Snow White escorted Belle and Bae back to her house after the wolf attack. Belle thanked her immensely for saving their lives. Snow assured her it was no problem. It was late, so they decided they would discuss things in the morning. Snow set the two up in a small area near the fireplace.

"I'm sorry we don't have an extra bed for you to sleep in," Snow apologized.

Belle smiled, "No, it's quite alright. It's much better than the cold snowy ground that we would be sleeping on."

Snow smiled in return, "I'll say goodnight then."

"Goodnight."

Belle and Bae both slept later than they intended. They were worn out from the past couple of days. They didn't wake till well into the afternoon. Belle was up before Bae. She didn't want to disturb him; he looked so peaceful. She slipped out from underneath the blankets, and covered him back up.

Now that it was daytime she could see the cottage more clearly. There wasn't anyone else in the room with her. She wondered where Snow had gone and who else lived here with her. She noticed a long dining table in the corner where there were eight chairs. 'She must have a lot of company.'

Belle explored a bit more until she found herself wandering outside. There was still no one in sight but it was a beautiful day, and the snow was melting significantly. Off in the distance she could hear the sound of an axe chopping wood. She followed the noise hoping she would find Snow. However, she found a dwarf instead. He had his back facing her so he couldn't see her, "Hello?" she called out.

The dwarf turned around to face her. He had a large scowl on his face, which only seemed to grow when he saw Belle, "What do you want?" he barked.

"I was just looking for Snow White and I heard someone over here…" Belle suddenly recognized whom she was talking to, "It's you! From the tavern! I'm sorry I didn't catch your name…."

"Well it's Grumpy, and don't you forget it," he went back to his task of chopping firewood.

Belle was taken aback by his hint of forcefulness, "Well I'm Belle," she paused and noticed he no longer had that dreamy look in his eyes, "Last time I saw you, you were so in love, and that was only a few days ago. Did something happen? Did she not return your love?"

Grumpy began to chopping with greater vigor, "No she did."

Belle suddenly understood, "But for some reason you can't be together."

He stopped chopping and looked at her, "Yeah. How did you know?"

Belle took a seat on a neary log, "You have the same look on your face that I had."

He spent a good few minutes watching her before he went over and plopped down next to her, "A fairy."

Belle looked at him confused, "I'm sorry?"

"I said a fairy. I fell in love with a fairy."

"Oh. What's so wrong about that?"

"We were going to run away together, but I found out if we did she'd lose her wings, and never fulfill her dream of becoming a fairy godmother. I couldn't do that. I couldn't stand in the way of her dreams. Besides I'm a dwarf, my responsibility is to mine diamonds for fairy dust. I'm not capable of true love."

"That's ridiculous. Everyone is capable of love. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

He gave her a half smile, "You sure are very optimistic."

"I have to be. It's the only thing that keeps me going. And if you truly love each other, you'll find a way to be together."

"You really think so?"

"I know so, but hey, I must head back though, my son will be worried if he wakes and I'm not there."

Grumpy stood and held his hand out to help Belle up, "Let me at least walk you back. These woods can be dangerous."

"Thank you," Belle said as she took his hand.

They walked in awkward silence for a bit before Grumpy spoke, "So you have a son, is he your only child?"

Belle smiled and rested her hands on her stomach, "I do have one on the way."

"Oh congrats," he paused, "But didn't you say you can't be with your love either? He didn't leave you because of this did he?"

"Oh no no no, nothing like that. He actually did a very brave thing and saved us from an evil witch, but it cost him his freedom, so Baelfire, I, and the baby will be on our own."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Belle sighed and looked at the ground, "Love isn't easy."

"You're telling me sister."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Rumplestiltskin sat on a fallen tree in the middle of the Dark Forest lost in his thoughts. He pulled Belle's blue hair ribbon from his pocket and stroked it between his fingers. He had intended on returning it to her, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. He needed something to remember her by; something that still had the faint scent of her on it. He clutched to his chest and closed his eyes thinking about Belle and Baelfire. He stayed like that for a while.

He knew exactly where to find Snow White. Regina was correct in assuming he had means others did not, but he was going to take his time to bring her back. Regina had failed to specify a time limit, so there was no rush in returning. He wanted to be as far away from the witch as much as possible.

Eventually Rumplestiltskin returned the ribbon to his pocket. As he removed his hand he felt something else there he had forgotten about. He pulled the small item out. It was the ring he had made for Belle. It brought tears to his eyes. He never was able to propose to her like he wanted. 'If only I had trusted her and not been so selfish we wouldn't be in this situation. It's all my fault.' He considered a moment going to her and giving it to her anyway, but quickly whisked the thought away. 'I don't want to give it to her if she's going to have to spend her life without me.' He sighed and returned it to his pocket. He stood and continued on his journey.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Belle, dear! I wondered were you wandered off too," Snow White said when Belle walked in with Grumpy.

