A/N: I don't own Once Upon a Time. I wish I did. There wouldn't be as many plot holes, for a start. I am still sobbing over the finale, by the way. Third year in a row I have been traumatised by episode 11.

AquaJasmine23: yes – sweetness and angst. We just need the smut, and it's true Rumbelle :)

Erik'sTrueAngel: yes, the girls will do their best to cheer her up, in their own misguided way.

JosephineM, Kiri Huo Ziv, NaraTemariS2, AbbieWood, CharlotteAshmore, XelinaSkye, Rayvah, RaFire, MyraValhallah, AngelOfMusic44, jewel415, deweymay, Grace5231973, AnneElliotsCat, Shari Skye, Twyla Mercedes, crazykat77 and lathill: thank you for your support, and I hope you've all recovered from the finale (I have not. It is not okay)

The next day Belle was pleased to go for her usual Sunday run with Ruby, to take her mind off things. She had been subdued after returning from Gold's house the previous evening, and her friend had been eyeing her with concern ever since. The cold, crisp air helped; Belle could feel herself start to shed some of her misery as they walked swiftly down the road to loosen their muscles. After a couple of minutes Belle broke into a jog, falling into step beside Ruby as they headed towards the hiking trail.

"So, you've been very quiet this morning," ventured Ruby, when they were on the trail, pine needles squishing beneath their feet. "How did it go yesterday?"

Belle sighed, not wanting to think about it. Ruby looked sympathetic.

"That bad, huh?" she asked, and Belle rolled her eyes.

"He's still in love with someone else," she said despondently. "Apparently he had this great love of his life – true love, to hear him talk about it. She died."

Ruby winced. "That sucks. I actually feel sorry for him. When did she die?"

Belle hesitated. "I don't know. He didn't tell me any more about her, and I didn't ask. I guess it was some time ago, right?"

"I've never seen him with anyone," Ruby confirmed. "I suppose…maybe there are some things you can't move past."

"Yeah." Belle puffed air through her cheeks in frustration. "This is nuts, Rubes, I have to get over him. It just – it hurts! I know I sound like a crazy person, lusting after my boss. I know it could never happen, I know I need to move on, but it's…" She floundered, waving her hands around as she tried to find the words. "I don't know, I can't explain it. I feel as though I'm meant to be with him, like there's something tying us together." She threw a glance at Ruby. "See? Crazy."

"It's totally not crazy," protested Ruby. "You can't help how you feel! I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted, honey."

"Yeah," nodded Belle with a wry smile, picking up the pace a little. "I need to take my mind off things. Emma was right, I need to stop pining after Mr Gold and start living my life." She could feel herself almost cringe as she said it, and hoped that it sounded more convincing to Ruby than it felt in her head. In her heart. When she looked across at Ruby, her friend was grinning, so Belle assumed she was a better actor than she had thought.

"Excellent!" said Ruby happily. "I have just the thing! Next time you come up we can all go out and tear it up at the Rabbit Hole."

Belle looked at her, frowning slightly.

"I don't know…" she said awkwardly. "I still haven't recovered from the last time. What if those creeps are there again?"

"No one's drink is having anything dropped in it that shouldn't be there," Ruby assured her. "We stick with bottles, and I'll be watching those guys like a hawk, okay?"

Belle sighed. "I don't think I'm up for socialising just yet," she said dejectedly. "Maybe for my birthday in December."

"Works for me," said Ruby, tipping her a wink, and she let her legs stretch out, overtaking Belle as they rounded a bend on the trail.

They ran for an hour, picking up the pace to a sprint when they neared the diner, and Belle was panting hard when they slowed to a halt. She bent over, hands on her knees, as Ruby stretched her calves.

"Better?" asked Ruby knowingly, and Belle nodded.

"Better," she gasped, her heart pounding. The rush of endorphins had improved her mood, and Ruby chuckled, patting her shoulder.

"Come on, let's get you showered, huh?"

