A/N: Just in case anyone starts wondering, in the next couple days, why getting new chapters uploaded is taking so long, I have a REALLY good excuse. I have been watching Stargate Universe on netflix. I normally don't like sci-fi...but apparently I like Robert Carylye more. I've been pretty distracted since I started. Enjoy this chapter, the next one will be out soon (i SWEAR). It's got it all, action, adventure, a magic lesson, Rumple in leather pants, and someone falls out of a tree.

Belle was lying flat on her back, eyes closed. Her breathing was labored but she didn't dare open them. Her hand clenched into a fist as she waited. She felt hair tickle her face and warm breath on her face. This was her moment. She opened her eyes and her hand flew up and connected with golden green skin. Rumple was taken off guard as her attack, flying back. She was on her feet and went to kick him in the chest, knocking him completely back but he was faster than her, grabbing her leg and spinning her in the air. She hit the ground, both palms connecting with the flag stones. His eyes watched her, glittering excitedly.

"Had enough, dear?" He asked her. She looked up at him and jumped back up to her feet, wiping her bloody palms on her pant legs.

"Never," she swore, lunging for her once forgotten sword. He magicked one and the metals clashed as she went on the offensive, beating him back again and again. She had him and swung again, triumphant. He moved similarly and their swords met in the air, forcing a stalemate. She pushed hard and the blades swung down, breaking apart. As she raised her arm to strike again, he struck first, slicing into her arm. Her eyes grew wide and she dropped her sword as blood flowed from the wound. In an instant he was at her side, his hand moving over the slice.

She watched as magic healed the wound right before her eyes. "I'm so sorry," he told her once there was no trace of the gash. She smiled easily and kissed his forehead.

"No harm done. Let's be done though, for now?" For the last three days they had been training hard, and Belle was improving. Rumple had been delighted to see what a quick study she was, and felt a little better knowing that she could at least hold her own. She was not the greatest with a sword, but Belle was lethal with her own hands, taking him down again and again in hand to hand combat. He had also been teaching her to use a bow and arrow, which she excelled at. It pleased him to see how stealthy she was, a far cry from how Emma was progressing. He wanted to send her back to the Charming's soon, but not before her training was complete, and that wouldn't be until she learned to control and use magic. He didn't trust anyone to keep her alive or safe, especially the Charming's. They would be too wrapped up in insuring Emma and Snow walked away that his little Belle would be collateral damage.

He had been watching out for Regina, but she knew how he operated and was flying under the radar. She felt she had the advantage here, but she was wrong. Here he had the advantage, and he was still stronger than her, still more powerful. He no longer needed anything from her, and it would be his pleasure to kill her, or aid in her death.

"For now," he agreed, allowing her a bit of respite before going back out. He wanted her to be able to beat him every time, even when he caught her off guard. If she could beat him she could take down any of the inept soldiers Regina employed, and he could be satisfied with that. Add in her magical training and she would be an unstoppable force.

His main fear for Belle was the loyalty she felt towards Emma. Belle had been willing to die for Emma, or with her, and he knew that if there came a situation that gave her the opportunity to save Emma's life, even if meant her own was forfeit, she would take it. He knew he couldn't be near her the entire time on the battle field, so he needed her to be able to fight better than any man, and stay alive so they could walk away from this together. He had agreed to be an ordinary man, and at first that had seemed like a horrible prospect. Now he was so desperate to live that out with her, even if it meant living in a straw shack. If it was with her, he'd live anywhere.

She smiled at him and slipped her hand into his, squeezing lightly. All this felt like a dream, it was too good. "Should I make lunch?"

He bumped her shoulder. She was teasing him. He hadn't realized it the first day or so when she had joked about dusting or serving his tea. It sunk in when she offered to skin the children he hunted for their pelt. Since then every little quip she made reminding him of their time together in the Dark Castle before were treated for what they were: a joke.

