A/N: When I received this prompt, I was super excited but then realized… I might have mistaken which episode this might be. I'm hoping this is the right one requested, and if not, my apologies.

The Lost World

Sage_of_Earth prompted: Rumpton, Belle, and Prof. Mills are searching for Nolan who is apparently chasing the ghost of their missing colleague—Prof. Hopper. They are confronted with memories of the past, and Rumpton and Belle continue to grow closer… Inspired by episode 2x21 A Man of Vision. (Rated K+)

The day was promising to be another beautiful one in Paradise, except for the fact that the three explorers were on a mission to find Nolan. Apparently, the night before, during a thunderstorm, Nolan believed he saw a ghost of Professor Hopper and decided to find him. Rumpton, Belle, and Mills learned of this after returning to the Treehouse from a successful trip to the friendly Zanga tribe and discovering Nolan's letter. As for Snow, she was also missing, but from the contents of the letter, she was not with Nolan. So, the others quickly wrote a note to the jungle princess to let her know what they were doing and once they gathered their weapons and supplies, they were back into the wild.

They had not traveled far when they were quickly ambushed by a tribe of cannibals.

Unfortunately, one lucky cannibal managed to get the best of Lord Rumpton, promptly knocking him out, and it wasn't long before Mills and Belle were captured. The heiress struggled against her captor's hold, but the man yanked her arms back hard and she had little choice but to comply as her wrists were tied behind a post.

Soon, her companions were flanked on either side of her, also bound, as she and Mills waited earnestly for the hunter to regain consciousness. By the time Rumpton came around, the cannibals were in the midst of a heated debate.

"What are they saying?" Rumpton asked Belle, knowing her knack for languages would prove useful in getting out of this hairy situation.

She sighed. "They're trying to decide which one of us to eat first. They think I would be the tenderest."

Rumpton couldn't hold back a smirk from forming. "Well, they clearly don't know you very well, do they? Not that I'm saying their choice in appetizer is wrong. I think you would make a fine choice for starters."

Belle rolled her eyes but she couldn't help the little snort as she caught wind of the cannibals' next words. "Maybe not… There's a strong push for you Rumpton, being the most virile."

"Likely heartburn and indigestion," Rumpton retorted.

"Congrats Reginald," Belle said, looking over to her other side at the scientist. "You're going to outlive all of us."

"I always was partial for desserts," Mills replied sardonically.

While the debate continued, the explorers were busy trying to loosen their bonds against the posts. Out of the blue, Rumpton made the comment:

"Where's Hopper's pipe when you need it?"

Both Belle and Mills looked over in disbelief. "Hopper's pipe?!" Belle exclaimed.

"Yeah," Rumpton said. "The last time we were attacked by cannibals, they were intrigued with Hopper's pipe. So we stuffed it with gunpowder, let them smoke it. Bang."

"Yeah," Mills replied fondly. "I remember you all telling that story."

"Too bad I left my pipe back at the Treehouse," Belle said bitterly. "And all of our gunpowder is over there so any other bright ideas?"

"Still thinking," the hunter said tersely.

"Well, think faster," she hissed.

At last, the cannibals came to an agreement as one emerged from the crowd—the Chief, more likely. He carried with him a crude looking-ax as he headed in Belle's direction.

"Looks like tender it is," Rumpton remarked.

"If you were a gentleman," Belle spat. "You would offer yourself in my place."

"Come on, you two," Mills scolded. "Fighting each other isn't going to help."

As the Chief motioned to touch her, Belle quickly responded in their native tongue. The moment their language erupted from her mouth, the cannibals took a step back in surprise. Rumpton studied their faces closely as whatever Belle was telling them seemed to make several of them uneasy.

"What did you say?" Mills asked quietly.

"I told them I was cursed. If they eat me, they die," Belle explained, feeling somewhat optimistic that they will heed her warning. After all, living in this godforsaken place had taught them a thing or two in that the locals stayed away from anything involving curses and the like.

The Chief pounded his chest as he said something in kind, nodding to two of his men to release her. Now, Belle had both of her arms held as the two dragged her towards a stump.

"What's going on?!" shouted Rumpton. His hands were moving up and down at a rapid pace, praying for the rope to give way.

"He said a little bit will give him power over the curse," Belle yelled.

"What little bit?" Mills inquired.