Once they were showered and dressed, the two girls trotted downstairs for some breakfast. Ruby almost collided with a boy a couple of years older than them as she entered the diner, and stepped backwards, standing on Belle's foot.

"Whoa, sorry!" he said, holding up his hands. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

He was dark-haired and broad-shouldered, and Ruby ran admiring eyes over him in a less than subtle manner.

"That's okay," she said coyly. "This is my Granny's place. Are you new in town?"

He flashed her a smile, a light of interest in his eyes as he, too, gave her the once-over. "I go to college here, but it's my first time in the diner," he explained. "Name's Peter. What's yours?"

Ruby blushed slightly. "I'm Ruby, and this is Belle. Nice to meet you, Peter."

She sauntered past him, swinging her hips invitingly, and Belle rolled her eyes with a grin as Peter went a little slack-jawed. She followed Ruby to a booth and slid onto a seat.

"I'm having eggs and bacon," she said decidedly. Ruby was still watching Peter, and Belle snapped her fingers in front of her eyes, giggling when Ruby started.

"Eat something before you go over there and start chewing on his leg," she teased, and Ruby blushed.

"I told you there were some hotties at the university this year," she said. "I wouldn't mind getting to know him a little better."

"It looked as though the feeling was mutual," said Belle, amused. "Let's eat, I'm starving, and I still have to get through a day of being highly uncomfortable in Gold's shop."

Ruby chortled. "Don't worry, honey. Come your birthday we'll help you forget all about him."

Belle chewed her lip. She wasn't at all sure that she was ready to forget anything.

The atmosphere between Belle and Gold was a little strange over the next couple of weeks. His attitude towards her had not changed; he was as pleasant and polite as ever, but Belle could feel a distance, which had not previously been there. She was unsure whether it was something her mind had created from the conversation they had had, or whether it was something she herself was doing on an unconscious level. Gold appeared not to notice, or, if he did, he said nothing. Gradually, she felt more at ease around him, but her heart still hurt. The girls were sympathetic, especially Snow, who unlike Ruby and Emma didn't suggest that she immediately start dating. Emma's confident prediction that she would soon forget about her feelings for Gold turned out to be wildly inaccurate. On the contrary, it seemed that knowing she couldn't have him made her desire for him grow.

Her birthday fell on a Tuesday, so Belle didn't see Gold or the girls. They had promised to get together as usual on the Friday night when she arrived, and Gold didn't mention her birthday on either the Monday or the Thursday. Not that she expected him to get her anything, of course. Her parents had bought her a new dress, dark blue silk with lace inserts, and she was looking forward to wearing it that weekend when they went out for dinner. If indeed he was taking her out; they ate dinner at his house just as often, and it wouldn't have bothered her if they simply got take-out pizza and ate it out of the box. She turned up at Gold & Associates at four-thirty with her weekend case and her new dress in the boutique bag it had come in, and entered the building in a rush of cold air, the snow pattering onto the floor around her as she made her way to his offices. The reception was warm and inviting, and she felt her cheeks flush as she entered.

"Hi, Mrs Potts," she said cheerfully, and the old woman smiled at her from behind her desk.

"Belle, dear! Did you have a nice birthday?"

"Okay, I guess," she shrugged, pulling off her faux-fur hat. "I got a new dress." She held up the bag, and Mrs Potts made her get it out and hold it against herself, clucking in appreciation.

"It's beautiful, dear," she said warmly. "Are you celebrating tonight, or did you already do that?"

Belle giggled. "My friends and I are going out. Hopefully I'll have less fun than last time." She waved a hand at Mrs Potts' look of confusion. "Trust me, you don't want to know."

"Hmm." Mrs Potts tried to look stern, which made Belle giggle again, and then jerked her head in the direction of Gold's office. "You can go right on in, he's not seeing anyone."

Belle sauntered up the now-familiar corridor, and opened the door at Gold's muffled 'come'. He looked up as she entered, smiling his tiny, secret smile.

