A/N: I know what a lot of you were thinking from the last one, but fear not! This will be the last prompt for Indecent Proposal. After this I will have 4 prompts for The Lost World left to post before this is over. I hope you all enjoy it!

Indecent Proposal

Prompt: A brief account of what's passed; Belle does some soul searching and learns the truth about Thomas; a happily ever after. (Rated T)

After speaking with Grayson, Belle felt like she was in a better place. At least she had been able to reach a mutual understanding with him and managed to get him to see her perspective on how their relationship changed. She suspected there would always be lingering feelings on Grayson's side, and she would mourn what could have been, but the truth was she had been over him for months. It took some time for her to realize that and as she was leaving the diner, Belle knew without a doubt that she was in love with Thomas Gold.

Funny. She had fallen in love with her husband who was not meant to be her "husband" but her husband nevertheless.

"I love him," she whispered, mouthing the words as a warm feeling spread all over her limbs. Her lips curved into a breathtaking smile and she knew she had to tell him. They wouldn't have to go through the divorce. They could stay married and the farce would be over. David Nolan would never know the truth and all will be well.

Belle was certain of it.

Bursting with anticipation, she jogged the rest of the way to the pawn shop where Thomas would surely be. To her surprise, the store was closed.

Maybe he went home for lunch, she thought. It wasn't unusual. Sometimes Thomas preferred the comforts of a home-cooked meal rather than heading to Granny's.

She went to her car and drove back to the Victorian house. Pulling alongside Thomas' car, Belle's heart was starting to race. This was going to be a new change for them and doubts started to appear. What if he doesn't feel the same about me? Could I have misjudged everything?

Belle didn't think so. After all, they had shared several passionate kisses and no one could kiss like that unless feelings were involved. She didn't think Gold to be that good of an actor. No, she firmly told herself. He has feelings for me. I know he does. I'm going to have to be the first to tell him. Of course, he could have easily told her how he felt, but she wondered if he kept it to himself out of respect. Truthfully, he probably thought she would react badly if there were real feelings, and he wasn't wrong. In the beginning, she would have said and done something regrettable.

Not anymore.

Belle approached the front door and stopped long enough to check her appearance from her reflection on the glass frame. It was now or never.

She pushed her way inside. "Thomas?" she called out. The house was eerily quiet but a quick peek into the kitchen told her he wasn't having lunch there. Perhaps he was in his study?

That was the next logical place. And it was where she found him, sitting behind the desk with the phone in his ear. She stayed in the doorway as he finished his call and until he noticed her, which didn't take long.

"Belle," he greeted, but it was his tone that had her heart skipping a beat. It was flat and his grin did not reach his eyes. Rather, they were sharp and piercing just like when he first came to her bookstore with his proposal. Like a shark circling his prey.

"Was that David?" Belle decided to ask.

"No. It was my lawyer. You kept your end of the bargain, and so I am with mine. I am filing for divorce."

His words floored her that she didn't know how to respond. But she knew it was too soon. He had a timeline for this.

"W-W-What?" she finally managed to get out. "What are you talking about?"

"Divorce. I got my deal with Mr. Nolan and I no longer require your services as my wife."

"Yeah but…" She shook her head. "It can't be. Not now. You said—"

"I am capably aware of what I said. And I changed my mind on the timeline for our divorce. Mr. Nolan will understand when I tell him that I found out my loving and charming wife was cheating on me. I could not abide such immoral values and I'm sure he wouldn't either."

"Cheating?" she repeated. "That wasn't… Wait, what the Hell do you mean?"

"What I mean dearie is that I saw you with your former fiancé and might I add… you looked rather cozy together."

Like that, her heart dropped to her stomach. He saw her with Grayson?

"It wasn't what you think. I know I wasn't supposed to see him but I had to in order to clear some things up. Thomas…"

"It's Mr. Gold," he replied coldly. "We can stop the niceties now. Your skills were superb as were mine and we convinced the one person that we needed convincing and that's all. Grant you, you did break that one stipulation of our contract, but I am not mad. He is your fiancé and I can respect your wish to see him. I had not expected you to go this long without seeing him. So I commend you for keeping your word as long as you did. Therefore, I will follow through on what I said and give you the money needed to keep your business afloat and for that dream wedding of yours. All I really cared about was that contract and there is nothing else I need from you. If you would be so kind, I think it might be best you pack your things and spend the night in a hotel. I will give you the funds you need, but this is where our deal ends. Thank you for helping me Belle."

