Chapter 4
The atmosphere in the room was making Rumplestiltskin nauseous, but he could hardly believe it. He was looking at his son, his grown up son, who, at the moment, was staring at his own son in surprise.
Henry faces Emma and then turns to Neal. "No…you told me my father was a fireman who had died."
"Henry-"
"…This my son?"
Emma isn't able to look any of them in the eye and curls her hands into fists. "…Yes." She had already blurted out the truth a moment earlier, so there was no point in trying to hide. The man-Neal covers his mouth with his hand and starts shaking. Henry gives his mother an incredulous look and runs out onto the fire escape. Rumple opens his mouth, to stop Henry, but Emma continues. "Better question-"She crosses her arms. "Why the hell have you been following us?" He looks at her. "Do not give me that damn look. I know it was you."
"I followed you." Neal starts explaining, surprising the two of them when he doesn't try to deny it. "I-look! I moved here several years ago, after constantly moving from city to city…trying to find you-"
Emma scoffs. "You allowed me to take the blame for the watches and were willing to let me rot in jail!"
"I don't think I tried to find you." He argues. "I simply moved around a lot unintentionally." He crosses his arms and nearly glares at her. "Imagine my surprise one day, when I pass the hotel I walk past every day for work, and I see you with a young boy and…my father."
Emma puts her hand on her head in disbelief and curses softly. "This isn't happening…this is not happening."
"I had to follow you." Neal continues. "I knew that when Pinocchio left, my father would show up eventually, but I didn't expect to see you again Emma."
"You realize you're repeating yourself now?" Emma points out.
"I'm just as surprised as you are Emma. Look, I don't know what to say." He argues. "I follow you around for weeks trying to figure out a way to talk to you and ask what's going on." He gestures to Rumplestiltskin. "Why the hell are you here with him?" He asks and puts his hands together to cover his mouth. "Please, please tell me he didn't drag you here as part of a deal?"
Emma bites her lip and turns to Rumplestiltskin briefly. "I…sort of." She murmurs. "But-!" She interrupts before Neal can say anything. "Look it's not a big deal, it's really not I…I made the decision to make a deal with him in order to help another girl out."
"It really wasn't." Rumplestiltskin notes.
"I'm trying to help you out here." Emma nearly snaps.
"I'm not lying anymore." Rumplestiltskin states, moving pass Emma and gesturing his hand to her. "Look Miss Swan, I appreciate your help, but I can't do this anymore." He faces his son. "Bae-"Neal glares. "Neal." He corrects and opens his mouth, just as his stomach growls in warning.
Damn-of all the times.
"Excuse me I have to use the restroom." Rumplestiltskin growls and leaves the room.
Emma and Neal watch him leave the room and glare at one another. Neal opens his mouth to say something, but Emma cuts him off. "Just, stop okay? There's nothing you can say to me that will convince me to forgive you."
"I get it." He holds his hands up in defense. Emma gives him a look and wanders into the kitchen in order to get something to drink. "That doesn't mean I'll stop trying." He murmurs.
The phone on the table begins ringing and out of instinct, Neal answers it. "Rumple?" Neal hears an unfamiliar voice at the other end.
This wasn't his phone.
"Rumple?" He hears again. A pause. "Baelfire?" Neal quickly hangs up the phone and tosses it back on the table. Who in the hell was that?
"What's with you?" Emma asks him, walking back into the room and handing him a glass of water.
"Nothing." He shakes his head and raises an eyebrow at the water. "I thought you were mad at me."
"I am." She states." But I figured you were thirsty."
"Thanks." He takes it from her. She only nods her head and falls down on the couch. "Are you alright?" He asks. She glares at him again and he simply falls down on the couch next to her.
Emma is about to open her mouth when Rumplestiltskin walks back into the room, just as his phone goes off again. Neal leans forward, grabs the phone and tosses it to his father.
"Hello?" Rumplestiltskin answers it, giving Neal a confused glance. "Yes…yes, yeah give me a minute." He pulls the phone away and turns to Neal and Emma. "I'm going…I'm going to step out a moment, I'll be right back."
"Watch yourself." Emma calls after him. Rumplestiltskin gives her a look and she simply waves once as he leaves.
Neal had watched the exchange between them and gives her an incredulous look. "You and him seem to get along disturbingly well." He notes.
"I know it sounds stupid but in some odd way…I trust him." Emma laughs, putting her feet up on the table. "Well-"She cocks her head. "There's a reason I trust him, but I'm not going to go into that."
"You really shouldn't you know."
She laughs again. "He tells me the same thing."
"Then listen to him!"
Emma pats his knee and stands up. "I'm going to go check on Henry." She laughs and wanders out the fire escape.
Neal groans and covers his face with his hands. What the hell had he gotten himself into? He suddenly hears Emma shuffle back into the room and slam the window shut.
"Henry's not out there!"
"What?" He stands up. "Where do you think-?"
Emma shakes her head. "I don't know, I don't know, we have to find him!"
"Emma!" Neal grabs her shoulders, not knowing what else to do. "We'll find him alright, let's go." Emma simply nods her head and quickly follows Neal out of the apartment.
"I'm sorry, sorry; I called at a really bad time didn't I?" Belle asks.
Rumplestiltskin had just left the apartment building and was walking down the street. "Belle, Belle, it's fine." He assures her. "We found him, we found Bae but I…I don't know what to do." He admits nervously.
"Rumple-"
"I'm happy." He insists. "I'm happy we found him really and, as I'm sure you're aware, Henry…is my grandson."
Nothing.
"I'm going to assume, by your silence that you already knew this." He continues sighing.
"…Yes."
"You sound disappointed."
"I was hoping Pinocchio was lying to me."
"Belle, why would he lie to you?" Rumple shakes his head. "You're the one person he would probably never lie too."
