Warning: This chapter contains adult content, and may seem a little dub/con to some. Reader discretion is advised.

XII

Belle came awake with a startled cry, disoriented and confused, wondering over the twinge of pain which had brought her out of a sound sleep. She blinked her eyes open and stared down at Rumpelstiltskin's head nestled on her bosom, his arms painfully tight around her. He was dreaming, she deduced, and from the strength with which he was holding her, it couldn't be anything other than a nightmare. Her right hand smoothed over his shoulders while her left petted his hair in a soothing manner, much like Mrs. Potts had done for her as a child when she'd awaken with nightmares in the wee hours. It wasn't often her love would succumb to sleep, especially if he was away from the Dark Castle. There were always those, enemies, which would take advantage of him in such a state, using the opportunity to do harm to the Dark One. She had her suspicions, however, that he avoided sleep to avoid the nightmares three centuries of wrong doings would curse him with.

The muscle in his jaw twitched as though he were gnashing his teeth and his brow was furrowed in a deep frown. "Belle! No … mine … promised!" he growled, his hot breath tickling her flesh as he burrowed deeper against her.

Belle carded her hand through his curls, trying to wake him gently. She didn't need him to startle awake and dump them both onto the floor. "Shh, Rumpel, I'm here, love."

"Portal … No! Can't leave me … promised … my Belle … mine! Can't lose …"

The last time she'd seen him like this, he'd been dreaming about his son. He'd been furious with her when she'd woken him, ashamed she'd seen him at his most vulnerable. She could only pray he'd be more open to her presence this time. She shook his shoulder gently, all the while continuing to whisper soothing words of comfort in his ear. "Rumpel, please waken up," she pleaded, worry drawing her brows together.

His thrashing ceased, and his breathing evened out as his embrace loosened about her. Before she could inquire if he was alright and breathe a sigh of relief, he pulled her fully beneath him and claimed her lips in a soul searing kiss. His mouth plundered hers, claiming, branding, taking; desperate to explore every crevice. The beast was awake, free of the confines of his nightmare. He needed to know she was real, that she was there with him, safe and protected within the circle of his arms. He reveled in the taste of her, sweeter than any wine. His hands roamed over her sides, her stomach and over the curve of her hip, drawing a sharp hiss from her as his blackened nails pierced the silk of her gown and met her flesh.

She had never seen him like this before, wild in his passion without thought to the consequences of his actions and it merely enflamed her all the more. But they were not alone. They were in her father's castle where any number of servants or guards … and gods forbid, her father … could simply walk in on them. Her father's appearance in the kitchens last night - moments after Rumpelstiltskin had shown her the greatest pleasure of her existence – had been horrifying enough. She didn't want anyone else to bear witness to a tryst with her soon to be husband. She whimpered slightly as his lips left hers to trail along the sensitive flesh of her throat, nipping, suckling and biting at her pulse point. He wasn't making it easy for her to deny him when she wanted nothing more than to have him bury himself within her and quench the fire he'd ignited in her belly.

"R-Rumpel …" she breathed, her voice barely a whisper as she clutched him to her. Somewhere in her mind - with her last coherent thought - screamed that she should be pushing him away.

He wrapped his arms around her hips, pulling her against the bulge of his erection straining painfully against the laces of his leathers and a deep growl of pleasure rumbled in his chest. "My Belle, mine. Say it," he commanded.

"Rumpelstiltskin …"

"Say it, Belle," he murmured, his tongue sweeping across her collarbone, his hand moving along her ribs and further still to cup her breast. His lips returned to hers, his tongue dipping inside to duel with hers, and he swallowed down the sweet moans which erupted from her throat.

"Yours, my love," she gasped out, unable to deny his request, knowing he needed an affirmation of her love for him.

The heartfelt honesty in her tone made him draw back and he inhaled sharply as he took her in. Her skin was flushed a rosy hue, her cerulean eyes heavily lidded and dark with passion and her lips swollen from his kisses. His head began to clear of the lust-induced haze which had gripped him in that moment between the nightmare world and reality.

