The Enchanted Forest, Years ago…
In a fortified castle overlooking the red skies of a distant battle, Sir Maurice, the ruler of the lands, was looking over a map of the nearby regions. With him were several of his men, as well as his daughter Belle, and her fiancé, Gaston.
"Sir, there's news from the battlefield," a steward reported, his face grim as he read the parchment in his hand. "Avonlea has fallen."
"Oh my gods..." Maurice let out, a hand going to his mouth.
"If only he had come," Gaston lamented.
"Well, he didn't." Maurice replied, walking across the room before flopping into his throne in defeat. "Ogres are not men."
"We have to do something," Gaston insisted, approaching the man as Belle did the same. "We have to stop them."
"They are… unstoppable," Maurice reminded him, defeat lacing his words.
"He could be on his way right now, Papa," Belle insisted, taking her father's hand and squeezing it gently.
"For this castle's sake, you should hope not," a new voice declared.
Everyone turned, the knights and Gaston all drawing their swords, as Nicolette entered the room. She lowered the hook of her cloak, looking around the room before her eyes fell on Sir Maurice.
"What are you doing here?" the man demanded.
"Attempting to stop you from making a deal that you will regret for the rest of your life. I know you believe your situation to be dire, but-"
"I do not 'believe' our situation is dire, I know it is," Maurice cut off. "These Ogres will destroy everything if this war is allowed to continue."
"So you're throwing in your lot with the likes of him? Think about the cost, not just to your home, but to your family. Think of your daughter!"
Belle flinched slightly, but Maurice just squeezed her hand.
"I am thinking of her, and that is why I need him."
Just then, there was a loud banging on the door.
"It's him," Belle recognized.
Sir Maurice rose to his feet in utter disbelief, everyone approaching the door.
"How did he get past the walls?" he stammered.
"The same way I did, no doubt," Nicholette answered before growing gravely serious. "Turn him away, while you still have the chance."
"... open the doors," Maurice ordered.
The guards obliged, undoing the massive wooden deadbolt before pulling the doors open. However, there was no one there, no source of the banging, just an empty hallway. Everyone looked confused as Nicolette braced herself.
"Well, that was a bit of a letdown."
Everyone quickly turned around to see Rumpelstiltskin sitting upon Maurice's throne, kicked back as if he owned the castle. Nicholette growled at the sight of the Dark One.
"Always one for the theatrics, Rumple."
"You know me, always one for an entrance," he then turned to Maurice. "You sent me a message. Something about 'help! Help! We're dying. Can you save us?'."
Gaston quickly approached, pointing his sword at Rumple.
"Well the answer is," Rumple continued, smacking the blade away. "Yes, I can." He then got up and walked towards the group. "Yes, I can protect your poor provincial town… for a price."
"We sent you a promise of gold," Maurice told him.
"You think gold will satisfy the Dark One?" Nicholette scoffed. "Crazy old man. He can make gold out of straw whenever he wishes. He has no need for your paltry coffers."
"It is true," Rumple confirmed. "What I want is something a bit more special. My price…" he points to Belle. "Is her."
Almost immediately, Gaston put his arm up to protect Belle, keeping himself between her. From there, all the other soldiers stepped forward to defend their lady, and Maurice's face went grim.
"No," Maurice shot down.
"The young lady is engaged to me," Gaston added, his arm curling almost possessively around Belle as he said that.
"I wasn't asking if she was engaged," Rumple replied. "I'm not looking for love! I'm looking for a caretaker… for my rather large estate. It's her, or no deal."
"Do not accept that deal," Nicholette warned. "I have seen what he has done with previous caretakers. The lucky ones are those who were killed quickly."
"If it's any consolation, they never suffered…" Rumpelstiltskin's tone was broken by a small laugh. "Usually."
"Get out," Maurice ordered, glaring at the Dark One as he pointed at the door. "Now!"
Rumple gave a shrug, making for the door as Gaston all but shoved Belle behind him.
"As you wish," Rumple replied. "Good luck on your war."
Just as Nicholette was breathing a sigh of relief, Belle pulled herself out of Gaston's grip, stepping forward.
"Wait!" she called out, making the Dark One stop. "I will go with him."
"What?!" Nicholette let out.
"I forbid it, Belle!" Gaston declared.
Belle turned to her fiance, a defiant, angry look in her eye.
"No one decided my fate but me! I shall go."
Nicholette intercepted her, fear evident in her golden gaze.
"Belle, listen to me. If you accept this deal, you will be his forever. You will never be able to return home, and I can all but guarantee your life will be one of strife and hardship."
"... but my family, my friends…" Belle turned to Rumple. "They will all live?"
"You have my word," he confirmed.
Belle nodded, then stepped around Nicholette so she was standing in front of the Dark One.
"Then you have mine. I will go with you, forever."
"Deal!" Rumple declared, giggling victoriously.
"No!" Maurice screamed. "Alchemist, do something!"
"I cannot," Nicholette lamented, turning away. "She has made her choice, and the deal has been struck. Not even I have the power to break a deal with the Dark One."
"But she can't go with this… Beast!"
Rumple did a dramatic, faux offended gasp, complete with a hand to his chest.
"It's out of our hands," Nicholette informed the lord. "Your daughter now belongs to Rumpelstiltskin."
"She's right," Rumple confirmed. "The deal is struck."
He took hold of Belle and ushered her away.
"Oh, congratulations on your little war!"
The two took their leave, with Nicholette following behind as the doors to the castle slammed shut behind them.
In Storybrooke, a man bearing an uncanny resemblance to Maurice was unloading several buckets of roses from a florists truck. He took a moment to breathe after dropping one of the buckets, popping his back before stretching. As he did, Mr. Gold approached, looking at the man with an expression of hatred. Behind him was a very tall man, one that looked almost comically like a stereotypical villain's goon.
"Well, this is just perfect," Gold addressed. "I've been looking for you, Mr. French."
"I'll have your money next week," Mr. French reassured, sounding tense and nervous.
"The terms of the loan were fairly specific," Gold informed him before turning to his henchman. "Take the van."
The henchman proceeded to do so, much to Mr. French's horror.
"Wait! No! Tomorrow's Valentine's Day! It's the biggest day of- I've got a grand in roses in the back!"
Mr. Gold's henchman started the van and Mr. French got in front of it to keep him from driving off.
"Stop! You've gotta let me sell them!" He started looking around for help, his eyes locking on Eve, who just happened to be walking by. "Miss Flemming! Miss Flemming! You're a deputy, right?! Stop them! Please!"
