"He made you breakfast?"

Belle smiled, nodding. "Yes. It was a very kind gesture."

"And you two both apologized to each other for your behavior."

"Yes. And I wanted to apologize to you as well. I know you're helping us and I can't thank you enough. I shouldn't have walked away."

"It's no worries." Archie smiled.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"You told Rumple this morning that perhaps what he said was true?"

"Yes. Perhaps the Charmings and the others had continued to use me. And perhaps it wasn't really fair to have the man that tried to kill me multiple times be there for the birth of our child rather than it's father. Especially when it's the man that has tried to kill the father multiple times as well. I guess something about that is wrong." She said.

"Well I must say, Belle, you're doing better than I thought. You really seem to be accepting this."

She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "As much as it does pain me to admit…Rumple was right. I do tend to ignore it all. I really do know that they've all hurt me in some way, and I know how much it hurt Rumple for me to go to them for help rather than him, but…I was scared."

"We always make our worst decisions when we're scared."

She nodded.

"He said you blamed him for pushing Gaston into the river. Can you help me understand that?"

"I was angry. Which I guess is another time when we make our worst mistakes. This was back in the Underworld. If a soul fell into the River of Lost Souls, or even touched it, their soul would become just that. Lost. There was no other place after that. Hades asked Gaston, my ex-fiance who I later learned Rumple killed, to shoot Rumple with an arrow that was dipped in the River. Hades had actually made a deal with me."

"What was it?"

"That if I let them fight and whoever won, he will tear up the contract on our child."

"What happened?"

"I, um, I tricked Rumple."

Archie's eyes widen. It was actually shocking to hear Belle say that when it was usually her saying Rumple tricked her.

"I found him dangling Gaston in the air near the river. It was clear he was going to throw Gaston in it so I had to stop him."

"Gaston is already dead at this point, correct?"

"Yes. But that doesn't mean he should have to suffer. It didn't mean he had to completely lose his soul. Emma and the others were working on saving souls. Helping them move on. Doing so weakened Hades. And I wanted to help Gaston move on. I couldn't do that if Rumple killed him."

"But he's already dead."

Belle sighed. "Fine. I couldn't help him if Rumple destroyed his soul. Anyways, I walked up to Rumple and told him that I had always known who he was. When I kissed him I reached inside his pocket and took the dagger. I commanded he let Gaston go. He did. But as soon Gaston got back on the ground he grabbed his arrows and started to aim at Rumple. I knew he wasn't going to miss this time but I couldn't let him hurt Rumple either. So…I pushed him into the River. I didn't even know I was doing that. All I was trying to do was get Gaston away from Rumple. It wasn't my intention to push him into the river."

"But you blame Rumple for it."

"It's stupid, I know. It's petty, but I felt guilty. I felt like if Rumple hadn't killed Gaston than he wouldn't have been lost forever. But again, I know that's stupid. I'm the one that pushed him. Rumple had told me that in the heat of the moment we do whatever we can to protect those we love. And sometimes, that choice isn't always the right one. I guess he was right. Again."

"What else did you two talk about in the Underworld?"

Belle thought back. It seemed like a long time ago but really it wasn't. She guessed that was because of the sleeping curse. "Um, being in the Underworld was how I learned I was pregnant. Rumple had found out and so he told me."

"How did you end up in the Underworld?"

"Oh, um, I was helping Blue at the mansion watch over baby Neal, Alexandra, and Robin's daughter. Zelena had impersonated Blue, trying to get to Robin's daughter. A portal had opened up for some reason. I figured it was Zelena's doing, that she was trying to steal the baby and escape. I tried to grab the baby from her and at the same time, we both fell in. Me, Zelena, and the baby. I eventually came across Rumple. Apparently, he created the portal for Hades."

"Why?"

She sighed. "Rumple said that when Hades learned that I was pregnant and got hold of his old contract, Rumple would now work for him unless we wanted the baby belonging to him. Rumple…he was trying to help."

"Do you think it was the right way?"

