A/N: I am so excited that I didn't lose a bunch of what I wrote (well, I did, but I found it!) that I am posting this chapter to celebrate. I may have had fun with the first few paragraphs... Enjoy!

~Return~

It was pitch black when Belle landed, disorientated. She found herself bending her knees, keeping her legs far apart and her arms out wide as if to balance herself to keep from falling down imaginary depths of wherever Regina had taken them.

She hadn't fully recovered from the shock of Athena's visit when Regina had snapped her fingers, drastically changing their location. Belle thought she had been lucky to buckle into a chair, feeling for sure she'd land on the ground in a very awkward (and unlady-like) position. Now, she was cursing that chair for giving her false hope, as half her disorientation was caused by going from sitting in candlelight, to standing in darkness.

"Regina!" She hollered angrily in no particular direction.

"Hold on, Belle, try not to panic."

"Hold on?! To what?"

In a flash, candles everywhere were lit, and Belle blinked several times to gather her bearings. She stood straight, suddenly embarrassed. They were in the dining room of the Charming Castle. Nothing to fret over.

"We're back?" She asked, looking around. Neal was blinking just as rapidly and looked just as confused as Belle felt. Regina seemed completely unphased, and Belle couldn't help but feel a prick of anger at the sorceress. Though no longer evil, per say, she had her moments of what she called 'pranks' where she did things that weren't bad but… often went unappreciated.

Most times, people laughed it off and hurried away as to not anger the former Evil Queen.

"I don't know about you two," Regina began. "But I didn't feel like sleeping in that death trap."

"What happened to the horses?" Belle asked, coming to terms with what had just transpired. It could have been worse, she rationalized, especially with Regina.

"Safe and sound in their stables."

"Glad to see you all made it back."

The trio turned to see the King, casually dressed in mostly linen, walking the length of the table while holding a tray of food balanced on one arm, and a candle in the other.

Regina raised her eyebrow at that. "Did you lose your employees?"

He looked at her strangely. Some words or phrases she chose were not very common. "Some things are best done yourself." He finally said, gracefully piecing together her meaning. "Sometimes, I'm just a husband, doing something for his wife."

"Where is everyone?" Belle asked, realizing it was about mid-dinner. But there was no sign of anyone having eaten here tonight.

Having reached the opposite side of the table they were standing at, he set the candle down on the table with a heavy sigh, followed by the tray.

"Snow hasn't felt much like socializing. You three were gone. The Captain said he wouldn't be joining us for dinner, and I assume that goes for his first mate as well since he never showed. I can't even begin to speculate where your son is, Regina." His gaze went back to the tray. "Have you eaten? I can ask the kitchen to prepare something for you."

"No need." Regina waved her arm, and three plates appeared at the table, along with goblets and silverware. "We can fend for ourselves."

"Tell me you found something." David asked, hope filling his eyes as he leaned onto the table with both fists as if leaning in to hear a closely guarded secret. In that moment, Belle saw a worried father. No longer did he seem regal and foreboding, but uncertain and needing.

"We may have something." Belle replied slowly. "And the assurance of a Goddess that it'll likely lead to a resolution. But we should talk about it in the morning. When everyone is gathered, after a good night's sleep."

He nodded slowly. "Perhaps that's best." He sighed, picking up the items he had set down. "Just don't leave a mess for the staff." He tried to smile, but she saw right through it.

Thanks for reading!