Belle now realises that Rumple knows everything about her and Ruby, and the evidence is there before him. As Snow remains in a coma, Emma and Regina prepare to come home. Ruby gets an even nastier surprise.

The Gold mansion

It was without doubt, one of the worst experiences of Belle's life.

And it wasn't over yet!

Having frozen her where she stood, just as she was about to about to leave the study, his magic lifted her feet inches off the floor, turning her around slowly, before gently, but firmly, using an invisible force she was unable to resist, to ease her into the armchair, facing the dreamcatcher.

"RUMPLE, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? LET GO OF ME!"

It'd been a long time since he'd used magic against her, other than pulling her out of harm's way. But it was very clear the man staring at her right now was the Dark One taking control, and not Rumpelstiltskin. And he'd clearly already prepared just what he wanted to show her!

"Now, although I went back a lot further than I originally intended, here's where our next interesting couple start to get even more acquainted. Take a look?"

With a twist of his fingers, the dreamcatcher burst into life, brightening to reveal the inside of her flat over the library, just as two figures burst through her door, loud, and apparently the worse for alcohol.

She was now watching images of herself and Ruby Gale-Lucas onscreen. Then, the moving images suddenly froze again.

"I checked through the records earlier, and I can tell you that this took place during the second weekend of May, just over four years ago. An evening which the two of you spent in the Rabbit Hole, with others, including Snow White, her irritating daughter, Miss Herman, and the then single, Regina Mills. Remember that?" He studied her face for a glimmer of a recollection. "You know Belle, although I try not to listen to other people's conversations as a rule, sometimes I just can't help myself. Even now, I'm always surprised at how easily you ladies can discuss the most intimate of matters with one another; matters that really should remain between the couples concerned? I could play that part for you, but most of it becomes rather tedious. Anyway, suffice to say, later in the evening, you and the she-wolf, out of earshot of the others, thank goodness, shared how your current lovers lacked the...spontaneous excitement of their past? You were both rather critical of our performances in the bedroom, as I recall." Belle winced, but avoided saying anything that could make things worse. "Still, never mind. Watch this. It becomes most interesting."

He waved his hand at the dreamcatcher, and the images restarted. To the pair on the screen giggling, laughing like young schoolgirls as Ruby settled herself on the sofa, Belle having just brought out a bottle of brandy, pouring two generous measures, and handing a glass to the other woman, before sitting down next to her, and putting her feet up on the coffee table.

Rumple did something else with his fingers, and the sound increased, so they could be heard clearly:

Belle: "That was a really good night! We have to do it again soon!"

Her voice sounded a little slurry, as did Ruby's, clearly the affect of drink.

Ruby: "Couldn't agree more, but you're the one with the kiddo. Just name the date, ask hubby to take care of him, and I'll be there."

"Say once a month? We'll make it a fixed night every month, and ask the rest of the girls to come join us as when they can? Seriously Rubes, I had a great time tonight. It was lovely to get out, just relax, and just let our hair down."

"I could tell! That new fella behind the bar, what was his name now, Chris? He was dropping less than subtle hints he fancied you rotten, lady! And yes, I saw you batting your eyes back at him! Emma had a little word with him after he brought the drinks over, telling him who you were, and that your man's more inclined to fillet guys who try to come onto his girl. It was funny as hell watching his face fall!"

The tall brunette chuckled with laughter, before taking a large slug of the brandy, grabbing the bottle to refresh the glass. They were now well on the way to being drunk.

"I know - she said!" Belle couldn't stop giggling herself. "Ahh, poor Chris. Still, it's nice to be flirted with, and know I'm still vaguely fanciable? Because of Rumple, most guys around here are way too scared to even talk to me most of the time. Let alone chat me up!"

"What do you mean, 'vaguely fanciable'? You're bloody gorgeous! And well above Rumple's pay grade, in my humble opinion. Hell, if you played for my team, I'd jump your bones! And I'm married!" She handed her a glass. "Dot gets quite angsty sometimes when I talk to people myself. She says sometimes I flirt way too much with everyone."

"I don't see why? It's your way, you're famous for it! I reckon you chatting up Charlie tonight is what got us the first round of shots on the house? Dot's not seriously worried about you doing anything other than flirt with people, is she?"

"Nah. She's not really the jealous type, and she knows it helps keep the tips rolling in at the diner. But I just wish I could get her out with us more, on girls' night, you know? She's not really into the whole 'group' thing, because she just prefers one-on-one, but she knows I need it from time to time."

"Rumple's a bit like that. Though if there were any guys with us when we have our Friday nights, he'd insist on coming along. But if it's just us girls, it doesn't seem to bother him."