"Lunch sounds nice." A familiar voice floated down from the entrance of the castle and Belle squealed in delight before launching herself into strong arms.

"August!" She beamed. He lifted her feet off the ground and hugged her hard. He had missed seeing her cheerful smiled.

"It's Pinocchio, Belle," he chided softly, setting her back down. She put her hand on his cheek and then slapped him lightly in a playful manner.

"You'll always be August to me."

"What are you doing here?" Rumple asked, having watched the entire exchange suspiciously. August stepped forward and smiled.

"Emma sent me," he told them. "She wants Belle back."

"She's staying here for the time being," Rumple practically hissed. Belle wasn't ready to go back, and he wasn't ready to let her go.

"Not even for a few days?" Belle turned her blue eyes on him. "I'll come right back."

Rumple snarled, exasperated. "Your training-"

"Can wait. I miss Emma," she pleaded. Belle knew he was going to allow her to leave, but she continued begging, giving him the allusion of power.

"Two days," he relented. "If anything happens to her, I'll be holding you personally responsible," he threatened Pinocchio.

Pinocchio put a hand over his heart. "I will be on Belle watch twenty four seven. I won't let her out of my sight."

Belle smiled and walked quickly over to Rumple, hugging him tightly. "I will miss you."

"As will I, dearie," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Can you ride?" Pinocchio asked her. "I have horses outside."

"Oh for the Gods sake," Rumple complained, and with a swish of his hands they were enveloped. Belle coughed, and blinked, and was standing in the Charming's court.

"Belle!" Belle spun and saw Henry run over, hugging her around the middle. "You're back!"

Pinocchio ruffled Henry's hair affectionately. "Temporarily."

Emma appeared suddenly, and both Pinocchio and Belle's jaws dropped. Emma was in a dress. A floating, pink, ballroom dress. Belle couldn't help it, she immediately began laughing. Emma tugged on the dress self-consciously as she made her way to them.

"A dress?" Belle asked, still giggling.

"They insisted," Emma said, still tugging.

"You look beautiful," Pinocchio told her, keeping all laughs to himself. "What's the occasion?"

"We're celebrating tonight," Charming said, meeting them, "The return of our beautiful daughter."

Emma was practically beaming. Belle was happy her friend finally had the family she had always searched for.

"So you're throwing a ball?" Pinocchio asked, frowning a bit. Charming smiled.

"Yes, a ball. It is also a way to get everyone back into the palace under the guise of celebration. We want to lull Regina into a false sense of security."

"Do you have a plan yet?" Belle asked. Being in the Dark Castle left her so cut off from the rest of the world.

"It's in the works. Have you been training?" Charming responded. Belle nodded yes.

"Good."

Pinocchio, Belle, and Emma walked out to the courtyard, pleased to be in each other's company again. "How is Bae?" Belle finally asked. Emma lit up again.

"He's good. Acclimating well, I think."

"And you?" Pinocchio asked her seriously.

"I keep waiting to wake up. It feels like a dream. I always imagined a family, but this...this is just..."

"A fairy tale?" Belle supplied, smiling.

"Exactly."

"Are you really throwing a ball? Doesn't that seem a little...?" Belle trailed off, unsure how to finish that. Now was not the time for lavish parties, it seemed to clash with all the ass kicking she'd been doing on Rumple. Emma shrugged.

"It wasn't my idea, it was Jiminy's. He thought that if Regina saw we were having parties she might get careless and let something slip. Honestly, I don't know why we decided to come back before defeating her. We are on her turf now."

Belle frowned. "I think...I think Rumple wanted to even the playing field between the two of them. That's just a guess though."

"You didn't ask him?"

Belle sighed deeply. "I didn't...but if I did, I doubt I'd get a straight answer. He's almost...gleeful...at being back. The only wrench in his plans seems to be me."

"What do you mean?" Emma frowned as they headed back towards the castle.

