XI

***Explain Yourself, Dearie!***

Belle shook out her skirts as Rumpelstiltskin led her away, wanting to assure herself she hadn't gotten any punch on her own gown. She'd be devastated should she have ruined all her master's hard work. Her sigh of relief turned into a squeak of alarm as she was pulled behind a large potted fern and into a deserted alcove.

Rumpelstiltskin didn't look pleased. "Is there something wrong?" she asked hesitantly, her gaze focused on the little furrow between his brows.

"You sent me to fetch you a glass of champagne to get rid of me, didn't you? So you could cause mischief," he stated, his eyes dark with displeasure.

"Perhaps," she hedged.

"Explain yourself, dearie," he demanded, crowding into her personal space. His own anger simmered beneath the surface. He'd had to defend her, to expose her as his own. It left him vulnerable, and that was a complication he neither wanted nor needed. He'd nearly lost her once to three vicious little termagants. He didn't relish the idea of going through that again.

She stood her ground, not intimidated by his temper in the least. "I was angry."

"Oh, yes, Belle, I could feel you from across the room!" he hissed in a heated whisper. "What were you thinking? Is this any way for my lady to act?"

Belle flushed as she remembered him calling her the Lady of the Dark Castle, and how it had made her feel to have him acknowledge her as such. He'd publicly claimed her, and it brought her no end of pleasure. "No, it's not, and I apologize if I caused you distress."

"Belle – "

"I'm not sorry for spilling punch on that girl, however."

"Belle – "

She ducked her head as she tried to rein in her emotions. She didn't want him to see a side of her very few in her life had ever approved of. Her temper had been a source of great contention between her and her father … especially after he'd arranged her betrothal. "I just got so angry." She poked him in the chest, forcing him to back up a step as her eyes flashed hotly. "And let me tell you this, Rumpelstiltskin … I'm glad Regina will not be casting your curse. All this plotting and manipulation … the thought of you locked in a cell to rot because of that twit! I suppose I let my temper get the better of me."

His hands fluttered uselessly at his sides as he debated whether or not to touch her. She didn't give him a chance to make up his mind, recognizing the signs of his indecision. She closed the distance and wrapped her arms about his waist, burrowing against his chest until he enclosed her in his warm embrace.

Rumpelstiltskin pressed a kiss to her temple and closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of her soft curves fitted so tightly to his body. "It wouldn't have mattered, dearie," He growled lowly against the shell of her ear, his anger replaced with need. If he lived another century, he couldn't imagine anything as right and perfect as the way she felt in his arms. "Once I was imprisoned, you could have gone back to your father until the curse was cast. I would have been nothing more than a bad memory."

Belle snorted. "I'm close to losing my temper again, Rumpel," she warned. Returning to her father was a last resort, and then she didn't think she'd be able to make herself go back to face the fate which awaited her in Avonlea. "Do you really think I would've left you there? My place is with you. I would have come for you."

He chuckled softly, not the shrill giggle of the demon. "Your loyalty is to be commended."

She glanced up at him sharply. "Loyalty? Is that how you see it?" she spat. Of course, he couldn't see it was the love she held for him which would have driven her to rescue him.

"Well – "

"I care for you, Rumpelstiltskin. Can't you see that?" She made a sound at the back of his throat which he didn't know if it was disappointment or disgust as she stepped out of his arms, and gave him her back. "When are you going to see how much?"

Belle leaned back into him as his arms slipped around her waist from behind, his chin coming to rest on her bare shoulder. She could only imagine the internal struggle with the Dark One constantly telling him she couldn't love him or want him … that no one could. Wasn't that a demon's sole purpose, to keep its prey submerged in the darkness? But she refused to give up. One day he would see how much she cared. He would see she would never leave him.

Rumpelstiltskin pressed a lingering kiss against her neck, his nose nuzzling just below her ear, sending a wave of gooseflesh pebbling her arms. "I know you care, Belle … now. But everyone I have ever loved has left me. I was never good enough, strong enough, brave … enough to keep them. You'll leave, too, eventually."

