A/N: The moment you have been waiting for in the Indecent Proposal world! The dinner with this mystery businessman! But he's not so much a mystery man when you see who because it would make sense, lol. I am going to reference moments that have already happened between Belle and Gold, however, they are not written. I hope you enjoy!

Indecent Proposal

Grace5231973 prompted: Belle and Gold have dinner with his potential business partner. Just as things are going well, an unexpected wrench gets thrown into the mix. (Rated K+)

The evening finally arrived for Belle to help Gold in the start of charming this future business partner. The weeks leading up to it were full of preparations that the faux wedded couple endured. As much as Belle had to remind herself this was all part of her bargain to Gold to keep her bookstore afloat, her feelings were caught in a maelstrom of turmoil.

Somewhere—down the line—her emotions were changing towards her "husband."

It all began with a few minor things: first, there was the first kiss in Gold's shop. He claimed it was to ensure the authenticity's sake of their marriage. She recalled how their first kiss as a married couple was quick and completely devoid of passion. The whole point of this sham was to make it appear that Belle left her fiancé for Gold because she fell in love with him. She couldn't help that on the wedding she wasn't exactly feeling the giddy bride she should have felt. Begrudgingly, Belle had to admit Gold made a point and so she allowed him to kiss her as a proper husband should.

The result?

She was shocked at how she had responded to him! Gentle and tender were words Belle wouldn't have associated with Gold, but gentle and tender he was in the way he held her in his arms and in the way his lips danced across hers. He wasn't demanding, pushy, or greedy. He gauged her comfort and when she wasn't screaming for the hills… he applied pressure and then she was lost in bliss. Belle lost track of time as they stood there in silence, only the sounds of their lips clinging to each other, before he pulled back and she was feeling bereft from the loss of contact.

Second, the child's bedroom she found that Gold kept in pristine condition. She had been familiarizing herself with her new home when she came upon a locked door on the second floor. Since he never told her that any place was off-limits, Belle took that as implicit permission to check it out. What she found was heart-wrenching. Everything—clothes, toys—were kept in order all preserved in the tragic memory of a beloved son. She never knew about Gold having a son; in fact, she believed no one in Storybrooke knew. Mr. Gold was known as the forever bachelor in every sense of the word, including no children. The fact he maintained the bedroom and kept it cleaned spoke volumes about his character and how he was still hurting after all these years.

Belle departed the room with deep respect and reverence, making sure she didn't intrude again. She had wanted to ask Gold about the young boy, but wasn't sure how to approach the subject. She clearly felt it wasn't her business, but at the same time, they were supposed to be a married couple and she should know this about him, right?

Of course, she hadn't worked the nerve at the time. Instead, the third event in her life concerning Gold led to her defending the man to the residents. She was growing weary of the people in Storybrooke ostracizing her. When Leroy made a nasty comment about the "real" reason why she married Gold, she snapped.

What did Leroy know about him? And anyone for that matter? No one knew that Mr. Gold had another side to him—a side he never let anyone see—but Belle saw it nevertheless. He was a kind man, compassionate, caring. He could have been the ruthless jerk everyone believed when he married her… but he wasn't. He never pressured her or forced her to do anything against her will. He never demanded anything from her. All he wanted from her was to pretend to be the dutiful wife (which meant she would have to lie to her friends and ignore her fiancé to make it legit) for a business dealing. The other things, like cooking and cleaning, Belle did that on her own regard. He never expected her to keep house; in truth, he was rather speechless when he returned from work to a home-cook dinner.

Despite how she felt towards Gold in the beginning and about this contract, Belle intended to honor the deal. She hated how alone it made her feel, but in a strange sort of twist, she was able to get to know him on a scale she would never have been exposed to. And she was able to see the man behind the beast.

It was scary how quick it was to defend him. Yet she meant every word and she didn't regret a single one. In addition, she was able to gain a friend back: Ruby. It felt good again to have someone on her side and while Belle couldn't share it was charade… Ruby stood by her friend. As long as Belle was happy, then so was she.

And to Belle's consternation, she was happy.

How? Why? She could not fathom or explain. She just knew she was contented in a way she never felt with Grayson. Of course it went without saying she did miss other aspects of her previous life. She did miss The Book Escape, even though the library did offer a nice alternative. She had her books but she missed the independency of owning a business. She missed being Belle, and not "Mrs. Gold." However, Belle was able to live with the changes and make the most of them.

