IX

***Is This Trip Really Necessary?***

"Rumpelstiltskin!" came the anguished cry from the gallery above. "What time is it?"

The mage removed the ornate gold watch from the pocket of his waistcoat and glanced at the time. "It's a quarter of an hour from the last time you asked, dearie. Whatever can be taking you so long?"

Belle's eyes flashed hotly. She was sure he could feel the heat of them from where he stood in the foyer two floors below. "This!" she fumed, grabbing a handful of her long chestnut hair and shaking it at him. "This is what's taking me so long. I can't do a thing with it. And I don't even know how I'm ever going to manage to get into my dress."

His brows rose as she bit her lip, worry marring her brow. It was his own fault, his selfish need to have her all to himself that she didn't have a maid of her own to help her with such tasks. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked a bit sheepishly.

"Yes! You can come up here and help me finish dressing. Otherwise, we'll never make it to the ball on time." She disappeared from her place at the balustrade, presumably back to her room.

He retrieved the velvet covered box from the table in the foyer containing the jewels he'd selected to go with her gown, and set off up the stairs. His feet brought him unerringly to her door, her room as much his now as hers … at her own insistence. After that first night of sharing her bed, she wouldn't hear of him sleeping anywhere else. Though he hadn't been able to find slumber since he'd taken on the curse, he was however able to find peace with her while she slept. Just holding her in his arms, knowing she felt safe with him, that she chose him to be hers … the feeling was unimaginable.

Rumpelstiltskin found her at her dressing table, yanking a brush through her long tresses. Stepping behind her, he clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth in reproval. "Give me that. You're going to do more damage than good," he admonished, taking the brush from her as he set the jewelry case on her vanity. She sighed as he dragged his long fingers through her hair, his nails scraping gently against her scalp. "That's it, dearest. Nice deep breaths."

As he began brushing through her hair, he concentrated on her worried frown, which only unsettled her further. "Are you sure we have to go tonight?" she asked, looking away from his intense gaze upon her in the mirror.

"Alas, we do. We RSVP'd weeks ago; why are you wanting to beg off now?" With great care he began to secure the soft curls to her crown with sapphire-tipped pins. "Belle," he prompted when she didn't answer.

"I just don't feel good about this, Rumpel. You say she's changed …"

"But?"

"What if this is another of her schemes? Or some sort of trap to … to hurt you?"

He pinned the last of her curls in place, leaving a few to frame her lovely face. His fingertips trailed along her bare nape, causing her to shiver. "Don't you trust me, little maid?" he purred next to her ear.

Belle turned away from her reflection to press her brow to his, relishing in the moment of calm. "You know I do, Rumpelstiltskin, but this is Regina we're talking about."

"I know. You just have to have faith that I will protect us both, Belle."

She wrapped one arm around her waist, toying with the collar of her dressing robe with the other as she rose from the padded bench and moved to where her gown was draped over the dressmaker's dummy. He'd moved it to her room just that morning so she wouldn't have to dress in the library. "Then I suppose we'll just have to wait and see, won't we," she grumbled under her breath.

Her hand toyed with the wide sash holding her robe closed, a rosy blush staining her cheeks. She shouldn't be nervous at the prospect of her sorcerer seeing her in her underthings, but since she hadn't disrobed in front of him before, she supposed it was understandable. Thankfully, her corset fastened in the front and she didn't have to go through the indignity of having him help her tie it. She watched him busy himself removing it from the dummy, noting his heightened color as he held it for her to step into, his gaze averted from her to preserve her delicate sensibilities.

Rumpelstiltskin's mouth went bone dry as she removed the robe and stood before him. He dropped his gaze to the floor, but he couldn't seem to keep it there. His eyes began at her delicate feet which were encased in sheer white stockings, traveling slowly over her shapely calves and slender thighs to her garters. The bottom of her shift began where the tops of her stockings left off, though it only enhanced the soft flare of her hips and indenture of her waist. His hands itched to splay over her ribs, to rip the offending garment away and bury his face in the valley of her breasts, the soft globes swelling over the top of the corset.

Belle smiled knowingly as she donned the stiff petticoat and let him tie it at her lower back before she stepped into her gown, shivering slightly as he guided the sleeves up her arms. She felt every brush of his fingers, every soft sigh of his breath against her exposed skin, until her entire body hummed with desire for him. If it were her decision, her own choice as to how they'd spend the evening, she'd find some way of coaxing him back into her bed for something far more pleasurable than sleep. He wouldn't, though. He was holding back, still afraid to give in to their feelings for one another. She wondered if it had anything to do with the spell, but was afraid to delve into the matter. She didn't want to think of what he had planned for them after the portal opened.

He distracted her from her thoughts as his long spinner's fingers glided over the bare flesh of her shoulders and over her exposed back before he began to fasten the long row of buttons he'd carefully and expertly sewn there, the buttonhook moving with fast proficiency.

She shook out her skirts and smiled as she looked down at herself. She could barely restrain herself from running to the mirror to see how it looked. His softly uttered, "Don't move," however, held her in place. He returned to her side with the jewelry case, placing it in her hands. "Go on, dearie, have a look."

