Chapter One

A/AN: Thanks foe the reviews last chapter and to the reviewer who asked if this had been published before, yes it was, but I was unhappy with it, so I deleted it. I've been inspired to rewrite it from a different perspective.

Richard had just finished unpacking his things when he heard a knock at the door. He looked at the clock on the wall which read four thirty. He wondered who it could be? Dinner was in half an hour, but he shrugged, opening the door ready to get rid of who it might be as quickly as possible. He hoped it wasn't that impudent maid from his arrival.

He was baffled to see Maurice standing in front of his door, "Mr. French is there something I can do for you?" he spoke quickly hoping he hadn't offended his new "boss".

"I came by to invite you to have lunch with me in my study Mr. Gold. I have much to discuss with you." he imparted causing Mr. Gold to flinch at the thought of discussing anything with his new employer.

"Of course!" Mr. Gold nodded frantically, grabbing his cane. He swallowed his cowardice as he followed Maurice down the long hallway. He noticed the familiar room he'd been in that morning. He hadn't taken the time to familiarize himself with his surroundings earlier, but he noticed a table with three chairs present.

"Will someone else be joining us?" Mr. Gold pried observing the third chair.

"Belle usually has lunch with me on Wednesday, and Mary Margret likes to join us from time to time. I like to keep a third chair if necessary." he chuckled, opening up a small cabinet, producing a bottle of scotch.

"Would you like a drink Mr. Gold?" he inquired producing two glasses from a small cabinet.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I only drink water with my meals for health purposes." he remarked, and Maurice shrugged. "Suit yourself." he added before taking his place at the table. Mr. Gold settled in the chair directly in front of him. Maurice poured himself a glass of scotch before setting the bottle aside.

"Dinner will be brought in momentarily…I hope you like steak?" he stated hopefully, and Mr. Gold nodded, "Yes that will be fine."

The two men were silent for a few moments before Maurice cleared his throat, "I would like to talk to you about Isabelle. I could tell that little encounter with her earlier flustered you quiet a bit. My Isabelle is a very inquisitive girl who doesn't know much about personal space. That greeting earlier was just to get to know you because she's blind." he explained causing Mr. Gold's stomach to knot from the feel of her soft hands on him earlier.

"I took no offense by her actions." he said calmly smoothing out his tie.

"You mean my beautiful Isabelle didn't effect you at all? She's always been a peculiar child, but I'm sure you'll figure that out in a few days." he grinned taking another swig of his scotch.

Mr. Gold decided against making a retort to Maurice's statement. The maid from earlier brought in two plates just a few moments later. She gave him a dirty look before sitting the food in front of him. He flinched when he heard the platter clink upon the glass. He ignored her behavior studying the generous rib eye in front of him, accompanied by a garden salad and baked potato.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" she inquired locking eyes with Mr. French while completely ignoring Mr. Gold. He inwardly shrugged, hence he was used to such behavior.

"No that will be all Clarice…Thank you." Maurice replied sending her away.

"She seems nice…" Mr. Gold muttered buttering his potato.

Maurice failed to hear his statement and continued eating. The only sounds between them were the movement of utensils. Maurice finally broke the silence with a smoldering question, "What brings you to Storybrooke Mr. Gold? You seemed very eager to take this position."

"Please call me Richard." he stammered becoming unnerved by his question. He knew this conversation was bound to come up eventually. He sifted through his mind finding the answer he'd rehearsed if he was ever asked such a question.

"Storybrooke is a quiet town, and I've grown tired with working in the bigger cities. I'm forty eight years old, and I just wish for a nice quiet life. Storybrooke seemed that type of place from me." he stated calmly hoping his resolve didn't break. Mr. French couldn't ever know the real reason why he'd came to Storybrooke-to hide. This seemed like the last place anyone would look in his mind.

"Yes it's a very quaint little town. I'm sure you'll enjoy it here." he returned completely dropping the subject.

~X~

After dinner he dismissed him, and Mr. Gold wandered back to his quarters. He noticed the clock read 7:30 when he finally returned. He slipped off his shoes, placing them beside the bed next to his cane. He was exhausted and a hot shower seemed like the best idea before turning in. The room was more spacious than anything he'd ever lived in before. The room held a four poster queen size bed, oak wardrobe, a dresser, book shelf, ample closet space, his own private bathroom, and several tasteful pieces of artwork hung on the wall.

He unbuttoned his shirt, slipping out of his slacks. He walked into the bathroom, turning the lock behind him. He turned on the hot water, fogging up the mirror. He watched his reflection fade in the mirror, mingled with steam. He ran his finger down the long protruding scar that marred the entire right side of his face.

He hated mirrors, feeling like the most hideous of beasts every time he was confronted with one. He ran his fingers through his dirty brown hair in frustration. He turned away from his reflection, shedding the rest of his clothing. He stepped under the scalding water wishing his defect would ebb away.

