Hope I still have readers! It's been a loooooong fanfic hiatus but I am back and updating! This one is a bit triggering for sexual assault. Feedback appreciated as always!
I do not own "Once Upon a Time."
Chapter 13
In the Enchanted Forest, a little over twenty eight years ago . . . . . . . .
The sound of the door to her cell opening startled Belle. The evil queen never came to her so late in the evening. She had heard whisperings of a curse from the guards, and couldn't help but wonder if the queen was going to simply kill her before her curse was cast. When the door opened, Belle was stunned to see the handsome man that entered. It was the Huntsman – he, too, was the queen's prisoner, and Belle understood that he was forced to do her bidding.
"What do you want?" Belle asked nervously.
"The queen's curse will take us soon. There's no hope for me, but – perhaps you can escape." The Huntsman said as he approached Belle, then began to undo her shackles.
"I – I don't understand. This is a trick, why would you help me? You don't even know me." Belle said. "She sent you, didn't she?"
"The queen is otherwise occupied at the moment. I've tried many times to find a way to free you. I know you've done nothing wrong. If I can't save myself – at least I can help others." he said. He helped Belle stand up as soon as she was freed. "Run. And don't look back."
"You should come with me. I'm going to Rumpelstiltskin, he'll help you. I'll get him to help you." Belle said.
"She has my heart – there is nothing he can do about that." The Huntsman replied. "Hurry – before someone sees you."
"I'll find a way to save you." Belle said. "Thank you." Belle whispered, and she ran out of the cell and into the dark night as quickly as she was able.
Belle ran for what seemed like hours, and during her escape it had started to rain, and the thunder became louder and louder every time she moved. A bolt of lightning flashed near her, and Belle let out a loud scream. "Rumpelstiltskin!" she cried out, but it was no use. He had shut her out. He wasn't going to hear her cries. The only way to reach him was to actually reach him, and the storm was hindering her journey. She was wet, tired, hungry, and alone, and didn't know how she was going to survive this storm when suddenly someone grabbed her and pulled her into a nearby hidden cave. Belle tried to fight off the person, but she was too tired and too weak to even try. "What do you want with me?" Belle whimpered as the figure removed their red hood.
"I was on my way home and I saw you just standing there – you'd have caught your death of cold out there." The young girl said. "My name's Red – I hide in this cave sometimes, it's kind of my secret place, nobody knows about it. What's your name?" Belle was silent, and she looked Red up and down nervously. "It's okay – I won't hurt you. Here – you want something to eat? You look hungry." Red said, and she took a piece of bread out of her basked and handed it to Belle. Belle hesitated for a moment before taking the offering from Red.
"Thank you." Belle whispered. "I'm Belle."
"I haven't seen you around before. You're not from this village, are you?" Red asked.
"What village is this?" Belle asked.
"The Enchanted Forest. Sometimes people not from here call it Misthaven." Red said.
"Misthaven?" Belle asked, and she smiled a bit. "I made it. This is where he lives."
"Who?" Red asked.
"Oh, um – just someone I know. A friend that – I need to get to." Belle said. A loud clap of thunder boomed, and a lightning bolt struck in front of the cave opening, and Belle jumped a bit, startled.
"I think we're gonna be stuck here for the night, why don't we try and get some sleep?" Red suggested.
"Okay." Belle said quietly. Another loud thunder clap boomed and echoed into the cave, and Belle hugged herself in fear.
"You afraid of storms?" Ruby asked.
"No, I just – don't really like then all that much." Belle said.
"It should be over by morning. You can come home with me and meet my Granny. Maybe get you some fresh clothes?" Ruby suggested. "Goodnight." Ruby whispered. Belle curled up in a ball, trembling at every thunder blast and lightning bolt, unable to sleep at all.
Gold had no intention of spending the entire night with her, but the storm was hindering her from falling asleep, despite her state of inebriation. Every time she was about to drift off, a loud thunder clap would burst out and Lacey clung to him even tighter. "Make it stop." she would whimper. Gold chuckled to himself. Even when he had magic, he couldn't control the weather. It wasn't until well after two in the morning that the storm began to subside, and Lacey finally settled into a deep sleep in his arms. He didn't want to wake her by moving to get up, and he was, in fact, quite tired at that point himself. He simply decided to settle into bed with her and worry about that choice in the morning.
Lacey was actually the first to awaken that morning. Gold's arms were locked around her so tightly that she could barely move. Her head hurt; her entire FACE hurt, actually. She tried to lift up her head but it didn't seem to want to cooperate. "Rum." she finally mumbled. Gold's eyes fluttered open, and he stretched a bit.
