Chapter 2

She picks up on the first ring. "Rumple?"

"Belle I'm fine, I told you I would be." Rumplestiltskin laughs. It's only been about twenty-four hours since they had left Storybrooke and they had just gotten off the plane. Henry and Emma were waiting for their bags and Rumplestiltskin is walking over near the bathrooms, calling Belle.

"The plane ride?"

"Bloody terrifying." He admits, sitting down on one of the benches and watching people walk by. This was nothing like the Enchanted Forest, or even Storybrooke, he knew there were going to be a lot of differences, but the people, and they hadn't even stepped out of the airport yet. "And this place is really no better." He continues. "Everybody seems to be in a rush to get somewhere."

"Well aren't you?" He hears her laugh and something fall and break in the background. "Sorry." She states hurriedly, I'm fine, just a broken dish." She pauses and he can almost hear the magic. "Fixed dish."

"How on earth did you manage to do that?" He asks, shaking his head in disbelief. Honestly, Belle had to be the clumsiest woman he's ever met, but he loves her dearly.

"Fix it?" She asks, her voice hinting at sarcasm. "By using magic of course."

"You know exactly what I meant Belle." He growls, but can't help but smile.

"Well, I'm sorry I'm trying to make dinner and talk to you at the same time." She scoffs. "I don't have that many hands."

"You have magic." He points out. "And don't tell me you don't want to use it, you just did a moment ago."

"To fix a plate." She argues. "Look, no offense Rumple, but I don't like this. I feel way too much. Every time I try and do a simple task the power freaks out and overdoes it." He hears her sigh. "I think you're right though, there's no way I'll be able to keep this a secret for long."

"Belle, Belle, you'll get it." He assures her watching Emma and Henry walking back towards him. "It just takes some getting used too. I know you'll be able to figure it out." He stands up. His bag was hanging off his cane and Henry was rolling his suitcase along with his own. Rumplestiltskin mouths his thanks to Henry who only nods.

"I'm scared Rumple."

"I know, and I'm sorry Belle, but you know I trust you to be able to handle this." He nods once at Emma and they make their way out of the airport. "Have you made any progress on that project I gave you?" He asks, trying to change the subject.

"The memory potion?" She inquires and scoffs. "Rumple, you know I've barely had twenty-four hours to look at it. Plus, I read your notes, that thing is the most complicated potion I've ever seen, and you don't even know if it'll work?"

"I don't."

"That's comforting."

"If you do manage to find some way to make it work, let me know."

He can almost see her rolling her eyes. "Yeah, I'll get right on that." She laughs. "By the way, how's your...mark?"

"It's there, i'm just wearing the scarf you gave me and a pair of gloves." He laughs. "I know that explaining it to Bae won't be easy, but i'll reach that bridge when I get there."

" Well good luck, and thank you for calling, I'm glad you made it there safely."

"I'll call you again soon Belle, I love you."

"I love you too Rumple, talk to you later." She hangs up.

"Everything alright?" Emma asks, as she catches a cab and the three of them get in.

Rumplestiltskin gives the driver the name of the hotel and turns to Emma. Everything's fine, Belle's just a bit overwhelmed."

"I'm not surprised." Emma murmurs.

"She chose to stay you know." He argues.

"I know." She laughs once. "But dare I ask what this project is that you gave her to do?"

"Memory potion." He answers simply. "Before we left I was in the middle of trying to figure out how the hell to create a way for the town to retain their memories, even when crossing the line."

"Seriously?" Henry asks in surprise. "Why'd you stop?"

"I didn't." Rumplestiltskin assure him. "I simply found another way to leave town, but I left the potion with Belle, who is now trying to figure it out. With any luck, she'll be able to crack it and the town won't be stuck living in fear."

"You couldn't have finished it and then left?" Emma asks in exasperation.

"Of course not." He scoffs. "Besides, the town won't take anything I give them, but I'm sure Belle will find a way to do it."

"Fair point." Emma laughs.

"We also have no idea whether or not it will work." He points out. "It's better if we keep it a secret for now, better to hide it then to give them false hope."

"Wow, you've seriously mellowed out these past few months haven't you?" Emma asks in surprise.

"You'd be surprised what marriage does to someone Miss Swan." He murmurs and gazes out the window, wondering where, in this huge city, Baelfire could be.

Belle hangs up the phone and sticks the pan carefully in the oven. "Gods that was close." She murmurs, slamming it shut and tossing her phone back on the counter. It had barely been twenty-four hours since the three of them left and Belle had been cooking all day. "This has got to stop." She sighs deeply, biting her lip and looking at the counter full of brownies, cupcakes, cookies, and pies. She had just put another pan of cookies into the oven. Cursing herself Belle moves into the sitting room and falls onto the couch. Her phone rings a minute later. Belle resists the urge to roll her eyes and lifts her hand up. Her phone flies off the counter and lands in her hand. "I really shouldn't be doing that." She laughs to herself and answers.

