Into Neverland Chapter Eleven

"Check mate." Belle grinned as she moved her knight to the its square. Trapping Gold's king between her knight and queen.

Gold pursed his lips as he studied the board. They had been playing quietly for the past hour. Conversation flowing through their moves and body language. Chess had become a daily ritual for them. They would each wake up, eat their breakfast, and then play a game of chess before lunch. Belle enjoyed these quiet moments, it allowed her to be herself. Something she truly appreciated about Gold. At first she had been angry about him knowing her past, but now she was grateful. It was nice having someone know. "It would seem that you have claimed victory once again."

Belle smiled and took a small sip of her tea. She had claimed victory every time. Gold was good, but she was better. "You had a chance that time. There was a moment when I felt a little stressed." Her eyes danced with glee. She always enjoyed beating others, no matter the game.

"You say that every time, my dear." He picked up his cup of coffee and took a greedy drink. Belle doubted that he noticed the endearment he added. Silently he picked up his pieces and replaced them on the board. Belle followed shortly after. "You are the only one who I haven't beaten. I must admit, it is quite frustrating." His brown eyes displayed the opposite emotion that his words expressed.

"I think you secretly enjoy being beaten by someone who is your equal in intellect." Belle laughed and leaned back in her chair, propping her feet on the edge of the table that sat between them. She watched Gold's eyes flicker to her legs, then back to her face. He had provided her with new clothing, which she was grateful for, but they didn't suit her personality. She was currently wearing a short burgundy skirt with a black blouse tucked in. Her hair laid in gentle curls, framing her face. Her feet were currently bare; she didn't particularly like wearing shoes in her home, which Gold's place currently was.

Gold smirked. "My equal?" He finished his coffee.

"You know I am." Belle's fingers tapped softly against her glass.

"I do not doubt it." He leaned forward and lightly gripped her calf. His hand was warm against her skin. "I have a present for you." He stood up and walked to the other side of his library.

Belle perked up. "A present?" She got up and followed after him. "You've given me plenty of gifts. I don't need anything else." It was the truth. He had given her plenty of gifts over the past two weeks that she had spent with him. He was serious about courting her, which he made known every day.

"You deserve the world." He opened a wooden box. "However, I hope this will please you enough." He turned and moved towards her. In his hand were her two daggers.

Belle lurched forward and took them both into her hands. She hadn't seen them since Gold took her. She gently unsheathed them and ran her fingertips across the cool steel. "My daggers are my gift? They already belong to me, not much of a gift to be honest." She smiled and swung them onto her back. It was comforting to have them back where they belonged.

Gold's eyes twinkled and he reached his hand up to cup her cheek. She could feel his thumb rubbing small circles. "My gift to you is my trust."

"Yo- You trust me?" Belle looked away from his gaze for a moment. Guilt started to build up in her. She was still keeping secrets from him.

"With my life." He whispered. He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers in a gentle kiss.

Belle returned the kiss. "Thank you." She pulled back and gripped his hand in hers tightly. "Does this mean I can finally leave this building?"

"Unfortunately no." He quickly squeezed her hand tighter when he saw the distress in her eyes. "I can't risk losing you." He explained. "Killian may try and take you away from me. Besides, no one else here trusts you."

"Do you think I'll run?" Belle couldn't understand why she wasn't allowed to leave. Killian allowed her leave. "Am I a prisoner?"

Gold pulled his hand away from hers and turned to look out the window. "Technically you are."

"What?" Belle had hoped that she proved herself to him over the past couple of weeks. It was true that she wasn't being completely honest with him, but it didn't seem fair to keep her locked away.

"Belle." Gold turned to face her again and tried to put his hand on her shoulder, but she moved it away before he could. "We can't risk letting you free. How do I know that you're not simply tricking me? Faking your affection towards me. Isn't that what you did to Killian?"

"You just told me that you trusted me."

"I do."

"No you don't. " Belle's voice started to rise. "If you trusted me, then you would let me leave. You would trust me to come back." Tears started to prick at her eyes.

"Belle-" Gold tried to interrupt her to explain.

"No!" She pointed her fingers right to his face. Resisting the urge to draw one of her daggers. "You know what? Fuck you." Belle turned and walked out the door, making sure to slam it behind her.

She walked quickly down the hallway, hoping that he wouldn't follow after her. She could feel the anger building in her chest, but it wasn't towards him. She was angry at herself. She let her emotions get the best of her. Gold was right to not trust her, once Emma came back, Belle would leave.

She never anticipated that she would develop feelings for Gold. Her feelings for him were getting in the way of her mission. And it scared her.

Hours passed. The clock in her room ticked loudly due to her silence. Belle's gaze never left the window. The temptation to run was gnawing at her. Her mind encouraged her to run, but her heart pleaded with her to stay. Confusion ticked away at her, keeping time with the clock.

A knock at the door broke Belle at her trance. She hesitantly made her way to the door and placed her ear against the cool wood. "Belle.." Gold's soft voice pleaded from the other side. "It's getting late. At least come out for dinner." His request was followed by a soft thump. She assumed that Gold had leaned his forehead against the door.

