"Kate get up," Arthur said, shaking his wife awake.
"Five more minutes." She groaned.
"No, you have to get up right now. Belle's on the phone. She's worried about Rumpelstiltskin."
Kat jumped off the couch and grabbed the phone from her husband.
"Belle, what's up?...Oh God, Rumple…But then how's he going to find Bae?…alright on my way. See you in a few." Kat snapped the phone shut.
"What's wrong?" Arthur asked, following Kat to the front door. She grabbed her car keys from the table.
"Rumple just needs me right now."
"Why?"
"Arthur, it's complicated." She exclaimed. "I'll tell you later."
"Very well." He sighed. "Try not to be too long." He added giving her a kiss.
"I'll do my best." She smiled. "And you're a darling for finding my car." She added before heading out the door.
"Rumple!" Kat yelled, entering the shop. "Belle called…" She trailed off when she saw the state of the shop. Glass was everywhere and Kat suddenly wished she had a gun.
"Thank God you're here." Belle exclaimed, entering the front of the shop.
"What happened in here? Was he robbed? Is that why-"
"No, he did it himself."
"What-"
"He was angry. He found out that he can't cross the town line without losing his memory. I don't understand why it upset him so much, but he was so angry… I already told him breaking things wouldn't help, but I thought you might help calm him down."
"Alright. Thank you, Belle."
"I assume you know why this is so important." Belle asked.
Kat turned back to face the beauty. "I do."
"Could you-"
"It's not my secret to tell."
Belle nodded and exited the shop.
Kat took a deep breath then headed the back room.
"Rumple?" She called hesitantly.
"What do you want, Katherine?" A Scottish accent hissed.
Kat was speechless for a moment. Rumpelstiltskin never called her 'Katherine' unless he was furious.
"Belle told me about the town line."
"Lovely. Now get out."
"Rumple-"
"GET OUT!" He shouted.
There was dead silence for a moment.
"I know you, Rumpelstiltskin. You'll figure something out. You always do. Don't lose hope." When Gold made no response, Kat started to make her way the door, but then turned back. "Tell Belle…about Bae, I mean. She'd want to know."
"That was quick." Arthur commented when Kat entered the kitchen. Since Belle and Kat had left, he'd decided to do the dishes and make coffee.
"I don't know if it helped much though." She replied.
"Did you hear about what happened with Regina at City Hall?"
"No, what?"
"She has magic now. Don't take offense, but I'm sure Rumpelstiltskin helped her get it. She didn't have it yesterday."
"I'm not surprised. Regina and Rumple have known each other forever. She's known him longer than I have."
Once Arthur finished the last dish, he and Kat sat down at the kitchen table.
"There's something I've never asked you." He said, passing his wife her mug.
"What was that?"
"How are earth did you become friends with Rumpelstiltskin?"
They both chuckled.
"It was a chance meeting, really. I was mad that Gwen was going to marry you…" She flushed. "I was mad and I snuck out of the castle at night. I ran into him and we started talking…Now that I think about it, I might've had a crush on him briefly."
Arthur chuckled. "Should I be worried?"
"Not at all." She leaned over and kissed him.
Three Months After Abigail's death
Kate silently walked to her husband's study. The pair had barley spoken since the birth of their stillborn daughter. Gently, Kate knocked on the door.
"Come in," Arthur called. He sounded stressed. When he saw it was her, the king stood up. "Kate, what is it? Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes I'm fine..." She looked up at him nervously. "Arthur…I want things to go back to the way they were. I can't stand this endless sorrow."
Arthur pulled his wife close and kissed her forehead. "Your wish is my command, my queen."
Kate gave him a sweet smile. He tried to return it, but failed and broke the embrace.
"Arthur, what is it?" She asked. He turned to face the window and made no response. Kate put a hand on his shoulder. "What ever is troubling you, my love, you can tell me."
Arthur sighed and faced his wife. "It's Sir John…He claims to have evidence against Lance and Gwen."
Kate stared in amazement. "But…that was years ago. Surely-"
"If a murderer wasn't caught till six years after the crime was committed, he would still hang. Such is the case here…I just thank the gods we weren't actually married."
"What would the penalty have been?" Kate asked.
"Death for Gwen, I have no doubt. Banishment at least for Lance…I've already warned them. I fear Lance will still be banished, but I suppose that's up to the jury…I think I can convince them to just send Gwen to Nottingham. She could stay with Marian." Kate could tell Arthur was now mostly talking to himself.
"Couldn't you just banish both of them? Then they could be together." Kate suggested. As much as she hated the idea of not seeing her sister, Kate knew Gwen and Lance belonged together.
"That would be like giving a thief money after his jury will think of some way to separate them. The crime is not severe enough for the death penalty, but they will never be able to see each other again."