"Belle! Jesus, I've been trying to get a hold of you for the past twenty minutes."

Belle hears Ruby on the other end. "Ruby, what's up?"

"Come down to the diner, we need to talk to you."

"Who's we?"

"The town, pretty much."

"I swear to the gods if this is about my marriage again-"

"No, no nothing like that." Ruby assures her.

"Alright." Belle finally gives in and looks back at the counter. "Do you want me to bring some sweets? I've…kinda been baking all day."

She hears Ruby laugh on the other end. "Yeah, that would be great!"

"Right, I'll see you in a bit." Belle hangs up. She forces herself off the couch and snaps her fingers once. All of the baked goods on the counter were tucked away in Tupperware boxes and the cookies in the oven were done. 'I have to admit though, that is convenient." She smirks, putting all of them into one bag and teleporting herself behind the diner.

Belle looks around in order to make sure that no one had seen her and walks into the diner through the back. Granny was the first person Belle sees with her back to her. Belle sneaks up behind her and kisses her on the cheek. "Evening Granny."

"Belle!" Granny exclaims, smiling warmly. "It's good to see you girl how are you doing?"

"Well-"Belle holds up the three containers of snacks.

Granny laughs heartily. "That well huh?"

Belle shrugs. "I miss him, but I promise I'll get it under control." She hands Granny the containers. "Look, just, please take these. I like sweets, but this could last me for months."

"Of course dear, thank you." Granny takes them from her. "Everyone is waiting for you in the dining area."

Belle sighs. "Of course they are, do you know what this is about?"

"I'm afraid I don't, I'm sorry."

"It's alright, I'll deal with it, thanks." Belle kisses her cheek again and walks into the main dining area. It was packed full of townspeople, all who are now dead silent.

She sees Ruby, who smiles at her and wanders over. "Wow that was fast." Ruby laughs and hugs her tightly. Belle didn't really have a response to that, so she stays silent. Ruby moves her over to the bar.

"Alright." Belle finally speaks up. "What's this about? What do you people want?" She looks around the room and not only sees Geppetto and the Charming's, but her father and Gaston as well. "What is it that you want? Please tell me this isn't an intervention."

"It's not!" Ruby assures her hurriedly.

"Really? Because it seems every time any of you want to talk to me it's because you want to talk to me about my marriage and I'm sick of hearing the same thing over and over again."

"Belle-"

"I'm serious."

"Belle." Ruby smiles. "It's alright, we get it." She looks around the room and bites her lips. "Well, I get it." She shrugs. "Look, none of us will ever understand your relationship with him, but that's not what this is about." Belle raises an eyebrow, but gestures for Ruby to continue.

Ruby turns to Snow White, who turns to Belle. Belle scoffs. Of course the town would have her talk for them. Gods she was acting more and more like Rumple. She shakes her head, barely hearing Snow White speak up.

"Belle, it's just that we want to ask you, without him in town, do the two of you really not know a way back to the Enchanted Forest?"

Belle clenches and unclenches her marked hand in annoyance, causing it to glow almost a dark crimson color, and sighs deeply. "Did you really believe we lied to you about it? No, neither of us know how to get back home yet." The crowd starts murmuring. "Call me a liar all you want." Belle states, smirking a little when a few people jumped, surprised that she had heard them. "But I honestly have no idea on how to get back to the Enchanted Forest."

"Your husband is the one who created the curse!" A citizen complains loudly. "What? Do you expect us to believe that he forgot to put in a way to go back home after it breaks?"

"Curses aren't that simple!" Belle argues angrily. "There's no way to predict how they'll turn out and considering how long this one went on for, we're lucky we have our memories back at all!"

"And he doesn't know how to fix this?" The same person asks angrily.

Belle feels her anger rising and her eyes look up to the ceiling, where the lights were starting to flicker. She needs to calm down. "No." She deadpans. "The only thing he was sure of was how the curse would be broken. Everything afterwards was too hazy for him to make out." She lets out a long breath. "Listen I understand your longing to go home, but until we figure out how to get back, you're just going to have to trust that we're working on it."

"How could you possibly be working on a way to get back? He left town and left you to what? Take care of us? Protect us from whatever Regina has planned? What can you do?"

"I'm afraid, at the moment, I'm all you got." Belle responds angrily.

"Then we're all fucked." Gaston states.