"Even though some of us girls are into other girls? There's more gays in Storybrooke than you might think. Does he just assume you're so straight, you'd never play on my team?"

"But I am straight!" For some reason, Ruby's question made her start giggling again. "Boring to you, I know. I've never even kissed a girl, let alone liked it!"

"REALLY?" Ruby seemed more than surprised at the admission. "Not even in your teens? With your looks? Or when you were schooled, or whatever they did where you came from?"

"Really," Belle picked up her glass. "Princess, remember? I was home-taught, and my dad, the king of a fairly non-descript little realm, already had a particular prince in mind for me. Someone called Gaston. So no, no kissing girls, or boys for that matter."

"Well we can't have that now, can we?" The wolf took the brandy glass straight out of her friend's hand, placing both on the table, turning to her side to put her hands on the librarian's cheeks. "Time to fix a gap in your education, so come on – pucker up!"

Before Belle could say anything, she suddenly felt a warm pair of soft cushioned lips, pressing against her own, moulding themselves against her mouth, which opened slightly. It was a surprise, but a pleasant one, and only lasted a few seconds. But she closed her eyes, relishing the warmth.

As Belle now watched herself on the dreamcatcher, the memory of that kiss, four years ago, came flooding back. And as the women's' lips parted, she could see the look in her own eyes had changed, from one of surprise, to definite interest, even hunger! So much so that as blue and brown eyes, inches apart, exchanged a look, it was the librarian who lunged forward, reconnecting their lips and pushing in harder this time. From there, it became more heated, as arms now held one another, pulling their upper bodies closer, the atmosphere changing by the second.

It was when the Belle on the dreamcatcher pushed her friend back against the sofa, lifting a leg over to straddle her friend's waist, that the Belle watching them saw, from the corner of her eye, Rumple.

He was sitting rigidly still, taking in everything.

She'd almost forgotten he was there?

"Turn it off?" Her voice sounded like a whimper. "Please?"

"Why dearie? The best is yet to come."

"Because I was drunk, Rumple!" It was a pathetic excuse, and she knew it. "It should never have happened. I'm sorry."

"Drunk, you say?"

She closed her eyes, ashamed, unable to even look at him. "You heard me; I was slurring my words? It was a very stupid thing to do, and I'm so sorry. I just got caught up in the heat of the moment."

"Belle, look at me?"

She finally opened her eyes, horrified to find the ones staring right back at her had changed. To an animal shade of brown, his pupils now three times their usual size. His skin above his shirt had become grey and scaly. This was the Dark One. And he looked ready to kill!

"You were drunk, weren't you? So drunk, that within minutes of this happening, you proceeded to take her to your own bed." He gave her a look she'd never seen aimed at her before. Disgust. "Tell me Belle, were you both drunk the other thirty-three times you had sex with her?" His stare was contemptuous. "I counted. I've seen each and every time, in more detail than I could ever have wished. And as far as I can tell, unlike others more recently, you were not affected by Ingrid's faulty potion? Nor any other influence? Quite the energetic pair, aren't you? Clearly the wolf's a much better lover than your own husband."

"It's not like that, Rumple!" She had to look away again, rather than face him. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry to have been caught?" His voice was higher pitched than normal. "Four years, Belle. You know, I've repeatedly told the cowardly spinner who currently hosts me, that love is weakness. I've told many people that over the years. You're aware of what I did to Milah, the first wife who betrayed him?"

"Rumple…" Her voice was sounding more desperate now She appealed to his higher self. "Please don't let him kill me? We have Gideon!"

"Perhaps you should have thought about that child, before you desecrated your marriage? The spinner was a fool to ever trust you again, especially after you sent him over the town line the first time?" She still wouldn't lift her head to face him. "But still, your adultery has made my job so much easier."

"I…I don't understand."

"The man you married, weak though he may be, has until now, managed to resist my full control of his mind more than any other human host I've encountered over millennia. And you were the primary reason! When I first returned from your banishment, I told him to kill you for your treachery. Rip out your heart, and crush it in front of you, like Milah! But no, the fool refused me, still desperate for your love. Pathetic! But now? Your infidelity has broken his spirit, more than I've been able to achieve in over three hundred years! I congratulate you, and thank you. It'll make my task so much easier."

"Let me speak to my husband? She finally looked at him. "Please let me speak to the man I love, not the Dark One."

"No."

Belle felt sick at the thought of what was likely to happen. And it was all her own fault. "So what now? You're just going to kill me?"

As he smiled back at her malevolently, she was reminded why Killian Jones always referred to him as The Crocodile. Now she could see it herself!