He eventually stepped out from underneath the stinging current, drying off. He pulled on a pair of flannel pajamas, sinking underneath the covers. He flipped off the single lamp in his room welcoming the darkness. He felt himself drift off peacefully.

He was startled when he heard the sounds of desperate crying coming from beyond his door. He blinked allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He turned on the lamp wiping sleep from his eyes. The clock on his nightstand read 3:00 a.m. He grabbed his cane and stood up. He winced under the protest of his leg as he trudged over to the door. He placed his head against it trying to listen to those desperate cries he'd heard just moments before. He listened for a moment but decided to go back to bed when he heard nothing more.

He turned off the light, snuggling back under the covers. He fell into a restless sleep the rest of the night haunted by those mysterious screams.

~X~

The next morning Richard limped down to the dining hall. He was there before seven and grabbed himself a muffin, piece of toast, and a glass of orange juice before retiring back to his chamber. He wasn't much for mingling and if the rest of the faculty was anything like Clarice, then he'd be dining in his room from then on.

He ate his food and decided to prepare Belle's lesson. She was working on her doctorial degree Richard surmised. She held a bachelors in English Literature, Masters in Journalism, EDS in Linguistics, and was now pursuing a doctoral in Ancient History while continuing to minor in linguistics. He studied the records he'd been given noting she'd graduated high school at sixteen, and was now twenty-eight working on a doctorial she would finish in another year-the exact length of his contract.

He would have a backup plan by then. Perhaps he could settle among the townsfolk of Storybrooke after saving up some of his earnings from Mr. French. The time went by quickly, and Mr. Gold noted it was exactly 10:53. He gathered up his things, heading for the library.

Mrs. Nolan was already on her way out by the time he reached the door. "She's all yours!" she smiled before they parted ways. Richard gulped back the bile in his throat nervously before entering her sanctuary.

Isabelle was wearing a pair of blue jeans with a silky light blue button up shirt. She was currently barefoot which made him smile, clearly comfortable with surroundings.

"Hello Ms. French!" Mr. Gold chirped as he settled in the chair opposite from her. He watched as her face lit up when she heard his voice, "Richard!" she beamed before enveloping him in a friendly embrace. He felt himself stiffen from her touch but quickly patted her back for reassurance. She felt so tiny and fragile in his arms as if she might break.

"I brought the literature we'll be studying today. I thought we could start out with a bit of review today." he interjected pulling out the large textbook Mr. French had given him.

"May I see it?" she inquired, and he blushed at the irony of her words. She took the heavy tome in her arms, opening it to the beginning page. The Braille pages were parallel from the regular print.

Richard watched as she ran her fingers over the raised text quietly as if she were in deep thought. He watched her smile before she passed the tome back to him, "Please review me over whatever topic you'd like. I'm a big Jeopardy fan, so how about we make a game out of it?" she bit her lip quietly awaiting an answer to her inquiry.

"Yes of course." Richard smirked wondering exactly what she had up her sleeve.

He spent a few moments jotting down questions and making categories. Isabelle waited eagerly like a kid in a candy shop. He placed the questions in categories like Egyptian History, Greece, The Roman Empire, Chinese Dynasties, and even an American History category.

"All right which category would you like to take a go at first?" he inquired after reading them off to her.

"Greece for $800 please!" she requested with anticipation.

Mr. Gold couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm as he read the question off in his best game show voice making her giggle, "Ms. French what are Homer's two most famed works called?"

"That would be the Iliad and Odyssey." she retorted with a confident smile.

"Ding! Ding! Ding! You're correct Ms. French! Please pick another category!" Richard applauded completely losing himself in her eyes.

"American history for $600." she requested, and he nodded reading off the question.

"Who started their speech with "I have a dream?" he inquired, and Isabelle couldn't help but laugh.

"Is that really a $600 worthy question Mr. Gold or are you not confident in my abilities?" she smirked drawing closer to him just inches from his face. She was so close he could feel her warm breath on his neck. She really had no use for personal space he surmised.

"I don't doubt your abilities one bit Ms. French." he stated boldly shuddering at the feel of her ringlets tickling his face.

"Belle." she breathed so close to his lips now.

"Ms. French I don't believe that's the correct-" but he was startled when she placed one of her fingers to his lips silencing him.

"Call me Belle, Richard…" she smiled sweetly pulling away from him. He could finally begin to feel the oxygen filling his lungs again.

"Well Belle what is your answer then?" he tested the sweet taste of her name on his lips as it rolled out of his mouth in a rich Scottish accent.

"Martin Luther King Jr." she supplied as they continued their game. She answered every single one of his questions correctly. He was certain her textbook would just be a useless waste of pages during this course.

Mr. Gold yawned as they finished up their final textbook reading. Isabelle seemed restless and ready to turn in for the day. The clock chimed 4:00 before he could blink, and he knew their first day had ended.