"I mean, he's so caught up in teaching me how to fight he's neglecting other things. I think he's worried I won't make it out of this alive."

"Bae told me that he had promised you both to give up his powers once Regina has been defeated," Emma told her. Pinocchio perked up at this news.

"Yeah, he promise me the night he asked me to marry him. I can only assume he made Bae a similar promise."

"Do you think he will follow through?" Emma asked, chewing on her bottom lip.

"They say Rumpelstiltskin never breaks a deal. He married me under that promise...so yes, I do. I don't want to think about what his life would become if he didn't have Bae or me in it."

"You make him tolerable," Pinocchio piped up. "Trust me on that one."

Belle gave a half smile. "Pinocchio...it's so weird calling you that...but if I am to attend a ball tonight, even a sham ball, I will need an escort."

Pinocchio's face lit up. "Are you asking me to accompany you?"

"Seeing as how my husband is unlikely to attend, I am."

"Well I'm flattered," he bowed deeply. "It would be honor."

"You two...are really, really strange," Emma said, but she laughed anyway. "There will be dancing, and a little music, but everyone attending will be a part of the war tribunal. Charming...father..." she smiled a little at the word father, "admits it was a mistake not including everyone last time. We need everyone on board, so we can bring the fight from every possible angle."

"So your goblin still might show up. He never misses a chance to show off how pretty you are," Pinocchio told her.

"I think Charming is very wise with that decision," Belle said diplomatically, "And he's not a goblin. I think it pleases him he managed to find someone who isn't missing an eye ball, and has all her hair."

"He's a man, Belle. Trust me on this one. Men like other men to see what they have. You're the ultimate girl for him to have; you're pretty, you're brave, and everyone likes you. Plus," Pinocchio added thoughtfully, "He'll want to be sure I haven't let you run off with Emma on some hair-brained adventure."

"Like you could stop us if we wanted to," Emma said seriously.

"Well I could try. I don't fancy being turned into a toad," Pinocchio told her. "He'd kill me, resurrect me, and then kill me again."

"Well that's just ridiculous," Belle told him. "He can't bring people back from the dead."

"How comforting," Pinocchio said sarcastically.

"I do what I can." Belle flashed him an ugly grin.

Emma and Belle ditched Pinocchio not much longer after that, heading into Emma's room.

"This is huge," Belle told her, admiring the pretty, brightly lit room.

"It would have been mine...if Regina hadn't..." Emma sunk down on a four poster bed, looking a little dejected. "What do you think my life would have been like, if it hadn't happened?"

"Perfect," Belle told her, sitting next to her. "Completely charming."

"Sometimes I wonder, you know? I would have been a normal girl, with a normal life."

"I wouldn't say completely normal," Belle smiled, bumping her friends shoulder with her own. "Besides, think of what you would have missed out on. A relationship with Baelfire, your son Henry, being friends with me..."

"We wouldn't have been friends?" Emma asked. "Why not?"

"Well...Regina did have me locked up in her dungeon, so I don't think so," Belle frowned. "In fact, if it weren't for the curse, I'd probably still be rotting away in there."

Emma squeezed Belle's hand. "You always see the bright side of everything. I would miss Henry, and Bae. And you, of course."

"Exactly. Now, I'm sure Snow has given you a ton of pretty dresses, mind loaning me one?"

"Take your pick. I don't think I will ever wear one," Emma indicated a large chiffarobe. Belle opened the doors and began flicking through the dresses.

"Nothing pink, I suppose?" She teased, pulling out a satiny purple one.

"Wear whatever you want," Emma told her dismissively.

"I think this will be fine," Belle said, sitting back on the bed to unlace her boots. It took her a while to get out of her clothing and into the dress, even longer for Emma to lace it up.

"Has Rumpelstiltskin been teaching you magic?" Emma asked once Belle was all laced in.

"Not yet," Belle admitted.

"Snow...mom...has taught me a little," Emma told her.

