In the present, Rumplestiltskin devises a plan to give Belle only good memories. Meanwhile in the past, an unexpected visitor makes Belle question Rumple's feelings for her.

A/N: This one got dark. Trigger warning for blood and violence toward the end.


In the end, it was Lacey that had given him the idea. It was so simple once the thought came to him. Regina had proven it was possible to plant false memories in someone else's mind. It had been a necessary part of the Dark Curse, one she had utilized again when she'd given Belle a whole new personality after the pirate had shot her across the town line.

He had no wish to bring Lacey back into existence, but the idea was sound. He could enchant a totem, give Belle all the good memories of her life with Rowan while glossing over the bad. She would never need to know the whole of their history. He could make it more in line with what had happened in their original time line. Belle had left, Regina had kidnapped her and held her in a tower, convinced Rumplestiltskin that she was dead. The only thing that needed to change was that they had a daughter throughout it. He could give her back her memories of Rowan's birth, of their reunion in Storybrooke, of their brief moments as a family that had been all too fleeting over the years as they darted from one crisis to the next. There was no need for her to remember the things he had done, the monster that he really was.

Even as he enchanted the totem, he felt a stab of guilt. He was lying to her again. Belle deserved so much better than he would ever be able to give her. He'd almost convinced himself he had her best interest at heart, that he only wanted to spare her the pain of memories she could not change. But the truth was he was terrified of the way she would look at him if she did remember. The Belle and Rumplestiltskin in this new timeline had found each other again, had married and committed to raising their daughter together. But they were still so broken in so many ways. There was bitterness between them that did not exist in their original timeline. True Love was supposed to be the most powerful magic of all, but sometimes that magic faded.

"Rumple?" came Belle's voice from the stairs to the cellar. He quickly tossed a cloth over his enchanting table and magicked himself over to his wheel, the gentle creaking of the wood the only sound in his basement room.

A moment later his wife appeared, a silk bathrobe wrapped around her, her long chestnut curls damp from a shower. Gods she was beautiful.

"It's past midnight," she said, walking up behind him and placing her hands on his shoulders. He shivered under her touch, knowing he wasn't worthy of her kindness.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," he said, stilling the wheel with his fingers. "You know it's when I do my best thinking."

Belle came around him, settling herself on his lap as she carded her fingers through his hair.

"Well the wheel will still be here tomorrow," she said with a small smile. "I want our memories back as much as you do, but for now Rowan is sound asleep and my bed is very cold without my husband."

Rumple forced a smile, allowing Belle to pull him up and lead him out of the cellar and up to their room. Once the door closed behind them, Belle tugged at the belt of her robe revealing that she had nothing on underneath. She bit her lip playfully, pulling Rumple with her to the bed, and by gods he followed.

He was the worst sort of monster.


The Enchanted Forest, 30 years prior.

Belle was by herself for another two days after Gaston's visit. She knew Rumple said his business could take him away for some time, but she found herself getting lonely. He'd certainly gone out on long deals before, but their relationship was markedly different now and part of her wished he would rush back to be with her.

She was also hesitant to own up to the ball of nerves that had taken up residence in her stomach. She was afraid that the longer Rumple stayed away, the easier it would be for him to convince himself she didn't really love him. Lying awake, alone in her cold empty bed, she worried that he was staying away on purpose. That perhaps he had changed his mind about his feelings for her and was avoiding seeing her again.

Belle tried to quash those feelings as they arose, but the more time she spent alone, the harder it was to ignore.

On the third day of Rumple's absence, she'd had enough. There was no use in moping around the castle, especially now that Rumple had given her free rein once more. She had access to the grounds and it was a beautiful day. She didn't think a little light gardening would have any negative impact on her pregnancy, and so she headed out at morning light, grabbing a trowel and some work gloves and setting about weeding the flower beds.