"Excellent timing, Miss French," he said briskly. "I'm almost ready. Won't you sit down?"

"I'm okay."

She started pacing the room slowly, running her eyes over the books for the hundredth time, and Gold smirked to himself as he put the finishing touches to the document he was working on. Eventually he put down his pen, setting the document aside.

"I understand congratulations are in order," he said mildly, and Belle turned on the balls of her feet, dark curls swinging, her eyes curious.

"You're seventeen," he added, and she bit her lip, blushing a little.

"I didn't think you'd remember," she confessed.

He rolled his eyes at that and beckoned her with a crooked finger.

"Here," he said. "I have a gift for you."

Her face brightened, becoming even more beautiful, and she bounced up to him with a wide smile.

"Really? What is it?"

He reached down beneath his desk, standing up and handing her a large, square parcel wrapped in iridescent purple paper. She hefted it in her hands, fondling it curiously.

"Well, it's not a book," she said, and he chuckled.

"I think I give you quite enough of those, don't you? Open it."

Belle tore of the paper enthusiastically, and gasped as she saw the box for a brand new laptop computer.

"I noticed that yours was getting a little slow," he explained. "Plus it's ridiculously heavy. This weighs less than two pounds."

"Wow!" breathed Belle. "I love it! Thank you so much!" She leaned in and kissed his cheek impulsively, and he laughed, tingles running over his skin at the feel of her lips.

"You didn't have to get me anything, you know," she said, a little self-consciously. "You give me too much as it is."

He smiled at her then, his eyes gleaming. "I never make a bad investment," he said, and Belle blushed a little, biting her lip.

"I got a new dress," she said hurriedly, changing the subject, and placed the bag on his desk, reaching in and pulling out the dress. "What do you think?"

"It's very lovely," he admitted, feeling the silk between thumb and forefinger and trying not to think that it was as soft as her skin. "Will you be wearing it tonight when you see your friends?"

Belle's face clouded a little. "I was planning on wearing it tomorrow, actually. Are we going out?"

"Perhaps," he said, moving away from her. "There's an excellent French restaurant I've been meaning to take you to."

Belle beamed at him, then folded the dress carefully and put it back in the bag, just as Mrs Potts came bustling into the room.

"I'll be off, then," she said to Gold. "If there's nothing else..?"

"No, no, you can go, Mrs Potts," he said, waving a hand. The old woman smiled warmly at Belle.

"Well, dear, you enjoy your time tonight, won't you? And be good."

"I will." Belle kissed her cheek, making her chuckle. "I'll – be waiting by the car, Mr Gold." She gave him a long look, eyes alight, lips curved in a smile, and he reminded himself to breathe normally and give her a vague nod of acknowledgement. She picked up her bag and the box containing her laptop, before walking swiftly from the room, skirt swishing. Gold turned off his lamp and took his overcoat from the coat stand, shrugging it on. He could feel Mrs Potts watching him, and took more time than was necessary straightening his cuffs, as he waited for her to say whatever was on her mind.

"Belle's looking very well," she said eventually. "Quite the young lady now. A beautiful girl."

"Indeed she is," he said, as though it were a matter of no importance to him. He picked up his briefcase and rested it on the desk, checking through it to see that he had everything he needed.

"I must admit I was surprised when you took her on," Mrs Potts went on. "But you made the right decision. She's very bright. Wise beyond her years."

Gold turned to face her with a smirk. "See? I told you I wouldn't scare her off."

"Hmm," said Mrs Potts, a wry twist to her mouth. She flicked at a speck of imaginary dust on his shoulder. "You know she's in love with you, don't you?"

His breath caught momentarily. Was it that obvious? True, Mrs Potts was an observant woman, but even so…

"She's a child," he said in his most dismissive tone, and Mrs Potts put her hands on her hips.

