Mr. Gold was sitting in the parlor at Netherfield Park early in the morning, staring outside the window while sipping his tea. He was always a early bird, so he was alone for the moment while the rest of the residents were still sleeping in their beds. And he almost envied his companions, because while their minds were at rest, his was filled with thoughts of bright blue eyes.

Ever since last night at the dance he could not stop thinking about those eyes. Every time he closed his eyes he would start seeing those eyes...that face...those perky lips...stop. Mr. Gold shook his head and sagged in his chair since he was the only one in the room. He didn't like to show that he was actually human, and that he could be so tired sometimes. Mr. Gold set down his tea on the table and sighed heavily. He didn't know why he couldn't stop thinking about that annoying girl, because she did annoy him. Ever since he first saw her on the road with his horse, he thought that she was a silly girl that had no etiquette of a young lady.

But even he had to admit that there was something about her, he didn't know what it was yet, but it intrigued him. And he hadn't felt such curiosity for a very long time. Mr. Gold saw a very old and tall tree out the window and thought about when he saw her leaving the dance with her family, when he was standing by a tree. When he saw her, something happened. It was this silent moment like the rest of the world didn't exist, and her eyes were so soft and so lonely, and he felt a pang of longing, and now he couldn't get those eyes out of his head.

And it wasn't just only her eyes that intrigued him, but her body. He was a man that hadn't been with a woman in a long time, and he couldn't deny that she was very beautiful. She was perfect in all the right places, and when she danced there was a certain aura around her that pulled your attention towards her where you couldn't look away. Especially when she tilted her head back ever so slightly and her brown curly hair fell away from her neck and you could see her elegant pale neck while she laughed merrily.

He thought of how he could make her laugh and tilt her head back like that and...

Stop Gold. What the hell are you thinking!? She is a young girl, and a pestering one at that.

Mr. Gold shook his head and stood up from the chair and groaned when he felt his leg stiff up. He bent down to start rubbing the life back into it when he heard the door open, and he quickly righted himself, grabbed his cane and turning to see who interrupted him.

It was Regina.

Of course.

Mr. Gold walked towards the desk that was by the bay window, as if that was his intention the whole time.

"Regina, how...nice to see you on this lovely morning. You usually are a late sleeper, why so early dearie?"

Regina smirked at Gold and walked slowly around the room, her hand touching everything that was close by. Gold knew that she was trying to show off her body to him, with her new tight black dress that showed more of the top of her bosom then was necessary. Gold sat at the desk, ignoring her antics.

"I just woke up and couldn't get to sleep and I knew that you would be in here." She stopped by the table he sat at earlier and noticed his unfinished tea. Regina knew the only time Gold never finished his tea was when he was thinking hard on something or something was bothering him. She walked over towards him and gently laid her hand on his shoulder. When he didn't pull away, she was encouraged and kept talking. "What is your brilliant mind thinking during this ungodly hour?"

Gold huffed, and started to write, but he answered her. "Just thinking that I like my alone time in the mornings dearie."

Regina knew the attack was at her and she dropped her hand off his shoulder as if we she was stung. "Well I won't let my happy mood be ruined by grumpy men. You may continue to write...alone." Regina walked out in a brisk pace and slammed the door behind her.

Gold sighed and put his head in his hands. And when he closed his eyes, blue eyes were staring back at him again.

XXX

Belle was reading outside by her favorite tree caught up in her favorite book when she heard her mother calling for her. She glanced up to see her mother pointing up at the sky. She looked up to see dark storm clouds heading their way. Sighing, she closed her book and walked back to her house where her sisters were giggling, expect Emma who was writing something down in the notebook she carried everywhere.

Belle walked into the dining room where Mary Margaret sat reading a letter, and her mother reading over her shoulder. Her mother's face was getting redder by the seconds and Mary Margaret looked sadder.

"What is going on? What kind of letter are you reading?"

Mary Margaret set down the letter. "The Nolans were supposed to visit tomorrow, but now they say they cannot come."

"Oh I'm sorry dear sister. I'm sure they will write soon to ask when they can come next."

Suddenly their mother clapped her hands together and she had a twinkle in her eye. That was never a good sign. "Mary Margaret, go tell the stable boy to saddle up a horse."

"But why Mama," Mary Margaret asked.

"Because my dear you will be visiting the Nolans at their place, if they can't make it here."

Mary Margret was about to protest, but her mother sent her a look that shut her up. She got up from the table and headed towards the stables. Belle walked over to the window and saw the clouds coming closer.

"Mama, it's going to storm! Mary will be wet as a dog if she is riding on horseback. Can she not take the carriage?"

The twinkle was back in her mother's eye. "Exactly my dear." That was all she said and she started to hum merrily as she walked out of the room.

XXX

Belle was talking with her father in his study when a knock on the front door interrupted them. Belle peeked out of the doorway to see who it was, and saw the maid opening the door to the delivery boy who was holding a wet envelope. The maid carried the letter to her mother who was sitting in her favorite chair sewing. When she opened up the letter, she smiled mischievously to herself and set down the letter on the table by her.