Eve stopped, giving Mr. French a look that was full of disdain. She then glanced over at Gold, the two sharing a knowing look before she shrugged.
"Next time, read the fine print before accepting a deal, Moe."
With a small smirk, Gold walked off to join Eve as the henchmen was finally able to drive off with the van.
"Oh, this is no way to do business, Gold! You are the lowest! People aren't gonna put up with this! And Eve! You'll regret looking the other way! You'll regret siding with the likes of him!"
Both of them ignored him, making their way down the sidewalk, where Regina was waiting for them. Eve's gaze hardened even more, but Gold remained unreadable.
"Mr. Gold," she greeted. "That was quite a show back there. And Miss Flemming, that was particularly cold."
"He's the one who failed to read the fine print of his deal," Eve said with a shrug.
"It happens to the best of us," Gold agreed. "We all have bad days."
"I've been meaning to talk to you about something-"
"Yeah, and the moment you have something I want to discuss, we'll have that chat."
"No, we're doing this now," Regina insisted. "It'll only take a minute."
"I believe he said no," Eve chimed in, getting a glare from Regina.
"This does not concern you, Eve," Regina snarled, clearly putting emphasis on Eve's name. "I was talking to Gold."
Gold sighed, adjusting the sunglasses he was wearing.
"Is there something eating you, dear? Something you need to get out in the open? 'Cause it's gonna have to wait," Regina opened her mouth to argue, but Gold cut her off, "please."
He then walked away with Eve, leaving behind a confused-looking Regina. Eve gave her a parting glance before turning to Gold.
"How does that work?"
"Moe French isn't the only one who made a deal they regret."
…
At Granny's Diner, Mary Margaret and David were sitting at opposite tables, both of them reading a copy of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
"Oh, you have the book!" Mary Margaret noted, keeping her voice down.
"Yeah, yeah," David confirmed, holding the book up slightly. "I just started it, and I can't wait to see how it ends."
Ruby, who was refilling Mary Margaret's coffee mug, glanced at the pair with a knowing look.
"Uh, I can push the tables together if you guys-"
"Oh no, we're not together," Mary Margaret quickly cut off.
"No, no," David insisted, his voice overlapping with Mary Margaret's.
Ruby gave an exaggerated nod before turning and walking away. A bit after that, Emma arrived, sitting across the table from her roommate, letting out a sigh. She turned to David, giving him a small nod.
"Hey, David."
"Hey," David greeted.
"Mary Margaret," Emma began, leaning on the table. "So, how's your day going?"
Mary Margaret's face softened and she reached across the table, gently running her fingers across Emma's hand.
"Henry's fine," she reassured.
"That's not what I asked," Emma insisted, only for Mary Margaret to give her a knowing look. "You sure?"
"Really. He's his normal self. Regina won't keep you separated forever. When people are supposed to be together," she casually looks at David, "they find a way."
Ruby brought Emma a cup of cocoa, and the Sheriff took a hearty gulp before talking again.
"So, he's his normal self? He's fine... he's happy?"
"Yes," Mary Margaret replied, only for Emma to make a face that immediately made her backtrack. "No! He misses you! A lot! Trust me, I'm with him, like, six hours a day!"
By this point, Ashley had walked into the diner, holding Alexandra in a baby carrier strapped to her chest. She heard their conversation, and couldn't help but chime in.
"Six hours?" she asked as she passed her daughter to Granny. "You take newborns? Cause I'd love six hours."
"Ashley!" Mary Margaret let out. "I didn't even recognize you!"
"Baby on the outside?" Ashley surmised, pulling up a chair and sitting down.
"How's it going?" Emma asked.
"Well..." Ashley let out, sounding utterly exasperated. "I mean, the baby's great. But… we really haven't had time to do the whole getting married thing so… that's been rough. Plus, Sean's been working double shifts at the cannery."
"Well, he has to work," Mary Margaret mused.
"Even on Valentine's Day? I mean, it's just… yeah..."
"I'm sorry," Emma consoled. "That sucks."
"It doesn't have to," Ruby offered as she brought Ashley a cup of coffee. "Come out with me. Let's have a girls night. Mary Margaret and Emma too, if you promise to leave the badge at home. You could even bring Eve if you want."
"I'm not really in the party mood, and I'm almost positive Eve has this thing about drinking," Emma replied as she got to her feet. "But. you guys can all go and have fun."
Just then, her phone started going off. She pulled it out, her face falling at the sight.
"Emma?" Mary Margaret spoke up, looking concerned. "What's wrong?"
"It's the station," Emma answered as she made for the door. "Something's wrong."
…
At Mr. Gold's house, a rather nice home in one of the more well off neighborhoods, the man walked up the stairs to his front porch. As he reached for the door, he noticed that it was slightly ajar, which made him pause for a moment. He then pushed it open, heading inside before grabbing a pistol from the side table. Cocking it, he held it aloft as he began carefully searching the bottom floor. As he looked around, he heard a floorboard creak behind him, prompting him to spin around just as Emma leveled her gun.
"Sheriff Swan," he noted.
"Your neighbors saw your front door open and called it in," she told him.
"It appears I've been robbed.
"That seems to happen to you alot, doesn't it?"
"Yes, well..." Gold lowered his gun, and Emma did the same, "I'm a difficult man to love."
The Enchanted Forest, Many years ago…
Inside Rumpelstiltskin's castle, the Dark One led Nicholette and his new caretaker through the winding corridors of the massive estate. It was a dark, dreary place, filled with dust and various treasures, with curtains so thick, no light could shine through. Nicholette grimaced at the dreary atmosphere, while Belle just looked around, visibly, yet understandably nervous.
"Where- where are you taking me?" Belle asked.
"Let's call it… your room," Rumple answered.
…
He led her into the lower levels of the castle, opening a door to a small, cramped cell with nothing but a small cot. Belle looked at the cell in confusion.
"My room?" she asked.
"Well it sounds a lot nicer than dungeon," Rumple giggled.
Without preamble, he then shoved her inside, closing the door and locking it before letting another maniacal chuckle. Nicholette snarled at him, shaking her head.
"Couldn't you at least try to be civil with the poor girl?"
"I could, of course… but I won't."
"She just lost her kingdom, her home, and her freedom, all in one day. Not to mention, she's a Lord's daughter. She's not exactly going to be used to doing daily chores, especially the load I know you're going to be dropping on her. At least try and give her some idea of what she will be doing while trapped here."
"She'll learn. For her sake, it better be fast."
With that, he walked off and Nicholette sighed, rubbing her face.
"You really are nothing more than a heartless beast!"