"This coming from the man who had been turned into a rose for nearly four years?" Belle scoffs. "So are you actually offering to protect us?"

"Belle!"

She bites her tongue. Geppetto was staring at her, as if hurt. Belle bows her head in shame. She was being rude. "I'm sorry Geppetto." She turns back to Gaston. "But I can handle myself against that woman."

"I can handle myself against you too if you'd like."

She's losing control, fast.

"Belle?" Ruby asks in concern, placing a hand gently on Belle's shoulder.

"I need some air." Belle murmurs, jumping out of her seat and racing out of the diner. She sits at one of the tables outside, but she can still hear the murmuring inside.

"It's all bark and no bite."

"What are we going to do?"

"It's only a matter of time before the Queen comes after all of us again."

"I want to go home."

Belle covers her ears and shakes her head, but it's no use, she can still hear the bickering inside. An arm suddenly wraps around her in a hug and Belle opens her eyes and sees Geppetto, Ruby, Jiminy, and Granny looking at her in concern.

"Belle, are you alright?" Geppetto asks. All of them sit down in the chairs nearest to her.

Belle still isn't able to look him in the eyes after watching Pinocchio turn back into wood, but she can't help but return his hug and cling to him, just as she did long ago. Ruby smiles warmly at her and rubs her back. "I'm sorry Belle." She murmurs. "I didn't think they'd freak out on you like that."

"What is it dear? What's wrong?" Granny asks, concern laced in her voice.

"They've been gone less than a day and I'm already panicking." She cries. "This is pathetic, especially since they could be gone for another few months."

"What's causing you to panic? The town?" Geppetto asks.

Belle looks at him warily. Geppetto was like a father to her. She looks around and gazes at the concerned stares the others were giving her. There was no way she would be able to keep her secret from the four of them. "I…I need to tell you all something." She murmurs, breaking free from their grasps.

She tells them everything, the real reason she has the mark on her arm, the reason they can't go home, at least not anytime soon, and the reason Rumple left town. When he finishes they're all looking at her mouths agape.

After nearly a full minute Geppetto smiles warmly at her and hugs her tightly. "It's okay."

Belle looks around and the others are nodding in agreement. She starts crying again. "Thanks guys, truly." She smiles, wiping away the tears. "Rumple warned me that I wouldn't be able to hide my power when I gained his half, but I didn't expect to actually end up telling you guys myself."

"Yeah, it's probably best you don't let the rest of the town know." Ruby notes, gesturing back into the diner. "I mean if they freaked out that much about you not knowing a way back home, can you imagine how they'd react if they knew you had the Dark One's power?"

"Trust me Ruby, I know." Belle laughs. "I'm glad the four of you are alright with it."

"You've been hiding it for months dear, not the full extent of course, but I have yet to see a difference in you." Granny states. "As far as I'm concerned, you have it under control."

"I hope you're right." Belle sighs. "And if it comes down to it, I'll just have to hide in the woods for a while until I do get control over it." They all laugh and Belle wipes away the last of her tears, before kissing Geppetto's cheek and standing up. "I'm sorry, but I really should get going, I have to take a look at that potion at least once today."

"Right." Ruby nods. "Good luck with that and don't worry about them-" She nods towards the diner again. "We'll just let them know that you didn't feel like listening to them any longer."

"Thanks." Belle waves back at them. "I'll talk to you guys later." With a final glance at the four of them. Belle waves her hand and disappears.

"Gold, you realize this is like a wild goose chase?" Emma states. The three of them had woken up to a sunny day in Manhattan and were sitting outside in the Hotel's restaurant and were having breakfast. After Rumplestiltskin explained to her the plan, Emma can't quite believe how long this could actually take. "You realize how many apartment buildings are in this one area alone?"

"It can't be helped Miss Swan." He argues. "The only clue we got is that my son is in somewhere in this city."

"Really does not help us much." Emma sighs, leaning back in her chair and taking a huge swig of her coffee.

"I think it'll be fun." Henry pipes up, wolfing down his stack of pancakes. "It's like a giant game of hide and seek."

"See-" Rumple gestures to Henry. "Your boy is all for it." Emma gives him a look, one that reminds him of Belle and, surprisingly, his first wife Milah. He wonders vaguely if all women have the same look of annoyance, before continuing. "Look why don't you and Henry go wander off one way and I'll go another? We can meet up in central park for lunch or something."

"Now hang on." Emma argues, finally sitting upright in her seat. "Wasn't the point of me coming along was to help you out in this world? What if you do find him and he runs from you?"

"Then I simply call you and let you know where he lives."

"Splitting up isn't really going to help anything." Emma tries pointing out.

