A/N: This is based on another of my favorite episodes from season 3- #14 The Secret. We will now know why Belle came to the plateau. Enjoy!

The Lost World

Prompt: When someone from Belle's past threatens her friends, she is forced to admit her real intentions for funding the expedition, which also reveals her darkest secret. (Rated K+)

It was another day in Paradise and everyone off doing their own thing: Reginald Mills was out looking for an elusive species of cricket, Emma was practicing shooting her crossbow, and Snow and Nolan were tending to the garden near the electric fence.

As for Belle and Rumpton…

"Promise you won't laugh?" the Scottish lord asked the beauty.

Belle smirked. "I can't make any promises but let's see how you fare." She went to the phonograph and moved the needle as a waltz began to pour from the funnel. Belle took her position with her arms stretched and Rumpton took a hesitant step forward. The moment they were each in their embrace, Belle started to count the beats as she took the lead.

Belle couldn't keep a straight face as soon as Rumpton stepped on her toes. No matter her counting, he continued to land his big feet on hers. Then finally she stopped dancing and waved her hands for him to stop too.

"I think we did enough today."

"No. I think I have it figured out now."

Belle raised her brow. "Are you certain? My feet are not."

Rumpton grinned. "I am very certain." Then he pulled her flushed against his chest. "The problem is… we're not close enough. The waltz is a deliciously improper dance that both partners need to be left completely breathless."

Before Belle could make a sound, the hunter was moving in time to the music, carrying Belle with him. He danced with such precision, such grace that Belle suspected he was pulling a farce this whole time and he could actually dance!

Rumpton saw the look on her face, laughed, and held her tightly around the waist as he lifted and spun her around. Belle couldn't stay serious and she tossed her head back, and laughed as well. It felt so… nice. To be in his arms and have the treehouse to themselves. Belle knew that things between them were difficult… well, complicated was the better term.

They often disagreed and their fights were explosive. He could be as stubborn as a mule and pig-headed and annoying, but he was brave, selfless, compassionate and she was—

Not.

Despite Rumpton's insistence she was a hero to the war, Belle knew she was a coward. The only reason she participated was the deal she made with Winston Churchill. He would ensure she was pardon from any crimes she committed and would be provided a hefty sum for the troubles she would find herself since she was going to be involved with dangerous men. It was a no brainer and it allowed her to see more of the world as she engaged in their own personal quest. But Rumpton wouldn't be able to understand. No one would.

Besides it was getting harder to maintain her aloofness as she found herself becoming closer to Lord Rumpton. Belle dared not voice what her feelings could be because admitting them would only lead to heartache, pain, and hatred and she couldn't put him through that. He deserved so much better. But then she would find herself in a moment like this—utterly perfect and romantic—and she never wanted it to end.

Yet Fate had other plans in store when the music suddenly stopped and Belle mourned the loss of contact as Rumpton grumbled, "The electric fence must be down."

Snow and Nolan were below and both knew better than to mess with the fence. Belle and Rumpton got on the elevator, armed with their pistols in case it was raptor interference, and to their horror they found their friends lying unconscious.

Rumpton went to immediate action as he checked his friends for injuries and Belle inspected the fence. To her bewilderment, she saw what looked like a black cloth tied around two lines. Beneath was a calling card with two distinct symbols.

A chill crawled down her spine as Belle covered the tile with leaves. Rumpton was too busy he hadn't noticed her change in countenance as she scanned the jungle with wariness and worry. The cloth she was able to get loose and stuffed it in her pocket. Then she glanced at the hunter as he hoisted Nolan over his shoulder.

"Do you think you can get Snow?" he asked.

Belle nodded, bending down to throw the young woman's arm over her shoulders as she half-dragged, half-carried Snow to the elevator. Once they were safely inside the confines of the treehouse, Belle grabbed her rifle and slung the strap over her head.

"What are you doing?"

"Going to find Reginald. He can help tend to them."

If it was who Belle believed it was, then she had to be careful and find her friends.

Rumpton looked at her strangely but he didn't question her. "Be safe" was his parting words as Belle headed off into the jungle. The safety was off her gun, her finger curled around the trigger, as Belle waited as she put some distance behind her before she started shouting:

"Dragon! I know you're here! I got your message. Show yourself!"

Nothing.

