When Neal saw Emma in tow with a whole gang of people behind her, he looked shocked. Mainly because he knew his wife didn't have any friends and again because not many people sought kinship with the Dark Ones. Regardless he welcomed them with open arms. He hugged Ruby and Belle and shook Killian's hand as if they were some kind of old friends. Within seconds of meeting one another everybody fell together like they had known each other for centuries. Something about the way they came together felt familiar to Belle. Like she had seen this before in a dream. Neals face felt so familiar just as much as Killian's and Emma's and Ruby's but she knew she had never seen him before. Before her journey she hadn't met any of them.

With the correct herbs and potions Emma was able to heal Belle in a matter of seconds. Belle could finally take a deep breath without sharp pains shooting through her. They joked that she could return to be her chatty self again and overwhelm everyone with her stories about places she had read once in a book. Belle crossed her arms and shouted soft protests as everyone giggled but before long she couldn't help and giggle herself. Emma had made them all a vegetable roast with a few crops that Neal had brought her from his travels.

For the most part they ate in silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, in fact it felt quite natural. Everyone was probably needed a break from the constant travel and the toll that it took on their energy. Belle and Killian felt that toll more heavily than anyone.

Every now and then Ruby would ask Neal and Emma a question about being the Dark One but with every answer came her silence. Ruby was just curious how their magic worked. Although she was technically magical herself, she was never fond of the craft. It scared her more than anything, but with Neal and Emma she felt at peace. She felt like she was in a safe zone.

"Do you need help with the dishes?" Belle said to Emma as she helped her collect everyone's dish when they were done eating.

"Oh, Belle do you forget about the magic of …well magic." Emma said with a giggle as she wiggled her fingers and suddenly the dishes were spotless.

Emma grabbed the plates from Belle and placed them back in the cupboard where she originally got them from.

"You've just been so kind; I wish there was to repay you Emma."

"You know we don't get too many visitors throughout the year so honestly your company is enough. So, don't stress about doing anything to make it up to me. In fact, I beg of you to get some rest. You were locked in the Light One's illusion for nearly a week's time. And you barely rested on the way here." Belle knew Emma's words were true. She was exhausted and in fact she could barely hold herself upright. If it wasn't for Emma's magical herbs she would probably be passed out from exhaustion by now.

"Thank you." Belle reached out her hands and brought Emma's body into hers for a tight embrace. "Thank you for being a friend and for being there for me."

Emma held Belle's embrace knowing she should probably thank the brunette for the same exact thing. The blonde didn't have too many friends, or well actually any friends other than her husband. But do husbands even count as friends? Afterall they had to laugh at all your jokes and sarcastic remarks because well you're shagging them and they like the way you look naked. So by that logic, officially Belle was her first friend.

"Now get some rest." Emma said as the two of them pulled away.

"I will- I will. But…" Belle's eyes lingered around them making sure that no one was listening. "Do you have something for my stomach, something's not settling well and I'm a bit nauseous." She said nearly blushing.

"Don't tell me it's my cooking!" Emma shouted but then upon judging Belle's meek expression she regretted being so loud. Not that anyone paid her any attention, everyone was too busy outdoors probably watching Neal do something magical Ruby had requested. That man loved showing off when it was just the two of them, she couldn't imagine now that there were a whole flock of people in their cottage.

"No no no nothing like that, I've actually had this strange feeling in my stomach since we began the journey…. I've thrown up twice." Belle said the latter portion as a mere whisper.

"Oh." Emma reacted with a frown. "Do you mind laying down?" She gestured towards the same cottage day bed where Belle had awoken nearly a week a half ago when she had drunk poison.

"Go ahead." Belle said as she unlaced her long linen skirt and raised up her undershirt to expose her skin near her stomach. Belle felt odd doing what Emma instructed not because she was exposing herself but because of the concern on Emma's face. It was clear there was a wave of worry washing over her as she softly pressed her hands against Belle. The coldness of her hands made Belle jump slightly before Emma whispered a soft "sorry" her way.

"Is everything ok?" Belle asked after a few minutes of having Emma's hands on her stomach.

"No." Emma admitted as she let go of her and suddenly looked down at her feet as Belle's laced herself up and tucked her shirt in.

"What's with that face." Belle asked as the concern spread onto herself.