"No, but after looking back, maybe it was the only way?"

Archie smiled gently. "Hindsight is often twenty-twenty."

Belle smiled. "Perhaps."

"What happened after you learned you were pregnant?"

"Well, first he told me about the contract he once made when he was the Dark One and then how Hades got a hold of it. He said he would do everything in his power to get the child back. When he said that I knew that he was the Dark One again. I wasn't happy. I was even more angry when he said he loved the power and that this time, he wasn't giving it up."

"Well it does sound like he needed the power to save your child."

She let out a huff. "What I don't understand is how he could even make the contract. Why would anyone trade away their own child?"

"Did he tell you about how he came to agree to such a contract?"

Belle opened her mouth and quickly shut it. "No. He didn't." She let out a breath. "I never asked either."

"Perhaps you could."

She nodded. "I guess so."

"I know it can be difficult, especially in a moment of anger and sadness, but it's best to know everything before you make a decision."

"Do you think I make rash decisions?"

Archie paused. Belle didn't seem angry with him but rather genuinely curious. "Um, well…"

"It's okay, Archie. I won't get mad at you." She smiled.

He chuckled. "Well, from the stories I hear from both of you, it does appear to be that way, yes."

Belle leaned back. If Archie agreed to it than maybe she did have a problem.

"I think you're very ambitious, Belle. I really do you think you want to help others, but perhaps you can be a little more patience. More willing to listen to the other side and try to be a little more understanding."

"But I can't understand Rumple's side."

"That's why you need to listen. Try to put yourself in his shoes. He's lived for a very long time. Gold has years of heartache and pain behind him. Everyone he knows and loves has abandoned him. He's not going to trust easily. Especially when you continue to repeat the same pattern. I want you to try and hear out whatever he has to say. Even if you don't like it, and try to place yourself in his situation. Also, try to remember your own experience in the Underworld. You know from personal account that you haven't always made the best choice under pressure either."

"Rumple is a very clever man."

"Yes, and he always seems to find a way out of whatever trouble he gets in. Sometimes, the best solution may not always be the perfect one. In fact, it rarely is."

Belle contemplated on his words, remembering why she was here. She wanted to try. She did. It was just harder than she thought.

"I thought being a hero would be easier than this."

"I don't want you to get upset with what I'm about to say, but I do want to help. Gold feels that perhaps…he does think you know what a hero is. He does. He just doesn't think you really…demonstrate it."

She looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"What has Gold done that you truly saw as…heroic?"

Belle thought back. There were actually a few moments. But before she answered, she asked, "Does Rumple not think I see him as a hero?"

Archie just stared at her, not answering. So she took that as a no. It hurt her to know that but that's why they here, right? To fix their problems?

"Okay. When Rumple sacrificed himself to kill Pan. He saved not only me, his son, and Henry, but a whole town who doesn't even care about him. When Hook brought all the Dark Ones to Storybrooke, he gave me a potion that would allow me to leave town with my memories and told me to go see the world like I always wanted. Henry called me and told me why. So before I could leave I came back. He thought he was going to die and so he let me go. But then I learned he was the Dark One and it seemed to diminish that selfless act."

"Remember, Gold had already lost everyone. He didn't think you would come back. So perhaps he felt that power was all he had left."

"It didn't mean he had to take it back!"

"No, no, I'm not saying that. It's just, Gold is an addict as well-"

"But he was doing better. He was a becoming a good man."

Archie shifted in his seat. He didn't like how Belle said that. It definitely gave a sense that in her mind there was only one way of being a good person.

"Belle, do you think that having the curse, having the darkness, and having power makes Gold a bad man?"

"No, of course not." She furrowed her brows.

"But just now you said that without the power, he was becoming a better man. As if he can't be a good man if he has magic."

She sighed. "It's the choices he makes when he has the power."

"But he has also made plenty of selfless choices while he had the power, right? Like when you said he sacrificed himself to save everyone. He was the Dark One then. Gold has lived longer than any Dark One, right?"

