"She-? She SAVED your life?" asked Belle, now scared.

Rumple nodded,

"-Walking back to the shop that night. It felt like I was relieving the past, being pulled back into the memory of when I originally met the former Dark One, "Zozo":

It was 2 days before Bae's 14th birthday. On that day, "Hordor" the Captain of the Duke's army would raid our village and take him away willingly or by force.

They had already come a day earlier for "Morraine", the one girl in the village that was best friends with Bae. I think they even had a crush on each other.

He was not a nice man and took great pleasure in excursing the authority he had over us. Especially with the Dark One enforcing the Duke's orders, he had the dagger and controlled him.

I woke Bae up early intending to run. We got on the road but didn't get far before Hordor and his men stopped us, they were patrolling.

When it was revealed who I was,

the Captain gleefully humiliated me by telling my son. His version of what happened on the battlefield that caused me to run and be branded as a "Coward". Then adding further insult to injury, he let it slip why Milah had left, to Bae's surprise.

He had been just 6 years old when she had left us for the One-Handed Pirate. BEFORE he'd lost his hand, that came later-" The imp grinned evilly,

"-Killian?"

"-Yes, Emma Swan's precious Sea Captain is a Homewrecker! Once more, he made me believe that they had kidnapped Milah and PASSED her AROUND to the Crew when I came to get her back!

Instead, the Pirate challenged me, a crippled man who could barely walk without a staff to a swordfight! He'd egged me on, calling me a "Coward" but I couldn't do it. So, I reluctantly returned home to tell Bae, "his mother was dead-"

Belle looked like she was about to be sick.

Rumple cleared his throat,

"Getting back to the main story – Hordor accused us of treason and ordered his men to grab Bae. But I desperately pleaded with him, offering whatever he wanted. It was Fealty, he made me get on my knees and kiss his boot…INFRONT of MY son!"Rumpelstiltskin spat bitterly, "Then he kicked me in the stomach, laughing. Saddled up and rode off"

"-Oh Rumple…" It was hard for her to hear these things, but it also made a lot more since now.

"-Baelfire ran over to me lying on the ground when suddenly we were approached by an old beggar. He helped us home in exchange for some food. Later as Bae slept, I lamented over our fate to the beggar. He told me to find another way, to choose a different path. I had scoffed at the word "Choose" I had no choice except where to hide. I remember telling him:

"I'm lame, friendless. The only thing I've got is my boy. And they're going to take him away from me…If they take him away…I will truly, TRULY become Dust" That's exactly HOW I was feeling now.

"-Rumple!" Belle had no words for the terrifying low SHE Had PUSHED him too!

"-Unlocking the door and walking into the backroom I seriously contemplated just getting it over with now. I had the tip of the dagger ready to strike when the phone rang."

The Bookworm breathed a heavy sigh of relief, 'THANK YOU Riley!'

"-It was her, she actually apologized for calling so late" he laughed. "She went on to explain who she was and why she had my number. At first, I was stunned at the prospect of Bae having another child then the skepticism came in. But when she revealed stuff only Bae would know, I slowly became convinced then excited!

The more we talked, the more I wanted to meet her.

I invited her to come out here, but she politely explained that she had school she couldn't miss so late in the year. Baelfire had paid for her college. Now that he was gone, it would seem like a disservice to him if she quit, even for a short while, is how Riley explained it.

I was touched by the devotion she had to his memory. But she said now that she knew who I was. Her dorm was always open to me if I needed to get away. Giving me her phone number and address…

I thought about it for a whole week, watching you from distance.

I realized at this point. You would always see me as a monster. You were just going to keep running and put yourself and the baby in more danger, until you ultimately died while trying get away from me."

The Bookworm found she couldn't say nothing that would justify her actions, because what Rumple spoke was the heartbreaking truth. As much as she wished to deny it.

"-For me, Storybrooke had done its job in bringing me closer to Bae. But I was ready to move on… and begin a new chapter in my life," he continued. "One surrounded by family, living in peace for whatever time I had left. I couldn't do that here. It wasn't allowed, and I honestly thought:

With me gone, you would settle down. Finally living as close to the life you'd always wanted."

"-I wanted you in my life Rumple-!

"-Just not as a Beast" he answered, "Sorry to disappoint you Dearie, but I am WHO I am. It has taken me a long time to be comfortable in my own skin. I can be a BETTER man. You showed me that, but just NOT… a DIFFERENT one.

Belle I never tried to change you, except back to who you truly are when you were "Lacey." Shouldn't I be afforded the same courtesy?"

The Beauty was quiet, as the tears welled up. The imp had struck a nerve. Several of them… Instantly she dropped to her knees at his feet trembling, much to his shock. "Belle-!"

But she just bowed her head submissively

"-FORGIVE me Rumple… You can't judge a person's heart until you truly know them. To my everlasting shame, I had forgotten that. In listening to my hurts, doubts and fears, I gave up on trying to KNOW you.

Thinking I already knew ALL there was. Partially because you wouldn't talk, and you did things your own way. But that's no excuse.

My foolishness put too much on your shoulders, painting you as the Villain. You have every right not to believe me after all that has been done. But I am truly SORRY! Please Forgive me-!"