"I rather not find out!" Belle screamed as the cannibals finally led her to the stump. She rooted her heels into the ground, determined not to go further, but one took her right arm and started to stretch it out. She continued struggling, but their grips were too strong and she couldn't hold back the yelp as the one stretching her arm gave it a sharp tug. The Chief stood off to the side with hunger in his eyes. The next thing she knew he was raising that ax in the air and was charging at her.

Belle screamed but the ax stopped mid-air, caught by none other than Lord Rumpton. The cannibal was clearly caught off-guard as Rumpton slammed his knee into the Chief's groin and elbowed the two—holding Belle—in the face. Mills was also free as he made a mad dash to their rifles. Belle grabbed the nearest object to her (a bone) and used that as a weapon to keep another dirty cannibal from grabbing her.

A gunshot rang out as Mills shot the Chief, causing the others to flee in terror.

"We should leave," Mills advised.

"Good idea," Rumpton said, nodding to the scientist for saving him. Meanwhile, Belle dropped the bone as she gratefully gazed at her arm in a new light. She was very close to losing it and she walked over to the hunter, appreciation and gratitude glowing in her features.

"Thank you for saving my arm," she whispered.

"You need to keep a close eye on those parts of yours," he said.

"For you… I will try."

"I would like that very much."

For a second, the two continued to stare into one another's eyes. Rumpton didn't want to admit it, but watching Belle being dragged over to that stump and having her arm displayed to those starving fiends, had his heart wildly palpitating. The times they had brushed against Death were a constant cycle, but he never felt so helpless or powerless than in those short seconds. He didn't want to think what could have happened if his bondage didn't give way when they had.

Belle, on the other hand, knew she had been close to that brink where her arm would be served as a lá amputee. It was startlingly to discover how much she depended on Rumpton being there to save her, and when she saw that ax splicing the air… She shuddered to think the end result if he had not stopped it. Of course, she would never tell him to his face that she needed him, but Belle felt a certain sense of comfort in knowing the hunter was there at her side. Even when there were times she knew she didn't deserve to be protected. If Rumpton only knew the truth…

Belle blocked out the horrible thought as Mills made the announcement on making camp for the night. Nolan was out there but they would be little good to him if they weren't refreshed. Thankfully, the explorers didn't think they would have to fear from the cannibals. With their Chief good and dead, they would have plenty to eat.

xxXXxx

Once night fell, Belle had a difficult time in going to sleep. No matter where she turned, she couldn't seem to get comfortable. She sat up and saw Rumpton sitting a few feet ahead keeping watch for any dangers.

A teasing grin pulled at the corners of her mouth as she thought about playing with him. He seemed to be lost in thought so sneaking up on him was too much to be resisted as Belle crept over and murmured, "Boo!" into his ear.

Rumpton started but relaxed when he saw who it was. "Almost gave me a heart attack."

"Yeah right," she told him. Losing all trace of her teasing, Belle asked, "Do you think Nolan is okay?"

"He might be a reporter but he is built with sturdier things," Rumpton answered confidently. "Of course, I don't know how much I buy the ghost chasing."

"It's been a while since any of us talked about Hopper," she said. It was true. About six months ago there had been an incident where the explorers were caught in the middle of a feud between a war-faring tribe and the humanoid lizard Killian. The stupid reptile decided to sell the secret to gunpowder to the warmonger leader, which led the tribe in terrorizing the local tribes. The explorers were reluctantly dragged into the mess after their attempts to leave the Plateau were sabotaged and Killian needed them to help him when Hades wanted more gunpowder. It led to a confrontation on the Bridge and Hopper shot with an arrow in his stomach. He had fallen off the ledge as did the rest of the men. In the end, only Nolan, Mills, and Rumpton were found safe and alive. Hopper… disappeared.

The explorers searched up and down the river where Hopper could have washed up, but their search led to nothing. Not a single trace of the botanist could be found. Eventually they had given him up as dead until that storm flew in. Now, memories and dreams of Hopper would not leave them alone.

"I'm sorry if it brought up any bad memories about your brother," Belle said, her expression soft. Hopper's disappearance hit Rumpton the hardest. As the hunter and protector, he had sworn to keep everyone on this expedition safe from harm and he had failed his duty. He failed Hopper. Just like he had failed his brother.