Belle nodded.

"He understands that curse and power better than anyone. And I can't help but notice something. During the first few weeks Emma was the Dark One, I overheard some gossip, mostly likely Leroy started it," Belle laughed. "That she ripped out a girl's heart. As we already know she tried to send a bear after you to force Gold to be a hero."

"Oh, I'm sure Rumple has done something to force someone to make a choice."

"Perhaps, but in the end it was their choice. Just like it was Gold's choice to save you, to be a hero. In the few days Killian was the Dark One, he tried to send the Underworld and all the Dark Ones to Storybrooke. Gold has lived for hundred of years. Has he ever done something on that kind of level?"

"Well,…no."

"Even when he was the Dark One and yes, manipulating lives was wrong and he shouldn't have done it, but he did it for one person. The love he had for his son and the need to get him back. He had the same dark magic and the same curse then that he does now. But does that make him a bad person?"

Belle kept her arms crossed. "Rumple often says intent is meaningless."

"Or perhaps a defensive mechanism to forget how he feels like he failed."

Belle remained in silent, thinking over everything they've talked about. There were plenty of good points and she could see where she might have gone wrong at times. There was just one problem.

"What if he doesn't want to talk?"

"I think you might still be looking in the past. You still assume that whatever he says is going to be a lie or some excuse to distract you. I'm not sure you are willing seeing that now Gold really does want to try. He has this second chance to be a father. He has a another chance to be with you and he doesn't want to lose either of you. But if you want to leave him, he will let you. He's not going to force you or keep you trapped. I don't think he would ever do that to someone. Especially not to the woman he loves more than anything. Though, you might be a close second to your son."

They laughed. Belle could understand that. She loved Gideon more than anything. Even more than Rumple.

"Gold really is willing to try. I truly believe that. But like he said, he can't if you don't let him. If you truly love someone and you truly want to keep them, I don't think there's a number on second chances. And what you two have is True Love. That's worth keeping. No matter how hard. You're very lucky and I would love to have someone to love as much as Gold loves you. I would hate to see you give up because you're afraid to try."

Belle was crying now. They were beautiful words and she could tell Archie truly meant them. She wiped her eyes. "Thank you."

He smiled. "You're welcome. Now I want you to go home and I hope it's okay, but I have a few assignments."

"Homework?" She smile.

"Yes. I want you to ask Rumple about the contract and listen. I want you to listen to everything he has to say. Even if you don't like it. And I want you to try and put yourself in his place and think about what you would have done. Also, I want you to talk to your father. You can start off small. Maybe lunch? Just get to know him again because it sounds like you're trying to distance yourself from him. I can understand why, but we all need a confident."

Belle sat up straighter. "I, um, I also told Rumple that perhaps I should get some more friends. I was thinking of getting in touch with Ruby again."

Archie's smile grew bigger. "That's great! She's a great person."

Belle nodded. "Yeah, maybe taking a break from the Charmings and the others might help."

"I agree. It does sound like they cause some trouble. Taking time away from some of our issues can really help give us more insight. That's wonderful, Belle."

"Thank you."

After leaving Archie's office Belle thought about what he asked her to do, her homework. Talking to Ruby wouldn't be hard. She knew the wolf girl as Rumple liked to call her would be overly excited to see her and instantly demand a girl's night. Though Belle knew getting in touch with Ruby was really part of her homework, but she guessed that was a good thing too. Trying to reconnect with her father would actually be harder. She did want a relationship with her father and she knew that no matter how angry she was with Rumplestiltskin, he would want to see his grandson. At least, she hoped he would. Surely refusing to wake her up wasn't necessarily a sign that he wanted nothing to do with her and her son, right? Rumple, perhaps. Though she wondered if her father even knew she was pregnant. It wasn't like it was the most hushed news of the town. She hadn't heard any rumors or gossip, but once one of the dwarves found out she was certain the news would spread like wildfire. That was what happened in a small town like theirs.

