XIII

***You've Got to Be Kidding!***

"Rum, this isn't necessary," she cooed in a sultry tone, her lips brushing the shell of his ear and making him shiver. A pleasant tickling along his spine which had nothing to do with the frigid cold, and everything to do with the woman in his arms.

He kept his eyes on the path so he wouldn't slip on the thin layer of ice clinging to the cobblestones. He didn't want to take a chance of dropping his beloved before he could get her inside to warm up. "Rubbish! I'd be most put out to have this evening end on a sour note. Broken bones tend to do that, dearie."

She smiled and laid her head against his shoulder, her arms tightening about his neck as he carried her up the steps and into the castle. "I think you just like to find excuses to have me in your arms," she teased.

The great entrance doors closed behind them as they entered the foyer, and he set her on her feet, reveling in the slow slide of her body against his. Though she'd been released, Belle was reluctant to let him go, enjoying the warmth of his elegant hands against her hips. His lips curled into a rakish grin. "You're kind to indulge an old monster."

Belle arched a brow and sighed, reaching for the clasp of his cloak. "Pfft," she scoffed. "There are no monsters here, Rumpelstiltskin." She took his outerwear – as well as her own – and left him there to hang the garments in the massive wardrobe beneath the stairs.

He clasped his hands behind his back as she returned to his side, refusing to argue with her. He wanted to continue their evening if she was amenable. "Are you tired, dearie?" he asked with a raise of his brows.

Her heart fluttered as she took in the hopeful gleam in his warm amber eyes. "Not trying to get rid of me, are you?"

"On the contrary. I thought we might go upstairs to the library, and …" He brushed a loose curl behind her ear, his fingertips ghosting over her cheek. "And … um, have tea in front of the fire …"

"And perhaps have a look at the spell hidden somewhere on my person?" She giggled at his crestfallen expression. "Darling, you are so transparent at times."

"So … is that a no?"

"Of course not," she assured him, linking her arm through his and leading him towards the stairs. "Would you mind if I changed first? My corset is cutting into my ribs something fierce, and I'd like to be comfortable."

Rumpelstiltskin nodded, relieved she wasn't trying to escape his company. "Take your time, dear. You know where I will be when you're ready to join me."

"And bring the spell," she giggled, putting voice to what he'd left unsaid. "Rum, I know how important it is to you. I won't make you wait longer than necessary." She raised up on her toes and pressed her lips to his weathered cheek as they came to a stop at her door. She bit her lip as another thought crossed her busy mind. "What of my stays?"

He released a nervous giggle himself as she pushed open her door. "I've spelled them to unfasten once you enter your room. That way you won't need me to help. I don't think I could bear disrobing you, dearie," he mumbled the last as the gold over his cheekbones darkened. "At least not without showing you what a beast I can be."

"Rumpelstiltskin, you act like that's such a horrid thing." She gave a slight tug on his cravat, her lips ghosting over his to reach the corner of his mouth. "Do you find me wanton because I find your beastly side a bit exciting?"

A little whimper was her only answer, and she smiled coyly as she gave him her back and disappeared into her room. She leaned back against the door as she closed it behind her, and sighed, her smile radiant. Gods, how she loved him, she thought as she tried to calm her racing heart. If only she could make him see her feelings as more than a flight of fancy.

She hurried through her sitting room and into her bedchamber, giving a little squawk as her fastenings gave way and her dress and corset pooled about her feet. He hadn't been kidding! She made quick work of divesting herself of her petticoats and underthings, but her eyes were drawn to a lavishly wrapped box sitting on her bed before she could rummage through her wardrobe for something to wear.

Belle reached for the box, ignoring the chill of her room as she was clad only in her thin shift. She pulled the bright red ribbon off and tore through the gold paper to discover the delights within, a gasp upon her parted lips. A folded note in her love's elegant pen was set atop a lovely silk nightdress and matching peignoir in fine velvet just a shade darker, delicate lace adorning the cuffs and hem with shiny gold clasps to hold it closed.

My darling Belle –

I thought I would find a better use for the pink fabrics you favored so well. Happy Valentine's Day, dear one.

Love –

R

She set the note aside and ran her fingers reverently over her gift. "Oh, Rum …" He could be so romantic when he wanted to, especially when he wasn't trying so hard to be the big bad Dark One. Realizing she'd dallied long enough, she donned her new gown and robe and set off to join him, wondering what delights the evening might yet have in store for them, the small scroll Regina had given her clutched tightly in her hand.

*.*.*

Rumpelstiltskin stood at the bank of windows in the library overlooking the vast gardens below. He wondered if his Belle would miss the castle once they left for a land with no magic. Surely, they would be able to find a suitable dwelling to make into a home for them. He still worried, though, and hoped it wouldn't take them too long to find Bae. His gaze wandered to the ornate clock resting innocuously on the mantle above the hearth. What in the seven realms could be taking Belle so long?

He took in the room at a glance, more than pleased with his handiwork. A warm fire crackled in the hearth, muted candlelight lent a warm romantic glow to the room, and the coffee table was laden with treats for his beloved. His nose wrinkled as he stared down at the frilly lace tablecloth covering the low table. Was it a bit too much? He'd already done away with the chocolate covered strawberries and champagne in favor of tea and cakes. What if she thought he were trying to seduce her?

