Note: Sorry readers, but I needed a bit of a breather, you can only burn the candle at both ends for so long, before it catches up to you. Thank you for all the wonderful comments, and continued support, you give my writing purpose.

Chapter 21

Belle lay there in Rumpel's arms content, afraid the spell would somehow break if she moved. He had smoothed her dress down, and she felt him stroking her back softly, his breathing soft and even, almost hypnotic.

"Belle I hate to even move, but I need to go check and turn the ham on the spit or it will burn." Rumpel told her softly.

"What if I say no, and keep you here forever?" She said playfully, as she tightened her arm around him that had been draped across his stomach.

Rumpel chuckled, and she loved the way it made his chest rumble.

"Then you will have to explain to Tacey why the ham was burnt to a crisp."

"Alright, alright, wouldn't want to interfere with his appetite, but I think Joan has replaced his love for food, or at least made it a close second."

"He likes her. It's nice to see him smiling, and happy." Rumpel was happy for his new found friend.

"They make a good pair, she compliments him. I think they will do well together." Belle observed.

Rumpel removed his arm from around Belle, and started to sit up, when Belle groaned out her displeasure.

He cocked his head to look back at her, giving her that sexy grin of his, his hair falling over his eyes. Belle reached up pushing the silky strands back away from his face.

"You are so handsome."

"Belle, I'm not, but thank you. I'm glad you think of me as handsome. It does wonders for my ego." Rumpel wiggled his eyebrows at her, and she gave his shoulder a shove, nearly sending him to the floor, as he laughed heartily.

"Well, your ego could use a boost sometimes. I wish you could see what I see when I look at you."

"You know dearie, Bae said something along those lines to me. I am trying Belle, I really am."

"I know you are Rumpel. I can see it. Do the brave thing, and bravery will follow."

Rumpel leaned back and pressed his lips to hers gently, amazed that he felt like he had the world in the palm of his hand.

Her eyes never left his, and she felt her heart flutter, as their lips touched. He pulled away and stood up, leaving her there to watch him as he left the library. With a wave of her hand she was in her bedchamber. She freshened up and changed dresses, smiling to herself at the thoughts of Rumpel that ran through her mind.

She suddenly felt a cold chill crawl up her spine as the hair stood up on the back of her neck. Oh no, she thought, not now, she was not sure she could bury and hide her feelings for Rumpel, and prayed silently that he would stay in the kitchen. She transported herself to the foyer just as the double door swung open, to reveal Regina.

"Flimsy locks Belle." Regina stated with a dramatic wave of her hand. The Evil Queen headed for the library, the swish of her long black silk gown sounded like a hissing snake as it dragged across the stone floor. Belle did not appreciate her uninvited guest, making herself at home, but followed her into the library. Regina turned to her, as her blood red lips turned into an evil smile.

"I have a deal to discuss, a certain mermaid. She seems to be giving poor Ursula some trouble." Belle knew that any sympathy from those disgusting red lips was simply an act.

"I'm not dealing today. What do I care if Ursula finds herself unable to take care of her own problems? If you're here on her behalf, then there is also something in it for you." Belle told her with distain.

"Are you angry with me? What is it this time? Belle, I'm surprised in you, we sisters of the realm must stand together if we are to maintain control of this world." Regina practically snarled.

"Sisters, hah, I think not, you know very well that I stand apart. The people of this world could use a little less of your so-called control. Oh come now, drop the act Regina. You think I haven't heard of your failed attempt to be rid of Snow White, with that inefficient sleeping curse that you got from Maleficent. All curses can be broken, and you chose one that had already failed for Maleficent. Why did you think it would work so easily for you? Ursula has obviously given you another option, but at a price, and it happens to be something only I can provide." Belle laughed shaking her head.

Belle moved to stand in front of Regina, her eyes cold, black and hard, as she sharpened her tongue.

"I'm not interested. Why don't you do the thing you do best, and just rip the heart from her chest? Wouldn't that serve your revenge better, to get your hands a little bloody in the process? Curses are not your forte. You haven't the wit or the patience to create something so intricate." Belle told her smugly.

