Belle couldn't deny she was a little surprised that Rumplestiltskin had traded the gauntlet for her and was even more touched by the fierce protectiveness she heard in his tone as he assured her those women wouldn't be able to harm her.

"Why do you care about me?" she asked noting that he still hadn't let go of her. Not that she minded. He seemed to notice this as well for he swiftly released her and stepped back scowling.

"I don't." he answered sharply. "But if anyone's going to crush your heart it's going to be me." The words were threatening but even as he said then Rumplestiltskin looked uncomfortable and unsure. In other words, Belle didn't buy a word of it. He waved his hand and they reappeared in the Great Hall of the Dark Castle.

"That was exceedingly stupid of you to put yourself in a vulnerable position like that. I thought I told you what the boundaries were." he snapped as he removed her bonds.

"You did but the wards were down," answered Belle.

"That's not an excuse Belle! You should have been more careful!" Rumplestiltskin said raising his voice. Belle winced slightly as Rumplestiltskin hadn't yelled at her since the Robin Hood incident.

"You're right I should have." she answered quietly.

"Go to your room! You shouldn't be able to get into any trouble there at least!" he snarled at her before stalking towards his spinning wheel. Belle didn't argue and instead did as she was told. She would have thanked him but didn't think that would go over very well at the moment.

OUAT

Belle couldn't sleep. Despite what should have been an exhausting day her mind would not stop spinning like Rumplestiltskin's wheel.

His anger and the look on his face had reminded her of an occasion when she was younger. She'd taken a horse that hadn't been fully broken in out to ride without her father's permission. When he'd found out Maurice had shouted at her like never before bringing Belle to tears. Her mother later explained that the reason her father had shouted so much was mostly because he had been scared for her.

Belle hadn't believed his comment about crushing her heart and his reaction, not to mention his decision to save her in the first place made Belle wonder if perhaps Rumplestiltskin truly did care for her.

The clock chimed four in the morning and Belle got up. Putting on a robin's egg blue dressing gown she crept down the stairs towards the kitchen.

As she passed the entrance to the Great Hall she noticed the form of Rumplestiltskin spinning at his wheel. Belle bit her lip wondering if she should say something. The decision was made for her when Rumplestiltskin spoke.

"You should be in bed dearie."

"I couldn't sleep," Belle answered softly. "I was going to get some warm milk would you like some?" There was a pause.

"Very well." Belle nodded and went to prepare the milk. Once she had heated it she brought the two cups back up to the Great Hall. Rumplestiltskin was still seated at his wheel and she took a seat next to him handing him the glass. He still didn't meet her gaze and an awkward silence fell between them. At last she could no longer stand it and said.

"I'm truly grateful for what you did for me and, I'm sorry for putting you in that position in the first place. You lost a valuable artifact because I wasn't more conscious of my surroundings. Wards or no I shouldn't have strayed beyond the boundary."

"Do you realize what they could have done to you?" answered Rumplestiltskin quietly. It was not the response Belle had been expecting.

"I'm sure there are plenty of nasty things they could have thought to do with me besides killing me." answered Belle. Rumplestiltskin finally looked at her.

"That is an understatement. Cruella makes me look tame." He tilted his head. "You were surprised that I came weren't you?" he said softly. Belle knew lying would do no good so she nodded.

"I was."

"Well, I suppose that's what would you expect of a monster," said Rumplestiltskin in a mirthless tone. Belle shook her head vehemently.

"It's not a reflection of your character. It was simply a matter of weighing the objective value of the deal. Quite frankly I'm still not sure you came out on the better end."

"You have a low opinion of yourself then," said Rumplestiltskin and again Belle disagreed.

"No, it's simple math. A powerful object like the gauntlet it worth far more that an adequate maid. One is replaceable the other not."

OUAT

Rumplestiltskin had felt bad about taking his worry out on Belle in the form of anger but he wasn't sure if he should be relieved or not when she entered the Great Hall unable to sleep and began to address the days events.

