Belle was grinning ear to ear as she headed into town with the bag of money Rumple gave her. She had to admit that she was excited to shop for new clothes, but was debating on how much to get. On one hand, if she bought a lot she would have more options back home and it would be fun to see it bug Rumple. On the other, she didn't want to abuse his invitation. She knew that he was trying to be nicer to her and take better care of her than before, even if he didn't know it himself. So she settled on three dresses, thinking it would be an appropriate number.

She had just left the castle grounds and was headed towards the town when something ran into her and knocking her down. When she got back up to see what it was she was met with a string of apologies from what she believed was...a talking donkey?

Although she lives in the Dark One's castle, now she can say that she has seen it all. They didn't have talking animals in the Enchanted Forest.

"Oh! Are you okay? I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going. Shrek says I might be blind but I see pretty well. Except for this one time when Shrek got shot by an arrow and Fiona told me to get blue flowers with red thorns. Boy was I looking for it but it sure would have been easier if I wasn't color blind!"

Belle could only blink and stare mouth wide open at the donkey which she till had trouble accepting the fact that it was talking. When she realized that it was just staring at her now with its brown eyes and what might be a smile, she gave a small smile back.

"Uh, hi?" She asked.

"Hi!"

"You talk?"

"Yeah, you bet. I can fly too!" Now the donkey was grinning stupidly at her. "So? Where you headed?"

"Um, shopping? For some new clothes. Rumple gave me money-" She stopped herself when she realized that she was talking to a donkey, and it was talking to her back. Belle had but one explanation for it. Magic. Maybe she could persuade Rumple to enchant an animal back home to talk. However, it was going to be as annoying as this one, she might give a second thought about it.

Before she realized it she was headed back towards the shop, she realized that the talking donkey was following her.

"Um, may I ask why you are following me?"

"Well Shrek told me to stay out of the castle for a while so I thought I would go for a walk. And then I bump into you and then I start telling you how I'm color blind. Did I tell you I can fly?"

Since Belle figured she wasn't getting rid of the donkey anytime soon, she might as well make due.

"So, what's your name?"

"Donkey." The ass responded, smiling widely at her again.

"Wait. Shrek? You know the prince?" Belle asked. Maybe she could get some information about him and find a way to win her and Rumple's bet.

"Prince?! Ah! Shrek is certainly no prince. He tried to tell the king and queen that he lived in an abundance forest filled with squirrels and cute little duckies. Ah! Shrek lives in a swamp. It's pretty big too. There was this one time, we had a big fight, and I tried to-"

"Donkey!" Belle interrupted him before he could go on some story and with all the stories she had read, she could tell that was where the animal was headed. When she looked around to realize no one was staring at her, she thought perhaps talking animals were normal here in Far Far Away. That would be some information to take back home.

"So tell me. What do you know about Shrek? He is kind? Nice? Certainly not a beast, right?" Belle asked smiling.

"Well Shrek sure does have a temper." That reminded Belle of someone. "But Shrek's my friend."

"Really?"

"Yep. He's a real good friend. You just got to know him first." Again, reminding Belle of someone. She was going to win this bet, she just knew it.

While Belle was shopping, Rumple met with the king. He only hoped that Belle bought practical dresses. Although he didn't think it would changer her clumsy habits. He didn't know how many times he had to catch her or heal the minor wound she would take while trying to dust the castle and its many sharp objects. He even thought about baby-proofing everything just to keep his maid alive.

Rumple nearly fell out of his chair when he realized that once again, not only was he thinking of Belle, but he was caring for her. Just like she said. He gave a slight growl. He wasn't going to let her win.

"Are you okay?"

Rumple gave a slight jump at the king's voice next to him. He was so busy thinking of the beauty that he had completely forgotten about the king and the business he was here for.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" Not that Rumple really cared.

"Well, you growled." He king said, clearly nervous around the powerful sorcerer.

"I did?" The king nodded. Quickly putting his Dark One personna up, he told the king, "Yes, well you are wasting my time. I am here for business."

"Ah, yes. Well, first, I'm glad you made it. Did you have a good trip?" Harold asked. He thought that if he made nice with the Dark One than perhaps he would be more eager to help.

"Stop wasting my time!" Guess not.

"Tell me about this beast of yours." Rumple said.

"Well he's not mine, he's my daughter's, well-"

"Husband. Yes, yes, you already mentioned this in your letter. Tell me. What is he like? This beast?"

"Well, Shrek is rather-well, interesting for sure. The queen says that perhaps I should get to know first. After all, if my daughter can love than perhaps the ogre is not that bad. She says that you have to know someone first before you judge them."

Rumple couldn't stop the smile coming on his face and his mind went back to the maid who was turning his castle upside down. He shook his head realizing he was thinking of her again.

"Yes, I have been told of that before myself."

"Ah yes, your maid, is she?"

"I am not here about the girl, I am here about your ogre situation."

"What?"

Both the sorcerer and the kind turned around to see the earlier mentioned queen standing in the doorway.

"I figured you were up to something Harold. Mr. Rumplestiltskin, I am not sure what my husband had brought you here for but I assure you, we do not need your help with anything." The queen said as she glared at her husband.

"However, I do hope you and your..."

"Belle. Her name is Belle."

"Yes, Belle. I do hope you two will stay for the ball. After all, I wouldn't have wanted you two to travel far for nothing."

"Yes, well, it wasn't any trouble. I do believe we still stay. After all, I had agreed to stay for a week." Rumple said quietly.

"How wonderful!" Harold exclaimed. "Well, if there is anything else you need, please don't hesitate." He smiled.

Rumple then left leaving the queen to deal with her king. He had assumed that the king's invitation was rather private considering his behavior when he and Belle had first arrived. He was really surprised why though either. It wouldn't have done him good to have it known that he sent help to rid his daughter of her apparent problem. He left the room hoping to run into one of the young royals, or the princess and her beast of a husband. After all, a beast could never be royal.

Feeling awkward and out of place in the royal castle, Rumple headed towards the forest. Besides, where else would one find an ogre of a beast. While he went on his search, he only hoped Belle was okay.

Wow! It's been a while since I updated. Took me a while to get back in the mode, but I'm glad I did. Hoping to finish my stories soon. Reviews will certainly help so please, please, please review! :) Thank you for reading.