with no hint of alcohol.
"It's really good," she said, surprised, and Keith grinned at her.
"See? I'm not the bad guy," he said, and Belle returned his smile as he began to make Ruby a drink.
The night passed enjoyably, the girls commandeering the pool table and playing rounds with one another. Belle was surprisingly good, Snow terrible, but Emma wiped the floor with all of them.
"Sign of a misspent youth, girls, so don't feel bad," she announced, chalking her cue as Ruby racked up another set of balls.
"You ladies fancy some company?" A young man approached the table, grinning widely, with very white teeth. He had short, dark hair, his eyes very blue, and he was dressed in tight black jeans and a leather jacket. Ruby was eyeing him with interest, and even Emma cast a glance over him before tossing her head with an indifferent expression.
"Thanks, we're good," she said, in a quelling tone, and the man turned his attentions to Belle.
"And what about you, love? Haven't seen you down here before."
"It's Ruby's birthday," ventured Belle, taking a step back from him.
"Ah, of course! Keith told me you were the birthday girl." The man bent over Ruby's hand, making her giggle, and Snow frown, before he straightened up. "Name's Hook. James Hook."
"I think that only works when it's 'Bond'," said Snow dryly, and he flashed a smile at her.
"Drinks for all you beautiful girls, what do you say?"
"No thanks," said Belle firmly, and he shrugged, and sauntered back over to the bar. Ruby was watching him surreptitiously.
"Good looking, but I get the feeling he's a creep," she said eventually.
"Yeah, hold onto that thought," said Emma, and hefted her pool cue. "Okay, Rubes, prepare to be amazed!"
She smacked the end of the cue into the ball, sending it into the balls with a loud crack and scattering them the length of the table. Ruby groaned, and drained her glass.
"At least give me a chance, Swan!" she complained, and Emma grinned as she started potting balls. Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Okay, my round," she announced. "Belle, give me a hand?"
Belle drained her own glass and followed Ruby to the bar, leaning against it as Keith finished serving another customer.
"So, you decided you wanted that drink after all," said Hook, sidling up next to Belle and grinning.
"We're buying our own, thanks," said Ruby, shooting him a sweet and insincere smile. He gave her a long-suffering look.
"Come on, don't let a man drink alone," he protested. "I'm excellent company, I assure you."
"No thanks," said Belle uncomfortably, and turned to Keith. "Four Cokes, please."
Hook leaned in towards her.
"You know, one little drink won't kill you," he wheedled.
"No, but I might kill you if you don't push off," snapped Ruby. "We said no. If you guys have a problem with that word I can always provide some emphasis with a swift kick to the crotch."
"Leave them alone, man," added Keith, and Belle shot him a grateful look.
Hook curled his lip, looking them over. "You two lesbians, or something?"
"So that's our choice?" asked Belle dryly. "You, or women?"
"Well, that's easy!" announced Ruby, and grabbed Belle's shoulders, pulling her close and planting a firm kiss on her mouth. Belle giggled as Ruby pulled back, slipping her arm around Belle's waist and snatching up her drink.
"Come on, honey," she said loftily, and sauntered back to the pool table, Belle casting a scathing look over her shoulder as they went. Hook turned back to Keith with a shrug.
"Told you," he said, taking a drink. "Couple of dykes."
The girls grew bored of pool, and as the evening progressed they started dancing to some of the songs that were blasting out of the speakers. Emma regretfully had to leave at ten; she was on the early shift the next day. Snow went with her, leaving Belle and Ruby alone and dancing to a rock song that Belle hadn't heard but that Ruby sang along to in a loud voice, swinging her hips and punching the air. Breathless with exertion, and giggling at Ruby's singing, they slid onto bar stools to give their aching feet a rest. Hook was on the stool next to Belle, but he said nothing, and Keith plonked a virgin princess down in front of each of them with a grin. Belle took a sip, savouring the sweetness. The drink was a little bitter in comparison to the last one she'd had, but it was still good.
