AN: I am not abandoning this fic. I work full-time, I do not have a lot of spare time with which to write and when I do, I have to write what I'm in the mood for. I have Loch Katrine prompts on my tumblr, you can keep apprised of what I'm working on through there. I am moved and honored that you guys love this story so much, but guilting me or complaining about my inconsistent updates is not going to get the chapters up any quicker.

"So is Garrett still at that bed and breakfast?" Ruby huffed as they hiked up the hill. Belle had suggested a ramble up to Katrine's well after lunch, knowing that her active friend would enjoy the fresh air. It was a misty day, certainly not perfect for walking, but the exercise made it very pleasant.

"As far as I know," Belle gave a delicate shrug. "I made myself very clear. If he chooses to be stubborn, I can't really help that."

Ruby eyed her friend carefully and sighed. "You're not going to talk to him again, are you?"

"No!" Belle said indignantly. "I mean—I won't go see him. But I might, I don't know, call him or something…"

"Gimme a break, Belle," Ruby griped, tripping on a branch. "You don't owe him anything. You didn't ask for him to come here—you didn't even tell him you got married. That was my foot in mouth moment."

"You're right," Belle scuffed her foot anxiously. "I don't know, we did date for five years. There's a part of me that feels guilt for just leaving him hanging like that…"

"You are the only person in the world who would feel guilt in this situation," Ruby rolled her eyes. "Five years of dating didn't stop him from cheating on you. We don't even know that whole story. Who knows if the leggy blonde was the only time? I'm telling you, Belle, let things be. Garrett will get it through his thick skull that he's unwanted. Meanwhile, you've married a millionaire, you have a Scottish estate all to yourself—despite your choice of husband, you've got a lot of things going for you."

This time Belle rolled her eyes. "Ruby, I promise you'll warm up to Angus once you get to know him," She said firmly.

"Ugh. Angus," Ruby gave a theatric shudder and Belle playfully punched her shoulder. "So what's so special about this well, anyway?"

"Well, it's a part of the local folklore around here," Belle replied, her shoes crunching the wet leaves. "It's supposed to have magical properties with fertility and romance and what not."

"Fertility," Ruby wrinkled. "What, do you know this from experience!"

"No!" Belle's cheeks burned red and she slapped her friend on the arm. "And if you must know, it is where…we kissed for the first time." They'd reached the top of the hill and Belle exhaled in satisfaction. There stood the well, looking proud and dignified in its age. Ruby raised a dark brow.

"Well, it is kinda nice," She admitted, albeit begrudgingly. "Bet it looks really pretty in the summer. Aren't those rose bushes? You should plan a picnic or something."

"Maybe," Belle replied quietly. A picnic with Gold would be lovely—she could visualize it perfectly. She knew exactly what dress she'd wear, what she'd bring in the picnic basket, she knew Gold would be amiable to the idea…her stomach lurched uncomfortably.

"Can't two people be happy together leaving that side out of it?"

"Leaving…love out of it?"

"Belle," Ruby blinked at her, a little concerned. "You okay?"

She shook herself. "Yes. Just…zoned out a little." She smiled a little too brightly at Ruby. Her friend didn't look entirely convinced, but glanced at her watch.

"We should get back," Ruby stated. "I promised Archie I'd update him via Skype around this time."

Belle grinned. "That's very considerate of you."

"Well, it was his idea to come here," Ruby avoided looking at her friend directly. "And I dunno…kinda miss the sound of his voice."

Belle's mouth dropped open. Ruby studiously kept looking away from her but did not recant the statement. Belle knew if she expressed excitement, Ruby would shy away, so she bit her tongue hard to keep from squealing.

"Well, we better get back then," She said in a slightly strangled voice. "We don't want to keep Archie waiting."

XXXX

It had drizzled a bit, so when Ruby firmly shut the door to the guest room so she could have her conversation with Archie in private, Belle retreated to her own closet to change. Someone—perhaps Mrs. Potts—had taken the liberty of moving the entirety of her wardrobe and possessions to Gold's room, leaving her former space bare. She smiled at the sight of her dresses neatly hung next to Gold's shirts, fingering the edge of a sleeve thoughtfully.

Belle heard the door open and her lips softened as she felt warm arms embrace her from behind. Gold kissed her cheek gently and she closed her eyes, leaning into him.

