3

Bella was alone in her bedroom and she couldn't help but cry for her losses, all of them. She cried for the mother she didn't get a chance to know, for the uncle who died as a slave, for her father who died too soon trying to do the right thing, for her Love who died and was turned back into a little boy... She cried for the life she had lost, for the hole in her heart.

Bella fell asleep crying, knowing that Granny and Ruby had probably heard her because of their wolf abilities but not really caring. She had been alone to take care of herself since she was 10 years old and even when she was with August, she didn't really need support, she was happy. For once in her life, she felt the weight of it all falling on her shoulders and missed having someone to take care of her, to hug her and tell her that it would all be alright.

When she woke up the next morning, Bella felt heavy and her head hurt from all the crying she had done before falling asleep but she got up none the less, grabbed a quick coffee at Granny's, trying to ignore the nice woman's sympathetic looks that proved that she had indeed heard her cry and went to visit the town that would now be her home. Apparently, word of who she was had already spread through town because people she didn't know came to introduce themselves to her, assuring her that if she needed anything, all she had do was ask. They were trying to be welcoming, to make her feel good and she appreciated it. She could see pity in some of their eyes though and she hated that part.

"Oh, Good Morning, you must be Bella. Marco told me all about you. I'm Doctor Hopper, but you can call me Archie." A tall man told her as he appeared in front of her.

"Good Morning. Let me guess, Marco told you what I was going through and you came here to offer me your services." Bella guessed with small smile.

"That's about it, yeah." he nodded, a guilty smile on her face.

"So, are you going to offer me your services as a therapist or as conscience?" She asked him as she knelt down to pet his dog.

"I see that you already know who I am... Both I guess... Whatever you need." he smiled.

"Thank you, I appreciate the offer... Maybe later... Right now I just need to sort through my thoughts and feelings on my own." Bella apologized.

"Of course, as you wish. My door is always opened, no matter the day or the hour. Here, take my card."

Bella took the piece of paper the man had handed her, pet his dog a little and they both went back to walking in opposite directions. She was grateful for the fact that he didn't push it. Maybe she would go see him later, maybe seeing him would help.

Glancing up, Bella noticed that it was 11:30 so she decided to make her way back to the dinner to have lunch with Emma. Maybe making a new friend would help her and she did promise the Savior that she'd help her control her magic.

When Bella arrived in front of the dinner, Emma was standing with Henry and talking with a man she supposed was Neal. A black woman was standing beside him and Bella didn't know if she should interrupt or wait for Emma to see her so she stayed a bit away.

"Oh Bella, come over here, I want to introduce you to someone." Emma called her over as soon as she spotted her and Bella came, knowing that Emma wanted to know if Neal's Tamara was the same one that had killed the Dragon.

"Neal, Tamara, this is Bella. She was August's girlfrend." Emma introduced her.

Neal spoke, he said how sorry he was, how he wished he could do something to make her feel better but she only half heard him. She was concentrated on Tamara whose condolences words sounded far from sincere but Bella didn't want to say anything here.

"I'm sorry Neal, I had plans with Bella and we need to go." Emma said to cut the conversation short.

"Henry is joining us, right? I have a story he'll just love to hear." Bella intervened when Henry began to take a step toward his father.

"Actually, we were going to take him with us on a hike." Neal replied.

"Will you let him stay with us, please? Just this once? He'll really want to hear this story." Bella asked.

"I can have dinner with you instead Dad, right?" Henry asked and Neal nodded his head, not willing to create trouble.

"So, why did you really want Henry to stay with us?" Emma asked Bella once they were inside.

"Because Tamara is definitely the woman I saw talking with August in Thailand, the one who killed the Dragon, meaning she's probably the one who killed August and that she's not working alone. I didn't think you'd want your son spending any more time with her than necessary." Bella explained.

"You're right, thank you." Emma nodded.

"It means you were right mom. Operation Phoenix is on!" Henry replied excitedly.

"The operation barely started and you already have a name for it?" Emma rolled her eyes.

"It's all I could do not to go over and hurt her..." Bella shook her head.

"So, are we going to arrest her?" Henry asked.

"It would only make me look like a jealous ex girlfriend. We need proof. We need to keep an eye on her..." Emma shook her head.

"Should we warn Neal? I don't think he's working with her. I kind of have a 6th sense for detecting evil, dark hearts or people plotting and if she is, he has no clue to what is going on." Bella informed Emma, trying to stay focussed on Emma's emotional problem instead of hers.

"No, he wouldn't believe us and he'd tell her everything, which would only complicate things for us because she'd be on her guards and try to hide more than she already is." Emma shook her head.

"What if she's working with Greg Mendel? You know, the guy who arrived in town, had a car accident and hasn't left yet?" henry suggested.