It was a losing battle. Autumn had arrived and winter wasn't far off. Her flowers would be good and dead soon at any rate. But Belle had never been one to admit defeat and took the task in hand. It felt good to work with her hands, slight perspiration breaking out across her brow for the first time in weeks. She'd lived in luxury for most of her pregnancy, Rumple not allowing her to do even the slightest task. She'd found that a life of idleness was definitely not for her. As much as she loved to read, she'd grown almost bored of the activity when she wasn't permitted to do much else.

She worked happily until mid-morning when her stomach decided to remind her that she was supposed to be eating for two. So she packed up her gardening tools, getting up from her knees with some difficulty.

"So he still has you doing manual labor, even in your current condition?" came a mocking voice from behind her.

Belle flinched at the sudden presence beside her.

"Regina," she grimaced.

"Oh good!" the queen said cheerfully. "You know who I am. This will make things much easier."

"How did you get in here?" Belle asked warily, stepping back from the queen with a protective hand over her belly. She couldn't help but be reminded of Rumple's words, that Regina would use both her and their child against him if she could. She suddenly felt clammy, despite the bright sunshine in the garden.

"Oh, I'm always welcome in this castle," Regina said with an idle wave of her hand. "You see, Rumple and I go way back. I've been coming here for, well longer than a lady wants to admit."

Belle could feel danger and malice rolling off the evil queen, despite her bright smile. But she had no power here. This was Belle's home, the castle protected her, and Rumplestiltskin was always just one call away.

"Are you here to see Rumple?" Belle asked, hating the way her voice wavered slightly. "I'll just go inside and fetch him for you."

Belle motioned toward the castle, turning to head back to the safety of its walls when Regina's voice stopped her.

"He's not here," she said with a laugh. "I can't sense his magic. In fact, I'd say he's been gone for days."

Regina affected a pout, tapping one crimson lip with an equally blood red fingernail.

"I wonder what would draw him away for so long," she said with mock innocence.

Belle felt as though the ground had disappeared beneath her feet. Whatever was keeping Rumple away, the queen was behind it. She was sure. Regina had lured him out in order to get to her.

She drew breath in preparation to call Rumple's name, but before she could exhale, a phantom hand gripped her throat blocking the air from escaping her lungs.

"There's no use calling for him, dear," Regina said casually, as though choking pregnant housemaids was an every day occurrence for her. "He can't hear you as long as I'm here."

The hand around her throat vanished and Belle gasped, taking deep calming breaths to try to allay her fear. She was trapped.

"Now, don't worry," Regina continued. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just wanted to get a closer look and I knew that imp would never allow it."

"What do you want from me?" Belle rasped out.

Regina spread her arms wide as if it should be obvious.

"You're carrying the Dark One's child, dear. That alone is noteworthy. Your lover," she said the word sneeringly as though the idea disgusted her, "has been alive for centuries. He could have hundreds of children if he so wanted, but he's never shown an interest until you. What makes you so special?"

Belle had no answer for her, so she stayed quiet.

Regina stared at her for a long minute, circling her like a cat stalking its prey. Belle held still, her arms crossed protectively over her stomach, glaring at the queen.

"Well you're certainly a pretty little thing," Regina said at long last. "But there's nothing else remarkable about you. No magic to speak of, the daughter of a minor noble, you have no power and no influence. So why did he want you?"

"I volunteered to go with him," Belle said resolutely. She knew if push came to shove she couldn't overpower the queen, but that didn't mean she had to sit back and take her abuse.

Regina's eyebrows arched dramatically.

"Oh did you now?" she asked with a smile. "And why would you do something silly like that?"

"In return he saved my village from the ogres."

"Well aren't you the little heroine," Regina said dismissively. "And was your pregnancy a part of the deal as well?"

"No," Belle said with a shake of her head. "That just happened."

Regina eyed her for another long moment before throwing her head back with a sharp laugh.

"You expect me to believe you fell into bed with him because you wanted to?" she asked skeptically. "Tell me the truth. What did he give you in exchange for carrying his child?"

Belle just shook her head again. "Nothing. There was no deal. I wouldn't expect you to understand."

