Life for the three became a routine. Belle dusted and for the most part clean up what Rapunzel had left laying around. Rumpelstiltskin came and went as he pleased. On days when he sat spinning in the library, Belle would read in the room. After some more time Rapunzel joined them, brushing her hair, and feeling a part of a misshapen family. One question began boiling in her. She had to know. "Rumpelstiltskin?"

"Yes Rapunzel." He answered not looking away from his wheel.

"Where is Baelfire?" The spinning stopped. The air in the room changed, and became thick and the hair on Belle's neck rose.

"I'm going to dust... again..." with that she rushed out of the room, leaving the two to hash out their new issue.

"How do you know Bae?" He walk over to her, face crinkled in rage.

"Where is he?" He stood in front of her.

"Answer me girl! How do you know him?" He was angry, but she saw the pain in his eyes.

"Tell me where he went. I'll tell you where we met"

"No! No deals?" he grabbed her up by her wrists and started to crush them. "How do you know him?"

"You're hurting me." She tried to be calm, but Rapunzel was fearful and angry.

"I'll do more than that! Tell me!"

"Where is he?!"

"Gone!" He shouted.

"Where?! Where Rumpelstiltskin?!" He let her go and turned away. "Did he run away? Did someone take him?" She cried out to him.

"No one took him!" he turned back to her and shouted.

"He was such a sweet boy Rumpel!"

"He is ...!" he paused and breathed deep. "He's just lost." he wasn't quite calm, but he was trying not to lash out anymore.

"Lost where?" Rapunzel asked, while her heart was breaking.

"In a land without magic."

"How?"

"Tell me how you know my son." Rapunzel thought of what to say.

"I lied." she confessed

"About what?" he asked irritated.

"I left the tower. And when I did I was out of the tower I learned alot. I met this sweet kid who was so sad and lonely. He had no mother and everyone hated his father, and he didn't know why." Rapunzel's eyes were watery, and couldn't swallow down this thick lump forming in her throat.

"Go on." Rumpelstiltskin said softly. He wasn't as upset anymore.

"I showed him my tower, and told him what to say when he wanted to visit. He was the only one to visit me in my tower, in a very long time. I watched him grow up. He got taller every visit." Rapunzel remembered fondly. "And I loved that sweet kid." She confessed. "He told me he was scared because his father had become the DarkOne. All he wanted was to have his papa back." She stopped to wipe her tears before they left her eyes. "The last thing he told me was that he found a way to go to a world without magic. He ask me to go with them, but I said no. My magic hair was all I knew and if I didn't have it." she signed "If I didn't have magic I would lose my mind." she looked at Rumpelstiltskin. "I use to think about what it would've been like if I had gone with him. But why didn't you go?" There was a long pause before he said anything.

"I chose my power. Over my son. And I've been trying to get back to him ever since." He went and sat at his wheel again. There was silence again.

"So how are you going to get him back?"

"I wouldn't worry about it." His voice calmer, but with a touch of irritation.

"I think I'll go help Belle." She started to walk out.

"I thought you weren't a maid Dearie?" He said teasing.

"I thought that boy was more important to you." She spat angry before leaving. Once again the hair followed behind her. Rumpelstiltskin watched the golden locks until they completely left the room. Belle had been listening just outside the door, the shouting made it easy. Rapunzel instead of helping her actually threw a tea pot at the wall, and ran to her tower. She wondered if she should go speak to Rapunzel, or Rumpelstiltskin? If she should try to ease the fighting at all? She decided to go to Rapunzel first, as Rumple seemed content spinning his wheel again. She went to the kitchen and set a tray with a fresh pot of tea, and two cups. Then she made her way up the steps of the tower. When she emerged into Rapunzel's room, she found her curled up in her bed with brush in hand. Belle walked over to her careful not to step on any strands of hair on her way.

"Go away maid." Rapunzel growled.

"I have tea for you." She replied with hope.

"I don't want tea."

"Can I know what happened?"

"Your master is a cruel man indeed. Thats all you need to know." Belle set the tray at the foot of the bed and sat at the floor near Rapunzel's head.

"You must have really loved him."

"Not really. His face was just starting to grow on me, and the power is attractive. But being Mrs. Almighty DarkOne, doesn't have the same ring to it as Rapunzel."

"I meant Baelfire."

"Oh. Yes. I loved that kid. He came all the time. All he wanted was a mother's love, and I... I was just so touched when he came to me for that. Nothing brought me more joy than throwing my hair down and seeing that sweet boy climb over the window seal." Her voice was so sad.

"Do you think you'll see him again?"

"No. Everyone leaves. Everyone leaves poor Rapunzel. Still in her tower, with no one who loves her to set her free."

"I don't believe that." Belle set her hand on Rapunzel's. "You will find love. And have the family you've always wanted."

"No I won't." She left Belle's hand on hers but sat up a bit. "Children make a family Belle. And I have no prospects to offer me that."

"Well I'm here. I made a deal to stay here forever. Could I come visit you?" Belle smiled at Rapunzel. "Might be a little less lonely?"

"Somewhere I feel like the love of a child is different from the respect of the help Belle." Rapunzel argued.

"But Rumpelstiltskin will still be here."

"Please! That man will get sick of me too. You should've heard what I said to him."

"I did."

"You dirty eavesdropper."

"I know you were both angry, and saying things you didn't mean."

"I'm pretty sure I meant it. But it was harsh."

"You should go talk to him."

"And say what? Its ok you lost the boy. 'Lets just adopt a pack of orphans!'"

"Maybe you could rephrase?" Rapunzel thought about it for a minute.

"No. Its exactly what I want." she said more to herself than Belle.

"What do you mean?" Belle asked worried.

"I want to make a deal!" She shouted. "Rumpelstiltskin!" Rapunzel yelled for him.

"What is it?" He appeared as if he was there the whole time.

"Its so good to see you!" Rapunzel said jumping out of bed, running over to him.

"The feeling isn't mutual."

"How can you say that? I'm hurt." She was only half honest.

"Did you want something?" He sneered.

"Yes, I want a deal." Rapunzel announced joyfully.

"What ever for?" He asked interested. "I thought you had everything you wanted Dearie?"

"You." She put her hands on his shoulders rubbing them lightly. "And Belle, reminded me that there is something I want. And have wanted for a very long time."

"Name it." He giggled tapping her nose setting his unset feelings aside.

"I. Want. A. Child." She made sure to speak as clearly as she possibly could.

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"I can find you one. For a price." He said with his wicked grin.

"No please Rapunzel! The price is alway high with him." Belle pleaded.

"What is he going to take from me? The Tower?" Rapunzel laughed. "What is the price?"

"I want to know the magic of your hair, and for you to use it for me when I ask."

"That's a fair deal sir." Rapunzel smiled. "First bring me my child. Then and only then I will reveal my power, and use it to advance your interests."

"Excellent!" He giggled. "The deal is struck." With that he vanished into smoke.