A/N: When I got this prompt, I literally squealed for joy. This is another episode that is a favorite between Marguerite and Roxton, and naturally was screaming to be Rumbelled. I hope you all enjoy!

The Lost World

Sage_of_Earth prompted: It's been two years since the explorers have been lost on the Plateau. While out searching for a way home, Belle and Rumpton come across a fissure in a mountain. Within they find a quaint little village but are almost run done by a fugitive outlaw who Belle is mistaken for as the culprit. Inspired by the episode 2x16 The Outlaw. (Rated T for violence)

It was another lovely day in paradise.

The sun was shining, the foliage was healthy and vibrant, and the roar of a T-Rex was far off in the distance but not close enough to cause alarm.

Yes… it was truly a perfect day.

Even Belle French could not find reason to complain about today. Her usual litany and barbed words were curtailed to the bare minimum, which was a record for the heiress, especially in the company of a certain handsome Scottish lord.

If she had to admit… Belle was quite enjoying the company of the rugged hunter.

Even Lord Rumpton was pleased with how today was turning out to be. Not only was the weather bright and sunny, but also he had the good fortune of Miss French joining him on his latest expedition to look for a way off the Plateau. She didn't need much encouragement (which was a first) and he didn't mind that she tagged along only to escape garden duty with the others.

Truthfully, any time he can be alone with her… he welcomed it.

Ever since they first met, Rumpton had been intrigued with her. Belle French was an accomplished woman but also full of contradictions. She could run cold and hot in a split second; make it appear she was betraying her friends only to help them in the end; greedy and selfish when it came to gems and money but be compassionate and generous when she needed to be. She was also an enigma. The fact she only needed to hear a language spoken to become instantly fluent, she had an uncanny sense of direction, and she would often tease about certain aspects of her life in a way that one can either believe happened or believe to be a joke. David Nolan was usually at the receiving end of such jests but she would often taunt Rumpton about becoming the next of her long parade of husbands.

She would laugh. He was seriously contemplating it.

Somehow during the course of the two years they have been stuck here… Rumpton had fallen in love with her. And he believed she may have developed feelings for him too.

Regardless of her teasing, Belle has shown more often than not emotion whenever it came to the hunter. Like the one time he had turned into a vampire. Belle could have easily killed him or given up on him, but she refused to let him become a monster and shot dead his maker. And the other time when Belle orchestrated for him to fight again as a gladiator with the lizard-man Killian as his partner in order to save his life. Even when he, Nolan, and Reginald had fallen off the bridge and were thought dead… Belle held onto his hat, making dents into the fabric with her nails from clutching it too tight. And the sight of her misty eyes of relief when she saw he was alive.

It was moments like those and many others that the snobbish woman would show heart.

But she could turn around and deny everything. He never forgot how their deliriously happy "twins" were planning their wedding and she vehemently denied having any kind of feelings for him. She claimed her double must have suffered a stroke or a brain aneurysm to confuse Rumpton's double as a desirable husband. Or how she had apologized to Nolan after going too far in her ruthless editing of his journals, telling him he was like a brother to her, but swore death if he told anyone.

Indeed, the explorers and the jungle princess Snow have become a family of sorts. There was always the occasional squabble and bickering that would accompany them, but when it truly mattered… they had each other's backs. A long time ago that may not have been an objective for Miss French, but she has proven herself to be as resourceful and invaluable as a team player for survival. Of course, Miss French's way was not always acceptable with the others, especially Snow. The two were constantly at each other's throats in the beginning, but have cautiously become sister-like. They never fully agree on anything but have reached a mutual understanding.

Then again, nothing was ever easy with Miss French. Just when Rumpton thought he had her figured out, Belle would throw him a curveball as Nolan might say. She kept him on his toes all right and Rumpton wouldn't change a single damn thing about her.

Well… he would prefer it if she opened up more to him. The woman was always guarded, always suspicious of his motives. Sarcasm and insults were her defense mechanisms and he couldn't help but wonder what made her that way. What happened to Belle French?

And that, dear friends, was a mystery worth solving even if it took a lifetime.

"What are you smiling about Lord Rumpton?" Belle asked her suddenly quiet companion. Usually the hunter would not shut up about the Plateau or asking her trivial questions about her life. Silence was not a good fit for Lord Rumpton and that smile could hold promises or trouble.

