Rumple's reaction to finding Belle and Ariel together is unexpected.
Regina, Emma and Robin return from a very unusual magic lesson, while someone familiar returns to Storybrooke.

Belle, feeling the warm sensation of Ariel's core ground into her own, knew her third orgasm in such a short time, was close. Very close. Just a bit more pressure? She arched her back from the bed, reaching out to grasp the other woman's arms, locking on, and pulling them together even tighter, feeling their most intimate parts now mashing together in a very wet, slippery kiss. Her eyes closed, to savour the blissful peak.

"Oh god, Belle! Ooh, that's good...don't stop...I...I love you!" the mermaid growled.

They were so engrossed in each other, panting heavily, the pair hardly heard the bedroom door swing open.

~oOo~

Rumple had decided to head back to the gothic-style mansion early. He'd seen the coffee cups lying, half full, on the table, a small case and bags lying around. Having just walked in from meeting with a newly returned Jefferson, Gideon had started waking up, beginning to cry as hunger had kicked in. "Oh, my boy, could you hang on a wee second before I feed ye? Your father's in need of a urgent pee!"

Seeing Belle's house keys on the side, he walked over to the staircase and called up. "Belle, you up there? The boy's hungry, and in need of his bottle, but I need to pee first! Would you mind?"

His call was met with silence.

"No answer. Dammit!" he muttered. Clearly she hadn't heard him. So, cuddling the child into the crook of his left arm, he walked up the stairs toward the upstairs bathroom, where a small baby changing mat lay. "Sorry lad, but Dark One or not, nature calls. You'll have to lay there for a moment, till I'm finished…"

Gideon seems to settle for the moment, glad for the comfortable sling of his father's arm. However, as he approached the bathroom, Rumple noticed the light on in Belle's room. Perhaps she's asleep. He gently opened the door to check she was ok. As he walked in, he spoke softly so not to alarm her.

"Belle? I was calling you from downstairs! I didn't know you were back! Gideon…I…"

It was then he noticed the sight before him. Belle was laying on her back, fully clothed, with another woman sitting close and facing her. It took a moment to interpret the scene. The two women appeared to almost be joined, seemingly by the crotch, with Belle's legs wrapped around the other. He saw the closed eyelids and look of ecstasy from his former lover morph instantly into one of absolute horror as her eyes opened to his voice.

"Belle, I was calling you from downstairs. I didn't know you were back? I...OH GOD, SORRY! I DIDN'T REALISE YOU HAD COMPANY!"

Rumple instantly turned, heading out of the room as quickly as his frail leg would allow!

~oOo~

Belle was utterly mortified, rigid with shock, at Rumple seeing her virtually mid-orgasm with Ariel. The other woman similarly froze in fear, looking over her shoulder at the voice, now terrified, and desperate to cover her dignity. Belle sat up immediately, lowering her skirt and pulling Ariel by the shoulders to wrap herself into her, to avoid either of them being seen in their current state. She had never been so embarrassed in her entire life!

She was about to shout for him to get out, when she saw he'd already done so, clearly just as embarrassed as her!

Rumple fled to the bathroom, urgently lowering the baby to the changing mat on the floor whilst turning to stand and desperately relieve himself in the toilet. Once finished, he washed his hands, collected his son, and stepped out, walking as quietly as he could, down to the kitchen for a baby bottle.

"Oh hell! That was soooo embarrassing!" groaned Belle, as she separated from her lover.

"I think I heard them go downstairs. What are we going to do, Belle? What's he going to do to me? To you?"

The librarian couldn't formulate a ready response. "I'm not sure. He said I could be with whoever I wanted from now on. But I never imagined him actually seeing me having sex with someone! That's got to hurt!"

"Well at least we both had almost all our clothes on! You did say he knew about us, right?"

"He did, but this is more than awkward. I still don't think I can face him right now!"

The Earl of Locksley Inn

The trio trooped back up to the Royal Suite, following their impromptu lessons with the Sorcerer. Merlin had taken time to teach them a particular aspect of fairy magic.

"I see what you mean about Merlin," said Regina to her fiancé, "His teaching methods are unique! He just held my hands, and the images seemed to just flood into me! So much! I've never experienced anything like it in my life."