No, something safe and familiar would serve him best. In no way did he want her to think he were trying to take advantage of her. The Dark One chuckled ominously in the back of his mind. And who's to save you from her? She's made it quite clear she'd like nothing more than to have you in her bed between her –

"Ack! Not another word!" he snarled.

"Rum, darling, who are you talking to?" Belle asked, looking about curiously as she entered the room.

"Er … no one, dearest," he caviled, his hands fidgeting at his sides. It was then she came into the light and he could see her gift clinging to her soft curves. "Oh, Belle, you look beautiful."

She twirled about for him, so he could see her from all angles. "Thank you, Rum. It was a lovely gift." Her hand slipped into his, and she pulled him along with her to the settee to pour them each a cup of tea. Once she'd handed him the chipped cup full of the aromatic brew, she withdrew the scroll from her pocket and pressed it into his free hand. She watched his fingers hesitate as if he were afraid of what he'd find inside the ancient parchment. "Go on, darling; open it."

His voice was thick, warm as it washed over her. "You liked the pink," he said simply. "I just didn't think it appropriate for your ball gown."

Belle took his cup and set it on the table along with her own. Right then she couldn't have cared less about tea and cakes. He was her sole focus. She tucked herself against his side and folded her hands around his arm before resting her head against his shoulder. "It was a wonderful evening, Rum. Now read the scroll before we both expire from suspense."

The sorcerer chuckled lowly and dropped a kiss to her crown. "Always so impatient, my Belle."

"No more than you," she whispered sagely with a fervent nod.

He turned his attention to the scroll, trying his best to ignore the fairy magic woven into the parchment. The list of ingredients rolled easily off his tongue as he read the words written in the language of the fae. "Dragon shell from a new hatchling, a rare blue pearl from the land which never ends, ground griffon talon, three tulip stamens collected under a blue moon …"

"Doesn't sound too complicated," Belle said, encouraged as he remained relaxed beneath her light hold. "You have all these things, yes?"

Rumpelstiltskin hummed distractedly as his eyes flickered over the remaining ingredients, those every wizard would have on hand as staples in his stores. "I can use the smallest cauldron –"

"The one I like to plant herbs in?"

"Yes, dearest, I'm afraid I'll need that back," he chided gently, seeing her smile in return. "The potion will need to stew for twelve hours during the first night of the full moon."

"That's tomorrow! Do you think that is why the queen chose today for her ball?"

"I don't know … it's possible. She will have known I'd want to act on this with all haste." He read a bit further, his heart beginning to pound with hope. Could it all really be so simple? Was it possible he'd be reunited with his Baelfire before the week was out, Belle at his side? "The last steps are to distribute the potion on hallowed ground blessed by a … fairy, and then … "

"What?" she asked, not liking the way he began to radiate with tension, a tremor of barely restrained panic humming beneath his skin. "Rumpel, what is it?"

He bolted from the settee with a howl of unadulterated rage as he felt his hope crumble to ash. "She tricked me! I knew it was too bloody good to be true!"

Belle shot to her feet, her brows drawn with worry as she went to him, her hands clamping tightly over his wrists. "Surely, it can't be as bad as all that. Regina seemed sincere when I spoke with her this evening. Whatever it is, we can do this. Don't give up now."

His eyes were narrowed shards of ice as he glared at her, scoffing at her naiveté. "Oh, now you believe her?!" he sneered. "You were the one convinced she couldn't change, Belle."

She ducked her head sheepishly, though she didn't release her hold on him. It was evident her touch was the only thing grounding him in the moment, and she wouldn't be responsible for him spiraling out of control and unleashing the Dark One's temper. "Rum, I've never known you not to be able to procure an item you might need. You have nearly limitless power. We'll –"

"It's not an ingredient, Belle!" he raged, slipping from her grasp to pace back and forth across the hearth rug. Finally, he stretched out his arms and anchored his hands against the mantle, staring down into the crackling flames. "I have all the ingredients. This is the catalyst to make the portal open … something I will never have. No wonder Rheul Ghorm was so reluctant to hand over the spell. She knew it would be worthless to me."

Her slippered feet were silent as she moved to stand beside him. "Why? Why now have you lost hope?" She tugged gently on his right arm, pulling it from the mantle. He hesitated only a moment before slipping it about her waist. Her fingertips brushed the hair away from his brow and she could clearly see the desolation and despair in his expressive eyes. "Tell me, my love … please?"

"It's something no Dark One has ever had, nor will ever have … true love. We need true love's kiss to activate the spell."

Belle curled her fingers in the hair at his nape, already feeling him trying to pull away from her. His fears, the self-loathing he'd lived with for so long, and the belief he wasn't worthy of love were all there written on his beloved face. She could see the wariness in his gaze as she fitted her body flush with his. "Then why haven't you kissed me yet, hm? Isn't it because somewhere deep in that heart of yours, you know how much I love you?" she murmured, her nose brushing against his as she closed the distance between them.

"Belle … don't toy with me."

She ignored the growl of warning rumbling up in his throat and squared her shoulders with determination. He was afraid. Afraid to kiss her only to have his fears confirmed. To discover she truly wasn't able to love him enough.

"Then let me show you," she whispered, a second before she claimed his lower lip between her own.

A/N: Oh, I'm so awful for leaving it right there. I'm just plain evil :D So! Next time: Belle makes a point, romance, and Regina does a bit of harmless spying. It's going to be fun. Thanks so much for reading, my darlings!