"Lacey. How are you feeling?" Gold asked in a quiet whisper.
"Did we make up last night?" Lacey asked.
"No." Gold replied.
"Then why are you in my bed?" Lacey asked.
"You were afraid of the storm." Gold said. "I didn't want to leave you alone."
"Oh. That." Lacey whispered. "I've never liked storms."
"Why?" Gold asked.
"I don't know." Lacey replied. "They've just frightened me for as long as I can remember." Lacey sighed and rolled away from him, moaning a bit. "You can go, Rum."
"Can I get you anything?" Gold asked.
"Just leave me alone." Lacey said. Gold sat up and stretched a bit.
"Lacey, I am sorry. I really am." He waited for a response from her, but none came. Gold sighed, and he left the room.
Several hours later, Lacey entered Gold's shop; she was wearing sunglasses and her hair was straight. "Didn't think you'd be in today." Gold said.
"I do still work here." Lacey said.
"Not up for doing your hair today, I see." Gold commented. "Actually, it doesn't look bad at all straight like that." Lacey took off her sunglasses and glared at him.
"How much longer are we going to do this?" Lacey asked.
"Well, I'd say that's not my call now, is it?" Gold asked in reply. "I did say I was sorry."
"I just don't know what to make of you, Rum. One minute I want to kiss you and the next I want to strangle you. You are, without a doubt, the most frustrating man I've ever met in my life."
"Well – I have always been a difficult man to love." Gold said.
"I never said a thing about love." Lacey commented. "But speaking of that – are you still in love with her?"
"With who?" Gold asked.
"The girl. Your maid." Lacey said.
"That – is a very complicated matter." Gold said.
"It's not complicated, you either are or you aren't. What was her name?" Lacey asked.
"Why?" Gold asked.
"Because I'm nosey. I just want to know her name." Lacey said. Gold sighed.
"Belle." he replied. "Her name was Belle."
"Belle. So – that's my competition then?" Lacey asked, and Gold didn't even attempt to stifle his chuckle.
"Trust me dear – it would be impossible for you to be in competition with Belle." Gold said.
"That's what I thought." Lacey said, and just as she said that, her phone rang. "What?" Lacey answered curtly. "I'll be there when I get there. Well, he'll just have to wait." Lacey hung up the phone.
"Let me guess – Sherman." Gold said through gritted teeth.
"Don't change the subject, Rum. So, this – Belle person. Was she pretty?" Lacey asked.
"Very." Gold replied.
"Prettier than me?" Lacey asked. Gold snickered a bit. "Stop being such a jerk and answer me!" Lacey shouted at him, then cringed at the sound of her voice, her head still throbbing a bit.
"Lacey, this line of questioning is pointless." Gold said.
"I just want to understand you. I want to understand why you seem so bloody incapable of moving toward something that resembles a normal relationship. I think it's because you keep holding onto hope that this Belle person will be back someday." Lacey said, and Gold became quiet. "That's it, isn't it?"
"It's complicated." Gold replied after a moment of hesitation.
"Stop saying that!" Lacey shouted, and she cringed again. "You know what? Forget it. I don't even know why I bothered to come here, I can never get a straight answer out of you. No wonder your 'Belle' left, if this is how you acted with her I don't blame her one damned bit." Lacey stormed out of the shop, and Gold simply watched her and sighed sadly.
A little over 28 years ago . . . . .
Belle awoke in the cave the next morning and found herself alone. She didn't remember falling asleep, but she was exhausted and knew that at some point during the storm she simply drifted off. "Hello? Red?" Belle called out as she sat up, wondering if her encounter with the girl in the red hood was just some sort of hallucination.
"Hey – you're up." Red said as she entered the cave. "Here, I picked some berries, these are good, and they're safe to eat." Red gave her the berries, which Belle took without hesitation. "My Granny taught me all about what plants are safe to eat in the woods, you have to be careful."
"Thank you." Belle said as she ate the fruit. "How long was I sleeping?"
"For a while. I think you were pretty tired." Red said. "How'd you get out here anyway?"
"It's a long story." Belle said.
"Well maybe you can tell me sometime. I love a good story." Red suggested. "Are you ready to get out of here? I don't live that far, just half a day's trip. I'd have gotten back last night if it hadn't been for the storm."
"Thanks, but I should really be on my own way." Belle said.
"To see your friend?" Red asked.
"Yeah." Belle replied.
"Do you know how to find him?" Red asked.
"I think I can manage. But thank you for your help – I really do appreciate it." Belle said.