Rumpton could only look straight out into the jungle. "All I remember is that look in his eyes when I shot him."

"You shot the ape that attacked him," Belle corrected, her brow frowning. "I'm sorry the bullet also hit him too but you have to know you're not at fault."

"That's what I tell myself," Rumpton whispered. "One thought, one word wherever I go or do… the past is always there."

Belle could relate. "Even here," she said quietly. Her past was an ever constant reminder of who she was and how if her friends ever learned the truth… they would feel betrayed.

"If only I can put enough time and space between then and now. Would that make a difference? Shouldn't I be able to start again?"

"Where would you begin?"

Rumpton glanced over his shoulder as he smiled. "You don't think it's possible even more than I do."

Belle laughed. "No you're right. But it is something we all seem to have in common: that urge to escape the past. To start again, fresh and new."

There was that tone in her voice. Rumpton would on occasion pick up on it, but he knew something was eating at her. Something she wanted kept hidden. Time after time he tried to bring Belle out of her shell. While there were times he proved to be successful, other times he was frustrated on how her self-preservation got the best of her. It was difficult for her to be vulnerable, to expose that side of her for him or anyone else to see. She was a woman of many secrets and Rumpton hoped he would be there to show her that none of it mattered.

For right now, he settled on the fact that she was there with him. She didn't have to but she was.

"Thank you."

xxXXxx

The following night Rumpton woke up to find Belle was still awake. They already had another long day of coming face-to-face with memories starring Professor Hopper and a run-in with a very angry T-Rex mother. The explorers were reminded of moments in where they faced extreme perils and how Hopper (in one way or another) rescued them.

Indeed, it was an emotional, draining day. And, of course, they still hadn't found Nolan.

Belle was propped against a tree, her hand rubbing her forehead as she was forced to deal with these unwanted memories. As much as she had grown to adore Hopper, she didn't want to think back on those earlier moments when she had been rude and cruel. And seeing the memory of the German pilot holding a gun to her while Hopper stepped in front… He had no idea what he was doing. Yet, he was determined to take the bullet for her if necessary. No one ever willingly put their lives on the line for her. It was strange and new and she didn't know how to respond. Luckily, it all worked out in the end and one of her secrets was never leaked. She wasn't sure if she would be able to explain her participation in the War if it did. No doubt everyone would have seen her as a traitor.

"What are you doing out here alone?"

Quickly, she wiped away a stray tear and cleared her throat. "I'm not alone. I'm surrounded by memories."

"Won't let you sleep, huh?" he suggested with an understanding look.

"Yeah something like that."

"Staying awake isn't better either," Rumpton pointed out.

"What is better Lord Rumpton?" Belle asked sweetly. "Giving in to simple desires here and now? Giving up my hopes and dreams for the future?"

He didn't know what spurred this on, but he shrugged. "You don't have to give up on anything Belle. You know that."

She narrowed her eyes. "What if my hopes and dreams don't include you? How does that work for the here and now?"

Then it clicked with him. After all, it was no secret that he had feelings for her. In fact, Rumpton had been pretty opened about them lately. She was a difficult woman, true, but he liked that about her. He liked that she wasn't like the simpering women he had been accustomed to in London society. He knew she had lived a hard life and it was why he was drawn to her.

Not that Belle encouraged him. She had done her best to detract him, but there were moments, even one like this, where she would let her guard down just enough for him to see through the cracks and the real her. If she thought that after everything they have been through he would leave her behind or deny knowing her when they returned home—well, she was in for a surprise. Rumpton wasn't planning on letting her go that easy.

"For the here and now it works well. As for the future? It's always up for grabs so I'll take my chances. Will you?" There. He put himself out there for her to do with as she pleases. To him, there was always a future for the both of them. It all depended on her and whether or not if she was going to take that leap. What Belle might not know was that Rumpton can be very patient. Even if Belle refused him, he wasn't giving up.

"We both agreed you can't forget the past."

Despite how much the man infuriated her, Belle respected and admired his tenaciousness. He never gives up, she thought. Perhaps, if things were different and the circumstances were not so grim, then they might have a chance at happiness. But Belle was pragmatic. Rumpton may think he loved her now, but if he knew the truth about who she was and what she had done… He would not look at her so lovingly and trustingly. He would scorn her, condemn her, curse her. He would be mortified to having any feelings for her.

