When Rumple came up from the dungeon, Belle and Rose had finished making dinner. While they ate, Rumple told them about his journey to different kingdoms. He told them about the sights he saw and the interesting attractions. Rose asked many questions about the people and animals and everything in between. Belle was happy to see her so vivid and interactive. She may have loved being with Belle, but she missed her father a lot. After dinner, Rumple helped Rose to get ready for bed while Belle cleaned up. He helped Rose change into her night clothes and tucked her in.

"Goodnight, flower." He kissed her forehead.

"Night, Papa." He stood and started to leave. "Papa?"

"Yes?" He turned back to her.

"I can see her tomorrow?" He knew who she meant. She wanted to see her mother. He still didn't understand why, but he made her a promise to give her anything she wished for.

"You can. Tomorrow morning, just like I said."

"Okay. Night, Papa."

"Goodnight, Rose." He exited the room and closed the door behind him. He was not looking forward to the next morning. He hoped that after his little "talk" with Elizabeth, things would go a bit easier. He went to the kitchen and saw Belle washing up the dishes. She saw him and smiled.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Is Rose down for the night?"

"She is."

"Good." She turned her attention back to the dishes. He approached her and pulled her away from the sink.

"No more of that tonight. You deserve a break." He waved his hand and the dishes and the rest of the kitchen was clean. Another wave and a kettle was placed on the stove to warm water for tea. Belle was a bit surprised. He had been tolerate of her, but this time he was being nice to her. Even when he gave her the library, he tried to cover it up as just another room for her to clean rather than an act of kindness. He was finally warming up to her.

"Really? What's the occasion?" They sat at the table and waited for the tea to heat.

"Think of it as a reward for caring for Rose while I was away. And dealing with our...guest...in a way that didn't scar my daughter any worse. I think we both know I would have handled the situation...quite differently." Belle knew this to be true. Had it been Rumple, he probably would have beat her or killed her right then and there. Belle had more control over her temper than he.

"Yes, I believe you would have. I guess it was better that I was here to deal with her." And Rumple was glad she was there. Had Rose been by herself, there's no telling what would have happened. Elizabeth could've hurt or killed Rose if given the chance. She would've returned to her kingdom and returned with an army to try to kill him. Of course, it would be in vain. No mortal weapon could harm him. The only thing that could kill him was in his own possession and that's where it would stay.

"Why did you lock her away?" Belle tilted her head in confusion.

"I don't understand what you mean."

"You could've released her and let her return home to her family. Or you could have killed her. What did you hope to accomplish by locking her away?" Belle hadn't really thought about it. She couldn't just let her leave, but she didn't have it in her to kill her. What was the purpose of locking her away?

"I guess I didn't really think about it. I mean, I didn't want her to die, but I couldn't let her get out with a vendetta against you and Rose. I suppose I just more concerned about Rose at the moment. I just put her away so I could comfort Rose. I...honestly didn't have a plan. I knew that once you returned, you would want to torture or kill her."

"And you would be correct."

"But...I guess...I guess the real decision of what happens to her goes to Rose." Rumple's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Belle could tell a bit of anger sparked within him.

"I mean...She knows that she exists. She knows that she's here. She wouldn't want you to kill her. And we both know that you would do anything Rose wants. If she wishes for her to live, you wouldn't kill her. And I don't see why Rose would want you to kill anyone. She's only a child." Rumple couldn't deny it if he wanted to. He would bend over backwards to please his daughter. She wouldn't want the death of anyone, even if it was the woman that left her for dead as a baby. She would see the good in the situation, which was him finding her. Had he never found her, she wouldn't be alive and have a new mother that loves and wants her. Rumple knew that if it wasn't for the woman, he wouldn't have Rose in his life.

"And what, pray tell, do you suppose she'll want to do with her?" Belle shrugged her shoulders.

"I suppose we'll have to find out tomorrow." The kettle on the stove started to whistle. Belle started to get up, but Rumple stopped her.

"Allow me." He waved his hand and the kettle lifted from the stove. He conjured up a tea set on the table in front of them. He poured the tea from the kettle to the pot. It was rare for Rumple to use magic around Belle and she enjoyed watching him. Once the tea was in the pot, the kettle disappeared in a purple smoke. He picked up the teapot and began to pour her a cup.

"So, what is this brew?"

"It's a special tea I picked up on my journey. It supposed to help one relax. We've both had a long day. Seems more than appropriate." He then poured himself a cup. Belle mixed her tea with cream and a sugar cube. Rumple had his with two sugars and honey. Belle took a sip of the warm liquid and hummed in delight.

"It's delicious."

"Good, because I haven't tried it myself." She narrowed her eyes playfully.

"So, I was an unsuspecting test subject?"