…
The next day, Belle was released from her cell so she could serve tea to Rumpelstiltskin. Nicholette was there as well, no doubt to try and keep an eye on the poor girl. Belle was still in the golden ballgown she had been wearing when she was taken, but her hair was somewhat disheveled, and it was clear she hadn't slept well.
"You will serve my meals, and you will clean the Dark Castle," Rumple instructed.
"I-I understand," Belle replied, bringing the tea tray to the table.
"You will dust my collection, and launder my clothing."
"Yes."
"You will fetch me fresh straw when I am spinning at the wheel."
"Got it."
"Oh, and you will skin the children I hunt for their pelts."
In complete shock, Belle dropped the tea cup she was holding onto the floor, spilling the contents on the rug, as well as her dress. Nicholette jumped to her feet, glaring at the Dark One.
"Rumpelstiltskin!" the alchemist exclaimed. "Do you have to scare the poor girl like that?!"
"It was just a quip," Rumple insisted, brushing her off. "Not serious."
"Honestly, you are beyond cruel. You haven't even given her proper clothing."
Nicholette then turned to Belle, twirling her hand and summoning a cloud of golden magic to surround Belle. The girl vanished into the golden mist, reappearing in a light blue frock with white sleeves and skirt. Her shoes were much more sensible, and her hair was pulled back in a blue ribbon to keep it out of her hair.
"Better?"
"Y-yes… thank you," Belle spoke up as she picked up the fallen cup. "Oh… my. I'm so sorry, but… it's… it's chipped." She held it up, showing a small divot in the side of the brim. "You… you can hardly see it."
"Oh, it's just a cup," Rumple insisted, waving away her concerns.
With a small sigh of relief, Belle got back to the tea.
At the Sheriff's station, Eve walked into the main office to see Gold and Emma filing a report. Confused, she approached.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Gold got robbed," Emma answered.
"Again?"
"Apparently," Gold replied. "Though I believe I know who's behind it, as well as what was taken. I'm merely here as a formality. I can handle this."
"No, you can't," Emma cut him off. "This was a robbery, public menace, and if you don't tell me what you know, I will have to arrest you for obstruction of justice. I have a feeling you don't wanna be behind bars."
Eve snorted, covering her mouth with her hand in a poor attempt to maintain composure.
"Indeed not," Gold replied with a slight edge directed at Eve. "Alright, his name is Moe French. He sells flowers, and he recently defaulted on a loan. A short time ago, we had a little disagreement over collateral. Miss Flemming can attest to that."
"Moe did seem rather incensed about losing his flower van," Eve admitted, crossing her arms, "but it's his own fault. He brought it on himself."
Emma looked over at her in surprise.
"That's a bit callous," she noted before getting back on track. "Come on, let's check the guy out."
"Good luck," Gold told them both, heading for the door. "And Miss Flemming, if you find… something noteworthy when you find him, please see to its safe return."
Eve paused, then her eyes widened as she turned to Gold. However, the man remained silent as he took his leave of the station.
The Enchanted Forest, Many Years Ago…
Some time had passed since Belle first came to the castle. She had grown used to the workload Rumpelstiltskin had given her, and had adjusted to her position as his servant. At the moment, she was on a ladder, attempting to open the curtains. Nicholette was sitting off to the side with some tea, and Rumple was sitting at his spinning wheel, hard at work. Belle glanced over at him, pausing her work so she could address him.
"Why do you spin so much?" she wondered, causing him to stop spinning and look up. "Sorry, it's just… you've spun straw into more gold than you could ever spend."
"I like to watch the wheel," he answered. "Helps me forget."
"Forget what?"
Rumple paused, unsure how to answer.
"I guess it worked," he finally said, causing him to chuckle a bit.
Belle laughed a little as well, causing Nicolette to look up in surprise. She passed it off after a moment, returning to her tea. Rumple then glanced up, noticing Belle trying to open the curtains.
"What are you doing?" he wondered.
"Opening these!" she answered, giving the curtains a hearty tug. "It's almost spring, we should let some light in."
She continued tugging as Rumple got up and walked over.
"What did you do? Nail them down?!" she asked.
"That's exactly what he did," Nicholette quipped, raising her tea glass. "I highly doubt you're going to make any headway opening-"
Another tug from Belle caused the curtains to give way, and for Belle to lose her grip on the ladder. She fell and Nicholette practically jumped out of her seat, spilling her tea in the process. However, before she could so much as wave her hand, Rumple had caught Belle, and was holding her bridal style in his arms. Nicolette just paused, taking in the sight as the two looked at each other in surprise.
"Um… thank you," Belle told Rumple as the man awkwardly lowered her back onto the ground. "Thank you…"
"It's no matter," Rumple replied dismissively.
"I'll, uh… put the curtains back up."
"Uh, there's no need," Rumple reassured, surprising both of them. "I'll get used to it."
He stumbled back towards his wheel, then noticed Nicholette staring at him, a curious, yet somewhat knowing look on her face.
"What?" the Dark one pressed.
"Nothing, it's just... I do believe there's something there that wasn't there before."
"... I have no idea what you're talking about."
"If you say so," Nicolette replied, smirking knowingly as she returned to her seat.
Some time later, Emma and Eve met back up with Mr. Gold, several stolen items strewn about one of the desks. There were various pieces of china, a few antiques, and other various tchotchkes.
"You're welcome," Emma remarked. "You were right, your man Moe ripped you off. It was all still at his place."
"And the man himself?" Gold questioned.
"Still in the wind," Eve lamented.
"So job well half-done, then."
"In less than a day, we got almost everything back," Emma reminded.
"You've recovered nothing. Somethings missing."
Eve winced.
"Look, we'll find it, Gold," she promised, sounding slightly insistent, and more than a little frantic. "Moe probably has it, and when we find him, we'll get it back."
"Not if I find him first," Gold swore before leaving the station.
The Enchanted Forest, Many Years Ago…
It was a peaceful day in Rumpelstiltskin's castle, several months after Belle had been brought in. Nicholette was over, as she often was, and was enjoying some tea. She reached for the chipped cup, but Rumple batted her hand away, taking it for himself. She shook out her hand, chuckling lightly before taking another cup. As they drank, Belle came walking over, sitting down on the table next to where Rumple was standing. Seeing the look in her eye, Nicholette wandered off with her tea, leaving the two alone. Rumple didn't seem to notice, his gaze falling on his housemaid.
"Why did you want me here?" Belle wondered.
"The place was filthy," Rumple replied with a nonchalant shrug.
"I think you were lonely."
"I'm not lonely. I have Nicholette."
