Killian handled all of the prep work to Belle's relief. He purchased them two beautiful friendly horses from a farmer a few miles from the tavern. They were strong and Belle couldn't help but talk to them when Killian was asleep whenever they rested under the stars. Her horse was named Juliet and Killian's was named Prospero.

For the first few days of their travels they didn't speak much to one another. The only dialogue between Killian and Belle was in regard to what they should eat and when they should stop to rest. He could tell she needed time to be alone and time to self-reflect and he gave her precisely that. He had to admit that whenever she woke up in the middle of the night to sob, it pained him to hear her. Albeit, he rather her think he couldn't hear her and hope that one of these days she would decide to confide in him whenever she was ready.

Some days they slept at an inn and some days under the stars out in the woods. Belle couldn't decide where she enjoyed sleeping more. Of course, she enjoyed being able to shower and freshen up at the inns, but the stars comforted her. She felt it was them that were keeping her safe. In her mind, Belle was staring at the same stars as Rumple.

"We should stop and rest up." Killian stated looking at the inn a few feet away from them off the dirt road.

Belle nodded as her own body ached and longed for a good bath.

The inn they stopped at was no different than all the other inns she had seen so far. There was a tavern a few yards across the square. The rooms were compact but complete. Belle went into her room quarter of the room and Killian went into his quarter. The rooms were usually separated by a thinly veiled wall.

After her bath and putting on a fresh set of clothes, Belle decided to ask the innkeeper and fellow patrons of the inn if any of them had a good book she could buy. In all the other inns and taverns, Belle had no luck.

"Hello, may I please speak to the innkeeper." Belle rounded the corner of the hall and found herself at the front desk where the keys for the inn were distributed and paid for.

Earlier during check in there was a younger looking boy working the counter and it caught Belle of guard to see him replaced.

"You're speaking to her." A peppy woman with auburn hair chirped. Her smile was illuminating, and Belle couldn't help but be drawn to her positive attitude.

"Oh, sorry I was expecting a-"

"A man?"

Belle felt ashamed but the woman's words were true. She had never met a female innkeeper. They were always male.

Belle struggled to find words to save her but she ultimately decided it was best she apologized.

"Sorry but yes." Belle's lips turned slightly downward in an apologetic frown.

"Don't apologize. You're right you know. Me and Gran are the only female innkeepers in all of the Enchanted Forest. Believe me, I checked." She tossed Belle a healthy smile forcing Belle to relax and realized she hadn't soured the innkeeper's mood. "After my grandfather died my grandmother took over the inn. But after a few years she realized that she hated working nights so she asked me if I could come back home and help her run the family business. So much for becoming a famous seamstress." The woman sighed and put up her palms facing Belle in a shrug as if to say what else can you do, after she finished her explanation

"I didn't catch your name." Belle smiled at the woman.

"Oh, I'm Ruby! I guess I should've said that before I rambled on about my life." Ruby outstretched her hand towards Belle as a gesture of a potential friendship.

"I'm Belle. And it's not a problem at all." As their hands met, Belle could feel Ruby's hand go cold and her essence of warm inviting friendship diminish.

"Oh…I know who you are." Ruby's hand retracted back to her sides practically knocking over a few stacks of paper parchment.

"You do?" Belle couldn't help but ask as she had never once seen Ruby before. She would've remembered someone like her without a doubt.

"Yeah, you're the Light One's wife. He's the only one who has permanent residency here." Ruby searched for a rag and began to wipe down the spotless check in desk making herself appear busy.

The mention of Rumple's title brought on an ache in her chest. She felt wounded missing her better half. But in the same instance Belle couldn't take her mind off of Ruby's shift in emotion. Belle looked at a loss. She rarely me people who disliked her. Everyone loved Belle, she was a darling. And why would Ruby mention Rumple's permanent residency in the inn as if it were a bad thing, surely it was some kind of reward he earned?

"He's why I'm here, you know. I normally don't travel nor do I enjoy it…apparently." Belle begin attempting to reestablish the connection with Ruby.

"Oh- is that right." Ruby rolled her eyes clearly not putting any stock into Belle's words.

Rude, Belle thought.

"Belle." A voice behind her startled her as Belle began to stare down the innkeeper.

"Killian!" Ruby chirped in the same peppy attitude she had once greeted Belle with. The innkeeper left her post at the check in desk and ran over to give a tight embrace to Belle's traveling companion. Belle couldn't help but look on full of curiosity.

"Ruby! It's been ages. How's Grandma Lucas." Killian asked.