She swiped angrily at the moisture gathering in her eyes, and turned to face him. "Then I'll just have to show you, won't I?" she murmured stubbornly. "Because I will not give up on you, Rumpel. Not now, not ever."

*.*.*

Belle drained the last drop of champagne from her glass, and inhaled deeply, finally feeling her nerves settle for the first time that evening. She still couldn't believe she'd left him there alone. More surprising was he'd let her go, giving her time to clear her head. It seemed for every step they took forward in their relationship; they took four back.

Her master had some major issues, the least of which was his tendency to hate himself. What had happened to him in his life to make him think himself unworthy of love? To think he'd never be good enough. Oh, how she would love to get her hands on the people in his past who'd wronged him, and give them a piece of her mind. Apparently, she was going to have her work cut out for her if she was going to make him see himself as clearly as she did.

She held out her glass and waited patiently for the servant to fill it. Even if she didn't drink it, she would have something to occupy her fidgety hands. All she wanted was to go home. She wanted to talk to Rumpelstiltskin, and clear the air between them. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to hear, and the ball was no place to have a conversation. How much longer would Regina make him wait? Surely not until midnight.

"Hello, dear."

Speak of the devil and he'll come a-knocking. Or in this case … she.

"Good evening, your majesty," Belle said, but she refused to curtsey to the woman again. "Mingling with the masses to find new prey?"

The queen laughed with genuine amusement at the girl's quip. "Not at all. Really, too many people are still wary of me. They don't think I've changed, despite the reparations I've begun to make towards those I've wronged."

Belle sighed. "Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?"

Regina linked her arm through Belle's and led her around the dance floor, a simple stroll and a little girl talk. "Of course not. I don't expect people to forgive me, and I especially don't expect them to like me, Belle. I just have to do the best I can to focus on the kingdom, and try to be a good queen."

"I see Snow has forgiven you."

"Snow tries to see the good in everyone."

"Even when it's not there?" Belle asked, arching a dubious brow.

"You're right, and there was no good in me for a long time. But you, of all people, should believe in second chances," Regina said quietly. "You are one of the few in this kingdom - probably the entire realm - who sees good in Rumpelstiltskin."

"There is good in him," she hissed defiantly, daring the woman to argue with her.

"Yes, there is," the queen agreed. "There were so many times he kept me from crossing a line from which I'd never be able to come back. Something good, still in his heart, just hanging on to keep him from being truly evil."

Belle's eyes narrowed on Regina, her lips compressed into a thin line. "Then why did you want so badly to destroy him?"

"I was in a very bad place in my life, Belle. I wanted everyone to be as miserable as I was," she admitted. "I would have reveled in his pain of losing you. Breaking his curse wouldn't have harmed him physically, it just would have rendered him powerless. At least I think it would. Some say once magic touches you, it won't let go."

Belle sighed, wishing Regina would say what was on her mind and be done with the games. "I couldn't do that to him."

"Did you even try, dear?"

"No."

"Why not?" Regina asked, baffled by the girl. "Were you afraid it wouldn't work, when anyone can clearly see you love him?"

Belle looked away, the queen's piercing stare quite capable of reading her. She wasn't trying to hide her feelings, after all. "I was afraid … afraid he didn't love me, and the kiss wouldn't work. I can't love him enough for both of us."

"For what it's worth … I'm sorry I tried to trick you."

"I beg your pardon? Did you just apologize to me?" Belle asked incredulously. "Have a bit too much champagne this evening, your majesty?"

Regina laughed. "No, not at all. But I am a firm believer in second chances since I was granted one of my own. If you love him, you will help him find his. You're the only one who can." She reached into the bodice of her gown and retrieved a small scroll. "Here, take it. Be happy, Belle. And try to help Rumpelstiltskin find his happiness, too."

A/N: Don't worry, dearies, they'll be all lovey dovey in the next chapter and all will be well. They have issues, but nothing too severe they can't overcome. Next time: Rumpel is one step closer to Bae and he asks Belle if she'll go with him on his journey. Hope you enjoyed!