The smile fell from Regina's face at that, her eyes turning hard.

"Just what are you implying?"

"That you know nothing of love."

Regina's face went from anger to sadness in a flash so quick Belle almost missed it. Her eyes looked haunted, a rare glimpse of vulnerability behind the hard façade. But a second later the expression was replaced by malicious glee.

"You think he loves you?" Regina said, her eyes going slightly wild.

"I know he does," she said assuredly. He loved her, she was carrying his child. "I also know you wouldn't dare to hurt me, because Rumple would hunt you down to the ends of the earth to save me."

"There's something you should know about your precious Rumple," Regina said, her nose scrunching up at the sorcerer's name. "Once upon a time, he was a mere mortal like me or you. His magic is derived from a powerful curse, a curse that has enslaved him for centuries, a curse that can only be broken by one little thing."

"What?" Belle asked, despite herself.

"True love's kiss," the queen sneered. "So you see, it's quite impossible that he loves you."

"I don't understand," Belle replied, trying to keep her voice from trembling.

"You're pregnant with his child," she said, with a nasty grin. "I imagine you've done much more than kiss. If he loved you, he'd no longer be the Dark One."

"But we haven't kissed," Belle said truthfully. For all their intimacies, all the tender moments between them, her lips had never brushed his. It was a source of endless frustration. "Not that I remember anyway."

"Kinky!" the queen said with an arched eyebrow.

"I just mean that your argument is invalid. Rumplestiltskin loves me, and I love him."

"Perhaps," the queen said, stepping away from Belle and giving her one last look up and down. "But you'd have to kiss him to know for sure. I don't envy you that, have you seen his teeth?"

Regina let out another of her mocking laughs. "I've learned all I need from you."

With that, the queen vanished in a cloud of purplish black smoke, leaving nothing behind but the scent of her perfume.

Belle rushed back toward the castle, barricading the door behind her. If she ever had another visitor to the Dark Castle, it would be too soon.


When Rumplestiltskin still hadn't returned the next day, Belle started to panic. Her visit from the queen had put her on edge. Regina could have been bluffing, but what if she'd done something to Rumple? Belle couldn't imagine the most powerful sorcerer in all the realms ever being at the mercy of someone like the queen, but he'd been gone nearly a week. If something hadn't happened to him, the alternative was that he really was avoiding her. She'd told him she loved him, but she couldn't help but realize that he hadn't said the same. He'd confessed to liking her, implied that his feelings were in line with her own. But he'd yet to say the words. What if she was just fooling herself?

Regina had said that if he truly loved her, her kiss would break his curse. Belle loved Rumple with all her heart, but she couldn't deny that there was something dark within him, an evil that had taken root attempting to choke out the good man she knew was also within him. To think that it could be something as simple as a curse! But then why had Rumple never mentioned it? Perhaps he didn't want True Love's Kiss. But Rumplestiltskin was a good man, of that Belle had no doubt. If a curse was what was afflicting him, how could he not want it broken? Perhaps he thought no one would ever truly love him.

Another thought bloomed in Belle's mind unbidden. She'd never kissed Rumple in recent memory, but she couldn't remember her daughter's conception. What if they had kissed then? Rumplestiltskin was clearly still the Dark One, so it must not have worked. Was that proof enough that he didn't love her? And more than any of that, how did she know Regina wasn't lying? Rumple had told her he'd once been an ordinary man. If only she could be sure that it was a curse that had changed him.

These thoughts were rushing around Belle's mind, driving her slowly insane as she waited for Rumple to reappear. She considered calling for him, finally giving in to her fear and yelling his name at the top of her lungs. But what if he truly was busy? She would hate to interrupt some important deal, the fate of the realms hanging in the balance, all because she needed to know if Rumplestiltskin loved her or not. It sounded so silly when she thought of it that way. But despite knowing she was overreacting, she couldn't help the panic rising in her chest.

