A.N.: For those of you who haven't seen the show Once Upon a Time…I'll be happy to explain any details you find confusing or answer any questions you have. The show has a weird format that makes it hard for a linear storyline, I'll do my best though! Lol

Chapter 3: Beyond Skin Deep

Harry hid his smirk as they danced around each other trying not to be obvious about wanting him to leave. Since the puppy, who Belle named Kit, Belle and Rumplestiltskin had gotten considerably more friendly with each other. Harry had caught the stolen glances, the shy kisses, and he had to keep a tight hold on himself to keep from giggling at them. Today was a big day, the cards said today was a day of choices so Harry hoped he had changed Belle's thinking enough that she passed the test this time.

They danced around each other, Harry could tell his Master was unbalanced as he kept his distance from her but stayed close. "Why did you want me here?" Belle asked. "Place was filthy," Rumplestiltskin quipped. "I think you were lonely," Belle said, "Any man would be lonely." "I am not a man," Rumplestiltskin replied sitting down beside her. "So, I've been here for a few months now…I found some clothes…small as if for a child. Was it yours or was there a son?" Belle asked gently. "There was a son, I lost him…as I did his mother." Rumplestiltskin said and Belle thought she had never seen him so sad.

"I'm sorry," Belle said, "If I am never going to know another person in my life, can't I at least know you two?" "Perhaps…perhaps you just want to know the monsters weakness? Nah..." Rumplestiltskin said ironically wagging a finger at her. "Your not a monster," Belle said as she hummed at him. Then there was a knocking at the door, the first she had ever heard in her time here and Rumplestiltskin left to answer the door.

He came back with a rose for her and she giggled, "Why thank you," she curtseyed and he bowed in return. She giggled and went to put the rose in a vase. "You had a life Belle, before this, friends, family…another fiancée what made you choose to come here with me?" Rumplestiltskin said. "Heroism…sacrifice…you know there aren't a lot of opportunities in this land for women to show what they can do. To see the world, to be heroes! So when you arrived that was my chance, I always wanted to be brave, I figured do the brave thing and bravery will follow." Belle said.

"And is it everything you hoped?" Rumplestiltskin asked ironically bobbing his head and waving his hand with flourish. Belle giggled, "Well, I did want to see the world," She smiled at him, "that part didn't really work out…but I did save my village." "And what about your ahhh former betrothed?" Rumplestiltskin asked fluttering his hands. "It was an arranged marriage. Honestly I never cared much for Gaston," Belle said smiling at him.

She considered him a moment, thinking about these last few months, her discussions with Harry about what love really was and what that meant. "To me love is layered, love is a mystery to be uncovered, love is seeing the whole of someone and loving it all, the good things along with the bad, love is standing by someone no matter what, I could never give my heart to someone as superficial as he. And I doubt he could ever truly care for me." Belle said gazing at him. "But you were going to tell me about your son," Belle said.

Rumplestiltskin replied, "I'll tell you what, I'll make you a deal, go to town and fetch me some straw when you return I'll tell you a tale." "Town…you trust me to go?" Belle asked confused. "Oh no, I believe I'll never see you again," Rumplestiltskin replied looking as distant as ever. Harry knew that it was time as soon as he said that, it was time for the true test on how much had changed. Harry had warned her about some of the Rumplestiltskin's more powerful rivals, Regina carefully among them, and he hoped she would be truthful this time.

-x-

Belle walked slowly, enjoying the freedom of walking on a road for the first time in months and used the quiet to bring order to her thoughts. She intended to return to the Dark Castle, but she also knew that this was a test for her. Her husband was not a trusting man, he had been hurt too much, had hurt people too much to be one who could trust anyone easily. This was her test, to see if she might be worthy of his trust and Belle fully intended on passing with flying colors.

Still, being outside the Dark Castle was more unnerving then she had cared to admit and made Belle wonder how she had gotten used to the feeling of the castle's magic. The sound of a horse drawn carriage startled her badly, and made her move quickly to the side of the road to avoid being run over. Belle was surprised when it pulled to a stop right next to her, the carriage, the horses; the knights riding at the head and back were all black.

The door to the carriage opened revealing a beautiful woman, unsurprisingly dressed in black, and with a full mouth painted a deep red. She smiled at her, and said, "Did my carriage splash you?" Belle studied her, the black, the tight clothes, the red lips, the dramatic hair and the beautiful face. It was all as Harry had described to her, Regina, the Witch Queen, Rumplestiltskin's one time student turned bitter rival. "Oh no I'm fine," Belle said smiling, turning away quickly to leave and hoping she would do so too.

