"What is this?" Belle asked warily.

"This is Operation Cobra," Ryan sauntered into the room, taking a seat at a large, square table.

"Operation what?" Belle stared at him, unsure if she should follow him or not.

"Come take a seat, Belle. Let me explain everything to you. I'm sure this is all very confusing for you," Granny told her as she herself sat at the head of the table. Belle hesitated another moment, tempted to run the way she came. Somehow in the course of twenty four hours her life had gone from comfortable to something unrecognizable. She took a deep breath and stepped in, determined to act brave and hope bravery would follow.

She sat next to Ryan, who scooted his chair closer to hers, a handsome smile lighting up his features. She gestured with her hands for Granny to tell her the story and then leaned tiredly back into her chair.

"Operation Cobra was founded by the old Heroes after the Villains made a play for the city. Unfortunately the Villains learned of their identities and systematically wiped them out. There were more Villains back then; now just Amethyst Dragon and The Trickster survive. I had thought The Trickster was dead until very recently, he'd remained dormant for so long, but he's back and still dangerous".

Belle kept her eyes down and hoped no one in the room could read her mind.

"Granny has the ability to tell if anyone around her has an ability," Ryan informed her, filling in that blank for Belle. She had wondered what the owner of her favorite bar was doing heading a secret organization of supers.

"And you?" She prompted. He grinned cheekily at her.

"It's a lot like muscle memory. I see something and my body knows how to do it."

"He's quite the talented fighter," Granny told her fondly.

"And an awesome knitter," he added proudly.

"Okay...so what does any of this have to do with me?" Belle asked.

"I have been watching you and your friends for a while," Granny admitted, "But I was never sure about approaching you, especially when you began seeing Mr. Gold. He has a formidable ability and I didn't know if you could be trusted, but then Ryan came to me and told me Regina was planning on executing you instead of keeping you alive but imprisoned and we decided to act quickly."

"Lucky me," Belle said dryly. "Why would Regina want me dead?"

"Regina works for the Glass Family," Ryan told her seriously, the smile gone from his face. "I don't know how high up she is, but she makes decisions."

Belle leaned forward, surprised. This must have been what Gold wanted her to uncover. "So Regina is another politician in the pocket of the Glass Family...? I did not see that coming. So what is your plan?"

"We want to train you, physically, and bring your friends in. Get the four of you ready for a battle. Not only would you four have take down the Glass Family but I suspect Amethyst Dragon is also somehow connected with them, and you can bet The Trickster will not want to relinquish control of the city, either," Granny told her. "You'll go back to Storybrooke but the next time someone tries to kidnap you, you could kick their ass."

"And if I say no?"

"We're not going to force you, Belle," Ryan said, exasperated.

"I'll do it if I can show the city I'm still alive," she said quickly. She wasn't sure about any of this, especially if Granny expected her or one of her close friends to kill the man she loved. She was certain she wanted to destroy Regina, especially after all the trouble she had gone to, to try and end Belle's life.

"In a week?" Granny hedged, looking nervous. Belle sighed, about to argue when Ryan spoke up.

"We made you a really cool costume. Want to see it?"

"Sure," she agreed, glad to be moving around. A week was too long to let her loved ones think her dead, but she wanted to trust Granny and the Operation. Would Gold forgive her when he learned she had let him think her dead for an entire week? He had wanted her to bring Regina down; this was the cost of that. She decided he would just have to understand, and if he didn't she would make him understand. Ryan led her to a door at the back of the room with a small electronic pad next to it on the wall. Ryan put his hand on the pad, which illuminated green for a moment before the door hissed open.

"Cool, huh?" His grin was back. She wanted to match his enthusiasm but was having difficulty as she thought about her friends and what they must have been going through at that moment.

Gold had considered leaving the country once he was discharged from the hospital. He didn't want to face Belle's funeral or the fact that he had never told her he loved her before she died. Bae had talked him out of it, demanding he not be a coward. He found himself leaning against a marble pillar in Storybrooke's historic Cathedral. Regina had slapped together a funeral quickly and it seemed like the entire city was in attendance. Bae was sitting close to the front with Bernard, looking solemn. Bae had insisted they buy flowers to lay on her casket and Gold had obliged, buying several dozen red roses that his boy now held a little awkwardly on his lap. Gold himself held one of the roses himself though he didn't think any amount of roses would ever make up for what he had done to her. He regretted having ever asked her to expose Regina. He was the reason her funeral was a closed casket. He was the reason she would never help another person in Storybrooke ever again.