"It's okay. Good luck – I hope you find what you're looking for." Red told her as Belle stood up to leave.
"Me too." Belle replied, and she left the cave and headed down the now clear path. After a few minutes of travel time, she recognized it immediately; it was the same path she had taken on that day – the day she left to fetch straw. The day she went back to him. The day he banished her from the Dark Castle. She knew it wasn't much further. Belle smiled as she continued walking; she knew that if she could just reach the castle she could make him see that it really was true love. She promised she would never stop fighting for him, and she meant it. As she continued to walk along the path, she was startled by the sound of horses. Belle nervously ducked behind a tree and glanced at the carriage, fearing that it was the Evil Queen searching for her. The carriage stopped, and Belle watched as someone stepped out of the carriage. She sighed in relief when she saw that it was not the Evil Queen, but King George. Belle knew him from when she was a young girl; her father had many business dealings with him. She recalled his son James, whom she never really liked. He was a boorish, arrogant oaf, much like Gaston but with money. King George was pleasant enough, however. He wasn't exactly a kind man, but he could be trusted as far as she knew.
"Are you sure this is where you saw someone?" King George asked his driver.
"They ducked into the woods." the driver replied. "It was definitely a girl though." King George sighed in anger. "She couldn't have gone far, your majesty." As she was watching them, Belle lost her footing and slipped on the wet dirt beneath her, letting out a squeal as she did so.
"What was that?" King George asked, looking around. His driver darted right toward Belle, who was struggling to stand up. The man grabbed Belle and dragged her to the king. King George looked her up and down. "You're not Snow White." he grumbled.
"No sir. I mean – no, your majesty. I'm – Belle of Avonlea. You know my father, Sir Maurice." Belle said.
"Belle? I heard that you had been taken prisoner by the Dark One." King George said.
"Oh no – I mean – it was my choice to go with him." Belle said. "Queen Regina – she took me prisoner. One of her servants helped me escape, and I'm trying to get back to Rumpelstiltskin. My father is your friend – can you help me? Please?" Belle begged. "I just need to get as far as the path to his castle."
"Of course. I can take you back." King George said.
"Oh, thank you." Belle said, and she hugged him, then pulled away nervously. "I – I'm sorry, I – that was inappropriate of me."
"It's fine. No one has shown me any affection since my wife passed. I miss it." King George said. "Come – you're safe with me." King George took her hand and led her into the carriage.
"About time you got here. What took you so long?" Keith asked as Lacey entered the club. After her argument with Gold, she went for a long walk before making her way to the strip club.
"None of your damned business." Lacey replied. "And for the record, I'm tired of being at your beck and call all hours of the day and night, I am not your servant."
"Hey – you're free to leave any time. Just remember – your boyfriend will be the one that suffers for you walking out on me." Keith reminded her.
"You're a bastard, you know that?" Lacey remarked.
"Yes, you've told me – many times." Keith replied. "So – Spencer's waiting for you." Lacey rolled her eyes.
"Why does he always want me? Why can't one of the other girls take him?" Lacey asked.
"He likes you. And he pays well. I would think you'd be glad for the money. I know I am." Keith said, mumbling the last sentence under his breath. Lacey sighed.
"This is the last time, Keith. No more calls in the middle of the day, and no more private dances. You don't get to perpetually blackmail me, I've gone above and beyond as it is." Lacey stated adamantly.
"Fine." Keith said, much to Lacey's surprise.
"Really? Just like that?" Lacey asked.
"You're right – you've done enough. So – how about a drink, you look like you could use one." Keith said.
"For Spencer? I need about seven." Lacey said. "Just give me a shot of vodka."
"You got it. Why don't you go change and I'll get that drink for you." Keith suggested. "Spencer said he wants the red outfit."
"Whatever." Lacey said, and she headed toward the dressing room. Keith poured her drink, then took out a small vial and emptied it into the drink. A few minutes later, Lacey came back into the bar dressed in a skimpy red outfit.
"Here you go." Keith said as he handed her the drink. Lacey grabbed the shot glass from him and quickly downed it.
"You gonna be outside the door?" Lacey asked.
"I don't think there will be a problem." Keith said.
"I'm not doing private without a bouncer outside." Lacey insisted.
"Fine, whatever." Keith replied. "Be nice to him – he's kind of pissed at you, something about you being a jerk to him at a bar."
"He's not pissed enough at me to keep from ogling me and having me writhe around on his lap." Lacey complained, and she stomped into the room as Keith closed the door.
A little over 28 years ago . . . . . . . .
"How much further?" Belle asked. They had been riding far longer than she anticipated; perhaps she was further away from the castle than she thought.
