Under the Sea

A/N: Updates will probably come rather quickly now because the premier of season 2 is next week! I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 14

"Rumpelstiltskin, where are you? If you can hear me still, please…come meet me. I don't know why you left. Was it something I did? I…I miss you. I…please. Oh god, where are you? I need you, Rumpel. I need you…"

She had decided to try one last time. She held her necklace close to her as she felt the tears well up. She tried so hard not to cry. She had promised herself she wasn't going to cry, but even she knew her voice had cracked in her last plea. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, letting them out. And then letting go of her necklace, she crawled into bed.

But she didn't sleep. She simply tossed and turned, her thoughts running at a mile a minute. The Blue Fairy's words were at the forefront of it all. She wasn't what was important. She wanted to scream, to cry, and to just forget everything. She turned onto her side and reached out to the empty side of the bed. She remembered the one time she had actually woken up with someone there.

They had accidentally fallen asleep, with his arms wrapped around her in the middle of her bed. It had been the night that he was trying to comfort her. And when she had woken up, he had been pressed against her back, his arm draping over her middle. It had been so comfortable, so warm. She had tried to snuggle back into him, to get closer, but the movement had ruined the moment. It had ended there. He had been awkward, she had blushed, and then he had wished her a good day and left.

That side of the bed felt so cold now. She bit her bottom lip again, trying to stifle the sobs that wanted to push forth. She scrunched her hand up, balling the sheets up into her fist and felt her shoulders begin to shake. It was hard; it was so hard. She hadn't even realized just how much she had grown attached to him until now. She squeezed her eyes shut, felt the liquid seep out and fall sideways down her face. She let out one loud soul wrenching cry and buried her face in her pillow. She wanted him to be there with her, to hold her and tell her it was going to be ok like he had before. She wanted him to take her in his arms and hold her close and never let her go. She just wanted to stop crying herself to sleep. She just wanted to wake up and find him waiting, an apology at the tip of his lips and a smile to go with it.

But when she woke up, he still wasn't there. He was still doing whatever plans that were more important than her. She pushed herself into a sitting position, the sheets tangled around her waist. She had had such a restless sleep. Her entire body ached, like she had been sleeping on a bed of rocks all night long. She groaned and wiped the sleep from her eyes, drying the last of her tears. And with one last glance around the room, just to double check, she finally climbed out of her bed.

She moved to her mirror and sat down in the chair in front of it. She picked up her hairbrush and pulled it through her hair. It had turned into such a comforting thing for her, but now it did her no good. Frowning, she set the brush down and stared at it for the longest time. Then ever so slowly, she reached up and grabbed the jeweled fish around her neck.

"I…I love you. Goodbye, Rumpel."

Then she took her necklace off and set it down on the little table. She stood up and stared at it for a few moments, but she knew she couldn't put it back on. She wouldn't. It would only tear her apart. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath. When she thought she was ready, she opened her eyes again and moved towards her door. She had to find the prince.

He blew a raspberry right in the center of her stomach. She squealed at the ticklish sensation and swatted at him. He looked up at her and smirked, finally laying down and resting his upper body on her belly. She looked down at him in disbelief and shook her head. He felt so young again, after their times together. Sometimes he just wanted to play and be silly and be…so not him. Sometimes, he'd do just that. Not that he'd ever admit to it.

"The fuck was that?" she said and he just smirked and tilted his head down, kissing her stomach gently. She rolled her eyes. "I did not think that that was funny."

"Is it because you don't like people to know you're ticklish, love?" he teased and she opened her mouth to give him a good retort back, but he had already moved his hands. She squealed again as he began to tickle her sides and she squirmed, trying to get away from him. It was a hard thing to do when one is laughing that hard. He couldn't help but grin as she finally pushed his hands away.

"Stop it, stop it, I beg you," she implored and he moved to lie beside her.

"You're no fun then, are you?" he mocked and she turned to face him, swatting at his hands for good measure.

"You're Mr. Gold. You're not supposed to be any fun," she teased back and he just raised a brow at her. She giggled and wrapped an arm about his waist, pulling herself close. "The town ogre's not supposed to be any fun."

