Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
AN: Thank you to those who are reading, reviewing, and following. It's much appreciated! In case any of you have problems with how grown up Katelyn is, she's based on a combination of my niece and goddaughter who are incredibly intelligent. I hope that settles some of your reservations of that. Enjoy!
Early the next morning, Belle awoke suddenly out of a nightmare. She looked beside her and saw that the bed was empty. Curious, she went downstairs to seek out Gold. She noticed that the patio door was opened and stepped outside. She walked by the window to the basement and noticed light coming from it. She peered in and saw Gold sitting at his spinning wheel. He snipped off a piece of gold thread and put it into a beaker. The liquid in it turned purple. She stood up and went back into the house. She paced a bit, upset that he was keeping secrets from her again. She sat down at the table and waited. Gold walked into the kitchen from outside. He noticed Belle sitting there.
"Hey."
"Hey. What are you doing?"
"I was, uh, going to make you breakfast."
"No, in…in the basement. I saw you practicing magic."
"Let's have breakfast."
"No, we need to talk about this."
"It was a couple of spells. Nothing to be concerned about."
"Okay, then be honest with me. Why did you bring magic here?"
"I've told you. Magic is power."
"Why do you need it?" she asked and he hesitated, "Tell me."
He looked away and refused to answer. Belle was even more upset then that he wouldn't open up to her.
"You don't need magic, Rumple. You need courage to let me in."
She walked away. He hung his head.
Katelyn got up a short time later and prepared for going to school. Henry helped her to feel better about going. She made her way downstairs to get some breakfast when she saw her father standing near the stove, fixing her breakfast. He looked upset and deep in thought. She came over and sat up on her barstool.
"Good morning, Papa. Are you okay? Where's Mama?"
"I'm fine, darling. Your mother is upstairs. Eat up so that I can take you to school."
He set a plate of pancakes in front of his daughter and left to find Belle.
He walked upstairs and knocked on the door.
"Belle? Come on. At least eat something."
She doesn't answer her. He opened the door and walked in to find the room empty and the window open, the curtain blowing in the wind.
"Belle?"
"Papa, I'm going to be late."
"I'll be right down."
He turned and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He leaned against the door and sighed before heading down the stairs.
He walked into the kitchen and saw his daughter ready for school.
"Alright, darling, let's go."
"Where's Mama? I thought you were going shopping for clothes after you dropped me off?"
"We were, but your mother isn't up to it."
Katelyn looked at her father.
"Papa, you're lying."
"What? No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. I can tell. Where's Mama?"
"She's gone."
"What?! What did you do?"
"Why do you assume it was something I did?"
"Because the only ones here are you and me and I was asleep and haven't seen her this morning."
"You're too smart for your own good."
"What did you do, Papa?"
"She caught me doing magic in the basement."
"And?"
"And I wouldn't tell her why."
"Why not?"
"Don't worry about it. Come on, you'll be late."
"I'm not going to school until I know Mama is safe."
"I'll find her, Katelyn. I promise."
"I know, but I don't want you making things worse."
"What do you mean?"
"You know how she feels about magic. She doesn't like it."
"She just doesn't understand it."
"Oh, she understands, Papa. She has had magic used on her by Regina. Dark magic and it scared her. I don't want you to try and use magic to make her understand."
"I won't. I'll talk to her."
Katelyn looked at him and saw he was sincere. She sighed and hugged her father.
"I'm just worried, Papa. I don't want to lose her again."
"You don't have to worry, darling. I won't let that happen."
"I hope so."
Gold patted her back, kissed her head, and led her out to the car to go to Main Street. Katelyn sat nervously in the back seat.
"It'll be alright, darling."
"I'm not worried about school and you know that."
"I know. I was talking about your mother."
Katelyn sighed. They pulled up to the bus stop and she got out of the car.
"Have a good day, sweetheart. I'll see you later."
"Okay, Papa."
Gold drove off as Katelyn moved to join the other kids in line to get on the bus. Once the Cadillac was out of sight she took off running. She knew her mother would only go to one place that wasn't the shop, Granny's.
