Okay so this is my longest chapter yet I had a lot to get out. The Regina-centric chapters have ended and we're back to focusing on Belle. There's a lot of Rumbelle angst and Snowing adorableness. Enjoy!

Regina and Belle agreed that the fate of Rumpelstiltskin shouldn't be decided by just the two of them. So the next morning the Charmings, Emma and Hook arrived at the Regina's mansion to discuss the fate of the man who had brought them all so much pain. For a few minutes they sat around her kitchen table drinking coffee and exchanging small pleasantries. Trying to lighten the mood before the true gravity of their purpose set in. Charming was the first to speak.

"So does anyone have any ideas?" he asked.

"We could lock him up again," suggested Snow. "Maybe we can fashion a cage like we had for him in the enchanted forest."

Regina shook her head. "Won't work. There's not enough magic in this world recreate that sort of prison."

"Yeah and remember Gold could've escaped at any time," added Emma. "He only stayed because he wanted to be there."

Charming looked warily at Belle before speaking. "I know we didn't want to have to do this before but we need to consider the possibility that we might have to kill him."

Everyone went still at David's suggestion.

"We can't kill him," said Belle. She might not want to be with Rumple anymore but that didn't mean that she wanted him dead.

"I know that it seems like a harsh option," continued David, "but given all that he's done…"

"It's not that simple mate," said Hook. "Do you think if it was I would've spent 300 years in Neverland plotting my revenge?"

"He's the Dark One David," said Regina. "The only way to kill him is for one of us to stab him with the dagger and take on the curse ourselves."

"Well can that be an option for us?" asked Snow. "All curses can be broken with true love and we have plenty of it here."

"So did he," said Belle harshly. "I tried to break Rumple's curse with true love's kiss. It almost worked but he fought against it to hold onto the power. It didn't take."

Belle grimaced of the memory of that day. It was the first time she realized how much she loved him and the first time she'd truly seen the monster that was inside of the man. "The curse of the Dark One is insidious Snow. It seeps into your heart and your mind. No matter how much love you have in your heart now the curse will find a way to attack and destroy it."

"I don't want Henry to see any more of his family members go dark," said Regina firmly. As strong as the love between Snow and Charming was she wouldn't risk either of them going dark. She knew Henry would be destroyed if he saw either of his grandparents become the Dark One. "So none of us will be taking on the curse."

Everyone silently nodded their head in agreement. Emma drummed her fingers on the table thinking. "Maybe we don't have to kill him."

"You have a better solution?" asked Regina.

"Banishment," answered Emma. "The Snow Queen's spell is still up. If we were to send him over the line he could never come back."

"It's a nice thought Emma," said Regina, "but I'm proof that banishment doesn't always equal defeat."

"The queen is right Swan," said Hook. "The Dark One is relentless and clever. If we send him over that line he won't stop until he finds a way back."

"I think I might have a solution for that," said Belle thoughtfully. Everyone listened as Belle relayed a plan that would ensure both their safety and Rumple's life. Once she was finished everyone looked at her in shock.

Regina eyed her friend with concern. "Belle… that is…"

"Drastic. I know," said Belle. "But it might be the only way we can end this without blood or curses on our hands."

"It's a good plan Belle," said Snow. "I'm just worried about how you'll feel once it's done."

Belle wrung her hands at Snow's words. "Let me worry about that."

Everyone looked at each as they thought about Belle's plan.

"Well I think we should put it to a vote," said Charming diplomatically. "All in favor raise your hand."

Slowly but surely everyone at the table raised their hands.

"Okay," said Regina. "Let go take care of Rumpelstiltskin."

As everyone got ready to head out Belle observed Snow and Charming's behavior. They were rigid around each other but Snow seemed to be slightly more antagonistic. She wouldn't look at Charming, and when he spoke to her she would give sharp one word answers. It was clear to everyone that she was angry at him but no one felt particularly in the mood to comment. When Snow snapped at him for suggesting she wear a jacket Belle decided it was time to step in.

"Snow can I talk to you about something in the library?" asked Belle.

Snow nodded and followed her down the hall.

"Is this about Gold?" she asked once they reached the library.

"No this about you," said Belle. "You need to let it go."

"What are you talking about?" said Snow defensively crossing her arms.

"I'm talking about David and how you're treating him," said Belle. "Everyone can tell that you're angry that he didn't go to the memorial with you."

"No offense Belle but this is none of your business," said Snow clearly offended.