"Do they really think of me as an ogre?" he asked, wrapping his arms about her and pulling her even closer than she already was. "I'm not sure how they got that. Ogres are huge. I'm a rather small man."

"You're bigger than me," she offered and he smirked at her.

"That's where it counts too," he purred and she laughed at him.

"How come you don't show this side more often?" she asked. He raised a brow at her.

"I'm sorry but I have no idea what it is that you're talking about, Miss Stone," he said smoothly. She scoffed and pushed at his shoulder a bit.

"Oh, yes, that's fine. We can keep it a secret all to ourselves," she teased and he leaned his head forwards, placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Can we?" he whispered and she smiled, kissing him again.

"Well, I suppose I can try," she whispered back and he chuckled before taking her lips into a kiss once more. She pulled back suddenly and pouted at him slightly and he waited, knowing she was about to ask for something. "Before I forget, can I have the day off tomorrow?" He raised his brow.

"Well, I already have you doing so much overtime, that I suppose I can let it slide," he said sternly and she laughed as he smirked at her. She kissed him gently and nodded.

"Thanks. It's just…it's Valentine's Day and William said he has something planned," she began to explain. She stopped when she felt his grip around her tighten and smiled apologetically at him. His expression was blank and unreadable, but she was sure he didn't want to hear any of this. "Sorry. I probably shouldn't talk about that sort of thing here…"

"No, you shouldn't," he said and nipped at her shoulder. He was still so careful not to leave marks on her, no matter how much he wanted to. Especially after the bruise he had left on her hip. "You're still mine."

Her brow furrowed and then he realized the words that had slipped out of his mouth. He crashed his lips against hers and rolled her beneath him before she could protest and say anything. She just accepted it, wrapping her arms around him and tangling her hands in his hair as his hands began to explore all over again. And then he proceeded to show her just how much he meant his words. She just arched into every movement, as if she couldn't get enough of him. And that was just as much proof too.

OOO

He sat in the cell, looking down at the chipped cup in his hand. Now that he had time to think about it, he could actually think about it. He hadn't exactly had the greatest of days, he was willing to admit. He had confiscated Moe French's truck, like planned, and had intended to keep his shop closed after doing a bit of work and spending the day at home. It was a holiday, after all. But when he had gotten there, he found his house had been broken into. And when he realized what had gone missing, he just lost it. So then here he was, sitting in this cell doing "hard time" and waiting for his employee to show up and bail him out. Regina had just made her visit and now he had his cup back. He ran his thumb over the chip in the cup, his thoughts running wild.

If anyone had asked him, and he had been willing to answer, he would have admitted that he did it in his rage over losing Belle all those years ago. But if he had admitted to that, he'd only be giving a half truth. The rest of the truth simply was that he wasn't ready to admit he had lost all of his chances. Maris asking him for the day off so she could spend it with William had gotten him on edge. His prized possession being stolen was simply the breaking point.

His wife was gone because he had been such a coward. Belle was gone because he had been foolish. Ariel was gone because he had simply been too ambitious. All his chances had run out and today was the worst of all days to have this realization. It was as if the Fates wanted to rub it in his face. Ariel was gone, but Maris was here. She was here, but she still wasn't his. Belle was just gone, but at least he could treasure the fact that at one point, she had indeed been his. He clutched the cup in his hand, trying to remember that in an attempt to feel better about something.

And then he heard her voice and he felt better by that instead. He looked up, almost hopeful, and he was glad to see that she was alone. She hadn't brought that oaf of a boyfriend with her. She was wearing a pretty green dress and her hair had been pulled up out of her face. She held her small gold purse in front of her as she looked at him. Her lips were painted a bright red and she even had a little goldish eye shadow on. She was all dolled up with nowhere to go. For a split second, he wondered if he could change that.

"Look at you, ruining my only day off so I can bail you out of jail," she teased. She smiled and shook her head at him. "I guess you don't get enough of me at work, do you, Mr. Gold?"

"If that was the case, you'd be right next to me in this cell, my dear," he challenged her and stood up. She just laughed at him and turned to face Emma. She wrote out the check that he had instructed for her to bring and though Emma looked at them funny –because it was strange for anyone to be on good terms with Mr. Gold in this town, it seemed– she unlocked his cell and let him out. "Thank you, Miss Swan."

