"I thought you were with the others."

Belle sighed. "I couldn't really bring myself to be around them at the moment."

"How so?"

Rumple set down the book he was looking through. Research was a lot easier with Belle there, and when she was doing it.

"It doesn't matter right now."

Belle tried to pull her attention to random objects, not really sure how to begin this. But it was her who came here so she had to start.

"I met your father."

Rumple nearly jumped and Belle grimaced. She really should have known better than to throw something like that out there. There had to be a measure of security first considering who his father was.

"He didn't hurt me!" She held up her hand to try and push Rumple back before he bolted from the shop, even though he was across the room.

"I promise, he didn't hurt me Rumple."

"Why were you with him?"

"He meet me. He just wanted to talk."

She was careful not to tell him that she was just wondering around on her own. He definitely wouldn't like that considering the circumstances.

"Why?"

"He wanted to talk about you."

Rumple nearly froze. Belle was smiling. Why?

"Why are you smiling?"

Belle giggled. "Because I don't think your father cares so little for you as you think."

"What do you mean?" He asked, clearly not believing her.

"Well, apparently he was watching you after he became Peter Pan." She continued to smile like she was holding back a secret.

"What?"

"So he knows about the deal you made with the healer." And the smile was gone.

They were silent for a few seconds. Belle was waiting for his reaction but when she saw that he didn't really have one she continued.

"He told me what happened."

He looked at her, still a little confused.

"Belle-"

"I understand."

Rumple was not expecting that.

"What?"

"I'm not saying I fully agree with your choice, but I understand how you were feeling at the time."

Perhaps it was the severe lack of sunlight in the shop or his mind was too busy processing what all Belle was saying, but Rumple was just now noticing that her face was a little red and her eyes a tad puffy.

"You've been crying. What did my father do?!"

Belle nearly ran up to him, placing a hand on his chest. "Rumple, it's okay. He didn't do anything to me but talk. I was crying because...because I realized how wrong I was."

"What?"

He took her into his arms.

"Rumple, I'm so sorry."

She began to cry again in his chest and Rumple rubbed circles on her back to try and calm her down. He really needed to know what happened between his father and wife. And he hated to see her cry.

"Oh Belle, it's alright."

"No it's not!"

She pushed herself away from his arms.

"I was selfish, Rumple! I wanted honesty from you and I got it. But what did I do? I walked away. Again!"

"Belle-"

"No Rumple. You can't make me think otherwise when it's true."

She wiped her eyes. He just stood there, watching his beauty, wishing to take away her pain. His Belle, always so brave, was having an identity crisis. And she didn't seem to know what to do. But she wanted him to listen so he would.

"Your father told me about you and Milah."

He would have to give some personal thanks for that, he thought sarcastically.

"About what happened to Baelfire and the healer. But he also told me something I never allowed myself to realize."

Her tears were drying up. She wondered if it was possible to be so emotional after just a few days of getting pregnant. She doubted it, but there was just too much going on right now to not be.

"I'm so sorry. I never realized just how broken you were. I never knew."

"No you didn't."

Belle was surprised to hear how calm he was about it.

"And that's not your fault. I never told you everything because...I didn't want you to think less of me than you already do."

Belle froze. What?

"What?"

"Belle, I know what kind of man I am. I do, believe me. I make the wrong choices-"

"But for the right reasons. Your father told me."

"I was a desperate soul. And when you're desperate...you do anything."

"But even if you're desperate you can make the right choice."

Rumple just stood there and looked at her. She was sure of the emotion in his eyes, but he looked like he was in pain.

"No. You don't. Because at that moment, when the person you love is in danger, you do whatever you have to protect them. Even if it cost your own soul."

Her breath hitched. "That doesn't mean darkness is the only option."

"No it doesn't, but it's the only you're forced to choice."

"You can be good Rumple. I know you can."

"You're right. Perhaps I can be good. But Belle-"

He paused to make sure he had her full attention.

"This isn't about me."

Again she almost fell over from such a realization.

"This is about you and our child. And if I have to pay my own soul to protect you both...I will. And you're not going to stop me."

"I don't want our child to lose its father."

He paused for moment, looking elsewhere as if he was thinking.

"Did my father tell you about the Seer?"

Belle slowly shook her head, brows forwarded.

"I met a Seer on the battlefield. She was just a child at the time, but she told me that if I went into battle, my child would remain fatherless."

Belle gasped. Her mind was going over every little thing she knew about Rumple's past, trying to put the pieces together.

"That's why you broke your leg. I know you said that it was because you were scared, but I also know that you did it to get to your son. You didn't want Baelfire to live without a father. Not after what Peter Pan did to you."

