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***Be Still My Black Heart***

Rumpelstiltskin winced as Belle trod on his foot for the third time … the same foot in the same bloody spot. He wondered if she were doing it apurpose. "Belle, dearie, please pay attention. My instep is suffering."

Belle bit back a grin as he pulled her closer. Each time she stepped on his foot, he was forced to tighten his grip and press her to his chest instead of holding her nearly at arm's length. It was an old trick she and her friends had learned together – against the wishes of their rather handsome dance instructor – when they'd been forced to endure hour upon hour of lessons. It wouldn't do to try it again lest he suspect. "I'm sorry, Rum. I suppose I'm just a bit clumsy this evening," she demurred, her eyes luminous as she regarded him from beneath her lashes.

The sorcerer groaned at the sight of her heavily lidded gaze, and his hand gently caressed her hip before twirling her away from him. This time when he reeled her back in, she managed to plant her sharp little heels on the parquet floor rather than his booted foot. He breathed a sigh of relief and let himself relax a bit.

"Rumpel, people are staring at us," she said, twirling a lock of his hair about her finger as she looked over his shoulder.

"It's because you are beautiful, Belle, and they can't seem to help themselves."

She glanced up sharply, pleasure at his compliment softening her features. "As long as they keep their distance," she murmured, enraptured by the warmth in his eyes. "Or it could simply be my gown which has them staring."

"I told you blue was definitely your color, dear one."

Belle looked around again as she followed him through the intricate steps of the dance. Most of the ladies present had chosen pink, white or red in deference to the day set aside to celebrate love, but there were a few scattered about in shades of yellow, purple and green. Regina herself had chosen to wear a deep blood red confection with silver trim which only enhanced her dark beauty.

She tugged gently on his hair, the locks now woven between her fingers where her hand rested against his collar. "I think the craftsmanship of my gown is what sets it apart." Her nose wrinkled impishly as she leaned closer. "Have I told you how much I love my gown, master? It's all the more special because you made it for me."

He flushed, his thumb swirling little patterns over the small of her back. "It was my pleasure, Belle."

The song ended, but she retained her grip on his hand. "One more?" she asked, her eyes pleading and dark. She wasn't quite ready to step out of his arms … not yet. It was especially lovely that it was another slow waltz, and she could remain pressed against his chest. She was rather enjoying herself, secure in his arms, until a movement caught her eye. "Rumpel, isn't that Prince Thomas, heir to Bedrosia? Who is the girl with him? The last I'd heard his father was looking for a match for him."

Rumpelstiltskin stiffened, his eyes narrowing on the princess.

"You know her," Belle stated, reading him. "And you don't think highly of her at all."

He glanced at her sharply, her astute observation into his feelings surprising him yet again. "I made a deal with her. She insisted when … well, the how and why aren't really important, but it was a deal, nonetheless. She wanted to go to the ball to meet her prince."

The mage twirled her out and reeled her back in, his hand settling against her back once more. She arched a brow. "And what did you ask for in return?"

He looked away. "It's not important."

"I somehow doubt that. What was your price?"

Rumpelstiltskin sighed. "Why must you know?" he hissed belligerently.

"Because I want to know you, Rum," she whispered softly. "It doesn't matter what you asked. I will not judge you."

"She was asking me to remake her life, Belle, if you must know," he hissed in irritation. "A chance for wealth, title, and privilege, so you can understand the price would have to be worthy of the magic."

"Of course," she nodded in understanding. He'd explained magic and its price to her on more than one occasion. Dark magic especially demanded its due.

"I asked for her first born."

Belle gaped, but held the reprimand hovering on the tip of her tongue. "A child?"

"I did try to dissuade her from the deal."

"Or more likely you had an ulterior motive," she returned. After all, she did know her master quite well by now.

A giggle trilled from his thin lips as he twirled them about with a bit more enthusiasm, leaving her breathless. "An ulterior motive. Ah, dearie, you think you know me so well."

A breathy sigh escaped her parted lips as she leaned into him. "If I don't … I'd like to," she cooed. "Now tell me what you planned to do with the child."

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. Would he always be in awe with the things which emitted from her sweet mouth? "If – and I do mean if – it came down to me claiming the child, I would have made certain it went to a proper home with loving and devoted parents. But that isn't why I chose the child as my price, Belle." He growled low in his throat as her fingers caressed his nape, heat flooding his body at her touch. Apparently, he wasn't explaining quickly enough for her curious nature. "Suffice it to say, I needed to be in a certain place at a very particular time."

"Because of the curse you wished the queen to cast … to take you to Bae?"

"Yes. She would have broken our deal, attempted to imprison me so she could keep her child, and there I would have remained until Regina cast the curse," he admitted as he led her to the edge of the dance floor. "I've always been rather adept at recognizing a desperate soul, and she was about as desperate as they come. Why not use her to aid my cause?" He could practically feel her trembling with … was that anger? She was angry on his behalf?

It didn't take her long to answer his unasked questions. "I do not find honor in breaking my word, Rumpelstiltskin, and I value those who do even less," she seethed, fighting to keep her face neutral so as not to give herself away. "She shouldn't have made a deal she didn't intend to see through to the end. You are the Dark One. She should have known your price would be high."

