Disclaimer: I don't own OUaT!

AN: Sorry for the wait. I hit the proverbial brick wall with this chapter and in deciding how to work things out. So, this may have Rumple and Belle OOC, but it was necessary. Thanks to those who read and review! Thanks also to those who have followed and favorited! It's greatly appreciated!

The next morning, Katelyn woke and quickly prepared for the day. She went to her father's room and woke him up.

"Papa, get up! I don't want to be late for breakfast with Mama!"

"Okay, darling, I'm awake."

Gold sat up and looked at his daughter. He smiled at the eagerness she showed to spend time with her mother. She reminded him so much of Belle. He frowned at the thought of not having her there with them. He'd been foolish to hide what he was doing from her, but she'd been childish in her antics at getting the truth from him.

He got up and dressed as his daughter anxiously waited for him. She bounced from one foot to the other.

"Papa, are you ready now?"

"Yes, dear, let's go."

They left the house.

Once outside the diner, Gold turned to his daughter.

"Be good for your mother. She's going to take you to school. I'll see you when I pick you up afterward. Okay?"

"Okay, Papa, I love you!"

"I love you too, sweetheart."

Katelyn got out and bounded into the diner. Her mother was sitting at the bar where Ruby had just put a plate in front of her and in front of the open stool beside her. Katelyn walked over and hopped up onto the stool.

"Hey, Mama!"

"Hi, baby, how did you sleep?"

"Good. No nightmares or memories."

"I'm so glad."

Ruby walked back over to them.

"Oh, before I forget, someone left this for you."

Ruby pulled out a box and handed it to Belle who accepted it. Ruby walked away to deal with the other patrons. Katelyn studied the box.

"What is it, Mama? Who's it from?"

"I don't know. There's no name or anything."

Belle opened the box and there was a key with a label. It read 'Library.' Belle gasped and then smiled.

"Is that what I think it is?"

"It is. What do you say we try to explore the library again, but without getting kidnapped this time?"

"Yeah!"

Belle laughed.

"Let's finish our breakfast first, okay?"

Katelyn nodded and they ate while talking about what they might find in the mysterious library. Once finished, they left and walked over to the library. Belle put the key in the hole and looked around as did Katelyn. Both were nervous after what happened the day before. She turned it and opened the door. Katelyn went in first and Belle followed. They looked around, amazed.

"We may sit in our library, and yet, be in all corners of the earth," said a voice behind the stacks that both ladies recognized.

Gold walked out from the shelves and smiled at his daughter. Belle watched him.

"You gave me the key," she said holding it up.

"I heard of your interest, and I, uh… I made some inquiries. There's an apartment for the caretaker if you want it."

"If… If this is some way to win me back after everything you-"

"No, that's… That's… That's not why I'm here. I came because you're right… about me. I am a coward. I have been my entire life. I tried to make up for it by collecting power, and the power became so important that I couldn't let go. Not even… when that meant losing the most important person in my life, at the time."

"Your son."

"Yes, you know the story."

Belle nodded.

"I'm sorry for not telling you. I wanted to be sure what I was working on worked before I said anything to anyone."

"I'm sorry for behaving as I did. It's wasn't very adult of me."

"No, Belle…I deserved it. I kept things from you and if this relationship is to work, I need to be honest with you about everything."

"Rumple…"

"It's true. I keep things close to the chest because I have problems trusting people, but I can and do trust you. I will always trust you and I hope to gain your trust one day, as well."

Belle stepped forward and kissed him. She wrapped her arms around him and he reciprocated the gesture.

"I love you, Rumpelstiltskin."

"I love you too, my darling Belle."

"Yes!" Katelyn exclaimed as she danced around the library. Belle and Gold laughed at their daughter's antics. Belle grabbed Katelyn and picked her up before they squeezed her between them in a group hug. They were family again.

Rumpelstiltskin paced the hallway. He didn't know what to do. She'd been sick on and off. She seemed like she just didn't feel good all the time. Feeling insecure of how to make her feel better, he called a doctor to the castle. The doctor wanted to examine her and asked that he wait out in the hallway. It had been quite some time as he paced and paced, the worse case scenarios running through his head. He couldn't lose her. He just couldn't.

The door opened and the doctor came out. He rushed to the man, trying to put on his beast mask, but failing miserably.

"How is she?"

"She's going to be okay. Just let her rest and this all should be over real soon. She's asking for you."

"Thank you," he muttered before paying the doctor.

The doctor nodded and left the castle. Rumple walked into the room where his darling Belle lay in bed. She looked pale and shocked, but it looked almost as if she were glowing too. He walked over and took her hand in his. She smiled up at him.

"What did he say was wrong? Are you going….?" He couldn't finish that question.

She shook her head, still smiling. She caressed his cheek gently.

"No, Rumple, I'm not going to die. I'm going to be fine. We're both going to be fine," she answered looking down at her stomach.