"Don't thank me, thank your ally," she said plainly and he smirked at her. Then he turned to look at Maris and nodded.

"Thank you, Miss Stone," he said and she rolled her eyes.

"Don't thank me either," she said. "If I hadn't of shown up, you would have fired me, and I'd rather keep my job."

"Very good thinking, Miss Stone. Rather ambitious of you," he added and they made their way out the door together. She laughed at him. Once they were out of the jail, he watched as her shoulders visibly relaxed. She stopped and looked at him, unnoticing of the cup that he slipped into his large suit coat pocket. "I'm sorry I ruined your plans."

"I'm not," she admitted and he wasn't really that sorry either. He smirked and she smiled a little nervously, looking down at the ground. "Uh…since you had such a rough day, what with getting arrested and all…did you want to spend the rest of Valentine's with me?"

"William won't mind?" He raised a brow in surprise at her. She shrugged.

"He probably will, but he's already disgruntled over my having to leave him. He'll get over it." He debated the idea, wondering if perhaps it would be a good idea or if he shouldn't. But she just looked so hopeful…

"I have to take something home first, but I suppose I wouldn't mind," he said slowly and she nearly lit up, a grin overtaking her face.

"That's alright. I have to go deal with William, but then…you can meet me at my house?"

"That would be splendid."

"Great!" she chirped and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. Then she bounded off and he watched her go, neither of them noticing the pair of watchful eyes.

OOO

"Just a moment!" her voice called through the door. He let out a small sigh, looking out behind him to make sure no one else was watching him. She lived on the first floor of a two family home and he was glad for that –it meant any noise they made wouldn't be heard by the neighbors. It also meant he wouldn't have to climb up stairs. He rapped his fingers against the velvet box in his hand, waiting. And then she opened the door and her beaming face greeted him. "Please, come in!"

"It smells wonderful in here," he commented as he stepped inside and she closed the door behind him. She laughed and shrugged, wiping her hands on the apron she was now wearing.

"I'm baking. I'm attempting cookies. People can always use cookies," she said with a smile and he couldn't help but smile back.

"That is true," he agreed and then held out the box and card for her. Her brow rose as she looked down at it.

"You got me something?" she asked, surprise evident in her voice. He smirked and forced it into her hands.

"Aren't you always supposed to get your lover something on this holiday?" he answered her question with one of his own. She giggled and nodded, motioning for him to join her in the living room.

"Just give me a moment to turn the oven off and take the cookies out to cool," she said, setting the gift down on the coffee table. He sat down on the couch as she left, but she was back in only a few moments. "Should I open it now or later?"

"Now is fine," he said and so she sat down beside him on her couch. She picked up the card first, sliding her finger under the seal and pulling it off. She took the card out and grinned.

"It's so cheesy," she said and he smirked.

"Ladies always love that sort of thing, don't they?" he asked and she laughed, nodding once more.

"That we do," she said and opened the card to read it. It was just a typical cute Hallmark card, but he had scribbled a little note inside. Her brow rose at it and he watched as her face softened and then she turned to him and smiled. "Oh my…"

"Did you like it?" he asked simply and she nodded, leaning forward to kiss him. She smiled against his lips and he had to nudge her away before he tried to take it any forward. "Don't you ever tell anyone about it." She laughed.

"I'll never let anyone know that Mr. Gold such has a poetic soft side," she promised and he smirked. Then he nodded towards the long, thin, blue velvet box.

"Well, open your gift." She smiled at him and then picked it up. She lifted the top and her mouth dropped open in astonishment. It was a necklace. A small, fish shaped, dark blue gem was in the center of it, a simple silver chain going around the cushion it laid so delicately on.

"It's beautiful," she breathed and he smirked. "But…why a fish?" She furrowed her brow in confusion as she looked up at him. He shrugged one shoulder.

"It made me think of you," he said and then motioned to the box. "May I?"

"Sure," she said, unable to get any other words out, and handed the box over. He took the necklace from it and leaned forward to clasp it around her neck for her. It fit perfectly, just like it always had. Their faces were an inch apart now and she smiled, her breath curling over his face. "Thank you. For everything."