"Oh, Belle. Belle, I'm so sorry, love," he nearly whimpered, his voice raspy from sleep as he moved off of her and sat up, putting some much-needed distance between them. "I didn't mean to attack you like a drunken sot from the tavern."

Belle levered herself up onto her elbows and arched a puzzled brow at him. "Rumpel, you didn't attack me," she protested, her chest heaving as she fought to get her breathing to return to normal.

"Yes, I did," he groaned, propping his elbows on his knees and then dropping his head into his hands. He couldn't meet her gaze, feeling unworthy to even look upon his pure, precious love. His nightmare had held him within its grip and clouded his rational thought upon waking, allowing his fear to consume him. "I'm so sorry, Belle."

Belle climbed up onto her knees and scooted down to the end of the sofa where he'd retreated and cupped his face in her hands. "Look at me," she demanded when he still wouldn't meet her gaze. Flashing blue met obstinate amber before she pressed her lips to his, holding him in place for her gentle kiss. "I love you, Rumpelstiltskin. Never doubt that," she vowed earnestly. "You did nothing wrong."

"Belle, I could have hurt you. You may think otherwise, but I am a monster," he whispered dejectedly, his tone filled with self-loathing.

"No! You may be a beast at times, but you are not a monster. And I'll thank you to stop arguing with me when I'm right," she stated haughtily. "You would never hurt me. I have shared your life for a good while now, and I've seen you angry and enraged. I've even seen you so enveloped in darkness you would have killed given the opportunity. Yet, you never raised a hand to do me harm and now that you've admitted your love for me I know you would die rather than harm me now."

He stared at her, his abnormally large amber eyes filled with wonder that someone as loving as his Belle could give herself over so completely to one as dark as him. "Why do you love me, Belle?" he asked, the words slipping between his lips before he could stop them.

Belle chuckled softly as she moved onto his lap and pressed her brow to his, relishing the weight of his arms as they encircled her waist and drew her close to his chest. "I love you because you fill my heart with gladness. You fill me to the point where you've overflowed from my heart and caressed my soul. I love every part of you, Rumpelstiltskin, now and always." She felt the tension ease from his body as she brushed her lips to his, reaffirming her promise.

"I don't deserve you, dear heart, but I love you so very much," he whispered, content to hold her on his lap forever and bask in the glow of her love. "And I am sorry for my behavior."

She raised her fingertips to cover his lips, stalling any further apologies or recriminations. "There is nothing for which to apologize. Now tell me about your nightmare."

He sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose, a shudder passing through him. "It was Baelfire all over again, only this time it was you I let slip into the portal. I lost you," he said around the lump of sorrow which had formed in his throat threatening to steal his speech. "I can't lose you, m'Belle. You lend me strength and focus and make me want to be better than what I have been. I-I need you," he admitted, forcing himself to say the words she needed to hear, words he'd never said to another living soul.

Her heart broke for him, the loss of a child being one of the greatest pains a person could suffer. "Do you dream of him often then?"

He nodded, his eyes closed tightly in remembrance. "Enough that I don't sleep as much as I should. But being the Dark One, I don't need as much as a mere mortal." He opened his eyes and stared at her beseechingly. "Now that my life is so closely entwined with yours, I have one more fear to plague my dreams … the fear of losing you."

Her hand trailed along the rigid line of his jaw and he leaned his face into her palm, seeking her warmth and her light. "I'm right here, Rum. I will not leave you … ever. Tomorrow morning, I will bind myself to you in marriage and a gaggle of wily sorcerers couldn't magic me away from you," she teased. "And together we will find Baelfire, Rum. I know we will."

Her blind faith and acceptance of the future and the possibility of having both Belle and Baelfire in his life, having his family whole and together, lightened his mood considerably. "I'm going to hold you to that deal, dearest."