He looked confused. Both? What did she mean by both? He looked at her and then her stomach. He put a hand over it and gasped. He could feel the pull of light magic. Belle was pregnant? That one word echoed throughout his mind. He'd already lost one child and he was terrified to lose another.

Belle saw his fear and hesitation. She touched the hand that was covering her stomach. He looked up at her.

"It'll be okay, Rumple. We'll get through this together."

"Belle, I can't be a father. I…I…"

"What's wrong?"

He hesitated and looked away. She put a hand on his cheek and pulled his head to look at her.

"You can tell me anything. I promise I won't get upset."

"It's just…"

"Your son?"

He nodded.

"Rumple, I didn't…I'm sorry, I didn't think. I was so excited to hear that I was pregnant that I didn't think of how it would affect you. Can you forgive me?"

He looked at her incredulously. She was apologizing to him for getting pregnant? He couldn't grasp that concept. Did she really want this? Did she want him to father her child?

"I can't forgive you because you've done nothing wrong. We should've been more careful. I may not fully accept that I can be a good father, but I can try."

Belle smiled at him with tears in her eyes. She grasped his hand tightly.

"Oh, Rumple, I'm so happy! We're going to have a baby! We're going to be a family!"

Once she made that declaration, his heart soared. He could do this, as long as she was right there by his side.

Almost ten months later, Belle was in her bedchamber with a midwife. Rumple stood outside the door in the same hallway, pacing. He heard her yelling, screaming, and crying. It took all he had not to run in there. The midwife had told him to wait until she called him in. He bit the side of his thumb and paced some more.

"Rumple! I need him!"

That was all it took and he came bursting through the door. The midwife wasn't happy with the idea, but said nothing. He moved towards the head of the bed and took Belle's hand in his.

"I'm right here, sweetheart. I'm right here."

"Rumple, I can't. It's too much. I can't."

"You can, Belle. I've got you. You can do this."

She was crying and he did so right along with her. She nodded, gripped his hand, and gave one final push.

The flames of the candles and the roaring fire flickered and sparked. The piercing cry of a newborn baby could be heard.

Belle flopped back against the pillows, exhausted. Rumple kissed her forehead. The midwife placed the baby on a blanket and swaddled it. She handed the baby to Belle.

"Congratulations," she said, "It's a girl."

Belle took the baby from the woman and looked at her. Rumple gasped at the little person in his lover's arms. Belle looked at him with her eyes shining with tears and pride.

"Look what we did, Rumple. She's perfect."

"She's beautiful. Just like her mother."

"What are we going to name her?"

"Anything you like, my darling."

"Katelyn, her name is Katelyn."

Belle handed Katelyn over to Rumple. He took the baby, unsure of himself. Katelyn looked up at him with his eyes. He smiled, tears falling down his face.

"Oh, hello, Katelyn, I'm your papa."

He leaned over to Belle and kissed her. He moved so that they both could watch their baby, their little one who had made them a family.

Gold pulled up outside the school with Belle. They got out along with Katelyn and walked her to the front steps of the school. Katelyn turned and looked at her parents.

"Have a good day, baby," Belle said, "I love you."

Katelyn hugged her mother.

"I love you too."

"And what about me?" Gold asked.

Katelyn giggled before she wrapped her arms around her father's waist.

"I love you, Papa."

"I love you too, darling. Have a good day. Be good."

Katelyn smiled at him and walked into the school. Belle and Gold watched her go. He turned and looked at Belle.

"My Darling Belle, how do you feel about going shopping for some new clothing?"

"That sounds wonderful."

He smiled at her. They got into the car and went to the nearest shop. They walked in, hand-in-hand, and the shopkeeper gasped at the sight.

"Close your mouth, Dearie. You're libel to catch flies," Gold told her.

She shut her mouth and looked away.

"She's here to pick out some clothes. Let her get what she wants," Gold said.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Gold," the shopkeeper said.

"I don't need much," Belle said.

The shopkeeper nodded and Belle began looking at the selection they had. After picking out a few outfits, that Gold enjoyed while Belle was modeling them, and some unmentionables that would be modeled later, in private, they paid and left the frazzled shopkeeper in their wake.

They took the clothes home and Belle changed into a yellow sundress. They then headed to Granny's for lunch. They ate while talking about everything that had happened over the years when they were separated amongst other things.

They soon realized that it was time to pick up Katelyn from school. They got into the Cadillac and headed to the school.

Katelyn had had a great day in school. No one messed with her or talked about her behind her back. She'd enjoyed class even though Mary Margaret wasn't there to teach. She and Henry talked about everything that happened that morning and the day before. He really helped her feel better. They walked out of the school together. Katelyn spotted her parents and Henry saw his grandfather who walked to them.

"Hey, Kate. Henry, you ready to go?" David said.

"Where are we going?" Henry asked.

"I have a surprise for you," David said.

