Lighting bugs were surrounding the path up to the building where the yearly town dance took place. Belle and her four sisters stepped out of the carriage after their parents stepped out. Astrid and Ashley looked around them in awe, Emma looked like someone was pinching her arm really hard, and Mary Margaret and Belle were both distracted as they both looked for two certain gentlemen.

They all started to walk forward to the closed doors where two men, one that was falling asleep and the other who looked bored, were standing by to open the doors to the dancers. Before they got to the doors, Mrs. French turned around and scrutinized each one of her daughters. She nodded and approved of everyone's dress until she got to Belle.

Mrs. French winkled her nose in disproval. "Isabelle French what in God's green earth are you wearing?"

Belle looked down at herself and shrugged. She thought the dress was pretty enough. It was a simple blue dress with lacing in the front and her hair was tied back in a blue ribbon that matched her dress. Mary Margaret said that the blue really brought out her eyes and that Officer Gaston wouldn't be able to tear his eyes away from her. Belle glanced over at Mary Margaret who wore a light pink dress that puffed up a little on the shoulders, and her hair was done up with a simple white flower in her hair. She looked breathtaking beautiful and Belle knew that she could never compare to her sister, but she didn't mind that much because Mary Margaret had the biggest heart, and Belle knew that's what counted the most.

Belle turned her attention back to her mother. "Mama, it is fine. I think we should head in now, before the great Mr. Nolan arrives, should we not?"

Distracted now of the thought of Mr. Nolan, Mrs. French rushed her children ahead to the doors while she slapped the man who had fallen asleep and told him he should be more awake because the great Mr. Nolan was to arrive and we shouldn't let him think that anyone of us as unrefined.

Mary Margaret grabbed on to Belle's arm and smiled nervously at her. Belle smiled reassuringly back and patted her arm. "Dear elder sister do not worry. We shall have fun first and foremost, and if Mr. Nolan should arrive, well we will just have to get mother and him dancing."

Mary Margaret laughed, and they both headed into the building giggling like little girls. The room was packed. Most of the town was there from little boys and girls to the elderly, and most were in the middle dancing to a upbeat tune. Laughter echoed off the walls and rush of excitement hit Belle, and she looked at the dancers with envy. She could not wait to start dancing but before she could start towards the dancers, a hand tapped her on the shoulder, and for a second she almost hoped it was Gaston. But when she turned around she saw the smiling face of her best friend Ruby Lucas.

Belle felt disappointment briefly but was caught up at the happiness of seeing her friend. Ruby had been gone for almost a month. Ruby's parent's had died when she was young and she lived with her grandmother ever since. And Ruby had been engaged to her childhood sweetheart Peter, but he had died from a wolf attack a couple years ago, and she had gone on her yearly visit to see his mother and father.

Belle pulled Ruby into a hug and Ruby hugged her back, laughing. "My if I knew you were going to be this happy to see me when I got back, I should leave more often."

Belle pulled back and smacked her playfully on the arm. "Oh stop! You know I missed you dearly."

Ruby smiled sadly. "Yes, and I missed you too."

They both looked at each other and were remembering the times that Peter, Belle, and Ruby would all play together and how horrible it was when they found out he had died. Those years after he died were dark, and Belle was happy to see her friend coming back to her old self.

Ruby's attention was stolen away by the ever loud Mrs. French who was dragging her husband around while she talked about the infamous Mr. Nolan. "So what have I missed? I heard something about how Mary Margaret is going to be engaged tonight to a...Mr. Nolan?"

Mary Margaret who was still standing by Belle, blushed. "Does everyone in the town know about my mother and her...matchmaking?"

Ruby laughed and hugged Mary Margaret. "If you already don't know that, then you sure don't know your mother that well. And what about you Belle? Any matchmaking for you?"

Before Belle could say anything Mary Margaret grabbed Ruby and pulled her closer to whisper in her ear, but Belle could still hear. "Belle met a dashing young officer by the name of Gaston today in town. We believe he might be here tonight and sweep her off her feet."

Ruby's eyebrows inched upwards in disbelief and looked over at Belle who started to blush. Ruby knew that this was important because Belle hardly ever talked about romance and men she was interested in, and Ruby was happy for her best friend. She wanted Belle to find romance, but she also wanted Belle to be in a comfortable stable home so she could be safe and not want for nothing.