"Much as I would love to dearie, the spinner made a vow, a deal, never to harm you, did he not? He controlled me when he made it, so we made it together. And the Dark One never reneges on a vow. Like a wedding vow, really. 'Till death us do part'? Unlike some people." He sneered the words. "So no, unfortunately, to my great regret, I will not kill you, nor harm you, even though you deserve it."

"So what are you going to do with me?"

"Nothing, unless Rumpelstiltskin changes his mind. Though I will banish you."

"Banish me? But what about our son? What about Gideon?"

"He's no longer your concern. His father will love and protect him, as always. And I will ensure he knows exactly what happened here. Gideon deserves the truth. You and the wolf, on the other hand…"

"Please don't kill Ruby! Promise me you won't hurt her?"

"Ah. Well, you're no longer in any position to demand promises. I will do what needs to be done. But I'm sending you away from here. Expect to receive divorce papers within a matter of days?" His gaze turned even more malevolent if that were possible. "I would advise you not to return."

"WAIT! I-"

But Belle's pleading ended momentarily, as she was teleported from the mansion, instantly apparating seconds later, in the gloom of her unlit flat above the library.

Shocked, appalled, and completely terrified, she turned the lights on, before sliding down to rest her back against the wall, knees to her chest, cupping her face in her hands.

She brought this all on herself.

Storybrooke Hospital

"Disappeared? What do you mean, disappeared? He's run away?"

"No. She said he disappeared right in front of her! Disapparated, like mum and ma do!"

Charming shook his head wearily as he glanced over at Snow's unconscious body. His son had already gone through so much, over the last two weeks. His mother had left the family home to live with a former family friend. She'd embarrassed him in front of all his friends at school, been fired from her job, and was now apparently a social outcast. And she never even saw him on his eighth birthday. Plus, the same thing had happened to his sister, and she'd fled town with Regina, the woman he once regarded as a big second sister. And now, it looked like he knew something about Snow.

"Looks like his magic has come in early. What did Dorothy tell him?"

"Only what you asked. That she was 'poorly', and in hospital. But…"

"But? But what?"

"Neal didn't believe her. Dot thinks he's got Emma's superpower to detect not just lies but, avoidance. It wasn't her fault, gramps!"

"I KNOW IT WASN'T!" David yelled, but realised his mistake. "I'm sorry Henry, I didn't mean to snap. It's just…what with everything."

"It's okay, I get it, I do and you're stressed out.. Dot said he asked her, straight out, what had happened to put her in hospital. She obviously didn't want to say his own mother might have tried to commit suicide, so she said she didn't know. That's when he accused her of lying, and just disapparated. I didn't even know he had magic?"

"We kept it quiet. Merlin told us he had it inside him, just like his big sister. But he said it shouldn't come in until he was an adult, like Emma. But now?"

"I'll go look for him. I'll also give Hank Morgan a call, explain what's happened, so they can start a search? And maybe Robin too. His guys have eyes all over the forest. You should stay here with grandma, I guess? At least, till we know something?"

"No, she's safe here for the moment with the doctors and nurses, so Neal has to be my priority. Have you heard from Emma or Regina at all?"

"Not a word. I must admit, I never tried to reach them, either, as I just wanted to be sure where we stand on the potion they took at the cottage. Grandpa Gold said it might not be permanent, but he can't be sure because it was a one-off mixture. But what I do know, is where they went after they left town."

"You do? How?"

"I've been tracking their charge and bank card use. Emma's, and Regina's. They don't realise I can do it." He saw the look of disapproval on the former Sheriff's face. "End justifies the means, right? Anyway, they stayed one night in a hotel in New York, bought tickets the next day, then flew to Miami, where they've been since, staying at the Ritz-Carlton. I checked it out. It's bang on the beach, and pricey. Not exactly slumming it, are they?"

"That answers whether the potion's temporary? Anyway, Neal must be my first concern now, and there's still the distinct possibility his mother isn't going to get through this. In which case-"

"Really? I thought Vic Whale said the worst was over? Has something happened?"

David looked glum. "There's been an update after they ran more tests. Seems if, and when, she finally wakes up, Snow will probably need a kidney transplant because of the damage done. Plus, she'll probably also need dialysis for the rest of her life, which has possibly been significantly shortened anyway. Whale thinks it may be better her being treated outside Storybrooke, if that were at all possible. I'll be honest, it's not looking too good, Henry."

His grandson knew full well that if Snow died, so would David, due to their shared heart, split during the second curse.

"But magic might be able to fix it? Surely, we have to at least try? I'll call Grandpa Gold."