She ran to the diner and opened the door. She saw her mother sitting in a booth with Ruby, talking. She ran over and looked at her mother.
"Oh, hey, Katelyn. How's it going?"
"Hey, Ruby, do you mind if I talk to my mom a second?"
"Oh, sure. Check out the library. I think it'll be a perfect fit for you."
Ruby got up and walked off. Katelyn took her seat.
"Why did you leave?"
"Your father and I are having some problems, but we'll work them out. Don't worry," she said and glanced at the clock, "Why aren't you on your way to school?"
Katelyn looked away.
"Katelyn, you skipped school?"
"Yes, to find you because I was worried and I know that once Papa finds you that he'll make it worse."
"Honey, your father and I have been through a lot. We'll get through this."
"I just don't want to lose either one of you again. It was hard enough the first time and then thinking you were dead, it wasn't easy."
"I know, honey, and I'm sorry."
Katelyn sniffled as the tears began to fall down her face. Belle reached across the table to wipe the tears away.
"Hey, how about going to check out the library with me?"
Katelyn smiled and nodded. Belle got up and put her hand out for Katelyn. She took it and they left the diner to look at the library across the street. They tried looking in the windows, but they were covered in newspaper and it made it difficult. They walked on the far side of the building when a seemingly homeless man came up to them. Belle pushed Katelyn behind her.
"Excuse me, Miss?"
"Oh, you startled me."
"I…I was wondering if you had any spare change."
"Oh no. Sorry, I…I don't have any money."
"What…what about a friend? Are you meeting anyone here?"
"Uh, no, why?"
"I just wanted to be sure."
The man put his hand over Belle's mouth and began to drag her away. Katelyn tried to fight him, but he batted her away. She knew she should run for help, but she had to be sure her mother was going to be okay. She watched as he put a bag over her mother's head.
"Hey! Where are you taking my mother? Let her go!"
The man looked at the girl. He reached out and grabbed Katelyn's arm and began dragging her with him. She fought against his hold, but it was futile. He dragged them to a door and into an empty room. He placed Belle in a chair, keeping a hold on Katelyn. He yanked the bag off of Belle's head.
"Who are you? What…what do you want from me?"
"I'm just man who procures hard to find objects. In this case, the object was you."
"So then who put you up to this?"
Another man walked into the room. Belle looked over at him.
"Belle…"
She gets up and hugs him.
"Oh, I've missed you, Belle."
"Father…."
"I'm so sorry that this is how we had to be reunited. Please understand. I had no choice."
"But to kidnap me and my daughter?"
Moe looked at Katelyn and then back to Belle.
"After the curse broke, I searched all over for you and discovered that the Dark One still had you captive."
"He wasn't holding me captive. I chose to be with him."
"Are you saying you fell in love with him?"
She nodded.
"But I fear it may be over now," she said looking at her daughter with tears in her eyes. Katelyn stopped struggling against the other man and looked at her mother. Moe nodded to the man and he released the girl. Katelyn went to her mother and stood slightly behind her.
"It must be. Promise me you no longer love him. That you will never see him again."
"She has to see him again."
"No, she doesn't. She doesn't ever have to see him again."
"Yes, she does. He's my father! I need them both!"
Moe was shocked at the revelation. He knew the girl was Belle's by the identical look of the two.
"You had a child with that beast?! Belle, how could you?"
"No, you don't understand! It's my life!"
"Then I don't have a choice. I'm sorry," Moe said and looked to the man, "Do it."
The man grabbed Belle again.
"What? Father, Father, what…what are you doing? Stop!"
"Take the child with you."
The man grabbed the girl too. Katelyn struggled as well.
"Goodbye, Belle. I love you."
"Father!"
The man dragged them to a van and threw them in the back. Katelyn leaned up against her mother. Belle wrapped her arms around her daughter.
"Mama, what's going on?"
"I don't know, darling. It'll be alright."
"I'm scared. I want Papa. We need to get out of here."
"Your Papa will find us. I'm sure of it."
"What if he doesn't? Not in time."
"He will. Have faith."