Belle was going to say something, to make it not a big deal but the sound of the doors suddenly opening with a bang made everyone stop their dancing and look towards the interruption. In strode five elegantly dressed people; two women and three men.

The first couple came in first; the woman tall and blonde strolled in next to a gentleman who really had nothing striking about him expect he looked just like the lady; utterly bored. Then came the other two men and one woman who had a similar resemblance to the other woman but this lady had dark hair and eyes like a hawk. Both ladies were beautiful there was no argument about that, but the last two gentlemen were like night and day.

When Belle and Mary Margaret saw the gentleman with the kind blue eyes and a charming smile, Mary Margaret gasped and grabbed on to Belle's arm. Belle was also shocked. The man who had kindly got off his horse to check on her was the infamous Mr. Nolan.

And Belle wouldn't have gave the other man who walked next to Mr. Nolan another glance expect when they walked by, he was closest to her and she heard him say some response to the dark haired lady next to him, and she could never forget the sound of that Scottish brogue. That horrid man who made that comment about her and that stayed on top of his horse was also there and now she could get a good look at him, while sending daggers through her eyes to his back.

He was a older gentleman compared to his group, and he held a golden cane and used it to walk across the floor. He had brown wispy hair with slight gray streaked through it, and he was a smaller man compared to Mr. Nolan, but Belle could see he had a hidden wiry strength to him. And even though he had a cane to help him walk, he held power and anyone who stood by or looked upon him could tell that this was a man not to mess around with.

Belle could tell that he held a lot of control, but she was still angry about their run in earlier that day, and at that point she really couldn't care if he was the King or a poor peasant. But she would put aside her feelings for now and concentrate on Mary Margaret who looked like she was about to faint.

Mary Margaret was looking at Belle with wide frightened eyes, and Belle was about to reassure her elder sister until her mother came rushing over with excitement dancing in her old eyes.

"Girls...your father is going to formally introduce us! Come now." Ruby shrugged her shoulders and then squeezed Mary Margaret hand in reassurance and then left, while Mary Margaret didn't move a inch. Mrs. French came back when she realized her two daughters were not following her. "You must come now," their mother said in her stern voice. Mary Margaret nodded in defeat and followed their mother who was walking to where Mr. French was standing.

Belle looked up ahead to see the five new strangers standing uncomfortably in front of the room and Belle couldn't help but glance at the older gentleman. He stood stiff and looked miserable and for some reason it made Belle feel a little sorry for him, especially because it must have been hurting standing with a leg that had to be slightly off in order to use a cane.

Belle and Mary Margaret joined their mother and father and then proceeded to where Mr. Nolan and the others were standing. As they got closer Belle saw Mr. Nolan's eyes widen when they saw Belle and Mary Margaret. And then a warm smile graced his face as his eyes settled on Mary Margaret.

When they arrived, a round man who was standing next to Mr. Nolan started to introduce everyone. It turned out that the two women were sisters to Mr. Nolan; the blonde being Mal Whale who was married to Mr. Whale, the man who stood by her, and the black haired being Regina Nolan. And then the man got down the line to the Scottish man. "And this is Mr. Gold of Pemberley and Derbyshire. And this is Mr. French, Mrs. French, Mary Margaret, and Belle French."

The women did a slight curtsy to each other and the men nodded their heads, with Mr. Nolan the only one smiling while doing it.

Mrs. French smiled almost greedily at Mr. Nolan. "Yes we have three other daughters but they are enjoying themselves while dancing at the moment, and I know that my daughter Mary Margaret hasn't had a chance to dance, the poor girl."

Belle rolled her eyes, Mary Margaret blushed, Mr. French coughed, Regina glared, and Mr. Gold raised his eyebrows a little bit at the force of Mrs. French. But Mr. Nolan still smiled and stepped closer to Mary Margaret.

"Well we can't have that now, can we? Would you do the honor of dancing with me Ms. French?"

Mr. Nolan held out his arm and Mary Margaret took it, while looking like the happiest woman in the world. Mrs. French and Mr. French followed and Belle realized while staring at her sister dancing, that she ended up stuck by Mr. Gold and Regina Nolan. Belle cursed silently to herself, always ending up in these awkward situations.

Belle looked towards the dance floor to see if Gaston showed up, but she did not see him. Resigned that he wasn't coming she was about to excuse herself to find Ruby, but she caught Mr. Gold glancing at the dancers and then at her. She wondered if he wanted to dance, and she stood another minute to see if he would do anything, when she caught him glancing at her again.