It was like the rug was pulled right from under her. He couldn't be… He wasn't…

Realizing he was serious, Belle grasped for the one thing she thought would fix this. "You can't Thomas. Look it was a misunderstanding. I only saw Grayson to tell him that it was over between us. I don't love him. I haven't in months and I'm starting to realize how miserable I would be with him if I had stayed. Thomas, I love you and I know you feel the same!"

She blurted it out as he was walking away and watched as he visibly flinched. Slowly, he turned around and Belle looked at him with her heart on her sleeve. He must see she was being earnest. He must see she love him.

"Love? Did you honestly think I might have had feelings for you? I'm a monster if you haven't noticed. I practically forced you into this deal in the first place."

"Yes but it was really Grayson who wanted…"

He scoffed. "It wasn't Grayson. Although, I did make sure he was desperate enough that accepting would be that much easier."

Her confusion had him chuckling. "Ah, you hadn't figured it out. Well, let me enlighten you, my dear. The reason your bookstore was losing business was because I made it so. I wanted this deal with Nolan and I knew you would be the perfect 'wife' for me. Not only were you beautiful but you had a brain and I knew there was no way you would messed this up for me. So, yes, you were the perfect choice and I needed to make you and your fiancé desperate enough to accept my proposition. It was too easy to do and your fiancé was practically salivating at the prospect of my money saving you."

Stunned, Belle couldn't believe it. "You couldn't have. There's no way…" But why would he lie about that? And it was odd that after doing so well for business to suddenly lose their customers and profits… A look of horror overcame her features. "You did that? For a deal?"

"Why else?" He sneered, pushing his tongue against his teeth. "Of course it did have its perks." The look he was giving her was enough to make her feel ill and as he continued laughing, Belle couldn't help herself as she slapped him across the face.

The stinging slap echoed in the room but she didn't stay there for a second longer.

Gold stayed in his office until he heard the front door slammed shut and Belle's car start up. Only then did he let himself cry.

xxXXxx

Six Months Later…

"Damnit," Belle muttered. Once more she had the same dream—the one where she and Thomas were happily married and with a child. It all felt so real, which made it all the more tragic. And to think… what might have been if that horrible day hadn't happened. Would they have that domestic bliss? Would there be a child?

Sighing, Belle got out of bed and began the task of getting ready for the day.

A lot had happened in those short six months. Of course, it felt much longer than what it actually was. Since Thomas revealed he was behind her bookstore's failing, Belle couldn't help but feel sick and used. She began questioning everything about him and whether the moments they shared were real or by design to satisfy some perversion of his.

In the beginning, her fury kept her away from Thomas. She didn't trust herself in his presence. The divorce was swift and painless as promised, and she didn't have to be near him. It was all arranged—even her belongings were sent back to her apartment she shared with Grayson. Well, she wasn't planning on living with her ex but Grayson told her she could have it. He moved in with a friend of his instead.

As for The Book Escape, she and Grayson tried to focus on a business partnership. It didn't last long. Grayson still had lingering feelings for her and he thought that since she was no longer bound to Gold that her love for him would return. Unfortunately, there was only disappointment to be found, and so it was with a heavy heart they parted ways in the regard. The bookstore became Belle's sole ownership, and business was picking up.

True, her "marriage" made her a pariah in the community. There was a lot of sympathy for Grayson, some still in fact; yet the divorce made her a welcoming sight. Of course there were a few that distanced themselves from her and her indecisions. Not that Belle didn't mind. No love lost on from the high and mighty of Storybrooke. However the residents' hypocrisy really opened Belle's eyes. And it had her re-evaluating her feelings for Thomas.

There were some things you couldn't fake or pretend. Infuriatingly so, Belle felt Thomas was far more honest and didn't conceal the truth about himself, unlike some people. He never hid the fact he was a beast, and the town refused to acknowledge their own shortcomings. On one hand, she shouldn't be surprised that Thomas did do what he did to get what he wanted. The man stopped at nothing. But then she recalled the heartfelt and emotional telling about his son's death.

The cancer was swift and merciful but there was no time to adjust or process. His son was literally ripped from him. It was a cruel act of nature plain and simple. She supposed his bitterness could not be helped. Yet the pain was still raw and it showed there was a heart beneath the rough exterior.

And the kiss…

He had kissed her and it was not like the other ones shared before.

He wanted her.

It could not have been an act.

Yet she didn't reach that conclusion until she faced a predicament that almost had her become a victim once more.

xxXXxx

Ruby insisted having a girl's night out and so they wound up at The Rabbit Hole. Belle forgot how long it had been since she blew off some steam and had fun. After a couple drinks, she was feeling much better.

They played pool where a couple young men, catching Ruby's fancy, asked if they could join. Huck and Sawyer were sweet and charming in a goofy way. Besides they were more into Ruby, which was fine with Belle. The way her love life was going… she rather not make it any more complicated than it already was.