"She's seventeen. Hardly a child anymore." She sniffed, stepping away from him. "She'll get over it, I'm sure, but you should give her a break sometime, not let her stay cooped up here with only you for company."

"I'm not her keeper," said Gold tersely. "She sees her friends in Storybrooke on Friday nights and on the evenings she's not with me I have no idea what she does."

Mrs Potts rolled her eyes. "Well, I can guarantee I do," she said. "She reads, studies, and thinks about you. It's no life for a young girl." She brushed at his shoulders again, and he pushed her hands away, irritated.

"What do you expect me to do?" he demanded. "I can hardly force her to have a social life."

"No," she agreed. "But you could start by letting her go out Saturday night as well. Make her mix with her friends a little more. She'll be going away to college soon, she needs all the help she can get with socialising." She gave him a wry look. "Lord knows you don't set much of an example."

"For the thousandth time, woman, I'm perfectly happy on my own," he growled, and Mrs Potts sniffed again.

"I swear, you two are as bad as one another."

"Well, perhaps we're both happy that way," he said acidly, and she gave him a stern look. Gold rolled his eyes.

"Fine," he said impatiently, flicking his hair back. "I'll suggest she go and date some ridiculous hunk of muscle with the intelligence of a gnat and the social graces of a rutting stag. Someone who won't appreciate her brains or her beautiful soul and will have no qualms about forcing her to do something she's not ready for, then treading on her fragile heart. But then, I suppose that just means she can have the full teenage 'experience'." He hooked his fingers in air-quotes, glaring at her. "Would that make you happy? I'd hate for her to miss out on anything."

Mrs Potts gave him a long, searching look that was part sympathy, part censure.

"Oh, dear!" she sighed, shaking her head.

"'Oh dear' what?" he demanded, and she folded her arms, looking at him over the top of her glasses and making him feel like a naughty schoolboy. Gold clenched his jaw. Damn the woman and her insufferable insight!

"You know very well what," she said sternly. "I knew she was head over heels in love with you, but don't tell me you're stupid enough to return her feelings."

"Don't be ridiculous!" he said scornfully. "I'm well aware that Miss French is off-limits to me. Even if your incredible assumption were true, do you really think I'd jeopardise Miss French's future, or my own, with something so sordid?"

Mrs Potts harrumphed at him, but seemed to accept his denial.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" she asked sceptically.

"Of course I do!" he snapped. "And I'll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself, dearie!"

Mrs Potts sniffed, unfazed. "You need to be very, very careful," she said sternly, and Gold slammed his briefcase shut.

"I'm always careful," he growled.

Gold was quiet on the journey to Storybrooke, and Belle stopped trying to make conversation after about fifteen miles. She pulled out her book, instead, and left him to his brooding. His mood lightened as they approached Storybrooke, and he smiled to her as she became restless, looking out of the window to see if she could spy anyone she knew. When they pulled up outside Granny's, she had barely gotten out of the car and taken her bag from Gold when Ruby cannoned into her, throwing her arms around her in a hug.

"Belle! Yay, you're here!" she said breathlessly. "Why don't you ever turn on your phone?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry," said Belle, shrugging. "I always forget to charge the thing."

Gold was looking amused at Ruby's excited grin.

"Well, it appears you have important business," he said to Belle. "I'll see you in the morning, Miss French."

He got back in the car, and Ruby dragged Belle up the stairs.

"Snow and Emma are here already," she chattered. "I couldn't wait for you to get here, I have a really big favour to ask."

Belle was intrigued, and her smile brightened as she entered Ruby's bedroom and was immediately pulled into a hug by Snow.

"Hey," said Emma, joining in. "Rubes tell you the big news yet?"

"Peter-asked-me-out," said Ruby, in a rush, bouncing up and down on her toes. Belle smiled warmly. Ruby had been drawn to Peter from the very first time she had met him.

"That's great!" she said, hugging her friend. "When are you going out?"