However, it would be the disappointment that would break her.

She knew she was a fraud. She knew this, and yet she couldn't help falling for him. Loving him was a curse and the poor sod had no idea what he was getting himself into with her. Belle felt sorry for him and she wanted to do everything in her power to make him loathe her, but Rumpton had this uncanny ability to see through it. He knew all along she put up a façade. He knew she cared when she tried to be indifferent. Even when everyone else had little faith in her… Rumpton continued to be her champion.

And she had to wonder… Would he still feel that way despite the truth?

Gazing at him shyly, Belle licked her lips. She could tell him. She could tell him right now.

But she clammed up and held her arms tighter against her chest.

"You're stalling," he told her.

"There are too many demons," Belle protested. "Besides, the past will haunt you no matter what. There is no escape."

He frowned. "You can't possibly believe that."

"Believe me, Lord Rumpton. I know what I'm talking about."

"Do you remember the first time we met? In Mills's study?"

How could she forget? The smarmy Lord, the proclaimed titled hunter? She took him down a couple of pegs but there was no denying the shock and awe in his eyes when she fired a round between his legs.

"Yes."

"Didn't you just think the moment was right somehow? Didn't you feel it?"

God knows he couldn't forget that glorious scene. He had been so intrigued with her. She was an enigma and he wanted to know everything about her. Looking back, Rumpton knew it wasn't only lust that drove him onward. They were meant to meet.

He stared at her intently, silently willing her to agree with him. He felt that connection. He knew she felt it too. How else could they explain this entire phenomenon? There was a reason Belle French was thrown into his life. There was a reason why the Plateau kept bringing them together.

It was fate, bloody simple it was.

Belle felt the heat of his body as he drew closer to her, and she couldn't help the loosening of her muscles or her arms falling at her side. His brown eyes were mesmerizing and she wanted nothing more to drown in those pools and feel the warmth he was offering. She was losing track of her surroundings, even failing to feel the featherlike sensation crawling up her back. All she could think about was him, breathing in his masculine scent, and how soft and inviting his lips appeared.

"Yes," she breathed. This was it, she thought. She was finally submitting to her feelings without considering the repercussions.

"Don't you feel it right now?" He was dangerously close, his eyes drifting across her incandescent beauty. Never had she looked so enchanting or so bewitching in the moonlight… He could hardly believe she was standing in front of him, and she wasn't a figment of his imagination or a dream he didn't want to wake from.

As Rumpton came nearer, he tilted his face to the side, his eyes closing as Belle lowered hers.

Then she cried out.

Rumpton drew back in concern as Belle looked up at him with panic and alarm. Her hand was on her neck as she gasped:

"What was it?"

At first, he hadn't a clue what she was talking about. He didn't hear anything and it was unlikely the cannibals were following them. But something moved out of the corner of his eye, just inches away from her on the tree she had been leaning on.

He reacted at once, smashing at the thing that brought her pain. When he opened his hand to see what it was, Rumpton lifted his head as he gazed at her with insurmountable horror. "Scorpion."

Just that one little word was all it took as Belle's eyes rolled up in back of her head, her body falling into his arms.

"Belle!"

Rumpton's exclamation woke Mills as the scientist reached for his rifle and started running in his friend's direction. He stumbled upon the hunter who had his lips fastened on Belle's throat.

Initially, Mills feared that Rumpton's vampirism had returned but the hunter looked up at him with desperation and fear.

"She was stung!"

Immediately, Mills rushed over to check her pulse. Rumpton continued to cradle her, his hand nervously stroking her curls.

"I killed it." Rumpton pointed to the spot he had tossed the creature before returning to his task of sucking out the venom.

Mills went over and picked up the arachnid to check what type of species it was. "It's too late."

"What?" Rumpton stopped as he turned to face the professor. "She's not going to die. I won't let her die."

"Relax old man. It's only a tree scorpion. They have a relatively low neurotoxin that causes immediate paralysis, but only temporary. Belle will be right as rain in a couple hours."

"You're certain? She's going to be all right?"

Mills chuckled. "Yes. Although, who would have thought a scorpion would hurt Belle?"

Rumpton glared at the other man. Sometimes no words needed to be expressed.

We are getting close to the end. I have 3 more The Lost World prompts and that will conclude Seasons of Rumbelle for now.