"Oooh, can Kate come too?" Henry asked.

"I don't mind if her parents don't mind," David said as he looked over to Belle and Gold who were walking towards them.

Katelyn smiled and ran over to them.

"Hi Mama! Hi Papa!" Katelyn exclaimed. Gold wrapped his arms around his daughter in a hug.

"Hello, darling, did you have a good day today?" he asked.

"Yes, David has a surprise for Henry. Can I go with him to see it?" Katelyn asked.

"Ask your mother," Gold said.

Katelyn looked at Belle expectantly.

"Please, Mama?"

"I guess it's okay, but he needs to have you home by dinner, okay?" Belle told her.

"Yes, ma'am," Katelyn said with a smile, "Thank you!"

Belle smiled and Gold grinned. They loved seeing her happy. Katelyn bounced over to David and Henry.

"They said it's okay as long as I'm home in time for dinner!" Katelyn exclaimed.

"Okay, well, let's get going then," David said.

He waved to Belle and Gold and they waved back. Katelyn looked at her parents and waved. They smiled and waved back before heading home.

"Where are we going, Charm…David?" Katelyn asked.

"You can call me Charming if you want to. Mary Margaret does," David said.

"Mama doesn't like me calling you that. She said your name is David and I should use it. Papa calls you that all the time and she doesn't want me to pick up his habits. That reminds me. I'm sorry for using my magic on you. I should've said that a while ago, but I didn't."

"It's okay. I understand why you did it and I'm grateful that you're so protective of Henry."

"He's my best friend."

"I'm also right here," Henry said, "What did you do to Grandpa?"

Katelyn looked down.

"Kate, you can tell me. I promise I won't get mad," Henry said.

"Henry, it's okay. She's already apologized and it's the past. Let's forget about it," David said.

Henry looked at Katelyn who had tears in her eyes. Henry nodded and they went walking to the truck.

They drove to the stables and Henry and Katelyn jumped out of the truck.

"Alright!" David said.

He noticed Henry letting out a big yawn.

"Come on. What's with the yawn? This isn't school. It should be fun," Henry said as he smiled at Katelyn.

"He's been doing it all day," Katelyn said.

"I couldn't sleep," Henry said as he shrugged.

"Hey. I know. I miss 'em, too. Now, just think how happy Emma and Snow will be when they come home to find that you've become a proper knight. Say hello to your steed," David said.

Henry and Katelyn went to a horse and began petting him.

"Is he mine?" Henry asked.

David came to a different horse and he patted its muzzled.

"This one's yours," David said. Henry walked over to the horse and grinned. He then looked up to David.

"Really? So, how do I get on him?" Henry asked.

"Oh, you're not riding today," David said. Henry looked confused.

"I'm not?"

"No. There's much to learn before you hop into a saddle."

"Like what?" Henry asked as Katelyn stepped up next to him to listen as well.

"Well, every morning, you'll have to muck out his stall. Then, you'll brush him and feed him. After school, you'll do it again. Every day, twice a day," David said.

Katelyn crinkled her nose at the thought of mucking the stall.

"That's not riding," Henry said, "That's babysitting."

Katelyn giggled.

"Ah, horse sitting. It builds an essential bond. The trust between knight and steed," David said with a grin.

"Okay, but when will I ride him?"

"When the horse tells you," David said vaguely, "I'm going to go check in on the Dwarves, see how the mining's coming. I'll pick you up later."

David left and Henry looked back to the horse.

"So, anything you want to tell me?" Henry asked it.

Katelyn laughed.

"I don't think he meant literally, Henry," Katelyn said.

"Well, I guess I better get started," Henry said.

"I'll help."

"No, it's something I'm supposed to do on my own."

"David didn't say I couldn't and I want to help."

"Fine, but don't complain if it gets to be too much."

"I won't. You wouldn't be able to do it yourself."

"Yes, I would!"

"Would not!"

"Would so!"

"You're infuriating!"

"You love me anyways!"

Katelyn stopped and looked at him.

"Yes, I do. You're my best friend."

Henry smiled.

"Let's get done. Maybe after that the horse will think I'm ready to ride him and tell me so."

Katelyn shook her head and they got to work.

They worked for the better part of an hour before deciding to brush the steed. Henry got a step ladder and the brush. He began working on the horse's back and Katelyn stood near the front, braiding his mane.

"Gramps says that you'll tell me when I'm ready to ride you. So…anytime. Like, soon?"

Katelyn giggled and then suddenly the horse is startled. It knocks Henry down and Katelyn is pushed against the wall where she hits her head and is knocked unconscious.

"Kate! Kate!"

The horse ran off and a man entered the stall. He didn't look very good. Henry looked over to Katelyn and became very worried as the man was close to her. He saw she was breathing, but couldn't go to her.

"You…you got to stop. You're…you're scaring the horses. Are you hurt? Can I help you?"

He reached a hand out towards the man.