"Oh, you know, her ankles still swell and she's crankier than ever, but she really loved those foreign herbs and fruits you brought her from your travels last harvest. I'm sure she'll be green with envy when she realizes she missed you."

Ruby and Killian still lingered in half an embrace and yet Belle couldn't quite place what their relationship was. Were they lovers? Were they siblings? What were they? And how on earth could Ruby like Killian and not Belle.

"That makes me glad to hear. Send her my love will ya? On my next voyage oversees I'll search high and low for an ointment to help her with that swelling." Ruby cheered and thanked Killian for his promise.

There was a pregnant pause that filled the inn and suddenly Killian turned to Belle.

"Oh Ruby, I see you've met my traveling companion Belle."

Ruby wanted to gasp. Belle did not seem like Killian's type of friend in the slightest. She eyed the brunette wondering how the two could've possibly even met. They couldn't be any more opposite. Plus Ruby couldn't help feel puzzled over why Killian would ever offer his friendship to the Light One's wife.

It was odd…but the answer was the tip of Ruby's tongue.

"Ah yes, we were having quite the chat just now." Belle spoke interjecting anything Ruby was preparing to say. "I came to see if she might have some extra books she could loan me, but alas here I am partaking in an absolutely charming conversation."

Killian could tell from Belle's tone that the chat was not a pleasant one and for some reason Belle looked irritated.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize the two of you were traveling together, or even friends." The apology fell short and her expression carried zero remorse.

"It is a long story and frankly none of my business to share but I'm just here to help Belle reach a destination."

"My husband's been taken. Killian's helping me rescue him."

Ruby's hazel eyes widened and zoned in on Killian trying to guess what in seven hells possessed him to help Belle rescue the Light One. Does she not know?

"But I thought your husband was the most powerful sorcerer in all of the Enchanted Forest? If he can't escape his capturer, then how do you two manage to do it."

"I have hope that-"

"Hope?" Ruby interrupted her. "This isn't one of your little books, this is real life and if someone was able to trap the Light One then" Belle gulped suddenly feeling overwhelmed realizing there was some truth in Ruby's words. "well may the gods have mercy on the souls that try to cross them."

"So, you'd rather me sit around and do nothing?" Belle scoffed as Killian did his best to draw some space between the two females with his body.

"You I don't care for, but Killian…well I rather he not risk his life for someone who doesn't give a rats ass about him." There was a low growl in Ruby's words and for a second her eyes glimmered yellow and they instinctually struck fear in Belle's chest.

"Hey Ruby." Killian met her eyes and spoke directly to the innkeeper. "This is my doing ok, I chose to help Belle. I want to help Belle." He said the words more to get them through Ruby's mind than to justify his own actions. He appeared relaxed and certain in his words, which said more about him than Belle.

Belle was scared. She felt way in over her head and Ruby's honesty only amplified that.

"Oh. I thought maybe you two were-"

Both Killian and Belle looked displeased with the words that were about to be released from Ruby's mouth.

"You're sick…I am married!" Belle lifted the golden band on her delicate finger.

"And you know I'd never do anything this dangerous for a woman." Killian began earning a look of disbelief from Ruby, "at least not anymore… I'm doing this because I believe it is the right thing to do."

Ruby still seemed to struggle with the facts in her head but ultimately, she came around and nodded in understanding.

"I apologize for being so quick to judge you Belle, after all I'm no saint. And if people judged me by my reputation alone…well then…I wouldn't be a very popular lady, now would I?" A soft laugh escaped Ruby's mind as she moved past Killian and closer to Belle with a sincere expression.

Ruby's words still weren't settling well with Belle, but Belle decided she rather not put up a fight all night and simply get some much-needed rest.

"You're forgiven." Belle answered solemnly.

"Oh, thank you gods. I could not do that all night." Killian brought his hand to rub his eyes.

"You two get some rest now." Ruby said jokingly doing a gesture as if to shoo them. "Oh and, I'd love if before you left tomorrow morning you two could stop by me and Grans house down the square for some breakfast? Well technically for me it's dinner." She said the latter portion with a laugh.

"Sounds good to me." Belle said in agreement as at this point in their journey she would do anything for authentic cooking and not just the tavern's bland porridge or dry qual.

Killian walked Belle to her quarters as she continued to digest the conversation, she had just partaken in.

"I know it's none of my business but are you and Ruby…together?" Belle cursed herself for speaking once the words were out.

"Good gods no." Killian reacted with a sour expression and furrowed his brows confused. "She's like a little sister to me, we grew up together." Killian had thought to explain even further his relationship with Ruby but judging by Belle's face she was mortified she even asked.

