Belle felt a rush of magic around her and when she opened her eyes she was in the backyard of Regina's mansion. She let out a happy cry of relief and rushed in through the backdoor. She stopped in her tracks once she walked through the door. As happy as she was to be there she hadn't expected the sight before her. All the windows of the house were shattered. The cabinets in the kitchen were tilted and unhinged. And everything in the house seemed to be vibrating. She could hear voices from upstairs and she headed toward the library. She found the entire charming clan plus Hook talking animatedly to each other.

"Henry!" she cried rushing into the room.

"Belle!" he said running to hug her.

"Belle?" said Emma staring at the librarian in shock. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought Regina had traded you to Rumpelstiltskin."

"She did but your clever, clever son helped me escape," she said brightly. Henry relayed his plan to the rest of the room.

"That was absolutely genius kid," said Emma with a smile. "but it was risky. What happens when Gold finds out that Belle escaped?"

"We have a little time before that storm comes," answered Belle. "He left to do something as soon as he traded for me. How is Roland?"

"He is fine," answered Snow quickly. "Marian and Robin decided to stay at the loft with us for the night. He's completely safe."

Belle nodded in relief. It was good to know that Rumple hadn't reneged on their deal. "Why are all of you here then? And what happened downstairs?"

Everyone looked at each other awkwardly before Henry answered her. "Belle that was mom. When she got back it was like she brought a storm with her. Dishes started cracking, the windows broke. And it wasn't even her doing it. It was her magic. I didn't think she could control it so I called everyone to come here."

"She's been in her room for a while now," said David somberly. "Things have calmed down a little but she still won't open the door for anyone. She says it's not safe."

"Belle what happened out there?" asked Snow softly. She'd never seen Regina so furious like this. Her stepmother had finally reached a place of peace in her life and Snow didn't want to see her lose that. She was really worried about her.

"While we were out there," said Belle. "Rumpelstiltskin told her that he killed Zelena."

Everyone was stunned to silence at Belle's admission. Rumpelstiltskin had killed Regina's sister. Emma was the first to break the silence. "I think the worst thing is that I'm not even surprised. "

"She killed Neal," said Hook. "There was no way the crocodile was going to let that pass."

"Poor Regina," said Snow shaking her head. She knew better than anyone that losing people was something that Regina had never taken well. No wonder she'd nearly destroyed her house.

"I have to speak with her," said Belle. "I need her to know that I'm back and things are going to be ok."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," said Emma quickly. "Her powers are really out of whack right now."

"I don't care," said Belle. "If there's any chance that I could help her I'll take the risk."

Belle timidly knocked on the door to the master bedroom. "Regina?"

"Belle?" She heard Regina speak from the other side of the door. Her voice sounded tired. She slowly opened the door. Regina's room had always been pristine. She had always kept everything in its proper place and in perfect condition. It was just a part of her personality. The room Belle saw right now was nothing like Regina's room. Everything was in disarray. The nightstands were flipped over and the bed was practically in ashes. Even more obvious everything was vibrating with Regina's anger. In the center of all the chaos sat Regina. She just sat on the ground taking deep, slow breaths trying to calm herself. The regal air that she usually carried with her was gone. In this moment she wasn't a queen. She was just a woman who was heavy with betrayal and rage. She eyed Belle with suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

Belle approached the other woman with caution. "Henry helped me escape."

Regina smirked silently. "My son, ever the hero."

Belle eyed her warily. She could actually feel the anger radiating off the queen. "Regina, are you okay?"

"What do you think?" she said resentfully. She knew that she wasn't taking this news very well. Hell, everything around her was vibrating. For a long while the two women sat in silence before the Regina spoke again.

"Did you know?" she asked quietly.

Belle looked into her eyes and knew that she couldn't lie. "Yes," she answered softly, nodding her head.

As soon as Belle admitted her knowledge the mirror on Regina's vanity shattered. Belle jumped at the sound of the broken glass. Regina took a deep breath trying to contain her magic. "How long?"

"He told me the day I left him," said Belle tearfully.

"You knew when I asked you to move in here?!" yelled Regina, composure long forgotten. A picture frame flew across the room at the sound of her voice.

"I am so sorry," said Belle sincerely. "I just- I didn't want to set you off or-"

Regina closed her eyes and raised her hand to keep Belle from continuing. "Belle I want you to understand that I am very glad that you are safe. And that one day soon I promise I am going to forgive you. But right now I am too angry to see your face."

"Regina… please," pleaded Belle.

"Get out of my room Bookworm!" yelled Regina turning away from her. "It is not a safe place for you to be!"

Seeing that there was no getting through to her now Belle tearfully left the room with her arms wrapped around herself.

"Hey how'd it go?" asked Snow upon Belle's return to the library.

"Um terribly," said Belle's honestly. She collapsed into a leather armchair rubbing her temples. It'd been a hell of a day. Emma gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder.

"Don't blame yourself Belle she's pretty upset."

Belle stilled at Emma's sentence. "You're right. She's really upset."

"Well it's not like that's anything new," said Hook from the corner. "The queen has always had quite a temper."

"No," said Belle standing up. "This time she's really upset. Like never before."

"Belle," drawled Snow. "What's wrong?"

Belle shook her head in realization. "This wasn't about me." She said softly. "This was about Regina!"

"What are you talking about?" said Emma.

"It's so obvious now! This whole trade was about Regina!" she cried. "I mean I'm sure trapping me was a plus but I was never what he really wanted. Think about it! He kidnapped Roland because he knew how much Regina loved him. And let's face it he's easier to get than Henry!"

"And he had Regina trade you," said Charming slowly catching on. "If it was just about you he could have had Robin or Marian lure you there. They have no magic and they're a hell of a lot easier to fight off but he made sure that it was her!"

"But why would he go through all that trouble?" asked Henry.

"Because he wanted to get her in that clearing and taunt her about Zelena,"said Belle dramatically. "Regina is a strong woman it takes a lot to get her off her game like this. He needed to make sure that she was at her angriest and most emotional before delivering that final blow! The kidnapping, the trade, it was all done to make sure that she hated him as much as possible!"

"But why would he do all that just to get her to this place?" asked Emma.

Snow's eyes widened as she realized exactly why Rumpelstiltskin would go through all that trouble.

"He knows that she hid the dagger!" she gasped. "He wants her to go after it so he can take it for himself!"

"And right now she's angry enough to do just that," said Hook clenching his fists. "Manipulative bastard!"

"Okay we need to make sure she doesn't leave this house!" said Emma firmly.

"Oh no…" said Henry looking around the room.

"What's wrong now?" said Charming.

"Nothing in the house is vibrating anymore," he said quietly. Once everyone realized what that meant they all raced toward the master bedroom calling out for the queen. When they opened the door to her room they found it completely empty.

"Oh god," said Snow. "She went after the dagger."

Rumpelstiltskin watched smugly from the shadows as Regina quietly snuck out of her house. That's right my little puppet, he thought, lead me to the thing I love the most.