"I'd say more of a guinea pig, but whatever makes you feel better." She giggled and took another sip. He lifted his cup to taste the new tea. He found that it was delicious like she said. She noticed the cup he was using.

"You, uh, you're using the cup I chipped." He placed the cup down and looked at it as if he didn't notice it was that particular cup.

"It appears I am."

"I thought you would've thrown it away."

"Just because it's chipped doesn't mean it's lost it's purpose." She narrowed her eyes again.

"I suppose not." They finished off the tea and cleaned up after themselves. Belle began to stand from the table, but her legs gave out. Before she fell, Rumple was beside her holding her up.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. I suppose the tea relaxed me a bit too much." She tried to stand again, but her legs wouldn't agree with her. She yelped in surprise as she found herself in Rumple's arms. He had picked her up bridal style and took her out of the kitchen.

"I believe that is a sign for you to retire to bed." She expected him to bring her back to "her room" in the dungeon. She was only to stay in the bedroom while he was away to be near Rose at night. Instead, he brought her upstairs instead of downstairs.

"Where...Where are you taking me?" He remembered when she asked him that when she first arrived at the Dark Castle. He smirked and gave her the same answer.

"Let's call it...your room." He brought her to the bedroom she had been staying in for the past few days and sat her on the bed.

"My room? I can stay in here?"

"It's yours if you want it. Unless you prefer your straw bed in the dungeon."

"No. Um, thank you." Two kind acts in the same night. She could only enjoy them while they last. He suddenly kneeled down and began to unbuckle her shoes. She couldn't say or do anything. She just sat there as he helped her out of her shoes. Why was he being so kind to her? Was it because of what she did to Elizabeth? Was it to thank her for caring for Rose while he was away? Or was it just out of the kindness of his heart? Whatever the reason, Belle liked to see this side of him. She had only seen his kind heart directed at Rose. After he removed her shoes, he placed them on the side of the bed. Belle found her voice again. "I...Thank you, Rumple."

"No matter. Just making sure you're..." He lifted himself up, but stopped suddenly when he was eye to eye with Belle. They stared at each her. His green reptilian eyes met her bright blue ones. He didn't know what prompted him to stare so intently into them, but he was caught and trapped. He couldn't look away and neither could she. There was no fear or disgust in her eyes and there was no anger and bloodlust in his. There was curiosity and understanding and something else. Neither of them knew what it was. It was a puzzle and they both had each other's missing pieces.

"Mama? Papa?" They were both brought from their daze by the small voice. They looked over and saw Rose standing in the doorway rubbing her eyes. Rumple stood up and addressed her.

"What are you doing out of bed, flower? Did you have another bad dream?" She shook her head.

"I can't sleep." Rumple knew sometimes when he left for a trip and took longer than he said he would. He had been gone for three days. He could understand that she wanted to stay with someone for the night. Belle thought the same.

"Do you want to stay in here with me tonight?" She walked over and climbed in the bed. Belle gently smiled as she snuggled under the covers. Rumple smiled as well.

"Well, goodnight to the both of you. Pleasant dreams." He started to leave the room.

"Can you stay, Papa?" He stopped and turned back to her. He locked eyes with Belle for a moment, then faced his daughter.

"I don't think that..."

"Please?" He didn't want to deny her what she wanted, especially when she said please. He looked to Belle again. She surely would've had her doubts about sharing a bed with him, even if Rose was between them.

"I don't see why not. The bed is big enough for the three of us. And if it helps Rose sleep, we should be able to compromise for the night. Don't you think so, Rumple?" She was right. Even if Rose wasn't there, the bed was big enough for them not to touch each other. Besides, he could always slip out once Rose fell asleep.

"I suppose so." He removed his coat and his boots and climbed on the other side of the bed. Belle slipped under the covers and laid down beside Rose while Rumple laid on the opposite side. Rose smiled at them both and they couldn't help but smile back. She turned to Belle first.

"Night, Mama."

"Goodnight, Rose." She then turned to Rumple.

"Night, Papa."

"Goodnight, flower." She settled herself and closed her eyes. Belle and Rumple locked eyes again, but not in the same trance they were in before. They couldn't explain why it happened before. They didn't know what that moment held, but whatever it is, it was something that neither of them had ever experienced before. Belle gently smiled at him.

"Goodnight, Rumple." He gave her a soft smile. Not his impish grin, but a genuine smile.

"Goodnight, Belle." Her eyes slowly closed. Rumple looked at Rose and Belle together. He saw his daughter with her mother. In a normal situation, it would be his daughter and his wife. This wasn't a normal situation and Belle wasn't his wife. She didn't love him. She just barely tolerated him. He knew she could never love the monster that stole her from the only life, family, and friends she's ever known. She would never love him. She would always love Rose, but never him. Before he knew it, his eyes grew heavy and drifted off to sleep.