"I don't know how to tell you this because I don't have any friends, nor have I ever had friends but…you're pregnant Belle. I'm sorry I know it's not what you wanted especially with everything that's happened this week." Emma remembered how happy she had been the morning she awoke and realized she was pregnant; it had only been a few weeks before Belle arrived. But at the moment Belle's face looked nothing like hers from that morning.

Belle heard the words, but she was physically unable to process them. Pregnant? Her? How? There was no possible way she was pregnant. Her and Rumple didn't have sex often. It had been months since the last time they had intercourse. However, ever since Rumple decided Belle wasn't worthy of having kids…at least not in the moment. He said they should stop having intercourse all together. He even called it that…intercourse. It always made her cringe because Regina always referred to it as sex and fucking and Belle would always blush because the words felt so foreign and strange to her.

"Emma…can you tell me something and be honest with me." Belle reached for the blonde's hand as if tugging on her sympathy and not just her pale hand. "As honest as you can be."

The blonde nodded afraid to answer with words.

"Can someone magically impregnant someone…" Emma stared blankly not completely understanding Belle. "What I'm getting at is, do you think Rumple magically impregnated me without my knowing consent back at the castle. It's just…me being pregnant is physically impossible. Magic can be the only way."

"No Belle. Not to my knowledge there isn't."

"There has to be a way. He must have done something."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I always wanted to be a mother. I just never expected it to be like this." Belle looked down feeling angry and hurt.

Emma left Belle alone to wallow for a few minutes. Belle was thankful for that. While everyone was outside Belle gripped the blanket and let out a few audible curses. She wanted to yell. She wanted to scream. How could this happen to her? She had seen so many "fallen women" in her village alone taking care of their children. She always admired their strength despite the constant ridicule but how could she do it? She wasn't as brave as them. Hell, she had only had intercourse with Rumple nearly three times since they married. And before that she didn't dare think of sex with anyone else. She was always so pious and stuck to the rules. Well look where the rules got her. In the same place as the women from the village who did whatever they pleased with whomever the pleased. She envied them. Why couldn't she have been more like them? Her whole life she stuck to her books, her studies, and being the perfect pious daughter, and then when she married, she was the perfect pious wife.

Damn marriage. Damn Rumple. Damn it all.

Belle laid down on the bed for a few seconds and despite her protests she accidently fell asleep. She was far too exhausted to let her anger cloud her sleep. Her exhaustion took over all her emotions and simply shut her body and emotions down despite the inner protests. When she awoke again it was nearly dawn. She lifted her head off the day bed and saw Emma and Neal in the distance cuddled up together under the covers in their bed. Then she saw Ruby by the feet of the day bed she slept in using pillows and covers as comfort. She felt guilty for not leaving Ruby any space to sleep with her. Albeit Ruby did look cozy as she gently snored and fidgeted in her sleep.

Belle wondered where Killian was. She noticed his absence amongst the bodies she spotted. Knowing him he fell asleep under some shade by a tree somewhere far away where nobody could bother him. That seemed like a Killian thing to do.

As Belle stepped out of the cottage, she looked up at the sun making its entrance onto the sky. She always loved rising with the sun. Something about being alone with the sun and remnants of the night sky brought Belle a sense of peace. It made her purpose in the world feel realistic. She felt like someone because the sun was gracing her with its company.

"Why aren't you asleep?" A voice called out to her that she instantly recognized was Kilian's.

"Why aren't you?" Belle retorted sizing up Killian as he approached.

"I slept a bit but now I'm wide awake. It seemed foolish to waste my time sleeping when I could be watching the daybreak." Killian said kicking at the dirt around his feet. He had his hands in his leather jacket but even from their distance she could tell it was slightly wrinkled from sleeping in it.

"I fell asleep early last night, I guess exhaustion just overtook me." Belle admitted now that Killian had explained his reasoning for being awake.

There was an awkward pause where both of them just looked at each other innocently. Belle couldn't help but smile. Just a few days ago she would've considered him an enemy. She hated his guts. She felt she couldn't trust him. And she ditched him the second she could to go rescue her husband. And now here she is watching the daybreak with him while despising her husband for so many things but mainly for impregnating her without her knowing.

"I'm sorry my natural reaction is to be rude to you, I don't know why but I can't seem to help it." Belle looked apologetic. "After knowing everything you've been through well…I can understand why you are the way you are. And especially why you would lie to me."

"I'm sorry for lying to you, trust me it killed me, but I just knew you wouldn't understand at the time."