"Let me help you."

The man reacted and grabbed Henry around the neck just as Katelyn moaned and came to. She saw the man and Henry. She got up quickly, but fell again. She then felt hands grab her and pull her out of the stall. She saw David standing there.

"Are you okay?"

"My head…Henry…"

"I'll get him. Stay here."

"No, too dangerous."

"It'll be okay."

"Daniel, let him go!" Regina yelled. Katelyn cringed at her voice.

Daniel dropped Henry and David pulled him out of the stall.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"Take Kate and go."

Henry went to her and helped her run away from the stables. Katelyn didn't get far before getting dizzy and falling again.

"Kate, what's wrong?"

"My head…"

She lost consciousness again. Henry put a hand to the back of her head and his head came back bloody. He gasped. He thought for a moment about who could help her. He then got it.

"Rumpelstiltskin, Rumpelstiltskin, Rumpelstiltskin," he said in rapid speech.

Gold appeared.

"You called?" Gold said with a grin until he saw his daughter and Henry's bloody hand. "What happened?"

"We were at the stables and the horse got spooked by a man and knocked us back. Katelyn hit her head. Please help her!"

Gold hobbled over to the kids. He knelt down on his good knee and put a hand on both children, transporting them to his house. They landed in Katelyn's room. Henry helped Gold put her on the bed.

"Belle! Belle, come quick!" Gold exclaimed.

They heard rapid footsteps on the stairs and then Belle appeared in the doorway.

"What is it? What's happened?" Belle asked as she looked to see her daughter on her bed, unconscious. "Henry, go downstairs and call David."

"But…."

"Now, go," Belle said.

Henry left the room. Belle went over beside her daughter.

"Can you help her, Rumple?" Belle asked.

"Head wounds are tricky. I can heal the wound, but I don't know if she'll wake," Gold told her.

"Please try. Help our baby."

Gold placed his hand over her head and his hands glowed purple with healing magic. The wound sealed and the blood was cleaned off her, but Katelyn didn't wake up.

"Why isn't she wakening? Katelyn, baby, please wake up for Mama. Please, baby."

She shook her daughter lightly. Gold moved around the bed and sat on the other side. He took his daughter's other hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently.

"Katie, it's time to wake up. Come on, sweetheart; open your eyes for Papa."

Henry walked in and saw them trying to wake her.

"Is she going to be okay?"

They looked at the boy who was standing in the doorway with tears in his eyes. Belle waved him over and he moved to the bedside. He looked over at his best friend.

"Kate, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to come. I'm so sorry. Please wake up. I can't lose my best friend."

Belle put a hand on the boy's shoulders. He sobbed into her dress. Gold looked on, hurting for the boy and for his daughter. He already lost his son. He couldn't lose her too.

Henry leaned over to Kate and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Please wake up, Kate."

Katelyn moaned and stirred.

"Katie?" Gold said.

Katelyn opened her eyes and looked at the three concerned faces staring back at her.

"What happened?"

They all smiled at her.

"Why is everyone looking at me?"

"We were so scared! Are you okay? Does your head hurt?" Belle asked.

"A little. I have a headache."

Belle kissed her daughter's forehead.

"No more horses, darling," Gold said.

Katelyn looked over at him.

"But, Papa, I promised Henry I would help take care of the horse."

"It's okay, Kate. I don't think I want the horse anymore," Henry said.

"No, Henry, you wanted nothing more than to ride him!"

"I know, but after what happened…I don't think I want to ever ride a horse," he said.

"You can't let this change your mind. It wasn't the horse's fault. He got scared. I'm okay now."

"You shouldn't have been there in the first place. I should've never asked for you to come. If I hadn't, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

"Whether or not you asked, I wanted to come. You're my best friend and I love you."

"I love you too, Kate."

Henry leaned over and hugged his best friend.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I don't know what I would do without you," Henry said.

"It's okay, Henry. I'm not going anywhere any time soon."

"Henry, what did David say?" Belle asked.

"He said he'd be by in a little bit to pick me up and that he hoped Kate was okay."

There was a knock on the front door. Gold made to move off the bed, but Katelyn grabbed his hand. He stopped.

"Papa, stay, please."

He nodded and sat back down on the bed. Belle and Henry went to answer the door and to give the two of them some privacy.

"Thank you, Papa."

"You never have to thank me, sweetheart. Never. I'm your papa and I want you safe. I'm just glad that the wound wasn't as bad as it looked."

"I was so scared that I was going to die, Papa. So scared. I heard Mama and you calling for me, but I couldn't open my eyes. Then I heard Henry and I fought harder and harder. Then I woke up."

"What were you fighting?"

"Darkness, it was darkness. It grabbed me and was pulling me down. It didn't want to let me go. I was so scared."

Gold pulled his daughter into his arms and held her as she began to sob. He rubbed her back and rocked with her in his arms.