Belle kissed her daughter's head as the van jerked to a stop. The man opened the door and grabbed Belle once again and dragged her and Katelyn into the mines. They came to an area and he put Belle in a mining car. He handcuffed her to it. He then lifted Katelyn into the car.
"Please! Please, please stop. What are you doing?"
"Sending you on a little ride under the town line. Once you cross, you'll forget who you were in the other realm and who you loved," he said as he handed her a flashlight, "This, should help you find the key. I left it at the bottom of the cart. Good luck."
The man released the cart. It began to roll down the tracks.
"No, wait! I'm begging you! Please don't! Don't do this! Please!"
Belle looked around frantically.
"Mama, what's happening?"
"It'll be okay, baby. Calm down."
She turned on the flashlight and searched the bottom of the car. She found the key and picked it up. She tried to unlock the cuffs when the car hit a bump in the tracks, knocking the key from her hand.
"Mama, I'm scared."
Belle wrapped her arm around her daughter and pulled her close. The cart suddenly jerks to a stop and reverses its direction. Katelyn and Belle looked around.
"What going on?"
"It's Papa! He's here!"
The cart kept going and soon a group of people came into sight. Moe, Ruby, David, and Gold were all standing there watching as Gold used magic to retrieve the cart. It came to a stop and with a sharp gesture, the handcuffs released Belle. David lifted her and Katelyn out of the cart. Gold walked over to them and hugged Katelyn.
"Belle, Kate, are you alright?"
"Yeah. I, uh, I think so."
"You remember who I am?"
"I do, Rumpelstiltskin. I…I remember."
Gold hugged Belle, but she didn't return the hug. She pushed him away.
"Belle, what's wrong?"
"Thank you for what you just did, but that doesn't change that you're too cowardly to be honest with me."
"Well, Belle, that's just…."
"I tried to tell them that, Belle. Come with me, darling."
"After what you just tried to do to me? You're no better, Father. You don't get to decide what I do or how I feel. I do. If either of you cared about me, you would've listened. I don't want to see either of you again. Ever."
"Mama, wait."
"No, Kate, let her go."
"But…Papa, you promised."
"I know, but it's going to take some time."
Katelyn ran after her mother.
"Katelyn!" her father called after her.
Katelyn caught up to her mother. She placed a hand in hers. Belle looked over at her daughter and pulled her against her.
"Mama, please don't leave."
"Oh, baby, I'm not leaving you. Just Papa. He needs to think about some things. It's nothing you've done or need to worry about. It'll all work out."
"Mama, I don't want to stay at the house unless both of you are there."
"I can't stay there anymore. I need some time and space to think things through."
"Even from me?"
"No, Kate, never from you."
Belle knelt down in front of her daughter and took both small hands into hers.
"Kate, I love you so much. I couldn't imagine my life without you. Even though I'm angry with your father, it has nothing to do with you. Trust me."
"Are you going to be mad at him forever?"
"No, darling. He needs to learn a few things and I'm hoping that that's what this separation will do."
"If it means getting you back together, I hope he can learn them too. It doesn't mean I'm going to like it."
"No, it doesn't. I need you to do something for me."
"What?"
"I want you to stay with your Papa."
Katelyn stopped and looked at her mother. She shook her head.
"I want you to stay with him to make sure he doesn't get into trouble."
"But, I want to stay with you. I almost lost my memory and you. I don't want you to be alone."
"I won't be alone. Ruby is going to help me. I don't want your Papa to be alone with his magic. He's libel to do things he'll regret later."
"If it'll make you feel better, Mama, I'll stay with him."
"Thank you, sweet girl. Just please don't fight with him. He's already dealing with a lot."
"I won't fight with him, but I will tell him how a feel about what he did."
"Katelyn…"
"Mama, he has to know that it wasn't okay."
"I'll handle it. It'll just take time."
"Okay. I love you, Mama."
Belle knelt down to her daughter and hugged her.
"I love you so much, my little one."
Ruby came up to them.
"Hey, do you need a place to stay?"
"I couldn't impose."
"It's no imposition. I want to help."
"Thank you."
"Ruby, take care of my Mama."