"Well Ms. Fre- I mean Belle it seems that we're finished for the day." he retorted listening to the chiming clock.

"Yes it does…I guess there isn't a chance you'd join me for dinner is there?" Belle offered biting her lip nervously. He felt his heart skip a beat from such a simple request. No one had ever desired his company before let alone asked for it.

"I would love to Ms. French but haven't you grown tired of me?" he insisted knowing it was too good to be true.

"Absolutely not Richard! I can safely say that you're the most intriguing individual I've ever met." she grinned. He was so surprised by her statement that his tongue felt like it had turned into the thickest peanut butter in the world.

"Really?" he comeback unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Why of course! You're a brilliant man full of so much intellect. You're funny and witty and well Richard, I greatly enjoy your company." she remarked making him feel like he was in an alternate universe.

"Well Belle I can't say I get compliments like that often…I'm usually the last guy picked for the other guys team." he muttered quietly, but she heard him.

"Well Mr. Gold you've been playing on the wrong team then." she supplied, and he couldn't help but smile genuinely for the first time in ages.

Belle fueled most of the conversation by talking about her favorite pieces of literature. He would make a comment from time to time but was more intent on listening. The simple dinner of fruit and casserole was eaten, and the conversation was dying down once the clock chimed. He looked up rather shocked at how much time had passed.

"Ms. French it's 8:00.…Shouldn't we be turning in?" he inquired as a streak of lightning suddenly cackled outside.

"Yes I suppose." Belle said uncomfortably standing up beside her chair.

"Well I'll see you in the morning then Ms. French." Richard said now standing quietly by the door.

"Yes I'll see you in the morning." she said rather quickly, he could've sworn he heard her voice quivering the whole time. He shook off his false presumptions, making his way down the dimly lit hallway towards his quarters.

After he showered and studied their reading material for tomorrow, he decided to call it a night. The storm was surging outside, and he could hear the wind beating against the house. He turned off his lamp and pulled the covers over his head hoping to block out the sound of the thunder. He soon felt himself slipping away into a restless sleep.

He awoke to hear screams again just like on the previous night. He jumped out of bed and grabbed his cane when he heard someone stumbling down the hallway. He flicked on the light quickly and flung open his door to see a disheveled Belle in front of him. She had tear streaks running down her face, and she was sobbing, pleading with herself.

"Please momma don't leave me!" she cried, and that's when Richard realized she was sleep walking. The lightning lit up her face in the hallway revealing her curly hair bunched wildly around her face. She looked horror stricken. Richard instinctively wrapped her in his arms, pulling her into his room. Why hadn't anyone checked on her? She was crying but had stopped screaming. He felt her relax in his embrace and then she spoke.

"Where am I?" she inquired in her confused state.

"Belle you're safe…I've got you now just relax." he said in his most soothing voice.

"Richard…" she breathed going completely limp in his arms.

"Are you okay?" he questioned her feeling his heartbeat increase as she clung to his frame.

"Yes I just have very bad night terrors when it storms…" she admitted, pulling away from him slightly. He placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her, "Would you like a glass of water? We can talk if you'd like." he found himself offering despite everything inside of him screaming it was a bad idea.

"Yes if it isn't too much trouble…I know it's rather late, and I'm sure you don't feel like troubling yourself with an insane sleep walking woman." she scoffed sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Belle you're not insane…A bit eccentric but never insane." he quipped handing her the water. She gulped it down greedily like a parched man in a desert.

"How do you do it?" she probed, and Richard blinked settling down beside her.

"Do what?" he questioned innocently.

"Make people feel better." she smiled bravely taking his hand. He squeezed it lightly feeling his heart flutter in protest.

"I don't…No one has desired my company in a long time except for you Belle." he admitted wondering why his tongue had decided to take on a mind of its own.

"You're the first person who's allowed me to be my true self besides Mary Margret. I'm a bit of an outcast actually." she confessed averting her gaze.

"I find that hard to believe." he said with surprise.

"It's the truth…No one wants a useless blind girl slowing them down! My father has reminded me so many times how unmarriageable I am and that I'll probably end up in a group home one day if I don't find my place in society. My social skills stink!" she groaned throwing her hands up in defeat leaving a very bewildered Mr. Gold.

"That's not true dearie…You've got a brain twice the size of anyone I've ever met, and I bet you would put Pat Sajak out of a job." he interjected eliciting a smile out of her.

"Thank you Richard! You really know how to make a girl smile." she grinned inching closer to his face. He felt his heart beat with oblivion when her lips brushed against his. The voice in his mind told him how wrong it was but his heart told him otherwise.

A/AN: Well there you have chapter one! I hope that it wasn't rushed, and I know I promised I would delve more into Mr. Gold and Belle's past in this chapter but it just didn't work out that way. In the next chapter I'll go a little more into why Belle has night terrors and then there was that kiss…I'll also explain why Belle ended up in front of Richard's room. Please review!