"Oh, I was thinking how nice this is with the two of us together. Walking, exploring."

They came upon a stream and Belle bent down to fill her canteen. Rumpton followed suit as he looked at her hopefully and hesitantly for a response. It was sweet he was being considerate and not pushing for something out of her. He knew how skittish she could be whenever an intimate remark was made and she appreciated he wasn't pressuring her. Her third husband was not as considerate. But Belle was feeling relaxed and quite at ease and… playful.

"Yes this is nice." She flashed him a soft, tender smile that had the hunter returning it with vigor. "Although a refreshing swim would be nicer!" Using her arm, she splashed a torrent of water at his face and shirt, laughing carefree as Rumpton sputtered from the impromptu shower.

After shaking the excess water off him, he narrowed his eyes as Belle could not stop grinning ear-to-ear. "How is it?" she asked innocently.

Those brown eyes had a glint of mischief in them as he kicked his own wave at her and chased her with his canteen. She shrieked and tried to get away before she was soaked but the hunter soon cornered his prey against a tree.

"Do you surrender?" He smirked.

She shook her head, biting her lips. "Never."

"Too bad."

Before Belle could block him, Rumpton poured his entire canteen over her head. Her curls were completely drenched and her blouse was sticking to her, but she knew when she had to admit defeat.

The expression on his face was simply endearing and boyish. Despite his tragic history, she was happy to see him behave so childishly and without the burdens hanging over him. He needed the lightness to soften the dark and lately Belle has been the one to make it happen.

The light-heartedness of the moment soon paused as Rumpton looked up and excitement spread over his features.

"What is it?" she inquired as she stood next to him.

"There. It looks like a cave in that mountain. Maybe it could lead us to a way home." Rumpton turned on his heels to quickly refill his water and picked up his rifle.

"You want to check it out now?"

"Why not? Up for an adventure?" He wiggled his eyebrow teasingly.

"On this Plateau… every second is an adventure," she muttered.

xxXXxx

"Look! I'm getting a signal!" exclaimed Nolan as he saw the sun's reflection of the signal mirror from Belle and Rumpton. Whipping out his notepad, he began to write out the message and then translated it to Snow and Reginald. "Found fissure. Going to check if there's a passage."

"A fissure? That's incredible! Excellent news." Reginald was beyond thrilled at the prospect. Snow, on the other hand, appeared uneasy.

"I know the cave they're talking about. It leads into another swamp filled with very nasty and hungry dinosaurs."

The two men were disappointed at the news, but they knew the others had to be warned about the dangers. Reginald handed Nolan the signal mirror and the reporter quickly sent the message. Minutes went by and there was not a reply from the heiress or the hunter.

"Damn. They must have left," Nolan said.

Reginald looped his rifle's handle over his shoulder. "We better go after them. If what Snow says is true… they'll get out real fast."

xxXXxx

"I don't like the looks of this cave," Belle said, her eyes darting about nervously as she stayed close to the hunter and his torch.

"There's nothing to be frightened Belle. See? There's a light at the end." He pointed to the end of the tunnel where a white light was seen ahead.

"That doesn't look ominous at all," she mumbled.

As they drew closer, Rumpton didn't see the need to carry the torch and tossed it to the side as he went through. Belle reluctantly followed knowing if anything happened to him, then she would be blamed.

The man has a death wish I swear, she thought as she automatically shielded her eyes from the intensity of the bright light. Belle couldn't see her companion or anything in front of her. She called out his name with a tinge of panic in her tone (much to her dismay) and was relieved as Rumpton answered her.

"Take my hand," he ordered and she quickly obeyed. The light grew brighter with each passing step and it was difficult to tell which direction they were heading. A very loud and distinct booming sound ricocheted around them until they finally emerged from the other end where they were able to get away from the light's aim. Once Rumpton was able to see clearly, he pointed to a rock that was across the valley. "Look Belle! It's reflecting the sun like a mirror."

"Fascinating," she grumbled indifferently. "Where the Hell are we?"

"I don't know but it doesn't look ominous," he teased her, reflecting her earlier choice of word when they entered. "See?" He pointed to a village that was at the bottom of the mountain. "Looks rather peaceful, don't you think?"

Belle shrugged. "I assume we are going down there."

"Don't be so glum. This is an adventure, remember?"