His self-loathing and rage had reached an entirely new level. However, unlike before he finally had someone to take it all out on: Regina. Regina, sitting in the very front of the church looking impossibly smug. She was next to Belle's drunk of a father. He wondered how she had managed to scrounge the man up and in the same thought found he didn't much care. Right now, at the funeral, he would pay his respects and tell the only woman he had ever loved good-bye. After that it was open season. Regina had taken something he loved and now he was going to destroy what she loved, the city. Emma Swan had inexplicably kept his secret from her friends for the simple reason that Belle trusted him. He thought was a poor reason considering Belle's misplaced trust in him had gotten her killed. The entire service was an affront to Belle's memory. No one who actually knew her, aside from her father, spoke about her. Regina threw words like travesty and untimely as Gold's nails dug into his palms. Could no one else see how pleased with herself she was? His control nearly snapped twice as he considered ripping her brain out through her skull.

He was the last person to put his flower atop her closed casket when the time came. Few people were left inside, giving him one last peaceful moment with her. He set the flower down delicately, ignoring all the others and bit back tears. He could hear Regina's gleeful thoughts and he refused to let her think him weak. Before he walked away he pressed his palm against the lid, crushing several flowers in the process "I love you, too," he murmured before stepping down.

"Tragic," Regina said when he reached the church doors. He ignored her, stepping around her and out into the cold drizzle. She was about to find out how tragic her foolishness really was. "Mr. Gold, what ever happened to your limp?" Regina tried again. He was tempted to turn around and beat her head against the door until it was a bloody pulp on her neck but he resisted. What Regina lacked in control he made up for. Let her think she had won this war. He had nothing but time.

Belle was standing in front of Ryan in her new costume which had obviously been designed by a man. The suit was all gold with five inch heels built into it. She had nearly killed herself twice trying to get into it. The suit was latex and fit like a second skin. Every curve was accentuated and though she had never been very self-conscious but the suit made her feel a little naked. It came with a small, golden mask that fit neatly over her eyes and the bridge of her nose. It flared out on either end, surprisingly masking her appearance. Belle had gotten creative and applied liberal amounts of black eyeliner and a shimmery gold shadow that detracted from the blue of her eyes and her usual curls were replaced with pin straight hair that fell down the middle of her back. Her eventual plan was a pony tail but Ryan had interrupted before she had gotten that mouth was hanging slightly open. She shifted from one leg to the other impatiently. "It looks much better on you than the dummy," he finally said. She let out a breathy sigh of annoyance. He himself was in his own costume, a hunter green suit though she noted it wasn't half as tight. He had a matching green and black hooded cape that he wore over his hair and a black mask over his eyes. The effect made him seem mysterious and she wondered briefly if that had been his intention. "Are you done staring?"

"Oh Yeah, sorry. So I was thinking we could go into Storybrooke tonight and do a little practice fighting."

"You trust me to leave?" She asked, surprised. She had been sure they would keep her there for the entire week.

It was Ryan's turn to sound annoyed. "You're not a prisoner, Belle."

"I know, I just kind of thought..." she trailed off, twisting a strand of hair around her finger.

"I know what you thought but I'm not your jailer. I want to be your friend."

She felt a little bad at his confession and the earnest look on his face.

"Can we go now? If we go down to West Storybrooke by the docks there a lot of abandoned buildings."

"I actually have a spot in mind but we can head out soon. By the time we get there it'll almost be dusk."

Belle would have jumped for joy if her shoes made it possible. She instead chose to clap her hands together and follow him out.

Gold was sitting in his car, parked in a quiet alley, just watching. People walked past; oblivious to the horror he was about to rain down on them. It wasn't anything personal per say, unless you happened to be Regina Mills or Moe French whom he had followed. For a man with any number of addictions, he was living in one of the wealthier buildings in town. It didn't take a mind reader to figure out what was going on there. The man had had the love Belle and he had wasted it on useless things. Gold almost regretted destroying the whole building and all the people in it. He knew Belle wouldn't like it, but Belle was dead. She didn't have opinions on anything anymore.

