Chapter 36: Mending the Broken

Ruby knocked on the door to the mansion early the next morning. Once she had received the message from Graham she had dressed and flown out the door in less than ten minutes, dragging Archie behind her. She had barrelled past Regina on the way to Belle's room, shouting a quick sorry as she flew up the stairs. She was shocked when she finally made it into Belle's room, seeing her curled up in bed looking so small and vulnerable.

"Oh, God, Belle. I'm so sorry!" Said Ruby as she flew to the bed and wrapped her arms around her friend.

"It's not your fault." Said Belle quietly.

"No, its Jefferson's." Spat Ruby. "I'm so pissed the FBI is in Storybrooke or I would have killed him already!"

Belle had a smile at her friend.

"How are you?" Ruby questioned as she looked at Belle's bandaged wrists. "Those look painful."

"It's not that bad. It hurt worse last night."

"You are one tough nut, you know that?"

"I'm not that tough." Said Belle. "I spent most of last night wishing my mum was here. I haven't spent this much time thinking about her in…a long time."

"That's understandable. I'd want my mum too in a time like this. Oh, come here!"

Ruby was still holding onto Belle as Regina and Archie arrived at Belle's bedroom door.

"Belle." Said Regina as she gently approached the end of the bed. "I have to go make a press statement. I promise I won't be gone long."

Belle immediately looked panicked. "Oh, gosh, I haven't written your statement!" She gasped and sat bolt upright.

Regina immediately took her hand. "Please don't worry about it. I've got it all written. Besides – the police will be doing most of the talking anyway."

Belle visibly relaxed and sank back into Ruby.

"Besides." Ruby chimed in "I think everything you've gone through last night should exempt you from doing the paperwork."

"Quite right." Said Archie as he stifled a little chuckle. "We'll stay here and keep you company, if that's what you want."

"You really don't mind? I'm sure you have other important things to do."

"More important than you? Hardly." Said Ruby.

Regina mouthed a silent "thank you" to Ruby as she walked out the door.

Ruby and Archie really were excellent company. They were able to provide enough light distraction for her to eat a little breakfast. Belle had thought it was a small victory she had gotten through a complete hour without breaking down and crying.

Archie was also being considerate, allowing Belle space to spend the morning with Ruby. She was doing her best to distract Belle with a comedy, but Belle looked restless and uncomfortable on the couch, and couldn't stop fidgeting.

"Belle, are you feeling ok?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just….want to get the interview with the FBI over with." Said Belle. "I just...don't know how I could have been so stupid. Everything the police needed was in the manuscript the whole time." She let out a quiet sob.

Archie knew immediately how she was feeling. Graham had briefed him quickly this morning, and he knew the role the manuscript would play in the evidence for the trial.

"Belle." Archie said carefully. "There is no way you could have known about Jefferson's intentions. The manuscript was his way of flaunting how well he's gotten away with everything all of these years. This is not your fault."

Belle nodded and blew her nose. Ruby placed her arms around her and comforted her. "I think I know that." She said. "But…I also know if Graham and Killian hadn't come last night I wouldn't be here now."

"You're safe now." Said Ruby. "That's all that matters."

Archie sat back. He knew right now Belle needed a friend more than a psychologist. She had a long road ahead, but the journey did not have to start today.

Belle jumped as the front door opened. Within moments Regina, Graham and Killian arrived with Detective August Booth.

"Hi Belle. I'm agent Booth" August said gently as he extended his hand. Belle took his hand cautiously and forced herself to look up and maintain eye contact.

"Booth's an old friend of mine from way back. You can trust him." Offered Killian.

Booth chuckled. "So, if it's alright by you. I was hoping we could get your interview done this afternoon so you don't need to keep going through it with everyone."

Belle nodded, agreeing she just wanted to get the interview over with. Archie offered to stay with her as a support person, knowing this way Belle would only have to give her story once and wouldn't need to go through the trauma of retelling it in counselling, which Belle gratefully accepted.

"We'll be right in the next room." Said Regina as she clasped Belle's hand.

"And I'll have a ton of food from Granny's by the time you finish." Offered Ruby.