"How could I forget?" she murmured sarcastically as they began to follow the trail below.

From where they stood above the village didn't seem far away, but as they reached the lower terrain they realized they weren't as close as they had thought. Belle was quite content to turn around and call it a day, but Rumpton wouldn't hear of it. They already came this far and what's a few extra miles?

The hike ended up being lengthy and after an hour Belle needed a break.

Sitting against a tree, Belle took a long and thirsty drink from her canteen. "How much further do you think it is?"

Rumpton looked over his shoulder and couldn't help but notice how the sun seemed to catch her hair. She was a sight of beauty to behold even though she would scoff and comment how she was exhausted and sweaty and don't patronize her. Yes… she was his temperamental beauty and he couldn't help strolling up to her and leaning his arm against the tree.

"What's the hurry?" His voice dropped a couple of octaves, his brogue practically purring.

Belle saw her hunter was on the prowl. She couldn't help the little curl of her lips as she pushed her feet up so she was almost eye-to-eye with him. Arching her defiant brow, Belle replied sultrily, "What do you exactly have in mind Lord Rumpton?" The sharp emphasis of his title was something she took delight in doing, and the way his nostrils and pupils would flare and dilate always gave her a thrill. She had him under her thumb and she suspected he rather enjoyed submitting to her when they engaged in their flirtatious banter.

"I can think of a thing or two," he murmured as he closed his eyes and began to drift towards her welcoming lips.

A loud whinny surprised the couple as Rumpton whirled around to see a horse and its rider nearly on top of them. As the horse dropped its legs down, he espied the rider wearing a black cape and mask covering the nose and mouth. Instantly, his hand drew up his Webley and aimed it at the interloper.

"I wouldn't," he warned the rider and with another whinny they were gone. But the shock of seeing the explorers must have frightened the horse enough that a bag attached to the saddle fell as soon as it galloped away. Replacing his pistol back in its holster, Rumpton picked up the bag and frowned at the weight.

"What the Hell was that about?!" Belle cried.

"I don't know but that person looked like an outlaw to me," he told her, holding up the bag and shaking the contents.

The chiming jingling of coins captured Belle's attention as she ripped the bag from Rumpton's hand. Looking inside was exactly what she thought it was… Money. Loads of money.

Her rapture was suddenly gone as the hunter snatched the loot away from her. "She probably stole it from the village. We should return it to the rightful owner."

"No way! She almost ran us down. I say we keep it for our troubles." She reached for the bag, but he held it up higher so she couldn't grab it.

"Belle…" he warned. "For all we know this money could belong to someone who was depending on it for rent or food."

"Fine." She spat, crossing her arms and pouting. "I still say finders' keepers."

"I know you do," he said grinning.

xxXXxx

At last they had arrived in the heart of the village. The clothes were outdated on its residents almost eighteenth century, early nineteenth century. It was a rustic village with farm animals roaming about and the people milling about house to house and bartering. It was also very noisy as far as the couple was concerned.

However, no one seemed to notice or care the outsiders passing through.

"This doesn't seem like a bad place," remarked Rumpton.

"Compared to what?" Belle looked around. "Well, since you are so hell-bent on finding the owner, where do you suggest we look?"

Before he could respond, they couldn't help but overhear a woman shouting:

"Come back when ye can stand straight!"

She was an older woman with silver, frizzy hair but she wasn't messing around as she gave the obvious inebriated man a left hook. Satisfied, she rubbed her hands together and waltzed back into her establishment… the tavern.

Noting her companion's look, Belle whispered, "Care for a drink?"

He smirked. "It's been a while since you bought me a pint."

"Oh really?" The laughing tone was back in her voice as they headed towards the pub.

They heard piano music playing over the uproariously chatter and laughter as they came closer. As soon as they entered, the music and talking ceased as everyone stared at the strangers. It was a complete contrast compared to how the other villagers didn't seem to care and Belle and Rumpton exchanged looks as they brushed it off and walked up to the bar.

The woman they had seen punching the drunken patron was already behind the counter and polishing it clean. She stopped as she noticed the two new customers and gave them a disdainful once-over.

"Can I help ye?"

"Um, yes, we are hoping you can," Rumpton said, placing the bag they found on the counter.

"Granny! How about another round?" shouted someone.

