Author's Notes: I do not own Once Upon A Time. Thanks for the reads and reviews and follows. I appreciate it. Also, hi again, lurkers. I know you're there. Please let me know what you think and happy reading!


Snow White followed Belle into the Dark Castle. The dwarves followed at the ready.

It was strange to walk into the Great Hall without a request, with seemingly no fear of the occupant.

"Rumple!," she called. "Rumplestiltskin!"

There was no answer. She walked into the next room to find the spinning wheel vacant. She had hoped her homecoming might be more remarkable, like the first time she had left and returned.

She turned to Snow. "He must be out."

Snow nodded. "I'll wait with you."

"Oh, no, don't do that. Your husband will be worried. "

"So much time has passed. Explanations may be needed."

Belle shook her head. "I'll handle the explanations. Trust me, it's best if I handle him alone."

"Are you frightened of him, Belle?"

Belle smiled as if she thought that was a ridiculous question. "No. He would never hurt me. He just... needs reminding sometimes."

"Have you decided what to call your daughter?"

"No, I haven't really had time," said Belle. "Not after her father."

Snow White smiled. "Well, when you decide send word to me. I would like to be her patron."

"Her patron?"

"A sort of non-fairy godmother."

"She's unlikely to have one of those," said Belle. "You would do that? Be the patron to the Dark One's daughter?"

"Of course I would," said Snow White. "I don't think the rest of them are right. No child can be born evil. Besides, I owe Rumplestiltskin."

Belle didn't understand. "He doesn't really leave his debts unpaid."

"I've paid him, but Charming and I wouldn't be together without his help. Besides, you're my friend. Our daughters can play together."

Belle smiled. "I think I'd like that."


Mr. Gold made his way to the shop early. He had a few things to get done before he went to Granny's in hopes of running into Belle. He parked his car and headed down the street when he noticed Whale and one of those dwarves- what was the point in learning their names- standing and looking at something.

Or someone. He soon realized that it was Belle, running down the street in a pair of black workout leggings and a yellow top. Gold couldn't say that he disputed the fact that the view was rather enjoyable, but took issue with anyone else enjoying it. Oh, to be able to turn someone into a snail again.

She stopped in front of him and pulled out her earbuds. "Mr. Gold! Good morning."

"Good morning, Miss French."

"I was just... running," she said apologetically.

"I can see that. Do you run often?"

"Yes, well, not as often as I'd like. Too many things get in my way, but I have time in Storybrooke and I needed it."

"You're worried about Beatrice."

"Yeah," Belle admitted. "I don't know if I'm accomplishing anything here."

"Well, you've only been in town just a few days," said Gold. "Perhaps she needs more time."

Belle nodded. "You're probably right."

"I have some more questions about the settlement."

"Oh," said Belle.

"I have a busy day today. I wonder if you would mind meeting over lunch to discuss it."

"Okay," said Belle. "Not to be picky, but is there any place here besides Granny's? I love hamburgers, but..."

"There's Tony's and Mushu's, depending on what you like. I'm afraid Storybrooke's dining options are not as varied as Manhattan."

Belle nodded. "I'm getting that. Uh, Chinese? Sound alright to you?"

"Shall we make it twelve?"

"Twelve, then," said Belle with a smile.


Beatrice was trying to get her head awake yet again when Henry came and jumped in the booth across from her. He brought out his story book.

"You want in on Operation Cobra, right?"

"What's Operation Cobra?," she asked.

"Breaking the curse," he whispered.

"Seriously, this is what my life has come to?," asked Beatrice. The ten year old believed her.

"Somebody added a chapter to my book. It's about Pinocchio."

Beatrice shrugged. "And why would someone do that?"

"Because there's something we need to know."

Beatrice held her hand out. "Let me see."

Henry looked at her. "You haven't agreed yet."

"I'm not agreeing to anything without a reason," said Beatrice. "Let me see."

Henry handed the book across the table.

"Mind if I order?," he asked.

"Great, I'm buying you breakfast now," she said.

"Thanks?"

Beatrice flipped through the pages. "You have more stories than me."

"What?"