"I know but-"She pauses. "Look, I know you should be the one most…surprised by this news but I don't know it's weird." She sighs. "You realize that in some way we're both now related to Regina? I mean, at one point I thought Regina was your daughter-I know she's not." She states quickly, before he can say anything. "But after you told me about Cora…I don't know, I just thought-"
"I-"Rumplestiltskin pursed his lips in thought. "I can see how you reached that conclusion, at one point." He sighs. "Belle, I assure you she's not, and even if Cora were still around, you know I wouldn't be with her."
"Rumple I know." She laughs. "I'm not jealous of how the two of you were. I'm just…worried at how Regina will take this news."
"It won't end well." Rumple notes. "Do you have your powers back yet?"
"I do not."
"I'm sure you're enjoying that."
"A bit."
He laughs. "Try not to tell her until you know you can take her in a fight."
"Rumple, I can already take her in a fight." Belle argues.
"A magic one?"
"Yeah…not so much." She laughs.
"Please don't push it."
"I promise." She laughs and it grows quiet. "So…what's he like? Your son?"
"Mad at me."
"Besides that." Belle insists. "We already knew he would be, and he did just find out he has a son of his own."
"Can't really argue with that."
"Rumple, you'll be fine." She assures him. "Just get a moment alone with him and if that doesn't work show him that you've changed."
"Have I though, really?"
"Yes!" She snaps. "Don't doubt yourself there Rumple, I know you've changed."
"Belle you know I-"A familiar jacket catches his eyes. "Henry?"
"What?" Belle asks.
"Hang on Belle I think I see-Henry!" He calls out. The boy turns around and, surprisingly, it is Henry and he does stop. "Hang on Belle, I'll talk to you later-"
"Try and behave in front of your grandson."
"Careful there or Henry will start calling you grandmother." Rumplestiltskin jokes and the line goes dead.
He shakes his head, just as Henry walks up to him. "What are you doing all the way out here Henry? Where's your mother?" He asks looking around.
"Not here." He murmurs. "I climbed down from the fire escape and ran off."
"Henry, why would you do something like that?"
"Because now even Emma's lying to me." Henry states angry. "I couldn't…I just had to get out of there."
"If you were trying to run away why did you stop when I called out your name?" Rumple asks curiously, placing a hand on his shoulder, and moving him closer to a building so they're not in the way of the people passing by. "You even came over to me."
"Well I'm not mad at you." Henry almost laughs, crossing his arms and leaning against the building. "Besides, this city…isn't exactly what I'm used to. Eleven year old kid running around on his own, probably not a very good idea."
"No, but as I've stated previously, I wouldn't be much help if something does happen." Rumplestiltskin points out.
"Still-"Henry shrugs. "Better to travel as a pair."
"Look if we're going for a walk-"Rumplestiltskin takes Henry's arm and pulls him in the direction of Neal's apartment. "We're going back the way we came. You know your mother's probably worried sick."
"She won't even know I'm gone." Henry argues, freeing himself.
"Look Henry, you don't even have to go back into the apartment, just be near so they don't worry."
"…Alright." Henry finally agrees.
They walk in silence for a while until Rumplestiltskin hears Henry's stomach growl. "Hungry?" He laughs and the awkward silence is broken.
"A bit." He admits.
"I suppose I did drag you and your mother to Bae-Neal's apartment this morning didn't I?" Rumple smirks and sees a hot dog vendor across the street. "Why don't I get you a hot dog? I've heard the ones from the vendors in New York are the best."
"They are!" Henry practically lights up, and quickly calms down. "Yes thank you Mr. Gold."
They cross the street and after a few moments Henry is loading his hot dog with every condiment that was available.
"Tell me, do you actually taste the hot dog, or do you just inhale all of it?" Rumple asks curiously, smirking.
"I like it this way." Henry pouts.
Rumplestiltskin simply laughs and shakes his head, as the two of them cross the street again and walk back towards the apartment. "Henry…why did you run off? You know it won't change anything."
"I know, I just…I needed time to think." Henry sighs.
"You couldn't have done that out on the fire escape?" Rumplestiltskin scratches the back of his head. "You know your mother is probably freaking out right now."
"I know, it's just…I've been lied to my entire life and I just thought I could trust my own mother but-"He pauses and takes another bite of his hot dog in frustration.
"Henry, your mother loves you." Rumple states. "The two of you breaking the curse proves that much, but I…understand where she's coming from, in regards to your father."
"What do you mean?"
Rumplestiltskin takes a deep breath. "Parents…want to protect their children to the best of their abilities, but sometimes don't know how. When Baelfire's mother ran off with a pirate I told him she had died because I thought it would hurt him less."
"But-"
"Our situations are not the same, I understand that, but I understand where Miss Swan is coming from." Rumplestiltskin argues. "Your father let your mother go to jail for something they did together, and while I blame Pinocchio…mostly, Neal was a fool."
"Like you, for letting him go?"
Rumplestiltskin only nods his head in agreement. "Alright, so we're both idiots, but I still can't blame your mother for lying to you about him." He argues. "She's probably been scared of running into him for years now."
"It's funny." Henry notes, as the two of them reach the apartment building. "Both you and your son are trying to apologize for something you did in the past."
"I suppose it is." Rumplestiltskin smirks, watching Henry throw away his wrapper. "Are you ready to go inside?" He asks, opening the door.
"No." Henry admits. "But I will anyways." Rumplestiltskin smiles briefly placing a hand on Henry's shoulder and walking inside.
The door was locked.
"You realize that means they're out looking for you?" Rumplestiltskin groans, leaning against the wall.
"I know, I know, I'm sorry!"
"You know, I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." He points out, pushing himself upright again and pulling out his phone. Henry avoids his eyes and Rumplestiltskin smirks, before dialing Emma's number.
"Gold!" Rumplestiltskin has to pull the phone away, as Emma screams out. "Glad you called, Henry's-"
"With me." Rumplestiltskin states quickly, before she can say anything else. "Look, I found him wandering around a few blocks from here, and now he's back at the apartment with me."
"Oh thank god!" He hears Emma sigh deeply. "Okay, we'll be back there in a bit."
