Shrek hated this place more than he could say. Yes, he loved Fiona very much and wanted to make her happy, even if it meant he had to be miserable. He didn't know what he was going to do. He wanted to be the man Fiona deserved but an ogre could never be a man.

"I agree completely, dearie."

Shrek spun around to see the green man from earlier. He was leaning against a tree looking quite casual and relaxed, and had a rather sinister smile on his face.

"Agree with what, um-"

"Rumplestiltskin," the green sorcerer said, rolling the 'r' and giving a bow. "and I agree with what you just said. How a beast could never be a man."

Rumple walked around the ogre, looking Shrek up and down, causing the ogre to take a few steps back.

"I didn't know I said that out loud." Shrek muttered quietly.

"Yes, well, I believe I can help with your dilemma."

"You? How?" Shrek asked.

"Well, lets just say that I know what you're going through."

"Yeah right."

"Oh, no no dearie. Truly. I do."

Before Rumple could say more, he saw a knowing smirk appear on the ogre's face. Realizing he probably said too much, he quickly offered the other beast a deal. A deal that he saw fit to not only help the king's situation but also the ogre and his bride. Perhaps, for once, everyone would win in his deal.

"I have something I can give my dear beast. A potion."

"A potion? What for?" Shrek asked rather confused. He wasn't sure why this scaly, green, reptilian man would want to help him. No one has before. Well, except Donkey. He wondered what the pain in the ass was doing now.

"This potion will help you, your bride, and even the King." Rumple say, being flamboyant and expression as usual.

"The King?! Wait, Fiona's father sent you here?" Well, he knew her father hated him but Shrek didn't really imagine him to send a sorcerer to get rid of him.

"Yes, that king. Weren't you listening? And no worries, this potion isn't to kill you."

"It's not?"

"No." Rumple said, taking a seat on a fallen tree.

"Then what is it for?" Shrek asked, keeping his distance from Rumble..Rumppy...whatever his name was.

"Perhaps you should clean out your ears dearie. I had already said that it was for you. And your bride." With a puff of purple smoke, Shrek saw that a small vial with blue liquid appeared in the sorcerer's hand.

"One sip of this and it will turn you into, oh how do you say, a charming prince?" Not that Rumple wanted another charming prince roaming around. He already had one back home that he was still trying to get out of his hair.

"How?" The ogre asked, rather confused of the whole situation. He wasn't sure exactly why he would help him but he figured it had to do something with that girl with him earlier.

"Magic." Rumple sneered.

Shrek reached out to retrieve the potion but was stopped when the other green man pulled it away.

"There is just one teensy bit of information you need to know. Well, two." Rumple giggled.

"One. It will not only turn you human, but as well as your little bride."

"So me and Fiona would both be human?" Shrek was relieved. He wanted her to be happy and after what he read in her diary last night, he knew that having a prince charming was all she ever dreamed of. If it mean getting rid of mud bathes and slug toast just to make her happy, he would.

"Yes. Also, the potion is only effect until midnight."

"Midnight?! Why is it always midnight." Shrek wondered.

"However," Rumple leaned in closer to the ogre. "it can become permanent if sealed with Twue Love's Kiss by midnight. But once the clock strikes past, you and your little princess will be back doing whatever ogres do."

"Great. Toss it over."

Rumple tossed it over to the ogre and watched as he pulled open the vial and took a sniff.

"You sure this will work?"

Rumple smiled. He could always tell a desperate soul and this ogre had one. However, he wasn't sure if it was the bet with Belle or some genuine pity for the ogre, but Rumple wanted to see the play out well. However, he knew that turning the ogre into a man would probable convince Belle that she won but he was the Dark One. He always had a trick up his sleeve and he would be damned if he lost a simple bet to the help.

"Positive." Rumple smiled. "However, you should be warned that some potions take time. It would happen immediately. It will probably take the night before it worked."

"And it will end the midnight of tomorrow." Shrek concluded.

"Yes." The sorcerer than watched the ogre take a sip.

After a few hours of shopping and finally managing to escape the talking burro, she made her way back to the castle and laid down her few bags on her bed. It felt very strange being back in a castle. Sure, she was living in one back home but there was a difference between a royal castle and a dark castle. For one, the Dark Castle...was dark. Also, it didn't have servants attending your every need. Although she never did like that fact back home, it did make her miss it and feel homesick. Though she would never tell Rumple. It was enough that he let her go shopping for new clothes. She wouldn't want to burden him with her petty problems.

She turned when she heard a knock on the door. Walking over to open it she was met with a green person, but it wasn't Rumple. Instead, it was the princess turned beast.

"Oh, hi Princess Fiona." Belle greeted her.

"Hi Belle. I just wanted to make sure you were enjoying her stay here." Fiona smiled.

"Yes, very much. Thank you." Belle moved aside and motioned for the princess to enter the room, not wanting to be rude to their hospitality.

The princess walked in and looked around before turning to the younger and much smaller girl. "You'll be staying for the ball, correct?"

"Yes, I believe so. Is that okay?" Belle asked.

"Oh, yes. I just hope there won't be too much trouble." Fiona said. Although she was an ogre now, she still remembered all her regal training and was going to treat her guest as any princess is taught to do.

"May I ask, Belle, why my father called you two here?"

Belle paused, not sure what to say. It was clear to the young maid that the princess was nervous about something and she didn't want to make her upset. Belle wasn't afraid of the ogre turning on her but could sympathize with the princess. From what she remembered of the letter, it was clear her father didn't approve of the marriage. However, Belle did feel a little jealous of Fiona. At least her father wanted the best for her so she will be truly happy where her father wanted the best only for his kingdom.

"Um, actually, I'm not so sure. I'm sorry. My master only told me that we would be leaving on a trip for business but he didn't tell me what for." Belle felt horrible lying to the princess but she didn't want to get too involved. She felt that it was something Fiona needed to find out on her own. She just hoped the princess would understand and not be mad at her for lying straight to her face.

"Your master? The sorcerer, correct?" Fiona asked.

Belle wasn't sure how she liked the conversation being turned on her.

"Yes. Rumple." She smiled.

"How did you end up with him?"

The two headed out to the balcony to enjoy the sun as they talked. Belle told her how Rumple saved her village from the bigger ogres in exchange for her being his maid to his castle. She was careful not to give too much information because she knew that even in far off lands, he had a certain image he wanted to uphold. She even talked about her land as Fiona talked about her adventures in the dragon guarded castle and how her knight in shining armor and his valiant steed rescued her. Belle was smiling the whole time to hear one of the most traditional stories be turned upside down and she loved it. It was one of the best stories she had ever heard.

The lady turned maid and the princess turned ogre talked for might have seemed an hour before Fiona made her leave to find her husband. As she watched the princess walk away and into the hall, Belle stood at the balcony with a knowing grin on her face. She was going to win.

Tell me what you think. Also, give me ideas on what you would like to happen or not happen. If it's not clear, the cat will not be showing up and neither will Prince Charming or the fairy godmother. They already have one. ;) Rumple-bumble.