"Like what?" Belle was interested.

"Nothing spectacular. Small stuff...like, making things levitate, or straightening my hair."

"How does Snow know all this?" Belle asked her.

"Books. She has been reading out of books. I think we might be learning together, she doesn't seem any better at it than me," Emma confessed.

"Really? Prove it. Straighten out my hair." Belle shook her hair in Emma's direction. Emma seemed to be concentrating very hard, but then Belle felt a little rush of air, and her tightly curled hair fell out. It was much longer straight, and she fingered a strand in awe.

"Looks...different," Emma said, frowning at her friend. "I've never seen you without curls."

Belle was about to tell her to put it back when a knock came from the door. Emma called for whoever it was to come in, and Bae walked into the room, looking incredibly handsome.

"Mother?" He teased, embracing Belle when he saw her. "I didn't think I would be seeing you any time soon."

"I'm happy to be a surprise for you then," she hugged him back, ignoring his mother quip.

"I just wanted to let you know that people are starting to arrive. Once everyone gets here we will begin discussing the plan to destroy Regina once and for all. And dance. Lots of dancing." He winked at Emma and turned to leave. When he reached the door frame he turned back and looked at Emma, and Belle was surprised to see a familiar dark, burning look in his eyes she often saw on his father.

"Pink looks good on you." He turned and left after that, leaving Emma standing stunned in his wake.

"It does," Belle agreed, adjusting her skirt.

"I'm going to have to marry him when this is all over, aren't I?" Emma asked as they followed behind him.

"I think so," Belled smiled, wrinkling her nose. "Then we will be related, if only through marriage."

"You'll be my mother in law," Emma said seriously. Belle considered this, and then burst out laughing.

"At least you know you like me," she said in between laughs.

When Belle and Emma reached the hall that dancing would be taking place, Red and Granny were already there. Red was in a pretty, blood red dress but Granny remained in what she always wore. She felt her age allowed her to skip silly pleasantries.

"Who is coming?" Belle asked, watching Snow talking seriously with Red.

"Everyone," Emma answered. She was right. Within the hour Jefferson arrived with Alice and Grace. Emma had told Belle that Snow and Charming had agreed to watch over Grace, as well as anyone else's children, while the war was taking place, to insure their safety. The woodcutter came, along with his two children Hansel and Gretel. Emma had met them briefly but Belle never had, and she hadn't seen them at Jefferson's. Peter Pan came, with a gaggle of boys. Belle wasn't sure if it was true or just her eyes playing tricks on her, but it seemed as if Peter was regressing in age. He seemed younger somehow. He brought his fairy with him, Tinkerbelle, which interested Emma greatly. As people filed in, Emma took a seat in an ornate chair and Belle sat at her feet like a lady in waiting might. It seemed appropriate, to Belle, seeing as in this land she had only been a lord's daughter, and Emma was a princess. She doubted Emma would see it that way.

Ariel and Eric came in next, Eric holding a trident in his hand, and despite his easy smile there seemed to be a dangerous quality about him suddenly. Belle wondered if it wasn't the dangerous weapon he carried in his hand. Eric informed Charming that it belonged to King Trident, Ariel's father, and that the mermaids had also pledged their support. The fairy's followed with Geppetto and Jiminy. Belle didn't imagine either of them would do any actual fighting, considering Jiminy was a cricket and Geppetto an elderly gentleman, but they vowed to do what they could. Pinocchio was standing next to his father, beaming, which made Belle smile. He looked so proud.

Aurora and Philip came next with three small fairies of their own, all pledging loyalty to the cause. Philip drew out his sword and laid it at Snow White's feet when he first arrive, and Snow smiled, pleased with the gesture. Tiana and Naveen were next. Naveen informed the court he had an extensive knowledge of the use of magic and that his skills were at their command. Belle was surprised by this, she wouldn't have guessed that. Rapunzel and Flynn came after with Jasmine and Aladdin, all in service to the fight. Belle couldn't help but wonder, as she watched people file in and declare their loyalty, if Snow and Charming had reached out before to all the realms, could Regina have been stopped before she in acted the curse? It was an intriguing thought, and Belle thought that at the very least they could have given her a run for her money instead of lying over and taking it.