"Yeah," Emma agreed. "That 'telepathic conversation' thing's so clever! He said we need to practice, though. Still, isn't it fantastic? We can all talk to each other, wherever we are!"

"It's okay for you two! Hardest bit for me, is avoiding intruding into your minds; just focusing on to the conversations between us instead!" said Robin, taking his jacket off.

There was a soft knock on the door. Emma answered it, to be greeted by Robin's sister, who stepped in, winking at the Saviour. "Hi, you three!" said Maria. "Your girls are both asleep next door, and the babes went down just over half an hour ago on your other side. Roland's still downstairs playing poker with the guys but I've told him he need to up to bed no later than nine. Even if it is a Friday!"

"He's playing poker again?" Robin shook his head. "Damn, that's bloody Gilbert's doing! I'll have a word."

"Don't be daft, Rob! There's no money involved, only matchsticks. And besides, Livvy's with them."

"That doesn't fill me with confidence. Gil and Livvy are the biggest card sharps around! Never bet money against them. They'll do that trick where they make it look like they're useless, right up until you increase the stake, then boom, they've got you!"

"I'll second that!" said Emma, "The man damn cleared me out of a week's wages last year, when I was convinced my hand was unbeatable! I remember it all too well. I had a Full House, and he had an Ace Flush! I would have pulled out earlier, but he looked nervous, so I thought I was a cert!"

"And was Lavinia, by any chance, standing there panicking, yelling at him? Having seen his hand and telling him to stop being an idiot?" The archer was more than familiar with his friends' tricks.

"Yeah, she was. Hold on a minute - was I set up? By both of them?"

"You were lulled into overconfidence in your hand, to keep going! Simple fact to remember. Gilbert Whitehand never panics, is no idiot, and also one of the sharpest knife throwers in the team. Livvy's pretty much the same. I've seen them fleece dukes and princes before!"

"Well, sod it, I want a rematch." The blonde was now irritated. Robin wrapped an arm around her.

"Well how about you and I use the skills we acquired earlier today, to teach them both a lesson? If they can pass messages to each other, so can we?"

Emma grinned, knowing what he was planning. "Cheating? You, Mr. Locksley, are a bad man!"

"The worst!" He pulled her gently against his chest into him, folding his arms around her, before kissing her lips. "Just another reason why you love me, Saviour!" They exchanged a lustful look with him, which was, unfortunately, instantly picked up by Maria.

"Okaaaay, horny couple alert! So this is the bit where I leave! Chloë's on call next door, if they wake up, till three tomorrow morning. Tuck said he'll cover from then, so that should give you guys a decent night's sleep. We don't expect to see any of you till at least eight tomorrow morning. Got it?"

"Thanks, Sis." Robin moved over to hug his sister. "I owe you." As he stepped back, Emma immediately took his place, grasping her future sister-in-law in an even tighter hug.

"And I appreciate it even more than he does! Maria, thanks. You've no idea what a decent night's sleep means to Regina and me! You're my very own Saviour." Much as Regina and Caroline had become close friends, Emma and Maria had also bonded since her arrival nearly a year ago.

"It's only a bit of baby-minding, sis-to be!" The younger Locksley giggled, but enjoyed the hug regardless, before whispering in her ear. "Mind you, I saw the look on him- I don't think you're going to be getting much 'sleep' tonight!"

Emma blushed, though pressed a kiss on the other woman's forehead. "Good night, Maria."

As she turned to head to the door, Regina stepped out of the adjoining bathroom, now in a sheer purple silk nightdress that did little to hide the curves. "Hey, young Locksley? You leaving without saying good bye?"

Seeing her, Maria leaned close to Emma's ear, whispering again. "You definitely aren't getting much sleep tonight!" she chuckled, stepped back before stepping over to deliver a quick peck to the brunette's cheek too, and an accompanying hug. "G'night, lovebirds!" before walking swiftly out of the room.

"What was that all about?"

~oOo~

A few minutes later, after checking in to see the girls sound asleep in their beds in the adjoining room, he stepped back into their own bathroom to prepare for bed. Seeing Emma and Regina, both now in nightdresses, standing side-by-side, facing their mirrors and finishing night time cleansing routines, always seemed to do wonders for his soul. Even though he'd been jealous of Emma on his return, he'd come to accept that the two women really were a natural fit for each other. The simple domesticity of their home lives, so different to their extraordinary public personas, confirmed everything he already knew about these two magnificent women. His future wives.