She pointed. "This story about Rumplestiltskin. I don't have it." She flipped through. "I've got nothing about Rumplestiltskin except Cinderella and then he's like a minor character that pops up for a stupid plot point."

"Maybe it's a different book?"

"It is a different book." Beatrice frowned and flipped through the pages. "Somebody made you a different book than mine. What do you know about Rumplestiltskin?"

"Henry."

Beatrice looked up. Savior Girl had walked in.

"What are you doing? What was so urgent?"

"Someone added a new story to my book," said Henry. "Who knows that we hide it at the sheriff's station?"

"No one," said Emma. "We can talk about it later. You're gonna be late for school."

Henry obligingly stood up and took the book from Beatrice.

"Hey!," said Beatrice.

"We can talk later," said Henry, running out.

"Sorry," said Emma. "He's got this thing with the book."

"Oh, you mean where the town is frozen in time because the Evil Queen cast a curse to pull everyone from the Enchanted Forest here and take away their happy endings? That thing with the book?"

"How long were you two talking?," Emma asked in surprise.

"Not long," said Beatrice. "Question, have you noticed how old all the cars are here?"

"What?," asked Emma. "You're not trying to sell me on this, are you?"

"Have you noticed how the answer to any question starting with 'how long' is 'as long as I can remember?'"

"What?," asked Emma.

Beatrice turned to the ginger town psychiatrist she had seen Belle chatting with. "Doctor Hopper."

"Uh, yes?," he asked, sounding surprised.

"How long has Regina been mayor?"

"Uh, wow, uh as long as I can remember, I guess."

"And how long have you been a psychiatrist?"

He shrugged. "As long as I can remember." Hopper quickly caught how odd that sounded. "I mean, uh-"

"Marco," Beatrice said, turning to his breakfast companion, "how long have you and Doctor Hopper been friends?"

"As long as I can remember," said Marco.

"Try this one, how long has your shop been open?," asked Beatrice.

"That doesn't mean anything," said Emma. "Life gets hazy. People forget stuff."

"That's your answer?," asked Beatrice. "Life gets hazy? That is your whole answer?"

"What do you want me to say?," asked Emma. "That Henry's right?"

"Do you know what Occam's Razor is?"

Emma shrugged. "Uh, a guy named Occam and he was shaving?"

Okay, Savior Girl was not big on logic puzzles. "No, it's a principle in problem solving. When you're trying to explain something, you should pick the hypothesis with the fewest assumptions. One theory that explains everything."

"Like this town was cursed in a fairy tale?"

"Yeah, like that," said Beatrice.

"Except what you're saying is completely crazy."

"Except it's not."

"Yeah, I've got to go," said Emma, getting up.

Beatrice watched in misery as Emma left.

Yeah, she had been living in a town full of cursed people and didn't notice? Yet she was the crazy one?

She got up from her coffee and went back into the inn, where Belle was looking at her clothes.

"You could just pick something. Anything," said Beatrice. "Not like it matters here."

"No, I'm going to lunch, that's all."

Beatrice frowned and looked up from her iPad. "What do you mean you're going to lunch?"

"With Mr. Gold."

"Mom!," exclaimed Beatrice.

Belle turned to her. "What?"

"You're going to lunch with Mr. Gold?," she asked, resisting the urge to tack on Rumplestiltskin and some expletives.

"What? He just had some questions about the settlement," said Belle. "It's not like it's a date or anything."

Beatrice shot daggers at her mother.

Realization suddenly dawned on Belle. "You don't think he thinks it's a date, do you? I mean, if he does..."

"Oh, my God, Mom!," Beatrice shrieked pulling a pillow over her face.

"He is very nice," said Belle.

"You're the only one who thinks that," Beatrice said through the pillow.

"And there is something very foxy about him..."

"Oh, my God, Mom! We cannot have this discussion! We can never have this discussion!"

"Sorry," said Belle. "I didn't realize I was traumatizing you."

"Well, you are."

"I'm going to take a shower," Belle said, dismissing herself from the room.


Beatrice was eager to distract herself from some new and disturbing mental images so she thought back to the story book. August had given her that book when she was a baby and she suspected he would know where Henry's had come from and why it was different. Beatrice knocked on August's door. "August? It's me. I have a question."

