Belle and Rumplestiltskin approached the manor sitting on top of the hill. Although they were invisible, Belle still felt cautious as they crossed the small bridge that led over the moat surrounding the castle. They made their way through the main courtyard and through the large doors. As they walked up the wide staircase, avoiding the touch of some soldiers on patrol, Belle felt her pulse quicken. She would be seeing her father, but he would not see her. It would be torturous, but she was already preparing the words in her head that she would leave written for him.
When they reached the main hall where her father sat at the long table, his head in his hands, Rumplestiltskin touched Belle's arm lightly.
"I want you to be able to really see your father. I will remain invisible and I will give you privacy, but he will be able to see you." He said, his eyes showing hints of concern.
"Why? I thought-"
"That was before I saw your sadness at entering this place. You deserve to see him, to really see him," he said, waving a hand over her head, "off you go."
Belle stepped further into the room. The sound of her footsteps caused her father to look up. His eyes were red and he looked exhausted; that is, until he laid eyes on his daughter. His eyes grew wide and he stood up from the table so quickly, the chair was knocked over behind him.
"Papa!" Belle exclaimed, running into her father's arms and burying herself in his chest, "it is so good to see you." Maurice's arms grew tight around Belle, holding her close.
"I thought I would never see you again, my girl." He said, tears in his eyes.
"Well I am here, only for the day, but I had to come and see you." She replied, smiling as her eyes shined with tears as well.
"Only for a day? But why?" Maurice stopped, pulling away from her and looking down at his daughter.
"Well, Rumplestiltskin allowed me a day to come back home and to see you."
"Where is that beast? I will have him slain immediately!" her father yelled, his hands tightening around Belle's arms roughly.
"No, Papa! He is not a monster, I swear it!" Belle protested angrily. Although she knew that Rumplestiltskin could not be so easily killed, she felt rage welling up inside her at the thought. Her father stepped back from her, looking at Belle with confused eyes.
"Why do you protect him when he has kept you from me all these months? What has he done to you?" Maurice roared.
"Nothing! He has done nothing! He has shown me kindness, has treated me as his equal, he-" She argued.
"He's brainwashed you! Put thoughts into your head! Oh Belle, I will get you away from him. I will have him killed before he can do any more damage to your mind!" He continued, pulling Belle back into his arms, but she slowly drew back.
"Papa, you aren't listening to me. I left to keep us safe-"
"And the war is over! You can come home! We can get rid of Rumplestiltskin for good! You can do it, you can save us all." He interrupted, his eyes wild with rage.
"I will have no part in that. I will not harm him. He's not the enemy. He saved us, and this is the thanks you give him? Plotting his death?" she yelled back.
"Thanks? Why should I thank him for taking away the only thing in the world that I care about, eh? HE IS A MONSTER!" He bellowed.
Belle looked at her father, terrified at the rage that consumed him. Her visit was meant to be reassuring and happy, not full of anger and resentment. She backed away from him, shaking her head.
"Where is the kind and understanding father that raised me to be compassionate? To be respectful of all things and gentle to all that I encounter? Where is he?" Belle asked, choking back tears.
"He left with your innocence…" Maurice replied, turning his back to his daughter. Belle was speechless. There was nothing left to say.
"I'm sorry, Papa. I, I love you," Belle said, turning to leave the room, "I will always love you." She turned away, tears streaming from her eyes. Rumplestiltskin must have turned her invisible once more because as soon as she took a few steps away, Maurice shouted after her.
"Belle! Belle! Where are you!" he called. It hurt her to ignore his calls and to walk away, but she couldn't help but feel a deep sadness in his words. Rumplestiltskin asked for her and she had accepted. He did not force her to go with him. She was not under any enchantment or spell; he had not brainwashed her into staying with him. She did it on her own accord.
As Belle exited the chamber, she saw Rumplestiltskin leaning on a table about 10 feet away, a sad look in his eyes as she approached.
"Did you hear all of that?" She asked quietly, avoiding his gaze.
"I did. Belle, I'm sorry that-"
"No, I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to hear the horrible things he was saying about you and I. About us." She argued, growing angry again. Rumplestiltskin paused, his mind lingering on her use of "us."
"But he's right. I am a monster. I took you away from your home, everything that you love." He replied, standing upright and turning away from her. Belle reached over and grabbed his arm.
"Not everything," she said, looking at him earnestly, "besides, I chose to go with you. It was your offer and I accepted. I knew what I was getting into." Rumplestiltskin laughed at this.
"Is that so?" he asked, a smile crossing his lips.
They were so lost in each other's gaze that neither of them noticed a castle guard that was walking right toward them, his pace quick. As he passed, he brushed into Belle's arm, rendering her completely visible. The guard's eyes grew twice their size as he spotted Belle. She gasped as he reached and grabbed her arm roughly.
"HEY! I found her! I FOUND BELLE!" he shouted down the hallway. Three more guards came sprinting up the stairs. Rumplestiltskin quickly raised his hand at the guard holding Belle. The guard instantly dropped Belle's arm and she pulled free, falling back into Rumplestiltskin. He put his arms around her and closed his eyes, willing them to be transported back to the castle. As they began to teleport, Belle caught sight of her father, who had run into the hallway at the guard's words. He gave Belle a sad and sickened look before she and Rumplestiltskin vanished into thin air.
They landed back in the main parlor of the Dark Castle as the sun was setting, a blood red sky penetrating the room. Rumplestiltskin still held Belle in his arms. She began to shake and they both collapsed onto their knees as Belle sobbed into his chest. He stroked her hair gently and let her cry into him. Remorse and guilt flooded through his mind as Belle trembled there in his hands. That was it. He would never let anybody hurt her again. Never again.