However, the hardest part of her homework would be talking to Rumple. She knew it was harder than it should be but she had to remind herself that she had to be willing to listen. She had a part in fixing their marriage and she needed to take responsibility. She just wished Rumple wasn't so difficult at times.

"Hey! Watch it!"

Belle slammed on the breaks, pulling herself out of her thoughts and back to where she was. In her car, driving. And apparently nearly running someone over.

"I'm so sorry." She said, getting out to make sure the person was okay. "Are you okay? I didn't hit you, did I? I'm so sorry. I wasn't think-"

She paused, taking a moment to look at the man. "I'm..I'm sorry. Do I know you?"

The man smiled. "Well I would hope you remember the man who saved you from the asylum."

Belle returned his smile. "Jefferson!"

"Hi, Belle."

She felt the urge to hug him but refrained. She only met the man once and she was cursed at the time, but he had a face that one couldn't forget. Or rather, a neck one. He still had that long slash along it.

"Hi. I never saw you after that."

"Yeah, well, I've been busy. And I hear you have been too. Congrats on the baby."

"Ah, yes." She nodded. "I figured the news spread around town."

"Like wildfire. The news also spread that it was like Zelena's pregnancy? Sped up?"

Belle gave a soft nod. "Yes. It was, um, difficult."

"Well I hoped everything worked out well in the end."

Belle pressed her lips, contemplating. "I hope it did. Well, we're working on it."

"You and Rumplestiltskin."

Belle nodded again. It felt talking to this man. She had only ever met him once and somehow she felt like they had once been close friends. It was strange. Perhaps he was just one of those people. Like Ruby.

"How do you know Rumplestiltskin?" She asked.

"We were friends."

That was certainly not an answer she was thinking of. It was always a deal, but Jefferson was smiling as if he was proud of the fact. To be honest, Belle couldn't ever recall her husband having friends. He certainly wasn't the type and he never went out looking for them either. He preferred to be alone. Suddenly she had an idea.

"Well, it was great seeing you again and I hope maybe we can all three get together sometime?"

Jefferson smiled. "I would love to see ole Rumple again."

Belle laughed. "I will let him know."

They parted ways and Belle went back into her car, heading to her and Rumple's temporary home. In the driveway she turned off the car and leaned back into the seat. She took three deep breaths and stepped outside. I can do this, she reminded herself. Do the brave thing and bravery will follow.

It was her life motto and she held it true to her heart. Though now she had to wonder if what she had once done was either brave, or foolish. Foolish enough to put her and her child in danger. If that was true, which she had a sinking feeling it was, she couldn't forgive herself.

She walked inside seeing Rumple in the living room, playing with Gideon on the floor. He didn't seem to acknowledge yet that she was there so she stayed back and watched the scene before her. She smiled. Rumple was smiling. Smiling and laughing and Belle wondered when she had last seen him do that. Gideon was laughing as Rumple blew kisses on his stomach. It was clear the baby boy enjoyed having his father and Belle felt guilty for almost taking that away. Perhaps she truly was foolish.

She stepped forward, slowly setting her keys on the counter, but it broke the laughter. Finally hearing her Rumplestiltskin turned around.

"Hi."

"Hi." She smiled.

"How did the session go?"

"It actually went great." She smiled. "He actually gave me homework."

They both chuckled.

"He did? What was it?"

"Um, a few things. He liked my idea of getting together with Ruby." Belle said as she placed herself on the carpet alongside the baby and Rumple.

"Great." Rumple smiled.

"He also wanted me to try and reconnect with my father."

Hearing that news Rumple gave a scowl, though quiet enough that it didn't scare Gideon.

"You're still angry with him, aren't you?" Belle asked.

Rumple scoffed. "Are you not?"

Belle let Gideon grab and play with her finger. "I don't want to be."

"Than you shouldn't have to be." He said. They remained quiet for a few moments, letting Gideon's baby noises be their only sound. "Was that all?"

Belle looked down, hoping the image of her son would help keep her calm. "He, um, he wanted me to ask you about the contract."