She continued to move in a circle in the hopes to draw him out, but to no avail. Just as Belle was about to give up, she saw what looked like Reginald's hat. A few feet ahead were the scientist's bug net and beyond that was a few of his glass jars to collect samples. Reginald, though, was nowhere to be found.

At once the heavy lead in Belle's stomach grew harder as she started to run in the direction of his supplies.

"No, no, no, no, no…" Belle prayed he was all right but a figure materialized in front of her causing her to skid to a halt.

It was a woman dressed in black martial art robes with her long jet black hair pulled into a ponytail. Her almond-colored eyes narrowed into dangerous slits and before Belle could shoot… she was quickly disarmed. Belle went to her hip for her other gun, but the warrior kicked the pistol from her hand and managed to get behind Belle, holding the beauty in a chokehold.

"My Master requests you return the treasure you stole from him," the woman said.

"I didn't steal anything!" Belle choked but the woman tightened her grip. "The Dragon's mad!"

"Oh? You believed everything he said. Why would you go to such lengths to hide yourself Miss Smith? No… Lacy Beauchamp or is it Arabella Montclair? You have so many names it is hard to keep track."

Belle grunted as the warrior lowered her voice. "You have until sundown tomorrow to return what is rightfully his or your friends will suffer the consequences of your greedy and insolent heart."

Then the warrior was gone, leaving Belle gasping for air.

"Damn you Mulan!" Belle coughed. But time was the essence. She had to find Reginald and fast. Returning to the trail, she followed the breadcrumbs Mulan left until she came upon Reginald. "No!"

The scientist was out cold and tied up to a tree. The perfect snack for a passing dinosaur. She had to cut him down before that became a reality.

Yet a loud crashing behind her had Belle seizing her rifle and aiming it where the sound came from. Thinking it was Mulan, Belle was getting ready to fire, but it was Rumpton chasing after her.

"Relax Belle! It's only me…" His voice trailed off when he saw Mills strung up. "Bloody Hell!"

He stood in front of the scientist to catch him as Belle cut his bonds. She was grateful Rumpton found her but how?

"Nolan and Snow woke. They told me that they were attacked." He said this pretty deliberate as he watched her carefully to gauge her reaction.

Belle swallowed but refused to meet his eyes. "I was with you remember? How would I know who attacked them?"

"I don't know but something doesn't seem right to me." Rumpton saw something out of the corner of his eye and picked up what appeared to be a card. He looked sharply at the beauty and there was no denying the flicker of recognition in her blue eyes. "You do know who did this," he accused. "What's going on? Tell me!"

"All right! It's my fault, isn't it? It's always my fault," Belle retorted bitterly.

"What?"

"I have to tell you the truth. I can't hide it anymore." She lifted her eyes to the hunter. "I have to tell you why I really funded this expedition."

xxXXxx

Reginald came to when they returned to the treehouse. Emma was back and helped the others take care of him while Belle and Rumpton spoke privately at the base of the tree so he could repair the fence.

"Start from the beginning," he demanded. "Leave nothing out. No more lies."

"The person who attacked our friends—her name is Fa Mulan. She's a soldier of sorts. Mercenary to be exact. She follows an old time warlord called Shanghai Dragon."

"Shanghai Dragon?!" Rumpton interrupted, his brows reaching his hairline. "Belle do you have any idea what that man is capable of? Hell, I crossed paths with his smugglers from Kenya to Tibet."

"I know, all right!" she sighed. "I know he's a dangerous man and I shouldn't have gotten involved, but I had no choice. It started when I heard about this plateau about five years ago."

"Five?!" he repeated, knowing it was three years ago when news about the plateau was mentioned in Reginald's speech.

"Yes. I was in Shanghai working as an interpreter when a business negotiation was going south. The Dragon then made me an offer I couldn't refuse. There was a debt that needed to be honored. I had no choice Rumpton!"

"There's always a choice!" he exclaimed. "So what is this deal? What did the Dragon want?"

"He wanted me to find something for him, but more than that, he thinks I stole from him too."

"Did you?"

She nibbled her bottom lip, wondering if she should tell him, but he wanted honesty. "Yes. But only because it would aid me to fulfill my end of the bargain."

"Which is what?"

The electric fence hummed back to life and the two breathed in a sigh of relief. At least they had some protection.