"You helped me deal with the flight, and for that I'm grateful, but we can cover more ground if we split up." Rumple argues, taking a final sip of his coffee.

"We're going to be here for a while huh?" Henry notes.

"I'm afraid so." Rumple cocks his head once and smirks. He would never admit it, but he wants Henry to have a good time. Henry would have a better time spending it alone with his mother then walking around with him.

"Cool." Henry grins.

"Cool?" Emma asks him in surprise.

"Well, yeah. A trip with my mom, with no telling how long it will last? Cool." Henry explains with excitement in his voice.

Emma only laughs and shakes her head. "Fine, what's your son's name again?"

"Baelfire, but here he's known as Neal." He can almost see Emma tense up. He narrows his eyes in confusion. "Belle gives me the same look whenever that name comes up, am I missing something?"

"Let's just say I tell your wife too much." Emma growls, taking another sip of her drink and standing up. "Alright, are you ready to get going, which route would you like to take?"

"I suppose, whichever route you don't." He remarks, standing up.

Emma groans. "This is going to be a hell of a trip."

"Now there's something the two of us can agree on."

Rumplestiltskin is sitting on one of the huge benches in central park, regretting sitting down, not sure if he could get back up. Emma was right. It's only been a few hours, but he's realizing that this was going to take a long time, unless they somehow manage to get lucky. He had about another twenty minutes before Emma and Henry would meet up with him, so he decides to take a chance and pull out his phone.

She picks up on the first ring. "Hello?"

"Belle?"

"Rumple! How's everything going?"

"Not…great, but we're trying." He sighs. "Is everything alright over there?"

"Of course."

He can hear the lie in her voice. "Belle." He warns.

He hears her sigh."I think the town's mad at me but it's hardly my fault they don't trust me. To them, I'm just the oddball, who ended up falling in love with the most notorious man in all the realms."

"What happened?" He asks cautiously, knowing how mad she could get.

"Nothing." She states. "Look, it's no big deal Rumple, I can handle it."

"You're sure?"

"Positive."

"I'm sorry they're giving you such a hard time, but it isn't as if the topic is new." He points out. "Every time either of us see any of them, our relationship comes up."

"I know." Belle laughs. "It's so dumb, but the choices I make are my own and I don't care what anyone else thinks." She pauses, as if thinking. "You know, you would think I wouldn't have to explain this to people anymore."

"The people of this town will never get over it, you know that." He remarks, surprising himself when he manages to stand back up. "Besides, you know we're the town's favorite topic of discussion."

"It's still bloody annoying."

"The amount of times you've used that word lately is almost funny." He laughs.

"What can I say, you're rubbing off on me."

"I'm almost sorry." He jokes and he can almost imagine her sticking her tongue out at him. "And I'm afraid all I can say on the topic of the town is good luck."

"Thanks, good luck on your end too."

"I love you."

"I love you too Rumple." She hangs up. He can't help but smile.

"Well someone's in a better mood then when we got off the plane."

Rumplestiltskin looks up and sees Emma and Henry standing in front of him. "I'm simply relieved to have both feet back on the ground." He replies simply.

"I'm not, the plane ride was fun." Henry smiles broadly. "I never asked, are we flying back as well?"

"Yes Henry, we are." Emma can't help but laugh.

Rumplestiltskin just shakes his head and takes his bag from Henry, who had picked it up from the ground. "Are you ready to get going?" He asks.

"Yeah, I'm exhausted from chasing this one around all morning." Emma states, gesturing to Henry. "Can we just grab something to eat and head back to the hotel for a nap?"

"I was going to suggest the same thing." Rumple laughs. "Actually, I think I passed a café not to too far from here, if you'd like to try it out."

"Sounds good." Emma nods. Henry takes her hand and the three of them make their way through the park.

Nearly a month passes and the three of them are once again at the restaurant having breakfast and Emma was leaning over the table marking off all of the places they had checked the day before on the map Rumple had brought. "This is ridiculous." She finally groans and falls back into her seat.

"Belle and I warned you it would be." Rumple notes taking a sip of his coffee and keeping an eye on Henry, who was at the buffet. "It's funny, you like to complain about this, but are you really all that upset about having a little time to yourself and Henry? Getting away from Storybrooke and all our problems? Not having to deal with your parents trying to make up for lost time? No Regina fighting you for Henry's attention?" Emma gives him a look and he only laughs. "Come on Miss Swan, it wasn't hard to tell that you were uncomfortable in town."

"Don't tell me that's why you brought me?" Emma asks in disbelief.

"I brought you because you owed me a favor and Belle didn't want me coming alone." He states.