"Shut yer trap Roy!" Granny barked as she eyed the bag suspiciously. Lowering her voice, she said, "Look here. If ye don't want trouble ye put that away if ye know what's best fer ye."

Rumpton frowned. "We only wanted to return it."

"Yeah. The woman who almost ran us down dropped it," Belle added.

"Sure she did," Granny said not believing them.

"It's true," Rumpton replied adamantly.

"Oi! What's that?"

The explorers turned as a tall man with dark brown hair and a beard stood close by. The stench of stale ale on his breath had Belle making a face as he leered at her.

"What a lovely thing ye are," he said, his gray eyes flashing lasciviously.

"Oh stop," Belle retorted with an eye roll, yet Rumpton moved a little bit in front of her. He didn't like the way the man was staring at Belle as if he was undressing her with his eyes.

The man sneered at Rumpton but the look on his face changed when he looked over his shoulder.

Without warning, the man pulled out a flintlock pistol and half-cocked it. "Where did ye get that?" he demanded.

"Nottingham ye fool!" Granny said sternly. "Put that away! I don't want any more shootings."

"A'right Granny but I'm just gonna to put these two under arrest."

"Arrest?" Belle scoffed. "For what?"

"Stealing," the Sheriff said as if it was obvious.

"We didn't steal anything," Rumpton explained. "The woman who did almost ran—"

"That's enough! Yer coming with me."

xxXXxx

A few minutes later the couple found themselves behind bars and their weapons and supplies taken. All the while they protested their innocence, but were only met with derision and ridicule. No one would listen or even care what they had to say.

"I'm telling you, you have the wrong people! The real fugitive is out there and could be halfway to Peru by now!" Belle cried, wrapping her hands around the bars.

"Right and she gave the money to ye," Nottingham mocked getting a few chuckles from his deputies.

"See? This is what happens when you try to do the right thing." Belle glared at Rumpton who hardly said a word since their arrest.

At that moment a new visitor arrived. His clothes were a better stylish quality compared to the others in the village. If anything the older man oozed power and wealth as he strode over to the Sheriff's desk and picked up the bag.

"Good work Nottingham. Appears I have it all back," the gentleman said after looking inside.

"Hey!" Belle called and succeeded in getting his attention. "We returned that money back to you. The least you can do is free us and give us a reward."

"Reward?" The owner of the money approached her. His features were anything but friendly. "It looks to me you're right where you belong."

Belle's reaction was comical. "What do you mean…?"

"For months you have robbed, threatened, and mocked me," he accused. "The decent thing you can do is grovel at my feet."

Rumpton got to his feet and walked over. "I'm sure Belle is guilty for many things, but there is no way she did any of those things to you."

Belle nodded. "My friend speaks the truth."

"You honestly believe I wouldn't recognize my own tormentor?" he spat. "No… You both will face the judge tomorrow and justice will be swift."

Turning on his heel, he ordered Nottingham, "Make sure our outlaw and her accomplice receive the proper hospitality that they so kindly bestowed us."

"Yes sir Mr. Spencer." Nottingham saluted.

Groaning, Belle turned and plopped herself on the bench. "Could this day get any better?"

xxXXxx

Late afternoon Belle and Rumpton were taken out in chains to the village square where a table and judge sat with the gallows behind him. Already two nooses were set up in dangling anticipation.

"Looks like we know the verdict," Belle muttered to her companion. There was a twinge of despair in her voice that Rumpton tried to placate.

"I won't leave you for the hangman's noose," he promised. "Now roll over."

"What?" Belle hissed as Rumpton did a quick survey and slammed his shoulder into Belle so she would fall. With all the attention on her, Rumpton took off running to find a place to break his foot chains and find a weapon so they could get the Hell out of there.

He hated leaving her, even for a moment, but he had little choice if he wanted them to escape with their lives intact. Once he freed himself he would be in a position to help Belle, which he prayed she would understand. He found the smithery and used the hammer to break the chains in two. His handcuffs would have to wait for now but at least he wouldn't have to worry about tripping.

Hearing Nottingham and his goons searching for him, Rumpton hid until he was able to hit the Sheriff over the head to take his gun. Now armed, the hunter was able to go back for Belle. When he caught sight of her… the image had his blood running cold.

Spencer had a gun aimed at her head.

Moving slowly so not to give Spencer reason to shoot, Rumpton went towards them. "Don't do this," he told Spencer. "Just let her go. You have your money. We'll leave and never come back. You have my word."