The frightening part was how Belle didn't miss Grayson as much as she ought.

She had to remind herself she was doing this for his sake too. Grayson insisted she go along with Gold's deal to keep the store alive. Gold was willing to offer large amounts of money in exchange for Belle as his wife, and Grayson talked her into signing the contract so they could keep their dream and have the wedding they always wanted.

She was positive that Grayson had to be hurting. After all, not being able to see or speak to him… it was a killer. Belle had her imagination and she often had to take comfort in that it wasn't her that was feeling the strains. Grayson had to be regretting the deal, and she wished he would see Gold and demand the contract be null—damn the consequences. It was part of Belle's fantasy for the first couple of weeks of her "marriage." She kept expecting that her Prince in Shining Armor would show up and they could forget this nightmare and return to their normal lives. She was certain they could find the money elsewhere to keep the store going…

But Grayson never came.

He never rescued her.

So Belle was left on her own.

She knew she could blame the whole thing on Gold. She did and she had. The arguments they had… Now, Belle can only look back with remorse. Gold wasn't to blame for Grayson's actions. Grayson chose this ordeal and he chose to sit back and do nothing while his fiancée was the gossip in town. Belle practically hated him for abandoning her, but a part of her had to believe Grayson was feeling something akin to the sacrifice being made.

Otherwise… what was the point?

Needless to say, Belle's feelings were spiraling out of control. To say she was conflicted was the understatement of the year. Regardless how forgotten she felt with her actual fiancé… Belle was experiencing something new and a bit alarming towards Mr. Gold.

She was starting to see him as a friend. It was the only explanation for those past circumstances and her defense in him.

But then something changed.

Belle couldn't shut out or ignore the past week. Gold confided the truth about his son, Bae, to her, the heartbreaking tale that never had the closure he wanted so desperately. Bae had been six when he complained of a really bad headache. At first, Gold brushed it off as an ordinary headache and treated it as such. However, Bae continued to have headaches and then he began to tire out easily. Eventually Bae was diagnosed with leukemia. It had been so sudden and the doctors tried a rigorous treatment but it was too late. Bae died before his seventh birthday.

What followed next was a spontaneous kiss that had Belle withdrew and refusing to look at him as she ran to her room. It would have been one thing if the kiss had been a quick peck, but this kiss had been world-shattering. Belle swore the floor moved underneath her, and it honestly wasn't far from the truth because when she closed her eyes… she could feel the weight and warmth of Gold's body on top of hers.

When she saw the opportunity to flee, she took it. Too mortified, too stunned, Belle hid until she was certain he had left for work the next day. She couldn't bear to look at him when he returned home but she knew she had to face him eventually. So she swallowed her pride, and soldiered on as if nothing happened.

Obviously, the plan backfired on her.

Her desire to ignore and forget did not sit well with him. There were words—heated words—exchanged and Belle wound up pinned against the wall with Gold holding her lips hostage.

But it was a poor hostage situation when the recipient was being torn apart with a consuming lust that came out of nowhere.

Then as quickly as it combusted… the faster it was doused.

Gold broke away and wanted to focus on their story for the exceptional Mr. David Nolan that was scheduled to fly in that week.

AKA… the family-oriented businessman.

It was the distraction Belle needed and she dove into the details that would become her truth to persuade this man to sign a deal with Mr. Gold. The research proved to be diverting and she was grateful for that respite.

Now it was show time.

"Wait."

Mr. Gold glanced over his shoulder as Belle paused at the foot of the stairs. She was absolutely breath-taking in a navy blue dress that hit below the knees, lace overlay all over with a belted waist, and lace sleeves to her elbows. Red heels were the only splash of color as the rest of her attire was simple but elegant. Her curls were in relaxed waves and she was light on her makeup. She was not the showy or the overdoing spouse to impress look, but natural.

"Mr. Gold… in all this time… I don't know your name."

How could Belle overlook something so blatant?

Fearing it was something else or cold feet, Mr. Gold sighed in relief when Belle said she didn't know his name.

"Thomas," he answered. "My name is Thomas."

"Thomas," she tested, nodding her head as if committing to memory. "All right Thomas. I'm ready."

xxXXxx

Dinner was going smoothly.

They had arrived a couple minutes earlier but Mr. Nolan was running late, which was fine since Belle needed those extra minutes to compose herself. By the time he showed up and introductions were made, the nervousness that filled her belly slowly dissipated as she began to see what an agreeable and amiable man this Mr. Nolan was… a real Prince Charming.