Ruby bit her lip awkwardly. "Tomorrow night," she said, raising an uncertain eyebrow. "That's kind of why I need to talk to you. Granny won't let me go out on a first date on my own until I'm eighteen, so would you double-date with me?"

Belle's mouth fell open. "A date?" she said eventually. "I can't, I'm supposed to be going out with Mr Gold. He's taking me to some French restaurant."

"Ooh, it must be La Dame de Coeur," put in Snow, eyes widening. "That's supposed to be gorgeous! Belle, you have to let him take you!"

Belle lifted her arms and let them drop, as though she couldn't possibly consider any other option, and Ruby sighed, sticking out her tongue at Snow, who had the grace to look guilty.

"So, blow Gold off!" said Emma impatiently, at which Ruby snorted. "It's not like going to dinner with him was written into your contract." Her eyes narrowed. "It wasn't, was it?"

"Of course not," said Belle dryly.

"Chicks before dicks," Ruby reminded her.

"Says the woman who wants me to double-date with her," said Belle tartly, and let out a defeated sigh. "Okay, who's the dick – I mean, who is it with?"

"Peter's friend Gary," said Ruby, speaking very quickly, as though it would somehow make Belle happier with the idea. "He's in his first year at college. He plays football. He's tall, big muscles, great body, really good-looking…"

Belle privately thought that, if she had a type, it was short, thin, and – well, she thought Gold was devastatingly handsome, but she was aware that no one else seemed to. Idiots.

"I don't know…" she said uncomfortably, but sighed at the look of pleading on Ruby's face. "Okay," she said resignedly, and chuckled as Ruby squealed and hugged her. She shot a reproachful look at Snow and Emma over Ruby's shoulder.

"So why couldn't one of you two take the bullet on this one?" she demanded.

"Gotta work," said Emma regretfully.

"Didn't want to," said Snow coyly, earning a frown from Ruby and a snort from Emma. Ruby pulled back from Belle, squeezing her hands.

"Thanks, honey, I owe you one!" she said eagerly. "We're going to see a movie and then we'll shoot some pool at the Rabbit Hole, okay? Not a big night out, but we'll have some laughs."

"Alright," said Belle, and shrugged out of her coat.

"So, now that's settled…" said Snow, rubbing her hands together. "Presents! Happy birthday, Belle!"

Belle's face brightened, and she took a small package wrapped in pretty blue paper from Snow, tearing it open to reveal a box with some delicate silver earrings in the shape of teardrops. She thanked Snow profusely, hugging her, and turned to take a present from Emma. It contained a necklace that would go well with the earrings, and Belle was delighted with it.

"So, they got you silver…" began Ruby, and handed Belle a long package wrapped in the same blue paper. Belle noticed Snow and Emma exchange curious looks, and tore off the paper with a growing sense of trepidation, to reveal a box containing a long cylindrical object in shining gold.

"What is this – oh!" Belle clapped a hand to her mouth, blushing as Ruby cackled.

"Come on!" she said knowingly. "Can't tell me that eight inches of gold isn't exactly what you wanted for your birthday!"

"Ruby!" scolded Snow, blushing as hard as Belle. "You got her a vibrator?"

"What?" asked Ruby defensively. "That's a great gift! The gift that keeps on giving, if you know what I'm saying."

"Of course we know what you're saying," said Emma flatly. "Everyone always knows what you're saying, you pervert." She rolled her eyes. "Dammit, Rubes! We're supposed to be taking her mind off Gold! And what do you do? You get her a pretend penis in his colour!"

"Oh." Ruby bit her lip. "I really didn't think this through, did I?"

Belle burst out laughing, and threw her arms around Ruby, who looked relieved.

"I got you something else, too," she said anxiously, and handed Belle a little parcel that contained a present she could actually show her parents: a short sky-blue nightdress. Belle hugged her again and kissed her cheek.

"Best friends ever," she said warmly, including Snow and Emma in her gaze, and all four girls fell into a clumsy hug.