"Normally, I'd say anyone but him. But reluctantly, I have to agree. I had thought perhaps you could call Emma for me? Get her back here, if at all possible. As for Gold, good idea. I suggest you ask him. Or get Belle to? But first, I need to find Neal!"

The Ritz-Carlton – Miami Beach

Sitting at the vanity table in their hotel room, Emma put the phone down, turning to face Regina, who sat on the bed against the headboard, laptop on her knees.

"Well, that's the flight confirmed. We should get into LaGuardia around two-thirty tomorrow. No backing out now, I guess?"

"Good, I'm beginning to hate waking up early. And the Portland hotel's confirmed too. So…" She put the laptop down, subconsciously rubbing her still relatively flat abdomen. "As this one's making me feel tired all the time, I think I'll spend my last day on the beach."

"I keep forgetting you're pregnant. You certainly don't look it, yet. How are you feeling, apart from tired?"

"Anxious. Terrified. Though I suspect that's more due to having to tell this one's father this week? After everything I've done, rather than the fact I'm carrying a child I never thought possible."

"So you're definitely going to tell him, then?"

"Of course I am!" She sighed. "Robin hates me, of course, but he still deserves to know. The fact the Dragon said he detected early signs of magic, just makes it all the more painful. It's a painful reminder I had my happy ever after, with my soulmate and true love, before I totally destroyed it. As usual."

"But that was all Gold's doing! You just have to convince Robin. Besides, he always seems a lot more forgiving to me, than Killian. Now there's a man who can really hold a grudge! He went after Rumpelstiltskin for centuries, and still calls him the bloody 'Crocodile'!"

"Because he's a villain, just like him." She noticed the instant angry flash in the blonde's eyes at her poor choice of words. "Sorry. Former villain, like me. We can hold a hatred forever." She looked down at her waist. "But as for this little one, I'm surprised I haven't felt any sickness, or anything like that yet? Aren't I supposed to feel at least something after seven weeks?"

"Not necessarily. I didn't when I found out I was expecting Henry. I was nearly twelve weeks gone, when I found out I was pregnant. There was only one scan all the way through! The prison arranged it." She sighed, her mind going back to those darker days. "I never even saw Henry after I delivered him. I couldn't bear to look at him, , so I turned away from facing them. The first time I ever saw his face was when he turned up, out of the blue, at my flat in New York, ten years later." She stopped, turning away, looking out the window towards the sea. "Ten years till I saw my own son! Can you believe that?"

Regina could hear the pain in her voice. "I remember you telling me. I'm sorry."

"So, I was a crap mother to begin with, just like I'm a crap mother now. Thank god you were the one to bring him up, instead of me."

"But you've more than proved yourself to him since he found you, Emma. And he loves you."

"Loved, not loves! You remember the last thing he said to me? "You disgust me!" Remember? I disgust him! Mind you, I had just belted Roland, and thrown his father against the wall!"

"True. But one day, he'll come to realise that we were being controlled by the imp. You shouldn't torment yourself. Have you tried messaging him since we left?"

"No. I couldn't bear to, not after everything I've done. I wouldn't know how to begin. How to explain it."

"Nor me, but I think we have to. Perhaps we should ask him for a Zoom call with both of us? Apologise first, and take it from there?"

"Okay. But I'm not ready to face him yet. Let's di it in Portland tomorrow night? Then you head to Storybrooke in the morning."

Storybrooke Forest

Ruby Lucas, having left the hospital three hours ago, cowered behind a tree, dense shrubbery concealing her. She'd transitioned into her wolf form when she she'd reached the forest, and had been running ever since. And now she was tired, and unusually for her, frightened.

That morning, she'd woken up in an empty bed, Snow nowhere to be seen. And overnight, she seemed to have had an epiphany. A realisation of everything that had happened over the last two weeks, and the damage she'd caused. Relieved to find herself alone, she'd quickly changed, her mind a blur as she tried to figure out how the hell she could have been so unbelievably stupid? She'd wrecked her marriage! Her first thought had been to get over to Dorothy as quickly as possible. But to do what? Apologise? Apologise for having betrayed her? Apologise for throwing their relationship in her face, in front of the entire town? Apologise for leaving her? No, it was all too much!

Unsure where to even start, Ruby did what she always did at times of sheer blind panic. She ran.

She had no idea how long she'd been running, fast, in wolf form, when she heard the unmistakeable hiss of an arrow hitting the tree inches above her head!

"SHIT!" Barked a voice hidden above in the canopy. JUST MISSED THE BUGGER!"