He was handsome if one was interested in men with boyish looks. His flaxen hair was short but wavy on top, eyes a bright blue and full of kindness, and he smiled too much. He didn't strike Belle as a business type of person at least not the type who would partner with Gold.

But it soon became apparent how much family meant a lot to him. He had been late because he was reading to his daughter, Emma, a bedtime story via Skype. He knew she would be asleep by the time the dinner concluded. Since he sometimes had to travel for work, Mr. Nolan—David, he insisted, Mr. Nolan was his father after all—he wanted to keep in touch and continue his nightly ritual of bedtime reading.

Indeed, he loved to talk about little Emma. She was a spry, energetic four-year-old with a big heart and even bigger imagination. Her current fascination (and favorite books) was about police officers.

"Anything and everything about the police she has to have to be read to," he said, chuckling affectionately. "She is determined to be a cop when she grows up. Already she polices the children at the playground! Some parents feel she's being bossy, but she has an eye for safety measures."

He adored his child as much as he did with his wife. They have been married for six years but it was six very happy and wonderful years.

"We met in unusual circumstances. I was engaged and Mary Margaret was a teacher where my fiancée worked. I was visiting and Mary Margaret accidentally ran into me and landed on my lap. It was love at first sight! Good thing too because Abigail fell in love with another man but wasn't sure how to break it off with me. She saw a spark between myself and Mary Margaret, and knew we were meant to be."

"That's sweet," Belle said. She looked over at her husband, expecting him to say something in reply. His expression conveyed little interest but she caught his eye and the slight wiggle of her eyebrow told him he better say something.

"Uh, right. It's good that it all worked out in the end," Gold said.

"How about you?" David asked, looking at them point blank. "What is your story?"

Belle and Gold practiced this to the tee.

"I moved to Storybrooke about five years ago," Belle started. "A friend and I opened a bookstore and… Thomas here was our landlord."

"Belle would give me a book with the rent every month," Gold added.

It was the truth and it was best to stick close to the truth as much as possible. Until…

"We would have these book discussions and then the conversations became a bit more personal and… Well, Thomas has a reputation."

"Ah yes. I heard," David interjected with a grin. "But Mr. Gold… you do have a knack on finding the right objects and antiques for your clients. Not to mention, you know what and where the best investments are."

Gold nodded in thanks as Belle placed her hand on top of his fondly. "Once I got to know him better, my feelings began to change. He wasn't as bad as everyone claimed and we fell in love. To be frank, it's kind of similar to your marriage," Belle went on. "I was engaged with my friend who helped me with the store. We were drifting apart and it wasn't until I discovered I had feelings for Thomas… then I knew."

To really sell it Belle turned a very loving smile in Gold's direction. To her surprise, he returned it in kind. Squeezing her hand, he said, "It snuck up on me as well. I wasn't expecting someone like Belle to come into my life."

Perhaps to both it sounded a bit cheesy, but David Nolan seemed to soak it up.

"I see you're really happy," David commented. "There's nothing like marital bliss."

"Yes," Belle answered.

The meals arrived, and while they ate, David and Gold talked shop. Belle didn't understand the idea beforehand on what this partnership entailed, although listening to them she was able to get the gist.

David owned several very successful sheep farms that dispensed their wool for various uses. He wanted to open a shop in Storybrooke that would sell the wool in different products like blankets and sweaters. Gold had the equipment that David wanted so they could be made in-house.

Furthering Belle's astonishment, Gold assured David he could aid in the training in the proper treatment of wool. As Gold launched into the process and explained the additional services he would be able to provide to David, Belle was impressed with his knowledge. She had no idea that he could do something like that. It led to the thought that this was information she should know about her husband…

However, there was something else that caught Belle's attention.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Grayson enter the restaurant and she frowned noticing his swaying movements. Turning fully, her eyes widened as she took in his haggard appearance: the loss of weight, the dark bags beneath his eyes, disheveled hair and facial growth on his chin and jaw. He looked awful! Belle couldn't recall a time where Grayson ever let anything go, including shaving.

The first emotion that crawled into her heart was pity. Then she saw the blood-shot eyes and instantly she sensed trouble.

Then again, it didn't help that Belle hadn't turned around to avoid him seeing her.

Immediately, Grayson saw her and he began heading in her direction.