Her gaze flitted between his soft smile, so full of hopeful anticipation, and the box. She gasped as she beheld its contents. "Rumpel, these are exquisite," she murmured, her gentle tone filled with awe. A sapphire and diamond ring and bracelet lay upon the velvet, but it was the mystic blue pearl set in his own gold flanked on either side with a sapphire which held her attention. "Wherever did you find a blue pearl? They are said not to even exist in this realm."

Rumpelstiltskin shrugged as he led her over to the full-length mirror and removed the drape, letting her see her reflection for the first time since donning her ball gown. He was pleased as she beamed at her reflection. "I needed one for the spell, and … well, I thought the color would complement your gown. Do you like it?" he asked as he fastened the delicate chain about her alabaster throat, his fingers lingering against the clasp where it rested against her perfect skin.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, her eyes bright with unshed tears. It was the first gift he'd given her since her library, a wealth of meaning behind the gesture. "Thank you, darling."

He couldn't hide his smile, though he did try as he helped her fasten the bracelet about her wrist. "Now, I think we should be off, don't you?"

Belle took a deep breath and tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. "Yes, I suppose we should try to get there before all the cake is gone," she teased.

*.*.*

Belle pasted a smile on her petal pink lips … one she was far from feeling. Her stomach was twisted into knots of apprehension when she should be relaxed and enjoying the time she could spend with her wily master. She really needed to stop thinking of him as such. He'd released her from their deal long ago, and with the new direction their relationship had taken, he had no claim on the title. It was just so much fun to call him that, she thought mischievously. Yet, she knew she wouldn't be able to relax until they were once more on their way home.

"You're entirely too tense, dearie," he whispered in her ear after he'd handed their cloaks over to a servant at the door. He tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and led her through the entrance hall, taking note of the various inquisitive stares – and some of outright horror – at the woman on his arm. "The least you can do is try to enjoy yourself this evening." Rumpelstiltskin stopped at the end of the short queue into the ballroom, his eyes searching her face. "I believe you wanted this to be a … what did you call it? A date?"

Belle's face lit up with dawning understanding. "Oh, Rum, I do want this to be a date," she insisted. "I just can't help but be worried over what the queen has planned." She inched closer to him, her breath teasing the shell of his ear. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with tonight, Rumpelstiltskin."

The gold skin over his cheekbones darkened as he stared down at her, still in wonder that she truly wanted to be there with him. His fingers came to rest beneath her chin, tilting it up. "Then try to relax and have a good time, yes?"

She could see the hope in his warm amber eyes and let the tension flow out of her stiff posture. "Very well. I will focus on you instead of the queen," she acquiesced.

Belle held her head high as the majordomo announced them and Rumpelstiltskin led her over to the dais where the queen sat surrounded by her family. Charming looked rather uncomfortable, but Snow seemed to be enjoying herself. The queen had forgone her throne, choosing to sit on an ornate bench big enough to accommodate herself and her new love. Another chair had been set on her other side for Tinkerbell. It was all so odd in Belle's opinion, to see Regina relaxed and smiling instead of cold and smirking. Outward appearances could be deceiving, however.

"Rumpel, dear, I was beginning to wonder if you were coming," Regina greeted him, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "And, Belle, you look lovely."

Belle inwardly groaned and remembered her manners, dipping into a curtsy as Rumpel bowed low from the waist. "Your majesty," she murmured.

"Well, do run along and enjoy yourselves. Don't let me keep you from the fun."

The Dark One narrowed his eyes on the queen. "I believe there was mention of a deal which needs to be fulfilled."

"And it shall be … later. Did you think you'd walk in, snatch it from my hand and beat a hasty retreat?" she laughed. "No, I fully expect you to show your lady a lovely evening before the deal is fulfilled, Rumpel."

He managed not to snarl at his nemesis as he dragged Belle away with him to the buffet table. He wouldn't admit he was still suspicious of the woman's motives for wanting him there. He wanted Belle to have a good time. "Cake, dearest?" he asked, taking a dessert plate from one of the footmen.

Belle grinned as he led her to a small table off in a dimly lit corner. "Sometimes I wonder where you got such a sweet tooth. We could have had some of that delectable looking duck instead."

"Later. Cake first," he snarked. Yet, instead of taking the first bite, he offered it to her instead. She swallowed thickly as his gaze settled on her lips, and for the umpteenth time that night, she wished he'd lean in and kiss her. Slowly she parted her lips and allowed him to maneuver the fork inside. "Is it good?" he asked, watching closely for her reaction.

"Afraid it's poisoned?"

"No," he muttered dryly. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have had you taste it first." He shoveled a rather large bite into his own mouth to prove he wasn't afraid. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. She was doing it again … molding him like putty in her hands as she looked at him with that indecipherable emotion staring back at him from the depths of her cerulean eyes. It was filled with so much softness and caring he could have wept.

Her tongue darted out from between her glistening lips to catch a crumb and he had to look away. The desire to kiss her was just too strong, and he'd already been denying himself the pleasure of her perfect mouth for far too long. He needed a distraction to let his ardor cool.

What actually came out of his mouth was in no way designed to help, but he couldn't seem to gain control over his wayward tongue. "Would you care to dance, Belle?"

A/N: *sigh* they're just so cute :D Next time: Dancing! And Rum shares the tale of one of his deals. Belle also has a run – in with Ella. I want to thank you all for the lovely comments you've left for me and your continued support of this story. You just don't know what it means to me!