"So, what work are you doing with Gold at the moment?" asked Ruby, toying with her straw. Belle bit into the whole strawberry that graced the side of her glass, chewing and swallowing before turning back to Ruby.
"Some of the stuff I'm translating is really interesting," she said, licking cream from her fingers. "It mostly seems to centre around this place called Avonleigh, in the north of England. Turns out there was a town there, and a monastery, around the time of the Black Death."
"Huh." Ruby took a drink, and pulled a face. "Not sure I like this. You want it? I think I'll stick with Coke."
"Sure." Belle waved at Keith and asked for a Coke for Ruby, and the dark-haired man slid a frosted glass across the bar to her with a toothy grin.
"So, why is Gold so interested?" asked Ruby, and Belle frowned.
"I'm not sure," she said slowly. "He says he wants the old documents translated, so he has a better idea of their value, but then he gave me this book, which is an English translation of some other documents from the same place. It all seems pretty ordinary, everyday stuff. There's this family that lived there in the castle, the Beauchamps. I think perhaps he's looking for information on them, but if he is, he's not telling me."
"Maybe he's a distant relative," offered Ruby, taking a sip of her drink. A bead of condensation fell onto her dress, and she brushed it off.
"Maybe," said Belle. She looked at Ruby somewhat self-consciously, feeling a strange loosening in her tongue. "One of my dreams was about Avonleigh – about Isabelle Beauchamp. I dreamt I was her."
Ruby chortled. "One of your sex dreams? Okay, spill!" She leaned forward avidly, and Belle giggled, blushing.
"Not much to tell. I dreamt I was her, and Mr Gold was the alderman, a commoner, a spinner. His name was Rum."
"Weird name," shrugged Ruby, then grinned. "A commoner, huh? So Milady was slumming it?"
Belle giggled again. "I guess. He came to my room, and did – stuff."
"Well, I've always been a big fan of – stuff," said Ruby wisely. "What kind of stuff are we talking about?"
Unable to say the words out loud, Belle leaned in and whispered in Ruby's ear, and her eyes widened.
"Awesome!" she breathed, and picked up her drink, wiggling her eyebrows. "I should probably let Mr Gold know he's such a stud."
"Don't you dare!" spluttered Belle, alarmed, and Ruby cackled with laughter.
"Honey, your smutty little secret is perfectly safe with me," she said reassuringly, and Belle returned her grin. Ruby patted her hand, slipping off the stool.
"Bathroom," she announced. "See you in five." She sashayed towards the bathroom, drawing the eyes of all the men in the club, and Belle watched her go with a fond smile, draining her glass and reaching for the one Ruby had pushed aside. There was a strange warmth running through her, and she was feeling a little dizzy.
"You okay, Belle?" Keith was watching her avidly, and Belle nodded.
"Fine, I think I'm just a little tired," she muttered.
"Drink a little more," he advised. "The sugar should perk you up."
She took another mouthful, pulling a face at the taste.
"What did you put in this?" she complained. "It tastes bitter."
"Well, that's just because you've been drinking Coke," he said, grinning widely, and Belle shot him a sudden, piercing glance.
"I'm getting out of here," she said decidedly, and slid from the stool, stumbling as her head began to swim. She clutched the edge of the stool, taking deep breaths, and was startled by arms around her waist, pulling her upright, and a gentle hand lifting her chin. She could smell cigarettes on the man's fingers, and wrinkled her nose.
"Woah, easy there!" said Keith, sounding concerned. "You okay?"
"Perhaps it's time to get you home," added Hook, appearing at her side, and Belle stared up at him through bleary eyes. Her head was pounding, and her legs didn't seem to want to hold her up.
"Hey, get off her!" snapped Ruby, striding up and glaring at Keith. He flashed her a smile.
"Come on, Ruby, I'm trying to help her. Girl can't take her drink, that's all."