Regina's face, a wall of stone, turned her lips up in an evil smile that spread across her face slowly, with her own words to cut.

"My, my, don't we have our panties in a twist today. What's wrong, still haven't succeeded in getting that dumb brute you hang out with into your bed yet."

Belle felt her skin burn, as her anger started to seethe.

"You're Majesty, only you would be so vile in thought to think that sex was the only thing a man was good for."

"Belle when are you going to realize the pleasures you could have at your fingertips, with the wave of your hand, men are such simple creatures, but they can prove themselves to be a very useful distraction. "

"We're done. I have other business to attend to." Belle told Regina dismissively.

"Fine, I have other calls to make." Regina turned to leave the library as Rumpel walked in carrying a tray of tea. He froze when he saw Regina, and his eyes darted to Belle, as she placed her finger over her lips 'be quiet' she pleaded with her eyes.

"Well, well, what do we have here now, a new little plaything perhaps?" Regina's voice dripped with innuendo.

"A simple acquisition from one of my more recent deals, but this one has at least proved useful in the kitchen. You may leave the tea by the fire and then return to your duties." She said to Rumpel in a cold commanding voice. He said not a word, and did as Belle asked. If he was shocked at her coldness, he didn't show it, and Belle was glad of this. She did not want to give Regina any ammunition to use against her. The cold conniving bitch would do anything to get her hands on Belle's power, taking sheer joy in watching her suffer in some unimaginable way.

Regina's dark eyes danced as she circled Rumpel. He kept his head down, thank God, not meeting her gaze. Rumpel watched through downcast eyes as she moved around him, inspecting him, and he felt like a piece of cattle at market. She reached out her hand, sliding it over his backside, then squeezed his cheek.

Rumpel flinched.

"Well, he may not be much to look at, but he does have at least on nice asset." Regina cackled at her own play on words.

Belle, trying to remain in control, knew if Regina did not leave now she would rip off those hands that had dared to touch him. Belle felt the bile rise in her throat.

"Leave the poor old man alone Regina, he has work to do, but if you find him to your liking you can have him once his debt is repaid. I'm sure you can find some way for him to serve you." Belle said trying to appear bored with the conversation.

"That won't be necessary, I prefer my servants to have a little more meat." Regina said to Belle's delight. She seemed to take no further notice of Rumpel.

"Return to the kitchen please." Belle told Rumpel, and he side stepped Regina and left the library. Rumpel felt sick, and could hear the evil woman's laughter float through the corridor as he headed back to the kitchen.

Regina shook her head.

"You simply have no taste Belle. That one wasn't even worth looking at. Maybe I should send you a real man to show you what fun they can be."

"Don't bother. You may feel the need to whore yourself out, to attempt to fill that black heart of yours, but I'm not interested. I prefer my solitude, and I'd appreciate it if you'd be on your way." Belle cut into her coldly.

"Forgive me for trying to help out a friend in need." Regina stated with a flourish of her hand.

Belle laughed.

"We are not friends, and I am far from in need of anything you could possibly offer."

"You're turning into a bitter bitch Belle."

Belle's evil smile spread across her face.

"I learned it from the best, you're majesty." Belle gave a low bow.

Regina's smile faltered and she whipped around, leaving the library, and through the doors from which she came as they slammed behind her.

Belle grabbed the back of the chair in front of her to steady herself. She felt something inside that disturbed her. When you love nothing, you have nothing to lose, but now things have changed. She had Rumpel and Bae, and the thought of Regina using either one of them to bring her to her knees, made her sick with dread. She had not really considered that just by association, she could be putting them both in danger. Regina hated to see anyone happy, and would destroy it simply for spite, but with Belle, Regina would be after her power. How was she going to explain this to Rumpel? She had been callous and cruel, and she hoped he would be able to understand.