He was already in his suit, mask in place, as he waited patiently. He had nothing against destroying things in the daylight but the cover of nightfall appealed to his more theatrical nature. *

Belle was surprised when Ryan took her to a nicer part of Storybrooke. They parked behind the building and stole in quickly as dusk began to blanket the city. Nothing looked any different to her and she was disappointed for half a second. She didn't know what she expected in the wake of her supposed to death when she really thought about it. Ryan led her to a service elevator and produced a key with a cheeky smile.

"Less conspicuous," he commented as they got in and she found that she couldn't argue. The last thing she wanted was to be noticed in this get up before she had a chance to talk Ryan into modifying it slightly.

The roof was expansive and empty. She understood why he had chosen it. Outside of a large generator there was nothing but concrete. He walked her to the center than turned to face her. "Ready?"

She smiled. "I was born ready," she informed him.

He laughed. "Now that I believe. You need to learn to fight without breaking your neck in those shoes."

"Yeah, why did you make them so tall?"

"Because you are hell on heels." She knew she would regret that nickname eventually. Ryan took a defensive stance in front of her and she mimicked it. He started slowly, showing her how to throw a proper punch while still protecting her face. He had her practice on him until she managed to get a hit on him.

Neither of them noticed the darkness surrounding them as he started to show her how to kick properly until the building across from them lit up. "What was that?!" Belle screamed over the blast that had thrown her on the was quick to his feet, already running to the ledge.

"The Trickster," he told her. He began running towards the elevator. "Stay here, he's dangerous!"

Belle looked over and saw Gold laughing like a mad man, throwing smaller bombs into the building and clapping with glee when they exploded. Dangerous he was, but not to her. She had to tell him she was alive and make him stop this before he seriously hurt or killed someone.

Ryan had taken the key to the service elevator which left her the option of the stairs. She cursed her heels as she began running down them as quickly as possible, praying Ryan didn't get injured in the process.

The street was chaos. She arrived right in time to see Gold throw Ryan into a nearby parked van, laughing the entire time. She walked quickly towards him, a little afraid when he spun towards her suddenly. This was wrong; he was preparing to battle her."A side kick?" He cocked his head to the side in mock thoughtfulness. "What do you, dearie?"

She flinched under his gaze. "I can't die," she said bravely. She wanted to him read her mind, recognize her, or let her close enough to him to show him who she was. She couldn't exactly scream it in a street full of shouting people.

"Get away from her!" Ryan was back on his feet.

Gold never looked away from her. "Your boyfriend is a bit tedious, isn't he?" With a wave of Gold's hand Ryan went flying again, crashing through glass in the building they had just been on top of.

"Stop it!" Belle screamed desperately. She took two steps towards him and then was lifted into the air.

"Ah, ah, ah," he chided. "I want to test your little ability. Indulge me?"

She could feel her throat tightening as he dropped her to the ground. He was going to kill her without realizing who she was. He turned away from her to focus on the people still flooding out of the building. Belle staggered off her knees towards him despite the lack of oxygen and kicked him hard in the back of his once bad knee. He was caught off guard, releasing his choke hold on her.

"You son of a bitch," she swore, rubbing her neck. "Read my fucking mind."

He looked murderous but she held her ground. After this he would do nothing but beg on his knees for forgiveness.

He paused for a moment, his eyes dark and unreadable and Belle tried to remember the events of the last two days. Without warning he grabbed her, sweeping her roughly into his arms and kicked his boots so they were flying.

"What are you doing?" She protested.

"Don't speak."

This was a trick. Regina was playing a trick on him. Nothing else made sense to him, he had buried Belle today. It was impossible for her to be standing in front of him, thinking those thoughts. He needed proof someone was lying and God help the girl in his arms if it was her.

He dropped her unceremoniously. She huffed and brushed imaginary dirt off her suit as he strode to Belle's freshly dug grave. She followed behind him with the good sense to keep quiet. With no preamble to ripped the casket from the ground with his mind and pulled the lid off.