"Not much." King George said. They shared a pleasant conversation during their trip, which was peppered with moments of awkward silence. After several more minutes, the carriage came to a stop. "Here we are." King George said.
"Thank you." Belle said, and she moved to exit.
"Belle, wait." King George said, and he grabbed her arm, pulling her back in. "I'd like to – offer you a proposition."
"A proposition?" Belle asked nervously.
"I'm a lonely man, Belle. My wife is dead, and my son has disowned me. The queen's curse is coming, and I know that I'm doomed to be a lonely man not only in this land, but in this cursed land as well. Unless . . ."
"Unless what?" Belle asked.
"I'd like to take you as my bride, Belle. You'll want for nothing, I promise you that. Not in this land, and not in the cursed land. I'll work things out with Queen Regina, you will have a good life." King George said.
"I'm sorry, your majesty, but – I can't accept. I'm flattered, but – I'm in love with another." Belle said.
"Gaston? The man is a peasant compared to what I have to give you." King George said, offended.
"Not Gaston." Belle said.
"Then who? Who stands in my way of having you?" King George asked.
"I – I really have to go." Belle insisted. King George stared at her in disgust.
"HIM? You're in love with HIM? That foul little imp?!"
"You wouldn't understand." Belle said. "I'm sorry – I hope you find someone to make you happy." Belle moved to step out of the carriage, and when she opened the door, she gasped in fear – the Evil Queen was standing in front of her. King George exited the carriage just after she did.
"I thought you were bringing me Snow White." Regina said as she signaled her guards to seize Belle. "But this one will do. How dare you try and escape me?"
"You lied to me." Belle said, looking angrily at King George.
"My offer still stands. Your majesty – I would like to take responsibility for the lady here. She will be my bride – in this land, and in the cursed land." King George said.
"NO! I'll never be yours!" Belle shouted at him.
"It doesn't sound like she's very interested in you, does it? Apparently you're not her type. Perhaps if you dressed in leather and had scales instead of skin." Regina quipped.
"How about we make it her choice? A life with me – or going back to being your prisoner." King George suggested. "How much use can she be to you, really?" Regina thought about it for a moment.
"She is a bit more trouble than she's worth. Alright." Regina said, and she looked at Belle. "Which will it be?"
"I will NOT go with that man. Not for all the riches in the world!" Belle shouted.
"Alright. Doesn't matter to me one way or another." Regina said, and she looked at the guards that were holding Belle. "Take her back to her cell." The men headed off with Belle, and Regina glared at King George. "Impressive." she said. "You know what – I think we could make a deal for how things will be for you in the new land."
"What good will it be if I won't even remember?" King George asked.
"You may not remember – but at least you'll have a modicum of enjoyment." Regina said, she smirked at him.
Lacey went through the motions of her usual lap dance for Albert Spencer, when suddenly he grabbed her and pulled her close. Lacey immediately tried to push him away, but he overpowered her as he planted a kiss on her lips. Lacey kept her mouth closed, resisting him the whole time. "No! Stop it!" Lacey shouted as she tried to break free of his grip.
"I have wanted you for as long as I can remember, Lacey. How about you just let it happen. It'll be much more enjoyable for both of us." Spencer suggested, and he groped at her once more.
"Let me GO!" Lacey screamed, and she managed to knee him in the groin. She got up and started to run toward the door, then suddenly felt dizzy and began to sway a bit. Spencer stood up and grabbed her.
"You're not going anywhere. I paid a great deal of money for you today, Lacey. And I intend to get every penny's worth." Spencer said.
"Someone help me!" Lacey screamed, but the door remained closed. Lacey's vision became blurred as she looked at Spencer. "What did you do to me?" she asked.
"Just gave you a little something that'll help you relax, that's all." Spencer whispered. "Now come on – don't make this difficult." Lacey fought to stay lucid as she continued to stare at Spencer, resisting every one of his advances. Suddenly, his appearance changed. Instead of the brusque businessman that had been leering at her during her shows for as long as she could remember, he appeared to be in some sort of period garb, like royalty out of medieval times. Lacey gasped at his appearance.
"What's happening to me?" she asked, and she suddenly found the strength to pull away from him. She shoved him away hard when he grabbed her once again, and then she stumbled toward the door. She grappled with the doorknob, but it was locked.
