A/N: I worked hard on this. I hope you like it. Thinking about writing a holiday chapter quite soon. Perhaps a Hannuchristmas? I think Mr. Gold may be Jewish and who knows what anyone celebrated in fairy world. But since Christmas technically is a paganistic ritual we celebrate (do the research! You'd be surprised at the results!), I will force them to celebrate Christmas there. Still trying to think it all out though. Enjoy the update!

I walked calmly to the bathroom, and stood at the sink, looking at my nervous reflection. "Why did he bring me here?" I asked my reflection.

"Well, you know you sort of asked for it," my reflection spoke back to me. "You did ask him to take you somewhere romantic to romance you."

I gasped, and covered my face with my hand, and then looked back at my reflection wondering if I had truly just seen that. "True," I said to myself as I reapplied some lipstick. "I did ask for this… But a big fancy restaurant?!" Then I remembered his contract. "Maybe I won't be able to live like this… I don't like being a charity case… even if I am worth it."

I stepped back and admired myself in the mirror, fixing my hair before heading back towards the table. "I ordered you pasta al pesto with a side of artichokes," said Mr. Gold with a smile. "I promise you, you will thank me later for it."

"Sounds delicious," I said, casually flipping my hair. "I love artichokes. They are so delicious in olive oil and breadcrumbs."

"Such a delight to find a woman who has impeccable taste," said Mr. Gold demurely. The waiter came over to the table and began to pour some white Italian wine. "I hope you like the wine. It's the best this place has. And I do mean the best."

I took a polite sip. "It's delicious," I said as I took another sip. "I've never tasted anything like it."

Our meals soon came, and I took a forkful of pasta with pesto sauce. It was delicious beyond anything I had ever eaten. We ate our dinner in silence, and after finishing my pasta, I began to work on my artichoke. Just as I liked, my artichoke was stuffed with bread crumbs and garlic with a light drizzle of olive oil. It was heaven in my mouth. I plucked each petal, skimming each bottom.

"Dearie, you are something," sighed Mr. Gold seductively as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "The way you are eating that artichoke… It's driving me wild."

I flushed, and continued to eat, this time less voraciously. I finished my artichoke just as the bill came around. With the flash of his credit card, the waiter hastily grabbed the check and card before walking away to charge it.

As I looked back at Mr. Gold, I felt my whole body warm over. What was this feeling I was feeling? Strange, I thought to myself. I didn't overindulge in the wine, so I couldn't chalk it up to one too many drinks. I wiped my mouth again with my napkin, and watched as his eyes focused on me. And then it slowly dawned on me. I was on fire. Not the literal kind, but the metaphorical kind.

"Andiamo," I said in my best seductive Italian. Mr. Gold didn't have to be told twice. He took my hand, and as we headed out, grabbed his card from the waiter and handed him a crisp $20 bill.

"Where would you like to go Miss French?" asked Mr. Gold as he opened up the passenger side door for me.

"Your call. My place or yours?"

"We'll go with my place," said Mr. Gold before getting into his car.

Belle giggled at Rumplestilzkin's witty remark. "Library sex," she smiled as she rested her head on his chest. "Can't say I've ever thought of it, but it was quite wonderful."

"Ah, it seems we have both had our first experience in that area," said the mischievous little imp with a smirk. "Had to break in the library somehow."

Belle rolled her eyes. "If you please, may I have my clothes back?"

"No," said Rumplestilzkin as he kissed her. "I like you better without them."

"But it's drafty in the Dark Castle, and I'm getting cold," shivered Belle.

The Dark One sighed sadly. "If you must wear proper clothes…" With the wave of his hands, the both of them were dressed once more. Belle sat up, and got to her feet, admiring the lovely dress he had conjured for her. It was a lovely pale pink dress that was off the shoulder, and fell to the floor.

"Thank you," said Belle as she kissed him on the cheek. "I'm going to my room. Good night, Rumplestilzkin."

"Good night, sweet Belle," said Rumplestilzkin. He watched the beauty leave the room, and smiled to himself as he too left the library and went to bed in his private chambers.

. . .

The wind whipped around the castle violently. Rain came down in turrets, beating against the glass paned windows like a drum with no rhythmic pattern. Something was brewing outside. A storm was slowly washing over the kingdom, and it was going to be a nasty one.

During the day, Belle was able to ignore the storm as she cleaned. She lit the candelabra she nicknamed "Lumiere," and walked through the dark halls towards the next room that needed cleaning. But by the time it was time for her to settle into bed, Belle's nerves felt jittery.

And it especially did not help that Rumplestilzkin had been away all day.

Saddened that she was all alone in the massive castle during such a terrible storm, the beauty tried to console herself with her books from the library the cheeky Rumplestilzkin had given her. It had eased her mind and spirits earlier in the day, but with the castle getting darker and darker, and her beloved Lumiere threatening to go out any second now, the beauty became more and more frightened.

"Rumplestilzkin, please come back," she prayed. "I'm so very frightened. Please, come back soon."

There was a loud CRACK of thunder followed by a bright flash of lighting and Belle screamed and nearly dropped Lumiere. She shot out of bed, and carried the candelabra as she walked the hallways in hopes that her beloved had finally returned. "Rumplestilzkin?" she called softly. Lightning flickered through the glass window, and the cannon like boom of thunder made Belle scream in fright. "Rumplestilzkin?!"

The candelabra went out, and Belle could see nothing, not even her own hand in front of her face. "RUMPLESTILZKIN!" she screamed.

"Sh," said the Dark One as he placed a finger over her lips. "Why are you out of bed? And why is your light out?" He blew on the candelabra, and soon it was relit once more. "You look a sight! You're quite pale, dearie."

"I hate storms," sighed Belle as she carefully set down the candelabra and hugged him tightly. "They've always made me feel uneasy ever since I was a little girl. Please, don't leave me. I can't stand to be alone during a nasty storm like this."

"Come, my dear," said Rumplestilzkin as he took her hand and the candelabra in his other hand. "You will sleep in my room tonight."