He was trembling as Belle peered in and then looked away, her nose wrinkling in disgust. He was afraid he would look in and see the woman he loved lying there still, that this was all a hoax. After a long moment he looked in and then bellowed in rage. Belle had walked off while waiting for him to look and at this shout turned towards him in alarm. Where her body should have been was a very old woman with a neat bullet wound in her head, precisely where he witnessed Belle get shot. She stood stock still as he made his way towards her, reaching out a shaking hand to grip her arm.

"You're real. You're alive." Her heart broke a little at his words as he pulled her into a crushing hug. They sank to the floor and she let him hold her. She had to remember her had thought her dead whereas she had known the entire time he was alive.

Eventually he kissed her, their masks pressing awkwardly together but she didn't care. "I love you," he told her, hands on either side of her face.

"Yes. Yes. And I love you," she told him soothingly. They kissed again and then she stood, helping him to his feet. "There will be time for that. There will be time for everything."

"I thought..." he trailed off as he got his first look at her. "Belle, who are you supposed to be?"

She shrugged. "No one yet. Today was my first day in Operation Cobra."

He stared at her for a moment in open mouthed amusement. "Tell me you haven't joined that sorority."

She scowled at him. "They only have nice things to say about you, too."

He scooped her up again and was off in the air, taking her directly home. "Tell me dearest, who is staging the revival?"

"Thinking of pledging, are you?"

"Not in the slightest, I am merely curious as to who the Dragon and I missed."

Belle felt properly outraged at the idea Gold could ever harm Granny. "I'm not telling."

He frowned into her hair, inhaling the floral scent deeply. He was certain at any moment he was going to wake up and find her still gone.

"I could just read your mind..."

"I could tell them your real world identity..."

"Well played, dearest."

As they flew Belle's thoughts strayed to Ryan and what Gold had been doing that night. She was far from okay with what had transpired and planned to confront him about it before heading back to base, provided she could remember where it was. She wanted to be sure Ryan was okay and honor her promise to help recruit her friends to Operation Cobra. Secretly she wondered if she couldn't talk Gold into joining as well. She knew for a fact that somewhere inside him he longed to be a hero, even if he was too afraid to admit it to himself. When they reached his home he set her outside the balcony to his bedroom, kicking his boots off and opening the door for her. The room was exactly the way she left it excepting one of her mother's china tea cups sitting almost reverently on the dresser. Upon closer inspection she realized it was the one he had chipped that first night in her apartment.

"So," she finally said, tearing her eyes from the chipped cup. "Care to explain to me what you were doing tonight?" He had the presence of mind to look guilty as he pulled his mask off. Belle had forgotten she was wearing one and took hers off as well.

" I wanted to punish Regina," he finally said, sinking down onto the bed.

"By attempting to blow up a building and kill innocent people? Real good plan."

He winced at her harsh tone. "Uh...I just wanted to kill one person..." He was fidgeting with his hands, unable to meet her gaze.

"Who?" She demanded, dreading the answer.

He mumbled something she couldn't understand so she put her hands on her hip and shifted her weight from one foot to the other, prompting him to speak up. "Your father."

She paused for a moment, stunned by his response and then in three quick strides made her way to him and slapped him with as much force as she could muster.

"Are you insane?" She hissed, seeing red. It was the only explanation for his behavior. She's dead for one day and he goes off and tries to decimate the rest of her family?

"I'm sorry," he hung his head looking appropriately ashamed.

"Oh well that makes it better," she snapped. However horrible of a parent her father might have been, he certainly didn't deserve whatever punishment Gold had planned for him.

"And what made you think he lived there? Papa has no money; he can barely afford the shit hole he has now."

"Regina," Gold continued staring at the ground, unable to face her rage.

"That makes no sense. Why would Regina put my father up in a nice apartment? What does she get out of it?"

"I don't know. Yet. But your father is obviously in league with her and I thought...

"Papa isn't in league with whoever is giving him money. He's an idiot, sure, but he isn't trying to kill me and if you ever try and harm him again I will do a lot more than slap you."

Gold looked up at her and nodded. She could see his obvious regret - though it was only for being caught- and decided to forgive him in order to move things along. She joined him on the bed and took his hand, rubbing small circles with her thumb on his skin.