"Maybe, but she comes and goes, leaving you alone in this big, empty castle. Any man would feel lonely without anyone to come home to."
"I'm not a man," he replied, sitting down on the table next to her.
Belle gave a small nod, clearly not believing him, but electing to change the subject.
"So… I've had a couple of months to look around. And uh, upstairs, there's, uh, clothing. Small. As if for a- a child? Was it yours or… was there a son?"
Rumple paused, lowering his cup as a wave of sadness washed over him. From her spot in the distant window, Nicholette also paused, her grip on her cup tightening as her eyes closed in regret.
"There was…" Rumple hesitated, then let out a small sigh. "There was a son. I lost him, as I did his mother."
"I'm... I'm sorry," Belle told him, almost reaching out to embrace him before thinking twice and lowering her hands. "So you... you were a man, once. An ordinary man." Rumple turned away from her, and this time she reached out, gently taking his hand in hers. "If I'm never going to know another person in my whole life, can't I at least know you?"
"Perhaps…" Rumple replied, getting up off the table as his Dark One persona came back in full force. "Perhaps you just want to learn the monster's weaknesses!"
Belle rolled her eyes as Rumple wagged his finger, making various noises as if to dissuade her.
"You're not a monster. You think you're uglier than you are, that's why you cover all the mirrors up, isn't it? Hmm?"
Just then, there was a banging on the door. Nicholette looked over, raising an eyebrow.
"Were you expecting guests, Rumple?" she asked.
"No, I was not," he answered, setting his cup down before turning to Belle. "Wait here a moment, dearie. I'll just be a moment."
Rumple then walked out into the great hall, where the massive front doors stood. With a flick of his wrist, he flung the doors open, seeing Gaston standing before him with his sword outstretched.
"I am Sir Gaston, and you, beast, have taken-"
Rumple just snapped his fingers, transforming Gaston into a red rose. He scooped it up and returned to the dining room, hiding it behind his back.
"Who was that?" Nicholette asked.
"Just an old woman selling flowers," he lied before extending the rose out for Belle. "Sorry, but I could only get the one."
"Why, thank you," Belle replied, taking the flower before curtsying to him.
Rumple bowed in kind as she went to trim the rose and find a vase for it. As she did, Rumple watched her, his mind drifting to what he just did. He recalled how valiantly Gaston had defended her back when he first took her, and how he had immediately proclaimed her to be engaged to him. It made something in his long dark heart fester, so he decided to speak up.
"You had a life, Belle. Before... this. Friends... family. What made you choose to come here with me?"
"Heroism," Belle answered, slicing off a good chunk of the rose's stem. "Sacrifice. You know, there aren't a lot of opportunities in this land for women to show what they can do."
"Sadly," Nicholette lamented, falling silent when Rumple shot her a glare that clearly told her to shut up.
"All I've ever wanted was to see the world, to be the hero of my own story," Belle went on, oblivious to the silent conversation around her. "So, when you arrived, that was my chance. That if I agreed to your deal, if I allowed myself the courage to follow you, I could finally do just that."
"And is it everything you hoped?" Rumple asked as he sat back down.
"Well, sadly seeing the world is no longer on the table," Belle mused as she dropped the rose into a slender vase. "But, uh, I did save my home."
"And what about your, uh… betrothed?"
"It was an arranged marriage," she explained, sitting back down on the table, right in front of Rumple. "Honestly, I never cared that much for Gaston. To me love is… love is layered. Love is a mystery to be uncovered. I could never give my heart to someone as superficial as he."
Nicholette smiled at that, especially when she saw how Belle was looking at Rumple with adoration in her eyes. It didn't seem to go unnoticed by Rumple, who was showing a little bit of color in his crocodile-like skin. After a moment, Belle coughed lightly, breaking eye contact to adjust her skirt.
"But, um, you were going to tell me about your son."
"I'll tell you what… I'll make you a deal. Go to town, and fetch me some straw. When you return, I'll share my tale."
Belle did a double take at that, blinking slightly as she shook her head.
"Wait… town? You- you trust me to come back?"
"Oh no," Rumple replied, shaking his head with a sad, almost resigned smile. "I expect I'll never see you again."
At the Rabbit Hole, Storybrooke's sole nightclub, Ashley, Mary Margaret, and Ruby were out enjoying their girl's night. Mary Margaret was nursing a martini while the other two were downing shots like no tomorrow.
"Pace yourself, Ashley," Mary Margaret cautioned.
"I am!" Ashley responded. "This is my first night out since I've had the baby. I am making up for lost time!"
With that, she downed another shot. Ruby did the same, then she looked across the bar to see some guys chatting it up around the counter. With a lustful expression, she elbowed Ashley playfully.
"Ooh," Ruby noted. "Ash, check out those guys."
"Oh, honey," Ashley replied. "I'm still with Sean.
"You're not married, and he's not here."
"He's working."
"He's always working," Ruby reminded her, snagging up another shot. "Have fun moping!"
With that, she walked over to join the guys, leaving Ashley and Mary Margaret alone at their table. Mary Margaret didn't seem too put off by Ruby leaving, but Ashley looked quite upset.
"She's right," Ashley lamented. "He is always working. I thought love would be different."
"Me too," Mary Margaret admitted, taking a sip of her drink.
…
Across town, at the Dark Star Pharmacy, David was standing in the checkout line, two Valentines Day cards in his hand. Directly in front of him was Mr. Gold, who had a small basket with various suspicious items, mostly rope and a roll of duct tape.
"Two Valentines," he noted. "Sounds like a complicated life."
"Oh, no," David insisted. "I… I just couldn't decide."
"So, these are both for the same woman then?"
"Well, they're both so… us," David lied unconvincingly.
"I see. Well, you're fortunate you have someone that loves you."
"I really am."
"Love… it's a delicate flame. And once it's gone, it's gone forever." Mr. Clark finished bagging Gold's items, allowing him to grab his things. "Best of luck to you."
…
Outside, Gold walked towards Moe's van when he saw Eve leaning against the side of the truck.
"Rope and duct tape," she noted, glancing at the bag. "Could you make your intentions anymore transparent?"
"Are we going to have a problem?"
"I understand you're upset, but you cannot cross this line. I cannot, and will not, let you."
"You don't have the power to stop me, Miss Flemming," he sneered her name like it disgusted him.
"Did you forget that Emma deputized me? I can arrest you for suspicious activity, especially after the blatant threat you dropped back at the station."
Gold sighed, turning away for a moment before adjusting his grip on his cane. Then, he gave it a swing, the brass handle connecting hard with Eve's head, right on the split in her eyebrow still healing from her crash. She dropped to the ground, groaning in pain as Gold struck her again, knocking her out. He then readjusted his grip, opening the van before dragging her inside.