Belle was a little nervous the next day, knowing that she had to inform Gold that she wouldn't be eating with him that evening. She had no idea why she felt nervous; it wasn't as though he had ever made their Saturday nights together a term of their agreement, they had simply fallen into the habit of spending the evening together. She tried to put it off, spending longer than usual on the dusting and watching tiny motes float and swirl in the air as she wielded the feather duster. She watched Gold, who had just finished serving a customer and was making an entry in his records.

"Doc has papers to mark tonight," he said, bringing up one of his ledgers and setting it on the workbench. "I thought we might go out to that French restaurant I was telling you about."

Belle hesitated. No time like the present…

"I can't go out with you tonight," she said, in a low voice, and he looked up with an expression of mild bemusement.

"Oh? Why not?"

Belle bit her lip. "I – have a date," she said reluctantly.

Gold stared at her, managing to keep his face relatively still. A muscle twitched in his cheek, but otherwise he gave no sign that he was screaming internally.

"I see," he managed. "And just who has captured your attention?"

Belle sighed, letting the duster drop to her side. "No one. I mean – it wasn't my idea. Ruby has the hots for this guy Peter, but Granny wants a bit of security on their date, so she's asked me to double-date with his friend Gary."

Gold racked his brains to try to remember any boys called Peter and Gary. He had a vague impression of a group of young men with loud voices and braying laughs, but beyond that he had nothing.

"I see," he said again. "Well, I hope you enjoy yourself. Perhaps we can postpone our evening out until next week."

"Yes, please," said Belle eagerly. "I'd much rather go to your place and talk about the documents."

Gold tapped his pen on the ledger, watching her. She certainly seemed reluctant to go on this date. As much as he hated the thought of her going out with some boy or (and his brain tried to shut down at this point) kissing them, he knew that he needed to give her space to live her own life. The lack of the stone was starting to really worry him, and he only hoped that he could keep Belle safe from teenage boys with raging hormones until they could find it. His concerns gave him an idea, one that would hopefully help to trigger something in her mind, while at the same time providing her with some protection.

"Let me give Doc a call," he said finally. "I have something that I'd like to show you."

"I didn't think I'd be seeing you this week." Doc bent to kiss Belle's cheek as he ambled into the shop, brushing snow from his shoulders. She kissed him back, grinning.

"Me neither. I have some questions about some of the translations, and Mr Gold said he had something to show me. He won't tell me what it is." She shot a reproachful look at Gold, who smiled briefly.

"I wouldn't say no to a cup of tea," said Doc, hopefully, and Gold sighed, nodding as he turned into the back room. The others followed him, Belle opening up her laptop and bringing up the pictures that she wanted to talk to Doc about while Gold made the tea.

"See." She pointed at some runes. "I think that means silver, and that means rowan. Am I right?"

Doc peered at the image. "Yes, that's quite right," he said. "You're picking things up quite quickly." He beamed proudly at her, and she blushed.

"So, this is what I don't understand," she went on. "This mentions compass points and the elements and – well, it kind of looks like a spell." She looked uncertain. "Either that, or it's an ancient recipe, and I'm completely insane."

"No, you're right," Doc assured her. "It's a spell. It's for protection."

Belle's eyes widened. "Really?" she asked eagerly. "I got it right? What was it used for? People believed in magic, back then, I know, but even so…"

"It wasn't commonly used, not this sort of spell," Doc admitted. "This is a powerful protection spell. Most of the time, people would use something simpler. A spell like this would require both a high level of knowledge and innate ability. It provides protection from evil spirits, creatures of darkness. Even from the worst of men, in extreme cases."

Belle was looking at him as though he was speaking a different language.

"You're talking as though this stuff works," she said, and Doc shrugged, smiling. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"What would you say if we told you that magic was very real?" asked Gold quietly. Belle folded her arms beneath her breasts, giving him a sceptical look.

"I'd say you're taking unfair advantage of the fact that I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that the letter from Hogwarts is going to turn up some day," she said flatly, and he chuckled.