She knew stress couldn't be good for the baby, so she attempted to mitigate it. A calming cup of tea, a warm bath, a thick book to read by the fire. But nothing seemed to take her mind off her love, and what could possibly be keeping him from her.

She finally gave up on her book, leaning back against her chaise and stroking her belly as she tried not to think about Rumple, when there was a loud banging on the front door.

She popped up as quickly as her ungainly form would allow and rushed down the stairs in hopes of seeing Rumple before realizing that he would hardly be inclined to knock on his own front door. She stopped in the entrance hall, eyeing the oak doors warily. Between her visits from Gaston and Queen Regina, she'd entertained more in Rumple's absence than she ever had when he was in residence at the castle. It seemed every visitor these days was for her.

The banging came again, louder this time, as though something large was butting up against the doors.

Belle backed away instinctively. Whoever was outside wanted in desperately, but surely the castle would protect her, the way it had when Gaston had attempted to take her away. There was no chance the doors would give way.

She became less sure of her conviction when another thud came from outside, the heavy oak door seeming to groan under the weight of whatever was being thrust against it.

Perhaps Rumple's magic only protected her from forces inside the castle? When Gaston had tried to take her, he'd been dragged away when she'd told him to leave.

"Leave me alone!" she gasped, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around her belly.

The thudding ceased at once, and Belle breathed a sigh of relief. But her respite was short lived. A moment later the front door seemed to glow before bursting open with a shiver of white light. Belle squinted against the light, making out a hooded figure standing in the doorway with its arms stretched upward.

"Belle!" Gaston cried, pushing his way around the hooded figure and through the open door. "We've come to rescue you."

Belle was so shocked she couldn't even manage to roll her eyes at the well-meaning yet stubborn idiot.

"I told you I'm not in need of rescue," she ground out, backing away from her former fiancé.

Gaston shook his head condescendingly.

"That's your curse talking, sweetheart," he said softly, as though he were speaking to an invalid. "Queen Regina told me about your conversation yesterday. It's what convinced us to come so quickly."

It was then that Belle realized Gaston and the hooded figure were not alone. Behind him were nearly a dozen other men in dark brown hoods that obscured their faces. Clerics, she realized with a shiver. Wielders of so-called light magic, fanatical adherents to the old religion who'd taken it upon themselves to rid the world of anything deemed unclean. The closest cleric was staring at her from under his hood with gleaming eyes. She almost thought she saw a glint of a smile. This wasn't a rescue. It was an exorcism.

"Gaston," she pleaded, backing still further away as the clerics started to circle her. "Whatever Regina told you was a lie. Please, you must believe me. I'm not cursed."

Gaston just arched an eyebrow at her.

"The queen said you'd say that," he said pityingly. "She also told me she was able to break through the enchantment for a moment when she spoke to you yesterday. She told us what you said, Belle. That you pleaded with her to save you, to rid you of the abomination growing in your belly. Unfortunately her magic wasn't powerful enough to cure you. But the combined might of the clerics should do the trick."

Gaston gave a nod to the nearest cleric and he darted forward, grabbing her about the upper arm. Belle struggled, pulling back away from him, but his hand was like an iron vice. Then, as if batted by an invisible hand, the cleric went sailing backward, his back coming into contact with the entrance hall's large marble table with a sickening crack. Belle took the opportunity to rush around to the other side of the table, trying to put as much distance between herself and the clerics as possible.

"I told you!" Gaston was shouting. "The demon has given her some of his magic. She must be subdued!"

The cleric who'd been tossed aside seemed down for the count, but the others had rounded on her, approaching swiftly. One of them raised a hand toward her and Belle suddenly felt herself immobilized, her arms and legs snapping together until she was sure to topple over. Another cleric caught her about the chest before she could fall, his hands roaming over her body in a way that would have made her shudder with revulsion if she had the ability to move. No one but Rumple had ever touched her so intimately and it made her want to crawl out of her skin. She couldn't run, but luckily she still had her voice.