Rumpel sat at the table in the kitchen staring into his tea, tracing the rim of the chipped cup with his thumb. He didn't know what to make of what had happened upstairs. Belle had acted like he meant nothing to her, and he hated how that felt. That woman, she made him feel like a piece of meat, ready to be devoured. She reeked and smelled like a whore, and it made him feel sick when she touched him. Belle had all but offered him to that vile woman.

Belle entered the kitchen and came to stand behind his chair. She put her hands on his shoulders, and leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"Rumpel, I'm so sorry, please forgive me for what I just put you through."

"You care to tell me what that was all about dearie." Rumpel said softly.

She knew she had hurt him, and she moved around to look at him.

"Rumpel look at me."

His eyes met hers and she could see the hurt there. It stabbed at her heart.

"I was not expecting to her to drop by, and to be honest with you, I had not really prepared myself to answer questions about you, or us. The Evil Queen, Regina, is just that evil to the core. We have dealings from time to time, but she would love nothing more than to bring me to my knees, and take my power for herself, or at least be rid of me. She is deceitful and underhanded and I was afraid if she knew how I felt about you, that she would be devising a plan to use you to get to me. I could never live with myself if something happened to you or Bae, because of your association with me. If she knew about us, she would stop at nothing to destroy our happiness."

"I understand Belle, but I don't have to like it. It was as if I meant nothing to you dearie. You even offered me to her. What happened to do the brave thing and bravery will follow?"

"Rumpel there's a big difference in being brave, and being foolish. She is my enemy. Maybe I handled the situation poorly, I was not expecting to be confronted by Regina today, but I don't think she even suspects that I have feelings for you."

"Oh, I'm sure she doesn't you made that crystal clear. It hurt me love."

Belle took his hand and pulled him up out of the chair. She wrapped her arm around his waist, as she brought up her other hand to brush the hair back from his face, and then cupped his cheek. She met his warm brown eyes, and wished she could take it back. She leaned up and brushed her lips against his.

"I'm sorry Rumpel, it won't happen again. I'm just afraid to put you and Bae at risk." Bell said tenderly as her eyes filled with tears.

"Rumpelstiltskin, I love you." She whispered, her voice choking with emotion.

"I don't want to live without you, either of you. Today was the first time I realized that by being with me, both of you will always be in danger, and I'm scared." Tears rolled down her cheek, as her lips quivered, her breath coming in little gasps.

"I don't want to lose the things that mean the most to me. You and Bae, I love you both. I don't ever want to be without you." She couldn't say anymore, as she broke down in his arms.

Rumpel felt her anguish, felt it rip through him, as it painfully squeezed his heart. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't speak, as he felt the tears sting his eyes. He knew then how much she truly loved him, she really did love him. He could feel it in his heart, and see it in her eyes. He crushed her in his arms, hugging her tightly, and knew he was never going to let her go.

"I love you Belle, Gods, I love you. I promise you love, I won't let anything tear us apart." He held her tightly in his arm, crying, overwhelmed with emotion.

"I may have been a coward my whole life, but I'm not anymore, and I'm not afraid. You're never gonna be rid of me dearie. In this big world, we found each other, remember that love. Don't be scared. We will be brave together, and we will stand together come what may."

Rumpel pulled out of her embrace to look down at her. He lifted her chin to look into his eyes. He slid his thumb over her cheek drying her tears. She could see her love reflected in his warm brown eyes. She watched as he took a deep breath, as if he was drinking in this moment in time. She felt so moved she could feel the tears want to fall again.

"Don't cry love. I know what's at stake now, and I'll do whatever it takes. I love you, Belle, now and for the rest of my life, if you'll have me."

"Oh Rumpel," Belle couldn't finish. Soft, warm, and tender, their lips met in a kiss, a union of hearts, chest to chest, two lost souls longing to be loved for who they are, finally found in each others embrace. They let the love they felt spill over as their kiss deepened and their tongues intertwined, as a soft white glow began to slowly surround them both.

Belle's eyes flew open as she felt something pulling her, and it wasn't Rumpel.