"I really wish you had stayed out of this, Eve," he lamented as he shut the door.
…
Eve groaned as her head began to clear, even if it was pounding like crazy. She was moving, that much she could tell, and the smell of flowers was all around her. She tried to sit up, but found that her hands were trapped behind her, and her legs were bound together. She opened her eyes, seeing thick duct tape wrapped around her legs, and could feel a similar stickiness around her wrists. When she tried to speak, her voice was muffled by a strip over her mouth, but her attempt seemed to rouse her fellow prisoner: Moe.
The man was tied up like she was, though he seemed to have been given a much rougher treatment. His nose was bleeding, staining the tape on his face, and his hands were tied in front of him with rope. He was looking at her, terror in his eyes as he looked up at the front of the van. Eve followed his gaze, not at all surprised to see Gold at the wheel. She yelled out through her gag, cursing him out, but he ignored her, pulling into a dirt driveway just outside the abandoned cabin in the woods, the very one David and Mary Margaret had taken shelter in during the storm. Once the van came to a stop, Gold climbed out and made his way to the back. He then opened the doors and aimed a gun at Moe.
"Walk!" he ordered.
Moe slowly made his way out of the back. Eve screamed at him again, struggling to get up, but he just slammed the door in her face. Once they were gone, Eve looked around the van for anything that might be useful. Her efforts were rewarded when she saw a box cutter that had fallen during transit. She scooted herself over to it, grabbing the cutter and using it to try and cut through her binds.
…
Gold and Moe enter the cabin, the former looking around nervously as Mr. Gold cocked his gun, pointing it at him.
"Now, you see, here's the thing…" he growled threateningly, "I don't normally let people get away."
He closed the door, shutting it with a loud bang.
The Enchanted Forest, Many Years Ago…
Belle was walking down the dirt road towards the nearest town, a few things packed into her basket. While she had been told to go to town, she knew what he had really been doing. Thus, she headed out, with every intention of finding her way home. As she walked, she could hear a carriage approaching, so she moved out of the way, standing along the side of the road. She watched it pass, quickly recognizing it as the Evil Queen's carriage, which was only made more apparent when it came to a stop next to her.
"Did my carriage splash you?" she asked, opening the door.
"Oh. Oh, no, I'm- I'm fine," Belle assured her, making sure to bow properly as she said this.
The Evil Queen looked Belle up and down, then stepped out of the carriage, grabbing a black parisol as she did.
"You know, I'm tired of riding. Let me stretch my legs and walk with you for a spell."
Not taking no for an answer, she joined Belle on the road, walking beside her as they continued down the road. As they walked, she took note of Belle's meager possessions in her basket.
"You carry very little," she noted.
"I don't want to be slowed down," Belle answered simply.
"You're running from someone," she noted, laughing a little. "Question is, master or lover?" Belle remained silent for a moment. "Oh. master and lover."
"Uh, I might take a rest," Belle hastily replied. "You- you go on ahead."
The Evil Queen wrapped her arm around Belle, essentially trapping her.
"So, if I'm right, you love your employer, but you're leaving him."
Realizing she wasn't going to get out of this conversation, Belle resumed the conversation.
"I might love him. I mean, I could, except... something evil has taken root in him."
"Sounds like a curse to me, and all curses can be broken. A kiss born of true love would do it." Belle stopped walking, prompting the Queen to laugh before they continued on. "Oh, child, no. I would never suggest a young woman kiss a man who held her captive. What kind of message is that?"
Belle laughed awkwardly, fiddling with her basket.
"Right…"
"Besides, if he loves you, he would've let you go. And if he doesn't love you, well then, the kiss won't even."
"But he did let me go."
"Yes, but no kiss happened."
"And a kiss—a kiss is enough? He'd be a man again?"
The Evil Queen met Belle's gaze, a strange, almost hungry look in her eye.
"An ordinary man. True love's kiss will break any curse."
…
Back at Rumple's castle, Nicholette was standing by Rumple, who was looking out the window of the library. He had the chipped cup in his hand, twirling it absently as he watched the road.
"I must admit," Nicholette spoke up, "you surprised me, Rumple."
"How ever do you mean?"
"Ever since Belle came here, you've been… different. Open, considerate… happy. I haven't seen you like this since… well, since the beginning."
"Really… I hadn't noticed."
"Deny it all you want, 'Dark One', but I can see it. That's why you let her go, isn't it?"
"It doesn't matter now," Rumple told her, his tone resigned. "She's not coming back."
Nicholette went to say something, then paused, glancing out the window.
"Are you sure?" she asked, grinning widely. "Because she's coming up the road."
Rumple instantly shot up, looking out the window to see Belle approaching.
"I'll… leave you two alone," she promised before disappearing into a cloud of golden mist.
Rumple didn't even wait for the spell to be finished, rushing through the cloud to get back down to the main room. He quickly arranged himself in front of the spinning wheel, making it look like he had been busy spinning instead of wallowing. Belle came in, her basket full of straw as she approached him.
"Oh, you're back already," he noted, pretending not to care. "Good. Good thing. I'm, uh… I'm nearly out of straw."
"Oh come now," she lightly chastised, setting down her basket. "You're happy that I'm back."
"I'm not unhappy," he confessed.
Belle giggled, glancing around.
"Where's uh- where's Nicholette?"
"She stepped out. Something about…" He waved his hand, trying to come up with an excuse. "Something or other."
"Well then, it's just you and me," Belle remarked, placing her hands on Rumple's shoulders. "And you promised me a story."
"Did I?"
"Mm-hmm." Belle gently plucked the golden thread he was spinning from Rumple's hand, setting it aside. She then sat down on the spinning wheel, resting her hands on her lap as she faced him. "Tell me about your son."
"Uh… I lost him. There's nothing more to tell."
"And since then, you've loved no one, and no one has ever loved you."
Rather then answer, Rumple leaned towards Belle, lowering his voice.
"Why did you come back?"
"I wasn't going to…" Belle admitted as she too leaned in, "but then… something changed my mind."
The two stared silently at each other for a moment, before finally leaning in to kiss one another. As they broke away for a moment, Rumple felt lightheaded. Though he couldn't see it, parts of his skin were beginning to change, taking on a more human appearance.
"What.. what's happening?" he let out, his voice sounding completely human.
"Kiss me again," Belle insisted. "It's working."
"What is?"
She cupped his face, unable to keep the joy and excitement from her voice.