"Hey- this might sound odd but I'm glad to hear you talking and you know in a generally brighter mood."

"Well I'm not." Belle frowned crossing her arms stopping in front of the door to her quarters. How dare he say she looked happy? She was far from it; the love of her life was probably currently being tortured and abused all because she was useless and couldn't get to him at once.

"Ya' know, just because your husband's been kidnapped doesn't mean you have to be utterly miserable every waking moment of your life form now on."

"Yes, it quite literally does. Every second of the day I'm left wondering what he's doing and how he's being treated whilst I'm here perfectly ok- just too stupid to follow a bloody map." A sudden sob and a deep breath of air overtook Belle. She was now crying feeling more vulnerable than ever.

Belle rarely cursed; it wasn't like her. She felt humiliated for being so open with an absolute stranger. Why did she feel so comfortable around him? Why did she want him to hold her as she sobbed thinking about her husband?

"Don't do this to yourself." He shook his head watching the tears stream down her rosy cheeks. "This isn't your doing, so don't torture yourself. This isn't your fault." Killian fought the urge to embrace her as her body shook with sobs. He truly felt her pain, he hated that she felt so responsible for her husband.

"How can I not? If the roles were reversed, I would be out of whatever situation I was in within seconds. I don't think it- I know it." Memories of all the times Belle was in a difficult situation and Rumple came to her rescue flooded her memories. So many memories of how helpless Belle was, came to her at once. In fact, they wouldn't stop plaguing her mind.

"I hate that you feel this way about yourself. You are doing the best that you can."

"Yeah well…what do I do when my best is pathetic."

"It's not-" Killian began.

"It is. Goodnight." Belle said finishing their conversation and opening up the door to her quarters and shutting it before Killian could get another word in. She was miserable and she wasn't going to let a bum tell her she deserves to be anything but.

He's not a bum, Belle thought cursing herself once again for even thinking anything negative of Killian when he was risking his life to save her.

Belle laid on the bed and sobbed until her mind finally allowed her some rest.

The next morning Belle arose feeling like a complete ass. She was rude to Killian and Ruby. And at the moment they were her only friends, if that's what she could even call them. Especially Kilian, he was the only reason she had gotten as far as she had. Yet, for some reason she couldn't help but be cold and bitter with him when she had absolutely no reason to.

Killian left her instructions on how to get to Gran and Ruby's house. It was only a few yards away from the inn and Belle figured the silent walk would do her some good anyways.

After packing her knapsack up, she made way for the house and once she saw the crimson red establishment she exhaled and readied herself for an awkward morning.

"Oh- hey Belle." Ruby called out behind her before Belle even had a chance to knock on the door.

"Ruby! Good morning! Are you just getting home from the inn?" Belle asked already knowing the answer.

"Hah- well it's actually a goodnight for me. But yes- I just left my post to the morning boy who runs things until granny gets there later on in the day." Ruby unlocked the door to her house as she spoke to Belle. Then as her sentence came to a close, the open-door exposed Granny and Killian in a full-blown conversation as they were beginning to feast on the breakfast Granny had prepared.

"Well look what the cat dragged in." Ruby's grandmother called out to Ruby as she turned to see who had unlocked her door. "Oh, and you must be Belle- Killian's told me all about you."

Belle exposed a meek smile unsure of what Killian had made Granny informed of. Did he tell her that she sobbed in front of him and when he tried to console her, she decided it was best to insult him and leave?

"Hi, it's so grand to meet you. Ruby here has told me nothing but what an amazing woman you are."

"Hah- well then Ruby's a liar." Granny chuckled smacking Killian on the chest as he joined her in laughter. "Come sit- eat!" Granny stood up handing Belle a plate and offering her up a plethora of home cooked breakfast foods that Belle had not had since their journey had begun.

Belle mouth was in nirvana. She hadn't eaten this good in well…ever. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hug Granny or write down all her recipes, perhaps both? While Belle was shocked that Ruby was able to coexist with her without any awkward tension, she also appreciated it. She felt like she was getting a brand-new start with Ruby.

"So, Killian tells me you're quite the book worm." Granny came up to Belle as she was submerged her plate and cup into the bubbling suds of water to clean the dishes. In the distance Belle could hear Killian and Ruby laughing and joking with one another.

"I am." Belle admitted finishing up scrubbing her dish clean.

"I know you've got a long journey ahead of you, so if you'd like, my husband left me a few books that I never got around to reading."

"Are you sure, I would hate to impose?" Belle began unsure how to accept such a generous offer.