"And no one breaks deals with you." She squealed when he found a rather ticklish spot just above her left hip, her laughter ringing out in the room and the corridor beyond. Belle was still laughing when Penelope entered her sitting room moments later with her morning tea.

"Good morning, highness, milord," Penelope greeted, dropping into a curtsey as she went about setting the tea service on the low table before the sofa and preparing a cup for her mistress.

Rumpelstiltskin wrinkled his nose as Belle prepared his cup of tea and handed it to him. "Dearie, this isn't your tea blend. What's in it?"

Belle sighed in pleasure as the first sip touched her palate. "Mmm. It's a blend of cloves, cinnamon, anise hyssop and vanilla bean. It will go well with the bread I made for you last night," she replied, digging into the little basket beside the teapot and placing a slice of Rumpelstiltskin's favorite date and nut bread on a plate.

"But I'm partial to the chamomile blend," he pouted sulkily, staring uncertainly down into his cup.

Penelope giggled lightly behind her hand as she left them, moving into Belle's bedchamber to lay out her clothes for the day, calling over her shoulder, "Highness, you don't have much time this morning. Your wedding guests have already begun to arrive."

Belle grinned and hurried through her tea and light repast, enjoying the quiet moment with her betrothed and his unwillingness to try new things. When they were done, she sent him off to the commons for a bath with a kiss which left them both breathless and the promise to meet outside the Great Hall in an hour.

*.*.*

Being the Dark One with a reputation for being a vile, maniacal monster had its advantages. One being he could banish servants with a mere crook of his brow, which he did upon entering the vast bathing chamber. He wasn't some pampered noble who couldn't wash himself. He was Rumpelstiltskin, former spinner from a poor village who was lucky to have a bath once a week in the stream which had run through the valley where he'd lived. He desperately missed the opulent bathing chamber in the Dark Castle which adjoined the master suite with its sunken marble tub and all the amenities he might desire at his disposal. Of course, he was able to partake of much of the same here in Avonlea, but Maurice's castle lacked one thing he valued above all else … privacy.

It had taken him time to adjust to Belle's presence in the Dark Castle, but he'd never had to worry about her walking in on him while he was at his bath. Here was entirely different and somewhat unsettling, he thought, stripping out of his clothes and walking into the sunken pool large enough to accommodate at least five others.

He looked forward to introducing Belle to his bathing chamber and had already had many a fantasy about her joining him in the bath, her skin glistening in the candlelight, her eyes dark and heavily lidded with desire, water droplets running in rivulets along her body. He quickly stamped that thought out as he felt himself harden uncomfortably. Or better yet, he could have her join him beneath the bowels of the castle in the hot springs where he'd once caught her bathing, thinking she'd had privacy and that he'd never think to look for her there.

One of these days he'd have to share that little confidence just to see what her reaction would be. One more day, he told himself. One more day and we will be man and wife. One more day before I can take her home and have her beneath me, a writhing quivering mass of nerves … Holy flaming fairies! He groaned and raked a hand through his wet hair. "I'm never going to survive this."

He dunked his head beneath the water to rinse the soap from his hair and jumped back, startled when he came up for air to find Jefferson sitting beside the pool, dressed in a fluffy white robe, his bare feet dangling in the water. "What aren't you going to survive?" Jefferson asked with a smirk.

"Hatter! Remove your feet from my bathwater," he growled through clenched teeth. He wasn't in the mood for the man's teasing this morning. He was rather more inclined to be done with his bath, so he could return to his beloved.

Jefferson frowned, his sharp gray eyes studying his friend. "Well, aren't you in a lovely mood this morning," he commented. "Please don't tell me you've screwed things up with your charming little princess again."

Rumpelstiltskin glared at him, his eyes darkening to a threatening bronze. "No, I haven't screwed things up with my Belle."

"Then what has you so grumpy this morning?" he asked pleasantly, refusing to back down in the face of the imp's irritation. He considered him a close friend and was rather used to the Dark One's moods by now. He hadn't gotten to the exalted position of friend by cowering in the corner, bruised by Rumpelstiltskin's ever-changing dark moods and acerbic tongue.