She glares at him a moment but finally sighs "For the record I still don't know how to feel about any of this. I spent my whole life already not believing in any of this, now I'm literally living it." She shakes her head and sighs deeply. "You're right though, I needed a break, and even if it is helping you do something…thanks."

"This is you repaying me Miss Swan, nothing more."

Emma scoffs. "If that's what you want me to believe, fine." She looks at the map again. "I'll probably keep asking you this, but is this really all we have? A map with a huge red circle drawn around the center of Manhattan? Are you even sure your son is here?"

"Pinocchio told Belle, who in turn told me." Rumple informs her. "Apparently, the puppet and Bae were decent friends and lived together for a while here in this city."

"Well damn, it's too bad August turned back into wood or he could've just told us what apartment building your son is in." Emma smiles weakly. "I am sorry about that by the way."

Rumple shakes his head. "While I don't have a problem with the puppet, he was closer to Belle." He glances at the map. "Besides, as Belle has stated several times before, it was his own fault. She hates that it happened, but she knows it was his own fault."

"Alright, then explain this." Emma leans over the table and gestures to the map. "How is it, the two of you had a couple of months to plan this out and all you have is a red pen marking where he could be?"

"We were busy with other things." He argues. "Trying to map out the exact building my son could be living was, surprisingly, not my first priority. We knew the general area of where he could be and that was fine for the moment."

"Yes, and in those two months, no one saw much of the two of you." Emma notes. "What could you have possibly been doing?"

"You really want to know the answer to that?" He smirks.

Emma seems to realize what she had asked and shakes her head quickly. "No! No, I really don't need to hear it." He opens his mouth again and she throws a piece of bacon at him. "I just said I didn't want to know!"

He shrugs and eats the bit of pork. "We were busy training, if you really must know."

"Training? Training for what?" Henry asks, wandering back over and sitting down. Rumplestiltskin watches Emma's face dawn in recognition. "Your mother already knows, but Belle is now in possession of the Dark One's power." Rumple informs him.

"All of it?" Henry asks in surprise.

"It was the only way I could cross the town line and keep my memories." He explains and looks at Emma again. "Most of our time was spent training her, so that when she gained all my power she wouldn't lose control, and in a town like ours it could happen far too easily."

"What do you mean?"

"The threat of Regina is still an option seeing as things didn't really go her way." He rubs his forehead. "And for nearly three months now Belle's been having the same nightmare." He sighs deeply. "Before you ask, it involves someone coming into town and killing a citizen every night."

"That sounds…awful." Emma has a hard time swallowing her food. "Are your dreams, usually, you know, right?"

"A recurring dream like the one she's having, yes."

"So that's the real reason she stayed." Emma notes.

"Yes it is."

"The two of you really don't know how to be married do you?"

"Apparently not." He snaps

"Guessing not the first time you've been told this?"

"No." He states, and sighs deeply. "The two of us were never going to be a normal couple though, I don't really see how it's that much of a surprise."

"I think it's more that people are worried about Belle." Emma explains. "I mean, honestly, no offense, but since the two of you got married it's just been one thing after another. The two of you crashing just at the town line the day you got married, her being sent to live under the hospital for ten years, reuniting and getting married again, the curse breaking, Belle gaining half your power and nearly setting the mayor's office on fire-"

"That was an accident." Rumplestiltskin remarks quickly. "I was arguing with Regina and Belle lost control."

"I get it." Emma assures him. "I'm just stating that ever since…the very beginning, the two of you haven't really had a chance to…be a couple?"

"We got married, knowing that we wouldn't be normal." Rumplestiltskin points out. If you're referring to-" He gazes at Henry a moment. "Sleeping together, we do that plenty." Emma gives him a look of disbelief. "And if you're talking about starting a family, we can't."

Both Emma and Henry stare at him in surprise.

"You can't?" Henry asks sadly.

Rumplestiltskin blinks at that. They're actually concerned about that? Belle's never really talked to him about wanting a child of their own. In fact she's assured him, on several counts, that she's fine with having Pinocchio. "Listen-" He murmurs, almost nervously. "You were there in the hospital when the curse broke and Belle gained my power. In that instant Belle lost most of her humanity and is unable to conceive."

"I'm sorry." Emma finally murmurs.

"It was her choice." Rumple argues. "I was against the blood exchange ceremony from the start, but she knew what she was getting herself into and accepted the terms." He realizes how that sounds. "For the record, it was not a deal I wanted to do."

The two of them stare at here for a long time, before Emma sighs and leans back in her chair, setting her feet on the table. "Fine, there's no way I'm getting in the middle of your business. Where do you want to start today?"

"Why don't we just continue where we left off yesterday?" He suggests.