"You're worth it," he found himself saying and though he thought it sounded stupid, he didn't want to take the words back. "Happy Valentine's Day."

She didn't respond. She just wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in that last extra inch. Their lips met and she began to melt herself into him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap. She moaned in delight and kissed him harder, smiling against his lips. He just grabbed at her hips and deepened the kiss. Perhaps she wasn't meant to be his, but he was starting to care less about it. She was worth the risk, and she wasn't worth losing again. They began to lose themselves in each other, though, right there on the couch. The card he had gotten her was still open on the coffee table.

I've never been all that good at this sort of thing so excuse me if this sounds a tad clumsy.

I know I'm not much of a prince, I don't think I could even pass for a king. But when I look at you, I'll still always see a princess.

Yours Always,

R. Gold

"Rumpelstiltskin, you have a visitor," one of the guards announced. He rolled his eyes and smirked, taking a step closer to the bars.

"I had no idea," he drawled sarcastically and then he let out a small giggle as they stepped aside and the figure moved forward. She stopped just outside of his reach, were he to put his arm through the bars. He took a step up to them then, grabbing a hold as he tried to decipher just who this was. "Now, now, dearie. Show yourself."

And she did. She slid the cloak off and let it fall to the dusty floor. His eyes widened at the pretty face that stared up at him. She was absolutely the last person he ever expected to visit him. He didn't let his surprise last, however, his face turning into one of glee.

"Well, if it isn't the Blue Fairy herself," he purred and stepped back to take a mocking bow in her direction. "Whatever can I do for you, dearie?"

"Leave us now, please," she told the guards. One of them stepped forward, about to protest, but she held up a hand to stop him and tossed them a stern look. With a slight bow of their heads, they disappeared back down the hall. Then she turned back towards Rumpelstiltskin and put on a delicate smile. "It's such a treat, seeing you in here." He scowled at her; he never liked being taunted.

"I didn't ask to see you," he spat and pulled away from the bars completely, retreating to the darkness in the back of his cell. She smiled innocently at him and clasped her hands together in front of her.

"No, but it seems I am here now," she said simply. "I…spoke to your friend." His entire body froze as he listened, but he refused to react to her words. He didn't know for sure who she was talking about. "The pretty little red headed princess." He felt his heart beat quicken. "She's getting married, you know. To the prince that saved her and…broke her curse." He scowled and flew right back at the bars, glowering at her.

"You know nothing of what you're talking about," he snarled and she just smiled sweetly at him.

"The story is she interrupted their wedding. She killed the sea witch when the witch attacked and just when she was about to be pulled under in the current, he saved her. No one else was there for her and they just…fell in love. It's said that her love for him is what brought her voice back and she saved him as much as he saved her." He clenched tightly at the bars, trying so hard not to lash out at her. He knew that if he did, she would leave and he wouldn't hear what she had come here to say. "But you and I both know that's not how it happened, is it?"

"What did you say to her?" he sneered, using everything in his power to stay as calm as he possibly could. He felt his heart twist, felt his insides tug it downwards, and though he wanted nothing more than to simply call the fairy a liar, he knew he had to listen. He needed to know the truth. She just smiled at him.

"She's not in love with him," she said simply. "But I think you already know that too, don't you?"

"What did you say to her?" he snapped, clenching the bars so tight he was almost surprised they weren't just snapping in half. Almost.

"I did what any good Fairy Godmother would do," the Blue Fairy said casually and smiled innocently at him one more time. "I urged her to marry the prince."

"You liar!" he snarled and grabbed the cup they had given him water in, hurling it through the bars at her. Being as angry as this, his aim was completely off. It missed and the tin smashed against the rock wall behind her. Then he grabbed at his plate, the food on it still untouched, and hurled that through his bars at her as well. It also missed. He didn't have anything left to throw and so he threw himself over and over again into the bars, wanting so desperately to be free to he could wrap his hands around the fairy's little neck and squeeze the life out of her so painfully slow. When the anger had finally begun to subside and his energy began to run low and his side began to hurt from the bars, he sank to the floor in a heap and contented himself with glowering at her instead. She was simply standing by, waiting patiently for him to be done.