But Rumpelstiltskin only lowered himself to her level, getting on the floor and taking Belle into his arms.

"-I FORGAVE YOU a LONG time ago Sweetheart. Though it does mean a lot to hear you say it. I just hope that one day, you will be able to forgive yourself. Living with that kind of guilt and torment is not good. I know, believe me. I KNOW."

"-When did you get so wise?"

"-I may have seen a therapist, in addition to talking to Riley and Ray out in California. Bringing me closer and preparation for what was to come."

"-It sounds that you actually leaving, did you a world of good" Belle admitted, as much as it hurt her.

"-It did, I was able to reconnect with a part of me I thought was long gone. But I never forgot about you and Gideon. I had a trust fund and child support all set up. They were to appear and activate in Storybrooke when I was gone."

The Bookworm's eyes widened, 'So THAT's where the money came from?!'

"- Not to mention the letters, I wrote you in addition to the Will."

"-You wrote us letters?"

The imp nodded, "-One for you and one for Gideon, you just have to ask Riley for them"

The Beauty was touched, at the same time "ashamed". She had been so wrong about this man.

But Rumple having paid no mind, just hugged her, breathing in the scent of her hair from the shampoo she used. "-I've missed you so much…"

"-I've missed you too" she said, returning the embrace.

They stayed like that for quite awhile before Rumple got on his feet and helped her up.

"-There Dearie, that's better."

"-Thank you Rumple, umm you didn't finish what happened with the beggar?"

He grimaced, "The old man went on to tell me about the "Power" of the Dark One's dagger and who had it. I was terrified at the thought of keeping the Dark One a slave to do my bidding. But then the beggar said, "Instead of CONTROLING the Power, I needed to TAKE it"

"-He told you to kill him?"

The imp nodded,

"- I was desperate, we were running out of time. Bae and I rigged a plan for the next night, setting the Duke's Castle on fire. Everyone was so distracted, I was able slip through the burning building and retrieve the knife from its hiding spot behind a tapestry in the main throne room.

Bae was worried for me, but I told him to go home and wait.

I read the name on the dagger out loud, summoning Zozo. I turned around and there was this cloaked figure. He baited me, playing on my fears and weaknesses. Even saying that Baelfire wasn't really mine, calling him a "Bastard."

At this point I was so driven by anger and panic, wanting him to shut up.

So, when he re-asked "What I wanted him to do?"

I said "Die," stabbing him in the chest with the blade. That was the first time I ever killed anyone!

As Zozo laid dying, the curse's grotesqueness melted off his face to reveal the Beggar!

Panicking I asked him, "Why me?"

He said that his life was such a burden. Magic always comes with a price and now it was mine to pay. Because he knew how to recognize a desperate soul.

I pulled the knife out to find my name now written on it."

"-Oh Rumple..." said Belle sadly, "What happened next?"

"-I underwent my full Dark One transformation and returned home, just in time to find Hordor and his men taking Bae from the house.

I killed them all, even got revenge on the Captain. Making him swear fealty to me, before I broke his neck.

Relishing the newfound power I wheeled, but Bae only saw the birth of a monster that had taken away his Papa. Not even 6 months later, my son became so desperate for me to be like I was, we struck a deal.

He went to the Blue blasted Pixie for help. She gave him that bean! And-! You know what happened…" he sighed. "Not a happy story, but a true one none the less."

The Beauty nodded frowning "-Yes, like most of the stories I've heard these days. Rumple, why did you choose me? Why did you fall in love with me? I was such a child!"

"-Belle, there is a big difference between "Childlike" and "Childish".

I'd like to see myself as "Childlike" and I saw that same quality in you. With your positive shining outlook on life, it was infectious. Annoying at times in the beginning but you grew on me and stuff just went from there.

After Regina said that you were dead, I once described our love to Prince Charming as "A brief flicker of light amidst an ocean of darkness."

"-And now it's gone out"

"-No Belle!

The light won't go out as long as you keep it going. I can't be there in person, not really. But our love WILL live on in our memories that you choose to remember, AND the stories you tell Gideon. You know the truth now, so SHARE it with our son. For me? What he does after will be his choice."

"-I will Rumple, I will…" she promised. "This whole situation feels wrong though. It should be you telling him. I can see that now, if only I could turn back time-?"

"-Don't! Don't go down that path Belle. I wished things were different too. But you can't change the past. You can either Run from it OR…Learn from it?"

"-But I could change the future! When we get back, I-! I could speak with Riley about the contract you signed. She said since the deal is about our son, I'd switch-"

"-No Belle! NO!"

"-Rumple, my entire life I wanted to be a hero-"

"-He TRUSTS you!"

"-But you're the real hero he needs!"

"-I'm no Hero Dearie, plus I have no desire for the spotlight. Everything I try to do, I do for family. You CAN do this Sweetheart, I have all the faith in you."

"-You shouldn't," said Belle.

The reality of their predicament was hitting her hard as more tears came. Saying nothing, her husband just gathered her close to his chest, rubbing her back.

Later on when it was quiet, the bookworm voiced her thoughts once more. "So, what do we do now?" A soft smile broke out on Rumple's face,

"-How about…one more dance, Mrs. Gold...?"