Ruby looked up, into the canopy of branches to her left, trying to see where the arrow came from, only to find a flash of brown at least thirty foot higher. If she changed back into her human form now, she'd lose valuable seconds to escape or fight back. And wolves can't climb trees.

"I'VE GOT IHIM!" yelled a second voice, from her right this time. "IT'S A BIG UN!"

"ME TOO!" A third, deeper voice now came from directly ahead, also hidden.

She was surrounded! There was no escape. If she can't even see who's attacking her, how the hell can she defend herself? She was a sitting duck.

"HOLD!" yelled yet another, more commanding voice, followed by "DON'T LOOSE!"

Looking behind, her, she saw something, or someone, slide down a rope from the canopy, fifty yards away. "IT'S A WOLF! WE DON'T KILL WOLVES! ONLY RELEASE IF IT GOES FOR ME, OKAY?"

It took her a moment for Ruby to assimilate what was happening, as the man yelling the instructions landed softly on the ground, before turning to face her, quickly pulling a crossbow from around his back and pointing it straight at her, before stepping cautiously forward. As he came closer, she recognised him immediately. And she knew, from many tales, that he never missed!

As Robin drew closer, his finger hovering over the trigger ready to release an arrow, the first thing he noticed was how the large wolf, rather than get up on all fours to fight or flee, now crouched down, almost in resignation of its imminent death. The large blue eyes held no fighting spirit. It looked like it was almost…surrendering? Like it knew its fate was sealed.

"DON'T GO ANY CLOSER, ROB!" yelled the FIRST voice from her left. "WE'LL NEVER GET HIM IN TIME BEFORE HE GETS YOU!"

"I SAID HOLD YOUR FIRE!" Robin bellowed back, but his eyes, like his aim, never left her. He slowly continued stepping closer, feeling he had somehow seen this wolf before? Then finally it came to him. From a picture in one of Henry's storybooks, which he'd used to settle Roland for the night.

"Ruby? Ruby, is that you?"

The glimmer of recognition in her sad eyes, as she rested her long muzzle on the ground, confirmed it.

"LOWER YOUR ARROWS!" He commanded his invisible archers. "IT'S ONLY RUBY!"

He crouched down beside her. "Rubes, are you hurt?" But she remained still, almost lifeless, her body prone, her eyes looking straight ahead, rather than at the man talking to her. "Are you wounded?" Still no reaction. "Ruby, I can't help you unless you tell me?"

As he looked over the apparently stricken animal, he saw a thin brown leather strap wrapped around her lower waist, holding some sort of long cloth. The cloak? If it was Ruby, he realised what the cloak did for her. So without another word, he reached over and dragged it out from under the strap, opening and draping it over her. It took a few seconds before the magic transformed her into her human form. But she remained lying there, still.

"You should have just killed me when you first saw me. I deserve nothing less."

That threw him completely. "What do you mean? Why would I want to kill you?"

"You'd be doing me a favour. It's either that, or I go and find Charming? He'd end me quick enough."

"Why would David-?" But his mind went back to recent events. Ruby and Snow. Their infidelity, breaking up the royal family. Like Regina and Emma had done to him and Killian. Then he recalled what he'd seen of Emma and his own wife in the dreamcatcher. "What do you think you remember, Ruby?"

"Everything I've done to his family. To Dorothy, my true love. Or she was."

He frowned. "So you now realise what you did was wrong? You regret it?"

She still didn't lift her gaze, staring blankly ahead, despite being bare under the cloak which Robin carefully draper wider to spare her dignity. "How could I not? I've destroyed the greatest royal love story better than the Evil Queen ever could. Snow's even tried to kill herself this morning."

"She's what? Tell me you're not serious?"

"It's true. I found her on the floor this morning, with an empty bottle of sleeping pills."

"Ruby, that's dreadful! Where is she?"

"Hospital. I left before David got there. I can't…can't face him. Not now. Not-"

But the sound of a dull thud, thirty yards to her left, made her look up, to to see a body now lying on the ground, twitching, rolling on to its, or his, back, a rope suspended from the canopy close by the body. Then it followed by a softer sound, much closer, Ruby looking the Outlaw now seemed to have collapsed into the grass, now lying quite still.

"What the hell? Robin?"

Wondering what on earth had just happened to make the outlaw collapse like that, Ruby stood, wrapping the cloak more fully around herself body, tying it, before pulling the hood back over the head. But as she did, she heard a soft rustling from the side, turning to find a shorter man now staring right back at her. A man she also recognised instantly. One of the last men she wanted to see right now. And he was heading straight for her, with a malicious grin on his face.

"Hello, dearie!"

~oOo~