"A thief's word is useless," the older man rejoined. "Now drop your gun or I will put her down." Then to throw salt into the wound. "You know I can't miss from here."

Belle looked at him imploringly. There was genuine fear in her blue eyes and Rumpton couldn't risk having her hurt or worse.

So he dropped his gun and kicked it away.

Spencer moved away from Belle. "Thank you." He pointed at Rumpton and fired.

The bullet slammed into his shoulder, the blow taking him off-guard as Rumpton fell. Belle's screams filled his ears but there was nothing he could do as the searing pain ripped through him. All he could think was I failed you Belle. I'm sorry.

He wasn't dead but he wasn't exactly ready to fight back. He was lifted by his arms and dragged back to the jail with Belle being pulled behind. While it hurt like the dickens to be dragged, Rumpton knew the bullet passed through and was thankfully not trapped in him.

He was roughly tossed back into the cell and managed to catch his balance so he could fall on the bench. Belle was thrown in as well and she immediately went to his aid, putting her hands over the wound to stop the flow of blood. Tears were streaming down her face as she beckoned the others to get a doctor. He tried assuring her that he was all right, but even the hunter knew that if the wound was left untreated… his chances of survival were slim.

Belle marched to the cell door and once more demanded that a doctor be called in to help Rumpton. Spencer was unmoved by her emotional pleas until Belle got down on her knees and begged for her friend's life to be spared.

Spencer smirked. "That seems to be a bit better. If you want him to be treated, then you will do it yourself."

Belle's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe what Spencer had said but time was running out. She would have to cauterize the wound or Rumpton would bleed out.

A poker and a bucket of embers were provided. Belle sat beside Rumpton until the poker was hot enough to do its job.

"You need to make sure you keep it there until all the blood vessels are sealed. Is that understood?" Rumpton asked her.

She nodded wordlessly. Never in her life had she done something like this. Belle had seen her fair share of injuries, even assisted in bandaging her party if someone was hurt. But never did she have to cauterize a person. And worse? It was Lord Rumpton she was going to have to do it too.

"It's all right. It's going to hurt me more than you," he teased despite the seriousness of the situation. It didn't do much to help Belle's nerves, but she appreciated it nonetheless.

Once she had the poker in hand, she stood over Rumpton as she moved his shirt aside so she could see his wounded shoulder. She couldn't fall apart on him when he needed her the most. So Belle pressed her lips firmly together as she lowered the poker and held it as the skin sizzled and burned. Rumpton did his best to muffle his screams but a couple slipped out until he passed out.

xxXXxx

Meanwhile Snow, Nolan, and Reginald were approaching the fissure when a horse and its rider went full speed ahead towards them. All three leapt away in time to avoid being run over but that didn't stop the rider. She slid off her horse and with a pistol in hand, she ordered: "Give me your weapons."

Snow wasn't one for intimidation and kicked the pistol out of robber's hand. Nolan and Reginald each took an arm and held the wriggling thief as Snow pulled off her mask to reveal… Belle!

"Let me go!" Belle shouted but her voice was different… Even her accent was unusual. Not to mention her clothes were not what she wore when she left the Treehouse that morning and Rumpton was nowhere in sight. "I swear you will be sorry!"

The woman may not be dressed like Belle but she certainly threatened like the heiress.

And since she came from the fissure… there was a good chance this lookalike might have seen their friends.

"Who are you?" Snow demanded. "Where are our friends?"

"I don't know who you're talking about," the woman spat.

"I think you do. There were a man and a woman traveling together and she happens to look like you." Snow pulled out her trusty knife from her boot and flashed it in front of the woman's face. "I would start talking if I were you."

"You heard her," Nolan advised. "Snow is really good with that knife."

The woman looked around and saw there was no way out. Sighing in defeat, she relented. "My name is Lacey. I saw your friends head towards my village but there's no use in looking for them. They are probably dead already."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Reginald gave her a good shake.

"If you must know… I robbed a truly horrible and evil man. He has ruined my life and so I was returning the favor. I was making my escape when I ran into your friends and unfortunately dropped one of the bags of money I stole. Spencer doesn't take kindly to strangers. Especially with those who have his money."