He's about to talk when the line goes dead. "Well they're on their way." Rumplestiltskin smirks, putting the phone back in his jacket pocket.
"Is she mad?" Henry asks nervously.
"She probably will be." He warns him. "In the meantime-" Rumplestiltskin pulls out his kit. "You want to try breaking into the apartment again?"
"But won't they get mad if we break in?" Henry asks curiously.
Rumplestiltskin gives him an incredulous look. "Henry, you just tried to run away. I hardly think they'll care if you break back in."
"Okay, can I try it this time?"
"Of course." He smirks and takes out one of his tools, before handing it to Henry. "Here, let me teach you something I learned a long time ago."
The two of them had finally gotten in after Henry's seventeenth attempt, and he was sitting on the couch just as Henry returns from the kitchen and hands him a glass of water.
"Here."
"Thank you Henry."
"Where do you think they are?" Henry asks curiously, sitting down next to him, as Rumplestiltskin takes the glass from him.
"Well-" He notes, taking a sip of the water. "It depends on when they realized you were gone. They could be across town already, or-" The door flies open and Emma runs in with Neal right behind her. "They could be only a few blocks away." Rumplestiltskin finishes humor in his voice.
"Henry!" Emma breathes a sigh of relief and barrels into him.
"Mom I'm fine, besides you squeezing my insides to death, I'm sorry."
"Henry." Emma lets up a little, pushing away in order to look him in the face and run her fingers through his hair. "Henry, no, I should be the one apologizing, but why? Why would you run off? You scared the hell out of me."
"Miss Swan." Rumplestiltskin gets up. "I assure you-" He freezes as Emma moves away from Henry and throws her arms around him.
"Thank you." Emma lets go of him.
Rumplestiltskin blinks rapidly, still in shock. "Miss Swan-" He clears his throat, trying to get his heart rate back to normal. "It really was an accident, though I'm happy Henry's alright, I just happened to have run into him."
"Regardless." Emma states. "Thank you."
"Honestly, I'm more surprised he stopped when I called out to him."
"I wasn't mad at you." Henry argues again.
"Wasn't? So you are now?" Rumplestiltskin jokes.
"I'm not." Henry insists hurriedly. "I'm not mad at you-oh!" He realizes. "You're joking."
"You're getting better Henry."
Neal watches the exchange between the two and raises an eyebrow at Emma, but she was walking over to Henry again. "Henry I…I don't even know how to begin apologizing to you, I-"
"Mom, while I'm still mad at you, I get it…I think-" Henry turns to Rumplestiltskin. "What did you say to me earlier? Parents go to great lengths to protect their children, but don't always know how?"
Damn. Why did Henry have to drag him into this?
"Yes." Rumplestiltskin murmurs and his eyes flicker over to Neal. "Something like that."
"You-?" Emma turns to him in surprise.
"Yeah, I had a great talk with Grandpa." Henry smirks.
Rumplestiltskin gives him a look and Henry only laughs. "Don't push your luck kid." He growls, but can't hide his smirk. "I'm not ready to hear that from you yet."
"Fine, but what about when we get back and I start calling Be-"
"Don't." Rumplestiltskin states hastily. Henry gives him a curious look, but realizes he doesn't want Neal to know about Belle quite yet and purses his lips, shutting up.
Neal turns to Emma. "You mean to tell me he's close to both of you?"
"Look, whatever you knew about him at one point…he's changed." Emma bites her lip. "I mean, he's still a pain in the ass sometimes but-"
"Miss Swan, thank you, but I think I can speak for myself." Rumplestiltskin interrupts her and turns to face his son. He opens his mouth, but pauses, not knowing what to say. "Baelfire-"
"It's Neal."
"Neal." Rumplestiltskin corrects. "Neal I know there's nothing I can say that will ever lead you to forgive me, but I am sorry Neal, I truly am, and from the moment I let you go I've been trying to find a way back to you. I realize that Pinocchio-August." He corrects quickly. "Probably explained the curse to you, and you have even more of a right to be mad at me for the length I went to even have this chance to see you again." He pauses and turns to Emma. "To that extent, I just realize I should be apologizing to you too, if I hadn't created the curse, none of this would've happened to you."
Emma shakes her head. "It's been over three months since the curse broke Gold, I think I'm over it."
"And yet, I can tell you're not."
"I-" Emma pauses, looking at Henry. "I had a miserable life up until I was sixteen and thought I met the love of my life." She looks at Neal, who couldn't look at her. "Until he betrayed me and I was left on my own again with a child I couldn't take care of-sorry again." She looks at Henry. "And then my kid showing up on my twenty-eighth birthday and taking me to a, frankly insane town." She sighs. "Look, I've had a hard life, but I don't regret this last year. I'm having a hell of a time dealing with the fact I now have parents, and the fact that both you and Regina continue to drive me mad, I don't regret it. Honestly, I can't even see myself growing up in a castle, learning how to be a proper princess anymore. So Gold…it's really alright. I wish I could change my childhood, but because I met you-" She faces Neal again. "I got Henry, so I can't even regret meeting you. I'm still mad at you." She states quickly. "But I don't regret it."
"You realize all you would have to do is tell your parents all of this, and the three of you could stop with the awkwardness all of you seem to possess when together." Rumplestiltskin points out.
"...You're right." Emma bites her lip. "I really should call them huh?"
"You really should." He agrees. Emma merely nods her head once, before kissing the top of Henry's head and walking into the hall.
"I can't believe this." Neal scoffs again and looks at Rumplestiltskin. "I don't get you anymore. You are the type of person who only does something if there's something in it for you. You convince Henry to come back to the apartment, thank you by the way, and now I see you apologizing to Emma in an attempt to get her to realize that she needs to forgive her parents for leaving her."
"What can I say." He shrugs. "Over the years I got good at manipulating people, I had to be."
"But there wasn't any benefit in it for you by doing any of those things, unless-oh." He realizes. "You're trying to show me that you've changed."