Looking around, it struck Belle for the first time what everyone might be giving up. So many people here had found true love, or happiness, and they were sacrificing it for the chance to finally have peace. How many people here would die, in the pursuit of this? Would she? It would be worth it, in her eyes, if others could raise their children without fear, she decided. Even if Rumple didn't see it that way. He would learn to live without her, and so long as Bae survived, he still could find peace himself. After all, that was why he had created the dark curse in the first place.

She came out of her thoughts in time to hear Mulan and Shang offering an army from their realm, an army Shang was the Captain of, to join the fight.

Cinderella and Thomas entered behind them, causing Charming to jump up and clasp hands with the younger man while Ella and Snow embraced. "You know I would die with you," Thomas told him, and Charming grinned, clapping him on the back.

"Friends," Charming said to the room. Belle liked how they were all from different realms, different stations, but could all call each other friends. Station didn't matter; there were no barriers between them anymore. Regina had given them that, even if she hadn't realized it. "I thank you all for your support. There will be time, later, to discuss strategy, but for the moment let's celebrate! Being home, with our loved ones, in a land that we love. I have my beautiful daughter back, I can think of no better cause for celebration!"

He smiled in Emma's direction, and she ducked her head down in embarrassment. Emma was not used to being center of attention. "And I'm a grandfather," Charming added as an afterthought, causing laughter to ripple through the room. Bae was standing to the left of Emma, his hand resting on her shoulder. She saw him squeeze, and Emma put her head on it for a moment.

Pinocchio grabbed Belle's hand and pulled her onto the dance floor before anyone else could get there and twirled her before pulling her back into his arms. "You look lovely. Except your hair. Who's idea was that?"

"Just Emma practicing magic," Belle told him, swatting him lightly. "And it's rude to tell a lady her hair doesn't look nice."

"I can not tell a lie," he grined at her, spinning her again. Others were joining them now, dancing easily. August and Belle were on their third song together, by this time making a joke out of the whole thing when the doors flew open. Everyone's head turned to see Rumpelstiltskin walk in, his head held high. The air in the room seemed to drop several degrees as he continued walking. Pinocchio swept Belle off to the side so he could walk past. Rumple didn't look at her, his eyes fixated on Snow White.

"Rumpelstiltskin," Snow addressed him, standing before him. Charming looked on uneasy. It was one thing for him to help them in Storybrooke, but here it was entirely different. He gave Snow a sweeping bow.

"I've come to pledge my support," he told her in a high pitched tone, "And offer you a guarantee of my loyalty."

Bae looked to Belle, horror etched in every line of his face. Belle didn't understand until Rumple produced a dagger to Snow White. "Whoever holds this, controls my power," he told her softly.

"NO!" Belle shouted, causing everyone to turn and look at her. Pinocchio caught Belle around her waist and held her where she stood to prevent her from running over to him. Bae was standing rigid next to Emma, but his eyes said the same as Belle's words.

"You can command me to do as you wish," he continued on as if Belle had not spoken.

Snow looked down at the dagger he was offering her, and then stepping forward she closed his hand around it. "You keep it," she said, looking up at him. "The gesture is enough."

He looked dumb founded. Belle didn't doubt this had been incredibly hard for him, trusting someone with something so powerful. Belle's heart was pounding in her chest. Why would he do that? Why would he tell a room full of people how to destroy him?

He looked down at the dagger, and then it vanished into thin air, the offer gone but the words remaining. Snow stepped forward again and this time placed a soft hand on his face. "Thank you, Rumpelstiltskin."