"Is he suspicious?" Bella asked.

"Well, not at first... But now that I think of it... He has a room at Granny's right next to Neal and Tamara's room, on the floor under yours. He's always wandering in the woods or around town, like he's looking for something but doesn't want to make it too obvious..." Emma explained.

"It's worth looking into then. Now, let's eat. If you want, I can teach you some magic this afternoon, it will help me think about something other than August and if it comes to a fight, you'll be able to defend yourself better than with a gun." Bella offered.

"That would be great, thanks." Emma smiled.

"Can I watch?" Henry asked and Bella nodded.

"Of course, I don't see why not." Emma nodded as well.

.

Bella spent the afternoon with Henry and Emma, at the park, teaching the sheriff how to use her powers. When they were done for the day, Bella politely declined their offer to join them in their family dinner, assuring them that she would happily join them another time. She felt like, more than a home cooked meal, she needed a drink.

"I totally understand Bella. I'd join you but I'm on call tonight and I need to stay sobber. Call me if you need a ride though." Emma offered and Bella smiled and nodded.

Before she left, Emma and Bella agreed to meet for breakfast so they could start a plan to stop Tamara.

Bella got a burger and quickly ate it before she made her way to the Rabbit Hole, right when Neal and Tamara entered the dinner hand in hand, without Henry. It looked like Emma and Henry had found an excuse to keep the young boy away from the suspicious woman.

When Bella arrived in front of the Rabbit Hole, she wondered if this was the right solution to her problems, she knew that she'd probably come to regret it in the morning but she still stepped inside. For once, she wanted to get wasted and to forget all of her problems. For once, she didn't want to be a good girl.

"You look a little lost there Love. A lady as pretty as you doesn't belong in such a place. Can I help you find your way?" An handsome man dressed in a long black leather jacket and black leather pants asked her with an adorable and sexy accent.

She noticed only a second later the hook replacing one of his hands and immediately knew that he was the pirate from her father's stories. She tries to force herself not to notice how good he looked and how caring his smile looked behind the smirk, she was still grieving, she couldn't notice other men, not yet.

"I'm right where I want to be, thank you." Bella replied, walking past him.

"At least let me buy you a drink then." he offered following her.

"If all you want is a drink and conversation, sure but I should warn you, if you're doing this to get into my pants, you're wasting your time. I'm grieving and definitely not in the mood to hook up with anyone tonight or anytime soon." Bella warned him, realising only later the pun she made.

"Well, let me buy you a drink none the less. Maybe I can help you with your pain. I've been told that I have a very listening ear. My name is Killian Jones." He replied, guiding her to a table like a gentleman.

"Killian Jones, as in Captain Hook, right?" She asked him to make sure that she wasn't mistaking.

"You've heard of me?" he asked her.

"Yes, my father told me your story... Charlie Swan... I think you allowed him to travel on your Jolly Roger once or twice." She replied.

"Ah, yes. Charlie Swan, a good man. Definitely someone I consider a friend. Is he around? I'd like to say hello." Killian smiled sincerely at the news of his old friend being around.

"He... he died... Well, he was killed about 18 years ago..." Bella whispered as Killian ordered them drinks.

She missed her father.

"What happened?" Killian asked, shocked.

"When the Evil queen cast her curse, my father saw it, he was burying my mother who had died giving birth to me so he rushed home, grabbed our things and used a bean to open a portal. We arrived right next to Storybrook and witnessed the town being created. Well, he did because I was just a few hours old at the time. He knew that Graham, my uncle, also known as the Huntsman, was under Regina's control so when I was 10 and old enough to stay on my own for a few days, he came here to try and rescue him. Regina found out and murdered him." Bella explained.

"I'm sorry Love. He was truly a good man... He will be missed." Hook replied sincerly pained by the news.

"I know I do, every day." Bella nodded, taking a large sip from her glass.

"Anyway, what's your name, Love?" he asked her.

"Bella. I'm surprised you don't know that already, it seems like the entire town knows me and part of my story since I arrived yesterday." She shook her head.

"Aye, I've heard something about Pinocchio being turned back into a child and his girlfriend coming in town to look for him, but I found it more polite to ask for the answer myself and give you the opportunity to keep your story to yourself."

"Thank you. I didn't know Pirates could be gentlemen... I guess my father was right about you, you can be a man of honor." she smiled.

"He told you that?" Hook asked her, surprised.

"Yes he did."

"So, would it be inconciderate of me to ask if you know what happened to your boyfriend? Who killed him?"

"Do you know Neal?" Bella asked.

"Bealfire, the Dark One's son. Yes, I know him pretty well. You don't actually think that he had anything to do with this, do you? Because I know him pretty well and he might have his faults but he's still a good man. he would never..." Killian replied passionately.

