Chapter 9

"Oh my god." Emma gasped as she stared at the unconscious Regina lying on the floor.

"That was…um…I don't understand." Jefferson mumbled to himself.

"Gold that was completely uncalled for! What is wrong with you?" Emma cried, staring at him is disbelief. But it didn't seem to bother him.

He spun around, looking back at Belle who stood frozen in place, still recovering from what just happened.

Moving slowly towards her, a slight smile forming, he sighed deeply, taking her all in. She wasn't sure what was happening, why he seemed to have this obsession with her. It would make sense for her to be afraid but for some strange reason she wasn't; she felt confused more then anything else.

Suddenly there was a loud sound and everyone looked over to see Emma elbow Alice in the face and then grab her gun, knocking her to the ground in the process.

"Don't move!" She said pointing the gun now at Jefferson.

"Drop your weapon now!" She ordered him. Jefferson obeyed. Emma looked over at Mary Margaret who was now free and directed her to pick up his gun. She hesitated for a second but then made her way over to the weapon, holding it loosely in her hands.

"Aim it at them." She told her, motioning at the guards who had released Dr. Hopper and were now standing tentatively to the side. Mary Margaret pointed the gun in their direction but couldn't keep her eyes off the man on the ground.

"Emma we have to call the hospital. David needs an ambulance now." She said to her, panic instilled in her voice. Emma thought for a second and then nodded, looking over at Belle.

"Belle, right? That's your name?" Emma asked her and she nodded in response, still watching Gold.

"Take this and dial 911. Tell them we need an ambulance and back up at The Kingdom of Hearts Banquet Hall right away."

Belle took the phone but the screen was blank. She tried tapping the screen several times but she couldn't get it to work.

"Allow me." Mr. Gold said as held out his hand, a small smile lingered on his face.

She handed him the phone, their hands touching briefly.

As Gold made the call, Jefferson looked over at Belle, smirking slightly. He shrugged and she could tell that he wasn't all that surprised that the plan didn't work.

"August, are you okay?" Emma called over to him as he stood to the side; his nose had finally stopped bleeding.

"Yeah I'm alright." He said and patted Henry on the shoulder.

"Can you take him home?" She asked August while looking down at Henry.

"But Emma I have something important…"

"Henry not now, later okay?" He nodded somberly and skulked away with August.

"I feel really uncomfortable holding this gun Emma," Mary Margaret said. "Maybe I should let her hold it…" She said, looking at Belle.

"No. She's an accomplice in this. We can't trust her. Not yet at least." Emma retorted, looking over at Belle.

"I'll take it Mary Margaret." Dr. Hopper said hesitantly.

"Archie…are you sure?" She asked, slowly handing him the gun.

"Yeah. I've…I've handled a gun before." They all looked at him skeptically. He took the gun awkwardly and then pointed it at the guards, holding it in a strange position. It became clear he hadn't used one before. He shrugged, smiling. Mary Margaret laughed lightly but then ran over to David.

"Hey. Everything's going to be alright. An ambulance is on there way right now…David I'm so sorry." She cupped his face in her hand, smiling softly at him; he grinned slightly back, gently brushing through her hair with his fingers.

Mr. Gold handed the phone back to Emma.

"I'm honestly not sure how to handle this Gold. If it weren't for the fact that we have two men dead and another shot I would take you into custody right now for attacking Regina. But as it is I have more threatening criminals to deal with at the moment."

He didn't seem too concerned.

"What the hell was that for though? Why did do that?" She asked him, her curiosity was getting the best of her. Belle was glad, she was just as anxious to know but wasn't sure how to ask.

"Let's just say she deserved it." He said, staring at Belle.

Belle shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts.

"Do….do I know you from somewhere?" She finally braved to ask him. He didn't seem sure how exactly to answer.

Eventually he said, "You could say that."

"Where…" She began

"He's Rumpelstiltskin." Jefferson said confidently, as if it were very obvious.