"I am sorry…Neal, I truly am."
"No." Neal backs away. "I get it now. You got close to the person I regret losing and my son in order to make it look like you have changed."
"Neal, while I understand your anger, I really do, and I don't expect to be completely forgiven, if at all, but I didn't know Henry was your son, or that you knew Miss Swan from the past. One of the reasons they're here is to help me get around this city." Rumplestiltskin explains calmly.
"You made a deal with Emma though."
"After the curse broke I really didn't have any favors to ask of Miss Swan, if I hadn't been afraid of coming here, I probably would've never called the favor in."
"I don't believe that."
"I do." Henry pipes in. "Mr. Gold has everything he wants, besides you, and all he wanted from this was the chance to make it up to you and be able to talk to you."
"Henry, I don't think you quite-actually." Neal blinks. "I meant to ask about that. How the hell are you here without your powers?"
Rumplestiltskin subconsciously runs his hand over his wedding ring. "It's…in safekeeping."
"What does that even mean?"
"It doesn't matter." Rumplestiltskin insists. "Look, Neal, you know the only way to get rid of my power is-"
"To kill you with your dagger I know." He sighs and sits down in a chair. "I know that you can't die and it's not…I don't want you to, it's just-"
"You can't forgive me."
"I can't forgive you yet."
"Fair enough." Rumplestiltskin claps his hands together once, just as Emma walks back in. "Everything alright?" He asks.
"Yeah, Everything's fine." She smiles. "I think I can finally face my parents without wanting to hide, thanks."
"The town?"
Emma gives him a look. "The town is fine, didn't you get a call earlier?"
"I was dealing with your runaway son."
"I'm sorry." Henry cries out again and turns to Emma. "I really am sorry, I just needed time to think and I wasn't trying to cause you to worry I just-"
"Henry it's fine." Emma laughs, cutting him off and leaning against the wall. "Just…never do that to me again."
"Understood." He practically salutes.
"Alright well, I'm starving." Emma pushes herself off the wall. "You all want to go get something to eat? That is if-" She looks between Rumplestiltskin and Neal. "The two of you can do that?"
Before either of them can say anything- "Sure!" Henry jumps up catching Rumplestiltskin's eye and looking away quickly.
Rumplestiltskin only laughs and shakes his head. "Yeah, that sounds great, there's a place in Central Park I hear is really good."
"Yeah there is, it's not the easiest place to get to, but I'm sure we'll manage." Neal smirks, walking past Rumplestiltskin and patting him on the back. "Hey Henry." He leans down. "You want to race downstairs?"
"Yeah!" Henry states excitedly and walks out the door.
Neal laughs and stands back upright, before turning to Emma. "We'll meet the two of you downstairs?"
"Yeah." Emma smiles weakly and watches him leave.
"Are you alright?" Rumplestiltskin asks her, walking over.
"No." Emma answers honestly. "But this trip isn't about me." She looks at him. "How did it go? I assume, since he isn't yelling at you, the two of you have reached some kind of understanding."
"To an extent." Rumplestiltskin admits handing Emma her coat. "It's certainly better than it was before Henry ran off."
"Yeah, thanks for that by the way." Emma smiles warmly at him.
"It wasn't on purpose I assure you but I will do what I can to protect Henry Miss Swan, I promise."
"Because he's now your grandson?" She asks curiously.
"He's family." Rumplestiltskin states firmly. "And to some extent…you are too."
"Aww, don't tell me I'm under your protection too." She jokes.
"Only if you want it Miss Swan." He smirks before finally leaving the room. Emma just looks at the opposite wall in surprise, shakes her head, and closes the door behind them.
"Has it really been five months since we first spoke?" Belle asks her Echo. She was back in that room again talking with Echo and discussing their history together.
Honestly, it was a nice break from the damn nightmares.
"When was the first…Oh yeah! It was the night before your wedding." Belle recognizes it's laughing. "Well…technically, it was your second wedding."
"The second one was more of a renewal of our vows." Belle argues. "But yes, I suppose it was like a second wedding."
"Yes, what did I warn you about that first time?"
"You didn't warn me about anything the first time." Belle laughs. "All you did was introduce yourself and tell me I could come here whenever I was having a nightmare. The second time though-"
"I warned you about doing the blood exchange ceremony with Rumplestiltskin, then the time after that I warned you that as soon as the curse broke, you would have problems to deal with and I will continue to warn you until the time actually comes."
"You really don't have to go to the trouble." Belle argues. "This recurring nightmare of mine is already doing that for you."
"Are you scared?"
"A bit." She admits.
"As much as you were the day your blood exchange ceremony took effect?"
Belle laughs at that. "I'll never be as scared as I was that day in the hospital."
"No, I suppose you wouldn't be huh?" It comments "After all, when it did happen, you died."
Belle sighs in exasperation. "Why is it, whenever that incident comes up, both you and Rumple seem to bring that up?"
"We were scared Belle." It states. "We both love you and you scared the hell out of us that day."
"Have you ever, I don't know, talked to Rumple?" Belle asks in disbelief. "You seem to know him, well both of us, rather well."
"I haven't, but I do know I love the two of you."
"Because you're currently residing in my mind and Rumplestiltskin protects me?"
"He makes you happy, but yes, something like that." It laughs. "I'm just scared for the two of you and want you to be safe."
"This is about that damn prophecy isn't it?" Belle groans.
"You know about it then?"
"Yeah, I…accidently heard it while going through Rumple's stuff-not on purpose!" Belle explains hastily. "I've been trying to work on that memory potion of his and dropped a vial, which, apparently, held the voice of a seer telling him about a prophecy. Which, I'm afraid will come true very soon."
"It's already started coming true." It points out. "So you know-"
"That by the end of this whole thing four people will die, yeah." Belle sighs deeply and shakes her head. "I should've never suggested the blood exchange thing in the first place."
"It's not your fault you didn't know. Besides, because you did do the ceremony, there's a possibility you could all go back to the enchanted forest." It points out.