"I missed you last night," He murmured in her ear.

"I'm sorry," Belle said quietly. "I just wanted to spend some time with Ruby."

Gold hummed his acknowledgment against her neck and she sighed a little.

"You didn't waste much time," She remarked. "Moving my things to your room."

"Well," He chuckled low in his throat. "You are my wife. Your place is here."

Belle couldn't help but smile at that, turning in his arms to face him.

"I asked Ruby if she wanted to go out to dinner tonight, but she declined," Belle told him, easily letting her hands card through his hair. "I think she's worn out. So…I was thinking maybe you and I could go out for dinner. Just the two of us."

Gold hummed in acknowledgment. "There's a restaurant that overlooks Loch Katrine. Why don't we go there?"

"Good," Belle replied, beaming a little as she pressed her lips to his. She hummed a little into the kiss, shivering delightedly as his fingers tightened around her waist. Did it really matter? She wondered to herself, resting her head against his chest. Did it really matter if he didn't believe in love? He cared about her. He wanted her as his wife. And even if he didn't recognize it, Belle felt certain he loved her back. Surely…surely that was enough.

XXXX

To everyone's surprise, the skies cleared a bit, the sun making a sudden last-minute appearance to the day. Belle was delighted, enthusiastically suggesting they eat on the outdoor patio. Despite Gold's dour prediction that it would rain the minute they sat down, the weather held.

Gold ordered a bottle of wine with their dinner, remarking that they ought to toast to the final success of their business arrangement. Belle laughed at that, clinking her glass to his, squeezing his hand as she took a long sip of a red wine that was a bit too dry for her tastes.

"Belle," Gold asked, his expression suddenly serious and she glanced at him over her glass. "What do you think of…having a proper honeymoon?"

She smirked a little. "I thought we'd started that already."

He chuckled, his eyes glinting, and he kissed the palm of her hand. "Touché, my dear. But I meant something along the lines of…going somewhere. Rome, perhaps or Greece…wherever you'd like."

Belle dimpled, taking a bite of her salmon. "What brought this on?" She wanted to know.

"Well, I certainly don't want to waste that lovely bag your friends so helpfully packed for you," Gold commented drolly and Belle reddened, remembering Ashley's bridal shower gift. "And…now that our marriage is legitimate, I want you to have everything that comes with that. I cheated you out of a fancy wedding—"

Belle rolled her eyes. "I told you before," She said firmly. "I don't regret how this happened. My memories of our wedding day are good memories, not bad."

"Well, our wedding night might have had a better conclusion," Gold retorted and Belle giggled, recalling the separate bedrooms.

"Well, I won't disagree with that," She purred, her fingers idly fidgeting with his wedding ring. "And…I think a honeymoon trip does sound nice. I'd love to visit Greece…maybe in the summer. But not for too long, I wouldn't want to be away from Sidheag that long."

Gold laughed. "Attached, are we?"

"Of course," Belle returned. "It's home."

His eyes warmed and her heart leapt a little. Without breaking their gaze, he lifted her hand and kissed it gently. She smiled. It meant something to him, that she loved his home as much as he did. It meant something to him for her to call it home. She loved making him smile that soft smile of his. She'd never seen it before they'd come here.

"Belle? Is that you?"

She turned at the sound of her name and to her horror, saw Garrett sitting a few tables down. She glanced at her husband, whose expression became very cold.

Before Belle could quite decide how to respond to Garrett, he stood from his chair and headed towards them. She forced a smile.

"So, you two are getting dinner here too," Garrett said a bit snidely, crossing his arms. "And this is the infamous Angus Gold. Heard a lot about you. Not very good things." Belle winced, recalling the times she'd complained to her former fiancé about her boss.

"Funny," Gold said coolly. "I was going to say the same thing about you."

"Garrett," Belle said in a low voice, unable to look at him directly. "Garrett, please go back to your table. I'll talk to you later. Now's not a good time."

"You know, I think it's the perfect time," Garrett remarked in a carrying voice. "Why shouldn't the customers at this restaurant—hell, the entire world know the kind of person you are?" He flung down a copy of a newspaper on the table, clanking the dishes together. Belle closed her eyes at the sight of that hideous article, Regina's handiwork.

Gold carefully ignored the newspaper, choosing to stand. His expression spelled death but his voice was perfectly calm.