"You know I'm tired of riding, let me stretch my legs with you for a spell," Regina replied smiling. Belle was nervous, this woman was a very dangerous person and she had to tread carefully. Belle nodded a bit and allowed Regina to take her arm so that the may walk together. Belle was thinking furiously on everything that Harry had ever told her about Regina. She was the daughter of a witch who had fallen in love with a stable boy; her witch mother had ripped his heart out and had killed him in front of Regina. Regina instead of placing the blame with the murderer of her beloved had instead blamed the princess Snow White instead.

Belle had remembered how confused she had been about that since Snow White had only been a naïve little girl that had been tricked into telling Regina's mother about the stable boy. Still Regina had married Snow White's father, become Queen, and had somehow gotten someone to kill the King for her. All for her vendetta against a lonely little girl who hadn't known better than to tell Regina's mother a secret. Belle had remembered hearing about Snow White's running away a few years back but hadn't thought anything of at the time.

"You carry very little," Regina commented. Belle answered almost automatically thoughts still storming on how to escape this woman's presence, "I don't want to be slowed down." "Ohh, running from someone, question is Master or Lover," Regina said. Belle couldn't think of a reply to that since she wasn't running away just hadn't wanted to be away from home for very long. "Ah, Master and Lover," Regina said to her silence.

"I might take a rest you go on ahead," Belle said hoping she would leave. Regina just tightened her grip on her arm instead, "So if I'm right you love your employer but you're leaving him." Belle was getting more and more nervous that she wouldn't be able to escape this woman's grasp. "I think love has many faces, I just don't think he can love me," Belle replied carefully leaving out the 'yet'. "Sounds like a curse to me, and all curses can be broken," Regina replied.

Belle disagreed though she wouldn't say that to this woman, Rumplestiltskin didn't love her yet not because of some dark curse. It was because he didn't think himself worthy of love, giving or receiving. It would take a lot of time, a lot of patience, before he would accept that she loved him and even more before he could admit to feeling the same. That wasn't a curse that was normal; a person carrying a broken heart took a longer time to mend it enough to give it away again. That was okay Belle could wait.

"A kiss born of true love could do it," Regina whispered dangerously. Belle didn't think so, a kiss, even of true love, could not heal a broken heart such things were beyond magic…Harry had told her as much already. "Yes, true love's kiss can break any curse," Regina said. Belle didn't think the witch Queen would appreciate her arguing against that so Belle kept her silence and the Queen left shortly after that. The entire visit had been disturbing, but Belle was glad that Harry had already taught her so much more about true love's kiss otherwise she would have been so confused about that encounter.

True Love's kiss could break any curse, if that was the intention of the kiss of course, but that wasn't what was wrong with Rumplestiltskin. His magic wasn't a curse, it was his gift, and Belle thought that it gave him the power to do as he wanted. Harry had been sure she had known that already, and Belle didn't know what that Witch Queen had wanted though she was sure it wasn't good. Belle felt her temper riling up at the thought of how she could have been so easily manipulated if Harry hadn't taught her as much as he had. Well, Belle would be sure to pay Regina back in time.

-x-

Harry watched his Master watch the road from the window, until he saw her on the road and went running to his spinning wheel. But Harry knew Belle was coming back, it was just what was going to happen after she did that would determine if that was a good thing or not. He was getting better at the whole subtle manipulations into getting people to do as he wanted but he wasn't quite as good as his Master was at predicting the outcomes. Rumplestiltskin was a master at getting things to go his way and Harry hoped he had learned well enough to see this plan come to fruition.

Belle came back as planned and Harry wrapped the shadows around his form to hide from their eyes. He was sure his Master would forget him in a moment, now that Belle was sitting with him at his wheel. "You came back," Rumplestiltskin said in disbelief. "That was always my intention," Belle said looking at him with nervous energy. "I would have been back sooner if I hadn't been delayed," Belle said. "Delayed dearie," Rumplestiltskin asked dangerously. "Harry warned me about some of your…rivals…I was stopped by Regina on the road, I knew her immediately because she matched the description he gave of her. I didn't know what to do," Belle said as she cast her eyes to her hands folded in her lap.

"It was my intention to return, she tried talking to me but I was too terrified to listen. All I thought about was getting back home." Belle said. "Home," Rumplestiltskin choked. Belle looked up then, at his disbelieving face, and her shoulders squared suddenly resolved. "Yes home, I love you Rumplestiltskin and I wanted to come home," then she kissed him. A surge of power rushed through him and he wrapped her up in his arms. Rumplestiltskin's skin glowed with the power surge, smoothing becoming more golden until his skin looked less like a toad and more like a dragon's.

