Sorry this is late! I should be on time with next week's chapter. See the end for important A/N.

I do not own 'Once Upon a Time.'

Chapter 11

"Sorry about that." Belle said as she returned to Nick's side a few minutes later. She immediately sensed that he was upset about something. "This is quite a night, isn't it? Are you holding up alright? Why don't you go sit down, your leg is probably sore already from all the standing, I saw you limping quite a bit earlier."

"I am fine, Belle. Some foul cameraman tried to get a shot of Olivia entering the main area with that little English prick who just got here." Nick said.

"Peter? Why would you call him that?" Belle asked.

"Oh, please Belle. He's an arrogant little shit, isn't that obvious to you?" Nick asked.

"Well, I don't know him well enough to make that determination." Belle said.

"I don't need to know him to make that determination. Thankfully, I won't ever have to, either. If you ever wanted a reason why I don't much care for Londoners, he's a walking, talking example." Nick said.

"You like Philip." Belle commented.

"Philip has Glaswegian blood in him, he gets a free pass." Nick said.

"You like Robin." Belle said.

"He's not from London, he's more tolerable." Nick said. Belle just shook her head and sighed.

"Come on – go sit down, I'm about to get things started with Zelena's performance." Belle said.

"How much longer till we're done?" Nick asked. Belle smiled as she stood facing him, and she wrapped her arms around him.

"I know you hate these things, and I love you so much for doing this. I will make it up to you, I promise." Belle said.

"Yeah, you'd better." Nick replied. Nick made his way to the table, where his entire family had gathered, and Belle headed to the makeshift backstage area and ordered the stage manager to have the lights flash to indicate that everyone should get to their seats. Once the crowd settled down, Belle took the stage and walked out in front of them. She was greeted by loud applause.

"Thank you! Thank you all so much for coming to our Fifth Annual Rose Francis Cancer Foundation Halloween Gala! We have a wonderful evening in store for you tonight! Before we get started, I'd first of all like to thank the New York Public Library for once again hosting the event. They always go above and beyond everything I need and I truly appreciate their help and good will. If you haven't done so already, please consider taking the Night Crawl flashlight tour of the library. There are still tickets on sale in the lobby, and I believe that there are three more tours this evening. All funds from that tour go directly to the library for assistance in any maintenance and upkeep they need to keep this beautiful building standing and functioning for all to enjoy. All other profits from tonight's event go directly to the Rose Francis Cancer Foundation. The Foundation has recently submitted a proposal to build a new Children's Cancer Hospital right here in the heart of New York. All of the money raised this evening will go toward that effort. We hope to break ground on this new facility this coming spring. An architect's layout of the facility is available for viewing in the lobby."

"First off though, in order to get this magical evening started, I'd like to introduce a fantastic illusionist and magician – and I swear, we did NOT compare notes on costuming – Zelena Campbell!" Belle shouted. The crowd applauded, and Zelena took the stage. Belle had allotted her fifteen minutes to perform some tricks and illusions. She had presented the show to Belle herself several weeks prior. The show was a huge hit with the audience. Zelena asked for several volunteers at times, and was never wont for them with this crowd. After Zelena's performance, Belle came back onto the stage.

"Thank you so much, Zelena! If anyone is interested, Zelena will have a table set up in the silent auction room for palm and tarot readings. Ten dollar donation, all money goes to the foundation. As you can see, Zelena has some amazing skills in the art of magic, so please have a little fun tonight, take a moment to stop by and see her and find out what your future holds!" Belle said, and the audience applauded Zelena again as she left the stage.

"For the next couple of hours, we'll have the autograph sessions. All of the celebrity guests that are here will be in the room down the hall, just follow the signs. There are posters and t-shirts for sale to mark the evening; we'll be signing only those, you can autographs and photo ops for the cost of either item, or both if you prefer. In order to move things along, we ask that you not have our guests sign anything but these two items, and only one photo per person, please. Thank you so much, and we do appreciate your cooperation. Also – there is a silent auction going all night long, please take a look at all of the items, we have some wonderful donations up for grabs this evening, including a walk-on role on Roland Sherwood's hit television show Family Business that includes air fare AND two nights' accommodations in Los Angeles. It is on a specific date, which is given on the auction sheet, so please look at it carefully before bidding. At this time, I'd like to introduce all of our celebrity guests who are here this evening." Belle began to call out each name one by one. Each of them came up to the stage, greeted the audience, and made some sort of announcement regarding what they donated to the charity auction. It took about fifteen minutes for Belle to get through the entire list, finally reaching the last name.

"Last, but – certainly not least – a surprise but very welcome guest this evening. Please welcome Peter Banning!" Belle shouted, and the crowd erupted in applause. The members of the younger crowd in attendance were especially enthusiastic as Peter strode onto the stage.

"Thank you so much, Belle. It's such an honor to be here tonight." Peter began. Sitting out in the audience, Nick rolled his eyes.

"You'd think he's up there accepting a fucking Emmy." Nick commented to Ruby, who was sitting next to him.

