Warning: This chapter contains adult themes … reader discretion is advised.

XII

"... and then the maiden kicked the knight who yowled in pain. She turned to the dragon and told him she was moving in. They had twelve little children who flew all over and terrorized the village ... " Rumpelstiltskin closed the book in his hand and peeked over Belle's shoulder. Yep! Sound asleep. Surely, if she'd heard the drivel coming out of his mouth, she would've whacked him with the book. The day's excitement must have worn her out, he thought, stifling his own yawn.

After Charming had left them alone, Belle had decided she'd wanted a picnic in front of the hearth. He was three centuries old and had been forced to have his dinner on the rug with her. What was wrong with their perfectly good dining table? he'd protested. She'd pouted. He'd given in, wanting only to see her smile. He wondered if this was what he was going to have to put up with from now on.

They'd lain down on the sofa afterwards, so she could read to him, but he'd taken the book from her when her persistent yawning had kept interrupting. He should've known it wouldn't take her long to drift off. The question was, how was he to get up without waking her? He was sandwiched between Belle and the sofa cushions.

Left with no alternative, he poofed them onto her bed and eased out from behind her. He magicked the velvet gown from her body, leaving her clad only in her shift. At least now she would sleep more comfortably. Belle moaned in her sleep, a deep frown settling between her brows as he pulled back the coverlet and settled it over her, tucking her in. Thunder crashed in the distance, causing the Dark Castle to tremble, and she thrashed about again and rolled over, seeming to settle deeper into her pillow.

He watched her sleep for a few moments, debating with himself as to whether or not he should stay with her. He was worried. How damaged had the ordeal in Avonlea left her? His hands still trembled with the need for vengeance. He wanted to tear down her father's castle with his bare hands and leave nothing but a pile of rubble, completely wiping the kingdom off the map. How could they dare think they could get away with harming the Dark One's woman?

He paled as he thought of what would have happened if he had taken her that night at the lake. If they hadn't found her pure? What would they have done to her? His restraint had saved her. She hadn't seemed to shy away from his touch since she'd returned to him, but how far was she willing to go? It was still unfathomable she actually wanted him to touch her. He knew what he wanted, but it was eating him alive not knowing what Belle wanted.

Walking to the door, he scrubbed his hands over his face to clear the cobwebs. He was being ridiculous, he knew. He was beginning to doubt everything she'd fought to build between them again since she'd walked back into his door and called him an unbelievable bastard. He was, he admitted it, but for tonight he was going to do the right thing and leave her to her rest. He was going to drag himself into his own bedchamber and leave his love to her slumber.

He closed Belle's door behind him and kicked his own open down the hall, heading immediately to his decanter of whiskey which sat on his nightstand. It was hard for the Dark One to get drunk, so he didn't even try. Rain lashed the Dark Castle in torrents, the sound helping to lull his ravaged emotions. His Belle was home. She'd forgiven him for being an idiot, and she loved him. What more could he have asked for? Abandoning the whiskey, he stretched out atop the black silk sheets covering his bed and let his eyes drift closed.

*.*.*

His eyes were twin obsidian coals as he looked down on her, his lip curled into a contemptuous sneer. "It's simple really. I don't want you anymore."

Belle could feel his words pierce her heart, feel her eyes sting with the threat of tears, but she refused to believe the venom falling from his lips. "No. You don't mean it." She closed her eyes, willing away his image, unable to bear the sight of him before her.

When she opened them, she was once again standing in her father's war room. She could feel the eyes of her father, of her unwanted fiancée and his advisors. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest. Why was Rumpelstiltskin doing this to her again? She shook her head, grabbing desperately for his hand.

"Why did you come back, little girl? Would I have sent you away if I cared for you?"

"You do care. I know you do. I feel it in my heart." She was weeping in earnest now. "Please don't do this. Don't leave me here."

He jerked his hand from her grasp. "Don't return to the Dark Castle. Never return, you foolish girl. There is nothing there for you."

Strong hands gripped her shoulders, spinning her around as Rumpelstiltskin vanished, purple smoke taking him from her in an instant. "It's alright, Belle, I still want you," Gaston leered. "You belong to me now, Belle. All mine."

"NO!" she screamed, pushing against him as terror took root in her stomach.

"He's your betrothed, Belle. Be thankful he still wants you, even though you were that demon's whore." Maurice stood over her, his eyes cold and filled with malice.

Belle turned on her heel and ran down the corridor, searching for a way out. She had to escape. She had to find her way back to him. But the doors along the corridor had disappeared. There was nothing there but cool stone and mortar. She turned left and followed another path only to come up against a blank wall. Gaston waited for her. How had he beaten her here? "He doesn't want you!" he yelled at her, throwing back his head and laughing. "Even the monster doesn't want you."

She turned and ran back the way she'd come. Her legs felt as though they were encased in lead, her lungs burning from the effort of her steps. Again, she barreled into a blank wall. She turned back, only to run into her father. "He doesn't want you!"