"You're not getting out." Spencer said. "There's only one way out – and I have it." Spencer took out a key ring and waved it at her mockingly. Lacey's vision altered between seeing Spencer as he was really dressed, and seeing him in period garb as he moved toward her and grabbed her. He moved to kiss her, and Lacey shoved him once again, knocking him backward. The key that Spencer was holding fell to the ground, and Lacey reached for it. "I thought he gave you something to make you more cooperative, not combative." Spencer grumbled angrily, reaching for the keys as well. Lacey was able to get a grip on the keys, and as Spencer moved toward her she mustered up every ounce of strength she had and plunged the key into his right eye. Spencer screamed out in excruciating pain as Lacey made her way to the door, the room spinning once again. She ignored Spencer's screams as she managed to open the door, then staggered into the main area of the bar.
"What's going on in there?" Keith asked angrily. She looked up at him Keith's appearance was different; his hair was slicked back and greasy, he was a bit dirty, and he, like Spencer, was dressed in a period outfit. Lacey screamed as she darted out the door, collapsing to the ground the moment she was out of the club. She gasped for breath as the world spun around her, when suddenly she heard a feminine voice.
"Lacey? Oh my god, what happened!?" Ruby screamed as she ran to her side and kneeled down next to her. Lacey looked up at her and saw Ruby dressed in a red hooded cape, then closed her eyes as the world around her fell into darkness.
Gold raced to the hospital as fast as he possibly could, wishing the entire time for his magic, which would have enabled him to arrive there with nothing more than the flick of a wrist. Ruby called him to let him know that something had happened to Lacey, although she wasn't sure what. He knew no details other than the fact that she had collapsed on the sidewalk in front of that foul strip club. Gold never much cared about the little wolf girl one way or the other, but the fact that she did contact him earned her some points in her favor as far as he was concerned. Whatever had happened, he was confident that Keith Sherman had something to do with it. Curse or no curse – he would pay dearly for whatever he had done to her, of that Gold was certain.
Gold knew the risk he was taking as he charged into the hospital. Up until this point, only those individuals in Lacey's social circle knew about his relationship with her, although he presumed that Regina was, at the very least, suspect. He tried to keep their romance, or whatever it was, out of the general public eye in order to keep Lacey protected, but right now none of that mattered to him. He spotted Ruby seated in the waiting room – she was crying. "Where is she? Where's Be – Lacey?" Gold asked, catching himself before he slipped up and called her by the wrong name.
"Dr. Whale said she was drugged – I know that Keith and Mr. Spencer had issues with her but why would they do that?" Ruby asked.
"Spencer? What does he have to do with this?" Gold asked.
"I – I'm not sure. Lacey – she attacked him, she stabbed him in the eye with something, a key I think. I don't really know what happened." Ruby said, sniffling a bit. "I just hope she's okay. I thought about not calling you, I know you guys have been fighting, but she really cares about you and I thought she'd want you to be here."
Gold thought about Spencer for a moment, mentally adding him to the list of people he needed to contend with, along with Sherman. "Well, thank you for that, Miss Lucas. I owe you a favor." Gold said. "But right now I want to see her. Where is she?"
"She's in that room over there." Ruby said, eyeing a closed door. "They told me to wait out here, they probably won't let you in."
"Well, we'll see about that, won't we?" Gold said, and he marched toward the door and stormed into the room. There was a very serious and severe looking nurse looking over Lacey's chart, as Lacey lay in the bed, her eyes closed, an IV attached to her arm and a monitor beeping out her heartbeat.
"She's not allowed any visitors right now." the nurse said, scowling at Gold.
"Do I look like I give a damn, dearie? I suggest you leave – now." Gold said, gritting his teeth at the woman. He couldn't recall who she was in their land, but obviously she was no friend of his. Not that he had any friends. She was probably on Regina's payroll, a fact that he would concern himself with later. He had more important things to worry about the moment as he glared at the woman who was still standing in the room. "Did you not hear me, dearie? Get. Out."
"I'm getting the doctor – and security." the nurse said, and she stomped off in a huff.
"Yes, you do that." Gold mumbled under his breath as he moved to Lacey's side. He sat down on the edge of the bed, then took her hand and kissed it. "Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry. Perhaps I should have told you the truth. You'd have thought me mad, but – maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe I could have convinced you to believe. I could have kept you safe at least. I am sorry, Belle. I really am." Gold bent over her and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Lacey's eyes fluttered, and she opened them and looked up at Gold. Her vision was blurred as she struggled to focus. "Hey." Gold whispered as he ran his fingers through her hair. As Lacey's vision came more into focus, her eyes widened at the sight of the man sitting next to her. He had long, curly hair, skin that was coarse and almost sparkly, eyes that were black and glazed over, and teeth that were rotted. Lacey's heart began to race, and she let out a loud, terrified scream.