"It's okay, Katie, it's okay. You're here and safe now. I won't let anything happen to you."

Belle and Henry came back into the room with David following behind them. He walked over to Katelyn.

"I'm so sorry that this happened, Kate. I shouldn't have left you there," David said.

"You're damn right!" Gold exclaimed, "What were you thinking?!"

"Rumple, calm down, he's trying to apologize," Belle said.

Gold looked at Belle and back at David.

"You left my 8 year old daughter and 10 year old grandson alone in a stable. You're lucky that it didn't turn out worse and one of them wasn't trampled by the horse!" Gold exclaimed.

"Papa, stop, it's not his fault! He didn't know that the man was going to be there! He didn't know what would happen! We were taking care of the horse and that was all. We didn't expect him to get scared," Katelyn said.

"No, but he did and you got hurt. He was the reason you were there in the first place!" Gold said.

"No, I wanted to go! I asked you if I could go!"

"He put the idea into your head!"

"I didn't know where he was taking us! I trust David and more importantly, I trust Henry! Henry wanted me to come and I wanted to go! You let me! Stop blaming everyone! It was an accident, but I'm fine now and so is Henry!"

Gold looked at his daughter and cradled her closer to him.

"I almost lost you, Katie. I don't know what I would've done had that happened."

"You didn't lose me, Papa. I'm okay. Just please don't blame David or Henry and don't blame yourself. It wasn't anyone's fault. It just happened."

Gold looked over to David.

"I'm sorry for blaming you," Gold mumbled.

"It's okay. I understand why you did. If it had been the other way around, I'd probably would've done the same thing. I'm just glad that both of them are okay," David said as he looked at Katelyn with a smile.

"Thank you for pulling me out of there, David. Is Regina okay too? I know I heard her," Katelyn asked.

"She's fine. I saw her on my way here. She's safe," David said.

"Good," Katelyn said, "What was she doing there and who was that man?"

"It's a long story for another time. It's time I got Henry home and you need your rest," David said to Katelyn and then looked to Gold, "Thank you for looking after Henry."

"It's not a problem," Gold replied.

David walked over and smiled at Belle before leading Henry out of the house. Belle went over to the bed and reclaimed her spot. Katelyn moved so that she could be touching both of her parents at the same time.

"Mama, how did you and Papa meet?" Katelyn asked as she looked at Belle.

Belle looked over at Gold who nodded.

"Well, I was a princess. My kingdom was in a fierce war with ogres. They had beaten back all of our armies and were soon to take the castle. I sent word to the most powerful sorcerer to come help us."

"I received a letter. Something saying 'Help, help! Save us! We're dying!'" Gold said.

"It wasn't worded that way and you know it! It said that we needed help and that we'd pay him handsomely. He didn't show the day our walls failed and my Papa had lost all hope. I told him that the sorcerer could be on his way right then, but Papa wasn't persuaded. That was when a pounding sounded at the door to the war room. The soldiers opened it and there was no one there. Then we heard a voice come from behind us."

"Well, that was a bit of a letdown!" Gold said and even did his giggle. Katelyn laughed.

"We jumped and turned to see a man who didn't look like a man sitting on my Papa's throne. He was lean and wiry. He had wavy brown hair and almost scaly skin that sparkled in the light. He was the most beautiful creature I'd laid my eyes on. He went on to tease my father for a bit. That's when we came to the price of him helping us. Papa told him we promised him gold and he said…"

"Uh, I make gold," Gold said smirking.

"Papa asked what he wanted. And he said…"

"My price…is her."

"You wanted Mama? You took her from her home?"

"No, darling, he saved me. I agreed to go with him willingly as long as he saved Avonlea. He did and I went. I didn't know that I would fall in love with him, but it happened."

"Infuriating girl never stopped asking questions, but that was part of what made me fall for her. She wanted to know me. Not the beast, but the real me," Gold said.

"Rumple, you're not a beast or a monster. You never have been. You're a man of many layers."

"When did you guys first kissed?" Katelyn asked.

Belle looked at her daughter and smiled.

"Well, he made me a deal. If I went to town and got him some straw, once I returned he'd tell me about himself. I agreed. I went to town and came back though someone didn't expect me to."

"Why not?"

"He thought I was afraid of him and that I would flee back to Avonlea once I had the chance, but I couldn't. The Dark Castle had become my home and I didn't want to leave it nor him. It was brought to my attention that I loved him. I got his straw and went back. He was sitting at the spinning wheel, pretending he'd been there for a while."

"I had been!"

"No, you hadn't. I saw you in the tower. You ran as fast as you could down the stairs."

"I did no such thing!"

"Anyway, I took the straw and set it next to the spinning wheel. I said 'Come on. You're happy that I'm back!' and he said…"

"I'm not unhappy."

Katelyn giggled.

"I moved around and took the thread from him and told him he promised me a story. He told me how he lost Bae and his mother. Then he asked…"

"Why did you come back?"