Excusing herself she almost ran to the table with the letter on it when Astrid grabbed it first and started to read it out loud.

"I hope this letter finds you soon. Miss French had ridden horseback to our estate, dripping wet and shivering from the cold. Of course I was happy that she had come to visit us, but was sad to see her in such a state. She nearly fainted when she walked in and we have her set up comfotrably in one of the guest rooms. We hope it is alright if she stays until she is better. I have called in the best doctor and he is looking at her right now as I write this. Your daughter will be taken care of in our hands. Best regards, David Nolan."

Astrid and Ashley giggled. "Oh sister is so lucky! She is staying at one of the most lovely homes in town," Ashley sighed dreamily.

Belle did not share the same feeling as her sisters. She hardened her gaze at her mother who was playing off looking innocent. "Mama! How could you make Mary go out like that! Now she is sick!"

Mrs. French set down her sewing and looked up at her daughter. "Belle, it is just a cold. She will be fine."

"But you didn't know that! What if her horse slipped and she fell off it or if it was worse than a cold! How could a mother do such a thing to her daughter, and for what!? To catch the most eligible bachelor in town!?"

Her mother's gaze held fury now. "You will not speak to your mother like that. I work hard to make sure you girls have a nice life. You might not approve or understand, but one day you will when you have your own daughters."

"Well I guess I'll never know because I won't ever get married!" Belle turned around and grabbed her coat off the hanging rack and opened up the door. Her mother got up, chasing after her.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"To see Mary Margaret! At least someone in this family is worried about her and wants to make sure she is okay!" Belle slammed the door on her mother's shocked face and started walking to Netherfield.

Thank goodness that it had stopped raining awhile ago, but it was still chilly out. Belle wrapped the coat around her more as she felt and breathed in the fresh air around her. Her hair, usually up, was down and wild, but Belle hardly cared. All she thought about was her poor sister and their greedy mother. But as she got closer to Netherfield Park, she started to feel guilty at snapping at her mother. She did love her mother and she knew in her mother's twisted way that she loved Belle also. But sometimes it was hard to understand her mother, just like now.

When she saw the view of the house, she smiled, relieved that she would be able to finally see her sister. But as she got closer to the door she suddenly remembered a pair of lonely muddy brown eyes and her heart almost stopped. How could she forget that Mr. Gold was staying with the Nolans and the Whales. For one second Belle was tempted to turn around and head right back home, but that was the coward way out. She was here to see her sister, nothing else. And she would just have to do her best to ignore the stubborn old fool.

She knocked on the door and started to feel awkward, knowing this isn't usually how things were done. After what seemed like eternity the door opened to a old butler who looked shocked at seeing her wild state with mud staining the bottom of her dress, her cheeks reddened from the walk, and her hair all over the place.

"Can I help you Miss?"

"I'm Miss French's sister, I heard she was not feeling well and came to check on her, if that is alright?"

"Of course Miss, please come in. I'll show you to Mr. Nolan in the drawing room."

"Thank you so much."

Belle followed the butler down the hall and Belle couldn't help but admire the beautiful crafted architecture. Everything was so white and so clean, but almost too white. Belle wanted to run her hands over the walls that had different carvings down the wall, but resisted knowing how odd that would look. They finally got to wide double doors and Belle took a deep breath when the butler walked in and announced her. When he stepped aside she walked in and saw Regina, Mr. Nolan, Mrs. and Mr. Whale, and Mr. Gold sitting around a table with tea in front of them.

She finally stopped walking and stood in front of them when suddenly the sound of a chair scraping against the floor happened and the body of Mr. Gold shooting up from his chair. Everyone seemed surprised as she, and she smiled hesitantly, slightly embarrassed. If anyone noticed Mr. Gold wince slightly because of his leg, no one said anything.

After a moment of the stunned silence of Mr. Gold getting up from his chair, Mr. Nolan joined Mr. Gold and started walking to her.

"How wonderful to see you Miss French. I'm guessing you are here to see your sister?"

'Yes...I was worried about her..." she glanced over to where Mr. Gold was still standing and staring at her, and for some reason she blushed and brought her attention back to Mr. Nolan. "I hope I'm not intruding." Belle heard a huff of annoyance of the table, and she guessed it came from Regina who was now eyeing her with disgust in her eyes.

"And how did you come here Miss French? Did you walk," Regina asked with mock laughter.

Belle, feeling angry at Regina laughing at her, looked right at her when she answered with a simple smile on her face. "Yes I did. I do love walking, it's one of my favorite things to do. You should try it sometime, it's great exercise."

Regina turned red and looked away. Mr. Nolan smiled at Belle and lent his arm for her to take. "Now why don't I take you to visit your sister." Belle put her arm in his and he led her away towards her sister, not knowing the lively thoughts running in one man's mind in the room she left behind.