He didn't answer, but the door was unlocked.

Beatrice walked in. She didn't see him, but instead she saw pages, like the ones in her book, hanging to dry. She picked one up. They were full of a story she had never read before.

The first was Pinocchio. About how he had been given a mission and sent through an Enchanted Tree. She quickly realized it was August.

The second was how the Evil Queen had managed to capture the Beast's Beauty.


Belle was curious at the state of the Dark Castle.

Nothing could be done. She supposed that at least meant Rumple hadn't bothered to get another housekeeper. The library, though, was flawless. Organized as she had left it and without a speck of dust.

Rumplestitlskin never returned, though. Belle busied herself, wondering what she should do. If she should ask Snow White for help? Should she try calling his name?

Then one day there was a banging on the front door of the Dark Castle.

Belle wasn't sure what to do at first. She had never actually answered the door of her home. Rumplestiltskin took care of that, he had visitors coming and going, Belle perceived that they had varying levels of danger. She was never allowed to see Regina, sometimes the occasional intermediary and usually she could see the people that came to make deals with Rumple, but he preferred she didn't because she would inevitably try to get him to take pity on some poor tenant farmer which he insisted was bad for his reputation.

"Uh, I'm sorry, Rumplestiltskin's not in right now..." Belle said sheepishly.

"I've come for Belle, Mistress of the Dark Castle, at the behest of Her Royal Highness, Snow White."

"Snow White?"

The man held up a parchment bearing Snow White's seal. Belle opened the door to see a carriage and Snow White's soldiers.

"Belle? I'm Sir Lancelot. Her Highness would like you to read this."

"I, uh-"

"It's about Rumplestiltskin."

Belle took the parchment and read it fervently.

Belle looked to Lancelot. "She understands I won't betray him?"

"She wouldn't ask that. Only that you see him."

"I just need to pack a few things," said Belle.

Lancelot followed her.

"Is this necessary?," she asked.

"Snow White commanded that I not take my eyes off of you until you arrive at her palace."

Lancelot followed Belle into a bedroom. He hoped the imp's cage could truly contain him as he didn't like the idea of being found in Belle's bedroom. Once was enough for one lifetime.

Belle got a case out. "And he is well?" She turned. "He is not hurt?"

"The princess wondered at his state of mind," said Lancelot. "She says he does not seem himself."

"What do you mean?," asked Belle.

"Forgive me. He seems to have lost his mind."

Belle nodded. Was that what had happened to her poor Rumple? "I'll speak with him. He'll listen to me."

Lancelot nodded. Then he could have sworn he saw a fairy.

Then it all went black.


Lancelot stirred awake. "Guards!," he shouted.

He stood. Belle's open case was on the bed, but the lady was nowhere to be seen. In the distance, he could see a blue speck.

"Fairy dust." Snow White had warned him about the fairies and he had thought it curious, more of a precaution than an actual danger. He felt foolish for being so taken in.

He rushed back down to his men. "Follow that fairy!," he shouted.

They rode hard and fast. The fairy's trail ended at a clearing close to Regina's land.

"Belle!," he shouted, watching the lady being spirited away in a wagon.

A gang of Regina's men turned round to fight Lancelot and his soldiers. Lancelot was cut in the arm by one's broadsword and suddenly pixie dust descended and Regina's men fell to the ground. He ran back to mount his horse again.

"You're too late, Lancelot."

Lancelot looked up at the Blue Fairy. "I have orders from my princess, not you."

"All the realm is in terrible danger. Regina will enact a curse that will rip away everything we hold dear. The only hope is a Savior, the daughter of Snow White and the prince. We need a way to safely transport Snow White and her unborn child to another realm."

"And what does this have to do with Belle?," Lancelot demanded.

"The only hope is an Enchanted Tree, the last such tree we know of. It is on the site of Regina's exile."

"You traded Belle for a tree?," he asked with contempt.

"It is our only hope, Lancelot. The only thing that can save us all from the Curse."

"Is that all?"

"Would you really have us choose the Dark One's lover and child over Snow White when the entire realm is at stake?"

"That's not your decision."