"I wasn't going to. But then something changed my mind."

They leaned over and kissed.

"Awww! That was so sweet!" Katelyn exclaimed.

Both her parents pulled back and blushed.

"His reaction wasn't as sweet, but that is a story for another time. Meanwhile, you need to go shower and your father and I are going to go fix dinner," Belle said as she kissed Katelyn's head.

"But Mama!"

"Go on," Gold said.

Katelyn grumbled and got her clothes together to take a shower as Belle and Rumple headed down the stairs. Once in the kitchen, Belle grabbed Rumple by the collar of his shirt and kissed him hungrily. He returned the kiss.

"Belle, we can't," he said as her finger went to start unbuttoning his shirt.

"Later then," she said as she stopped, but kissed him again.

He sighed as she buried her head into his shoulder.

"We almost lost her, Rumple. We almost lost our baby," Belle said with tears in her eyes.

"But we didn't. She's safe and she's going to be fine."

"Do you think we should take her to the hospital?"

Belle shivered as she said it.

"No, I think we just need to keep a close eye on her. Now, let's start dinner. Katelyn will be down soon."

Belle nodded and they began working together to cook.

Katelyn let the water run down her body, getting all the stable smell out of her hair and off her body. She relaxed as it ran over her. She reached the back of her head and didn't feel anything, but it was sore. She winced at her touch. Apparently, her father couldn't heal the knot there, but it did feel better than the pain she had earlier. She thought about what happened or what she could remember of it. It seemed like a dream.

"Katie, dinner is about ready. Get done."

"Coming!"

She washed up and got out. She toweled off and noticed the huge bruise along her back. Her father didn't know about that and she wasn't going to tell him. She wasn't going to tell them that it hurt to walk either. She didn't want to go to the hospital as she knew how her mother felt about them and she remembered what Henry looked like laying there with all those tubes and looked like he was about to die. She shivered at the thought and put her nightclothes on. She headed down the stairs slowly, wincing at each step. Coming into the dining room, she took a deep breath so that she wouldn't wince as she walked in.

"We made sandwiches for tonight. It's easy and quick," Belle said with a smile.

Katelyn smiled back and went to sit in her chair. She hissed in pain as her back touched the chair. Her father looked over at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Papa, I'm fine."

"No, you're not. What is hurting?"

"I'm fine, Papa. It's not bad."

"Katelyn, what hurts?"

"I'm fine, Papa. Just eat."

"No, I will not. What is hurting you? Tell me so that I can help."

Rumple had a pleading look in his eyes. Katelyn teared up.

"Honey, please tell me and your Papa what's wrong. We can't help if you don't."

Katelyn got up, turned around, and pulled her shirt up in the back. Rumple and Belle both gasped at the huge bruise on her back.

"Why didn't you say anything before?"

"You've already used so much magic to heal me, Papa. I didn't want you to have to pay too big of a price to do it again."

"It's a price I'm glad to pay for your health. You're my daughter and it's my job to make sure you're healthy and cared for."

"I know, Papa, but you taught me that all magic comes with a price. Sometimes things need to heal on their own."

Rumple looked over at Belle for assistance.

"You did teach her that."

"You're not helping."

"Do you feel okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Belle asked.

Katelyn saw the fear in her mother's eyes. She shook her head.

"I'll be okay. I just need some sleep."

"We'll be checking on you every couple of hours," Rumple told her.

"Why?"

"You had a serious head injury."

"So? It's healed-ish."

"Ish?" her father said lifting an eyebrow at her.

"Oops."

"Katelyn Jane, what do you mean by ish?"

"It's still sore."

"And you didn't think it important to tell us that little detail?"

Katelyn looked down and took a bite of her sandwich. She just wanted to eat and go to bed.

"Answer me, young lady."

"I thought about it, but I don't want to go to a hospital or anything because I know Mama hates them. She spent the past 28 years in one!"

"Honey, if it helps you, I can bear it," Belle said bravely.

"No, Mama. I know you're scared of going back there."

"I could take you," Rumple said.

"I know, Papa, but I want you both there."

"We'll both be there. You're going to the hospital after dinner," Belle said.

"But…"

"Eat."

Katelyn sighed and ate her sandwich silently. Once finished, she took her plate and put it in the dishwasher.

"Go get ready to go. You don't have to change, but put your shoes on," Belle said.

Katelyn went up to her room and got her slippers and put them on. She grabbed Beauty and the Beast and went back downstairs. She stopped at the bottom step and listened to her father comfort her mother.

"Rumple, I'm so worried. I don't know how to overcome this fear."

"I'll be right with you. Katelyn will be there too. It's not the same, Belle."

"I know, but I'm still scared. I don't like that place."

"I know."

"It's for Katelyn though. I'd got to the ends of the earth and back."

"I know."

Katelyn decided to step out at that moment.