"She didn't have anything to drink," said Ruby fiercely, and put her hands on her hips, realisation dawning on her face. "Unless you two creeps put something in her drink. Did you?"
"Of course not!" snapped Keith, as Hook held up his hands with an innocent expression.
"I feel bad," said Belle, in a small voice, and Keith hauled her up.
"I could kiss you better, baby, if you like," he offered, and she wrinkled her nose.
"What? Ew, no, you smell and you – you don't wear a suit!" Belle pushed at him, stumbling away, and Keith looked outraged. Ruby burst out laughing, catching Belle around the waist.
"Can't even get her to kiss you when she's drunk, huh?" she said cheekily. "I guess there's not enough vodka in the world to wash away the taste of sleaze."
He scowled at her then. "Get the fuck out of here, the both of you!"
Having just walked into the club, Jefferson watched with some amusement as Belle shoved the bartender away with a revolted expression. She stumbled a little as she did it, before Ruby grabbed her, and Jefferson reached into his pocket and fished out his phone, using his thumb to flick through his contacts and dial a number. He watched Ruby struggle to get Belle into her coat as he listened to the phone ringing.
"Yeah, it's me," he said, when he got an answer. "Looks as though your favourite girl's in a bad way. She's just leaving the club. Are you nearby, or do you want me to step in and take her home?" After a moment he nodded. "Okay, sure. See you in five."
Gold put his phone away with a grimace, snapping at Dover to swing by the Rabbit Hole immediately. He was grateful to Jefferson for letting him know of Belle's current state, and immensely pleased that he had chosen to lurk in the back streets of Storybrooke, rather than going home and drinking whisky, like he wanted to. Dover turned the Cadillac into the seedier streets of the town, where he never ventured unless it was to collect rent, and he saw the dingy lights of the club ahead of them, and the two girls stumbling out of the door into the cold night air. Dover slowed the car to a stop, and Gold got out, grounding his cane and pushing himself up off the back seat. He shut the car door behind him, walking towards the two girls, his cane tapping on the ground and making them turn their heads.
"Miss Lucas," he nodded, as Ruby broke into a wide smile at his arrival.
"Mr Gold! Thank God!"
"Highly unlikely," he said dryly, and gestured at Belle, who was holding onto Ruby and grinning at him. "It appears you two have had quite the evening."
"It was awesome!" Belle pulled out of her friend's arms, and threw herself on him, making him grunt at the impact. She giggled in his ear, and he could hear Ruby groan behind her.
"I'm so glad you're here," said Belle softly, and he swallowed hard.
"Belle…" sighed Ruby, shaking her head, and Gold hoped that she'd know what to do with her inebriated friend, because he hadn't a bloody clue. Belle slumped against him, making him lose his balance a little, and he put his arm around her to steady her. She giggled into his chest, breathing deeply and making his traitorous body start to react before he could think. Her head rolled backwards to gaze up at him with her huge blue eyes.
"You smell incredible, do you know that?" she asked, her words slurring slightly. Gold heard Ruby stifle a snort from beside him.
"Let's – let's get you home," he suggested gently, and Belle sighed, allowing him to turn her around and steady her with an arm at her waist. Gold spotted Jefferson lurking in the doorway to the club, and nodded to him gratefully, receiving a nod of acknowledgement from the young man. They began walking slowly, Ruby keeping pace with a grin on her face.
"I know no one likes you," went on Belle. "But I do, Mr Gold. I really, really do." Her voice had taken on a dreamy quality.
"Well, that's nice…" he began, but she reached up and pressed her finger over his lips.
"Quiet! I'm talking!" she scolded. "I was saying…what was I saying?"
"I truly have no idea," he said quietly, around her finger.
"You weren't saying anything," added Ruby. "And if you have any sense it'll stay that way."
Belle wrinkled her nose at her friend. "Whatcha talking about? I'm telling Mr Gold how much I like him. I really, really like him." She let her head roll against his shoulder, but was silent for a moment as they edged nearer his car.
