"Then she hit me in the head with a rock and I've been in love ever since." The Prince said as he smiled then he gulped down some water and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He glanced over at his watch and walked over to his discarded shirt. "Well it's really late. I should get back to my grand son. He's not sleeping real well. He misses his mother and I think he's having some side effects from eating that apple. Let's call it a night. I want to visit with him a bit before bed."

The dwarves had left some time earlier. Jefferson walked to get his discarded shirt as well. It got hot and stuffy, combined with the strenuous work as well as the dirt, it was best to work in an under shirt. Jefferson's opinion of the Prince had only gotten better since working in such close proximity. They shared most of their life stories. "I'd love to get back to my family too. I'll see you again bright and early tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll bring the coffee." He said as he turned to head out. "You know, I just wanted to thank you. I really appreciate the help you are giving me. Are you sure I can't repay you somehow?"

Jefferson shook his head. "I'm just happy to be able to help. When I was stuck in Wonderland, I would have given anything for just a small sliver of hope of being reunited with my daughter." The prince just nodded and they walked out.

/-/-/

"Hello my beautiful family!" Jefferson called as he walked through the door. Star got up from sitting on the floor with Hawk and smiled.

"Hello Darling," she greeted as she kissed him. "I'll heat up dinner." It was pretty late so he didn't expect dinner to be waiting for him, but Star walked toward the kitchen.

"Hi Papa" Grace greeted for the table. She came over and gave him a hug. He hugged her back as he carried her toward the coat rack. Then he set her down and hung up his coat.

"How was school today?"

"Fine. I got an A in spelling and in math. Caleb really needs help in both subjects." She went on about her day. Hawk crawled over to him, all smiles.

"Mmmmm."

Star walked out of the kitchen. "Oh! Guess what Hawk learned today while Papa was working hard in the mines helping people?" And she picked up her son and carried him over.

"Mmmmmmmaaammmmmaa" Hawk said.

"Did you hear it?" Star asked excitedly.

"He said 'Papa'?" Jefferson joked smiling.

"Mmmaammaa" Hawk said again.

"He's saying 'Mama', Jefferson. Soon I'm sure he'll be saying 'Papa'." Star said as she handed him over to Jefferson.

"Good job, Buddy! Soon you'll be talking non stop. It's ok, you don't have to hurry so much on saying 'Papa'. I happen to like Mama a lot too. How about we try 'Grace'?" Jefferson asked his son. "Grrrrr...aaaaa...ccccc...eeee"

"Mmaamaaa" Hawk said as he squirmed to be set down.

"Ok, we'll have to work on that one." He said and he kissed his son then granted him his desire of being set free to roam around.

"Grace Darling, can you set the table?"

Star asked as she brought out dinner. Grace put her books and papers away and brought out dishes. This whole scene gave Jefferson and overwhelming sense of home. A sense of Joy as well. Most importantly he was overwhelmed by how much love flowed around and he couldn't be happier. He would take these mental photos in his mind and this is a scene he'd Iike to pull out and replay in his head. He loved his family so much.

"You all didn't have to wait for me." Jefferson said as he sat down at the table.

"It's ok, Papa. I finished up my homework so now we can eat and play a game together or watch a movie." Grace said. "Oh! I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you, Mr. Gold called earlier and he wanted to know if you had seen Miss Belle?"

"Belle? No, I haven't seen her in, well, definitely not today, I was in the mines since I dropped you off at school. Actually, I haven't seen her since I last dropped her off some new clothes at the Pawn Shop and that was some time ago. I wonder why he would want to know if I had seen her?"

Grace shrugged. "Maybe he was just asking everyone because she's missing."

"Missing?"

Grace nodded. "He was very rushed. That's all he said."

"I hope she's found." Star said.

"I do too" Grace said. "She'd come into class and read to us. She always smelled so nice. She's so smart too."

"I saw her just yesterday and we talked about flowers and plants. She is very knowledgeable. She just loves books. I hope she's alright." Star said as she began eating her dinner.

"Mama" Hawk said.

The next day after Jefferson dropped Grace off for school, he was heading to the mines and he saw Rumplestiltskin walking toward his shop. He pulled over to inquire on Belle. "Grace told me you said Belle was missing?"

"Yes, she was for a while. She's since been found, but", he paused.

"Is she okay?" Jefferson asked.

"It seems, as with everything good I touch, I have ruined it. What have you said in the past? 'By being so... Me?' Well, she has decided she does not want to live with me anymore. She moved out. I'm so horrible, she'd rather move out with no place to go, than to stay with me." Rumplestiltskin looked so sad and lost.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Well, I just gave her the key to the library. There's a small little apartment she can stay in above it."

"Well that's good! Maybe she just needs a little time to figure a few things out. I'm sure she sees how much you care. And I'm sure she's grateful to you for providing her with a place to stay. And the library. My wife said she likes books?"

At the mention of books, Rumplestiltskin smiled. "She loves books. Perhaps your wife can visit her and give her some female companionship?"

"I'm sure Star would love to." Jefferson patted his shoulder. "I'm sure things will work out. You're really not such a bad guy. Just a little... Well, You."