He bent his head down. "No. I knew I would be branded as a coward. But I've always been one, even as a child. Milah..."

He wasn't sure he could tell her the truth about his first wife, but he was feeling light. Why? Was it because he was telling her the truth? Or the dagger? He didn't have the voices in his head pulling him to darkness. For the first time during the curse, he could think. And breathe. And Belle wanted honesty. He just hoped she wouldn't walk away again. He wouldn't deny that truth about their arguments. Even he had to admit (even if it hurt himself a little) that Belle had a tendency to go back on that particular promise, but he also knew he couldn't blame her too much. It was always his fault. He always messed up.

"Rumple, it's okay."

Belle took his hands in hers. Pouring all her love into her eyes so he could see them.

"You can tell me. I promise, I won't walk away."

Not yet. Belle forced that sickening voice out of her mind. No, she wouldn't walk away. She's done enough of that already.

"We use to be in love. Me and Milah. But the war changed that. I remember...I remember when I came home early after I got the invitation to join the battlefield. I was excited. She was nervous. She didn't want me to die, but now I'm not so sure."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not really sure." He gave a dry chuckle. "I told her that it was my chance to prove I wasn't a coward like my father. She told me I wasn't, but I realized afterwards that she didn't mean that. You see, Milah wanted me to fight. She didn't care if I hurt myself. She didn't seem to care when I told her it was to get back to our son. When I told her about the Seer, she thought I was insane. She didn't even seem to care whether I live or die."

Belle felt sick. She never wanted to meet this woman, but she really wanted to give her a piece of her mind. How? How could any person feel that way? Not caring if your husband lived or die, as long as he fought against ogres? Was that all that matter to the woman? Having a strong husband to take what was his?

"But she tried, I guess."

"What do you mean?"

"She did stick around for Baelfire at the beginning, but only so he wouldn't be stuck with a coward father. In the end, she left. I've already told you that story."

But he hadn't told her that he killed his ex-wife. Twice. He didn't think now was the best time. But that was their issue, right? Not talking about things, no matter how painful or how much they hated the truth.

"Belle-"

His words never left his lips when they were covered by Belle's. She always knew how to throw him off. He smiled at the thought, and while he wanted her, they really needed to talk.

"I'm so sorry." She said when they broke apart. "I only helped make things worse. I'm no better than them, am I?"

"No Belle, you're far better than anyone can be."

"But I've made so many mistakes in our relationship."

"We both have perhaps. But that's good, right?"

She looked up at him.

"It's boring being perfect."

Belle laughed. How did he always know when to do that?

"Besides, isn't love suppose to be layered? A mystery?"

"Throwing my own lines at me isn't going to get you anywhere Mr. Gold."

"Is it?"

They kissed again, but was interrupted (once again) by the shop's bell. Gold figured it was time (when they made it back home) to rip that bell off the frame. Perhaps a shock to the intruder would give them more privacy.

But he was glad it wasn't this time. His father suggesting they have another child was too much, he couldn't bare for him to catch them in the act. Even if they were having another child.

"Father."

Belle turned around, pulling her arms away from Rumple's neck, and saw the boy she was talking to earlier closing the door behind him.

"Hello laddie."

Belle wasn't sure if it was the lighting, but did Peter look even sadder than before?

"What are you doing here?"

"Wanted to make sure you and the missus made up. I guess I got my answer."

That familiar smirk again.

She was surprised Rumple didn't retort, but his thin lips and exhausted look said otherwise. At least he was decent enough to keep whatever comment he had in his head.

"Thank you."

Belle looked to her father-in-law as both men looked at her shocked.

"Your welcome. See?" Peter looked to Rumple. "I didn't hurt her. I wouldn't do that. In fact I like her. You can trust me Rumple. I meant what I said."

Belle didn't ask Rumple what his father meant. She didn't feel like it was her place.

"If you really meant it, you'll help."

It wasn't a request. And they all knew that.

"Of course. So what plan have you two made?"

Belle and Rumple looked at each other. It was clear to them that they each had their own, but if they were going to do better about this communication thing, they had to work on a plan together.

Rumple let out a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately, we need to talk to the others. It seems everyone has gone off on their own doing their own little thing. If we're all going to get out of here alive, we need to work together."

Belle smiled. They both had a long way to go, but this was a good step.


So, if anyone wants to check out my tumblr, the link is in my profile. It's not much but I do like reblog and post about OUAT. Granted, I only started it a few months ago but I would like some followers. Or at least to know other people are looking at it other than just me. You don't have to. Just wanted that out there. I've been meaning to before, but kept forgetting.

I do see another chapter after this, and a story. But I also think it will be a tad slow going. If anyone have ideas of what they would like, please let me know. Ideas will help right now.