"I have dreams about you, you know," she said suddenly. Gold closed his eyes momentarily, but she wasn't finished. "In my dreams, you keep taking my clothes off. Either that or I go down on you. Or you go down on me. Is that weird?"
"Belle," said Ruby desperately. "For God's sake, stop talking!"
"Yes, please stop talking," added Gold. "Look, here's the car. Do you think you can get in on your own, Belle?"
"Of course I can, I'm not drunk!" she said indignantly. She stumbled as she turned, falling against his chest, and his hand tightened on her waist. She let her head roll back, her eyes closed, cheeks flushed and lips parted, and he tried very hard not to think that this was how she looked at the height of passion.
"Okay, I think I may be a little drunk," she murmured.
"Yes, dearest, I think that's a distinct possibility," he said kindly, and Belle giggled, batting her eyelashes at him.
"That virgin princess turned out to be a total slut," she declared.
"What?" he asked weakly, and she shook her head, giggling. Her fingers were clutching at his chest, her breasts pushing against him and causing an uncomfortable tightness in his loins. He swallowed hard. He was reminded vividly of the time she had bumped into him on the way to the bathroom at her parents' house, when he had smelled her scent on her fingers and caught the fierce blush on her face. Thankfully she had run into the bathroom, leaving him to his raging desire. She had been touching herself, and from the expression on her face when she saw him, she had been thinking of him when she did it. It had taken him some time before he was ready to face her father again after that particular encounter. His treacherous mind immediately imagined her touching herself again, and he ruthlessly thrust the image from his brain before he could embarrass himself.
"Belle, get in the car," he said, a little more urgently, and she giggled, the sound melodious and somehow throaty, which did nothing for his self-control. "Now, please!" he snapped, and she smirked.
"Or what? You'll spank me?"
Whatever blood hadn't already rushed south immediately plummeted to his groin, and he clenched his jaw, his desire for her an almost physical pain.
"Ruby said you'd like to spank me," she went on, oblivious.
"No, I didn't!" lied Ruby, alarmed, and Belle giggled again, her fingers running over his chest, her eyes huge in her beautiful face.
"Are you gonna kiss me goodnight?" she mumbled, her voice low and seductive.
"Seriously, Belle, ew!" Ruby pulled her off him, and Belle made sounds of protestation as she was ripped away from him. He missed the warmth of her body, and told himself he was a bloody idiot, and a pervert to boot. He was grateful to Ruby, who bundled Belle into the back of the car, fastened her seatbelt for her and shut the door. She straightened up, and Gold fixed her with a cool stare.
"Whose idea was it to get drunk tonight, then, dearie?" he asked coldly. Ruby sniffed.
"I think she must have picked up someone else's drink. Either that or someone spiked hers. That bartender's a sleaze, and there was another guy…" She shook her head. "We didn't order any alcohol, Mr Gold, honest."
He eyed her, frowning, then nodded slowly, aware that she was telling the truth. "Good. Make sure you keep an eye on each other's drinks in future," he said calmly, and gestured towards the car. "Get in, Miss Lucas, I'll take you home."
Ruby hesitated. "Look, Mr Gold, thanks for being here, okay? You're as ridiculously overprotective as I am. Just – with a car, and stuff."
He raised an eyebrow at her, and she threw her hands up in the air and let them drop.
"I'm just saying it's useful, that's all."
"Well, I'm glad to be of service," he said dryly, and made to get into the car. Ruby clutched at his arm, and he raised an eyebrow at her wide-eyed stare.
"Please don't tease her about what she said," she pleaded, and Gold smirked.
"Not at all, Miss Lucas," he said. "I rely on you to do that."
A/N: and the moral of the story is, don't let your drink out of your sight. Sleazebags.
Next time: Belle has a conversation with Mr Gold and gets the wrong impression about something.