The interview took almost an hour. Detective Booth was polite and professional, and in a lot of ways reminded her of Killian. She had managed to hold it together for most of the interview, but tears still forced their way up in certain parts that were hard for her to talk about. Archie assured her this was very normal after a trauma, and Booth was patient enough not to press her to go through everything faster.

They took a break for lunch, and everyone was still hanging out in the dining room. They chatted away, trying to keep the conversation light for Belle's sake. Belle was so focussed on keeping her toasted sandwich down, she hadn't even noticed when Booth gestured for Killian to join him in the kitchen.

"I didn't get the chance to tell you before Killian, but it was a heck of a job you and Graham did last night. You and your brother made a pretty good team."

Killian swallowed. "Thanks mate, but you know how badly it could have gone. I acted almost without thinking, and broke at least five protocols last night. I could have gotten all of us killed."

Booth had to chuckle. "Well, you broke seven protocols, but who's counting? Internal affairs won't ping you for this, because you've managed to catch such a high profile killer. Besides, if you really wanted to stick it to the Captain for being wrong about Jefferson, you could always join us at the FBI."

Killian's eyes widened. The FBI had been a dream of his since he had been a little boy. But somehow now the offer felt hollow, like it didn't mean anything. "Damn. If you had asked me two months ago, I would have jumped at the chance."

"And now you're not so sure?" Prompted Booth. "Does this have anything to do with Belle?"

Killian nodded "Aye, how did you know?"

"I'm an FBI agent, and your friend. I don't miss much."

"You're an absolute shit sometimes." Killian punched him good-naturedly on the shoulder.

"And you can be an absolute chicken sometimes." Retorted Booth. "You can run into the path of a serial killer with limited backup without blinking, but the second anything gets serious with a girl, you bail. I think you owe it to yourself to stop running."

"Thanks. I'll think about it."

"Don't think too long. That's why I'm still alone. The FBI is great, but it's a shitty mistress."

Killian pulled Booth into a hug. "Stay in touch."

"You too, chicken shit."

OOOOO

The ride to the airport later that evening was a silent one. It was the first time the four of them were together since Belle came home from the hospital, but no-one really felt like talking. Graham had one hand on the steering wheel, and the other held Regina's hand.

Killian was hyper-aware that this may in fact be the last time he would ever see Belle, but he could barely come up with the words. He glanced over at her in the backseat when he could be sure she wasn't looking, but she was staring off into the distance, looking out the window as the rain drizzled over the glass.

All too soon Graham pulled the car up at the airport and helped Killian with his bags. It felt like seconds when Killian's flight was called, and it was finally time to say goodbye.

"Graham. Thank you for everything. I'm so glad you're my brother." He said sincerely.

Graham pulled him into a hug. "Likewise. Promise you'll keep in touch?"

"I will." Killian said seriously. "Regina. Thank you for everything." He extended his hand out to Regina, but was shocked when she wrapped her arms around him.

"I should be thanking you." Whispered Regina.

"Thank me by looking after Belle." He whispered back so no-one else could here.

He finally turned to Belle, who had been standing off to the side and absently fiddling with the strap of her bag.

"Belle." He said, trying not to sound choked up. "Just….take care." He extended his hand and pulled her into a brief hug, gently kissing the top of her head. He felt her sigh against his chest, and he wanted that moment to last for eternity.

The final boarding call blasted over the speakers, jolting all of them back to reality. Graham, Regina and Belle all watched as Killian disappeared from view, knowing his eyes had brimmed with tears slightly the one time he had turned back to look at them all.

Belle had stayed strong until she could no longer see Killian. She felt Regina and Graham's hands on her shoulders, and her whole body began to shake. She collapsed against Regina as her tears finally fell in thick sobs. Graham and Regina held her close, trying to comfort her as best they could.

"We've got you, Belle. We've got you." They whispered.

OOO

Over the next few nights Belle had insisted on sleeping in her own bed, saying she needed to learn to be independent again. Regina and Graham were hesitant, knowing that Belle was still in a vulnerable state. But they had to respect her wishes.

One night, the cries Belle had let out from her nightmare were so loud Regina and Graham jolted awake.