Belle glanced quickly at his cane, and felt sympathy for the man, and for the moment put aside the anger she had for him.

Belle turned towards him, and she noticed that he jumped a little at her sudden movement. It seemed she had surprised him, and just what she saw of him he didn't seem the type of man who was surprised often and she gave herself that victory.

"Mr. Gold, would you like to dance?"

Mr. Gold stood still for a second, his brown muddy eyes filled with surprise, but then that surprise turned deadly. His voice and face sneered at her as he answered, "I don't know if it would be that healthy and wise for me to dance with a clumsy girl who stands in the middle of roads, wouldn't you agree dearie?"

Belle stood frozen and mortified. He had remembered her and she was back to disliking him again. "I'm sorry to hear that. But I guess it would be good for my health also that I wouldn't be dancing with a man that had such bad eyesight to almost run over a clumsy girl on the road. If you will excuse me." Belle curtsied to both Regina and Mr. Gold and turned on her heel with her head held high.

As soon as she rounded the corner to hide behind a pillar, she could feel her eyes already filled with tears; tears of anger, frustration, and embarrassment. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and tried to will the tears away.

Be brave Belle and bravery will follow.

She opened her eyes to see Ruby standing in front of her with kindness in her eyes. "Oh Belle, what happened?"

Belle was about to respond when she heard the voices of Mr. Nolan and Mr. Gold coming closer. She pulled Ruby behind the pillar and put her finger against her lips to tell Ruby to be silent. She willed that they would both walk past, but she heard them stop right by the pillar and the sound of Mr. Nolan's voice.

"Come, Gold, I must have you dance. I hate to see you just standing here looking so bored."

"I shall not. You know that I detest dancing, unless my partner is agreeable."

"But Gold there are many women here!"

"Yes, but you are dancing with the handsomest women in the whole room."

"Yes, she is the most beautiful, isn't she? And it almost seems like fate, since we already met earlier today. But what about her sister? The dark haired one who was also there with Mary Margaret. She is also very pretty, don't you agree?"

There was a pause and Belle tensed up at waiting what he was about to say.

"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me. Now why don't you meet up with your partner."

Belle heard both men walk away and she sagged in relief that they did not see her. Ruby grabbed her hand and led her to a hidden corner in the room.

"Belle, don't listen to him. He is just grumpy and old; he doesn't know what he is talking about."

Belle nodded, but she still felt a little disappointed. But why did she feel disappointed!? Did she actually want to hear him say that she was pretty and that maybe he was wrong and should ask her to dance? And would she say yes if he did?

Belle shook off her thoughts and then asked Ruby how her trip was. They talked the rest of the dance, with Belle dancing only twice the whole night. And as they were leaving Belle smiled proudly at her sister Mary Margaret for being less shy and joking with Mr. Nolan. Ruby who was watching Mr. Nolan and Mary Margaret saying their goodbyes also said, "She should make sure she keeps his interest and keeps showing her interest in him."

"Why would you say that? Anyone can see that she likes him very much."

"Yes, we can see since we know her, but others will not. She is too shy, and she needs to be more aggressive with her feelings."

Belle did not say anything back, knowing that Ruby was right. Ruby said her goodbyes and then left with her grandmother. Belle caught up with her family and said goodbye to the Nolans and the Whales, and she was glad to see Mr. Gold was nowhere in sight.

Everyone arrived at their carriage, with Belle being the last one to get on. She sat down next to Mary Margaret who had a dreamy smile upon her face. Belle turned her attention back to the building as the carriage started moving and then noticed a dark figure standing by one of the trees in the front. She knew it was Mr. Gold instantly because of the gold cane that was held in his hand. Their carriage was going to pass him, and Belle should have looked away and ignored his presence but for some reason she couldn't look away.

Mr. Gold stepped into the moonlight and they both stared at each other. Mr. Gold's gaze looked lonely, and Belle could almost touch upon that loneliness. It was a moment frozen in time as they both gazed at each other. And then the moment was gone as their carriage moved farther away from the silent figure of Mr. Gold.

And as Belle went to sleep that night, she dreamed of brown murky eyes that were filled with loneliness and sadness.

I'm sorry that It took so long to update. School and work have taken much of my time, and for some reason this chapter was hard to write.

Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up sooner.

Thank you to everyone who is reviewing, following, and favoring.