A BAT IN STORYBROOKE:
Chapter 8
"Rumple, we need to talk." In Mr. Gold's office right behind his pawnshop, Belle stopped in front of his desk to face her husband, who had his thoughts elsewhere.
" I don't think you should no more about the pirate and his rival," Mr. Gold said. "That story is…"
"It's not about them," Belle interrupted. "It's about our baby."
Rumple froze at the last word. "What about it?"
"Don't play stupid with me again, Rumple. You aren't happy about the fact that I'm pregnant and I know it has nothing to do about its possibility of being evil. So what is it?"
Rumple only retorted: "I don't want to talk about it."
"Too bad. Because I not moving until you tell me the truth." Belle crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the ground, making it sound like a ticking clock. Her attitude made Rumple agitated until he couldn't take it anymore. "All right! It's because of Baelfire and my father! After my father abandoned me, I tried to avoid being the parent he was to me when I raised Baelfire with no avail. No matter what I tried to be a good parent, I was just a shadow in my son's life. Now he's dead and I'm about to have a possibly dangerous child with you, whom I was even a coward towards your love. I'M JUST AFRAID OF BEING A BAD PARENT AGAIN!"
Rumple began crying as he slammed his head on his desk. Touched by the truth in his words, Belle went to comfort her husband with a hug. "Oh Rumple…"
Their moment was interrupted when they heard the bell of the shop's door ring. "That's odd," Mr. Gold said as he dried his tears. "I could have sworn that I locked the door earlier today."
"We'd better see what this is about." The Golds started heading out of the office until they were blocked by a peg-legged humanoid bat with a handicapped wing holding a sword that he used to menace the Golds in one hand and the golden heart of the truest believer, Henry, in the other.
" I would stay put, if I were you, Lord Rumplestiltskin, unless you want me to harm your wife and crush your grandson's heart," Fitzgerald said calmly as they watched him in surprise. "Believe me. I know what it's like to lose those you love and I don't think you want to see this happening to you today."
Flashback: Back in Aldorada, year 1774
As the party flew on during the night, Killian and Fitzgerald had been chatting all evening, sharing stories and experiences, and bonding as time flew.
"Honestly, Killian, you really have an amazing life full of adventures," Fitzgerald said in awe.
"Surely not as great as yours," the lieutenant laughed. "Stories say that your sword skills have led Aldorada to endless victories. You're practically a legend."
The Aldoradian Sergeant smiled, revealing some fangs. "I appreciate it. Although, to be honest, I owe it all to my father: he was the one who helped me pursue my dream of following in his footsteps and becoming a soldier like him. I'd be nowhere without him."
Killian gave a warm, but sad smile all of a sudden.
"Are you alright, Killian?"
"I am. It's just…you're lucky to have been blessed with a father who supports you very much despite your…differences. Mine abandoned me when I was younger despite our close relationship, leaving me with just my brother Liam, who was hardly around me until I joined the military," Killian said sadly.
The Batrishan looked in pity at the lieutenant and held the latter's shoulder in comfort as they walked near an open window that showed the ocean gleaming from the moonlight.
"I'm sorry, Killian," Fitzgerald told him with honest sympathy. "I know what it's like to feel abandoned…"
Killian looked at his friend. "You do?"
"Yes. I was abandoned and found in front of a chapel when I was barely a week old. If my father and mother, may she rest in peace, hadn't wanted to adopt me when they found me there, who knows what would have happened to me then?"
"You don't have the foggiest idea of who your actual parents are?"
"Alas, no. The only truths I know is that I am apparently born from within the Batrishan priests, the leaders of my people, and that I might be the only remaining survivor of a genocide caused by an angry god that killed all of my people. Plus, as a coincidence, I was found at the footsteps of St Alejandro's Chapel a few hours after the news of the Batrishan genocide reached Aldorada and twelve hours after my adoptive parents lost their son William when he died of childbirth."
"I'm so sorry, Fitzgerald. I had no idea. It must be hard for you."
"It is. But I have a family that genuinely loves me, friends who appreciate me, and a country to live for. What more can I ask for? Plus, I have this as a memento." He pulled out something from underneath his collar: a golden medallion with a depiction of a Batrishan with four arms summoning fire as smaller Batrishans kneeled before him.
"What is it?" Killian looked at the medallion in curiosity.
"My birth medallion. From what my parents learned from Aldoradian mages, my people wore medallions based on their social ranks, whether they were artisans, blacksmiths, healers, etc. This is the one that the Batrishan priests and their children wore: a golden medallion of Ashiva, their deity of balance. It was around my neck when my parents found me." He tucked it back under his collar.
"You've had a tough life," Killian concluded.
"Well…"
"FIDGET!" a voice squealed in delight.
The men looked to see a young woman, dress in an orange gown, with her golden hair tied up with sparkly blue ribbons and her green eyes sparkling in delight as she ran to embrace Fitzgerald.
"Isabella! What a pleasure to see you…"the Navy Sergeant said until she cut him off with a kiss, causing Killian to turn his head with both discomfort and amusement.
"Easy there, Isabella," Fitzgerald said as he gently pulled away from the gentlewoman and motioning towards Killian. "We have company."
"Oh, I'm sorry love," she bowed her head in embarrassment towards Killian.
"Allow me to do the introduction. Isabella, this is my friend Lieutenant Killian Jones from the kingdom of your mother's latest ally. Killian, this is Isabella, daughter of Queen Florencia, princess of Aldorada… and my beloved fiancée."