"But I don't understand what it's talking about Echo." Belle sighs deeply. "Look, I'll just have to talk to Rumple about it when he gets back."
"I'm sorry."
"Echo it's not-"Belle is suddenly dragged from the room and is staring into nothing. She immediately begins shaking, her fear of the dark creeping back up on her. "E…Echo?" She calls out nervously, holding her hands close to her chest. "Hello?" She hears somebody scream and blood is splattered all around her. Belle turns to run away, her hands covering her mouth to stop from screaming, when she falls into a seemingly endless puddle of what she hopes is water, but can smell the iron scent of blood, and feels nauseated. After finally stopping Belle, daring to open her eyes, sees Ruby lying dead in her own blood. Belle moves her hands up to her face to cover it and screams out; in her left hand was a bloody knife. Belle tosses the knife and moves to hug herself tightly in order to stop shaking so intensely, but finds she can't. A shadow of a person moves in front of her, holding the knife Belle had thrown and swings its arm to strike her with it-
Belle wakes up in a cold sweat and reaches for Rumplestiltskin, but finds the space empty. Belle throws the covers off and sits up to hug her knees tightly, still shaking. The nightmares were getting worse. She finally moves from the bed and has to bite her tongue in order to stop herself from crying. Pinocchio was still in the other room. The last thing she needed was to wake him up and have him come in, try to force her to call Rumple, and convince him come home. He was in New York for a reason and she wouldn't ask him to come home unless the situation was dire. Belle looks at the clock on the nightstand-4:00.
Damn.
There was no way she was getting back to sleep anytime soon. Belle sighs deeply and moves into the restroom in order to wash her face and lone tears begin streaming down her face at the loneliness of it all. She wipes them away quickly and shakes her head. She has to get out of here. Graham would listen to her. Belle steps out of the restroom, grabs her jacket, and walks over to the window. Still not wanting to wake Pinocchio up, Belle climbs out into the cool morning breeze and onto the rooftop. Grateful for her ability to see in the dark, she maneuvers around carefully, until finally being able to jump safely onto the grass in the backyard. Belle is about to walk through the gate leading into the front of the house, when she sees the lights from Pinocchio's room flip on. Cursing softly Belle turns around to see Pinocchio opening his window and giving her an incredulous look.
"Mother, what the hell are you doing?"
"…Trying not to wake you up." Belle murmurs.
"Are you seriously sneaking out of your own house?" He laughs, leaning against the window. "Jesus, what are you doing up this early?"
"Couldn't sleep." She lies quickly. The look he gives her shows her that he knows she's lying, but doesn't fight it. "Look, I'm sorry I woke you up."
He shakes his head. "It's fine, but how the hell did you manage to climb across the roof and get into the backyard without falling off?"
"It's a miracle." She jokes. "Can I go now?"
"Try to be home before noon."
"Who's the parent here?" She scoffs, but ends up laughing. "Go back to sleep Pinocchio." She gives him one last wave before walking through the front gate.
It's amazing how different the graveyard looks in the early morning Belle realizes, passing Regina's father's grave, and finally reaches Graham's. "I'm sorry I haven't been here in a few weeks Graham, it's been hell…" Tears begin streaming down her face. "I'm sorry." She wipes her eyes. "I shouldn't keep coming to you only when I have problems, but I don't know where else to go." Belle sits down and reads the headstone again.
'Stephen Graham. A beloved Sheriff and friend. Rest in peace.'
"I need help." Belle cries curling her hands into fists. "I need help, I'm sorry, but I can't keep doing this. The nightmares are getting worse and I'm getting more and more afraid of being alone." She sighs and sits down. "I know this is stupid, you're dead, and I really need to learn to accept that, but I can't. I loved you Graham. You were the best big brother someone could ever have, and I know, that if you were here you would know what to do. Well no, that's a lie, but you would at least know how to make me laugh."
A warm breeze passes through the graveyard and Belle turns around quickly, but sees nothing. She turns back around to the headstone. "Are you here?" She shakes her head. "Of course you're not." Belle looks around again, a part of her thinking he actually was here with her. "Do you want me to read you another story? I don't have my book with me, but I know my story by heart, if you're interested." A warm breeze passes through again. She laughs. "Alright, I'm going to take that as a yes." Belle lies down on her back and stares up, past the trees, to the half moon, before beginning her tale.
Belle wakes up groggily in the dirt, still lying by Graham's grave and rolling over to a snout in her face. Sitting up quickly Belle rubs her eyes and sees a wolf pup in front of her, simply staring. Belle backs up slowly but the wolf follows. Belle slowly reaches her hand out to grab something, anything that she could throw at it, but stops when she looks at its eyes.
One red and one blue.
Graham's wolf.
"That's not, this isn't…Graham?"
It just stares at her, with its tongue out, as if waiting for her to pet it. Belle moves her hand out to it, but it begins growling, so she recoils and scoffs. "If you want me to pet you, be nice." It looks at her again. She narrows her eyes and reaches her hand out to it again, finally petting its head. "There, see, we can get along." She laughs and the puppy climbs into her lap, resting its head on her knee. "What are you doing here?" She coos, scratching the back of its ears. It rolls over. "Who's a good boy?" She smiles, rubbing its belly. "Are you here to keep me company?" He barks. Belle looks at him curiously. "Is that a yes?" He barks again. Belle looks back at Graham's grave and hugs the wolf pup tightly. "Thank you Graham." Belle scratches his head again, just as she hears something crash in town. "What in the hell was that?" She wonders out loud and turns to the wolf again, who was growling. "C'mon." She gestures. "Let's go figure out what that was." It barks again and the two of them make their way out of the graveyard.