"I'm ready, but I really don't need to go."

"You're going. I want to make sure you're going to be okay," Belle replied.

"Mama, you're scared and I don't want you to make it worse because of me."

"Sweetheart, that's what mothers do. We face our fears for our children. I'll be okay."

Katelyn nodded. She limped over to her mother.

"Why are you…never mind, let's go," Rumple said.

"Are you okay to walk?" Belle asked.

"It hurts, but I'll be okay."

Belle sighed and reached down to pick the girl up. Katelyn let her and snuggled into her mother's embrace. They left to go to the hospital.

They walked in and signed Katelyn in. They triaged her and told her she'd be called back shortly. They waited in the waiting room. Belle was antsy and Katelyn sighed as she sat in her mother's lap. She laid against her mother and wrapped her arms around her.

"Katie, you can't go to sleep," Rumple said.

"I'm not."

"Then why are your eyes closed then?"

"Just resting them."

Katelyn yawned. Rumple shook his head.

"Katie, they need you awake. Come on, love."

Katelyn grumbled as her father shook her lightly. She hissed as the shaking aggravated her back.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No, Papa, I'm fine."

"Be honest."

"No, Papa."

Rumple sighed. His daughter was incredibly stubborn.

"She gets it from you," Belle said.

Rumple looked at Belle incredulously.

"I'm not the only stubborn one here," he snarked.

"I'm not stubborn. I'm determined."

"Stubborn."

"Determined."

"Infuriating."

"Hard-Headed."

He growled at her. She grinned as she knew that she won that argument.

"Katelyn Gold," a nurse called.

Belle stood with Katelyn in her arms and Rumple moved to follow with them. The nurse looked leery at him.

"Something the matter, dearie?" he asked. The nurse shook her head as she led them to a room.

"Could you change her into this? The doctor will be in shortly," the nurse said to Belle, handing her a gown and leaving the room.

"Rumple, could you step out please?"

He moved to step out the door, but Katelyn looked over at him with a scared look.

"I'm going to be right back. Let your mother change you. I'll be right outside the door."

Katelyn nodded and he stepped out. Belle lifted her shirt off her and took her pants off before putting the gown on her. She moved to set Katelyn onto the bed, but Katelyn wouldn't let go.

"Sweetheart, it's okay. I'm going to go tell your Papa that it's okay to come in."

Katelyn nodded and let her go. She walked over and opened the door.

"You can come in, Rumple."

He walked back into the room. Belle moved back over to the bed. Katelyn grasped her mother's hand.

"Mama, please lay with me."

Belle was trying hard to keep the memories of the basement out of her mind, but the thought of laying in one of the beds again churned her stomach. She swallowed back the bile that rose in her throat.

"Of course, sweetheart."

She focused on her daughter and climbed into the bed with her. The bed was much better than the one she had downstairs. She curled her daughter into her and lay with her. Rumple stood opposite them and watched Belle's expression, checking to make sure that she was okay.

"I'm fine, Rumple. It's okay."

He smiled and sat in the chair next to the bed. He grasped Katelyn's hand gently. She looked over at him and smiled.

Dr. Smith came into the room.

"Hello, how are we?"

Belle sat up with Katelyn in her arms who hissed at the movement. She snuggled into her mother. She didn't like doctors anymore than her mother.

"She was knocked back by a horse earlier today. She hit her head and was knocked unconscious. I healed her as best I could with my magic. She won't let me do anymore and is insistent that she's fine," Rumple said.

Katelyn glared at her father.

"Was there an open wound before you healed her?" Dr. Smith asked while checking her head and back. She winced when his hand brushed the bruise and the soft spot of her skull.

"Yes, she was bleeding profusely and she didn't wake like one normally would after I healed her. It took a bit for her to wake up," Rumple replied as he gripped his cane to prevent him from turning the man into an insect.

"I'm going to order a CT scan and some x-rays. It shouldn't take too long."

Rumple nodded.

The doctor left the room and Katelyn let out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Her mother did the same thing.

"I don't like doctors. What's a CT scan?" Katelyn asked.

"It's when they take pictures of your brain. It's painless," Rumple said.

Belle looked at him.

"My cursed memories," he said in a way of explanation.

"Can you come with me?"

"No, darling, we can't. No one can be in the room."

"Why?"

"Because it's not allowed."

"I don't want to do it!"

"Honey, it needs to be done," Belle said.

"No, not if you can't come with me!"

"We'll be right outside the room waiting for you," Rumple told her.

"No, I want you with me!"

Katelyn had tears falling down her face. She held onto her mother tightly, clinging like she was her lifeline.

"Baby, we won't let anything happen to you, I promise. You need to do this. Can you be brave? What do I say?" Belle asked her.

"Do the brave thing and bravery will follow."

"Right. Can you do the brave thing and do this?"

Katelyn sniffled.

"I'll try."

The nurse came in.