"I just thought it would be fair for you to know what was happening to her," the Blue Fairy commented. He scowled at her.

"What do you know about what is and isn't fair?" he snarled, but his voice was hoarse and she knew her words had gotten to him. But he still didn't ask the question she was waiting for him to ask so she just smiled at him one last time and prepared herself to leave.

"I'd like to think I know more than you," she said softly and nodded to him. "You have a good day then, Rumpelstiltskin." Then she turned and began to make her way back down the tunnel. She almost smirked when he called out to her. Almost.

"Wait!" he cried, his voice strained and she knew she had him. She stopped, but she refused to turn around. "I have…I have one last question." Still, she did not turn around. She simply waited. She knew what he was going to ask. It was what she had come here for. And as the words tumbled out of his mouth, she straightened her shoulders and kept her head up high. "Why…why did it work for her and not for me?"

"Why did what not work?" she challenged him, turning around to face him. He scowled deeply at her, clutching at the bars once more. But he was too tired to move, too pained to need to have to restrain himself.

"The kiss. Our kiss," he explained, knowing that if he didn't give her what she wanted then she wouldn't give him what he wanted. "She…she got her voice back. But I…I'm still me." He felt so weak, talking to her like this, baring his soul to her like this. But what other choice did he have? She was the only one who would know the answer to his question. She smiled sadly at him then and moved forwards until she was just outside of his reach once more.

"It's a good thing, I think, that they captured you when they did," she began slowly. He glared at her. This was not the answer he wanted.

"What are you talking about?" he snapped. Again, she smiled sadly. As if she pitied him. But why? She certainly didn't feel bad for him being behind these bars. So what was it that she knew that he didn't yet? He frowned at her.

"The kiss did work, Rumpelstiltskin," she said, as if the answer was as plain as day, but all he gave her was a confused look. She sighed. She was going to have to outright explain it to him, it seemed. "You are still you –that, is noticeable. You still retained your powers –that, we knew. But you are no longer restricted under the power of the Dark One. It is good they captured you when they did because if you had noticed this beforehand…who's to say just how powerful you would be able to become with your newfound magic?"

"I don't…but why?" he said, pulling himself up to his feet so he could be level with her. The least he could do was make sure she was not looking down on him as he bared his soul in an attempt to gain the answers he sought. "With…with Belle, I was changing. When she kissed me, I almost went back to my regular human form. How can it be that Ariel's kiss was not the same?"

"Isn't it obvious?" the Blue Fairy said, a hint of sadness to her voice as she looked on at the man who was clearly so desperately in love. She felt sorry for him, sorry that they had to take him away, but she knew it was best. For Ariel, and for everyone. "Belle wanted you to change."

"What, and Ariel didn't?" he snapped, finding it hard to believe the words he was hearing. The Blue Fairy shook her head.

"No, she didn't," she explained. "She loved you just the way you are…loves you still. Belle didn't want you to have the darkness your powers gave you; she wanted you to be as normal as she was. Ariel never even contemplated that thought. Her love was stronger. It was, for a lack of better words, truer than any love I've known. The kiss did work. Don't you see?"

He stared at her, suddenly finding himself unable to breathe as her words registered in his head. All he could do was blink and hold tight at the bars as his thoughts tried to untangle themselves from the mess that was forming and straighten themselves out. Then ever so slowly, he let go and allowed his hands to drop back by his sides. He hid the emotions from his face and after one slight nod, retreated back into the darkness of his cell. And that was where he waited until the Blue Fairy sighed, turned around, and finally left.

"I…I love you. Goodbye, Rumpel."

So that happened. I'm sorry to hate on Belle so much. I love her character in the show, I really do. But the Plot Bunny just showed up on this one and kept trying to have so much sex and make little plot twist babies that this is simply how it had to happen. I hope you can forgive me! And that you still enjoyed the little plot twist that went with it. Thank the sex happy Plot Bunny for that one!

We're really moving quickly through things, now. I hope you don't mind. I'm trying to give you guys as much as I possibly can! It's the least I can do, right? Besides, I've had too much free time being able to write.

Now review and let me know what you think! Favorite it, follow it, anything to show me love! Thanks!