"Perhaps not, but it is made and now if you tell Snow White you will only burden her with this knowledge."

"And the knowledge of what you have done."

"Do you suppose that will matter after the Curse? When the things that we love are torn from us, will this matter? You know what you must do, Lancelot."

Lancelot rode back to the castle, wondering what he was going to say to the princess. When she came out to greet him with hope gleaming in her eyes, he finally realized it.

"We ran into Regina's men."

"Doc should look at you," said Snow White, looking at his arm.

"Snow White, that wasn't all. There were rumblings that King George took Belle."

"King George? Who told him where to find her? And why would he-"

"A gift. For Regina."

Snow gasped in horror. Her shoulders dropped.

Better to break her heart this way. Better to not let her know the trade that had been exacted for her and her daughter's safety.

Lancelot shook his head. "I'm sorry, Your Highness."


Beatrice was stunned at first.

Beyond stunned. The pages fell from her hands to the floor.

She walked back to her room and sat down.

A tree. An Enchanted Tree. The Blue Fairy, the supposedly good one, had traded her and her mom for a tree. A tree for a Savior. A largely useless Savior.

Beatrice had always held out the hope that discovering her real heritage would give her a kind of definition, a purpose. Now she knew. Now she realized her purpose was to be collateral damage. There was no destiny in that book. She was a cast off. She didn't belong. Not in her life back in New York and not here.

Not anywhere. She was a reject from life.

Beatrice tried telling herself that was fine. Fine. Fine. She didn't need to be a princess in a castle. She didn't need to have a family. No. She was Beatrice French and she could do it on her own. All on her own. Just her mom.

She didn't have to be special. In fact, she wasn't. Emma was the special one. What was the point of being special? Lots of people weren't special and they didn't seem to mind.

She could get by being not special.

Then the crying started.

She tried not crying at first. Then she let a tear roll. Then another followed, then another. She was hyper ventilating.

"Beatrice?," asked Ruby.

She hadn't locked the door. Ruby walked right in and looked alarmed. "Beatrice, what's wrong?," she asked, kneeling down to the floor. Beatrice hadn't realized she was on the floor until Ruby was next to her.

She just shook her head. She didn't know what to say. There wasn't anyone who could understand. The only person who understood was August and he had never told her. He had been lying to her for her whole life. He was a liar. He was a freaking wooden puppet whose nose grew because he lied so much. This was who she had been relying on for her information.

"Can you tell me?," she asked.

She just shook her head again.

Ruby seemed disturbed. For all the questionable wardrobe, she had compassion. "I'm going to go get Granny. I'll be right back."

And now she had Little Red Riding Hood/Big Bad Wolf trying to comfort her.


When Mr. Gold was seen in Storybrooke it was usually a cause for concern. He was never seen enjoying the company of others, let alone having others enjoy his company. Yet at Mushu's the townsfolk watched as he did just that with the pretty newcomer.

"I do wonder about Regina, though," said Belle. "It doesn't look like she's had work done. I suppose it's the hatred keeping her youthful."

Gold smiled. "You're more right than you know."

"What is it with you two?," asked Belle. "You two weren't..."

"No," Gold said quickly. "It's more of a business relationship. Our interests used to be aligned and they're not anymore."

"What happened?," asked Belle.

"She took something of mine," said Gold. "I'd like it back."

"Is that all?," asked Belle.

"That's everything," said Gold.

"Belle?"

Belle looked up in surprise at Ruby. "Hi-"

"Granny said to come find you. It's Beatrice."

"Is she hurt?," asked Belle, already standing up. Gold quickly followed suit, getting up and putting money on the table.

"I don't know," said Ruby.

"You don't know?," asked Gold.

Ruby was surprised at how perturbed Gold seemed. "She just won't stop crying," said Ruby. "She won't tell us what happened. Granny is with her."

"Did she say anything?," asked Belle.

Ruby shook her head. "Something about a tree?"

"A tree?," asked Belle. She shook her head. "I need to go. I'm sorry."

Gold nodded. "Of course. Don't worry about it."

Belle rushed out with Ruby leading the way.

He suspected he knew just the tree.

After all, there was only one.