Belle answered his question with silence. She backed away from the door, wanting to place more distance between them.

"You've got to eat something." There was another soft thump. "Please come out."

"I'm not hungry." Belle called out. She walked back to her window. The soft lights from the ceiling of Neverland flickered slowly, causing some areas to glow brighter.

There was another sound outside and she could hear Gold's cane beat against the floor. Was he pacing? "There's food outside your door." His voice was further away. "I'll leave you in peace."

Belle closed her eyes and counted to ten before rushing to the door, jerking it open. She looked out in both directions, hoping he had stayed. Disappointment washed over her. Of course he wouldn't stay. She made it obvious that she didn't want to see him. A silver tray sat on the ground. Belle sighed and picked up the tray. She paused until the door clicked behind her before throwing the tray and its contents against the wall. "Bastard." She muttered under her breath.

Not bothering to even attempt to pick up the mess, Belle stormed out of her room and headed towards the front door. She didn't care that she wasn't allowed to leave. She doubted they could stop her.

No guards stood in her way as she traveled down the several flights of stairs to get to the main entryway. Belle was puzzled, but decided it was best to keep moving. Her hand grasped the handle of the door, the only thing blocking her way.

"I wouldn't do that, Little Rabbit."

Belle closed her eyes, but kept her grip on the handle. "Jefferson..." She warned. "Don't try and stop me. I would hate to hurt you."

"I would hate that as well." Jefferson stepped closer, his boots clicking against the tile.

"Please." Belle turned to face him. "I need to leave." She took quick steps towards Jefferson, stopping about a couple of steps away. "I need to get away." Her voice broke in a whisper.

"I'm afraid I cannot let you go." He reached his out his arm to grip hers, but she moved back in time. "I have orders, Little Rabbit."

"From him?"

"Of course." Jefferson chuckled and tried to make another grab at her.

Belle was back at the door and had the handle in her grip again. "I'm leaving." She clicked the handle and opened the door. "You can't stop me."

Jefferson lunged towards her and caught her arm in an iron grip. She brought her other arm down, hitting his right in the elbow. Jefferson's grip loosened and he yelled in pain. Belle took the opportunity to kick him in the shin, breaking completely free of his grip. "I told you that I didn't want to hurt you."

Once again, Belle made her way to the open door, seeking the warmth from the outside.

"And where do you think you're going?" Victor's voice called out from behind. "You are not allowed to leave. You are a prisoner, remember?"

"I'm not a prisoner." Belle glared over her shoulder. "Not anymore." She needed to leave, or she would become a prisoner. A prisoner due to the fact that she was falling in love with Gold. If she fell for him completely, she would truly be trapped.

She ran. She ran out the door and into the open street. It was the first time since she was able to leave that building. She felt as if she was a bird learning to fly for the first time.

"Lacey! Come back!" She could hear Victor's voice behind her. He was chasing her through the street. Belle dared to look over her shoulder, noticing that Jefferson was running right behind him.

She weaved through alleyways, hoping to lose them in the chaos. Her shoulders bumped into people, some even falling to the ground. Curses could be heard all around her, but she didn't care. She continued to run.

"Little Rabbit!" Jefferson's voice sounded closer than she would like. "Please, we can talk? I can be shoulder to cry on." His voice carried to her ears. Tears stung her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to stop and run back to Gold's arms.

"I can't!" Belle shrieked. She had a job to do. Her mission was to get in, get Emma, and get out. Nothing more, nothing less. She started to run faster, hoping to put distance between her and them. They would drag her back there, drag her to the place she wanted to be.

"Little Rabbit!" Jefferson cried out.

Belle closed her eyes, but continued to run. She blocked out the sounds surrounding her and just ran. She didn't hear Jefferson's cries, nor did she notice the speeding car. Pain. Pain shot through her body and she could feel her body launch into the air. The metal felt cool beneath her skin. Her back slammed into the glass, causing it to shatter. Many sounds could be heard, but they were all muddled together, not making any sense to Belle. Her body was stiff and stuck. She couldn't move any part of her body, her limbs in too much pain.

"Damnit!" Jefferson was now at her side. Raking his hands through his hair. "Are you alright?" Victor was behind him and looked at her for a moment. "She'll live, but it'll be a long recovery time." He then turned and grabbed the owner of the car by the throat, slamming him into the care. Belle hissed when the car shook. Jefferson lightly touched his hand against her face. His eyes wide with panic. "We'll get you to him, Belle. We'll get you home."

Before Belle could ask him how he knew her name, her vision clouded into darkness.

Belle could feel warm hands grip hers, drawing her out of her slumber. How long was she out? She attempted to stretch out her limbs, but flinched when pain tore through her.

"It's alright, sweetheart." The warm hands gripped hers tighter. "Don't try and move."

Belle's eyes opened slowly and Gold's face was the first thing she saw. He smiled sadly and raised her hand to his lips. Belle looked around, being careful not to move her body. She didn't recognize the room, the color was different from her own room. Warmer, more inviting colors of gold and red greeted her sight. "What happened?" Her voice was hoarse.