"You're right on that, I definitely wouldn't have understood. Before I entered the castle, I thought my husband could do no wrong. I thought he was the most self-righteous man in all of the Enchanted Forest. But it turns out I was wrong. Now all those pesky remarks people said around me when they thought I wasn't listening, and those sneers people gave me at the market make sense. It all makes so much fucking sense. They probably thought I was just like him." Killian looked shocked to hear the curse leave her mouth. She had never cursed around him. It seemed unnatural leaving her mouth but at the same time it matched her rage that he knew she was feeling.

"I knew you were better than him the moment I met you in that tavern. Sure, I thought you were a tad bit pretentious and a prude," He winked and generated a soft scoff from her, "but I knew you weren't in on what that bag of bones was doing behind your back. I knew you were too kind for that." Killian grinned thinking back to the night that he met her. She looked so different then, so full of life. Now she just looked sad and defeated.

"I'm glad I met you in that tavern. I can't help but feel like it was faith forcing our paths to cross." Without thinking Belle took a step closer to Killian. They were less than a foot away from one another and she could feel her heart beating in her chest.

"I'm glad I met you too." Killian said immediately picking up the feelings she was throwing out.

He closed the gap between them and as he stood an arm's length away, he reached out to her and grabbed her from her lower back. He pulled her close to her and suddenly she was swaying in his arms.

Were they dancing? Belle felt silly and like a schoolgirl all at once.

She looked up at him as he smiled at her underneath the sun rise. She couldn't help but feel shy. She had never been in another man's arms before.

"I'm nervous." Belle admitted blushing. She loathed herself for constantly saying what was on her mind, but she felt so natural with Killian. Everything she told him just felt organic and he genuinely listened to what she had to say.

"Don't be." He said with a wink as he pressed his lips to her forehead. It was probably the least intimate thing they could be doing in that moment, but she couldn't help it. The kiss sent chills down her back and a warmth to her core.

"There was a river less than a mile away, it was so beautiful, gentle yet noisy. It reminded me of you." Killian said causing Belle to shout a soft hey in protest but then instantly after responded with laughter. "Can I show it to you?" He asked already knowing she would say yes and began pulling her in that direction.

They walked about 15 minutes until they reached the river Killian was talking about. He set down a blanket he had picked up before they left down on the cold dirt so that they could sit and watch the river. It was as beautiful as Killian had said.

The river teemed with life. The birds were chirping as they were beginning to perform their daily motions. Belle always regarded rivers as living things. She thought they were just as peaceful as the bees and the woodland creatures that greeted her every morning. Killian looked over to Belle as she was enthralled by the flow of the water. He reached out for her hand and softly weaved his fingers into her own.

Belle looked into his eyes and saw nothing but happiness. It seemed the angry and bitter man from before had washed away before her, even if it was just for a brief period it made her happy that he put aside that person for her. She scooted herself slightly closer to him so that their knees were now touching, and her head rested slightly on his shoulder. She longed for more, but she was too nervous to take charge and ask him for more.

"I never would've expected us to be here, looking at a river like this." Belle said breaking the silence.

"I did."

"What? You cheeky bastard, you had this up your sleeve the whole time." Belle lifted her head and jokingly shoved Killian causing both of them to laugh.

"It is possible." He responded watching her laughter subside. "It sounds strange, but I feel this connection to you that I've never had with anyone. I can't explain it without destroying all of my dignity, but you make me feel something Belle."

She smiled and as he watched her, Belle couldn't help but feel that connection as well. She felt like a string was pulling them together. Was it the fates? Was it some type of magic? She had no idea but in that moment all she wanted was to kiss him.

Killian was so close she could feel his breath around her. She could smell the forest on him. And just as she wondered what he tasted like, he pulled her forward and kissed her gently pulling at her bottom lip with his own. Her lips felt hot and. Instantly she craved more kisses. Then as he slid his tongue inside of her mouth calling hers out to play, she decided he tasted like honeydew. His kisses were so warm and instantly she craved each one to last longer than the last. Her hands wrapped around his neck and intuitively she crawled into his lap as he opened up his legs slightly inviting her in.

"I cannot tell you how long I have wanted to do that." Killian said breaking up their kisses. His words brought a smile to her face and she couldn't help but light up with joy.

Belle responded by kissing him with deeper intensity. Then Killian broke up their kisses and began to plant soft kisses down her neck. This action excited Belle and with every kiss her breath hitched lower and lower and then finally as he sucked on a tender piece of flesh, she released a soft moan surprising herself.