He looked unsure, his shoulder slumping momentarily before his eyes found Belle, still standing and watching him, frantic. Pinocchio's grip on her never wavered, holding her steady. Rumple turned back to Snow and smiled, revealing yellow teeth that should have made her recoil.

"Your majesty," he said, but his heart wasn't in his words. Charming indicated for the music to start playing as Snow withdrew her hand, her smile still in place. Rumple shook his head once, and then when the music was playing and others began talking among themselves, walked to his wife.

Belle broke free of Pinocchio and met him half way, throwing her arms around his neck when they met. "Are you crazy?" She asked him, still shaking. Snow could have taken the dagger and done anything with it. Belle knew that she wouldn't have done anything out of spite, but power was intoxicating, and who was to say she wouldn't order him to do something that could get him killed?

He let her hold him, feeling her warmth against him. Others who were watching saw him close his eyes and rest his head against her hair. "Now you know," he told her softly, "That I will not break our deal."

She rested her forehead against his. "I already knew that. I never doubted you." This hadn't been entirely true, but now it was. Maybe he had sensed her doubt, she wasn't sure.

"Will you keep it?" He asked her, looking vulnerable and maybe even a little scared.

"Why?" She asked, searching his face.

"Regina is looking for it," he told her quietly. "And if she controls me, all is lost."

"I will," she said. They walked quickly out of the hall and into a dark, secluded hallway. Belle lifted her skirt where her usual dagger was strapped to her thigh, just in case, and he produced his dagger. She put it into the sheath and then dropped her skirt back down. "It will never leave my sight.

"Tell no one you have it," he urged her. "Not even Baelfire."

"I promise. You have my word."

He kissed her forehead and then stepped back, looking at her funny. "What happened to your hair?" Belle had forgotten Emma's spell on her hair.

"Oh. Snow is teaching Emma magic," she explained, tugging on a strand. Rumple frowned.

"Teaching her...magic," he repeated slowly, his eyes fixed on her hair.

"Yes...I do believe that is what I said," Belle teased. He reached out and tugged on a lock of her hair, smiling as it curled back the way he was used to.

"I should have guessed that Snow would teach Emma a vanity spell," he said, satisfied with his handiwork. "I will be doing no such thing. You are pretty enough."

She smiled and leaned up to kiss him when she heard a crash. Rumple pushed off to the side so his body was blocking hers. "Stay here."

"Is this your first day?" She asked, following behind him. When they entered the hall everyone was on the ground, golden dust glittering around everyone. Belle looked around wide eyed. "What happened?"

"The Sandman," Rumple all but growled. She didn't see the slight man, but she did see the golden ball coming at them. Rumple blocked so it didn't hit him, causing it to explode in Belle's face. She immediately crumpled on the ground, asleep. He moved to catch her, but another burst of dust was coming for him and he had had enough. He disappeared, regretting letting Belle's head crack on the ground. He reappeared next to the man.

"Bad idea," he said, slamming him against a pillar. "Why are you here?

Rumple had dealt with the Sandman before, a particular nuisance in Rumple's opinion, but relatively harmless. He tightened his hold on the man's throat, causing him to choke out "Regina...sent me. Dagger..."

Rumple snapped his finger and the Sandman vanished, a small snail appearing in his place. He smiled, enjoying his power and then brought his boot crunching down on the bug. He had missed this.