"I don't know." Emma bites her lip and stares at him. "I really don't like you going off on your own. Rosie asked me to look after you and though you keep assuring me that nothing happened, how do I know that something won't happen today?"

He sighs again. "Miss Swan, are we going to have this argument every morning? Look, I think I can handle myself okay?"

"You nearly beat a guy up at the airport because he made a rude comment." Emma states, crossing her arms.

"Would you rather be here six months or four?" He argues. She actually laughs and he continues. "C'mon, you've been in New York nearly a month with your boy no curses, no evil queen, just try and enjoy yourself a bit."

"Yeah Emma it'll be fun." Henry jumps up and takes her arm. "We can go and find that toy shop again!"

Emma finally stands up and looks at Rumplestiltskin sternly. "Just…please be careful, Rosie will literally kill me if something happens to you."

"Belle doesn't have the heart to kill someone, but I do see your point." He laughs and takes another sip of his drink. "I'll be fine, I'll call you later."

"See you." Emma waves and wanders out of the restaurant with Henry. "Oh, and Gold!" Emma calls back.

"What is it Miss Swan?"

"We're going to find your son, I promise."

He smiles and finishes his drink.

This city is bloody ridiculous Rumplestiltskin continues to realize, leaning against the wall of the apartment building he had just left. He had just gotten a text from Emma asking him to meet the two of them at some restaurant because Henry was starving and wanted to meet up. Rumplestiltskin had a feeling Emma was the one hungry. He didn't care, he's just about had enough of this city. He pulls out his phone and calls Belle, before pushing himself off the wall and heading down the street.

As always, she answers on the first ring. "Hey Rumple, how's it going?"

"I hate this city."

"That bad?" She asks a bit of humor in her voice.

"Yeah, that map does not do this place justice, it's huge."

"Well we knew it was going to take a while." Belle points out sadly.

Rumple narrows his eyes and tries to listen to the background. "Belle, what are you doing?" He asks. "I can tell you're muting the background so I can't hear anything."

He hears her sigh deeply. A few moments later he hears a faint voice in the background, whining. "Bluebird, can we go?"

"Is that-?" Rumple blinks in surprise. "Is that Jefferson?"

"Hey, I told him I would try and visit as often as I could." She replies and he can almost hear a hint of groaning in her voice. "Though, I didn't expect him to just show up at our house with no warning." She hisses. "Jefferson, stop!"

He hears something crash in the background and laughs. "You know, I did warn you about him."

"Yes you did." She laughs lightly. "But I care for him all the same." He can practically hear the smile in her voice. "Anyways-" She continues. "How is it actually going?"

"We're trying, and as strange as it sounds, I trust Emma."

"That's not odd, I'm sure Emma's trying her best even if she is trying to have some fun with Henry as well." Belle smirks and he stays quiet. She sighs. "Rumple, I'm sorry, I know it can't be easy for you to be around other people this long, and I know you didn't want them going in the first place."

"You made me bring them!" He argues.

"Do you regret it?"

He pauses, but finally sighs deeply. "No, I don't." He admits. "But, it's like I said." He shrugs. "It's going better than I thought it would. Emma's actually a very interesting woman. I can't say I like a lot of the things she's done, but really, who am I to talk?" He hears her laugh. "It hasn't really been easy to talk with Henry around either, but the boy is quite bright for his age and knows how to interrupt and steer the conversation in a different direction."

"I told you he was a smart kid."

"You did."

"Anyways, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

He's about to reply when he sees Emma and Henry through the crowd of people. Henry is eating something and holding his mother's hand. Emma is smiling down at her son, before catching Rumple's eye and waving once at him. He finds himself waving back at her and blinks in surprise before focusing back to his phone. "I'm sorry Belle, didn't catch that."

"What?" He hears her and something he can't quite catch in the background. "No I was, damn it Jefferson-I'm sorry, I have to go Rumple. I'll talk to you later, okay?" Belle hangs up and with a flick of her wrist, closes the wardrobe Jefferson had been just about to open. She breathes a sigh of relief and leans back in her vanity table's chair. "What were you even trying to-gods!" She looks at him and actually falls back in her seat. "Why in the seven hells, are you naked!?"

"I thought I'd see what's in your husband's closet." He shrugs. "I was wondering if he wore anything other than suits."

"Why?" She shakes her head in annoyance and throws him a blanket. "Why did you have to be naked for that?"

"Well, I was hoping that you would still be on the phone with your husband, when you realized I was naked and screamed at me."

"Do you have a death wish?" Belle asks in disbelief. "You know he wouldn't think I was cheating on him." She shakes her head. "Especially not with you!"

"No." Jefferson laughs, wrapping the blanket around himself and sitting down near the window. "I thought it might give him the push he needs to come home."