"You were hit by a car." She could see the anger behind his eyes. "Bastard was speeding. He could have killed you!"

"But he didn't." Belle smiled weakly. "I'm sorry."

"I should be the one apologizing. I was in the wrong."

Belle shook her head. "I was the one who ran. It was a careless thing to do."

"You were ma-"

"I was selfish!" Belle cried out. She didn't care that it caused her whole body to cry out in pain. "Instead of talking to you, I ran!"

"Why did you run?"

Tears streamed down her face. "I can't tell you." She barely whispered.

Gold drew in a deep breath and let go of her hand. "You can trust me."

"Can I?" Belle held her gaze, not giving him the opportunity to not face her. "I'm your prisoner, remember?"

"You are not my prisoner, love."

Belle let out a brief laugh then glanced to look out the window. She didn't want to talk to him. He would truly treat her as a prisoner once she told him the truth. Did she want to tell him? Was it worth the risk? No. She finally decided. It was best to never tell him.

Gold sighed and squeezed her hand tighter, probably hoping for her to look at him. When he realized that she had nothing more to say, he let go of her hand and stood up. "You should rest." He paused for a moment, waiting on her to look at him. Belle's eyes remained glued on the window. Her vision was cloudy from not blinking, but she was afraid to make a single movement. She heard a sound of defeat leave Gold, followed by the soft thump of his cane. Slowly he left her room. Once she heard the click of the door Belle released the breath she was holding. More tears shortly followed.

"Time to wake up, Little Rabbit." Jefferson's voice intruded Belle's dreams, pulling her away from the beautiful scene.

Ever since she met Gold, she dreamed of him. Of them being together. They were always happy in her dreams. He knew her secret, but still loved her. His laughter still rung in her ears.

"Did I interrupt something?" Jefferson asked. He gently shook her shoulder in attempt to pull her out of sleep faster.

Belle automatically reached out to strike at the thing ruining her dreams, but she missed and hit open air instead. Pain hit her, but she ignored it. Not wanting to show weakness. She groaned and opened her eyes slowly in order to glare at intruder. "What do you want?" She spat out.

"I came to bring you breakfast... And your medicine." He held up a bottle of white pills and shook them, causing them to rattle. "I'm under orders to take care of you." He added.

"Go away." Belle turned and burrowed into the covers. Wishing the nuisance would go away. Jefferson reached over and grabbed the edge of her comforter, pulling it off of her with one clean swoop. "Fuck off!" Belle yelled and attempted to kick him. Her entire body cried out in pain, but she didn't care. She was pissed off and wanted to hurt the source.

"Now, now. That is not proper language for a beautiful young lady... Especially an heiress." He added with a wink.

"Ho- How do you know?" Belle vaguely remembered Jefferson using her real name after the incident, but passed out before she could ask. How did Jefferson know her true identity? Wasn't it supposed to be a secret between her and Gold?

"I have my ways. There are few things in this world that I don't know about." He looked about the room. Belle wondered if he was making sure it was just the two of them in the room. "Especially when it concerns my dear friend."

"That doesn't answer my question." Belle stared him down. "How do you know who I am?"

"Paranoid that I will shout your secret into the sky, Little Rabbit?" He sat on the edge of the bed and patted her leg. "Don't worry your secret is safe with me."

"I don't understand."

"I like you." A puzzled look crossed his face for a brief moment. "You make Gold happy. Something I have not seen for a while."

Belle couldn't fight the small smile that formed on her lips. She made Gold happy. Apparently it was a difficult accomplishment. "I'm glad." She murmured.

"As am I." Another pat on her leg. "As am I."

They both sat in silence for a while. Belle enjoyed the peace. The only sound she could hear was the soft humming from the lights above. Breaking the silence, Belle decided to take a risk. "Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?" Jefferson met her gaze.

"Where's Gold's son? I keep seeing pictures of him around the building, but I haven't seen him. Is he still on the outside?" Belle hoped that Jefferson wouldn't question her in asking about Gold's son.

"He's away for a while. Should be returning soon actually." He chuckled. "Not many places one can go in Neverland for a honeymoon."

Belle suddenly gasped out loud. "Honeymoon? Are you saying he got married? To who?" Her voice grew louder with each question. She hoped that her answers were wrong.

Jefferson raised an eyebrow at Belle. She could see his confusion. Please don't ask any questions. Belle silently pleaded. He smiled and replied. "To a girl named Emma I believe. She's actually free. Here by choice." He pursed his lips together. "Who would have thought that someone would enter this place willingly."

"Shit."

"What was that?" Jefferson asked.

Belle hadn't realized that she spoke out loud. "Nothing. Just an odd thing to do. Enter a prison by choice." For love. She mentally added. "I wish I was that brave." Belle tried to smile, but too many thoughts were going through her mind. How was she supposed to get Emma out of this place now? Could she actually ruin another person's happiness?

"Love is a powerful thing." Jefferson smiled at Belle.

"Yes. Yes it is."