Emma caught him staring. "Something wrong?"

"Nothing wrong whatsoever! I was just enjoying the view."

The blonde smirked back, recognising the look. "Hmm, well perhaps I'll be lovelier in a few months, when I lose this weight!" She moved away from her basin, towards the corner bidet.

'Don't be silly. You're perfect, which is why Gina and I love you. Now, one of you finished at the sink?"

A few minutes later, Emma appeared back in the bedroom, to find them lying either side of the huge bed. "It's your turn in the middle!" Regina insisted, sharing a look with their fiancé. Emma clambered over her to get under the sheets in the middle.

As she settled, she looked up at Robin. "You've been staring at lot at me this evening, Locksley. Something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, milady, I'm just concerned that you seriously thought earlier today, that Gina and I didn't regard you as still sexy or beautiful? These last months I've been nervous about making a move on you, thinking you weren't ready. But I clearly misinterpreted." He forcefully pulled her up and onto his front, Emma instantly feeling a bone-hard, sizeable erection against her stomach.

He positively growled his next words. "So I'm going to fix that. I'm about to prove to you that you're so, so, wrong! We are not only very much in love with you, but still find you the hottest blonde on the planet. So I'm about to ravish you, Emma Swan-Mills. Your wife is probably also going to ravish you. Then I'm going to ravish her. I'm going to have you screaming our names and forgetting your own! I'm going to fuck-" he never managed to finish the sentence, as Emma rammed her lips against his in a heated kiss. Regina, already turned on watching them, pressed herself into Emma's back, sandwiching her between them. "And when he's finished with you, you've got me to face!" she whispered.

The Gold Mansion

It was well over an hour before Belle stepped silently down the stairs into the living room, dreading what was to come.

Not sure what she was about to face, she asked Ariel to stay in her room, until it was...safe? Was he going to be angry? Will he throw me out again? Will he stop me seeing Gideon? The last thought worried her most.

"Come on in Belle!" He called, knowing she was there. "There's coffee in the pot and a cake on the table." He sounded oddly calm, which just made her even more anxious. She crept gingerly into the large dining room, to find her estranged husband sitting in the nursing chair, a sleeping six-month-old in his arms, with a small used baby dish, and spoon, next to him. He looked up to her, his face betraying no emotion. Yet.

"Our boy has just started weaning. It appears he now has a taste for mashed up shepherd's pie! According to Miss Locksley, it should help him sleep through the night."

Well that wasn't the first reaction she was expecting! "Oh! Erm…that's good news. I thought he might be ready in a couple more months, but that's good, right?"

"Indeed. His brother left the breast around the same time. He always went back to sleep much more contented after solids."

She stepped closer to the pair, her heart drawn instantly to the sight of her son's face resting into Rumple's chest. "He seems happy. Would you like me to change him?"

"No need. He was dry half an hour ago. Perhaps once he wakes?"

"Oh, okay," she hovered anxiously over them. "May I hold him?"

"Of course. Here…" He stood up slowly, careful not to wake the tot, before passing him across for her to gather in her arms. "Sit yourself down with him, and I'll cut you a slice of cake. It's coffee and walnut, apparently."

"You said Miss Locksley. Was that Robin's sister Maria, or his cousin, Caroline?" She was pleased to move the conversation on from the obvious issue to come.

"Maria. The young lady is a veterinary surgeon, but seems to have a lot of experience with children too. Apparently, she did lots of child-minding to help pay her way through university. Rather delightful company, I thought, and surprisingly intelligent. Pretty too!"

Belle felt decidedly uncomfortable hearing her husband sing the other woman's praises. "Well yes, I had heard she was very good company. Like her brother, I guess."

"Yes. I thought as Gideon's godfather is due over tomorrow, I might ask her to join us for lunch."

"Robin's over here tomorrow? Why? I mean…not like it's any of my business."

"I'm updating my will to take account of Gideon. And Henry. Robin's agreed to be a guardian, alongside Jefferson, in the event of my, or our, deaths."

"And you didn't think to ask my opinion? Rumple, he's my son too, you know!" Ooh, the arrogance of the man!