If life came with a soundtrack they would have heard a plate drop and shatter. Next to the gauntlet it was the sorest topic of their marriage. Just one of the things that helped tear them part. Though they both knew that wasn't true. They let those things tear them apart. What made it all worse was that they never talked about what bothered them. They never got things out in the open and discussed their problems. But that was what therapy was for and they were both commented. At least, Rumple knew he was. So if talking about another painful moment in his life meant he and Belle could fix their marriage, he was ready. But was it okay to be scared? Somehow he was learning that maybe it was.

Maybe I should talk to the cricket about that.

"Oh. Very well." Rumple sat up.

"What?" Belle asked, looking at him with wide eyes. "You mean, now?"

He shrugged. "Why not? Hasn't some of our problem been holding things back?"

"Yes, but don't you want to do it more…I don't know."

He chuckled. "Maybe having Gideon next to us would help us both."

Belle smiled. "Maybe you're right."

They both smiled. They waited a few more moments before either one said anything, both enjoying the presence of their son. Finally, Rumple spoke up.

"What did you want to know?" He asked. He felt his chest tighten and the innate voice in him telling him to run. But seeing Belle look up at him with her big blue eyes and hearing their son coo on the floor next to him helped him push that voice away. He could this. He had to. What was Belle's motto again?

"Okay." She sat up straighter, both of their legs crossed Indian style. "Why would you agree to such a contract?"

Rumple sighed. "Would it help if I told you the whole story?"

Remembering what Archie said, Belle replied, "Yes. That might help."

"Very well. This was when Bae was only a few years old. Milah hadn't left us yet, but this was after the war."

"After you crippled yourself?"

Rumple didn't mind the interruption this time. "Yes. So she wasn't happy with me by any means. She was only staying for Baelfire. If we didn't have him, I'm sure she would have left on the spot. Anyways, Bae had gotten bit by a snake. We didn't know what to do. We were both scared and so we went to find a healer. His name was Fendrake. He knew all kinds of poisons and remedies so we were hoping he would have what we wanted. He told us the poison was a twenty-four hour poison, meaning Bae would be dead by morning. Fortunately, he had the cure. Unfortunately, we didn't have the money to pay him, or anything else he wanted, so he refused to give it to us."

"That's awful." Belle said, actually looking sadden by the tale.

"Yes. But Milah had a plan."

"What was it?"

"She used the last copper penny we had to buy a knife."

Belle furrowed her brows. "Why would she need a knife?"

"She wanted me to kill the healer in his sleep."

"And…you didn't?" She asked. She was actually confused. This was Rumple. He's killed and manipulated many people. This sounded like it was up his alley.

He pursed his lips. "Belle, I wasn't the Dark One at the time. I was the embodiment of cowardice and as surprising as it might seem, I was actually a gentle soul. I could bear to even think about killing the man in his sleep let alone actually do it. But Milah insisted. I asked her why she couldn't do it herself but that only infuriated her more. I was still being weak and pathetic and she wanted a man that would take what he wanted. But I didn't want to take his life. Then she told me it was either Fendrake or Bae. I couldn't bear the thought of losing my son so that night I wandered to his hut. I found him asleep in his bed and raised the knife."

"Rumple?" She asked, looking really worried.

"I didn't do it. But he woke up and saw that I couldn't. I told me that I didn't have the courage and he actually pitied me. However, not enough to give me the antidote free of charge."

"What? Rumple, that's cruel."

"Perhaps. Or perhaps good business. I guess I can appreciate that now. But I was desperate, as I often am. He told me he would give me the antidote under one condition."

Belle was starting to put the pieces together. "The contract?"

He nodded. "The contract was this. In return for the antidote, I would give him my second born child."

Belle didn't reply. She wasn't sure how to. She still couldn't accept it but she started hearing Archie's voice in her head. To be patience and listen. When Rumple saw that she wasn't going to get upset or leave, he continued.