Harry would have laughed had he not wanted to ruin the moment; it looked as if Belle had taken to the right way of thinking in these short few months Harry had to work on her ideals. She must have really liked his skin that way for it to have barely changed, the power boost would make his Master very happy when he finally noticed. Harry smiled, it worked, he felt his Master's powering growing from that kiss and then he left them to work the rest of it out. His Master had his insecurities, that was clear from how this went the last time, and Belle had a long road ahead of her. However, at least he had managed to keep them together this time…what would come of that remained to be seen.

-x-

Harry noticed the difference right away, Belle was sleeping in Rumplestiltskin's chambers now, and they were freer with their touches and looks. Belle more so then his Master but that was to be expected. He was sent out on more and more errands now, as his Master was more reluctant to leave his young wife's side. There was a change in the wind now, and not only for them. The cards had told him to expect something entirely unexpected today but he wasn't sure if it would be a good one.

He had been anxious all day, making it hard to concentrate and learn the new tricks his Master wanted to teach him. Belle noticed and she kept sending him concerned looks all through the day. It finally happened at teatime in the great hall, and the cards were right it was not what he expected at all. He was a bit irritated if he was honest with himself, his eye twitched as he stared down the owl as it held out its leg and his Master giggled at him from the doorway.

Finally Harry took the letter from the bird cautiously, mindful of its beak, to look at it. The letter was addressed to him, To Mr. H. Potter the suite in the upper west wing, Dark Castle, enchanted forest. It made him irritated at whoever had the audacity to spy on his Master and opened the letter to see whom it was from.

Dear Harry Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. Please find enclosed list of all the necessary books and equipment. Term begins September 1. We await your owl by no later then July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minvera McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry sent a negligent glance at the supply list and then he sent the letter flying into his Master's hands. "It seems we might have a problem," Harry said with a wave of his hand as he got up. His Master giggled a bit, "It seems so dearie, but appearances are not everything." His voice dropped a pitch at the end and Harry knew his Master was up to something from the look on his face. "What is it Master? What do you require of me?" Harry asked worried about where this might lead.

"This parchment," Rumplestiltskin said as he danced closer to the table, "this bird," he grabbed the owl suddenly freezing it mid-screech, "they are from another world entirely." His voice was a harsh whisper as he looked between Harry's letter and the owl that delivered it. Harry knew something was brewing in that mind of his, "Yet still a world with magic…not the one we seek…" Harry said in turn. Rumplestiltskin looked at him dangerously then and Harry bowed his head in submission.

"Your right dearie, another world, but the wrong one all the same," Rumplestiltskin said with a little giggle. "Still, one must never turn down an opportunity to learn magic not yet explored. I think I shall send you to this…'Hogwarts'," he giggled maliciously. "They trust you enough to share their secrets with you…perhaps they may even have a solution to our little problem." Rumplestiltskin said his voice a low contemplative whisper.

Harry knew there was no point to argue with him, Rumplestiltskin was his Master for the rest of eternity and his decisions were final. "This still leaves us with the problem of finding a passage between worlds Master," Harry said eyes firmly on the floor. Rumplestiltskin giggled, "Not quite dearie, not quite," he said as he twirled the owl in his hand. Harry didn't look up from the floor until he heard his Master's feet on the staircase…no doubt heading for his workshop in the west wing.

Belle looked very concerned, "Are you alright Harry?" Harry grinned at her, "Quite alright dearie, must be off soon have to see about getting the supplies needed for this new school." "Are you sure Harry? I could try talking to him if you don't want to go?" Belle asked coming to rest her hand on his shoulder. Harry suppressed a flinch, not used to being touched by anyone, and he danced out from under her hand. "I am alright my Lady, Rumplestiltskin is my Master and I shall do as he bids." Harry said as he moved to follow his Master up to the workroom.

"What world are you looking for?" Belle asked stopping Harry in his tracks. "That dearie is not my tale to tell," He looked over his shoulder at her teeth bared in a vicious grin, "I will remind you though that my Master promised you a tale should you return. You came back I think you should remind him of his bargain soon." Harry spoke in a low tone using subtle magic as he always did to make sure his Master didn't overhear. This play would be another dangerous one, however, Harry was beginning to see that like his Master doing dangerous things were starting to have an appeal.

-x-

Belle watched Kit play in the garden with a small smile, and began thinking about her time in the Dark Castle. Belle knew that her husband was secretive, mysterious…dangerous even but still she couldn't bring herself to mind his dark ways. As it often did when her mind wandered to Rumplestiltskin her thoughts soon turned to love. Love was not what she had expected as a little girl, it wasn't a bright light that warmed you with its rays, nor was it as changeable as the wind as some would say.

Love was an unexpected fire in the dark of the night, luring you in while casting shadows that hid the harsher things from sight. Love burned you up, gave you purpose, lit your way, love was so much more than she had ever expected. Belle had never thought that love could be something that ever came her way, even before her deal, and now that she had it inside her heart for someone Belle wondered how she could have lived without it.