"I promise."
Katelyn smiled at the she-wolf. Ruby and her mother left and Katelyn turned around as her father came out of the mines. He walked over to his daughter.
"Where did your mother go?"
"She left with Ruby. She's angry with you."
"I know. I've got a lot of apologizing to do."
Katelyn crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrow at him.
"Come on. Let's go home."
Katelyn and Gold got into the car and headed back to the house. Once home, Katelyn sat down on the couch and folded her arms across her chest. Hold sat down in front of his daughter.
"You shouldn't have skipped school. I know you were worried about your mother, but I would've found her and made sure she was safe. You put your life in jeopardy. Don't ever do that again."
"I'm sorry if I scared you, Papa. I just wanted to make sure that Mama was okay."
"I understand, darling. Next time, listen to me. When I tell you to do something, there's a reason behind it. It's usually to…"
"Keep me safe. I know. You can't protect me forever."
"I'll certainly try to protect you forever. It's my job."
Katelyn got up and hugged her father.
"I love you, Papa."
"I love you too, darling. How about we make some dinner?"
"Is Mama going to be okay?"
"She's with the she-wolf. She's as safe as she can be away from me."
"You trust Ruby to look after her?"
"After the protection she displayed earlier and the fact she helped me find you and your mother, I do trust her to look after both of you."
Katelyn gaped at him. She couldn't believe he just admitted that.
"Papa, are you sick?"
"No, why?"
"You just admitted to trusting someone other than you to protect Mama and me."
Gold chuckled.
"I think your mother is right that I need to open up a little more to make our relationships work. I'm trying to take her advice."
"I'm proud of you, Papa."
Katelyn grinned and Gold smiled. He got up and Katelyn followed him into the kitchen.
"So, what do you want for dinner?"
Katelyn looked thoughtful for a moment.
"A hamburger and fries with iced tea."
Katelyn smiled slyly. Gold shook his head.
"We're not going to Granny's. Your mother needs space from me and the only way you'll get there is if I take you."
"Or you could teach me to teleport."
"I don't think so. I'm not going to have you run away every time you're angry with me or your mother."
"Aw, Papa, please?"
"No. Now, what do you want for dinner?"
Katelyn sighed.
"Can we have Chinese food please?"
"Yes, we can."
Gold picked up the phone and dialed the nearest Chinese place in Storybrooke, Mushu's. They delivered shortly after he placed the call. They sat down to dinner and made small conversation.
"So, what exactly happened today?"
Katelyn looked at him and then down at her plate.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Sweetheart, I promise that I won't go after either man."
Katelyn looked up and saw he was sincere.
"Well, after you dropped me off for the bus, I ran to the diner because I figured that would be where she would go. I saw her talking to Ruby and then Ruby left and we talked. She asked me if I wanted to check out the library with her and I said yes. We went to the library and tried to look into the windows, but we couldn't. That's when that man…"
"Smee?"
"Yes, him. Smee came over asking Mama for money and when she said she didn't have any, he asked if she was meeting someone at the library. She said no and asked why. He said he was just checking and grabbed Mama around her mouth so she couldn't scream. I tried hitting him and yelling at him, but he pushed me away. I wanted to know where he was taking Mama and that's when he grabbed me too. He put something over Mama's head and we were taken to Moe's shop. Moe talked to Mama about you and he was angry that she still loved you. She was scared that you guys were over. He told Smee to 'do it' and he dragged us to the mines and you know the rest."
She looked at her father and saw his hand gripping the corner of the table until his knuckles were white. She looked at his face and saw tears and a scowl. It looked like she was trying his hardest not to get up and attack the men that almost made him lose the two precious things in his life.
"Papa? Papa, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, darling. I'm just glad you and your mother are okay. I'm glad you still remember everything."
"I knew you would find us. I told Mama you would."
"Yes, I'll always find you. When I found out what he was doing, I hurried as fast as I could. When I saw that he'd already sent you and your mother down in the cart, I gathered all my strength and pulled you back to me. I was so relieved that you two were okay."
"Mama didn't know what was going on, but I did. I knew you had found us. I knew the feel of your magic."