"There could be a chance they're alive," Snow said. Looking at Lacey with a grin, she continued. "Our friends don't give up as easy so you're coming with us."

xxXXxx

When Rumpton came to, he found Belle kneeling on the floor by the bench with her fingers gently threading through his hair. The ministration was sheer bliss that he didn't want it to end. However, sensing he was awake, Belle stopped so she could check on his wound.

The bleeding stopped and it didn't look infected. All good signs in her book as relief flooded her countenance.

She had lost count the times they have come close to death but with Rumpton… he courted Death on a regular basis. One of these days his number would be up and Belle knew she didn't want to be around to witness that day.

Rumpton's finger came up to delicately trace her lower jaw as he offered her a tender smile. "You saved my life."

"You promised you wouldn't leave me for the hangman," she told him.

"Is that the only reason?"

There was no question the vulnerability between them. In particular with Belle as she couldn't shake the image away of seeing Rumpton shot over and over again. For so long she has guarded her heart and now… Now she could see how things could change in a split second and she didn't want him to die. Not now, not ever.

"No." Her answer came out softly.

It must have been the answer he wanted as Rumpton drew her closer and she willingly went as their mouths brushed over the other gently. As they pulled away, Rumpton sighed happily.

"I should get shot more often."

A few hours later the two switched places: Belle was on the bench, sleeping; and Rumpton was walking around the cell. His shoulder still had the dull throb from the bullet and cauterizing, but he was feeling much better. He could even move it around a bit.

Rumpton was feeling gratification for his recovery since Spencer seemed disappointed he did not die. However, the latter did comment, "I suppose the rope won't go to waste now."

"Why are you doing this?" Rumpton tried asking again. "You have to know that Belle and I are not responsible for the theft."

To Rumpton's shock, Spencer revealed this surprising admission. "I know you didn't. But the people… the Masked Bandit is a fine catch. They like a good public execution and as the public servant… I must give them what they want. Even if I have to pass your friend off as the Masked Bandit, then so be it."

"All at the expense of the innocent?" Rumpton shot back. "This didn't have to go that far. You did that. Your people could forgive you if you didn't give them the hanging they wanted. Besides, what about the real thief? What then?"

Spencer gave a half-hearted shrug. "I suppose she's long gone. Or she will be soon. At sundown tomorrow whatever lies beyond the fissure will be gone forever."

"What are you talking about?" Rumpton looked at him with confusion.

"Every year for two days the sun hits that group of rocks in the valley and we are transported to a different world. Last year was the desert, the year before a frozen wasteland. Then afterwards we go back to our normal way of life."

"We have until sundown tomorrow to leave. I think we can make our escape."

Spencer snorted. "You can certainly try but there will be no escaping the hangman. You might as well try and get some well-rested sleep. We can't have you looking haggard to the good people." Then rising, Spencer told Rumpton to have "a good night" and left the hunter to ponder.

xxXXxx

At the crack of dawn, the explorers were aroused from their slumber with the Sheriff banging a cup against the metal bars.

"Time to wake up and smell the rope," Nottingham said in what he thought was witty.

Belle could only shake her head in disgust but even more so as the Sheriff gave her a wink.

"Ye know… I might be able to put in a good word that ye repented if ye—" Before he could finish that sentence, Belle sauntered up to the bar with a seductive smile playing over her lips. Then her expression changed to revulsion as she spat into his face.

"How's that for repentance?" she asked sweetly.

"Son of a—" The Sheriff wiped the saliva off him and was about to reach through to grab her, but Rumpton intervened.

"If you lay one hand on her… I will kill you." The look in his eye was no joke and the Sheriff audibly gulped. Then he recalled he was the one in charge and ordered his men to get the chains ready.

Once more, Belle and Rumpton were back facing the gallows.

"Boy, this really brings back déjà vu," Belle said sardonically.

Spencer stood beside them as he read off the list of charges to the judge. A noise arose from the crowd as Spencer had to stop and to the explorers' joy… the others showed up with the masked woman in toll.

Snow pointed to her. "Here's the real Masked Bandit! Now release our friends or—"

But the Masked Bandit wasn't going to be apprehended as she elbowed Nolan in the stomach and quickly took his gun from his side. Chaos erupted as Snow gave chase and Reginald and Nolan (now recovered) began to fight Nottingham's men to save their friends.