"Rumplestiltskin!" she screamed, as loud as she could. "Rumple -"

Her voice was cut off as a large, meaty hand collided with the side of her face. Stars danced before her eyes as pain exploded through her cheekbone and she would have collapsed if the other cleric hadn't had a firm hold of her. The tangy, metallic taste of blood filled her mouth and she choked on it before a gag was hastily tied around her mouth. She hoped Rumple had heard her, she could do nothing more at the moment. Her head was throbbing from the blow, her thoughts clouding together.

She felt the cleric lift her, throwing her over his shoulder with no thought to her belly and the precious cargo within. They would kill her daughter, and there was nothing she could do. She was alone.

Belle felt suddenly weightless. She vaguely wondered if she was dying. If the hit she had taken had somehow scrambled her brain beyond repair. But a moment later she felt the cold marble of the entrance hall floor beneath her back, slick with something wet.

She sat up once she realized she could move once more. Pulling the gag from her mouth, she shook her head to try to collect her thoughts. That's when she noticed the screaming. The entire hall seemed to echo with it. It reminded her of the sounds the dying soldiers made during the Ogres War. The sound of men who had been ripped limb from limb, bleeding out in the courtyard outside her father's castle. Then something warm and wet sprayed across her face, pulling her back to the present.

The cleric who had fondled her was nowhere to be seen. Instead she was sitting in a puddle of something that looked suspiciously like blood. A lot of blood. Enough blood to fill an entire grown man. Belle watched with wide eyes as two clerics standing closest to her seemed to vanish on the spot, only to promptly be replaced by a pile of body parts she could only just identify.

The screams seemed to taper off one by one as each cleric was eviscerated, ripped to shreds in explosions of gore. If this was the castle's magic, she wanted no part in it. It may have saved her child's life, but she couldn't condone this kind of violence. She just wanted them gone, not this!

Belle heaved, gagging and spitting, as the last scream was silenced, the final cleric falling to the floor with wide, unblinking eyes, half his body seeming to have been melted away like he'd been roasted over an open fire.

And that's when she saw him, standing in the middle of the carnage, drenched in blood that was not his own. Her Rumple.

She'd never seen him as the fearsome legendary Dark One that parents warned their children about at night. He'd been her employer, then her friend, then her lover. But he'd never frightened her. Not until this moment.

She'd never seen him look so fearsome, his eyes wild, lit up with manic glee as he surveyed his destruction. His hands were twitching with unrestrained power as magic crackled from his fingertips, igniting and sparking.

"Rumple," she whimpered.

He turned to look at her, his yellowed teeth barred in a nasty snarl, and Belle felt herself shrinking away from him for the first time. She was truly afraid.

He blinked, his eyes seeming to clear and then soften as he gazed at her. But a muffled sound behind him called his attention away.

"You'll never have her, Dark One," coughed Gaston. He was slumped against the far wall, battered but very much alive. "She was mine, and she will be again."

Rumplestiltskin rounded on her childhood friend, a flick of his hand hoisting Gaston into a standing position and then higher, as though an invisible hand had caught him about the throat.

"Is that so, dearie?" Rumplestiltskin trilled in that awful sing-song voice of his. "I do believe the lady is mine. And you should know, no one steals from the Dark One."

Gaston sputtered, his face turning a sickly shade of blue as he clawed at the air around his throat, searching for relief.

"Rumple," Belle called, pushing herself up to stand and nearly slipping in the blood that seemed to be everywhere. "Please. Don't."

Rumple turned to look at her, cocking his head slightly.

"He hurt you," he said simply. Then, with a simple twitch of Rumplestiltskin's fingers, Gaston's neck twisted at an unnatural angle, his limbs spasming around him before his body slumped to the floor in a heap.

"No!" Belle cried, reaching her hands out uselessly to where Gaston's body lay. But the light in his dark eyes had been extinguished.

Belle slumped back to the ground, the swirling darkness that had been threatening to claim her since the cleric hit her, finally overwhelming. She was vaguely aware of strong arms wrapping around her. Then all was darkness.