Belle smiled, "I couldn't find anyone when I woke up so I went outside for a bit."

"I'm sorry, I was up at Granny's attending to some…business. I would have come back sooner if I had known you were up."

"It's quite alright, Grumpy kept me company," Grumpy tilted his head in acknowledgement to Snow and left the room.

Belle glanced over towards the fireplace and saw Bae was still sleeping. She knew she would have to wake him soon, it was getting late, but she decided to leave him be while her and Snow talked.

"I'm making soup for lunch, I hope that's ok?" Snow asked.

"Oh yes thank you, do you need any help?" Belle offered.

"No I'm almost finished," Snow motioned toward the kitchen table as she gathered two bowls and spoons, "Have a seat?"

Belle smiled and sat down, "Yes."

Snow dished out the soup and set a bowl down in front of Belle, "So last I heard, you were forced to leave your kingdom to be Rumplestiltskin's slave…How did you escape?"

Belle took a few sips and spoke softly, "Well, first I chose to go with him to save my kingdom and…I didn't escape."

Snow cocked an eyebrow at her, "So your saying he let you go?"

"Yes…and no. He did let me go, but I returned, and then we got in a fight and he sent me away," tears formed in her eyes recalling the events.

"Return? Why would you return? He held you captive!"

"I…uh…It's not what you think…we fell in love. I love him," Belle looked at Snow shyly.

Snow's eyes widened in shock and she didn't know what to say. She turned her gaze to her soup were she was mindlessly stirring it with the spoon.

"I was frightened at first, but over time I got to know him. I learned he isn't the monster everyone makes him out to be. He's actually very kind, gentle, and he's a good father to Baelfire," Belle glanced over at the sleeping Bae with a smile on her face and love in her eyes.

Snow followed Belle's gaze. She had wondered whom the boy was that was traveling with Belle, but hadn't had the chance to inquire. Now she had a pretty good idea, "That's Rumplestiltskin's son? I didn't even know he had a son."

"Most people don't. He keeps to himself."

"So why is he here with you? If Rumplestiltskin sent you away, why would he give you his son?"

"It's really a long story, but Baelfire and I are on our own now, Regina has control of Rumplestiltskin."

Snow was taking a sip of water and almost choked on it, "What?! How did that happen?"

"Regina captured us, and Rumplestiltskin gave up his freedom for our release and safety."

Snow was just flabbergasted. They sat in silence for a long time while she tried to gather her thoughts, "So Regina has control of Rumplestiltskin. There's no telling what she can do now."

"I came here to find you, someone in Regina's castle said you can help me."

"I don't know what I can do. Regina is very powerful, and Rumplestiltskin is too. The two of them together, it will be difficult. We can't do it alone, but we also can't let her get away with it."

"What do you suggest we do?"

"Mom?" Bae, who was standing next to them, interrupted their conversation.

Belle smiled when she looked up and saw him, "Why hello sleepy head," she teased.

He frowned, "I don't feel very good."

Belle, worried, stood and placed her hand on his head, "Sweetie, you're burning up!"

Snow stood as well, "You need to rest, here he can lie down in my bed. The floor is not the best if he's sick."

Belle followed Snow and led Bae into a small bedroom. She helped him into the bed and covered him up, "I'm sure you're hungry. I'll bring you some soup, then you can sleep."

Bae nodded.

Belle and Snow returned to the kitchen. "I'll send Grumpy to get Doc. He'll be able to tell us what's wrong with him," Snow stated.

"Doc?" Belle questioned.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You've met Grumpy, but I live here with six other dwarfs. They'll be home for dinner tonight, so you can meet everyone."

Belle nodded in understanding. Snow went to find Grumpy. Belle fixed a bowl of soup and took it to Bae. She stayed by his side while he ate and they waited for Doc.

Grumpy returned promptly with Doc. He was still covered in mine dust from working all morning. After brief introductions, Doc examined Bae. Belle waited patiently while Doc asked him what was wrong, took his temperature, looked at his throat, etc.

Doc stood up and approached the nervous Belle, "Don't worry, it's just a small cold. He just needs to rest the next couple of days and drink plenty of liquids."

Belle let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you for coming."

"It's quite alright," Doc went to leave but stopped, "Do you need me to take a look at you too? You look rather pale."

Belle blushed and mindlessly touched her stomach, "Oh no I'm not sick!"

Doc smiled, "I understand, but let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you, you're very kind."

Doc left, leaving Belle and Bae alone. Belle went over and tucked him in. She kissed him on the forehead, "You get some rest, and I'll bring you some dinner later ok?"

"Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Bae asked.

"Of course, sweetie," she took a seat next to him.

Once Bae had fallen asleep, Belle quietly let herself out of the room. She walked into the kitchen and gasped. Snow and Grumpy were standing there, but it was their visitor that surprised her. Rumplestiltskin was standing in the middle of the room.