Rumpton tackled Nottingham, disarming him in the process, and slapped the man hard across the face. The blow did knock Nottingham out so Rumpton was able to fish through his pockets for the key to the handcuffs and chains. He quickly freed himself and turned to free Belle, but saw that she was being hauled off by Spencer. Before he could go after them, Rumpton was attacked from behind. Turning around, the hunter fought back as the rest of his friends did what they could to fend off the deputies.

"We need to have that woman here!" Nolan shouted.

"Where did Snow go?" Reginald yelled.

The reporter was able to see the jungle princess running towards a tavern of sorts. "I see Snow!"

"We're getting outnumbered," Reginald warned, as he and the other two men knew they had to come up with a plan and quick.

Rumpton looked at the gallows when an idea took root. "I have an idea. You guys go with Snow and I'll meet you there with Belle. Hurry!"

They split up as Reginald and Nolan charged towards the tavern. Rumpton had a promise to fulfill.

xxXXxx

As soon as she saw their friends, Belle knew they were saved. However she hadn't expected everything to go to Hell the way it did, but once everyone was fighting, she turned to fight her guard. She managed to knock him to the ground, but Spencer grabbed her around the waist, his pistol digging into her rib.

"You're coming with me!" he growled and began dragging her away from the others.

She wanted to call out for Rumpton but he was too busy with Nottingham and by the time he noticed she was gone… he was already distracted with another deputy. It was up to Belle now and she had to come up with something fast if she wanted to save her hide.

"This is going to end now!" Spencer seemed hell-bent on getting rid of her that Belle blurted out the first thing that came to her.

"If you shoot me now, then you're going to have an angry mob on your hands."

That stopped Spencer in his tracks as he looked back at the throng of people. Gritting his teeth, he let out a frustrated sound, which Belle couldn't help but smirk. She was right and he knew it. Considering how badly he wanted to execute her… Belle knew he would be denying his adoring public the thing they wanted most.

Muttering a few curses, Spencer turned and pulled her back towards the hangman's noose. She thought Rumpton would have been freed by now but Belle's face fell the instant she realized her friends were completely gone. On the other hand, Spencer was practically gloating when he saw the look of despair and horror that she was truly alone now.

Belle began tugging on her restraints, yet Spencer kept a firm grip as he managed to get her to the noose and the executioner. One look at the figure all in black and Belle couldn't prevent the tears. This was not how she pictured her death to be. Not when she had so many unanswered questions left. How will she ever know the truth about—?

"Any last words?" Spencer interrupted as the hangman slipped the rope around her throat.

Feeling the coarseness of the rope, Belle knew there was no use in fighting. "Damn you Rumpton," she said.

"Very well." Spencer took a step closer. "Goodbye whoever you are." He stepped down from the scaffold.

Belle closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. This is it, she thought miserably.

"Careful Belle. I might be tempted to leave you after all." The whispered voice in her ear had Belle jumping as she twisted her face at the hood-covered man. The voice was gruff but there was no mistaking the Scottish accent underneath.

Rumpton winked at her through the eye-slit when Spencer realized he hadn't started his duty.

"Get on with it!" Spencer ordered. "Hang her!"

Removing the hood, Rumpton gazed down at the dumbfounded mayor saying, "Sorry but not today."

Using the keys he pilfered, Rumpton removed the cuffs and took off the noose. "Run to the tavern," he instructed her and jumped down below. Belle followed suit as they fought and ran their way to the meeting place.

Once they were safely inside the tavern, Nolan and Reginald barred the doors and took their positions at the windows to shoot at Spencer and his men.

"I made a trip for these," Nolan told Rumpton, throwing the hunter his trusted Webley's. The Scottish lord couldn't help kissing his precious babies as he smashed the window with his elbow so he could have a clear shot.

Belle found Snow holding down the real Masked Bandit and marched over there to see who this woman was for getting them into this trouble in the first place. Snow tried to warn her but Belle didn't listen as she ripped the mask off.

The heiress was floored at seeing the identical woman. It seemed her twin wasn't at all surprised but Belle saw only red as she lunged at her.

"This is all your fault!" she screamed, smacking her across the face. "I could have hanged for your crimes!"

"Belle, stop!" Snow cried as she stepped in to stop the two women from pummeling the other. Lacey managed to get one over Belle as she pinned Belle's arms to the floor. Belle squirmed and tried to buck the other woman off her, but Snow was losing patience as she pulled Lacey off her friend and stood in the middle of them.