"Anyone want a drink?" Belle asked.

A chorus of answers was her reply, and chuckling, she went to the bar. Scanning the bar, she noticed another man staring. Well, more like ogling. She knew who it was: Keith Nottingham.

More of an acquaintance to her; he was friends with Grayson but only for watching sport games with. Grayson said Keith was all right to cheer alongside a team but that was as much as he could stand with the man.

Belle knew what Grayson meant. There was something about Keith that didn't sit right but couldn't pinpoint why. He was nice enough, good looking, if you were into really tall men with an unusual sense of brutish humor. Nevertheless, Belle had nothing really to complain. But she couldn't explain the odd feeling in her gut whenever she was around him.

Wisely, she looked away and waited for her orders.

"Funny, seeing you here."

Belle started, not expecting someone to be speaking in her ear. She turned to find—surprise, surprise—Keith.

"Keith! Hi!" She forced a grin and hoped it appeared friendly.

"Heard you were married to Gold. I never thought he would let you come here," he said, cutting to the point and bringing his beer to his lips.

"I'm not. Not anymore. And even if I were, it's my choice. No one could stop me if I wanted to."

"And Grayson? He's not here?"

"Your powers of observation are something."

"Why thank you." He smiled at what he thought was a compliment. "What are you drinking? I'll buy."

"That's nice of you Keith but I just bought these for my friends." She motioned to the pool table. "Next time." Picking up the pitcher of beer and her own sangria, she went back to the table.

This time she was nursing her drink but Keith decided to insert himself into the game. It was obvious to those already present that he was being a nuisance but Keith was either thick or purposefully ignoring the looks. Not even Ruby's infamous glare could put him in his place.

He was waving his hands about as he spoke and wham! He smacked Belle's drink out of her hand as it shattered all over the floor. Luckily, no one was hurt but the expression on Keith's face was full of remorse as he began apologizing over and over.

"At least let me buy you another. Sangria, right?"

"Um, yeah but you…" Too late. He was gone.

Huck and Sawyer exchanged looks and snickered. "He's not exactly subtle."

"You have no idea," Ruby retorted.

In minutes, Keith was back with her new drink and Belle gingerly accepted it. She took a sip and set her glass on the edge of the pool table.

It was her turn to play.

She had a few small mouthfuls but not enough to make a dent in the sangria. Yet she couldn't help the slight shiver as Keith would not stop staring at her.

Finally, she had enough and let out a short yawn.

"Thanks Ruby. I needed this. I'll see you later." She hugged her friend and nodded to her new friends. "It was nice meeting you."

It wasn't until she got outside that she felt the effects of the sangria. It was minor but for a second it really knocked her equilibrium out of whack. Shaking her head, Belle stood still to gain her bearings before she started to walk again.

She didn't get far when she heard some footsteps behind her. Then in a flash, she was being pushed down the alley and slammed against the brick wall.

She recognized Keith in an instant and flinched when he was placing his lips over her neck and his large hands were rough on her hips. Belle reached for his shoulders and pushed with all her might. He was far tipsier than she was and it proved easy to get him off her just enough she could slip away.

However, Keith blocked her with his arm and she was back against the wall.

"Not… getting… away… again," he mumbled as he latched his mouth on hers.

Again!? Belle was growing frantic but he was so intent on what he was doing that he was muttering things that had her even more confused.

What does Thomas have to do with him?

Eventually, Belle was able to lift her knee and smash it as hard as she could into his groin.

Keith collapsed like a deck of cards, squeezing tears out of the corner of his eyes. "You… bitch!" he moaned, grabbing himself and crying in pain.

She didn't care. He was going to… going to… She couldn't think it but she knew she had to get away before the pain subsided. Belle ran back to the bar as it was the closest place with people.

Suffice to say, Ruby was astonished to see her again but Belle went towards the bar and told the bartender to call the police. She hadn't realized she was hyperventilating until Ruby approached her and helped her sit down as Belle tried to explain what happened.

By the time Graham showed up, Keith was already gone but the Sheriff's look of disgust said it all when he told the girls this was the second complaint he received.

"When I find him, and I will, he won't be seeing a bar anytime soon."

"Thanks Graham. That means a lot," Ruby told him. "I'll take Belle home."

As the two friends walked back to Belle's apartment, Belle was struck with the strange sense of déjà vu. It was a long time ago and it was in the back of her mind, but Belle recalled a situation where she had left the bar, not feeling well, and then passing out. She vaguely remembered feeling someone touching her but it didn't last long and all there was left was a feeling of warmth and protection.