Belle smiles warmly and snaps her fingers once, causing his clothes to reappear on his body. She wonders vaguely why she hadn't done that in the first place, but shakes her head. "Thank you Jefferson, but he left for a reason and I'm not letting him return until he finds his son."

"How very…Belle of you."

Belle scoffs and crosses her arms. "Aren't you in town to do the same thing? To find your daughter?"

"I came because you said we could hang out every once and a while." Belle hears the nervousness in his voice and they both end up moving over to sit on the large canopy bed.

"No you didn't." She lays her head on his shoulder. "She wants to see you too you know, Grace."

"I left her."

"You thought you could give her a better life!" Belle argues and with a wave of her hand a crudely drawn photo of Jefferson. "And she is looking for you." Belle insists, handing the picture to him.

A moment later Belle sees teardrops falling onto the paper. He's crying. Belle smiles weakly and rubs his shoulders the same way she does for Rumplestiltskin when he's upset. "Now, are you ready to see your daughter?" She asks gently. He nods vigorously and the two of them stand up, before Belle teleports them into town.

"You are a good father Jefferson." Belle assures him, as the two of them make their way through town and towards the bus stop, where they knew Grace would end up.

"You really must be getting good at this kind of thing." Jefferson notes.

Belle blinks rapidly in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Convincing people they're good parents." He explains, taking her hand in comfort. "Isn't that why Rumplestiltskin left in the first place?"

"True, but it doesn't mean I'm any good with advice." Belle almost laughs, resting her head on his shoulder. "I just don't like seeing broken families looking for one another, it breaks my heart."

"Well, it's not going to be any easier when you realize that your child wants nothing to do with you." Jefferson murmurs, sadly.

"Grace wants to find you!" Belle argues.

"I wasn't talking about Grace."

Belle clenches her other hand tightly and takes a deep slow breath, before answering. "When they do find Bae, I'm prepared to help him in whatever way I can." He opens his mouth, but she gives him a look. "Yes, I know I'm not actually there with him, but if Rumple needs to talk to me, he knows I'm just a phone call away."

"Well, if he's anything like I am at the moment he'll physically need you there."

"You panicking?"

"A bit." Jefferson is now holding her hand to the point where it is turning white, as they see the school bus turning the corner.

Belle closes her eyes a moment and sends a cloud of serenity to surround Jefferson in order for him to calm down.

"Bluebird? What are you doing?"

"Helping you to calm down." She argues, opening her eyes. "Do you really want to see you daughter, for the first time in gods knows how long, and start off by having a heart attack?"

"I wouldn't-"

"Well you're damn well near having a panic attack." She states. "You need to calm down."

"Since when have you had cat eyes?" He comments suddenly.

She curses softly. "I still can't get that under control." He actually laughs. Belle merely sighs and closes her eyes. "Better?" She asks, opening her eyes back up.

"Yeah." He smiles. "What causes them to do that?"

"I don't have control over the power yet." She explains. "Rumple said he went through the same thing for a while."

Jefferson looks at her in surprise. "You're telling me Rumplestiltskin had problems with the power?"

"We all start off as beginners." She argues, pushing him gently, and laughing. Belle looks past Jefferson and sees that the bus had stopped. Belle gestures to the bus. "Look, they're getting off, which one is Grace?"

"I don't-" Belle feels Jefferson clench her hand again and she looks up to see a young girl with dark blonde hair, and brown eyes, jump off the bus, laughing with her friend. "Go to her." Belle pushes him.

"I…I can't." He shakes his head and backs up into her. "I can't. Let's just go back to your place and-"

Belle silences him with a flick of her wrist. "Jefferson, stop." She growls, letting go of his hand and nearly shoving him towards the street. "Go to her."

He looks at her a moment, before taking a deep breath and walking out into the street. "Grace." He calls out weakly. Grace stops, but in a way that Belle knows Grace simply thinks she heard her name being called, but isn't sure. "Grace!" Jefferson calls out, nearly screaming this time.

Grace turns around her eyes wander around until they land on Jefferson. Belle sees him tense up. "Papa!?" Grace calls out in excitement and races over, barreling into her father. Belle leans against the wall of a building and can't help but smile at the display. Both father and daughter were crying and holding one another as if they would never be able to let go. Belle had a feeling Jefferson wouldn't. "Papa you found me." Grace cries. "I knew you would."

"Grace, I am so, so sorry for what I put you through." Jefferson rubs her hair.

"I was beginning to worry you wouldn't make it back to me."

"I got trapped Grace, trapped in a different land, but I'm here now, and I will never lose you again."

"Promise?"

