A/N: Moonlight91 prompted: Rumpelstiltskin sees a book Belle has and it's one where he thinks she wished to be the heroine because the situation is near hers. *rubs hands together in anticipation* If OUAT could redo certain aspects of 'Skin Deep' for the travesty (or so I've heard) which is 06x01, then so can I, dearies!

XIII

The Monster's Weaknesses

Tea time! Tea time! Tea time! It was a litany dancing through his mind as he took the stairs two at a time on his way down to the Great Hall. His favorite time of day. Not that he'd ever admit that to another living soul. The days were getting longer now in late autumn, and he rather enjoyed spending the lazy afternoons with his little caretaker over a pot of tea. She used that time with him to relate stories of her life in Avonlea. Sometimes, when he was looking for an excuse to linger, he'd coax her into a game of chess or hand of cards. And when the rains came, and the thunder boomed, casting a pall over the Dark Castle, she would curl up on the settee, nestled against his side where he would read to her until the storm passed.

That night he'd found her in the dungeon, the following morning had been more than a little awkward for them both. He'd been so certain she would run from him when she woke and took in the impropriety of sleeping upon her master's lap. He couldn't have been more wrong. With a rosy blush riding high upon her cheekbones, she'd quietly thanked him for his gentle care, placed a kiss as soft as butterfly wings on his cheek and flitted off to prepare breakfast.

If he'd been confused before, that kiss had struck him stupid! He wouldn't have been able to speak his own name if he'd tried, his heart threatening to beat right out of his chest. He'd sat there in a daze for the better part of an hour before he'd felt more himself and able to face her again. She'd been in the kitchen when he'd sought her out and coaxed her to tell him of her fears. He'd enjoyed the leisurely meal with her at the worn wooden table next to the hearth in the kitchen. Quaint, cozy, relaxed in a way he hadn't been in years. And over the last month, it wasn't the last time he'd shared a meal with her there.

The smile died on Rumpelstiltskin's thin lips as he entered the Great Hall, the torches flickering in their ornate gold sconces, the fire roaring in the hearth. All was well. The tea tray sat upon the end of the table in its usual place. There was just one thing missing. Belle. Where the devil could she be? Why must he always be constantly searching her out? "I swear I'm going to put a locator charm on that girl!" he grumbled to himself. He cast one last longing look towards the little plate of tea cakes and began to wander the rooms off the main hall.

He found her in the solarium, watering can in one hand and one of her prized tomes in the other. A devious smile curled his lips as Rumpelstiltskin poofed behind her, snatching the book from her hand. He delighted in her scream, a giggle bubbling from his throat at her upset. "Dawdling again, dearie?"

"Rumpelstiltskin!" she shrieked indignantly, the watering can slipping from her fingers to thud against the floor, water droplets spraying over her shoes. "You gave me a fright. Why must you do that?!"

"Because it amuses me?"

"Oh!"

His elegant spinner's fingers tapped idly against the leather cover. "What are you reading?" he asked, attempting to begin a conversation with her before he cajoled her to return to the hall for tea. His maid was always more than willing to discuss literature with him no matter how dark her mood.

A rosy blush tinted her cheeks as she reached for her book. "Did you need something?" she asked, quickly changing the subject.

Rumpelstiltskin held it out of her reach. "It's tea time."

"I already left your tray in the hall," she replied, a puzzled frown marring her brow.

"Yes, dearie, so I saw."

"Master, I'm not a mind reader. I leave that to you," she quipped. "You must tell me what it is you want."

You. He bit the inside of his cheek to ward off that errant thought. Gods, what was wrong with him of late? "Er … it's tea time, which means we take tea in the hall, Belle."

She arched a condescending brow as she regarded him, which made him fidget uncomfortably. It dawned on her then that he was asking - in his own way - to join him. "Forgive me. I must have lost track of the time." His breath stuttered painfully in his chest as she smiled sweetly and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow.