"Any curse can be broken."
As she said that, Rumpelstiltskin abruptly stood up, rage painting his face as his skin snapped back to its Dark One green in an instant.
"Who told you that?!" he demanded. "Who knows that?!"
"I-I-I don't know. She, uh… she-"
"She? Nicholette… Why would-" Rumple stopped himself, suddenly turning towards a mirror. "No, no she wouldn't. She'd never use that… but you! You… evil soul!" He tore the cover off the mirror. "This was you! You turned her against me! You think you can make me weak? You think you can defeat me?!"
By now, Belle was genuinely scared, cowering slightly as she cautiously approached Rumple.
"Who are you talking to?"
"The Queen!" Rumple declared, turning towards her. "Your friend, the Queen! How did she get you?!"
"The-the Queen? I don't-"
"I knew this was a trick," he snarled as he stalked closer to her, pointing at her accusingly. "I knew you could never care for me. Oh, yes. You're working for her. Or is this all you? Is this you being the hero and killing the beast?"
"It was working-"
"Shut up!"
"This means it's true love!"
"Shut the hell up!"
"Why won't you believe me?!"
With that, Rumpelstiltskin grabbed her, furiously shaking her as he practically spat in her face.
"Because no one- No one could ever, ever love me!"
Without preamble, he dragged her down the stairs towards the dungeon, using magic to open the door. He then threw her in, leaving her a sobbing, confused wreck on the floor as he slammed door shut and left her there.
Gold ripped the tape off of Moe's mouth, shoving him into an old wooden chair by the wall.
"Let me explain, okay?" Moe pleaded as Gold put his hun on the table. "Let me explain."
Gold then grabbed a chair for himself, setting it up backwards right in front of Moe so he could sit down, resting his arm on the back of the chair as he did.
"Well, that is fascinating. Truly fascinating." Gold lifted his cane, pressing the end of it into Moe's throat. The man choked, trying to push the cane off, but there was nothing he could do. "I'm gonna let you breathe in a second, and you're gonna say two sentences. The first is gonna tell me where it is. The second is gonna tell me who told you to take it. Do you understand the rules?"
"Yes," Moe rasped, struggling to talk with the cane digging into his throat.
"Good. Let's begin."
Gold removed the cane, giving Moe a chance to breathe. Once the man regained his senses, he looked up at Gold with a terrified look.
"I needed that van..."
"Ah, ta, ta, ta, ta," Gold cut off. "Now, you see, that is not a good first sentence."
He then struck Moe with his cane, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Oh! Gold! Listen!"
"'Tell me where it is!"
He struck Moe again, causing him to scream once more.
"Stop! Please!"
"Tell me where it is!"
Another blow fell, and now blood was dripping down Moe's face.
"Oh! Stop! It wasn't my fault!"
Gold stopped, his eyes blazing with a different kind of fury.
"'My fault'?" he spat, almost sounding like the Dark One again as he did. "What are you talking about, 'my fault'? You shut her out. You had her love, and you shut her out!"
He resumed his senseless beating once more, but this time with more venom and hatred than before. Moe couldn't defend himself against the relentless attacks, his arms gaining more and more bruises as he struggled to defend himself.
"She's gone…" Gold hissed, punctuating each sentence with a strike of his cane. "She's gone forever. She's not coming back. And it's your fault! Not mine! You are her father! Yours! It's yours!"
The door to the cabin flew open as Eve came running in. Gold didn't even seem to register her, too lost in his anger and rage. Eve gasped at the sight, remembering all too well the last time she saw him like this.
Rumpelstiltskin took a walking stick to a large cabinet and just began smashing it. He slammed it over and over again into the glass, shattering it, and the wooden frame it sat in. He did this over and over again, screaming with every hit.
"Gold!" Eve shouted, trying to grab his stick. "Gold! Rumple! Stop!"
Gold felt the grab on his stick and turned, swatting her aside so she crashed into the side table. She hit and fell hard, and Gold returned to beating Moe without hesitation.
"It's your fault!" he screamed, unshed tears making his eyes burn. "It's your fault!"
Someone else grabbed the cane, this time yanking it from his grasp. When Gold turned, he saw Eve on the ground, clutching her head, and Emma standing before him, holding the cane and looking at the entire horrible scene.
Unsatisfied with smashing the cabinet, Rumple grabbed the tea set, the one Belle used every single day, and began smashing it piece by piece against the wall. He threw each and every piece, only stopping when he reached the chipped cup. By then, a golden gloved hand caught his wrist.
"Rumple, stop!" Nicholette ordered, holding his arm tight.
He went to fight her, determined to rip her throat out, even if he knew it wouldn't stick. Then, his eyes fell on the chipped cup, and he stopped. His eyes never leaving the cup, he stopped fighting Nicholette, and she finally released him. When she did, he just dropped the cup back onto the tea tray and walked off.
"Wait, Rumple! Rumple, what happened?!" Nicholette tried to figure out, giving chase. "RUMPLE!"
Back at the Rabbit Hole, Ashley was swirling the contents of her martini glass, clearly miserable as she did. Mary Margaret sat down next to her, rubbing her back gently.
"Girl's Night's really working out for you, huh."
"Thought it would make me feel better. But the truth is… I need a 'be with my guy night'. But he's never around. And I'm at home with the baby all day. I mean, what's the point of being together if we're not together?"
Mary Margaret mulled over those words, thinking about her own love life.
"I get it. Loving someone you can't be with… it's a terrible, terrible burden."
After a few seconds, Ashley came to a decision.
"Look, this was a bad idea," she told her. "I should-I should go."
"Ashley?" Sean's voice called out.
Ashley perked, turning around to see Sean standing behind her, a bouquet of roses in his hand.
"Sean?" she let out in surprise, rising to greet him. "I- I thought you were working tonight."
"I am. It's my break and… I had to see you," he handed her the roses, "and ask you something." He suddenly got down on one knee and reached into his pocket, pulling out a ring box. By now, everyone was watching in awe, including Mary Margaret and Ruby. "Will you marry me?" Ashley was stunned into speechlessness, covering her mouth in awe. "I only have a twenty-minute break so, um, anytime now."
"Yes!" Ashley gasped. "Yes, absolutely."
He put the ring on her finger, causing the entire bar to applaud.
"My trucks outside if you want to take a ride before I head back to work. It's not much of a date."
"It's the best date," Ashley reassured before kissing him.
"Well then, your carriage awaits," he proclaimed, offering his arm for her.
The two went off happily, leaving Mary Margaret feeling more than a little left out. With a sigh, she gathered her things and left the Rabbit Hole.