Rumpelstiltskin lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her palm. "My precious Belle …" No one understood him as she did. Another thing on a list of many which he loved about her.

A devious gleam entered her eyes. "Master," she purred, feeling the tremor course through him through their clasped hands. "Won't you fetch us a glass of champagne? I find myself rather parched."

"As you wish," he said with a genuine smile.

Belle watched him go, her teeth nibbling at her lower lip as she let her eyes wander his body. Good heavens, he's a fine looking man. She gave herself a mental shake. Now was not the time to ogle her master, not if she were going to take advantage of his brief absence. She adapted an air of nonchalance as she approached one of the many servants moving throughout the ballroom with trays of food and drink, zeroing in on one offering little crystal cups filled with bright red punch.

She took one from the tray, smiling coyly at the young man, and strolled off along the edge of the dance floor. Her steps brought her farther away from Rumpelstiltskin, and closer to the little blonde princess and her husband. Ella … she believed that was the name her master had provided. She was lovely, truly, but there was an air of entitlement about the girl. For all outward appearances, she was sweet, demure, and charming, but Belle could see her for what she was. Pity me for what I was. My life was so hard, but I needed someone to lift me out of the gutter because I didn't have the courage to free myself. I'm the victim, and I deserve to have someone rescue me. I don't owe anyone anything. What she could see only enraged her further.

Belle herself had sacrificed her freedom and an unknown future to save her kingdom, her family and friends. Rumpelstiltskin could have easily killed her as made her a maid, but she had been determined to fulfill her part of their bargain. Her honor was beyond reproach.

Belle inwardly seethed, her anger with the chit boiling in her veins. The only evidence, the flush on her ivory skin and the darkening of her eyes. She smiled and waited. Waited for the opportunity to bring the girl down from her self-righteous pedestal.

*.*.*

The Dark One's senses prickled as he took two freshly poured flutes of champagne from the servant, and turned back to return to Belle where he'd left her at the edge of the dance floor. Only she wasn't where he'd left her. This didn't give him cause for alarm. He was quite good at sensing her now, especially if she were in the same room. Belle had a way of projecting her emotions. Only now, he didn't like what it was she was projecting. Anger bordering on quietly contained rage wasn't something he was used to feeling from her.

An outraged shriek pierced the room before he could locate her, and he took little comfort in knowing it hadn't come from her. The music came to a clamoring halt, dancers stumbled into their partners, and heads turned in the direction of the ruckus.

"You stupid girl!" Oh, yes, he recognized that voice. "You've ruined my gown with your clumsiness!"

Rumpelstiltskin abandoned the champagne, banishing it with a wisp of magic as he made his way towards where he was sure his little dearie was causing trouble.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he heard Belle say as he got closer, however, her tone was far from apologetic. "I tripped and lost the contents of my cup. It wasn't on purpose, I assure you."

"Ella, dear, it was an accident," Thomas tried to placate her.

"Look at me, Thomas!" the princess wailed. "It's red punch! This will never come out. Not to mention my evening is ruined."

"Perhaps a bit of club soda will – "

Ella cut her off, her face as red as the stains on her formerly pristine white gown. "You shouldn't have been let out of your house if you're unable to walk a simple straight line!"

"Considering she is the Lady of the Dark Castle, I suppose it is I who shouldn't have allowed her … out of the house," Rumpelstiltskin said with quiet menace as the guests parted to allow him forward to face the screeching girl. "Eh, dearie?"

Ella's eyes widened with fear as her face drained of color at his challenging tone. Thomas slipped his arm about her waist and pulled her closer to his side. "Dark One," he said with a regal nod. "I'm sure Ella didn't mean to insult your lady."

"Oh, I think she did," he tittered in the high pitch of the demon. "And over something which was clearly an accident. Wasn't it, my dear?"

Belle rested her hand in the crook of his arm and looked up at him, the picture of innocence. "It was, Rumpel. I have no reason to maliciously upset her or cause her embarrassment. And I did apologize."

It was all he could do to hold back a giggle. Quite the actress, his little dearie. "Indeed, you did, and yet she insulted you."

Regina pushed her way through the crowd, Snow at her side to see what was going on. She knew firsthand how easily things could go awry when her former mentor was in a snit. "Ella, it was an accident. We saw the whole thing. Why don't you let Snow take you to get cleaned up?" she offered diplomatically. "And once you've recovered, I'll personally see to your gown, yes?"

Snow led Ella away, Thomas following, before the imp could curse her into oblivion. Regina sighed. "Would you like to tell me what that was about?"

The Dark One giggled as he patted Belle's hand where it rested on his arm. "No, not especially, your majesty." He steered Belle in the opposite direction from where Snow had led Ella, but turned back to the queen for a moment. "Lovely party by the way."

Regina rolled her eyes as he giggled, and made a motion for the orchestra to resume playing. Why had she ever thought she'd get through this evening without at least one scene.

A/N: I just can't stand Ella. She was never one of my favorite Disney princesses, but OUAT ruined her altogether in my head once and for all :D I'm so glad you're all still with me on this story. There's still more goodies to come! Next time: Rum and Belle have a misunderstanding and Belle and Regina have a chat. Hope you'll join me for the next installment.