Belle took a deep breath and pressed her palms together in front of her chest. "You're right Snow it's not but right now I am on my way to help my friends punish my husband for attempting to kill them all. So maybe you can understand why it might be hard for me to watch you treat your wonderful, supportive husband with such contempt."

Snow looked away at her words but remained silent.

"Snow if there is one thing I have learned in my failure of a marriage it's that there are times when you're entitled to hold a grudge. The time he refuses to attend the memorial of your son's kidnapper is not one of them." Said Belle. "He talked to Regina after the memorial was over Snow. She told me that last night. He's a good man. Don't treat him like he isn't."

Snow looked down at her shoes in shame. She knew that she had been harsh with Charming lately but she didn't think she'd been that excessive.

"I'm just not used to disagreeing with him like this," she said quietly.

"I understand," said Belle. "But you don't want to deal with disagreements by ignoring him and snapping at him. Especially not over something as insignificant as this. Will this even matter to you in a month or two?"

"Probably not," answered Snow honestly.

"Then let it go and save your passion for when it really matters. Like if he forgets your anniversary" joked Belle wrapping an arm around her friends.

Snow smirked at Belle's quip. She did have a good husband and Belle was right to make her remember that.

Rumpelstiltskin paced his jail cell like a caged tiger. What the hell was going on with him? The Dark One isn't supposed to lose, he thought. It wasn't supposed to end like this. He wasn't supposed to be in this cell without his dagger, his wife or control over his own actions. It was unacceptable. He quit pacing once he heard the door to the station open. He sneered as the royals and the pirate entered the room and eyed him with contempt. His anger softened however at the sight of Belle. For a second his mask slipped as they made eye contact but he quickly recovered.

"Well, look who's all better," he sneered at Regina. "Have you come to punish me, dearie?" She only glared at him in response.

"Oh taking the silent but strong approach," he taunted. "It's a good move. If only your sister had been smart enough to use it."

At the mention of her sister Regina moved to rush Rumpelstiltskin's cell only to be held back by Charming.

"Regina don't! Remember what we talked about. He's not the worth bruise on your fist." He said pulling her back from the cell.

Regina growled at Rumple before shaking her arm loose from Charming's grip. "Let's just get this over with."

Charming moved to open the jail cell when Belle cried out. "Wait!"

Everyone turned at her outburst. "I need a minute alone with him first," she said.

Emma shook her head with concern. "Belle I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

Regina sent the savior a pointed look. "Emma… let her have a moment with the imp."

Regina and Emma stared at each as if having a silent conversation before Emma reluctantly nodded her head. Everyone left the station leaving Belle and Rumple alone. Rumple glared at Belle through the bar cells. He loved her and she had betrayed him. "So what's the point of this then Belle? Have you come to gloat? Flaunt your heroics in my face and tell me what a monster I am?"

Belle just looked at him sadly. When she asked for a moment alone with Rumple she really had no idea what she wanted to say. Before she had been content with never speaking to him again but when she saw David move toward his cell it just hit her that today was the last day that she would ever see Rumpelstiltskin. At this moment all she could say to him was, "I wish you could've been better. I really do."

Her words were met only with silence from him. She looked at him with pity before moving to leave. He spoke before she could even take two steps.

"Did you mean it?" he asked with a trembling voice.

She turned to look back at him. "Did I mean what?"

"What you said when I captured you. Do you truly no longer love me?"

Belle felt a tear go down her cheek. She walked up to his cell and placed her hands on the bars. Her chin trembled as she answered him. "No I didn't mean it."

"Do you still love me?" asked Rumple desperately.

"A part of me will always love you Rumpelstiltskin," said Belle tearfully. "You were the first person to teach me what loving someone really felt like. For that you will always have a place in my heart. Loving you was not a mistake, trusting you was."

"You can trust me Belle!"

"No I can't!" she said shaking her head. "When we were together Rumple I thought I had finally chased away the darkness inside of you. You promised me that and I believed you. I believed you so much I ignored all the signs that told me otherwise. But seeing you there about to crush someone's heart for the sake of power finally opened my eyes. The darkness in you was never gone. You just got better at hiding it from me."

"Belle everything I did was for us," he explained sorrowfully. "I did those things so we could have any and everything we would could ever desire."

"And that's why I can no longer be with you." Said Belle sadly. "Because I just wanted you. You were everything to me Rumpelstiltskin. But I wasn't everything to you. You would never be able to choose me over power. You never have and you never will. And I can't live with that anymore."

"Belle please… I can still change."