The implications of what the Sandman told him dawned on him. Regina was actively searching for his dagger, going so far as to hire an inept little man to try and find it. He decided he would be taking Belle home with him tonight and hiding the dagger back within the depths of his castle. He would rather be at the mercy of Regina than let her kill Belle to get to him. He didn't care what plan Charming had, this was proof he had work to do to keep his own castle safe, and until Charming did that he wouldn't let Belle spend a moment longer with them. Her feelings for Pinocchio and Emma were irrelevant now. This wasn't Storybrooke where she could sneak off and do whatever she wanted and he would swoop in and save her. This was the real deal, and Regina wasn't playing around. Neither was he. He walked to where Belle was lying and scooped her up. He looked over at Bae and wondered if he should take Bae with him as well. Keeping Belle in his castle would be easy; she was more willing to comply to keep him happy. He just knew that Bae would not stand for it, and if Bae and Belle decided to join the same side he could possibly lose them both. He decided he would keep a close eye on Bae, and keep Belle with him in his castle. If Bae became in any sort of danger he'd lock them both in the castle and let them hate him. He'd rather have them hate him, than be dead.

He didn't feel the slightest bit bad leaving everyone else lying there on the floor when he arrived back in his castle, a lifeless Belle in his arms. He placed her in the bed they were sharing and then walked out into his own great hall. They would wake up before long and realize what had happened. He knew they would assume that he had taken Belle back with him; his feelings for her were well established.

An hour and a half later Belle came storming in to where he was spinning at his wheel. "What happened?" She demanded. She looked angry.

"The Sandman came looking for me," he told her, his hands never leaving the wheel.

"I demand you take me back!"

He sighed. "I have no intention of doing that Belle."

"So you're going to keep me locked up here? Again?" She asked. Her words cut him, but he didn't let it show.

"Would you rather be somewhere unsafe?"

"I would rather have the freedom to do as I wish!" She sounded like a child to him. He looked up at her, expecting to see her stamp her foot. Setting the straw aside, he walked slowly over to her, watching a flicker of fear cross her face. He hadn't seen that look in a long time.

"You will stay here, with me, until your training is complete. I am your husband and you will obey me."

His words were a slap across her face. Never, in all the time they had known each other, had he ever spoken to her like that. She gathered her courage and squared her shoulders. He may be able to intimidate everyone else but he could not intimidate her.

"I am your wife, not your maid," she spat, "And if I want to leave, you will let me."

"You will not go," he repeated, his voice level.

"Or what?" She challenged, stepping into his personal space. "Will you lock me in my old room?"

"Belle..." he sighed, tiring of her words. He had never seen her so angry. "This is your home. You can go anywhere you wish."

"I will not be a prisoner," she continued.

"Then go!" He shouted, his resolve fracturing. "LEAVE." He turned his back to her, having had enough of her antics. She refused to see what he did was for her own protection. He waited, expecting to hear her heels clacking on the floor as they had before, but there was silence. Finally he heard the sound, and she was in front of him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, eyes downcast. She hadn't expected him to tell her to go. "I will leave, if you want me to."

"I don't," he choked out. "I want to know you are safe."

"Can we make a deal?" She asked him hopefully. He looked at her earnest face. He bit back a smile.

"What are your terms?"

"You'll let me go back to stay with Emma...if I complete my training to your satisfaction." She watched his face carefully as she said it, but he betrayed nothing.

"And you will stay until then?" He asked her carefully.

"Promise," she crossed her heart with her pointer finger. He opened his arms and she walked into them, hugging him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head.

"Deal."

They stayed like this for a while before he went back to his wheel and she sat next to him, just watching. Finally, she said, "Rumpelstiltskin?"

"Yes, love?"

"That was our first fight." He looked over at her in surprise. Surely they had fought before, but when he scanned his memory, all their arguments had been one sided. This was the first time they had both been angry.

"So it was," he agreed. She seemed pleased by that, and he wasn't sure why. "Are you happy, that we fought?"

"Well...no...but yeah. All good couples fight occasionally. It means we love each other!"

He just stared at her beaming face completely dumbfounded. If he lived another thousand years, he would never understand her. "I loved you before the fight."

She sighed. "I know you did. I just mean, when two people don't care about each other anymore, they don't fight."

He stopped spinning for a moment to kiss her softly on the forehead. "I'll be glad when I kiss you properly again." He told her. Her whole face lit up.

"It won't be long," she said, and he could only hope.