…
Mary Margaret found herself walking alone down the street, seeing Ashley and Sean getting into his truck.
"How's girl's night?" David asked as he walked up.
"David?" she let out, turning to face him. "What are you doing here?"
"I knew you'd be here. And I uh, I wanted to give you your Valentine's Day card.
He handed her one of the cards he'd purchased earlier.
"Check up on me?" she joked.
"Maybe a little. I didn't want you to find somebody else."
"Like you?" she remarked, her voice hard as she opened up the card. "Kathryn, I woof you."
"No," David quickly stepped in, taking the card and replacing it with the other. "I'm so sorry. I meant... I meant this one."
Mary Margaret paused, really thinking over her and David's situation.
"I-I-I always thought that if two people were supposed to be together, they'd find a way. But David, if this is our way, I think we should find another one.
"Mary Margaret-"
"I think you should go home to Kathryn."
David paused, mulling on that before sighing.
"I know. You're right. But it doesn't mean I'm gonna give up. We'll find that way."
"I hope so…"
David began to walk off, glancing over his shoulder.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he called.
"Happy Valentine's Day," Mary Margaret replied, chuckling sadly.
…
Back at the cabin, an ambulance arrived to take care of Moe and Eve. The former was in horrible shape, and was barely conscious. Eve just had some bandages on her forehead and was holding an ice bag to her head, a shock blanket over her shoulders. Gold was standing by Emma's car, waiting as the Sheriff approached, an angry expression on her face.
"So I hear you managed not break anything he needs," Emma informed. "Not to mention, for some unknown reason, Eve is refusing to press charges against you. You're lucky, Mr. Gold."
"You got a funny definition of lucky."
"You have a funny definition of justice. What did Moe really do?"
"He stole from me."
"That reaction was about more than taking a few trinkets. You were saying something about how he hurt 'her'. I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume it wasn't Eve he was talking about. So, what happened to 'her'? Who was that? What did he do? If someone needs help, maybe I can help."
"No," Gold dismissed, shaking his head. "I'm afraid you heard wrong."
"You really don't wanna cooperate?"
"Look, we're done here," he declared, getting up to walk away.
"Actually, no, we're not." Emma grabbed Gold's arm, putting his hands behind his back as she cuffed him. "Mr. Gold, you're under arrest."
Gold scoffed, but did not resist as Emma read him his rights
The Enchanted Forest, Many Years Ago…
Belle had lost track of how many days she was in her cell. She curled up on her cot, hugging her legs and just waiting for something to happen. When the door opened, she just looked up, seeing Rumpelstiltskin standing there, alone. His face was an emotionless mask as he started down at her. She didn't even flinch.
"So, what are you going to do to me?"
Rumpelstiltskin stood there for a moment, before gesturing to the door.
"Go," he said before turning away.
"Go?"
"I don't want you anymore, dearie,"
Belle slowly got to her feet, straightening her dress before walking out past Rumpelstiltskin. She hesitated however, turning back and moving to face him.
"You know, you were freeing yourself," she told him. "You could have happiness if you just believed that someone could want you. But you couldn't take the chance."
"That's a lie," Rumpelstiltskin insisted.
"You're a coward, Rumpelstiltskin," she accused, inching forward. "And now matter how thick you make your skin, that doesn't change."
"I'm not a coward, dearie. It's quite simple, really. My power... means more to me than you."
"No," she cut off. "No, it doesn't. You just don't think I can love you. Now, you've made your choice. And you're going to regret it." By now, her voice was trembling. "Forever. And all you'll have... is an empty heart…" her voice broke altogether, "and a chipped cup."
With tears threatening to spill, she held eye contact with him until stalking out of the cell. Rumpelstiltskin remained where he stood, his eyes closing as her footsteps retreated into the distance.
At the Sheriff's office, Gold sat in one of the two cells as Emma spoke with Eve, who was sporting a nasty bruise on her forehead. She still had the icepack as she sat at her desk, her eyes closed as Emma laid into her.
"So, mind telling what you were doing out there?" Emma asked.
"I got kidnapped," Eve answered, not even bothering to open her eyes. "I told you as much when I called you."
"Right… but you knew Gold had Moe, so why didn't you call me before confronting him?"
"He didn't have Moe until after I woke up in the van. I was hoping to deter him, but clearly, I failed."
"Clearly. So what's Gold's real history with Moe?"
Eve's face became hard and she turned away.
"That, Sheriff, is a very long story."
"I've got time."
"Sheriff Swan?" Regina's voice interrupted.
The two looked up to see the mayor walking inside the station with Henry in tow.
"I am letting you have thirty minutes with my son," she told the sheriff "Take him out, buy him ice cream."
"You want me to leave you alone with a prisoner?" Emma questioned.
"I'll keep an eye on them," Eve volunteered, giving Emma a small wave. "Go enjoy time with your son."
Emma looked at her, then back at Regina, who was glaring daggers at Gold.
"Twenty-nine and a half minutes."
"Hi Emma," Henry greeted.
"Hey," Emma replied before glancing at Gold, as if to ask if this was something he wanted.
"Bring me a cone?" Gold requested.
"Alright," Emma relented, grabbing her coat. "Come on, let's go!"
The two went off, leaving the other three alone to speak candidly.
"Well… you really wanted to have that little chat, didn't you?" Gold noted.
"Apparently, this was the only way I could do it," Regina remarked as she approached the cell. "Miss Flemming is an unwelcome addition, but I see no reason to exclude her from this."
"Well then, please sit."
Gold gestured to a small couch right in front of his cell, causing Regina to grimace as she was made to sit. Eve snorted, not even bothering to hide her amusement at the situation, even when Regina shot her a death glare.
"Now then," Gold resumed, regaining Regina's attention. "When two people want something the other has, a deal can always be struck. Do you have what I want?"
"Yes," Regina confirmed.
"I knew it..." Eve muttered. "You're the only one who knew what it meant."
"And you used Moe French to do it," Gold surmised.
"I merely suggested that… strong men take what they need," Regina defended.
"Oh yeah, and you told him just what to take, didn't you?"
"We used to know each other so well, Mr. Gold. has it really come down to this?"
"It seems it has, yeah. But you know what I want." Gold pressed himself against the bars. "What is it you want?"
"I want you to answer one question. And answer it simply. What's your name?"
Gold chuckled a little.
"It's Mr. Gold."
"Your real name."
"Every moment I've spent on this earth, that's been my name."
By now, Eve was struggling to hold back laughter, enjoying Gold's clear obstinance against Regina.
"But what about moments spent elsewhere?"