"If anyone is worthy then I'm sure it's you darling. For we both know Ruby and Killian don't do any reading." Granny had a smile plastered on her face as one arm reached to rest on Belle's shoulder. The two smiled at one another in silence as Belle felt overwhelmed with emotion.

"I would love that so much Granny." Belle smiled back using the pet name that Killian and Ruby used on her.

Granny grinned in appreciation of the name. She had a way of sensing people and for some reason something within her told her Belle had a heart of gold and she needed to trust her.

"I'll be right back, let me go get them." Granny said disappearing up the stairs next to the kitchen.

Belle finished washing the dishes and decided to check up on Killian and Ruby and see what they were doing. Her mood was far more pleasant that it was the night prior and for a moment she pondered if she should give them apologies for her sour mood.

Her mind was quickly made up when she no longer saw Killian and Ruby in the Dining Room and as she searched for them, she heard distant whispers and then followed her name,

Killian eyed Ruby up and down as she forced him into their side room next to the dining area. He knew she wanted to get something off her chest as she had been acting tense all morning.

"Out with it." Killian declared as Ruby forced him into the room trying her best to avoid Belle.

"I know what you're up to Killian Jones and I will not allow it. I will not condone you signing your death certificate in the name of vengeance." Ruby scolded wagging her finger up and down.

Killian eyed Ruby as if she had no idea what she was talking about. That irritated her more than anything in all the realms.

"Don't act like you're helping this Belle gal out simply because your heart felt compelled to do so, we both know about your history with the Light One. He's as much your enemy as mine. I will NOT let you do this alone." Ruby was boiling at this point, absolutely irritated with Killian's irresponsible actions.

"What if my heart did compel me to do this? Ruby I mean it, I want to help Belle. But I want to find the Light One as well. Is that so wrong?" Killian said half pleading, but Ruby didn't appear to be buying whatever he was selling.

Ruby leaned back and crossed her arms. She was steaming. Her kohl eyeliner was smeared, and she looked ready to raise hell.

"Yes Killian…this is wrong." The latter portion of her sentence was said in a soft tone that Belle almost couldn't hear. "I don't trust you." She finally declared.

"Then join me." He stated honestly.

"She won't have me." Ruby began to shake her head.

"She will if she trusts you."

"How will I-" Ruby began.

"Let me do it." Killian finished the conversation and began to make him way back to the dining room.

Belle felt her heart begin to beat faster than ever. What in the seven hells had she gotten herself into. What had she just heard? Who was Killian really? Had he known who she was all along? Her heart was ready to jump out of her chest. Everything within her was telling her to just leave and run. But how else would she find Rumple? She had proven since day 1 that she could not do this journey on her own. She was ill-equipped to find Rumple without any aid. She neededhim.

Belle felt a lump in her throat. She felt disgusting needed someone who wasn't Rumple. Rumple had told her the day that they got married that from that day forward he would be the only person she ever needed in her life. Yet, two years later here she was. Here she was replying on Killian to find him. And just like Rumple foreshadowed, Killian lied to her. Anybody but Rumple would fail her. He used her.

She felt dirty and she wanted to sob. She felt pathetic. She wanted to scream in the middle of nowhere. She wanted to be dead. But she couldn't. She had to be brave.

Be brave.

Be smart.

Be who he needs you to be.

"Ready to hit the road." Killian loudly announced his entrance into the kitchen.

"Um-" Belle fumbled her words unsure if she should make him aware that she heard his whole conversation with Ruby. "Yes I am." Belle swallowed hard remembering that her first and foremost priority was not her emotions but Rumple. It him who needed saving, not her.

"You won't believe the great news." Killian said with a smile.

Belle tried her best to act surprised, but she feared her acting skills weren't up to par as Killian looked at her suspiciously upon her response.

"Ruby wants to join us on our mission."

"Our?" Belle couldn't help but ask.

"Well you know what I mean." Killian stated.

"Do you think she would be a valuable asset?"

"You have no idea." Killian declared giving Belle no choice but to agree.

Killian and Belle waited as Ruby packed her knapsack to begin a journey with them. Granny handed Belle 5 of her favorite books and made Belle promise that when she returned that she would sit down and discuss which was her favorite with her. Belle hesitantly agreed and joked if she came back.

Granny prayed to the gods for them as they left.

Ruby borrowed a horse from their neighbor's farm and promised to return it as soon as she returned. Much like Belle with Granny, Ruby joked "if I come back".

Belle felt weary of her as they rode off into the daylight sun and reminded herself not to get too close to either Killian or her. Whoever they were, they were keeping a secret from her and Belle was ready to get to the bottom of it.