"Promise." He states, letting go and kissing her forehead. "I love you Grace.

Grace is still crying and hugs her father again. "I love you too Papa."

"I told you it would all work out." Belle walks over and puts a comforting hand on Jefferson's shoulder, before kneeling down to their level and holding out her hand to Grace. "Hello, I'm Belle, it's nice to meet you Grace."

Grace takes her hand and smiles warmly. "You're…the Dark One's wife, right?" She asks curiously. "My parents, well my adoptive parents, warned me to stay away from you."

Belle actually laughs at that. "I'm sure they did, did they happen to tell you why?"

Grace nods, and stares in awe at the mark on Belle's hand. "They told me it's because you're married to the Dark One." She replies, tracing it all the way up to Belle's neck with her eyes. "Wow! What on earth kind of tattoo is this?"

"It-" Belle looks at Jefferson. "It protects me from danger. I mean, my husband isn't exactly a well-liked man and there are people who could try to use me to their advantage." She crosses her arms in confusion. "Wait, if they don't want you talking to me, then why are you?"

Grace gestures to Jefferson. "If Papa is hanging out with you, how bad could you be?" She shrugs. "Besides, as far as I know, you haven't done anything like he has, so why are people so afraid of you?"

Belle turns to face Jefferson. "See, this is why kids are easier to handle. They don't ask questions, they just accept something and move on."

Jefferson simply looks at her, not with pity but with sadness. "I'm sorry." He murmurs, as he wraps his arms around Grace again.

"For what?" Belle asks curiously.

"You know for what."

Belle can't look him in the eye. Of course she knows what he means, it must've been written all over her face. The damn conversation she had with Regina before Rumplestiltskin left continues to snake its way into her head. "I've accepted it." She states.

"Does your heart know that?"

"Just-" Belle sighs deeply, curling her hands into tight fists by her sides. "Just stop, please." She looks him in the eyes. "I've made my choice."

"One you can live with?"

Belle takes a deep breath and smiles. "Yes."

"…Fine." He finally nods his head and hugs Belle tightly, before letting her go and taking Grace's hand again. "Are you ready to go home Grace?"

"Yes Papa." Grace smiles warmly up at him.

"Now hold on a moment." Belle argues. "Shouldn't you at least talk to Grace's adoptive parents first?"

"Of course Bluebird, I'm not that heartless." Jefferson gives her a look of mock hurt.

Belle gives her a glare and Grace speaks up. "Actually, besides needing to pick up my stuff, they're already okay with me leaving. After the curse broke they realized that I wanted to find my papa. If I leave I know they'll be okay."

"Please, just do me one favor." Belle asks. Grace looks at her curiously. "Don't let this be a final goodbye. They may not be related to you by blood, but they did raise you as if you were their own. Please just don't let this be the last time you talk to them. I know you were happy there."

"…What happened?"

Belle smiles at her. Smart girl. "I lost my son to a spell. I didn't spend enough time with him and I regret it, but times I did spend with him were some of the happiest moments of my life.

"You're right." Grace laughs lightly. "I had a lot of fun with my adoptive parents." She jumps up and hugs Belle tightly. "Seriously, I don't understand why people are afraid of you, you're really nice."

Belle laughs. "Thank you Grace." She lets go of Belle and runs back over to Jefferson. "Now the two of you should really get going you need to let your parents know the good news.

Grace nods her head in excitement. "Right." She takes her father's hand again. "And I promise to keep in touch with them Belle."

"Thank you, I know they'll appreciate it."

Jefferson looks at her again and lets go of Grace, before throwing his arms around Belle. "We'll find a way to bring Pinocchio back." He murmurs, kissing her forehead.

"I know." Belle smiles and gently pushes him away. "Now go and deal with your daughter's adoptive parents and let me go and talk to my son."

He sticks his tongue out at her and takes his daughters hand again, before waving to Belle and walking down the street. Belle laughs and watches them disappear around the corner before turning around and heading to Granny's inn.

Her arm is prickling again, as she says hello to Granny and makes her way up the stairs. Something doesn't feel right. It was as if a bucket of ice water was being poured on her, every step she takes. The Dark One's power had an annoying habit of letting her know when something wrong. Belle reaches Pinocchio's room and pulls out the key Granny had graciously given her after the curse had broken. She opens the door slowly to see that the room was bare.

Pinocchio was gone!

And we've reached the end of chapter 2. I am enjoying this immensely, this is turning out pretty well so far and I kinda like the long chapters, it gives me more time to put in what I want. Anyways, hope you're all enjoying Turning Tides so far. Also, I want to apologize for the long updates between chapters, there really isn't anything I can do, but I am sorry.