"Ah, so you have an open mind? Excellent, Miss French." He crossed to the carved walnut dresser on the far wall, and Doc and Belle exchanged a glance as they watched him bend to open it. Doc shrugged at Belle.

"Are we casting a spell?" he asked, interestedly, and Gold threw a look over his shoulder.

"Why not? We have the translations. We know what's needed. Shall we see if it works?"

Belle burst out laughing, then cut off as Gold regarded her steadily.

"Are you serious?" she asked, and he nodded. She stood up a little straighter.

"Okay…" She knew she was looking confused, and he smiled, reaching into the cupboard. He brought out a piece of chalk, a candle, a curved length of driftwood, a silver knife and a glass dish, and gestured to Doc and Belle to go through to the main shop. Doc marked out a circle with the piece of chalk, and Gold set the four items at points around it equidistant from one another. The glass dish had been filled with water, the candle lit, and Doc nodded approvingly as Gold straightened up.

"You guys look as though you do this a lot," remarked Belle, and Doc shrugged.

"Long nights in Storybrooke bring out the worst in people," he said with a grin.

"Do you have anything made of silver, Belle?" Gold asked, and she nodded, reaching into her sweater and pulling out the necklace that Emma had bought her. She unclasped it, handing it to him, and Gold looked it over closely before setting it in the middle of the circle.

"Perfect," he said softly. "Let's begin."

"We need the rowan," Doc reminded him, and Gold nodded, returning to the back room and emerging with a bundle of twigs, lashed together. He set them in the midst of the circle, and placed the necklace on top.

"We'll need to hold hands," he explained to Belle, as he came to stand next to her. Doc was on her other side, and she hesitated, reaching out to both of them. Their hands slipped easily into hers, and although she had thought it might be awkward, it felt entirely natural. It felt as though she had held their hands and stood in this position a thousand times before. She closed her eyes, feeling the cold metal of Gold's ring, and of Doc's, against her palms.

"That's right," murmured Gold quietly. "Now, Belle, you need to reach out and feel the power that's there. The power of nature, the life force of the Earth. Draw on that, pull it in towards you."

Belle hesitated, but tried to relax, to open up her mind and body. She could feel something, a strange kind of energy running through her, although she expected it was adrenalin. The energy suddenly burst through her, poured into her, and her eyes flew open with a gasp. Nothing within the room had changed, and the sensation was gone almost as soon as it had arrived, but Belle felt suddenly as weak as a kitten. Gold squeezed her hand, his full of concern as she turned her head.

"Are you alright?" he asked, and she nodded.

"I don't…that was weird," she said. "What was that?"

He loosed her hand, and she felt the loss of his touch immediately. She watched as he stepped forwards, as he retrieved the necklace from atop the pile of rowan twigs. He held it out to her, the pendant dangling from the chain.

"Here," he said with a grin. "One protection spell, all nicely bound up in your necklace."

Belle took it from him, frowning. "There's no need to make fun of me. I was kidding about the Hogwarts thing, you know."

"No one's making fun of you," said Gold mildly, and she scowled.

"Come on, I'm not an idiot! If you set this up to run through what we found in the translations, that's okay, but I'm not buying the whole 'magic is real' thing."

"You said you felt something," Gold reminded her, and Belle frowned.

"Well – I guess, but it was probably psychosomatic. I'm sure there are a hundred explanations. Maybe I'm just light-headed because we didn't eat lunch yet."

"We thought it would be fun to re-enact one of the spells, that's all," said Doc soothingly, and Belle nodded, as if she had suspected as much.

"Well, okay then," she said, clasping the necklace around her throat. Her head dipped as she did so, and she didn't see the despairing glance Gold gave Doc, or the warning shake of the head that the little man sent back.

A/N: So, Belle has her very own protective talisman. Should come in useful.

Next time: Belle goes on a date with Gary. Oh, lordy…