"You've never changed," she said. "And I would be putting everyone in danger if I chose to believe that you could."

She turned to walk away from him.

"What will they do to me?" he asked her.

"I've made sure that they will spare your life," she answered solemnly. "But I won't lie to you Rumple. What's coming for you isn't something that I would wish for myself."

Belle could hardly remember driving to the town line with Regina. After she had finished talking with Rumple things began to blur. The next thing she knew she was staring across the town line waiting for David and Snow to show up with Rumpelstiltskin. She could see his car was already pushed across the line gassed up and ready to go. She felt Regina come stand next to her.

"Are you sure about this Belle?" she asked.

Belled nodded her head slowly. "This is the only way to keep everyone safe. So yes I am sure."

David and Snow showed up with Rumpelstiltskin a few minutes later. Rumple eyed the town line as David commanded him to exit the car.

"So this is what you have planned for me," he said distastefully. "Banishment. A fairly light sentence if I do say so myself."

"Oh you'd think so wouldn't you?" said Regina with a smirk.

He glared at her angrily.

"It won't be enough dearie," he growled. "I'll find my way back here and when I do I promise it will be the end of you."

Regina looked at him with a small smile on her lips. "Oh but how will you find your way back when you can't even remember who you are?"

He snickered at her. "What are you talking about? In case you don't remember that little forgetting spell that you placed on the town line has long since expired."

"Oh I know. That why I have this," said Regina pulling a small purple stone from her pocket.

Rumpelstiltskin's eyes widened at the sight of it. "The memory stone…"

"I thought you might be familiar with it," said Regina. "You see once I use this on you Rumpelstiltskin will no longer exist. All your memories of the enchanted forest, of Storybrooke and everyone in it will be gone. You will only be left with your modified curse memories. The minute you cross that town line you will only remember your life as Eli Gold the small town pawnbroker slash lawyer. Moving to New York to get a fresh start."

Rumple trembled at the thought of forgetting the centuries of history he lived. "What about Bae? You can't take his memories from me!"

"We won't," said Emma firmly. "The memories you'll have will include Neal and all your time with him. Only slightly modified to fit the history of this world. It'll be just like what happened when Henry and I spent the year in New York."

"It won't be real," said Rumpelstiltskin shaking his head.

"It'll be real to you," said Emma solemnly. "Trust me I know."

He turned toward Belle. "Belle please… please don't let them do this to me."

"I'm sorry Rumple," she said turning her back to him with tears in her eyes. She might not be able to see him anymore but she could still hear him. Her whole body trembled as she listened Rumple beg for his memories, and David command him to stay still while Regina used the memory stone on him. Once his memories were safely stored in the stone David handed Regina the dagger.

She held it out in front of her and said powerfully, "Rumpelstiltskin I command you to leave Storybrooke."

Rumple whimpered as his feet moved against his will toward the town line. Everyone watched as the Dark One unwillingly crossed the town line. Everyone but Belle. She couldn't bring herself to look at him leave. Only when she heard the crisp sound of Rumple crossing the barrier did she finally look at him. Once the unnatural glow of magic left him Rumple took a confused look around. He looked straight through the group of heroes who were watching him caution. After a moment he gave his head a small shake and went to his car. He didn't look back as he drove away.

Once his car was out of sight Belle let out a deep trembling breath. She knew she had done the right thing but all she could feel was pain. The rest of the group looked at her with pity in their eyes but none of them knew what to say. She turned away from them and started walking down the road back home. She tried to keep her chin up but it was hard to do with the tears falling down her cheeks. Snow moved to go after her but was stopped by Regina.

"Just let her have some time to herself," said the queen. "We can show her our support later but right now I think she needs to be alone."

"Do you think she'll be alright?" said Emma.

"Would you be?" responded Regina. She tossed the blonde her car keys. "Take my car home. "I'm gonna follow her and make sure she gets back okay."

Regina grimaced as she began to make her way down the road. It was gonna be a long walk home.

Snow was silent the entire ride home. She couldn't get the image of Belle at the town line out of her head. She couldn't imagine how she must've felt in that moment.

When they got back to the loft David had barely closed the door before Snow pulled him into a passionate kiss. When she finally pulled back he looked at her in confusion. "Not that I'm complaining but why?"

She hugged him tight as she answered. "Because no matter what happens between us I know that you will never put me through what Belle went through today. And I love you so much for that."

He wrapped his arms around her tighter. "I love you too Snow."

So coming up next Swan Beauty and a time jump. Stay tuned!

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