"Shhh. Let him talk." Ruby chided him.

"I have to admit that my decision to attend this event was extremely last minute, so I'm afraid I didn't have the time to submit something for the auction. However – I am going to personally donate ten thousand dollars to this fabulous cause. Belle French has been an idol of mine for most of my life, both professionally and personally. I'm so glad to be here, I look forward to meeting many of you over the next few hours, and I would like to take this moment to officially announce to you generous folks first that my next project is going to be a film where I'm working alongside none other than our lovely hostess, Miss Belle French!" Peter shouted.

"He what?!" Nick said as he listened to him. "What the bloody hell is he talking about?" Nick looked up at Belle, who smirked a bit. He could tell right away that she knew – and hadn't told him. The crowd applauded once again as Peter left the stage.

"Yes, thank you Peter. I um – I look forward to our project very much." Belle said. "One last item to bring to your attention – most of you know that one of my favorite hobbies is weaving and this year I have donated a lovely tapestry that I designed and made personally. Every stitch was done by me, under the direct guidance of my wonderful husband, Nick, of course, who is one of the most recognized masters of his craft in the world. I hope whoever wins it enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it. I'm going to turn things over to the deejay for now – everyone please enjoy yourselves, there's plenty to see and do and I'll be back up here to close out the night. Thank you all so much for coming! My mum enjoyed a good party and she would be honored to know that not only do we have this evening to honor her memory every year, but that we're doing this to help others. Thank you all for helping me to keep her name and her memory alive in this way. Now go out there and have a great time, everyone!" The audience applauded one last time as Belle exited the stage. She started to make her way toward the next room, and as she did Nick got up and approached her.

"What the fuck was he talking about up there?" Nick asked as he walked with her.

"He um – he's going to be playing the part. In the movie." Belle said.

"Since when?" Nick asked.

"I just found out myself. Sweetheart, I have to do autographs, we'll talk about it later, alright." Belle said. Belle quickly headed toward the autograph room. Nick scowled as he watched her walk away. He made his way back to his table, then sat down and sighed loudly.

"Daddy, is mom really doing a movie with Peter Banning?" Olivia asked excitedly.

"Apparently so." Nick said.

"I didn't know that Belle was doing another movie, when did that happen?" Ruby asked, her daughter, Anita, wiggling in her lap.

"We haven't officially announced anything yet. Well, not until tonight anyway." Nick remarked.

"I didn't think Belle was looking for anything right now." Ruby said.

"She wasn't. Mulan got a script, it was good, we read it, and Belle said she wanted to do it. We really don't have all of the details set yet to make an official public statement about it, but apparently that doesn't matter to some people." Nick said. Ruby saw her phone light up and looked at it, then she sighed.

"Graham's not gonna make it, by the time he'd get here the whole thing would practically be over." Ruby said, then she turned and looked at Walsh. "Not that I'm trying to get rid of you or anything."

"No, it's okay – I know you'd rather have him here than me." Walsh said.

"Well, I hope you're at least having fun." Ruby said.

"Yeah, it's – been an interesting night. Lots of famous people – not really used to that." Walsh said.

"It takes getting used to. I still remember the first time daddy brought Belle to meet us, it was at my twenty-first birthday party." Ruby said. "It was so embarrassing, I followed her into the bathroom." Anita snuggled closer to Ruby, clearly very tired.

"I should probably call the sitter to come pick her up, this is already way past her bedtime." Ruby said, and she picked Anita up and walked out into the lobby with her.

"Daddy, Roland asked me to go to a show with him and his parents this weekend. Can I go?" Olivia asked.

"Is your homework done?" Nick asked.

"I'll finish it tomorrow." Olivia said. "I promise."

"That's fine. I don't think your mother has any plans for us." Nick said. "Not that she tells me or anything." he said under his breath.

"I'm gonna go look around at the auction stuff." Olivia said.

"Alright, but you're to only go in there or else stay in this room, I don't want you going in that autograph room with all those bloody paparazzi." Nick told her. Olivia got up and left the table. "I'm gonna go get myself something to eat." Nick said, and he got up and left as well.

"Have you seen the boys lately?" Emma asked Bae.

"They're helping in the autograph room." Bae said. "Well – Henry's helping, I have no idea what Neal is doing in there. I'm gonna go get another drink."

"How many are you gonna have tonight?" Emma asked, noting that Bae already appeared to be a bit drunk.

"Why, are you counting? It's been a crazy week, Emma, am I not entitled to do something relaxing every so often?" Bae asked.

"No – go right ahead." Emma said, and Bae got up and left the table. "So much for tonight." Emma said, and she sighed.

"What about tonight?" Walsh asked.

"Bae and I are supposed to go spend the weekend together at a hotel. Belle and Nick are watching the boys. I'm predicting a pretty uneventful night." Emma said. "What else is new?" Both Emma and Walsh were quiet. "I'm sorry – this isn't your problem, it's mine."

"I know I probably shouldn't pry, but – if you want to talk – I'm here." Walsh said.