"You can't let this rage consume you. It isn't healthy."

"This is who I am. I'm a monster." He looked so tortured.

"You're not a monster," she told him truthfully. She meant every word especially when he looked up at her with something akin to hope in his eyes.

It felt a little wrong to take advantage of him when he was so raw and vulnerable but she knew he was unlikely to hear her out when he had his guard up. She consoled herself with the reminder that he had tried to kill her Dad and everyone in his building earlier tonight so in comparison this wasn't so bad. "I know you worry about my safety. Especially now, and I was thinking that maybe you could join Operation Cobra with me. Fight alongside me, prove that you are the hero I know you to be."

His expression was careful, but still open enough that she could see him weighing the pros and cons in his head. "You will join no matter what?"

"Yes."

"And I can't talk you out of it?"

"Nope."

He sighed and was quiet for a moment before he answered. "Only to take down Regina. Then you can consider me retired."

She couldn't keep the grin off her face. "That seems reasonable."

"You do realize they are unlikely to allow me to join, right?"

"They'd be fools not to. With your ability, we would be unstoppable."

He chuckled. "Well. Far be it from me to argue with my lady."

"Speaking of, I need to make a call..."

"Tooooo?" He prompted.

"Promise you won't kill them?" She narrowed her eyes.

"I promise," he crossed his heart with his pointer finger.

"Granny," she admitted. He paused thoughtfully at that. "Ginny Lucas. Well I'll be a son of a bitch."

He tossed her his cell phone and after a quick four-one-one call to get the number to Granny's bar Belle was patched through. "Belle! We were so worried..."

"Is Ryan okay?" She asked, chewing on her bottom lip nervously.

"A little beaten up but he will survive. How are you? Are you safe?"

"Yes, I am unharmed and safe and I will be back in the morning...with a new recruit.""Who?"

"I think it's better to leave it for morning."

"Please be safe Belle. The Trickster is still out there somewhere."

Belle smiled at the idea that The Trickster could ever really be dangerous to her.

"You too. Until tomorrow. Watch Ryan for me, I owe him my life."

"I will."

Belle hung the phone up and tossed it in the center of the bed. Gold was changing out of his suit into a pair of worn flannel pajama bottoms.

"They're comfortable," he told her when he caught her staring. He didn't add a shirt and for some reason that pleased her.

"Help me out of this?" She asked, pointing out the hidden zipper. Things went much smoother with help and she was out of it in no time and in her favorite shorts and tank top.

He had the lights out and both of them cuddled under blankets in a minute flat. She wrapped an arm tightly around his middle and snuggled in as close as she could get, breathing in his scent.

"I missed this," she told him, lacing her fingers with his.

"As did I," he agreed. He hadn't gotten any sleep the previous night, unable to fathom a night without her. It was silly, he had lived over half his life without her and now he couldn't go a night without her beside him.

Belle woke the next morning wrapped up in Gold's arms, her back pressed against his chest. His grip was firm and when she tried to ease out of it he tightened his hold. "Afraid I will try to escape?" She asked, trying to shift onto her back. He mumbled something unintelligible and released her but didn't get up. She sat up and rubbed her face as the nights events flooded back into her memory. She wanted to go see her father and friends and let them know she was safe.

A light knock on the door aroused Belle from her thoughts and without thinking she jumped up and opened the door. Bernard stood there, his hand poised midair to knock again, surprise written all over his face.

"That explains the grave," he muttered. Belle noticed Bernard's hand was a little dirty.

"Excuse me?" She asked, politely.

"Consider it taken care of," he brushed her off. "I suppose Gold is asleep?"

She nodded, smiling at the affection in Bernard's eyes.

"Let him, my news can wait." He turned to leave, paused, and looked back. "It's good to see you well, Belle."

She smiled, watching him walk away before she turned back and came back into her room with Gold. He was still asleep so Belle decided to take this moment to shower. She had seen her appearance in the mirror and the eye shadow and eyeliner she had worn the night before was badly smudged and unattractive. She spent a good deal of time blow drying her hair straight and running a hair straightener through it once she was out of the shower. She had just begun to put the make up on when a knock came from the other side of the door.