She had always done her duty, done what was expected of her, Belle had forced herself to be content with the life her father had chosen for her. Belle had learned all that was asked of her, she had learned how to be the dutiful wife, to give herself to the idea that little happiness would ever come from her future marriage and that she was just a vessel for her husbands heirs. Yet, when she had been given the chance to change the course of her life…to actually choose her husband…she had taken it.

Rumplestiltskin may not be a man, may not even be a good person, but he was her choice. He was the one she had chosen to save her village and to be her one great act of bravery. Belle had expected that her life as Rumplestiltskin's wife to not be that different from the life she would have had with Gaston. Belle had expected to be the token on her husband's arm, to suffer through his visits to her bedchamber, to bear his children and be the dutiful wife.

Yet Rumplestiltskin continued to surprise her, as much Belle expected as she surprised him. He had not come to her on their wedding night, as was his due, had been nothing but a gentleman in fact to her. He had kept his distance, and he had expected little from her other than that she stay at the Dark Castle. Her confusion had only increased every time she had her little conversations with Harry, Rumplestiltskin's small boy-servant. Those conversations had her questioning her every belief, on love, on life, on good and evil.

For one as small and young as Harry, he was wise beyond his years. A little trickster too, and in her private thoughts Belle thought of Harry as a miniature Rumplestiltskin as his mannerisms were all so very similar to his Master's. Harry was the one who opened her eyes to the possibility of loving someone as dark as Rumplestiltskin, and well Rumplestiltskin had won her heart in his own way. Being the wife to such a being was not an easy thing; Belle admitted she was a soft woman with a tender heart. Hurting people could never bring one such as her joy, only heartache, and she suffered no delusions that her husband did not enjoy his work. No, Rumplestiltskin reveled in his power over others but as Harry had been so keen to point out to her…loving someone meant that you loved all of them…not just what you liked.

Belle knew loving Rumplestiltskin would never be an easy thing, he would keep secrets, he would hurt people and enjoy doing it. However, Rumplestiltskin was her husband, he was kind and generous to her. Belle knew in her heart that he would never harm her intentionally and he would protect her always. As a noble woman raised to suffer through a marriage, expecting very little joy and even less kindness Belle counted herself very lucky. Being married to Rumplestiltskin would never be dull, she would face adventure at every turn and danger…she would have to be very brave. Belle felt a smile break out luminously across her face as she watched her puppy play.

Her life was nothing she had ever expected…it was so much better than anything she had ever dreamed. Humming in thought Belle smoothed a hand down her stomach, and maybe one day there would be children to fill the quiet of the Dark Castle's halls. She smiled wider at the thought of babies with her eyes and his golden skin. There could be a lot of joy in that.

-x-

Harry sat in silence as he watched his Master flit about the workroom working magic that was far beyond him. Harry wasn't sure what he was would do at this Hogwarts, all he ever known was at the Dark Castle and though he had often left on errands he had never been away for any significant amount of time. Rumplestiltskin was too intent at getting the opportunity to learn the secrets of another magic using society that he could not be persuaded off this course.

There was hope yet, Harry was sure that even he took lessons from these people that his Master would still call him to his side frequently. Belle would need him occasionally also, Harry knew she had come to rely on him for deep discussions on things she was uncomfortable speaking of with his Master. That was a comfort at least, Harry didn't know how he would cope if he was no longer useful anymore.

"Master," Harry said when he saw Rumplestiltskin pause for a moment. "Yes dearie," Rumplestiltskin replied as he stirred his bubbling cauldron. "Most of these things are easy enough to procure…but this wand," Harry said leaving the question hanging in the air. "It wont be a problem dearie," Rumplestiltskin giggled, "I know just who to see about locating one." Harry left it at that, he recognized the gleam in his Master's eye when he was planning something and knew it was best to let things unfold as his Master willed it.

When later in that week Harry heard that King George's son had been killed quite suddenly by a seemingly dead man Harry knew better than to question his Master on it. Harry recognized his Master's subtle plans immediately because he was learning to do the same himself. Rumplestiltskin had already given him a necklace made from his spun gold and the owl that had delivered the letter to him in the first place. It was a bit morbid; the owl had been shrunken down, cast in gold, but into a crystal vial to hang about his neck.

To anyone else it looked like a golden charm that had amazing details, but Harry knew better. Rumplestiltskin had been remorseless about making him wear a dead animal as the said animal had enough magic inside of it to transverse worlds. Now all Harry had to do to go between worlds was turn the three times while picturing where he wanted to end up. The first time will be quite difficult as he only had vague memories of the park his Master had collected him from and could only picture his cupboard at first with any clarity.