"I think it's time for you to leave," He suggested politely, but Belle could see the veiled rage in his eyes.

"I think I'll let you know when I'm ready to leave," Garrett balled up his fists. "And I'm not done talking to Belle yet."

"Garrett, now is not a good time," Belle stood, trying to step between the two men, intent on avoiding a scene. "Look, I will call you later. Starting a fight right now isn't—"

"Get out of the way, Belle," Garrett snarled at her and when she didn't immediately heed his wishes, he shoved her.

This turned out to be a fatal error on Garrett's part. Immediately, Gold shoved him against one of the pillars near their table, his cane pressed firmly against Garrett's throat. The surrounding people gasped but Gold was done with avoidance techniques.

"You sniveling little weasel," He hissed and Belle watched in horrified fascination. "Touch my wife again and I will break your neck."

"Angus," Belle pleaded, touching his shoulder. "He's not worth it…"

"Your wife, huh?" Garrett gasped underneath Gold's cane. "Some joke. She's just a convenience to you. You don't even know her. You definitely don't love her."

His words halted Belle, who felt as though her stomach iced over. Gold did not respond to the accusation, did not refute it, did not answer it. He dropped his cane from Garrett's neck and shoved him forward.

"Get out," Gold growled. Garrett stalked away from them, casting one more look over his shoulder at Belle.

"He doesn't love you," He shouted as he exited. "No one will ever love you like I did!" Belle watched him disappear into the restaurant, presumably to leave. She hoped that meant he would leave Scotland.

"Are you all right?" Gold's brown eyes were filled with concern as he gently took her shoulder. "Do you need a glass of water?"

"I'm…" Belle took a deep breath. She couldn't seem to stop the cacophony of voices coursing through her mind.

He doesn't love you.

Leaving…love out of it?

Can't two people be happy together leaving that side out of it?

"I think I need some air," Belle swallowed the lump in her throat, grabbing her coat.

"We're outside," Gold pointed out. "Belle, what's the matter?"

But Belle kept walking.

XXXX

Loch Katrine was beautiful at sunset. The gray mist provided a strange sort of atmosphere, reflecting the dying colors of the sun, making everything gold and silver. Belle walked along the shoreline, wrapping her arms around herself, as the night breeze made its welcome. She paused—to the east she could see the distant lights of Sidheag, even see them shining on the small waves. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Belle!"

She turned to see Gold striding up to her, struggling a little as he walked on the sand.

"Belle, why did you walk away like that?" He asked her, his hand cradling her cheek. "I'm sorry for losing my temper with—him. Dove has the car ready in the restaurant lot, do you want to go back home?" His expression held nothing but tenderness and warmth towards her, the very kindness in his eyes making her want to break down and cry.

She did want to go back home. More than anything else in the world.

"Angus," Belle asked quietly, fingering his lapel. "Do you love me?"

He stilled a moment at her words. "What?"

She took a deep breath, mustering her courage, and stared up at him. "I can't…pretend anymore. I can't, Angus," Her voice broke and he took her in his arms, brushing a dark curl from her eyes.

"Belle, what do you mean?" Gold asked, his voice pleading. "What we have—our life—it's good, isn't it? It's—"

"I love you," Belle interrupted and suddenly, his face looked horribly impassive. His fingers tightened around her shoulders and she swallowed hard.

"I love you," She repeated, her eyes filling. "I've loved you for—oh, I don't know when it began. And I can't—I can't pretend anymore, Angus. Even if you don't tell anyone else in the world, even if you never admit it again—please…do you love me?"

Gold closed his eyes, touching his forehead to hers. "Belle," He whispered. "I…I care for you. I want you to be my wife. Surely…surely that's enough."

She lifted her head away from him. "Is that your answer?"

"Belle," He cradled her face, his thumb wiping away a stray tear. "I—I can't lie to you. I can't tell you a sentiment just because you want to hear it. I can't pretend to believe in something that I don't…"

Belle took a trembling breath. She carefully stepped out of his arms, heading up the beach. Dusk had fallen and the wind whipped around them bitterly. Loch Katrine watched in grave silence.

"Belle," Gold called to her desperately.

She turned to face him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I can't pretend either," She said shakily. "Angus…the deal's off. I think it's time for me to leave Sidheag."