"Remember that morning that we met? Bae and I had just gotten into a fight – which has been par for the course for us lately. But I'd had it. I left early, told him that he was on his own getting the boys off to school. That was the first time in I don't know how long that I actually did something for myself. And I was pissed at myself for being that selfish. And then you showed up. And you were nice to me. You were the first person, in a long time, to be nice to me for no reason. Bae used to do that all the time. So I flirted with you a little bit. Then I felt like shit. And you know why? Because I didn't feel one damn bit of guilt about it." Emma admitted.

"Emma, you know, maybe I should go." Walsh suggested.

"No – no, you stay. Sorry for babbling, I just – things haven't been too bad with Bae and I the last few days. After I got hurt, we had a little talk and everything's been fairly nice. I thought maybe tonight would be nice as well – for a change. Then his damn assistant showed up, and we got into it again." Emma said.

"His assistant?" Walsh asked.

"Tamara. The one dressed as the slutty cop. Minus the cop part, it's a perfect costume for her. I just don't know how to get him to see that. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but – she's young, she's pretty, and I'm -"

"You're very pretty, Emma. If he can't see that, he's a damn fool." Walsh said, and he reached his hand out and put it on top of hers. Just as Walsh did this, Bae was heading back to the table.

"Hey, take your hands off of my wife!" Bae shouted, and he grabbed Walsh by the collar and lifted him out of his chair.

"Bae, stop!" Emma said, but Bae ignored her. Many people remaining in the room turned to stare at them.

"Isn't it bad enough that you almost get my wife killed? Now you're hitting on her?" Bae asked angrily.

"Bae, let him go right now!" Emma shouted. Nick noticed the commotion and started to head toward the table.

"Take your hands off of me!" Walsh shouted, and he shoved him away. "I only came here as a favor, and I was just talking to Emma and being a friend to her. I wouldn't have had to do that if you weren't off getting even more drunk than you already are! You know – maybe this is the perfect costume for you, because from what I see, you're a heartless bastard!" Walsh turned to Emma. "I'm gonna go. I'll see you at work next week." Walsh started to walk away, but Bae grabbed him.

"No, you don't get to go anywhere till we finish this." Bae said in anger. "I want you to stay the hell away from my wife. She's getting a new partner, because I don't want you anywhere near her."

"Bae, you are making a scene. Stop it." Nick ordered him, and he picked up his cane and put it between Bae and Walsh. "I won't have you ruining this evening for Belle. Maybe you should just leave yourself."

"You throwing me out of here, dad?" Bae asked.

"No, I'm asking you to leave before it comes to that. Get a cab, you're not driving like that." Nick demanded.

"Alright, fine." Bae said, and he looked at Emma. "Let's go."

"I'm not going anywhere with you. Nick is right. Get out." Emma told him.

"Fuck you. All of you." Bae said, and he stomped out the door. Nick and Walsh sat down on either side of Emma.

"I'm really sorry, Emma." Walsh said.

"It's not your fault." Emma said. "This – has been coming for a long time. I'm just sorry it had to be here."

"What in the hell is going on with him? He does this every times something is upsetting him, he shuts down and he shuts everyone out." Nick said.

"I should probably go, this is um – none of my business, really." Walsh said.

"No – you shouldn't." Emma said. "You're staying." Emma turned to Nick. "I don't think we're gonna be using that hotel room after all." Emma said. "You can still keep the boys this weekend, right?"

"Of course." Nick said. "Emma, maybe you should go after him."

"If I go after him right now, I might shoot him." Emma said. "Do you think he'll go to our hotel room?"

"I don't know." Nick said.

"What am I gonna tell the boys?" Emma asked.

"You don't need to tell them anything yet. Belle and I will take care of them this weekend. See if the two of you can sort this thing out." Nick said.

"I'm not even sure where to start at this point." Emma said.

"Bae – are you alright?" Tamara asked as she approached Bae, who was heading for the exit.

"My father just asked me to leave, and my wife agreed with him. You tell me." Bae said.

"Where are you going?" Tamara asked.

"I'm not really sure." Bae said.

"Well, I don't think you should be alone right now." Tamara said.

"You know what? I've got a hotel room all paid for tonight. I'm all checked in and everything. How about we go there?" Bae asked.

"That sounds perfect." Tamara said.

"I – probably shouldn't be driving. Do you mind?" Bae asked.

"As long as it's not a stick shift." Tamara said. Bae and Tamara went to the coat check, got their jackets, and Bae pulled out his car key from his coat pocket and handed them to Tamara, and the two of them left together.


A/N: If you are on Tumblr, The Espenson Awards are currently going on. Voting goes until Saturday, February 7th. My fic Catch a Falling Star, which was the first fic in this verse, is nominated for 'Best Movie AU' and I'd really appreciate it if I could have your vote! In addition, Nick Gold is nominated for "Best Mr. Gold" and Olivia Gold from this fic is nominated for "Best Rumbelle Child." A couple of other fics of mine are nominated as well. Any support would be greatly appreciated!

Preview for next chapter:

Zelena has a talk with Olivia