The delicious aroma of tea, honey and lemon brought him out of his fugue as she placed his chipped cup in his hand, and he cursed himself for getting lost in her once again. It was becoming a habit. He backed away from her as she followed, matching his steps. She stalked him like a hunter with its prey before hopping up onto the table to grin cheekily at him. "Might I have my book back, Master?" she asked, her eyes twinkling merrily over the rim of her cup.

Rumpelstiltskin whipped the tome behind his back as she reached for it once more. "Not until you tell me about it. I'm quite intrigued to learn what has you blushing like a maid with her first love."

Oh, gods! Had he really said that? Ungh! Now she's blushing … wait! Am I blushing? Fucking hell! And indeed, he could feel the heat creeping up his neck to stain his ears a dark gold. Thankfully his hair covered them, and she'd be none the wiser.

"Oh, very well," Belle sighed, smiling indulgently. "It's about … wait," she said, narrowing her eyes. "I didn't think you wanted to hear about romantic 'drivel' as you like to call it."

"Perhaps, just this once."

"Alright, it's about this sorcerer. He was scarred in an accident in his youth, and no matter how much power he accumulated, it wasn't enough to hide his deformity. All he ever wanted was to be loved …"

Rumpelstiltskin snorted, the subject matter hitting all too close to home. "That sounds downright depressing, dearie. I don't see why it would have you blushing."

"Well, if you would stop interrupting," she murmured pointedly.

"My apologies," he recanted with a little bow. "Do go on."

"Enter our heroine, the fair Princess Eloise. A rare beauty sought after throughout the land for her fair face and form, yet she had no desire for any of the suitors her father threw her way. She wished to marry for love. Until she was given no choice. A plague swept through her kingdom, decimating the population and laying waste to their crops. Famine and desolation abounded."

The mage propped a hip against the table, leaning into her without realizing as she spun the tale in her sweet voice. He couldn't help but find himself enraptured with her.

"Her father, the king, sent out his knights to find someone – anyone – who might be able to help them, offering his fair daughter's hand in exchange. The sorcerer, seeing this as his chance to banish the loneliness of his life, traveled to the kingdom with all haste. It was a simple matter with his magic to restore the land if not the people. The princess was outraged that her father would barter her hand, yet she selflessly agreed on behalf of the remaining populace."

Rumpelstiltskin chuckled. "Oh, I bet she was just thrilled to go home with the monster. No doubt, she bemoaned her fate, vain little thing that she was."

"On the contrary, she looked into his heart, Master. She saw the gentle man he was beneath, and she fell in love with him. It was getting rather good when you snatched it away from me," she teased, poking him in his ribs.

He jumped away from her reflexively. "You need to get your head out of the clouds, dearie," he scoffed, finishing off his second cup of tea. "Is this how you see yourself? Trying to get close to learn more of the monster's weaknesses?"

His little maid hopped off the table, closing the distance between them, her lips pursed with displeasure. He drew in a sharp breath as she raised her hand to cup his cheek, her eyes open and warm. "You're not a monster … you're my friend, Rumpelstiltskin. To the world, you're the big bad scary Dark One, but to me you're just a man … a good man."

His heart clenched. Was he? He couldn't remember ever having anyone think of him as a friend before. He shook his head. What was the girl doing to him? It was hard to breathe, hard to think when she looked at him like that. Was this some sort of game for her? The loud knocker thumping harshly on the castle door put an end to his musings and he drew away, but it was not quickly enough to stop her from leaving the hall to answer the door.

A/n: My posting schedule is all off for this fic as I'd planned to post it over the month of December. However, on Dec 12th I had to be admitted to the hospital. Let me tell you, it was the most horrible experience of my life! I had to have surgery and a long recovery. I was in there for sixteen days, came home for a day and a half and then had to go right back for another three. Thankfully, now I'm home and on the mend and will resume posting my fics. I want to thank all of you for your wonderful support during this trying time. All of those of you who reached out to me while I was in the hospital hold a special place in my heart and always will. You made my recovery so much more bearable. So, I hope you enjoy the update and my love to you.