Rumpelstiltskin sighed and relaxed back against the side of the pool.

"I'm wishing I hadn't given her an entire three days to get her affairs in order and to plan a little impromptu wedding. I should have snatched her up and whisked her back to the Dark Castle where she belongs and found a cleric along the way home to marry us."

"Well it's not like she's going to leave you standing at the altar, Rum. She's positively smitten with you," he grinned like a madman, nodding his head vigorously.

The sorcerer shook his head and arched a brow. "Did your mother drop you on your head as a child?"

"It's very possible. Alice sometimes wonders the same thing."

Rumpelstiltskin regarded his friend in silence for a moment, hesitating to ask the question weighing on his mind. He didn't mind having to ask for his assistance when it came to business matters, but he felt uncomfortable asking for a favor when it was so personal. But really, if Jefferson wouldn't do it, who did that leave. "I need a favor."

Jefferson froze, staring at the mage with a blank stare, remembering what had happened so recently when he'd been asked a favor. "Do I have a choice?"

"Yes, you bloody well have a choice, Hatter!"

"If this has anything to do with evil queens, psychopathic temptresses or attractive witches bent on seduction to secure some relic you need, the answer is no," he stated firmly.

Rumpelstiltskin rolled his eyes and prayed for patience, tempted to dunk the man in the pool and see how long he could hold his breath. "I was just wondering if you would possibly stand up for me at my wedding."

"I beg your pardon? What was that?" Jefferson asked, wiggling a finger in his ear. He was certain he had misheard that request.

"You heard me, Jefferson," Rumpelstiltskin grumbled sourly.

All teasing aside, Jefferson nodded solemnly, honored by the request. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather stand up for … friend."

*.*.*

Rumpelstiltskin left Jefferson in the commons, throwing open the door to see no less than seven grumbling knights grousing about being shut out and denied their morning wash. He ignored them all and sauntered down the corridor to his room to change before joining Belle to go down to breakfast in the Great Hall. He wasn't looking forward to having to be in the company of Maurice's royal court or any other guests Belle had felt the need to invite to their wedding, but he would endure it for her sake.

He stopped in the doorway between his bedchamber and sitting room, faint tendrils of magic lingering in the air. He was still as death as he sent out feelers, searching for a threat and making him wonder who in Avonlea possessed the power to wield dark magic. He moved to the bed where he'd laid out his clothes before heading to the commons and took off his robe leaving him in a pair of calf length cotton breeches slung low on his hips. It was then he spied the mirror on the dressing table in the corner. I should have known, he thought with a sneer of disgust. One of the maids had been in to clean and had left the mirror uncovered after she'd polished it to a gleaming shine.

He steepled his fingers beneath his chin and narrowed his eyes on the mirror. "I know you're there, dearie. Might as well come out and shooow yourself," he sing-songed. "Or were you just planning on keeping yourself hidden away to enjoy the show?"

The surface of the mirror rippled as the queen appeared on its silvery surface, one hand clapped over her closed eyes. "Hardly," she seethed indignantly. "I have no desire whatsoever to see you unclothed, Rumpel."

A childlike giggle trilled through the air as he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the blush staining her cheeks. "Really, dearie? Sure you don't want a peek?" he taunted.

"No!" she cried, tightening the hand which covered her eyes. "Where are you? I've been calling all morning and you haven't answered my summons. I even sent guards to the Dark Castle with a formal summons and they returned to tell me you weren't at home."

"Last I checked, Regina, I wasn't at your beck and call," he huffed, picking up his emerald shirt from the bed and pulling it on. "What is it you want now? If you've just called on me to have someone to rant to about your stepdaughter, I'm afraid I have no time for it."

Regina peeked through her fingers to see if he had managed to finish dressing, and breathed a relieved sigh to see he had. Well, at least to the point of being covered in his shirt and leather breeches. He ignored her as he pulled on a dark gold waistcoat. "Well?"