"He is. And in the event of my death, for whatever reason, you would automatically be his guardian. However, I believe, given recent events, he needs additional guardians with equal rights, to ensure his welfare…"

"What recent events? Rumple, what the hell could possess you not to consult me first? I'm his mother!"

"Your recent romantic escapades and choices, for one. Your willingness to sleep with a wide variety of men and woman, of many hues. Belle, I do not want my son growing up in that sort of environment! Yes, I want you to be happy, but with the notable exception of the lady upstairs, your choices have been poor! In the event of my death, I cannot have the risk of my son coming under the influence of the witch or whoever you next choose to shack up with, to alleviate your itch!"

"HOW DARE YOU? I'm not even with Zelena! How dare you dictate how I live my life after you're gone!" Belle was trying desperately hard not to yell and wake her son.

"I can when it comes to him! I've already told you. You can go live your life. You can fuck all the nuns at the convent for all I care, but you will not do it in the proximity of Gideon! Personally I hope either you settle down with someone sensible, or even leave, and get this out of your system. Belle, in the event of my death, Gideon will be a target! He has magic inside him and someone, some day, will take advantage, possibly even try to kill him. I can't take that risk. I chose Locksley and Jefferson because they are the only balanced practitioners of magic that could protect him! And before you mention Regina Mills or the Saviour, might I remind you how well they looked after young Roland immediately after his father's death? Or the fact the psychotic queen's vile sister was allowed to live with them? Or the fact her naïve wife allowed her son, my grandson, to go to the Underworld with them, at great peril, to retrieve that diseased pirate? The woman who blackmailed me into taking them there? No Belle, those women are not fit to protect Gideon. The Hatter has the ability to realm-jump out of danger, and the outlaw is proven to put the needs of others ahead of himself!"

Belle seethed, trying to control her fury. She could understand his logic but his dismissal of her judgment rankled her enormously. "I'm not stupid Rumple. I can protect my son!" She said it, but she knew that in truth, defending him against the powers they'd previously faced would be nigh on impossible. Except if she got Gideon far away.

"And look how that worked out last time? You handed him to the blue moth once, and he was kidnapped within hours! No Belle, there are still possibly former agents of the Black Fairy out there that would seek revenge. If I am no longer alive, I cannot risk that…"

Belle tried to collate her thoughts. However as she coddled her son, Rumple moved to the table to cut a piece of cake for each of them, as though their conversation had never happened. A moment's magic, and a fresh coffee pot appeared. However she wasn't expecting what happened next!

"Come in, dearie? I know you've been hiding around the corner listening! You might as well join us?"

The door creaked open, as Ariel slowly crept nervously into the room, looking awkward at being caught eavesdropping.

"Ah, hello again, Ariel, do please come in and sit yourself down. Would you like a piece of coffee and walnut cake? Some coffee perhaps?"

Ariel was astonished. She'd hear their raised voices just now, and went down to listen, worried that Belle might be in danger. She'd stood outside the door listening these last few minutes, her mind ablaze with what she'd just learned. And now, here was the unduly-calm husband, of the woman she had been caught having sex with, only an hour ago, offering her coffee and cake?

"Erm…yes, thank you!" she mumbled.

"Good. I'll cut you a slice. You must be rather famished after your…exertions. I'm sorry to have walked in on the two of you, dearie. I assumed Belle was alone, and i needed her to mind Gideon. Still…never mind."

Ariel looked across at Belle, who was obviously equally nervous, and could see the same hint of fear in the brunette's eyes. She was clearly as astonished as her. Belle had to say something to ease the tension, if at all possible!

"Rumple. Aren't you going to react to what you saw? Get angry? Smash things? Threaten me?"

"For what, dearie?" he looked at her too calmly. She waited for him to explode in some way.

"For seeing Ariel and I…together!" she almost whispered the words. Ariel waited for the reaction.

"Oh, you mean the two of you having sex? Why would I? I already knew you and Miss Tritonsdottir had previously had a physical relationship recently, when she stayed with you at the library. And I admit I was somewhat shocked to walk in on you both in flagrante, as it were. Somewhat embarrassed, and again I apologise for disturbing you."

"But you're not angry?" said Ariel. "I'd imagined you'd want to kill me or something?"

