Disclaimer: Everything and everyone belongs to ABC's Once Upon A Time and its creators, Adam and Kris. I owe NOTHING! Otherwise, Belle and Rumple would have been married a long time ago and already have a baby girl on the way. :)
Italic: Character's thoughts at the moment, or emphasis of a particular note of fact.
Previously on This Thing We Have:
"This teacup has survived through a lot, just like us, and our love."
"I am sorry. Sorry that I don't remember you."
"I guess I just want to make sure you're not going to hurt the girl."
Once she was discharged from the hospital, Belle made her way to her apartment above the library, Mr. Gold's words still in her head. "Do your memories seem to be missing moments in your life?" When Belle thought about it, the time in her memories seemed to add up, but the situations didn't. One moment in her life, she could recall how she was on her own and having an adventure with Mulan, shortly after he father kicked her out, the next she found herself in a cell right in the Queen's castle, before the curse was cast. She remembered while she was in the dungeon, the Queen would tell her how he wouldn't never find her. Belle assumed she was talking about her father. What if she was talking about Mr. Gold? She guessed it didn't really make that much sense. She loved her father and knew her father loved her, so why did he kick her out? Was the Queen hiding her from Mr. Gold, or Rumplestiltskin? And why did she recall her being in another cell, before the Queen's castle?
It was the last memory that made her rethink her memories and recall Mr. Gold's words. It was if something inside of her was trying to make her remember, or maybe her memories were simply returning. She wasn't sure, but she was sure that she was exhausted from the hospital and needed rest. However, when she laid down, she found that she wasn't able to fall asleep. Perhaps it's the few days that I spent in a coma. She sat up and decided to read one of her many books she gathered over...well, she wasn't sure when she got them all. When she reached for the book resting on her nightstand, she saw that it moved a few inches towards her before she had time to touch it. She eyed the book with uneasiness for a few seconds before deciding that it was merely a flicker of light. When she opened the book, she found the chapter she was re-reading and read for a few minutes, hoping to try and fall asleep.
Realizing she wasn't going to sleep anytime soon, she got up and decided to take a walk around town. She knew it was late but she also knew that Storybrooke was a small town, where everyone knew everyone. Well, she almost knew everyone. She had a slight feeling in her gut that perhaps she should stay home, but Belle had already read all her books and after sleeping for a few days straight, her legs really needed some stretching. So she ignored the voice in her head saying otherwise and left her apartment for a quick walk in the night.
"Where is he? Or she?"
Hook spun on his heels. He was certain that he lost all of his trails and no one had spotted him leaving the ship and heading to the woods, but there was the Dark One standing in front of him. Dressed sharp as always. Does he always have that cane?!
"I believe I'm not sure what you mean, mate," Hook said.
"I've thought real hard about it and realized that someone must have told you about Belle, mate."
"Have you checked on the Evil Queen? After all, her name says it all," said Hook, shooting Gold a sarcastic smile.
"Oh, no need to worry. I did visit the Queen already. Shockingly, she was innocent. After all, I believe her when she said she learned her lesson. Belle's amnesia is caused by magic. I certainly would never harm her and Emma doesn't have the level of magic for that kind of spell. As for the fairies, although they do not favor me, and vice versa, they know better than to attack True Love. I think it goes against what they believe." Gold walked closer to Hook, trying to back him up into a tree.
"That means, someone else informed you of Belle, someone with magic. And I can say it's safe to assume you are currently walking in the woods to meet up with them, and I don't take you for the hiking type. So, who is it?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Hook said, smiling once again towards Gold.
"Oh yes, I very much would."
"Well, unfortunately, she doesn't want you to know, so-"
"She. Well, that narrows the list a little" Gold saw Hook grimace, knowing he let a vital piece of the puzzle slip. Gold grimaced inwardly, know that he had a lot of shes in his past that are probably in line for revenge. He often hated how he had that effect on women.
"Who is she?"
"Tell you what, Crocodile. Why don't you go ask our dear friend the Queen again. You never know what she's hiding." Hook then turned and left further into the woods. Knowing Hook would not lead him to his ally and knowing this foe would be spot, or should be, not to give off any magic to show where she is hiding, Gold turned and left back to the Mayor's office.
Before he turned onto the street that lead to Regina's office, Gold paused. He took a slight turn and looked back to the forest. No. It couldn't be. Could it?
It was around nine at night when Belle found herself walking near the docks. The walk was doing nothing to help her relax, though she suspected it would be a few more days before she got her sleeping back on track. She walked up to one of the metal railings and looked out towards the water. She placed her hands on top of the metal rod but quickly drew back, it was as if the rod shocked her. What also shocked her was that when she looked down at her hands, she saw them glowing a very faint gold color, like...like magic. I don't remember myself every having magic. Does this have to do with one of the missing moments in my memory?
Before she could think about it anymore, she heard steps behind her. Turning around, she saw the man from the hospital. He was the one who, she realized, knew her name when she didn't give it to him. Maybe he heard from the doctor or overheard someone else say it. Sounds logical. So why do I suddenly feel nervous and scared? Something inside of her was definitely trying to warn her about something, she was certain.
"Hi, Belle. Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"No. It's, um, its okay. I was just going for a walk, trying to relax."
"It's a little late going for a walk, don't you think."
"You're right. I should...I should probably get going. I have to open the library tomorrow, have lots of work to do," Belle said, trying to calm her suddenly realized that aside from Mr. Gold, she didn't know this man either. I have a very bad feeling about this guy.
"Well, why don't I walk you back? It's not really safe to be out here alone, at night," Greg said, sounding like a common gentleman.
"Oh, no. You don't have to bother. My place isn't really that far. It's okay." Belle started walking back towards town, passing Greg.
Greg quickly turned around, grabbing her upper arm. "Sorry. I can't let you leave Belle," he said, fighting Belle as she struggled against his hold.
Before Belle could gather the air in her lungs to scream, she felt a force on the back of her head, turning everything black.
...yeah...um...I decided where I am going with this story, finally. Warning: It will get worse before it gets better. I promise a happily ever after for Rumple and Belle. Never forget that. Also don't forget that Rumple and Belle have a love that will always be difficult and with Rumple's past, they also have enemy's they have to fight. Cora will get what's coming to her, and Hook. Also, Whale is still hiding something and I think I've left a few hints for you to try and figure it out without being obvious. If you want, leave your idea of what it could be in the reviews. Please review, they do help. :) Thank you.
Next time: Emma talks to Greg, Neal looks for Belle, Whale gives Rumple some news.