"Well, what?" he asked, sitting down to pull on his boots.

"Where. Are. You?" she asked slowly, tired of his games.

"I'm taking a holiday, dear, not that it's any of your concern. I thought I would take a few days to relax, maybe form some new deals, perhaps even enjoy the countryside," he said flippantly.

Her eyes narrowed on his through the looking glass. "You're not the type to simply enjoy the countryside, Rumpel. What are you up to?"

He had to laugh at her audaciousness in questioning his motives. "Not telling," he said, his nose crinkling as he smirked broadly at her. "Now can we dispense with the pleasantries and get to the point of your impromptu visit. As I said, I'm pressed for time and have little to spare for your theatrics."

"Fine, don't tell me. I need a truth potion," she finally explained her reasons for summoning him.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten how to brew a simple truth potion. Regina, what did you learn from five years of lessons with me?" he asked, flourishing his hands in exasperation.

"I remember how to brew it, I just don't have time. I need it now to interrogate someone," she snapped defensively, pursing her ruby lips; a clear sign she didn't want to divulge any more information than necessary. A sign he knew all too well, and it piqued his interest.

"Do tell, dearie. Just who is this prisoner who can't lounge in the dungeon for a week or so to give you time to brew the potion yourself?" he asked, arching a questioning brow.

Regina pressed her lips into a thin line, debating on whether or not to divulge her secrets to her former master. Then again, there was a chance if she didn't tell him, he would withhold his aid. "I'm having trouble with that lawless miscreant, Robin Hood," she hissed.

Rumpelstiltskin's teeth gnashed together at the thought of the outlaw. He'd had his own troubles with him in the past, but he didn't need Regina getting distracted from her revenge and have a change of heart about casting his curse. He was certain Regina still had no knowledge the thief was her true love and he didn't intend for her to find out any time soon. He cast her a blank stare, only half listening to her prattling.

"… but I have reason to believe Snow is hiding out with him and his band on outlaws," she continued.

"And you need the potion to question your prisoner before they can escape to another kingdom out of your reach," he concluded. "Very well, dearie," he agreed, summoning a vial of his strongest truth potion to him in a blink from his tower laboratory. Thankfully, he had learned great organizational skills over the centuries and always knew where everything was in his private domain for instances such as this when it would serve him best.

Regina wasn't able to hide the avaricious gleam in her eyes as she reached her hand through the swirling surface of the mirror. "I promise to put it to good use."

"Not so fast, your majesty," he giggled, the sound sending a cold chill down her spine. "You're forgetting …"

Regina gave him a dry look and rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, yes!" she wailed impatiently. "All magic comes with a price. What do you want this time?"

Rumpelstiltskin tapped his chin thoughtfully, purposely making her wait. "My price is … that you will not call upon me for … at least a week. I wish to enjoy my holiday," he said in a snarky tone. He placed the vial into the palm of her hand and waved her off dismissively.

"And you won't even tell me where you're vacationing? Did you ever stop to think I might be in need of a change of scenery once I finally get rid of my stepdaughter?" she asked, affronted he wouldn't share his plans with her.

He stared at her incredulously before a hysterical laugh escaped his lips. "Dearie, have you been smoking the local shrubbery? What alternate universe are you living in that you think you and I are friends and therefore share holiday plans with each other?" He was convinced that she was completely absorbed in her plotting and scheming against Snow White to believe he'd tell her where he was. He did not need her popping in to wreck his wedding day with her machinations.

Regina glared at him and childishly stuck her tongue out before breaking the connection, leaving him in a fit of giggles and lightening his mood. Just to be on the safe side, to keep her from spying on him yet again, he tossed the heavy cloth back over the mirror and cast a permanent sticking charm on it. Let the maids try to remove it now, he thought with a smirk. Although what could possibly dampen it when he was marrying his true love in the morning and moving one step closer to achieving his goals?