Mr. Gold turned around, glaring at him crossly.

"Jefferson shrugged, "What? She knows about the curse. She's aware of our past lives. My question is though, why are you so happy to see her?" He asked him, leaning forward and raising an eyebrow. Mr. Gold seethed at him.

"Again with this fairytale nonsense! Jefferson you are sick. You need help! If I get any say in your verdict I'll make sure you end up getting some serious therapy sessions with Archie." Emma said to him, shaking her head.

"For the last time, I am NOT crazy!" He fumed, moving closer to her. She pulled the gun's latch back.

"You're just blind Emma. How is it that I was able to convince Belle of the truth within minutes but you still can't accept it after seeing everything you have? Perhaps you're the one who needs help." He was now inches from her, towering above the gun she still had pointed at his chest.

"I'll be sure to see that he ends up in a mental asylum Miss Swan. You can be sure of that." Assured Mr. Gold. Jefferson scowled at him and then looked at Belle.

"I don't think you'd do that Mr. Gold."

"Why is that?"

"Because Belle wouldn't want that. And something tells me you'd be willing to do just about anything for her." He said, now inches from him. Mr. Gold's eyes widened slightly; Jefferson was right but he wasn't going to admit it.

Then suddenly Regina started to move. Her head tilted to the right, exposing a large gash in her head. She started to sit upwards.

"Regina don't move. You need to stay still, the ambulance will be here any minute," Emma told her but she didn't listen. She lifted her hand to her forehead, feeling the blood dripping down her face. Finally she looked over at Mr. Gold, who stared back at her with all the hatred and disgust he could muster.

She pushed herself as far from him as possible, leaning against the wall.

"You'll pay for this." She mouthed to him.

"Oh I doubt I'll be the one paying for anything dearie. It is you who better watch your back." He threatened

She lifted an eyebrow, challenging him.

"Alright guys seriously. Threatening each other right in front of the Sheriff might not be in your best interests." Emma said bluntly.

But neither of them seemed to be paying her any mind. Mr. Gold slowly backed up, never allowing his eyes to leave Regina's, but so that he was now standing next to Belle.

"She's going back." Regina said avowed.

This really seemed to hit a nerve for Mr. Gold. He shook his head, starting to tremble once more.

"Ah that is where you are very wrong." He affirmed confidently.

"No one's going anywhere until we have a proper hearing and get everything sorted out." Emma chimed in.

"She just held myself and numerous others at gunpoint. She is going back. That is certain." Regina said, her eyes getting darker as she spoke.

"So that's why she was there," Jefferson said, finally coming to a realization. "She was put in the asylum because you knew she meant something to him. You were using her as leverage." He said to Regina, who stared at him disdainfully.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, " She said causing Gold to scoff. "Belle was in there because she is certifiably insane. She's schizophrenic and it's very serious. As you can see she is extremely dangerous." Regina was getting so worked up, she began to pull herself into a standing position despite Emma's pleads for her to stay seated.

She walked towards Mr. Gold, fear completely vanished from her eyes now, but before she could get too close Emma stepped in between them.

"This is not the time or the place for this Madame Mayor." She told her, edging her back.

"You're stopping me right now? You think I'm the dangerous one? Miss Swan there are multiple criminals in this room, one including this man right here," She pointed at Mr. Gold, "And you are worried about me? All of them must be put under arrest right now!" She commanded.

"And how exactly can I do that with one gun and one set of handcuffs in my purse?" Emma retorted.

"Figure. It. Out." Regina spat at her and walked back towards the wall, dabbing her head with a tissue she found in her bag.

Emma stared off, hating when she felt like she was failing at her job. But what more could she do? She had a psychotherapist aiming a gun for goodness sake.

"Alright everyone against that wall, facing it with your hands behind your back." She ordered. All of them stood there uneasily, not sure whether they should listen or not.