"And why would you think that, dearie? My wife and I are currently estranged, or separated, as I'm sure she's already told you. She lives here to be close to our son. Belle is free to make her own decisions now on how, and who she spends her time with. And so am I. You're the best of the bunch, so far, my dear. Especially compared to some of the waifs and strays she's brought home. Especially the Witch!" his voice went notably lower, almost in disgust, at the last two words.

"Rumple!" Belle growled, annoyed her personal life was being commented on in front of her!

"The Wicked Witch? You slept with Zelena?" Even the mermaid knew of the witch. Her face looked more disgusted than Rumple's!

"I was in a bad space - very bad! Ariel, it was nothing." Belle defended herself, but she could see the look of horror on the redhead's face. 'You're the first person since…Rumple…I've had any real feelings for!"

"How could you, Belle? I understand you wanting to explore your sexuality. Fine. I did too, after all! But her? She's vile, Belle! And stupidly dangerous! She's killed so many people I knew…"

Including Baelfire, thought Rumple, who said nothing, just fascinated by their conversation as he now seemed to be oblivious to them.

"Ariel, she meant nothing! I was lonely. She was lonely. We just…used each other. Please!"

"Actually, I believe that to be true!" added the Dark One unhelpfully. "After you left, she was somewhat depressed. I believe you were the first woman Belle had ever been with…intimately? So it seemed to have fired up her curiosity, to see whether see was a full-blown lesbian, or not!"

"Rumple! I am not a 'full-blown lesbian' as you indelicately put it! And I don't happen to think Ariel is either. It's just…I have feelings for her! Yes, I was curious after she left to try again with Prince Eric. But…I also had some relationships with men too, okay? I was very, very lonely. I'm not proud of what I did, but with Ariel it felt…real." She looked up at the mermaid, whose eyes looked slightly tearful. Rumple saw the exchange.

"Well, let just me say that if you wish for Miss Tritonsdottir to stay here with you, in whatever capacity, I have no issue with that. It's your life, Belle. Ariel, I have already said my piece and I believe you are a more trustworthy person to be around my son. If you two decide to put your relationship on a more formal basis, you have my blessing to live here with her too."

The two women looked at him, both open-mouthed in astonishment, and not believing what he'd just said.

"Now, on to another, lighter, subject. If Belle hasn't made you aware already, my grandson and I will be taking a vacation, some four to five weeks, away in Europe. I intend to take Gideon with us and, for that reason, I believe Belle would like to come. Ariel, I had intended to take a child minder with us to allow me some free time with Henry. However, if you are willing, you are more than welcome to join us on the trip? I'll be funding it, although Henry wished to contribute. Your accommodation, food and travel will be provided for. Perhaps it could be a chance for you and Belle to get to know each other properly, away from prying eyes?"

"Rumple, you seem to be actually wanting Ariel and I to be together? I don't get it. Why are you even doing this?" Have you already given up on you and me ever being together again?

"You know the answer already. I am, and likely to be for a very long time to come, The Dark One. I am cursed, Belle, and your attempts to change me have come to nothing, and they can only ever come to nothing! The force that controls me, through the dagger, is more powerful than you could ever imagine and compels me to live long after you've both died and will, on occasion, take control, despite my resistance. I am still very much in love with you, my darling girl, but I want to see you happy! Even if it cannot be with me. So, if you can find that happiness in the arms of Triton's daughter here, then I welcome it."

Ariel listened to him, tears in her eyes. He was giving his wife to her to gain her happy ending. It was beautiful but so, so sad. The poor man! - cursed and controlled with no hope of an end?

"Mr. Gold, I don't know what to say. Is there really no way you can break free of the darkness? Would it be easier for you in a land with no magic? Does it follow you?

"It's in my bones, dearie. It can never leave me, until someone kills me with the dagger. Then they will consume the darkness instead, and I will go on to the eternal punishment that no doubt awaits me."

"That's horrible! Is there something I can do? Could ask my father or mother for help? They are demi-gods after all!"

He was genuinely touched by the concerned look in her eyes. "To remove my darkness? Nothing. Your mother, Athena, actually owes me from a deal, so it is best if I do not see them, as my darkness may enforce repayment. But you can help me with a small part of the guilt I feel. Do you actually love Belle?"