*.*.*

Belle was ready to face the day when Rumpelstiltskin knocked on her door. She'd chosen a lovely emerald green gown with an empire waist, cup sleeves, a gauzy skirt made of tulle and a vibrant gold sash which rested just beneath her bosom. She arched a brow at him inquiringly as she took in his attire, smiling to see they'd dressed to match. "Must you always wear your armor, Rumpel?" she asked, sighing wistfully as she brushed a finger against his deep green coat made of dragon-hide.

"Would you send your knights into battle without theirs?" he countered, pulling her into the circle of his arms and nipping gently at her lips. Now that he could do so without endangering his curse, he couldn't seem to get enough of kissing her and showering her in his affections.

She was a bit dizzy when he pulled away and she was thankful his arms were there to steady her. Glancing over his shoulder, she saw Brutal, her ever-present guard, turn his head away with a faint blush staining his cheeks. "No, of course not," she said when she had regained her composure. "But we aren't going into battle. We're merely going to greet the court and those guests who are arriving for the ceremony tomorrow. I didn't invite many."

He knew all too well who she had invited since he'd magicked the invitations himself to save time. "I beg to differ, sweetheart. We are going into a nest of vipers and it's not going to be pleasant being in a room full of nobles for hours on end." He stopped at the end of the corridor and placed his thumb beneath her chin, his long fingers caressing her cheek as he tilted her head up to meet his gaze. "I am trying, my Belle … for you," he promised, his voice husky and deep, the imp mysteriously absent.

Belle smiled warmly and leaned into is palm, seeking his touch. She could hear the sincerity in his tone and it filled her with hope for their future. "I know you are, Rumpel, but I don't expect you to give more than you are able. I'm not asking you to change."

"Don't you want me to be a better man?" he asked, staring down at her in wonder.

"I want you to be the man I fell in love with, not some shoddy imitation. I love all of you, the good man who sacrificed himself for his son as well as my mischievous imp who takes pleasure in making his deals. I admit I would like you to make better choices, but I just want you to be who you are."

He brushed his lips to hers and fought back the moisture which gathered in his eyes. "You make me want to be the best I can possibly be. I will try not to disappoint you. As it is, it will not be easy being my wife. You will not be accepted. They will say I have enchanted you or bewitched you to keep you at my side. Are you certain you are ready for that?"

Belle slipped her arms around his waist and tucked her head beneath his chin, reveling in his embrace. She could feel his love engulf her and she knew she'd endure the agonies of hell if she could remain at his side. "I am ready to be your wife. I just want you, Rum. Everything else be damned." She grinned up at him. "I never was big on what everyone else thought of me and I'm not going to start worrying now."

"My brave girl, I do not deserve you," he whispered reverently against her crown. He took her hand once more and led her towards the Great Hall where their guests awaited, thinking if he'd had her love all along, he wouldn't have done so many horrible things over the years. She was his light to chase away his darkness, a bright burning flame, and he thanked the gods he had been blessed with having her in his life, having her love to guide and strengthen him.

"That's up to me to decide and I choose you. I will always choose you," she promised. He preened under the force of her words and if she wasn't mistaken, she would swear he had an extra swagger to his step.

*.*.*

A hush fell over the Great Hall of Maurice's castle as the grand double doors opened to allow them entry and Rumpelstiltskin escorted her into the room. He ignored the nobles present as he led her over to a small sitting area reserved for the royal family. It was set apart from the area where the court gathered and would allow them a fair amount of privacy to enjoy tea and refreshments and the company of the king. A shudder ran through Rumpelstiltskin as he made his way across the room, earning him a querulous glance from his betrothed.

"What's wrong, Rumpel?" she asked, caressing his arm through the thick dragon-hide sleeve of his coat.

He laid his hand over hers where it rested on his arm and patted it reassuringly. His voice was low as he leaned near so only she could hear. "There are many avaricious souls in this room, dearest, all willing to promise their greatest treasures to make a deal with me."