So what did Keith mean about that 'crippled asshole'? Did he and Thomas get into some kind of disagreement?

If so, then why would Keith take it out on her?

"You have that pondering look on your face. Are you imagining torturing Keith in a million different ways?" Ruby asked. "Cause I am."

"No it was something he said about Mr. Gold."

Ruby stiffened and Belle sharply looked at her. "What?" she demanded but Ruby was shaking her head. "Seriously, Ruby, what is it?"

"It's just… it reminded me of that other time when we were all at the bar. You told Grayson you were going back to the apartment and you didn't look right but I was close to being four sheets to the wind that I didn't pay that close attention, but you left and before you know it… Gold comes running into the bar and tells Grayson he should go outside and call the police. We found you in the alley but you were out cold."

Belle inhaled. "Thomas was there?"

"He was really worried. Nervous. And then as soon as Grayson had you, he was back to being the crotchety Mr. Gold we all know. I bet that was Keith then and Keith now. He must have tried drugging you! Oh my God! I can't believe I didn't see it!"

Belle wanted to assure her that it wasn't her fault, and that not even she thought Keith would do something like that.

She couldn't get her mind off that and how Thomas was the one to get her help. And yet…

Belle went to see Grayson to ask him about that night. Her former fiancé confirmed Ruby's accounts. "I thought you had too much to drink. I can't believe Keith slipped you a roofie and tried to…"

Belle cut him off right there. Well, now she knew why it was that she could not stand being around Keith.

But it brought her back to Thomas.

If he didn't care, then why did he rescue her from being assaulted?

There was only one place to go to get the answers.

xxXXxx

The past several months had been Hell for Gold. And it was by his own hand too. God knows he wanted to blame her too. After all, she was the one that broke the deal by going to see her fiancé. However he couldn't bring himself to break his end since she had helped him get that contract with Nolan. He owed her that much and it was why he made sure the divorce was not dragged out and that she had her personal belongings returned in a timely fashion.

As for Nolan, he was sad to hear about the unfortunate news. Yet Gold could not find it to say it was due to an affair as originally agreed. He could not say that about Belle. Thankfully, Nolan didn't ask why.

Nevertheless, Gold was haunted by the last time he saw her. He couldn't forget her confession that she loved him, and he had been so quick to dismiss it as a lie. It was him that didn't deserve love or hers for that matter.

He was a monster, a beast. The look on her face said it all when he told her how he had purposefully ruined her livelihood for his selfish reasons. He didn't fault her for avoiding him altogether.

The last thing in the world he expected was to find Belle in his shop.

Her hands were on her hips, her blue eyes glowing with determination. "We need to talk. You owe me that," she said.

To his chagrin, he found himself gulping before motioning to the backroom for privacy.

Belle didn't have to be told twice as she went back there. As soon as Gold locked the storefront and went behind the curtain, Belle was ready to pounce.

"I want you to tell me the truth. No lies, no tricks. Just the truth no matter what."

Gold hardly nodded as Belle licked her lips, preparing herself. "A couple years ago. I was with Grayson and some friends at The Rabbit Hole. I wasn't feeling well and left early. I passed out. The same thing almost happened the other night. Nothing happened but I heard you were there the first time. Did you stop Keith from raping me?"

His hand reflexively clutched the handle of his cane. "Yes."

She began to tremble and her hand went to his work table to keep her from falling. Exhaling slowly, Belle looked back at him and without breaking his stare, she whispered, "Why?"

"I thought it would be obvious—"

"Don't!" she snapped. "I could have been any girl. Why me?"

"What do you want me to say Belle?"

"The truth!"

He felt his own ire growing for no other reason besides that he wanted to march out of there and find Keith Nottingham and beat the man to a bloody pulp. He refrained since Belle was there and she kept him from leaving with that don't-mess-with-me expression.

"Well?"

xxXXxx

A Year Later…

"Push! You can do this Belle! Push!"

Belle arched her back, gritting her teeth, and gripped her husband's hand tight. Thomas was at her side, cheering her on even though his voice was strained from her grasp.

A few more agonizing pushes and she heard the wailing cry as their son finally entered the world.

Tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks as she turned to kiss Thomas.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too."

It took some time before they were able to work things out. The time for lying was over and as soon as Thomas decided to be forthcoming… he and Belle were able to clarify any misunderstandings. And Belle did give him a piece of her mind for interfering with her bookstore.

In the end, they dated for a while, got engaged, pregnant, and married. Life couldn't be better.

As their son was placed in her arms, Belle lovingly gazed at him. She had the perfect name for him.

"Gideon."

There you go! A happy ending as promised! You know the drill…