FTL: Past

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They had been walking for a good few hours. Belle could tell by the sun's movements. All those books on astronomy had come in handy, she supposed. Throughout their small journey, they would ask each other questions. Never anything deep, but enough to get to know the person they were traveling with.

Belle knew that he made hats for a living and was excellent at sewing. That he had a daughter that he loved more than anything in the world, more than himself. He hated mushrooms. He loved tea but couldn't properly make it. Only his daughter could make the perfect mixture for him. He mentioned his wife, who was no longer with him, but only once. She didn't press him on where she was.

And she told him about her love of books. She told him about her father, who was more dear to her than anything she possessed. She told him of her longing to travel, to have adventure. She also told him that she was a princess, albeit warily, and that the castle was honestly all she had ever known before…she had trailed off, unwilling to share that just yet. The ache was still too much. He didn't press her either.

Both enjoyed the small talk, and she for the fact that it helped her forget. That alone made her feel at peace and she relished the small moment.

Suddenly she could see the trees clear and a little house came into her vision.

"Is that yours?" she asked, enchanted by the little cottage. She turned a smile to him, but he didn't look at her. He continued and she followed, confused. "Today is my daughter's birthday. I had been out today to get her a present." Belle looked at him, "Oh? How old-?"

Suddenly he turned on her, his hand on her arm, pulling her to a stop. Belle looked up at him fearfully, wondering if he was going to hurt her now, if he really wasn't trustworthy and was hiding his real self this whole time. She wondered if she made a mistake.

"I'm giving you one warning." His once warm dark eyes were so cold now. They stared down at her with such intent it sent a shiver down her back. "If you hurt my daughter…you will regret it." His mouth went into a hard line, his meaning clear. She understood.

She shakily nodded, "O-of course. I-I would never…I didn't even think to―" she was trembling, but she was honest. He could tell. His posture relaxed, as did his grip. His expression softened, and her fear melted away, "Good. That's all that matters." He let her go.

Belle took a shaky breath and composed herself. While she was still dazed over what had just transpired, she had to admit- she understood. She understood why he was threatening her, why he was all of a sudden so…dangerous.

He wanted to protect his daughter from the still-a-stranger woman.

And she could respect that. She took another breath and followed him to where he had reached the doorway. As he opened it she could hear the cries of a little girl, probably 9 or 10 years old, greeting her father. Jefferson immediately melted, any trace of the scary man he was seconds earlier completely gone. He looked at the person inside with such love and adoration that Belle felt her heart warm.

"Papa, where have you been? You took so long! The market is only an hour or so away!" Jefferson leaned down and hugged the girl, before kneeling in front of her.

"Well, I had to make a small stop," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Belle walked up further now, to where she could see the girl, though the girl didn't see her. She was a pretty child, her light brown hair shining in the sunlight, tiny braids adorning it. Her big brown eyes reflected her father's, the same affection and love. She was petite, but she probably came up to Belle's torso.

"For what?" she asked, her attention solely on her father. Jefferson smiled at her, "Well, actually," he began to stand up, "It's more like a 'who'." Belle now stood behind them, and slowly went in her line of sight, smiling at the girl. Grace looked shocked to see her, understandably, but was quick to return her smile.

"Hello," she said politely. "Who are you?"

Belle took a few steps forward, holding her hand out, "My name is Belle. What is yours?" The girl placed her smaller hand in Belle's, "Grace. It's a pleasure to meet you, Belle." She smiled sweetly up at Belle, and the brunette felt her heart melt at the little girl.

"She'll be staying with us for a while, Grace. Just until she can get back on her feet." The girl looked up at her father and nodded in understanding, before turning back to Belle. "Today's my birthday! Come sit by me, we're about to have tea!" she grasped Belle's hand and tugged her further into the house.

Belle looked back at Jefferson, to make sure this was okay, and was stunned to see a soft grin lining his features. He caught her eye and the grin broadened. She was right, it did light up his face. She followed the girl into the living room where a small table was set up for tea. It was a gorgeous set up, and Belle was only too happy to sit down where the girl directed her.

Grace began to pour the tea into three different cups, and then pretended to in another. The imaginary tea was for a stuffed animal that sat on the surface. Belle giggled at the childlike innocence, missing the days when she used to play make-believe.

"Why thank you, Miss Grace, for this lovely tea," Belle grinned at the girl, who returned the expression. Grace turned to her father and waved him over. Jefferson obliged, plopping down on the ground on one side of the small table. Belle nervously smoothed down her skirt, glancing at Jefferson every bit covertly throughout the party. Grace continued talking, to both her imaginary friends and her and Jefferson. The girl was adorable and immediately Belle took to her. She didn't remember smiling so much before.

She also didn't remember having a friend before. Books had been her only companions those lonely days in the castle. No one wanted to talk with her about anything of value. It was always about etiquette or politics or how to dress. She had always dreamed of something more than that provincial life. She wanted adventure, like she had told Rumplestiltskin, she wanted to be brave.

Belle hung her head in thought, the teacup in her hand. She suddenly felt the weight of what had just recently happened. Not that he had broken her heart…but that he had let her go.

Rumplestiltskin had given her freedom by letting her go. The idea of it completely baffled her and she sat there in silence, rolling it around in her head.

She could do what she wanted. There was nothing holding her back. Her father had given her away, her capturer had released her. She had nothing to go back to. Her mind reeled at the implications, and she was suddenly aware of how freely she could move.

A smile twitched from her expression and for the first time in 24 hours she felt the embers of hope rising in her. Everything horrible that had just occurred seemed like it could become just a bad dream.

Something gently tapped her hand and her head shot up and out of her thoughts. Grace smiled at her sweetly, "Would you like more tea, Belle?"

The tension just melted in Belle's shoulders. Yes, she thought, it just might be okay. She grinned back at the younger girl, "Yes please, Miss Grace," and held out her cup.

Out of her eyesight, Jefferson secretly smiled at the brunette. Seeing the happy expression on his Grace's face made him deem his decision to bring in this stranger a good one. He could only hope it stayed that way.

Belle turned to both of them and held out her cup, "A toast; to the birthday girl! May you have a very merry happy one!" The girl giggled and lightly clinked her cup against Belle's. Jefferson smirked and mimicked the action.

In sync they all took a drink. The good feelings were hanging in the air and all present basked in it. They didn't know how much longer it would stay that way.

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This chapter didn't change at all. Previously it was chapter 2, but since I'm moving things around...this is now chapter 3 xD