"Now!" She yelled, pointing the gun in their general area. Jefferson, a wobbly Alice, and the remaining guards did as she said. Belle made an attempt to move but Gold gently grabbed her wrist, preventing her from going. She turned towards him, eyeing him questionably but he just shook his head, as if assuring her that Emma didn't mean the two of them.

"Gold what are you doing? Both of you against the wall now." Mr. Gold stared at her incredulously.

"Miss Swan we are not…"

"Now!" She said forcefully. Belle looked at him and then back at Emma, who had broken Gold's grasp on her wrist.

Mr. Gold refused to listen. Emma turned to Belle, "Belle the wall right now. You're in enough trouble." She said to her, speaking softly as to almost beg her to listen. Belle looked at Mr. Gold, who shook his head once more, and then followed Emma's instructions.

Mr. Gold sighed deeply but wouldn't back down.

"I am not a threat. You said it yourself dear."

"I know what I said. I changed my mind. Don't make me put you in handcuffs again." Emma said, inching closer to him. He smiled and then held out his wrists together, daring her to arrest him.

She furrowed her brow, not understanding why he was being so difficult. Looking behind her at the mayor, she was greeted with an eyebrow raise and a glare that told her if she didn't arrest him, she would likely lose her job. At least that was how she interpreted it.

She grabbed the pair of handcuffs from her purse and put them on Mr. Gold, who didn't seem too bothered with it. Grabbing onto his suit she pulled him towards the others, resting his head against the stone wall.

"Have to make everything so difficult." Emma mumbled to herself. Gold smiled faintly and for once he actually looked semi-composed. He turned his head to the left so that he was facing Belle. She looked over at him and for some reason found herself smiling back. There was something about him that made her feel strangely erratic.

At that moment the help had arrived. Several police officers came running in as well as the paramedics. They took care of David, lifting him out on a gurney, with Mary Margaret following close behind.

"I'll see you at the hospital." Emma told her as they headed towards the exit. The dead bodies were lifted out as well, leaving the police officers to place handcuffs on everyone against the wall.

"Nice work Miss Swan." A deep familiar voice said from behind. Emma spun around and saw the DA standing by the entrance, smiling widely.

He walked in, dressed in casual wear, yet still incredibly intimidating.

"Did you change?" Emma asked, slowly turning around to face him.

He shook his head, confused.

"Where have you been all night?" Regina asked, moving towards him.

He turned quickly towards her, "Home. I've been ill unfortunately. But I was informed that we've finally caught the infamous runaway and his "hostage". He moved towards Belle and Jefferson, eyeing them closely. He turned Jefferson around, analyzing everything about him.

"So you're the one responsible for all of this. You are the ringleader?" He asked him. Jefferson smiled but didn't respond.

"Answer me." The DA demanded. But still no reply. He shoved him back against the wall.

Then he turned towards Belle, grabbing her shoulder and spinning her around now. Mr. Gold stepped back from the wall, watching closely.

"And you my dear, you are the hostage correct?" She stayed silent as well. "Why is she being arrested?" He asked the room. Regina stepped forward.

"She was a part of the entire plot Albert. She held a gun to my head. Belle is anything but innocent." She seethed.

"Is this true?" The DA asked her.

"She isn't a criminal. It wasn't her fault." Gold chimed in. The DA let go of Belle and walked over to Gold.

"I see you've got yourself into trouble as well, eh Gold? What did you do now?" He asked, taking pleasure in seeing him in handcuffs.

"Nothing that wasn't warranted." He replied.

"Oh no. Bashing me in the head with your cane definitely doesn't warrant an arrest." Regina said caustically. The DA glanced at her, just noticing her bruise, and then looked back at Gold.

"You have to work on controlling your anger Mr. Gold." He said to him.

"Perhaps. But it does become useful in certain situations, don't you agree Albert?" As he said this the DA's face fell. He turned solemn, staring angrily at Mr. Gold who was now the one smiling.