The sound felt so foreign on her lips that she couldn't help but slightly jump back in surprise. It made Killian smile watching how innocent and naïve she was.

"May I?" He asked bringing her skirt up to her knee and stopping until she gave him permission.

She paused for a brief moment and then nodded unsure of how much new pleasure she could take at once. His hand traced her thigh as it lifted up her skirt high enough for him to view her undergarments. Belle blushed thinking only one man had seen them before. Killian drew a line on her inner thigh as if he was painting a masterpiece, the soft tickling sensation drove Belle wild. She widened her legs for him begging him to touch her. Killian pulled at the lacey strings holding up her undergarments and gently pulled it off leaving her exposed under the material of her skirt. Then without breaking eye contact his fingers traced up her thigh and into the opening between her legs. As he played with the swollen folds of skin his eyes ravished her silently looking into hers as her mouth began to slightly open exposing her pleasure.

"Killian." Belle called out reaching for his hand that lingered on the exterior of her womanhood.

"Do you want me to stop?" Killian asked letting his hand go limp underneath her touch.

"No. Not at all." Belle said boldly. She was panting with desire and more than anything she absolutely didn't want him to stop. "I want you to show me what this is supposed to feel like. Treat me like you would any other girl."

"Belle luv that's impossible. You are not just any other girl to me." Killian began to protest.

"I'm not as soft and delicate as you think."

Once the words left her mouth Killian couldn't deny that his want intensified. He was hard just watching her open her legs and completely expose herself to him. He couldn't deny that this image had gone through his head once or twice, but he wasn't like her. She was so polished and dainty and yet here she was in his hands begging him to take her as if she were just anyone to him.

As their lips were reunited so was his hand with her folds. Using his weight Killian gently laid Belle down on the blanket and pulled her forward so that he had more mobility to touch her. As his hand teased her entrance and parted her womanhood Belle left out a soft moan that drove him crazy. He parted her sex with his fingers and as he did this the whole time, he maintained constant eye contact. Slowly he inserted a finger into her. Her warmth instantly enveloped his finger as he maneuvered in and out of her.

Belle's soft pants and gentle moans let Killian know she was enjoying his touch.

"Bloody hell you sound heavenly," Killian said as he used his other hand to hold her chin to push their mouths together. As soon as their lips reunited, their tongues danced in each other's mouths. Curling his fingers upwards, he began massaging her inner walls, causing her to grind against his hand. As he felt her walls had expanded enough, he slipped another finger inside tortuously slow, allowing him to explore deeper.

"I want you, now." Belle pleaded pulling away from his face and took a deep breath opening her legs wider positioning herself underneath him.

"Are you sure?" Killian asked unable to remove his eyes from her engorged sex ready for him on full display.

"Yes! Killian I am sure can you stop asking already. Need I remind you that I am married and obviously not a virgin?"

Belle's words caused him to smile and laugh, he couldn't help but scold himself for ruining the moment. He stilled his fingers and kept moving his thumb, curious to see how much more wet she can get before he went inside of her. When she grabbed his wrist with a shaking hand, he understood that mean it was time for his fingers to pull out of her and for him to replace them. As he pulled his fingers out of her sex, he brought his fingers into his mouth and sucked them dry of her juices. When she finally looked at him her mouth was open and full of want and desire. There was something so seductive about her pleasure being in his mouth. It filled her with even more want and desire when he planted a kiss on her lips, and she could taste herself on him.

This type of intimacy was foreign ground to her.

He unbuttoned his trousers and slightly pulled them down enough to release his member. With one hand he lined himself up against her entrance and with the other he intertwined it into hers just to keep her close to him. Underneath him Belle was bursting with anticipation. She could feel the tip of his penis nudging at her sex and as she waited, she softly rocked herself forward desperate to have him inside of her. Then with one swift thrust he was inside of her.

They moaned together reveling in the pleasure that came with finally having him inside her

Killian was careful not to push too fast, he could feel how tight she was and the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. But Belle was ready she bucked up underneath him pushing him deeper into her.

"Please Killian." Her breath was husky and full of want and all he could do was obey her.

As he quickened his pace and gyrated his hips deeper and deeper into her, her moans grew louder and louder. They were no longer soft and gentle but now they were heavy and raspy.