"He does!"

"He doesn't want you!" the voices echoed, filling her head and surrounding her with their malevolent intent. He did want her ... she knew he did.

They were coming for her ... demons disguised as pious men of the gods. They were coming to violate her in the name of righteousness. She needed him. Her mind screamed out for him to save her, to rescue her from the travesty which would be forced upon her. Why wouldn't he come?!

Strong hands gripped her shoulders, dragging her along the corridor. "No! No! Don't let them take me. Papa, don't let them do this! Rumpelstiltskin, help me! Please! I need you!" she screamed, terror gripping her in its icy grip. White robes surrounded her, holding her down, stripping her of her clothes.

"Rumpelstiltskin!"

*.*.*

Rumpelstiltskin woke to the pain of her cry searing into his brain. "Belle!" He bolted from the bed and stumbled on his way the door, jerking it open and running into the corridor. He'd barely taken three steps into the shadows when she turned the corner and ran into him, bouncing back and landing on the cold stone floor. She was a frightful mess, her eyes wide with terror, her hair tangled about her shoulders. She was crying uncontrollably, shaking her head in denial.

"No, no, no!" she sobbed piteously.

He held up his hands to show her he meant no harm. "Belle. Sweetheart. Tell me what's wrong," he said, his voice low in an effort to soothe her.

"Rumpel?" she asked, relief washing over.

He laid his hand aside her face, brushing a tear away with his thumb. "Are you alright?" he asked as she wound her arms around his neck. She was trembling violently as he lifted her into his arms from the cold floor and carried her to his chamber. "It's alright, Belle. Nothing is going to hurt you, dear one." He paused at the fireplace, putting his lips together and blowing softly. The dying embers immediately sprang to life, casting a warm glow and chasing away the darkness.

Her grip didn't loosen as he sat on the side of the bed and settled her onto his lap. He ran his hands along her back in soothing circles, willing her to calm. "I should never have left you alone," he mumbled, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth.

"Please, Belle. Tell me what's wrong. I promise nothing will harm you. I won't allow it," he crooned softly. He brushed the hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. He pressed his lips to her temple, her cheek and to the corner of her eye, capturing a tear as it sought to escape.

She pulled away slightly to meet his concerned gaze. "Y-You brought m-me back to A-Avonlea. It was a d-dream, just a h-horrible nightmare," she wept, her lips trembling, her eyes wide with fear. She sought to press her face back into his shoulder, but he stopped her, cupping her face in his hands and forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Never again. I will never again willingly let you go, Belle. You belong to me, forever. Remember our deal, dear one?" he asked, tipping her chin up and placing a kiss to her parted lips. He laid her back against the pillows and pulled the coverlet over her, tucking it around her shoulder.

"I remember. But, Rumpel, it was so real."

"Would you like to tell me about it?" he asked, taking her hand and entwining his fingers with hers, marveling at the contrast between them.

Belle sighed deeply, her breath hitching from the sobs which had only recently died down. "You didn't want me anymore. You were cold and cruel and told me not to come back to the Dark Castle again ... that there was nothing for me here." A fresh wave of tears threatened at her eyes as she recalled the dream. "My father and Gaston were there, telling me the same thing, that you didn't want me anymore. I couldn't find the way out of the palace. No matter which way I went, I couldn't find my way out, I couldn't find my way back to you," she cried, unable to hold the tears at bay any longer.

"Don't cry, love, please," he pleaded, unable to bear her tears, his own suffering joining hers as his own tears fell.

Her hand tightened on his as he moved to get up. "Where are you going?" she asked, panic entering her voice.

"I'm going to the tower to make you a sleeping draught, one which will keep the nightmares from returning."

He let her pull him closer. "I don't need something to make me sleep. I just need you," she insisted, her grip firm on his hand, pulling until he lay beside her. He laid his head gingerly against the pillows, making no move to pull her into his embrace. He didn't want to frighten her with his roiling emotions. Guilt for what he'd done to her, fear he would hurt her, and desire ... always his desire for her.

Belle closed the distance between them, pressing herself against his side and resting her head against his shoulder. She sighed deeply, relishing the feel of his heat seeping into her, warming her. She wouldn't let him run from her this time. He grabbed her hand as it slipped beneath his shirt, groaning as it touched the bare skin of his stomach.

"Stop, Belle," he warned, turning on his side to face her.

"Why? Don't you want me, Rumpel?" she asked in a little hurt voice.

"You know I do," he said, pulling her hand to his lips so he could press a kiss to her palm. "But I don't want you to do this because you're frightened or seeking comfort. I don't want to take advantage of you."

She rose up on her elbow to look at him, urging him back against the pillow as she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. "You won't be taking advantage." His arms tightened around her waist as she ran her tongue along his lower lip.

"This is not something you can take back, Belle," he argued, but he could feel his resolve weakening. "I - I won't be able to let you go, love, if you change your mind. We can't do this and then walk away … I couldn't bear it." He was trying to hold on to his control, to give her the time she needed, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as her lips trailed along his jaw, leaving a burning trail of kisses to his ear.