"Come in," she allowed, never taking her eyes off her appearance. Gold walked in and paused when he saw what she was doing. "You look lovely," he finally said, brushing her hair off to one side so he could kiss her neck.

"Thank you." She put the make-up away, having finished, and turned to face him. He had stepped away and was undressing to take a shower of his own. She watched him undress appreciatively until he got under the water. Belle slipped out of the bathroom and decided to go see Bae while Gold showered. She wanted to see the boy she had grown so fond found Bae in the kitchen about to pour a bowl of cereal. She hesitated, wondering if she should just spring herself on him like this but then it didn't matter. Bae turned with his box of cereal in hand and saw her.

"Belle?" he asked disbelievingly.

"Put that cereal away," she smiled, stepping into the kitchen. "Let's have ice cream for breakfast."

He dropped the box and ran at her, hugging her tightly around the middle.

"You're alive!"

She liked his enthusiasm. "Yes I am."

"And we can really have ice cream for breakfast?"

He released her and they walked to the freezer together. Bae was delighted to find a tub of vanilla ice cream in there. While she gathered spoons and bowls he found several toppings to add to the ice cream to make it more exciting

Belle scooped them both ice cream and ate hers plain while Bae covered his in chocolate sauce and cherries.

Gold found them in the kitchen eating ice cream conspiratorially together. Bae was covered in chocolate sauce, grinning from ear to ear. "Ice cream for breakfast?" He was smiling at the pair of them.

"Belle said we could," Bae told him unapologetically. Belle stood and put her bowl in the sink.

"You only live once," she told him saucily.

"Unless you're Belle!" Bae cut on, squirting more sauce in his bowl.

"No more chocolate Bae," Gold told him seriously.

Bae nodded and went back to his treat which resembled chocolate soup at this point.

"Ready?" She asked him once they were out of the room. He nodded tightly, his jaw clenched. She didn't ask him if he regretted his decision as they got into their costumes and left for Operation Cobra's headquarters.

When they arrived Gold refused to wait outside. Belle was growing more and more nervous by the moment as she headed down the concrete stairs. The door to the room was open and a quick glance revealed more than just Ryan and Granny in the room. Ryan was in costume along with Emma, Mary Margaret, and Archie Hopper. Ruby was there and for some odd reason so were David and Anastasia, though they weren't in costume.

Belle squeezed his hand and then walked him with him firmly at her side. The mood in the room shifted instantly into panic when people saw him. Ryan flew out of his chair and took a defensive stance. Mary Margaret joined him, her hands frosting. Ruby shifted into her wolf form and began snarling. David pushed Anastasia behind him and Archie stood next to Ruby and Belle could feel a light breeze ruffling her hair. "Belle, what is he doing here?" Granny asked calmly.

"He wants to join," she told them. "

Like hell!" Ryan burst out. "Did you forget how he threw me through a building last night?"

"So sorry about that," Gold said teasingly, not sounded sorry at all.

"We can't trust him!" Mary Margaret said.

"All right, everyone calm down," Emma said, standing up next to Belle. "No need for the theatrics."

"You think letting him in is a good idea?" Ryan demanded. "He killed most of the members last time!"

"In my defense..." He started but both Emma and Belle shook their heads.

"He wants to destroy Regina just as much as we do. With him we can't lose," Belle told them.

"You trust him?" Mary Margaret asked.

Belle nodded. "With my life." She was surprised when Ruby shifted back and sat down. Mary Margaret followed suit.

"What are you doing?" Ryan asked.

"Belle trusts him," Ruby shrugged. "Good enough for me."

Granny also sat and everyone followed except Ryan.

"Ryan, is there anything else you want to say?" Granny asked.

"I want him to reveal his identity."

"It's Mr. Gold," Emma snapped. "Now sit down."

"I can tell you something none of you here seem to realize," he offered."Go ahead," Granny allowed.

"Regina isn't working for the Glass Family. She is leading the Glass Family."

Ryan sank back down in his chair. "It makes so much sense," he said.

"This changes everything." Granny murmured. Belle looked at everyone's face and somehow felt better. They were the group that was going to destroy Regina and take back their city. She could feel it.