"You can sense that?" she asked, her eyes bright with curiosity. He had discussed many deals with her over the months she'd spent with him at the Dark Castle, but this was one aspect of his persona he'd never shared with her before.

"Yes, part of my curse. I can sense desperation all over the realm; it draws me, compels me to seek it out. When the darkness is at its peak within me, it's nearly unbearable for me to resist the call," he explained.

She slowed her steps as they neared the sitting area, wanting a few more moments with him before they greeted her father. "Are you able to resist now? If you need to speak with the people here, Rum, I'll understand.

He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. "I am not used to having so many in one place. There's always the off chance one of them will have some ingredient to the puzzle which will lead me to Bae."

"Then say hello to Papa and go make your deals," she said, her lips curving into a smirk. "I'm certain I can be away from you for a bit without expiring on the spot."

He smiled at her appreciatively and chucked her beneath her chin. "Cheeky wench. I shall have to teach you proper manners when I have you back at the Dark Castle."

Belle hummed her approval, her face flaming at the thought of everything he would want to teach her. "And perhaps I might teach you something as well, my love."

This time when a shudder rippled through his lithe body, it had nothing to do with apprehension and everything to do with the desire she fired through his blood. He finally led her over to her father and bowed to the king as Belle took up her seat on a small divan and smoothed her skirts. "Will you join me for tea, Rumpel?"

"No, dearest, I need to find Jefferson. I have need to send him on a small errand." He dropped a kiss to the back of her hand, his lips lingering just a moment longer than necessary. "I won't be long."

He left her there and searched the crowd for the hatter, avoiding the direct stares of the souls who seemed to call out silently to the Dark One. Jefferson was at the long buffet table stuffing his face with a large buttery croissant. "Hell's bells, Rum. I know that look and the answer is no! Haven't even had breakfast yet."

"I'm sure Alice would love to know just what you got up to while away in Narnia," Rumpelstiltskin threatened in a dangerous tone. "And we wouldn't want that, now would we?"

Jefferson's grey eyes flashed angrily as he stared the imp down. "So, you're blackmailing me now?"

"Call it what you will," he postured, waving his hand dismissively. "You'll be back in an hour."

"No. And if you tell Alice, I'll tell Belle about the last time you got drunk and started weeping into your cups …Oh, Belle, I don't deserve you. I never should have let you go. I can't even make a decent cup of tea without you … and passing out on the dining table clutching that chipped cup to your chest," Jefferson warned.

"We agreed not to speak of that incident."

"We also agreed Alice would never find out about what I did in Narnia," Jefferson hissed sharply, stuffing the rest of the buttery pastry into his mouth.

"I'll compensate you well and I'll give you my word never to mention Jadis again. And if it makes you feel better, it will upset Regina's scheming." With a flourish of his magical hand, he produced a gold doubloon with a jade green stone at its center and held it out to Jefferson.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Jefferson asked, arching a dark brow.

"It's quite simple really," Rumpelstiltskin began, his impish smirk firmly back in place now that the hatter had acquiesced to his wishes. "Turn it forward three times in your hand and it will bring you to where you need to be. Turn it back and it will return you here."

Jefferson still looked skeptical as the coin glowed brilliantly in the sun shining through the high arched windows. "And just what is it I'm supposed to be doing?"

"There is someone I need you to fetch for me from the Dark Forest."

"Who? We don't know anyone who is demented enough to take up residence there," Jefferson protested.

Rumpelstiltskin giggled, appreciating the hatter's term to describe the thief who had stolen from him once upon a time. "I didn't say it was a friend, Jefferson. No, I need you to fetch me a thief. I need you to bring me Robin Hood."

A/N: Well, what did you think? Don't ask me where the Robin Hood thing came from. I just had an idea and went with it. In the next several chapters there will be a surprise wedding guest (hell, it even surprised me), a surprise for Gaston, deals for Rumpel, a bachelor party and other things that are just plaguing me to write them. Looking forward to hearing what you think! Thanks so much for reading my tale.