"She's still in so much pain." Said Regina, curling into Graham. "This is awful."

"I don't give a damn that she wants to do this on her own. She needs us." Said Graham as he pulled on a shirt. He made it down to the hallway to Belle's room and found her curled up under the covers. Without saying a word he scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to Regina's room. Belle instinctively curled into his chest like a small child, finally able to breathe again.

He laid her down in the centre of the bed, and he and Regina quickly snuggled in either side of her. Regina stroked her arms gently, soothing her to sleep. Belle had let out a few sobs before her breathing changed and she lulled herself off to sleep in their arms.

OOOOO

Regina and Graham were downstairs the following morning getting everything ready for a Saturday breakfast of pancakes. Regina was surprised when the doorbell rang so early, and even more surprised to see Mr Gold standing at the door in a full suit, briefcase in hand.

"Good morning Regina. I hope I'm not disturbing you too early this morning." He said politely.

Regina's brows furrowed slightly "No. Is everything ok?"

"Yes, quite alright, dear. I was hoping you might be able to invite me in this morning. I have a little gift that might lift Belle's spirits a bit."

"She's still in the shower, but she'll be down soon." Regina offered. "Would you like a coffee?"

"Yes, thank you dear." He said as he stepped though the front door.

Graham got to work pouring coffee, but the curiosity was getting the better of him. "So, are we allowed to know what this gift is, or is it a big secret?"

Gold chucked, and opened up his briefcase, revealing a few documents. "See for yourself."

Both Regina and Graham gasped when they read the contents.

"Mr Gold…that's…" Regina couldn't find the words.

"And you really had no idea I was doing this for her?" Smiled Gold.

"No. Not a clue...I would have never seen this coming." Admitted Regina.

"This is really generous." Said Graham.

"What's going on?" Belle asked as she entered the kitchen.

"Belle." Mr Gold said gently as he could. "I've got something to show you this morning…would you care to come with me?"

Belle immediately began to look nervous, and looked to Graham and Regina for guidance.

"It's ok." Said Regina. "We can go with you."

"Is anyone going to tell me what's happening?" Belle frowned.

"That would really spoil the surprise." Said Graham as he grinned and grabbed his keys. "Come on, everyone hop in the car."

The car ride was short, Graham pulling up in front of the house block that used to be Belle's family home. Belle shifted nervously in her seat, noticing Mr Gold wasn't betraying anything on his face as he sat beside her.

"Just here, Sherriff, that will do." Said Gold as Graham parked the car.

Belle gingerly stepped out of the car, then gasped as she saw the most beautiful recreation of her childhood home she ever could have imagined. The entire house had been rebuilt, complete with the garden, the porch, the blue shutters and stained glass door. She continued to look between the house, Graham, Regina and Mr Gold in utter confusion.

"But…how did you…I thought you were building units on this land?" Said Belle.

"I was. But I changed my mind." Mr Gold cleared his throat and handed her a set of house keys. "Happy Birthday Belle."

Graham and Regina looked shocked. They hadn't known it was her Birthday, and Belle hadn't said anything.

"Mr Gold, I don't know what to say." Belle said. "You're not just doing this because of everything that happened?"

Mr Gold smiled. "Look at the date of the contact on your deed. I did this the week after you stopped working for me. This house and land were never mine to own. I'm simply returning what was rightfully yours."

Belle flew into his arms, tears streaming down her face "thank you so much. It's more beautiful than I ever imagined."

Gold returned her hug. "For a while now I've considered you as a daughter. I expect noting from you. Just know that I care for you and admire you deeply."

Regina and Graham stood together holding hands, knowing that Belle was one step closer to mending.

Author notes:

Phew! Thank you so much for the lovely reviews and everyone being so patient with me! I know I haven't uploaded since August, but we had a burst water pipe, and my daughter's nursery flooded (Don't worry, everyone is ok, we saved everything!) Now the house is finally back to one piece (and I have a study again and no longer living out of boxes!) We can get on with this story!

We are super close to the end, and hopefully the final chapter will be up on New Year's Eve. I'm loving the reviews, and how supportive you all are!

Much Love!

Lady Eowyn