Belle and the wolf make their way into town and find a building reduced to rubble near Rumple's shop. It was still causing smoke so the fall was recent. "Hello?" Belle calls out, walking slowly over to the pile and picking up a stone. Why was there no one around? She wonders briefly. Something wasn't right here. The wolf pup wanders over to sniff at the pile and begins growling. Belle crouches down to pet it. "Go hide." She murmurs. "If I need you I'll whistle." She half expects the wolf to just stare at her, but it simply nods its head as if saying yes and runs off. "Hello?" Belle calls out again, after making sure the wolf had disappeared. "Regina? Anybody?"
"So I was right." Belle hears Regina's voice. "You don't have your magic anymore." She appears beside Belle. "Or you would've at least changed before showing up in the middle of town."
"What're you-?" Belle looks down at herself and tightens her jacket around herself. She was still in her, now dirty, nightgown. "I don't know what you're talking about." Belle clears her throat and gestures to the rubble. "What did you do Regina? I can't even recall what building this was."
"Guess who got a call this morning."
Shit.
"I don't know Regina, who?"
"My son." She states icily. "Or should I call him your grandson?"
Belle shivers, hearing that term. "He's still your son." She argues.
"You realize this makes us related?" Regina snaps.
"So you had a little temper tantrum on a building?" Belle scoffs. "Regina, it's not really that big of a deal."
"It is to me." Regina cries out. "All I want is Henry to think of me as his family and love me. First it was the Charming's, who I thought were bad enough, now I have the Imp and his wife?"
"I don't understand how that's such a big deal." Belle argues. "Isn't this a good thing? Henry will be protected by four of the most powerful beings in the realm."
"I don't want to share him. I don't like sharing anything."
"You're still such a child." Belle shakes her head. "You do realize, biologically, Henry is Emma's son?" Why can't you seem to get that?"
"I don't share." Regina shrugs calmly and gives her a wicked grin. "I certainly didn't want to share Graham."
Belle curls her hands into fists. "You know." She snarls. "I'm the last person you want to bring that up too."
"Oh yes, I forget." Regina waves an unconcerned hand. "You and Graham were awfully close weren't you? Shall I tell you how it felt to hold his heart in my hand and feel his life drain from him as I-"
Regina doesn't get the chance to finish as, with a flick of her wrist, Belle sends Regina flying backwards and watches her crash into the side of another building.
Anger.
Of course her powers would return if she got angry enough. "I warned you." Belle snaps shakily, trying to get her regain in power under control, as Regina staggers back to her feet, clutching her side.
"Well, it appears I was wrong about you not having your powers." Regina groans, walking back over. "But it's nice to know that everyone else in town now knows your little secret."
Belle steps back, looking around nervously. "W…what do you mean?" She stutters, her gaze returning to Regina.
Regina waves her hands once and the pile of rubble, in fact all the buildings surrounding the two of them, disappear. Belle looks around and sees a lot of people from town staring at her, mouths agape. Suddenly realizing how exposed she is Belle quickly snaps her finger and changes into a red tank top and jeans, showing off her mark. "Regina, what did you do?"
"I simply created an illusion." Regina grins wickedly. "I knew you'd come running if you thought something was going on in town, so I faked a building falling and hid the people in town."
"So the whole time we were arguing-"Belle looks around nervously, seeing the frightened faces.
"They could see us, but we couldn't see them." Regina finishes for her. "I figured it was about time the rest of the town knew your little secret." She laughs again and disappears.
"How long?" Belle recognizes Snow's voice. "How long have you had Rumplestiltskin's power?"
"How do you know it's Rumples?" Belle asks, turning to the Charming's and trying to put up a strong façade.
"Because we know damn well you didn't have powers before the Dark One came into your life." David states matter-of-factly.
Belle pauses a moment before nodding her head once, agreeing with him, before sighing deeply. "It was the only way Rumple could cross the town line. He needed to be able to keep his memories, so I'm currently holding his powers as payment."
"Explains why you couldn't go with him." Snow notes offhand. "I don't understand why you kept it a secret though?"
Belle gives her a hard look and gestures around to the crowd around them, all staring at Belle in apprehension. "Do I really need to answer that? Look around you Snow, the people here are afraid of power, and I can't really blame them."
"But you've been holding his power in secret for over a month; surely you have control over it by now?"
"It's toying with me." Belle states. "And I don't trust it. Look what I did to Regina, simply because she made me mad."
"Belle-"
"You mean to tell me you've had the Dark One's power for the past month?" Belle recognizes Gaston's voice.
"I believe I just answered that." Belle replies tiredly. "Look, I don't expect any of you to trust me, I get it."
It's quiet for a few moments until Gaston speaks up again. "Well, it explains why the Queen's so afraid of you."
"Are you trying to make me feel better, or just stating facts?" Belle asks him honestly. "Because I don't know what's going on here and I'm too tired to argue with you."
"I don't trust you." He states angrily. "But you don't trust me either, so we're on even grounds there. I'm simply stating and recognizing that you are strong."
"Thank you." Belle acknowledges carefully, waiting for the insult, but one never comes.
"I don't understand something. Grumpy calls out from the middle of the crowd. "I'm not denying your strength Belle, by any means, but how in the hell are you able to contain his powers?"
"Surely you don't think this-"She holds up her left arm, showing them the mark. "Is a simple tattoo signifying that the two of us are married?"
Belle hears a loud gasp and the crowd parts to reveal the Blue Fairy covering her mouth with her hands and staring at Belle with a mixture of fear and worry. "Tell me you didn't." She snaps, walking over to her.
"I believe the mark itself answers that question." Belle sighs exasperatedly.
"You know what this mark means don't you?" The Blue Fairy reaches out to touch her arm, but Belle pulls it away protectively. "You can't truly be this ignorant." She continues, glaring.
"I am well aware of what this mark actually is." Belle argues. "The choice was mine. Rumple was the one who didn't want to do it."
"But isn't it funny that because you did it, he was able to leave town."
"Neither of us knew the line was going to be cursed after the initial curse was broken." Belle snaps. "You don't have anything to do with this anyways, why the hell do you care?"
"I have more to do with this than you think."
"I've made my choice."
"Then your fate is sealed."