Belle didn't want to show him out in the open, especially when she adamantly told Mulan she didn't have it. She moved to the elevator and Rumpton followed suit. The trip up was silent and tense, and he wasn't sure what to think. He knew Belle had her secrets but this was a whole new level.

Once inside, Belle held on to a chair as she used a knife to manipulate the heel of her boot until it slid apart and she could pull out a small wrapped package. All the others had joined them as they watched Belle unfold the cloth to reveal a partial piece of what looked like a snake biting its own tail.

"The uroboros," Belle said, holding it up in the air. "I had this with me since I left Shanghai. I have always kept it with me." Then as she glanced around the room, a queer glint filled her eyes as she drew her lips back in a snarl. "And I would rather die before I return this to the Dragon."

The news startled the inhabitants and they didn't know what to do, except Snow looked at the piece as her forehead creased at the familiar sight.

"I think I've seen this before," Snow said. "There was a cave not far from here where I used to play. There was an engraving on the wall of a snake biting its tail. I'm positive it's the same!"

"Really? Are you certain?" Belle asked.

Snow nodded. "Yes. I can draw you a map."

"I'm going with you," Rumpton told Belle. He would brook no argument. "I know you're hiding something else, but first we need to save ourselves from this Mulan."

Once the map was in their hands, the two explorers took off. Belle tried telling him she took it because according to the legend… to find half of an uroboros was to use the other half.

Within minutes they found the cave but after twenty odd years the cave became volcanic. Yet there was no stopping with a threat hanging over their heads. The two began their descent as they entered the tunnel. They entered a large cavern where a bridge connected over a river of lava.

Belle and Rumpton cleared the bridge very carefully before a tremor shook the cave and pieces of rock came crashing into the lava river. The tremor sent Belle into his arms as they clung to each other.

Rumpton touching her meant more than Belle could say despite the pain on his face.

"John," she spoke softly. "I know you're angry with me but I need you to know… I was protecting all of you. It doesn't seem like it but I was."

Rumpton had to bite back a caustic remark. Belle looked so vulnerable and regardless of her actions he still truly cared for her. She once said in her dry sense of humor way that she was a difficult woman to love.

That was no lie.

They soon came upon the engraving that Snow mentioned. Dirt covered it but there was a bright light glowing from behind. Rumpton handed her a larger knife so she could dig through. With each clump she uncovered, the light became brighter and brighter until deep inside was the missing half.

Belle took her half out and set it next to the other piece, closing her eyes to shield them from the blinding light that joined the two pieces together.

She did it.

After all these years, Belle did it.

"Take it. Go on. This is what you came here for."

But Belle hesitated. She had told him that legend says that whoever touched the restored uroboros could be transported to their heart's desire.

What did that mean to her?

However, the decision was made for her when Mulan ambushed them. She sent Rumpton flying backwards, colliding into the wall with Belle after him. Mulan reached in and grabbed the medallion.

"The Dragon sends his regards," she said. "The deal is over; the bargain is completed. It's a shame you failed Miss Smith. I'm sure the Dragon will burn the birth certificate you were so desperate to have."

Then the woman disappeared in a flash of light leaving Belle and Rumpton in darkness.

She collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She had failed.

xxXXxx

At the treehouse, Belle was sullen and quiet. She moved with no purpose as if in a daze.

Rumpton trailed after her knowing the incident in the cave left her shaken. He had more questions, but the one that was the most pressing was the comment Mulan made before she vanished.

"Belle?"

She looked up with her vacant stare and he forced himself to say: "Was the birth certificate…?"

"Yes," she answered quickly. "It was mine. I was going to trade the uroboros to find out who I really am."

"You don't…?"

"No. I don't know anything Rumpton. Please. Leave me alone."

She needed space and while he wished he knew what it must feel… he couldn't imagine never knowing who he was or who his family was. It was something one would take for granted.

But Belle…

His heart went out to her but pushing the matter would make it worse. He hoped that out there, wherever the birth certificate was located that the Dragon wouldn't destroy it. And when they found a way off this plateau, he would do everything in his power to find Belle's birth certificate so she could finally learn the truth about her identity.

There you have it. I always loved that about the original show. Some episodes from season 3 are on YouTube but if you ever watch it from the beginning… Marguerite is a very complicated person and you knew something was up about her, but not knowing her identity was a brilliant twist. You can imagine anything else but that. So what now for our explorers? And what about Belle and Rumpton? One more prompt to go…