She wasn't expecting that. "Well, we haven't actually started dating yet. But I think so. I have very strong feelings for her." She can't believe she was telling her own husband this! Belle looked equally surprised at the frank admission.

"And you, Belle? Do you love Ariel?"

Ignoring the overwhelming guilt she felt at making this - was it a confession? - in front of her husband. "It's all so new for both of us. But…I think I do too." Both women stared teary-eyed at each other, nervous for their future.

Same Evening – Storybrooke Harbour

The Jolly Roger slipped silently into the largest berth of the port on the evening tide. It was a warm July evening, and there was still plenty of light to navigate. Killian and Rosalind had been away from the town for only fifteen months, and it seemed nothing had changed. Although for the two of them, everything had changed.

As the ropes were cast, he was pleased to see his old former boatswain, Mr. Smee, grab one, securing them to the dockside. Waiting for him on the quayside, were also Rosalind's father and sister Annabelle, standing close to another, dark blonde woman he didn't recognise. The gangplank was lowered, and they stepped off the ship.

"Daddy!" Yelled Rosie as she stepped down to hug him. "I've missed you so much!"

Merlin wrapped her into his arms, kissing her brow. "And I you, my darling. Very much."

Killian stepped more cautiously from the ship, cradling his precious cargo in his arms. "Merlin, may I introduce your grandson, Liam Merlin Jones?" He proudly displayed his pink-cheeked, three-month-old son to the Sorcerer.

Merlin gazed down in wonder at Rosie's child. "Hello, beautiful one! Killian, I've experienced this moment so many times, but each is always unique! My, he really is a handsome devil, isn't he? He looks like you, Rosie!"

"But he's got his father's eyes, dad. Look?" Rosie rubbed a tiny cheek as the tot slowly opened his eyes to them. Piercing, pale-blue stared straight back. "Good evening, young man! I'm delighted to meet you. I'm your grandfather. You have some aunts and an uncle more than keen to meet you too!"

"Well you won't do it from over there! Here…" Killian placed the tiny bundle into his arms. As Merlin slowly scooped him in, Annabelle came alongside. "Daddy, isn't he just gorgeous?" said the baby's aunt. 'Hello there Liam! I'm your Aunty Annabelle. I'm your mummy's much, much, much younger, prettier sister!"

"Oh god, here she goes again!" Rosie pulled her into a sisterly hug, smiling. "At least I've got an excuse for putting weight on my hips now! What's yours?" She chuckled, before seeing someone standing close by. "Oh, hello! I'm sorry, have we met? You seem familiar."

The dark blonde smiled back. "No we haven't met. You must be Rosalind, right? I'm a friend of Anna's."

"My best friend actually!" Said the blonde doctor. "Rosie, this is Maria Locksley. She's Robin's sister! You remember Robin Locksley?"

"Oh - that explains it!" said the young mother, relaxing and smiling back. "You have a look of your brother!"

"I'm not sure whether I should be taking that as a compliment, or be offended?" she chuckled.

"A compliment, I assure you!" Rosie shook her hand. "Your brother's a very handsome man!"

"As is your baby's father. Your partner? Killian, isn't it? He's hot!" She winked back.

"Hey, hands off, lassie! My husband, actually – we married just before the birth, And don't go telling him he's hot! It may be true, but he's already far too smug, as it is!" She giggled, looking lovingly back at Killian as he hugged his own friends.

"Rosie, you don't have to worry about Maria going after him." Anna took her sister's arm again. "She's dating our little brother!"

That brought a wide-eyed look from the new mother. "Really? You and Charlie? You've got your hands full there!"

"Don't exaggerate, Anna!" her friend rebuked her. "We've only been on three dates. But – it's nice!"

"Ignore her! I know as a fact, that our Baby Bro is completely smitten with this one!"

"Well about damn time!" Rosie seemed delighted. "He needs to settle down. You may be just the thing!"

"Well, Jones family!" Merlin interrupted, corralling them. "I told Reul you were both arriving. There's rooms made up for you at the convent when you're ready. We can go there and settle the baby now, if you wish?"

"Er, dad? I know he hasn't asked yet, but I think Killian would prefer to go to Ruby's Diner first."

"Hmm? Oh, yes, of course, I almost forgot! You'll be wanting to meet young Nathaniel, no doubt?"

~oOo~