The blue fairy is suddenly thrown into the air and crashes hard into the dirt across the street. Belle's bottom lip starts trembling and she covers her mouth with her hands. Where the hell had that come from? Belle couldn't even remember moving. "I-"She looks around and the people are backing away, looking at her in disgust. Belle opens her mouth, but instead, out of fear, Belle vanishes.
Belle arrives outside her house and flicks her wrist once, causing Pinocchio's bike to appear in front of her and the keys to appear in her hand. She can hear Pinocchio snoring in his room. Honestly, had he not heard the commotion in town? Flicking her wrists again she leaves her car keys on his bedside table, just in case, before jumping onto the bike and driving off into the forest.
She should call Rumple.
Belle argues with herself, adding yet another root of something she didn't know to the memory potion and nearly choking on the smoke it causes. Belle had been up in the cabin for nearly three hours debating with herself about calling her husband and doing more harm than good with the memory potion. Why the hell did she get so mad at the Blue Fairy? Belle could swear she hadn't even moved while the two of them were talking.
"The Blue Fairy…has her own reasons for being angry with the Dark One, but I'm afraid this is not the place or time to talk about that."
Rumple's voice comes to mind. Belle had nearly forgotten about that conversation. She adds another ingredient she'd rather not know the name of, and hears howling outside. "Ruby?" She calls out. A pause. Confused, Belle washes her hands and walks into the living room. She opens the front door and something gray and fluffy jumps into her arms. It was the wolf pup again. "Oh, I forgot about you." Belle hugs it tightly and laughs as it licks her face. "I'm sorry." She sits on the floor and lets it go.
He barks and wags its tail happily.
"How the hell did you find me though?" He barks again. "Yes I know you're a wolf, but between all the smells coming out of this place due to that potion-"She pauses. "I just understood you." He barks. "No I couldn't understand you earlier I just got my powers back." Belle gives it an incredulous look, stands up, closes the door, and heads back into the kitchen. "What are you even doing here?" She asks, as he follows her. "Why are you following me around?" He barks. "….I said I needed help, back at Graham's-"She pauses and crouches down to get eye level with him. "Graham?" He licks her face and whines. "I didn't have my powers back at the graveyard, I didn't do this." He makes a squeaky grunt. "Yes I did ask for help, but-"He rubs up against her. "You're telling me Graham's spirit is using you as a vessel?" He barks. "I don't believe you." She deadpans. He growls. "I don't care." Belle shakes her head. "Even if I don't believe you, what are you going to do?" He jumps on her, causing her to fall back on her butt and laughs as he licks her face again. "Alright, well, since you seem determined to stay with me, I'll keep you." She stands up again. "Rumple's just going to have to accept the fact that we now have a wolf as a pet." She bites her lip. That conversation is going to be a fun one. "In the meantime, why don't you help me figure out this potion?" He growls. "Yes I know it smells rancid." She scoffs, walking back around her workbench. "I'd like to see you do better."
He moves over and manages to jump up onto the table, before moving over to the bowl. Belle doesn't know what to say, so she doesn't and watches the wolf sniff the potion once, move away and grabs a jar of Camellia Sinensis, before dragging it back over to the bowl and then moving back over and grabbing a stick of cinnamon. "What are you doing?" Belle asks curiously. He barks again. "How are either of these ingredients supposed to help?" He growls, after setting the ingredients in front of her. "Yes, I suppose it makes it smell better, but-"She glares at him. "This is your way of telling me to start over isn't it?" He just looks at her. "I'll take your silence as a yes." He barks. "Rude!" Belle can't help but start laughing. She waves her hand across the table and the mess is all cleaned up. "Happy?" He simply curls up into a ball and closes his eyes. "Now what am I going to call you?" She muses, running her hand across his back lazily. "Now what name would Graham hate me for?" She scratches the back of his ears. "You're really pretty." She murmurs and laughs. "I could just call you Silvermist, that's a ridiculous name right?" He perks his head up and stares at her. "I was kidding." He barks. "You seriously want to be called that? I can come up with something else, what about Wolfy?" He snarls at her. "Yes I was kidding, but Silvermist, really?" He barks again and Belle just shrugs. "Alright, Silvermist it is, crazy wolf." She laughs and pats its head. She sighs. "I don't think I'm ready to go back into town just yet, you want to come to the town line with me?" He yawns, before jumping off the table and walking over to the door. He barks at her again, as if waiting for her to go with him. Belle shakes her head and follows him out of the cabin.
Belle and Silvermist arrive at the town line and before Belle even parks the bike Silvermist jumps off and growls. "I like riding this thing." Belle argues parking and taking off her helmet. "But if you hate it that much I'll bring my car next time." He barks. "You know-"Belle scoffs getting off the bike and leaning down to pet him. "I'm starting to think Rumple sent you to me, he doesn't like me riding this bike either." Silvermist licks her hand and wanders off towards the forest. Belle shakes her head and pulls out her phone. She turns it back on and finds 9 missed calls from Ruby, 2 from Pinocchio, and a text from Rumplestiltskin. She sighs and dials Pinocchio's number first. She should call Ruby first, but for all Pinocchio knows she's taken his bike and ran off.
"Mother?" She hears his voice. "Seriously, where the fuck are you?"
"Watch your mouth Pinocchio." She snaps. "I'm simply at the town line."
"Thank god." She hears him breathe a sigh of relief. "I heard about what happened in town and I thought-"
"I ran off?"
"A bit."
"Honestly Pinocchio, I know the risks of leaving."
"I'm sorry, you're right, I should've known. You aren't that stupid. Are you alright?"
"You're rambling." She laughs. "But yes, Pinocchio, I'm fine." She assures him. "I promise, see you at home?"
"Yeah, talk to you later."
She hangs up the phone and pauses before calling Ruby. "Belle! Honestly, the next time you don't answer your phone I'm killing you myself."
"Immortal." Belle reminds her calmly.
A pause. "Then I'll just have to find your dagger, I'm serious Belle."