"The contract was for my second born. Not ours. So technically, Milah could have another child. And as I said, she hated the mere sight of me. I couldn't imagine us ever having another child. So she was free to go have another with some other man. And I didn't think anyone would ever love me to even want a child."

"Rumple." Belle whispered.

"Then years later I became the Dark One. Years after that…Cora."

"Cora? Regina's mother?"

Rumple nearly stopped. He knew Belle wouldn't be happy because he never told her about his once relationship with Regina's mother and he was certain, though while it was long and passed, she wouldn't be happy. But it was necessary for the story. While it meant adding yet another problem to their list at least they could get this heavy one out of the way.

He nodded. "We…might have-"

"You had a relationship, didn't you?"

Rumple was subconsciously leaning back, as if expecting her to hit him, but he remembered Gideon was there and she wouldn't do hurt him in front of their child. But she did look like she wanted to. Maybe now was the best time to tell her.

"It was serious. Or, I thought it was. She eventually left me for power as well but that's getting off the story. During our affair there was a…possible chance that we might have a child. It then reminded me of the contract I made with Fendrake. I went to find him to try and get him to release it. He remembered me but apparently me being the Dark One now didn't scare him into giving it back."

"So you killed him." She concluded. He nodded.

"Yes. So in the Underworld, after I found out you were pregnant, Hades also found out."

"How? How did you even find out? I did the math and Rumple, that was only a few days after."

He chuckled. "Magic." He simply said. She laughed. "I put together a spell, hoping to find Baelfire."

"Why would you need to-…never mind." She said.

Rumple nodded. "I wasn't hoping he was in the Underworld, but if he was I wanted to find him. To talk to him one last time. However, I wasn't specific enough. I didn't think I had to be. I put together a crystal ball and asked it to show me my child. It showed me you. I was confused because it didn't make sense."

"But it did."

"Right. It did show me my child. My second child. Which was still inside you. Needless to say I was overly shocked and dropped the ball, shattering it."

"That word seems to appear a lot in our lives right now."

He smiled. "Perhaps some methapor? How we shattered our own lives and hope to put it together?"

Belle smiled. "I like that."

"So Hades, spying on everything in the Underworld, was confused why I would be so startled by the image of my wife. So he did his own research and that's how he learned you were pregnant. But he had his own plans. He conjured the soul of a man I immediately recognized."

"Fendrake."

"Hades reminded me of the deal I made and well, the rest is history. But it's over now and we have him back."

Belle sighed. "It might be over, but-"

"Belle, I know what you're going to say. You need to understand something. I need you to understand."

Belle closed her mouth and waited, listening.

"I never believed I would ever find love again after Cora. Cora was the last one for me, or so I thought. And I never took into account the contract applying in the Underworld because I never saw myself going there. To me, a dead man can't hold up a contract. To me, that was the end of it. So I had no contract and no one to love to even have another child. It didn't matter. But Hades was clever. Really clever and he played a good hand. Belle, you were a complete surprise. But why the time I knew I loved you and even hoped that one day we would be a family, again, Fendrake was dead and the contract was released. Not to mention I had made the contract before you were even born, so…"

Belle nodded. "It makes sense. I can't say I'm happy about it now, but it makes sense. And you're right. It's over."

They smiled, looking down at their son.

"Rumple."

He looked up at her. "Yes?"

She took a breath, remembering to be brave, and leaned in. Closing her eyes she pressed her lips against his. "Thank you for saving our child."

He kept his eyes closed, savoring the moment, before opening them up and meeting her blue ones. "Always."

Tell me what you think! I think Belle is now starting to realize that she had acted foolish and reckless and is now starting to use the brain she has. So she can understand the logic behind Rumple's reasoning. Like she said, she still doesn't like it, but it's over now and they can move on. That is what's important. :)

So happy to see Jefferson! Starting in the next chapter we're going to start seeing more normal life and more people. Ruby, Maurice, and the Charmings might make a small appearance soon. I want to right them interacting with the town and their lives rather than just learning everything in the therapy office. So that should be a nice pace. :)