XXX

Gold for the first time in a long time was speechless. When the doors opened and Belle French came through the doors with her hair down and wavy due to the wind outside, her cheeks red, and her blue eyes were even more lively due to the walking. He hadn't seen anything so breathtaking beautiful in his whole life.

And he couldn't stop staring at her.

When she finally left to check up on her sister he felt a rush of relief and he almost slumped down into his chair. He felt relief now yes, but now he was almost aching to see her again. He didn't notice Regina looking at him curiously the whole time. After Belle left the conversation flowed again, but Gold did not participate, his mind too occupied.

At first when he saw Miss French on the road, he thought her a silly girl, and at the dance he still thought her silly, but he saw another side to her that night. That there was more behind the girl on the road. And now with her walking in with mud on her dress and her blue eyes shining, he saw a woman that had many layers to her. One thing that Gold could not resist was a mystery, and now he was hooked to the enigma Isabelle French.

Regina noticed how Gold was not listening at all to her talking, so she touched his arm and saw him jump back, surprise on his face that turned to a scowl.

"Miss Nolan, please refrain from touching me."

Regina was mad. He still treated her like a child, even though she knew him since she was a young adult. "I'm sorry Mr. Gold, I was just asking you a question, but you were not responding."

"Because I was not listening. Now what was your question?"

Regina balled her hands into fists under the table. She felt like she just got slapped. He was so blunt when he was angry, and she knew she should have been used to it by now, but it still caught her off guard.

"I was just asking..." she was going to ask if he wanted to take a stroll outside, but now she had a suspicion and wanted to see if she was right. He might catch her off guard and treat her like a child, but she knew how to press his buttons too. "of what you thought of our guest?"

She noticed how he tensed up and his hand gripped his cane. "Of Miss French? Yes, I do hope she gets better soon-"

"Not that Miss French, the other one. The one who walked in looking like a wild woman."

Mal Whale laughed, and decided to join in. "Oh sister, did you see the mud!? How horrid! And her hair! No woman of society would ever go out like that. It must be something in this country air."

Gold looked down at his tea, but Regina could tell he was getting uncomfortable and even a little angry. How interesting.

"I agree with you Mal...it just be something with the French clan, expect of course dear Mary Margaret."

"I agree sister. Poor girl to be born into such a family and to have a sister like-"

Mal was interrupted by the loud screech of Gold's chair as he got up.

"If you will excuse me...I have important matters to attend to," he said with roughness that shocked everyone at the table, expect Regina, who smiled coyly. Her suspicious were right. Mr. Gold was interested in Isabelle French, and this would not do.

Gold was angry. And he was angry on behalf of the woman who was now consuming almost every thought. He should not have broke like that, he knew what Regina was doing, but he still did. This was not good. Gold could not have a new weakness in his life, and maybe it would be best to stop these thoughts and feelings right away. Yes, that was what he would do.

I'll tell David that I must return home and leave tomorrow morning and never return here again...

But he stopped that thought when he saw Miss French walk out of her sister's room and turn in his direction. He froze, not knowing what to do. And then she looked up and he saw shock on her face when she saw him. But she carefully schooled her features back to normal and walked towards him. He was still frozen, and he felt like a schoolboy. She stopped in front of him and he caught the smell of roses coming from her. Now he knew he would never get her scent out of his head.

"Hello Mr. Gold."

"Miss French."

There was an awkward silence when both said nothing, and he saw her nod her head and start to move away when he blurted out the first thing that came to mind to stop her from leaving.

"H-how is your sister feeling? Any better?"

She looked up at him with almost a confused look, but answered anyways. "Yes, much better, thank you for asking," and she said that last part with surprise in her tone that he would even ask about her sister, "the doctor helped a lot. I must thank Mr. Nolan for his kindness."

"Yes, he is a good doctor and David is one of the gentlest creatures I have ever known. He'll treat your sister well."

Belle laughed and just like her name it sounded like beautiful bells. "I guess then they will get a long well. My sister is the gentlest person I have ever known." She smiled at him, and Gold could swear he died right there. He never had a woman smile up at him like that. He felt a warmth building up in his chest.

"Were you heading back home now?"

"Oh no. Mr. Nolan said I could spend the night to stay with my sister."

"Oh good. That's good."

There was that silence again. Belle nodded again and started to walk down the hall when she stopped. "Mr. Gold?"

He spun around so quickly, that he almost fell over. "Yes, dearie?"

"I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me around the grounds. I heard that they are beautiful this time of the year...and I really don't know my way..."

"Yes, of course. Shall we then?"

He joined her in walking down the wall and Gold couldn't stop himself from looking at her from the corner of his eye. Her hair was now pulled up on top of her head, and she seemed to clean up, but there was still that wild look stuck in her blue eyes that he couldn't stop thinking about. And now he was going to show her around the grounds; Gold didn't know if he was lucky or he was making the biggest mistake of his life.