"Okay, I have to take her for a CT and some x-rays. It shouldn't take long. You're welcome to wait here or you can wait out in the waiting area near the radiology department," she told them.

"Why can't they come with me?" Katelyn asked.

"Only certain people are allowed in the room with the CT scan, but one of them can come in when you have your x-rays," the nurse said.

"I want both of them."

The nurse looked at her parents.

"Belle, you go with her. I'll wait out in the waiting area."

"No, Papa! I want you both!"

"Honey, it'll be okay. I'll be right outside. Just like when you were changing. You call me and I'll be right in, okay?"

Katelyn nodded. The nurse produced a wheelchair. Katelyn shook her head. There was no way she was riding in one of those.

"I'm sorry, but it's hospital protocol," the nurse said.

"Can you make an exception? She terrified of hospitals," Belle said.

The nurse saw the desperation in both mother and child and nodded. Belle carried Katelyn all the way to the radiology department. She put her on the bed for the CT scan.

"Okay, baby, I'll be right outside with Papa. This will be over shortly, okay?"

Katelyn nodded as she hugged her mother.

"Come on, baby, it'll be okay."

Katelyn let her mother go. Belle left the room and went right into Rumple's arms. She cried into his shoulder.

"Shhh, love, she'll be fine."

"She was so scared and I just left her! The look on her face was heartbreaking!"

"I know, but it's for the best. She'll be right out."

Belle nodded and they took a seat nearby. She leaned into him as they waited for their daughter to be done.

It wasn't long when the nurse came out and told Belle that she could come get Katelyn.

Belle leapt out of the seat and went into the room. Katelyn sat on the bed and her face brightened at the sight of her mother. She reached her arms up and Belle picked up her and cradled her to her.

"Mama…"

"Hmm…"

"I love you."

"I love you too. Only one more thing to go, okay?"

Katelyn nodded.

The nurse led them down the hall a bit and into a room with a large machine in the middle. Belle laid Katelyn on the bed.

"Okay, I'm going to slide this board underneath you."

Katelyn nodded and the nurse slid the board under her. Katelyn hissed as it hit the bruise on her back.

"Are you okay?"

"Hurts…"

"It'll be over shortly. I'll be as quick as possible."

Katelyn nodded.

"Okay, ma'am, I need you to come in this room with me."

"What? You said she could stay!"

"She can. She'll be where she can see you and you, her. Right over there," the nurse said pointing to the cubicle.

Katelyn relaxed a little and nodded. Belle pressed a kiss to her crown and followed the nurse to the cubicle. The nurse pressed a few buttons after instructing Katelyn to take a deep breath and hold it. There was a whirring sound and a click. She then went back into the area and helped Katelyn turn to her side. She then repeated the process.

"Okay, all done. We can go back to the room now."

Belle picked Katelyn up off the table. Katelyn curled into her mother. Her eyes brightened after she saw her father.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"All done. Now, the doctor has to look everything over and he'll come in and tell you what the diagnosis is," the nurse said as they walked back to the room.

Belle sat on the bed with Katelyn in her arms. She was almost asleep. Belle shook her lightly.

"Baby, you can't go to sleep right now. Come on, wake up," Belle said softly.

Katelyn groaned.

"I'm tired, Mama."

"I know, sweetheart. The doctor will be in here soon enough. You gotta stay awake right now."

Katelyn leaned up and hissed as the pain shot through her back. Rumple moved to put a hand on her back. She looked over at him.

"No healing, Papa."

"It'll help you feel better."

"No, the doctor will be here shortly then we can go home."

Rumple sighed at his stubborn, strong, hard-headed daughter. He laid the hand on her shoulder instead and kissed her forehead.

"Why don't we give Mama a break and I'll hold you for a while?"

"I'm fine, Rumple."

Katelyn pulled back and looked at her mother. She wasn't fine. She'd been crying; that much she knew. She was also clutching her.

"Mama, I'm okay. Your arms have to be hurting."

"I'm fine, baby, I promise."

Belle kissed her daughter's head and Katelyn looked at her father. He shook his head. Katelyn sighed and laid her head on her mother's shoulder.

Thankfully, the doctor came in. They looked at him expectantly.

"Well, the good news is there is no bleeding internally and no fissures or cracks on her skull. She has a small knot there that will go away in time."

"And the bad news?" Rumple asked.

"She's had a mild concussion. It's easily manageable. Give her Tylenol for pain and make sure to wake her every couple of hours throughout the night. Otherwise, she's free to go. Call me if you need anything."

Rumple shook the doctor's hand.

"Thank you."

"Just doing my job. Feel better soon, Katelyn."

Katelyn nodded and the doctor left. She looked up at her mother.

"Can we go home now?"

"Yes, sweetheart, but we need to change you first," Belle said.

Rumple stepped out into the hall and Belle changed Katelyn. The ladies joined Rumple and they left for home. They were in for a rough night.