"What is he talking about?" Regina asked him. Albert didn't answer but continued to stare at Gold with much disdain.

Then, unexpectedly, the DA held out his hand to one of the police officers for the set of keys. He placed one in Mr. Gold's handcuff lock and set him free, appearing infuriated as he did so.

He spun him around, "There. I owe you nothing now!" He spat at Gold, feeling shameful for what he had just been forced to do.

"What are you doing? Why are you letting him go? He attacked me!" Regina became enraged. It took her a second to realize that Mr. Gold was collecting on a deal he had made with the DA. Apparently Albert Spencer owed him a favor after he helped him out with something.

"You won't get away this." She spat at Gold as the DA began to make his way to Emma, who appeared incredibly confused at what just happened.

"It seems I already have." He smiled at her, shrugging as he walked towards Belle.

Regina spun to see him whispering in Belle's ear, assuring her about something.

"Miss Swan have everyone taken into custody and transferred to the Storybrooke prison immediately." The DA ordered her. She nodded but then looked over at Belle who stared back at her in fright. Despite what Mr. Gold was telling her she couldn't help herself from shaking. She didn't want to go to jail; to be anywhere locked up would be impossible for her to handle.

"Wait. Albert." Emma said before the DA could leave.

She approached him, whispering discretely, "What about the girl, Belle? I have reason to believe that she acted out of fear. Jefferson threatened her, I'm sure of it."

"Miss Swan there is no way to determine the validity of your theories so until we can give her a trial she is going to jail." He began to walk away but she grabbed his arm.

"Look she's been locked away in an insane asylum for what I've heard a very long time. Regina says that she has schizophrenia. If that's true than she can plead not guilty for reasons of insanity. I…I don't think she should be taken to jail. Not yet at least."

"What exactly are you suggesting?" He asked her, becoming irritated.

"Let me take her to her to the station, I'll put her in the holding cell until we can get her a lawyer and a case. Please." Emma begged.

"Why do you care so much about what happens to this girl? Do you know her?"

"No I don't…"

"Then don't concern yourself…"

"I think that's a great idea," Regina said pleasantly. Emma, the DA, and Mr. Gold all turned to her in shock, looking at her as if she had lost her mind.

"What? You…agree with me?" Emma asked, skeptical as to whether to really meant it.

"Of course. Miss Swan's right she has a severe case of schizophrenia. Jail will be hard for her to adjust to. Not to mention she could be a danger to others. Keep her in the holding cell and this way her medication can be easily administered as well." Regina smiled maliciously over at Belle who shrunk against the wall.

The DA took a deep breath and then turned to Emma, "Fine. Take her to the holding cell until we figure out what to do with her. The rest of you take the others over to the prison." He told the other officers who obeyed immediately.

Mr. Gold stormed over to Regina, "What are you up to?" He asked her cynically.

She smiled widely at him, "I have no idea what you are talking about." He stared at her with utter hatred once more as she shoved him roughly to the side and walked out towards the exit.

He turned around towards Belle only to be assailed with the image of Jefferson kissing her intensely. She didn't push him away either but instead gently laid her hands on his shoulders, kissing him softly in return before he was yanked away by a police officer.

Taking one last look at Mr. Gold before he was pulled away, his mouth formed a vindictive smile, bathing in the pleasure of seeing Mr. Gold frozen in place, his eyes enraged. Jefferson whispered to him, "May the best man win, " under his breath and he was gone.

Mr. Gold wasn't sure what he felt; too many emotions were bursting inside of him. Anger, jealously, vengeance, and heartbreak as he watched Belle kiss him back. They were in love? He hadn't thought it came to that; he believed them to only be working with one another. His eyes softened as he looked up at Belle, who stared at the ground miserably. It was difficult for him to tell what she was thinking; she wasn't as easy to read as she had been in the past.

He wasn't going to ruin anything. She was back. She was alive after all. And if Jefferson thought that he stood a chance in competing for Belle's love, he was sadly mistaken. Gold began to step forward but Emma beat him to her.