Gold paused for a moment, and Eve's laughter began to subside.
"What are you asking me?" Gold wondered.
"I think you know," Regina told him. "If you want me to return what's yours… tell me your name."
Gold glared at Regina, knowing that he was out of options. So, with great reluctance, he told her what she wanted to hear.
"Rumpelstiltskin," he snarled, gripping the bars of his cell. "Now… give me what I want."
"Such hostility," Regina noted, reaching into her bag and pulling out the chipped cup from Rumpelstiltskin's castle. "Over this?"
Seeing the cup, Eve sat up at her desk, a mournful look in her eyes. Gold was in a similar state, reaching out for the cup almost desperately. Regina dangled it from her pinkie, shifting it every time Gold tried to take it from her, taunting him with this precious piece of porcelain.
"Such a sentimental little keepsake," she jeered as he finally managed to grab it.
"Give it back to him," Eve demanded, rising to her feet.
Regina turned to her, releasing the cup as Gold brought it close to his chest.
"As you wish… Alchemist."
"How long have you known?"
"A while. That's all you need to know. And yes, I had your shop destroyed. I was hoping you'd go with it, but apparently," Regina's eyes turned back to Gold, "you had help."
"Let me remind you of how things used to be," Gold spoke up, a hint of his Dark One persona slipping into his tone. "No one lays a hand on her, whether she be Eve Flemming, or Nicholette Flamel, but me." He then stood up, glaring at her through the bars of his cell. "And don't think for a second that these bars will protect you. I'll be out of here in no time, and if you cross me again, we're going to have problems."
Regina just sauntered over to the cell and gripped the bars.
"We shall see."
With that, she walked out of the station like the queen she used to be, leaving Eve and Gold to mull over what happened. Eve approached the cell, sitting down across from it, a look of remorse on her face.
"It's not cracked, is it?"
"... no more so than usual."
Eve sighed, fiddling with her ice pack.
"This makes things much more difficult. She'll be watching us both now..."
"Then perhaps it's time to reconsider my offer."
Eve looked up, confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Your shop," he explained. "Once I'm out of here, I'll get it back for you. It won't cost you a cent. In exchange, I want to turn our earlier promise of mutual ignorance to one of… cooperation."
"You want to us work together? Us?"
"Oh yes," Gold nodded, his voice hard. "Regina crossed a line, and if she wants me to be Rumpelstiltskin again, I will show her that even without my magic… I am still the Dark One."
Eve was reluctant to say the least, but she also knew this was her best, and only chance of things returning to some form of normalcy. Not to mention, if they were cooperating, she'd have a better chance of reining in some of his more violent decisions. So, she stuck her hand through the bars.
"This is my last deal with you, Rumple," she promised. "My last. Deal."
"Well then," he replied, shaking her hand. "Let's make it a good one."
The Enchanted Forest, Many Years Ago…
Rumpelstiltskin sat alone in his castle, mindlessly spinning at his wheel. He didn't even look up when the Evil Queen threw open the doors, waltzing in like she owned the place.
"Flimsy locks," she chuckled, making her way over to the tea set, one that now held only a single, chipped cup. "I have a deal to discuss. A certain... mermaid."
"I'm not dealing today."
"Aww," the Evil Queen cooed mockingly as she poured herself some tea. "Are you angry with me? Just what did I do this time?"
"Your little deception failed. You'll never be more powerful than me. You can keep trying, dearie, but you're never gonna beat me."
"Oh, is this about that girl I met on the road?" Regina asked, that mocking tone returning in full force. "What was her name? Margie? Verna?"
"Belle," Rumple all but snapped.
"Right," Regina recalled, shrugging before setting the tea cup down. "Well, I can assure you that I had no part to play in that tragedy."
Those words make something cold seep into Rumple's heart. He ceased his spinning, rising to his feet and giving Regina his full and undivided attention.
"What tragedy?"
"You don't know?" She chuckled slightly, then gave a small shrug. "Well, after she got home, her fiancé had been missing for a few weeks, and given her… association with you, not even the lowest pauper in that poor, provincial town wanted anything to do with her. Her own father shunned her, cut her off, and shut her out."
For a brief moment, hope flickered in Rumple's eyes.
"So… she needs… a home?"
Regina chuckled in response.
"He was cruel to her. He locked her in a tower and sent in clerics to cleanse her soul with scourges and flaying." She watched with vile fascination as the hope in Rumple's eyes faded away, replaced with a soul crushing sadness. Seeing that, she dropped her final bombshell. "After a while, she threw herself off the tower. She died."
Hearing those words, something inside Rumple broke. When he spoke, he didn't sound like the Dark One. Instead, he just sounded like a man… a heartbroken man.
"You're lying..." he argued weakly.
"Am I?" she retorted.
Unable to retort, Rumple just snapped his fingers, opening the castle doors.
"Get out. Now."
"Fine. I've got other calls to make." She gave the chipped cup a knowing look as she dragged her finger across the table, lifting it to see a line of dust on her glove. "The place is looking dusty, Rumple. You should get a new girl."
And with that, she left.
…
Nicholette was sitting behind her lab table in her tower home, bent over various scrolls in languages long forgotten. As she worked on them, a light knocking reached her ears. She looked up, waving her hand to open the door. When it did, she was surprised to see Rumpelstiltskin standing there, clutching the chipped tea cup in trembling fingers.
"Rumple?" Nicholette called out, rising to her feet.
"I… I didn't want to be alone…" he told her.
Her eyes fell on the cup, a feeling of dread washing over her.
"What happened?"
Rumple looked up at her, breaking into sobs as he clutched the cup to his chest.
"Belle… she's gone..."
He fell to his knees, finally giving into his emotions as Nicholette dropped to the ground next to him, pulling him into a hug as she did her best to comfort him. The entire time, he never let go of that cup, the only thing he had left of the woman he loved...
At Storybrooke General Hospital, Regina walked through the lobby, passing a bandaged up Moe as she made her way towards a security door. She put in a code, allowing her to open the down and walk downstairs to the psychiatric ward. Once there, she pulled out a rose from her jacket and gave it to the nurse at the front desk.
"Pretty," the nurse noted, taking the flower.
"Well, I know how hard you work," Regina replied. "Has anyone been to see her?"
"No, ma'am. Not today. Not ever."
Regina smirked, then walked down a dank hallway lined with thick, metal doors. She stopped at an unmarked door and lifted a small slot, peering in at the resident inside. Said resident was none other than Belle, very much alive, but clearly confused. Dazed eyes drifted to the door, looking at Regina, who smiled as she closed the slot.