"Why didn't you use yours to get out? You know how to unlock things."
"Yes, but I didn't know how to get out of the cart without us getting hurt."
"I guess that's a good reason to teach you how to teleport, but you only use the spell when you're in danger. You don't leave school or this house. Am I understood?"
Katelyn nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Since it's late already, I will start tomorrow after school to teach you how to teleport. Finish your supper and then go get ready for bed."
"Before I go to sleep, can I call Mama to tell her goodnight?"
"I don't know what number to reach her at."
"I have the number."
"How did you get it?"
"She gave it to me before she left with Ruby."
"Oh…well, I don't mind."
"Thank you, Papa!"
"Anything for you, my darling."
Katelyn finished her meal and ran upstairs and got ready for bed.
Gold cleaned up the kitchen while thinking about how to get Belle back. He knew he would ask Regina for the key to the library tomorrow so that Belle would have a place to work and a place to stay. Though this wasn't going to be a way to get her back, he still wanted to make sure she had everything she needed to get by and to be happy. He sighed. He'd been foolish to think he could keep things hidden from her for long. She knew of his son, but not of everything he'd put his son through. He just hoped she knew how much he loved her.
"Papa, can I call Mama now?"
He was drawn out of his train of thought by her request.
"Yes, sweetheart, go ahead."
Katelyn went to the phone and dialed the number on the piece of paper in her hand.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Ruby, it's Katelyn."
"Hey, kid, I'll go get her."
"Thanks for everything, Ruby, looking after her and me."
"Anytime, Kate. She's my friend."
"Just….thanks."
"Here's your mom."
"Hello?"
"Hey, Mama."
"Hi, my baby. How are things over there?"
"They're good. I'm getting ready for bed and I wanted to call to say goodnight and I love you."
"Oh sweetheart, I love you too. You sleep well. I'm sorry I can't be there to tuck you in and read Beauty and the Beast to you."
"It's okay, Mama. I understand."
"I know. You're so smart. I love you, Katelyn. Goodnight. Call me in the morning before Papa takes you to school."
"Actually, I was wondering that if it was okay with Papa that I had breakfast with you in the morning."
"If it's okay with your father, it's alright with me."
Katelyn looked at her father who had tried to seem like he wasn't listening in. He nodded his assent and Katelyn smiled.
"Papa said he's fine with it."
"Okay, I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay. Goodnight, Mama."
"Goodnight, baby."
Katelyn hung up the phone and looked at her father. He smiled at her and she smiled back before letting her face fall. He walked over to her and pulled her to him.
"What is it, darling?"
"I didn't think this would be so hard, not after having her gone for twenty-eight years."
"Honey, it's normal to miss your mother. I promise it won't always be like this. It'll work out in the end. It always does."
"I know. It's just hard."
Katelyn began to cry. Gold set his cane aside and picked up his daughter. He then picked up his cane and carried her up the stairs. He placed his cane next to her nightstand and pulled the blankets back on the bed. He laid her down and tucked the blankets around her. He picked up her copy of Beauty and the Beast and she shook her head and set it back on the table.
"You don't want a story tonight?"
"Not that one."
"Huh, are you sure?"
"Yes. I'd rather read Pinocchio."
Gold stopped a moment.
"Um, how about Rapunzel?"
"Why not Pinocchio?"
"He and I have issues at the moment."
Katelyn shook her head.
"Okay, Snow's story then."
Gold hesitated and conceded. He went to the bookshelf and got her copy of Snow White and sat next to her on the bed to read it. He'd gotten halfway through it before she fell asleep. He got up and placed the book on the nightstand. He leaned over and kissed her head and watched her sleep for a little bit. He couldn't imagine his life without her, not since they found one another again. He watched her breath and couldn't help but think how close he'd come to losing her again. He would make sure that no one had the chance to hurt her again. He walked out of the room, made a phone call to Regina, and then went out to the building in the back to deal with the unwanted guest he had waiting there. He'd learn everything he could from Smee and then use him as a test subject for his potion. He grinned evilly. He will find his son and protect his family.