"I love you, Rumpel. I'm not going to change my mind," she whispered, threading her hand in his hair and forcing him to meet her gaze.

"I don't want to hurt you." His eyes were a soft amber, filled with pleading.

"You won't," she whispered softly, pulling his head down for her kiss. "You won't." A deep sigh escaped her parted lips as he rolled her onto her back and buried his lips against the curve of her neck. She forgot to breathe as her body took over, her stomach clenching and heat pooling between her legs. She fought to pull his shirt over his head, her need to touch him driving her onward. Her hands splayed across his back and she reveled in the softness of his skin.

He lifted her arms above her head, catching her wrists in one hand and using the other to rip the shift from her body. He knew he was treading dangerous ground. He could feel the beast desperately fighting to get free. She was driving him mad with her roaming hands. He knew she wasn't doing it on purpose, her need to touch as great as his, but he couldn't lose his focus. He refused to ruin this for her. He would be gentle with her. It was for her he endured the pain of restraining the darkness.

Belle fought against his hold. "Rumpel, please. Let me —" She cried out as his mouth settled over her breast, drawing the nipple deep into his mouth, sucking gently. His hand squeezed her hip, willing her to still her thrashing beneath him, knowing the effort was futile. He released her breast and moved upward, nipping her collarbone with his teeth and tongue, reveling in the taste of her before claiming her lips once more.

"You taste like honey, dear one," he moaned against her mouth, deepening the kiss and sucking her tongue into his mouth.

She was losing herself in a whirlwind of sensation. Every touch of his hands, every brush of his lips was bringing her closer to him, drawing her in. She could feel his erection pressing into her hip, proof of his desire for her. Her hips rose slightly as she felt his hand brush the inside of her thigh, coming ever closer to her core. She stiffened as his finger slipped inside her, a gasp slipping from her kiss-swollen lips. She arched beneath his clever fingers, the heat of their previous interlude at the lake just as strong ... but then the memory intruded ... the clerics and their invasiveness rising to chase away her pleasure and fill her with fear.

Her eyes were glazed with panic as she opened them to find him staring down at her, his gaze one of concern. "Tell me to stop, Belle, and I will."

She willed herself to relax and moved against his hand, feeling the tension drain from her. No! I won't let them ruin this for us. I won't let them have my happiness and turn it into something ugly. "Don't stop," She panted, needing him to show her gentleness and love as only he could. He pressed the heel of his hand against her, his finger moving in and out, stretching her. "Please don't stop." She whimpered in frustration as he moved away, but she relaxed a moment later when he returned to her, as bare as she was. She wove her hands in his hair as he settled over her, a smile of satisfaction on her lips now that she was free to touch him.

The feel of his bare skin pressed flush to hers drove her further up the peak, stoking the fire he'd started in her blood.

Rumpelstiltskin didn't know how much longer he would be able to maintain his control as he pressed slowly against her opening. "Belle, are you sure?" he asked, his breathing ragged. "There's still time —" Her noble imp, always so concerned for her happiness, her well-being and yes ... her pleasure and desires. Her answer was to plant her feet onto the bed and push up with her hips, pulling him into her. He nearly lost it as he felt her inner walls close around him, but he couldn't ignore her gasp of pain and remained still. "I'm sorry, dearest ... so sorry."

Slowly she relaxed, easing her nails out of his back. He was sure to be covered in scratches come morning and found he couldn't care less. Let her mark him. He would wear them with pride. He rocked into her gently, allowing her to adjust to his weight. She arched her back, relishing the feel of him filling her. She raised her legs and wrapped them around his waist, pulling him deeper into her and letting him set the pace. She could feel the pressure building inside her, threatening to send her over the edge to that beautiful place only he'd been allowed to show her before. He ground his hips into her, at last sending her spiraling into the abyss, dragging him along with her.

"I love you," he whispered against her ear, causing her arms to tighten around his neck. He rolled to his side, pulling her to nestle against his side. "Are you alright?"

Belle couldn't speak, overwhelmed with emotion as her breathing slowed and her heart rate returned to normal. She curled into him, laying her head against his chest and listening to his heartbeat beneath her ear. "I'm perfect."

"I don't deserve to be this happy," he admitted sheepishly, placing a kiss to her temple and lacing his fingers through her hair. "I've done too many horrible things over the centuries to deserve you."

"Shh. There will come a day when you realize you are a good man and deserve happiness just as much as anyone else. And if you forget, I will be there to remind you," she murmured, covering her mouth with her hand to hide her yawn.

He pulled the blanket up to cover them and settled back against the pillows to sleep, almost believing they had a chance at true happiness. The darkness in him, the self-doubt and regret which had been his life scoffed at the idea. His human side smiled with hope.

A/N: Not even going to tell you how hard this chapter was for me to write. I really hope I didn't disappoint you. Thanks for reading!