He still marveled over the fact that she had openly told him not to make the trade for her. But then again this was the woman who agreed to go live with a monster to save her kingdom. So perhaps it shouldn't be quite so shocking.

Even now she seemed to consider herself of little value. And he was almost impressed in a way but how she had looked at the deal so objectively.

"You have a low opinion of yourself then," Rumplestiltskin commented only for Belle to disagree.

"No, it's simple math. A powerful object like the gauntlet it worth far more that an adequate maid. One is replaceable the other not." Rumplestiltskin thought she was right just not about which one was replaceable.

Rumplestiltskin closed his eyes and made a decision. What he was about to do could backfire spectacularly yet how could he continue to deny that he cared about this woman in some capacity after what had happened to day. It wasn't fair to either of them nor could he fool Belle.

"You're right. It should have been simple. I should have been able to easily turn down their request." he answered quietly. Then he met her blue gaze. "But it wasn't. In that moment your life mattered more to me. You told me that it was up to me whether or not I considered you my friend." He chuckled softly. "It seems despite my best efforts you have come to mean...something to me. I would not have harm come to you." He waited watching Belle wondering if he had made a mistake. Then she suddenly took his hand.

"I'm glad," she paused and then added. "Truthfully, I was concerned they might try and use me as bait to harm you and I would not wish for that to happen." Rumplestiltskin looked into her eyes all kindness and honesty. She meant it. She had been worried about him. Unnecessary thought it was the thought touched him.

"Then I take it that it is not too late to accept your offer of friendship?" he asked wryly and Belle smiled.

"It was never going to be too late." Suddenly Rumplestiltskin noticed the cut on her cheek.

"You're hurt."

"Just a flesh wound. I got a bit mouthy with Cruella." answered Belle lightly.

"You should be more careful. Not everyone's quite as amused by your wit as I am. May I?" He lifted his hand offering to heal the cut. Belle nodded.

Gently he slowly ran a finger along the cut on her cheek. For a brief moment he could imagine that she was letting him do this out of affection and wondered what it would be like to have the right to run his hand along her silken cheek and not have it be out of necessity. Then again it was a miracle she allowed him to touch her at all.

To his surprise Belle closed her eyes though it didn't seem to be out of disgust, and almost seemed to lean into his touch. Too soon the cut sealed itself. Rumplestiltskin allowed his hand to linger for a moment longer than necessary before removing his hand.

OUAT

Belle almost instinctively leaned into Rumplestiltskin's touch as he gently ran a finger down her cheek sealing the cut. If she closed her eyes, she could briefly imagine it as a caress. Why she wished it was so Belle wasn't sure. All she knew was that she was disappointed when he removed his hand.

"Thank you," she said gently opening her eyes to meet his amber ones. She had now become used to his strange looks. Honestly, she didn't find him ugly for that matter just different.

"No matter dearie," said Rumplestiltskin slightly awkwardly.

"If we are to be friends, don't you think you could call me by my name?" asked Belle. "For some reason other than when you're angry at me?" she added playfully. Rumplestiltskin paused.

"If you wish it."

"I do," said Belle pleased to have made some progress. They both finished their drinks in silence and Belle took his glass, standing up to leave.

"Goodnight Rumplestiltskin," she said turning to leave but stopped by his voice.

"Rumple."

"Pardon?" she asked. He gave her a thin smile.

"If we are to be on a first name basis you may call me Rumple when we are alone." Belle smiled brightly.

"Well then, goodnight, Rumple."

"Goodnight Belle." he answered before returning to his spinning.

Author's Note: So! Progress finally gets made in their relationship. I wasn't entirely sure if it was too OOC for Rumple to be open about his feelings but I figured he might be willing at least to acknowledge friendship even if he can't imagine she'd ever care about him romantically. Sneak peak to the next chapter in which we meet two new characters (one an OC and one canon)! Thank you to all for reading and if you like the story please leave a note in the comments below. I'm also open to feedback if anyone has any requests or suggestions on the story. Until next time!