"Yes, just like that." She groaned into his ear as he brought his arms firmly against hers to use as a support

She took a deep breath and her eyes stared straight into his as he delved in and out of her while keeping intense eye contact. It was a contest that neither of them wanted to lose. Belle truly couldn't look away from his brilliant blue eyes. In that moment Belle understood the meaning behind bedroom eyes without a doubt. After this all she would think about when she saw Killian's eyes was this moment. This moment would be seared into her memory forever.

Her vision was starting to feel blurry. Her legs felt numb. And Belle was beginning to fight an intense wave of pleasure.

"Let it happen." Killian said breathing into her ear.

Hearing his words, she moaned in utmost pleasure as she felt her legs shake against his body and her core tingled. As she regained her composure, she realized she had just had her first orgasm.

"Oh gods, that was…" Belle said trying to catch her breath. "Soooo good." Was all she could make out feeling drained.

As Killian began moving within her again, they both heard a rustling sound coming from a few feet away. Both of their reactions were to stop and stare at the sound.

Belle gasped as she realized what she was looking at. No, it's can't be?

"Sorry I realize this is probably the worst possible timing in the world." Regina awkwardly moved forward exposing herself as she was hiding behind a large bush. "I thought it would be the polite thing to let you finish."

"So, you watched like some kind of pervert."

"Well I for one was not finished."

Belle and Killian said simultaneously.

Both Killian and Belle cleaned themselves up and made themselves decent as Regina turned her back to them.

The dark-haired woman wore her usual equestrian pants and white long-sleeved blouse. Her blouse was stained by splotches of brown dirt. She carried a thick leather satchel and a canteen around her shoulders. She looked grungy and worn out from travel. Even her hair was in knots, which was very unlike her.

"Well you know this just might just be the last thing I expected to catch you two doing. Shit Belle, after your letter I thought Killian would've killed you not fucked you." Regina said raising her arms with her back still turned to them.

Belle and Killian eyed each other and couldn't help but snicker at Regina's words.

"You can turn around now Regina."

"Oh god just looking at you two is too weird, I can't get that image out of my head." Regina used her hands to shield her eyes as if they were the sun blinding her.

"There is a lot that's happened that you don't know." Belle said thinking about Rumple and then suddenly thinking about her pregnancy.

"Yeah same here. We have quite the story to tell you." Regina declared looking Belle up and down. "But first ugh- come here." She finished her words by bringing the brunette into a tight embrace. She squeezed the life out of Belle, but Belle couldn't even begin to pull away. She missed Regina just as much as she missed her. They hadn't been apart for this long in well ever.

"You know I could've never predicted the next time I saw you; you would be fucking my best friend in the middle of nowhere." Regina said towards Killian as a scold.

"Ok we get it, you saw us having sex now can we maybe not talk about it anymore." Belle pulled away from Regina feeling her cheeks getting warm from embarrassment.

"Wait did you say we?" Belle asked.

"Oh yeh, I almost forgot…." Regina looked to the side and shouted, "You can come out now."

From the distance Robin and a brown-haired boy probably aged around 14 emerged awkwardly. Belle was officially mortified. Robin waved from a distance as he neared them. The boy wore strange clothing that Belle wasn't familiar with. It wasn't like any fashion she had ever seen.

"What the devils Regina, you couldn't have said something sooner? Trust me I'd rather a kid not see me having sex than to finish."

"Hey well in my defense, it kind of sounded like your first one." Regina teased, "I'm JOKING, Robin and I heard your voice followed by some noises and we put two and two together and just assumed what you were up to. Soo, Robin stayed behind while I trailed forward to wait until the time seemed appropriate."

"I am never going to live this down, am I?"

"No." Regina laughed eying Robin as he now neared them.

"Mate you've done a lot of insane things but running off with a woman you'd only just met," Robin looked at Belle and politely murmured no offense in her direction. Belle nodded silently allowing him to continue with his word choice. "Is by far at the very least at the top of the list."

"Oh Robin, how I wish more than anything you two could've waited just a few more minutes." Killian said answering Robin's extended hand with their handshake.

"Hi, I'm Belle. What's your name?" Belle smiled at the young boy who looked at her with a bewildered expression.

"I know and you're Killian Jones." The boy couldn't take his eyes off of them. It was as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Oh, have we met before?" Belle asked knowing that she did not recognize him.

"My name's Henry, you're my grandmother."

Belle nearly choked swallowing her own saliva as the words left henry's mouth. She was in shock. There was no way he just said what he said.