She softly touched Belle on the shoulder, smiling gently.

"Come on, let's take you to the station." Belle nodded and Gold followed them out.

When they got to Emma's small, yellow car, Belle was surprised. She had expected a police car but this was definitely much better. She felt like less of a criminal.

She headed towards the back seat but Emma stopped her.

"You can ride up front. I promise I don't bite." She said teasingly. Belle smiled and moved up front.

The beginning of the drive was silent. Emma would glance over at Belle every now and then, watching her stare out the window in a daze.

Finally she spoke, "Thank you Emma." She said, turning towards her.

Emma knew what for; she nodded and smiled back.

"It's the least I could do." She said and this puzzled Belle.

"The least you could do? Emma I threatened you…. I held a gun to…."

"You also didn't let that man hurt my son. And I saw the pain you were in the entire time. You're a good person Belle. You were just at the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Emma no, I was with them when they planned this…I am just as responsible. You have to know the truth."

Emma nodded, "I do. I know you were involved. But I still don't think you wanted to do it."

Belle didn't answer, she just thought to herself, mulling over what Emma was saying.

"Revenge can drive anyone crazy. Trust me you aren't the only one who has suffered at Regina's hands. She's can be very cruel." Emma said, now almost talking to herself.

She then turned back to Belle, "What exactly did she do? I heard Gold mention something about twenty-eight years… and that she had you somewhere? Was he referring to the asylum?"

"I'm not sick. I don't have schizophrenia." Belle told her, looking in her eyes to see if she believed her. It didn't look as if she did.

"I can't say I expected you to believe me. I guess I had just hoped." Emma looked sympathetically over at her once again. It wasn't that she didn't want to believe her. She absolutely did. Just as she would like to believe in Jefferson's madness and Henry's theories. But she was a logical person. She believed what made sense and it did seem likely that Belle had some kind of sickness. She had been locked away in an asylum; it wasn't as if they would keep her there for no reason.

"If I were you I'd stick with saying you have schizophrenia, regardless of whether you do or not. That could save you when you go to trial." Belle shuddered at the thought.

"It's going to be okay. Besides, we don't have to worry about finding you a lawyer. Something tells me Mr. Gold is already putting a case together for you." She chuckled softly to herself. Belle smiled back in agreement.

"So…do you two know each other? I didn't think you did but his reaction when he saw you…it was strange. I've never seen him look at someone like that." Emma told her.

"I've never met that man in my life." Belle said quietly, recalling the way he stared at her. How happy he was to see her. It didn't make sense, none of it made any sense. And yet when Jefferson kissed her, she felt nothing. Mr. Gold had more of an affect on her by simply touching her wrist then Jefferson did kissing her. But she wasn't going to tell Emma that.

By the time they had gotten to the police station it was almost midnight. She escorted Belle into the building and right inside the holding cell. It felt so wrong putting her in there, she just looked so out of place with her beautiful gown and flowing hair, still partly in tact. She looked like a princess being held prisoner in a tower.

"Are you hungry? I can run over to the store." Emma told her but Belle just shook her head.

"No I'll be okay. Thank you." She sat herself on the makeshift bed. At least it was much more comfortable then the one in the asylum.

"I'm going to run over to the hospital real quick and check up on David. You'll be alright…what are you doing here?" She asked as she spun around to see Mr. Gold.

"Discussing some matters with my client." He said casually.

"Yeah I figured you'd take care of her. But there's not much point in doing that right now. It's late, go home and get some rest. You can see her tomorrow." She began to walk towards the exit, grabbing his arm as she went but he stopped her.

"Come on." She said, hoping that he wasn't going to be difficult again.

"Actually Miss Swan I'm not here to talk to my client." He said sternly.

She furrowed her brow, "Then what are you here to do?"

"I'm here to collect my favor from you. Release her. Now."