"Oh no…" Belle exclaimed as she faced the table and the two men at it. "Excuse me. I need to use the little girl's room."

Gold looked at her in confusion, but Belle didn't have time to explain or even signal what the problem was. She got up, trying not to bring attention to the urgency, and strode towards Grayson, meeting him halfway. Grabbing his arm, Belle attempted to drag him away so he wouldn't make a scene, but Grayson wasn't having it. He not-so-gently pushed her aside as he continued his path to the table where Gold and David were.

Belle's heart was beating wildly as she followed him, and heard Grayson saying, slurring his words, "I changed my mind. I want out of this deal."

Gold, now realizing what was happening, gazed at Grayson with as a stoic demeanor as he could. Yet Belle knew him well enough to see the anger teeming in his eyes.

"Mr. Knight," Gold began slowly. "This is not the best time to be having this conversation. I suggest you go home and sleep it off."

"Nooo." Grayson pointed his finger at Gold. "I, I think this is the best time Mr. Gold."

"What's going on?" David asked, looking somewhat alarmed at the intruder.

Belle got there and once more laid a hand on Grayson's arm. "Grayson, you need to go. You're making a scene."

Her soft chiding words did not have the affect she had hoped as her fiancé spun, his balance off-kilter, as he finally recognized Belle was right there.

"Belle? Thank God! I thought he would have you locked up somewhere," Grayson rambled. "Honey, I am so sorry! I never should have pushed you—"

"Stop." She lowered her voice as she looked at Gold and David who was now confused. Some of the wait staff was also standing close by, not sure if they should intervene, yet Belle feared the damage was already done as a couple were looking at Gold with disgust plainly written across their features. "Grayson, you're drunk. You're not thinking clearly. Go home and sleep it off."

He batted her hands away, shaking his head like a petulant child. "I can't go on like this. Knowing you're with him. It's wrong. So wrong. Screw the money. I want you and our lives back."

Belle gasped. She couldn't believe this was happening. Now of all times. All she ever wanted since this deal was made was for Grayson to come and tell her he regretted it. Now… he was here and doing exactly that (of course, she hadn't expected him to be drunk off his ass) and she was feeling… annoyed? Not quite the knight rescuing the princess from the tower. It was more of a bumbling fool being an irritating gnat and she wanted him gone.

Now.

"Grayson," she repeated, slowly and with indignation. "You are out of line. I don't know what you're talking about, but you are not only insulting my husband but me too. This is why we are done. Why we have been done for a long time. You need to let things go and go home before you continue to make an ass of yourself."

Her fiancé stood there, unblinking and dumbfounded, as he was at a loss on what to do. Apparently, in his drunken state he thought Belle would leave with him.

"But—" Grayson objected.

"No." Belle shook her head. "Leave Grayson."

Seeing how she wasn't going to go along with him, Grayson looked back at Gold who was in a similar state of shock. "You…" Grayson said a warning in his voice.

"Can you please escort him out?" Belle asked one of the employees, nodding to Grayson. Finally, someone took action and complied with her wishes as Grayson was led out of the restaurant. A manager came forward and asked if they wanted them to call the police.

Gold wanted to say yes, but Belle beat him to the punch insisting there was no need for the police.

The manager, clearly mortified with the incident, was adamant about doing something to make up for the interruption. This was a high-end restaurant with a reputation to maintain and especially with a patron already known to them… Belle raised her brow in Gold's direction as she stated calmly:

"I suppose a bottle of champagne on the house would be all right; that is, David, if you are still willing to invest with my husband?"

David glanced over at Gold and then back to Belle. "I will say I can have my lawyer draw up a contract—say, next Tuesday?"

"Next Tuesday will be fine," Gold said, pleasantly surprised and relieved that Grayson Knight didn't ruin the dinner after all.

David nodded. "Excellent. A bottle of your best champagne, sir!"

The manager bowed and excused himself to retrieve the bottle and new glasses.

Belle was grinning ear-to-ear that it worked out. She squeezed Gold's hand as he lifted his eyes to her in thanks. There was also a ghost of a smile curling on his lips as he could not believe this woman—this incredible woman just saved a very important investment. She didn't have to… Belle could have easily gone along with her fiancé but she chose to stay.

Stay with him.

Belle blushed from the intensity of his gaze as she dropped her hand into her lap. She knew they would have a conversation later about this, but for right now, she settled on lifting the filled glass of bubbly in cheers on a successful dinner.

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