"I'm sorry."
"Are you okay?" Ruby asks, more calmly.
"I'm fine." Belle insists. "I just needed to get away for a while."
"Good, then you won't mind me asking what the hell happened between you and the Blue Fairy."
"I'm afraid I can't answer that-not because I don't want to tell you." Belle states quickly. "But because I honestly don't know."
"What do you mean by that?"
Belle sighs. "Apparently there's some dark past between the Dark One and the Blue Fairy that Rumple won't tell me about."
"You mean her and him-?"
"No! The very first Dark One."
"Yes, how did the first Dark One come to be?" Ruby asks curiously.
Belle smirks, realizing Ruby is simply trying to make conversation with her and is grateful. "I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that one either."
"Belle-"
"Ruby, I'm fine."
"You know all you have to do is ask and I'll be there for you if you want to talk to someone."
"I'm good right now thanks." Belle laughs, looking up to see Silvermist lifting his leg up and doing his business on a tree. She sighs deeply and focuses back on her conversation. "Ruby, I need you. You're my best friend and I love you. Look, why don't we hang out tomorrow, just you and me? C'mon-"She smiles, patting Silvermist on the head, after he had wandered back over. "We haven't done that in such a long time. We can watch movies, talk, and pig out on food we shouldn't be eating."
"I…would absolutely love that, but aren't you a bit too…married to be doing something like that?"
Belle laughs. "What the hell is that even supposed to mean?"
"Well, you're suggesting we act like a couple of teenagers, when you're…well not."
"And you are?"
"No, I'm suppose I'm not either." She laughs. "But you're always busy with something, are you sure you can-"
"I can always make time for you Ruby." Belle insists. "I'll kick Pinocchio out of the house tomorrow and we can do as we please, just as we used to."
"Your place?" She asks apprehensively.
"We can go to your apartment if you want."
"No, no. It'll be interesting." Ruby notes. "I've actually never been in your house before, always to afraid your husband would come back at some point, no offense to him, but-"
"The two of you have an interesting relationship, I know." Belle snickers. "It's the same with everyone else in town."
"I'm sorry." Ruby sighs deeply. "I know he makes you happy, it's just-"
"Ruby, I know." Belle smiles. "It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll text you in the morning."
"Okay, I'll be expecting it." Belle smiles again and crouches down to pick Silvermist up. "She'll love you." She laughs. "Be nice to her won't you?" He barks and struggles in her arms. "Alright!" Belle lets him go and shakes her head before pulling out her phone again and opening the text from Rumple.
Belle, how do you get a child unstuck from between the stairs?-Rumple
She blinks. What the hell had Henry and Rumple gotten themselves into this time? Belle checks the time-7:18, she opts to text Rumple, before making an attempt to call.
Have you tried smearing butter along his neck?-Belle
A reply comes a few minutes later.
We got him out, but thank you.-Rumple
What the hell happened?-Belle
Henry was…it doesn't matter. I'm surprised you didn't try calling first.-Rumple
The last time I called you, you had just met your son again. I didn't want to bother you at a bad time.-Belle
It's never a bad time with you.-Rumple
What are you doing anyways?-Belle
Emma ran off again after an argument with Neal, so he went after her and I'm currently back at the apartment with Henry-turns out I suck at babysitting.-Rumple
I'm sure it's not that bad.-Belle
Belle, I lost track of him after I sent you that last text.-Rumple
Did…did you find him?-Belle
Yeah, I got him. Henry decided to try and get to the roof, by climbing out the fire escape. He probably would've made it up there if I hadn't stopped him. What's going on in town? Anything new?-Rumple
Belle reads the message over twice, before sighing deeply and looking up at the sky. She hears Silvermist bark. Gods, she didn't even want to begin trying to explain Silvermist to him…at least, not yet. Her dreams were getting worse? Belle sends her reply.
I got my powers back. Regina pissed me off talking about Graham so I ended up throwing her against a building. The town now knows I have your powers, unfortunately. I haven't talked to anyone in town since, so I don't know how it's going to be when I get back into town. Also, what's with you and the Blue Fairy? She about flipped her lid when she saw my mark.-Belle
Why haven't you gone back into town, you know you can deal with whatever crap the town tries to pull with you. I'm glad your powers are back. Belle, why did you show her your mark, the Blue Fairy is the last person who needed to see that.-Rumple
I didn't have a lot of choice Rumple and I don't see the big deal, what is it with the two of you? I know that she's the one who gave Bae the idea to have you leave the enchanted forest and cause you to leave him, but there's something deeper than that going on Rumple.-Belle
Belle I've told you before, yes there was…something that happened, but I'm hardly going to tell you while I'm out of town, or over the phone.-Rumple
Rumple, please. I can't keep seeing her without understanding the history between the two of you.-Belle
Tell you what. When I get back I'll tell you what happened with the Blue Fairy and you can tell me what was bothering you the day the three of us left.-Rumple
Belle had forgotten about that. Trust Rumple to remember about it
Deal.-Belle
Talk to you tomorrow?-Rumple
Yeah, I love you, goodnight and good luck with Henry.-Belle
Love you too Belle, thanks.-Rumple
Belle puts her phone away and hears whining from behind her. Curious, she turns around and finds Silvermist tangled in a bush. "How on earth did you manage this?" Belle laughs, walking over and helping him out. He whines again. "Yes, I gather that it was an accident." She manages to get him out. "But how did you-"She stops, hearing the sound of gravel in the distance. Silvermist begins barking and Belle sees the outline of their shadows coming to view. Worriedly, Belle turns around and to her horror there was a set of headlights coming their way-from across the town line.
Sorry! Life's starting to get in the way again. Less than a month from the last update...that's not terrible. Still refuse to do what I did with 'Memories' though. I promise this one will take me less than a year to finish.
Anyways,
Favorite chapter to write so far, nearly the longest one too, awesome and thanks for reading. Also, not that it hasn't already, but the story just gets darker from here so hope to see you next time. xD