"This has to stop!" Snow told them. "Your enemy right now is out there, not here. Now Belle… you have a right to be upset. I don't blame you but you have to listen to Lacey here. She's as much a victim as you."

"Really?" Dripping with sarcasm, Belle placed her hands on her hips and waited for what the woman had to say. In her mind it better be good or Belle was going to hand her personally over to Spencer.

As for Lacey, she saw she had no choice. "Spencer and I go way back, unfortunately. This tavern was originally owned by me and my husband. We had been doing well and Spencer's greedy little paws wanted a hand in our business. He propositioned me in the hopes I would sell the place. I refused. The next thing I knew we were being sabotaged. Our barrels of ale were being replaced with water or moldy barrels. We were even robbed on more than one occasion. Eventually, my husband was killed and I was forced to sell the tavern. After losing everything, I made a vow that I would ruin Spencer the way he ruined me. I am sorry that you and your friend got mixed up in all this. It was never my intention for anyone to be involved, but I was in a hurry to leave this village forever that I kept running, not wanting to look back."

The shootout with the men suddenly came to a halt as Nolan told the others he saw the deputies lighting up torches.

"If we're going to do something, then we better do it fast," the American warned everyone.

"No doubt they're going to try and smoke us out of here," Reginald explained.

"Or burn us," added Lacey.

Rumpton looked around and spotted a ladder leading to the roof. "We might be able to get out of here by crawling on the roof."

"Excellent plan Rumpton," Reginald told him. "Let's go."

"Wait." Belle stopped Lacey. "I have another idea."

xxXXxx

"Burn it down." Spencer gave the direct order to Nottingham. "They will have only one way to escape and we will be ready for them."

"Yes Mr. Spencer. You heard him! Light it up!" the Sheriff shouted.

As the deputies were about to throw their torches, the door opened and the Masked Bandit emerged.

"Don't!" she called out. "I'll surrender if you let the others go free. They are innocent Spencer and you know it."

The men looked to their mayor as he stared at his adversary for so long. "Come here and we'll negotiate a deal for your friends."

"As long as they can walk out alive Spencer, then you have a deal." She moved towards him as Spencer gave an imperceptible nod to his Sheriff. Spencer seized her just as Nottingham and his men threw their torches into the tavern.

"NO!" the Masked Bandit cried but Spencer laughed.

"You were a fool to think I would make a deal with an outlaw," he said.

"Actually…" She hit him in the groin and took his pistol from him. "I was hoping you wouldn't."

Realizing she played him so he would set his own tavern on fire, Spencer glared at her in silent fury.

Pulling down her mask, Belle smirked as Spencer's eyes widened in astonishment.

"I thought…" he started.

"That I wasn't your Masked Bandit?" she finished for him. "My accomplice told me that. Well guess what? You were right all along. And this is your final punishment for all the wrongs you have committed and will ever think of committing."

Without warning, Belle whipped the pistol across his jaw and quickly whistled for her horse. As the animal came charging in, she grabbed the reins, hopped on, and started galloping before Spencer or any of his men could stop her.

She rode hard through the jungle until she came to the fissure where the others were waiting for her. Her smile and infectious laugh could not be contained as she told them about Spencer.

"You should have seen his face when he realized I tricked him."

Sliding off the horse, Belle took the reins and handed them to Lacey (who happened to be wearing Belle's blouse and skirt). "He shouldn't bother you anymore."

"Thank you. I don't know what else to say," Lacey began.

"Keep robbing Spencer. It's the least you can do for a mutual friend," Belle told her.

Lacey snickered. "I believe that can be arranged."

"I hate to break this up but we should be leaving," Reginald announced, nodding to the cloister of rocks. Already the sun was starting to go down and soon their window for escape would be gone too.

"What about your clothes?" Belle asked Lacey.

"Keep them. They look good on you." She stuck out her hand as Belle shook it.

"Good luck," Belle said.

"Thank you. You too."

After a quick round of good-byes, the explorers quickly ran the trail up to the cave and went inside before the portal was finally closed. The roar of dinosaurs and the melodious chirping of birds alerted the group they were back in their world much to their relief.

Just another day on the Plateau.

The adventures are never done for these guys. Next… One Night Stand.