"No, I don't think he had anything to do with it, but his girlfriend on the other hand... Tamara has already killed people who had magic outside of Storybrook, August and I saw her. She probably killed him so he didn't stop her before she hurt people. Luckily she doesn't know I saw her too. I already told Emma everything." Bella explained.

"I... Her accomplice and her captured me and forced me to work with them. They said that they just wanted to hurt the Dark One and take magic away..." He confessed, unable to hide anythng from the woman he felt so attracted to, and not only on a phisical level.

"You're working with them? They won't just take magic away, they'll destroy everything and everyone with it!" Bella exclaimed.

"Aye, I'm starting to see that... If there's one thing I want more than my revenge, it's my life. I think I'll help you stop them." he nodded.

"It's Emma you should talk to then, but maybe not right now. I'm meeting her for breakfast at Granny's around 8 tomorrow morning. You should join us. Tell her what you know. The faster we can stop them, the better it will be for everyone because I don't know much about them but I know that they have weapons specially designed to hurt and kill people who have magic." Bella explained, seeing the Dragon dead on his wooden floor in Thailand.

"Very well. But if I have to become an honest man fighting for what's right, I'll need another drink, and you'll need to have one with me." he smirked.

"Fine, I'll have another drink with you. Your company isn't that bad after all and I came here to drawn my sorrow." She smiled.

"Aye, loosing a loved one is never easy." He nodded

Bella and her new pirate friend didn't drink much but they talked a lot. She told him everything about her life, including the most emotional parts about her father, her mother and August. In exchange, he told her about Milah, Bealfire, his quest for revenge, his brother and even his childhood.

They parted ways around 3 in the morning. He walked her back to the Bed and Breakfast to make sure she made it home without running into troubles before he made his way to his beloved ship, thinking about this young woman who refused to leave his mind and was taking over his every thoughts.

.

The next morning, Bella woke up with a headache but ignored it and got ready. When she arrived downstairs, Hook was already taking with Emma.

"Hey, I see you didn't change your mind during the night." Bella greeted the pirate.

"When I make up my mind, I very rarely change it." Hook replied while Bella sat, having already ordered tea and pancakes.

"So Emma, did he have any useful information?" Bella asked her new friend.

"I think so, yes. With his help, we'll be able to stop them as soon as tomorrow." Emma nodded.

"Good. I don't like the idea of this murderess on the lose." Bella nodded.

"Don't worry Fair Bella, your Love will be avenged." Hook smiled.

"Revenge isn't always the solution." Emma glared at him.

"No, but justice is." Bella added.

"I think this was directed at me, Love but don't worry Savior, I'm done going after the Dark One. I consider poisoning him getting my revenge. I don't care that he found a way to survive. Getting rid of Cora might actually be considered a good action on his part." Hook said, looking at Bella first and then at Emma.

"He's trying to change, for Belle and Neal. So okay, right now Belle has lost her memories and loved his when he hurts people but it won't last, Blue is working on a memory potion and is close to doing it. If being here taught me anything is that everyone deserves a second chance." Emma replied.

"Not everyone, no." Bella shook her head darkly.

"Well, she is already on her second chance so..." Emma nodded.

"Anyway, I promised I'd try to find out where Greg and Tamara's hideout was and I shall make good on this promise. I'll find you when I have an answer Sheriff. Bella, nice to see your beautiful face again." Hook declared before he left then alone at the table.

"Something happened last night between the two of you?" Emma asked Bella.

"We talked and had a couple of drinks together, nothing more..." Bella shook her head with a small blush on her face.

"Okay, well, I've got to head to work but if you want to meet up for lunch..." Emma offered.

"You know that you don't have to babysit me, right? You don't have to spend every free minute with me, I'll be fine. I'm used to loss, I'll get over it." Bella smiled.

"I know, but I want to. As Henry would say, it's not everyday you meet someone you feel an be a True Friend. Anyway, i'm meeting David and Mary-Margaret here around noon and you'll be welcome to join us if you want to." Emma smiled.

"Thank you. I think I'll take you up on your offer." Bella smiled.

"Okay, see you later then." Emma waved before she left Bella alone to finish her breakfast just as Marco came in.

"Good morning Bella, how are you doing today?" He asked her when she offered him the seat in front of her with the wave of one hand.

"Better, thank you. Where's Pinocchio?" She asked him.

"At school, with the other children his age." He replied.

"Good, it'll help him adapt better to his new situation. I wanted to thank you, for talking to Doctor Hopper."

"I hope I didn't upset you, I was just trying to help." he replied quickly, appology in his voice.

"Not at all. I'm not ready to talk to him yet but now I know where to find him when I'm finally ready."

"So, how are you adapting to our little town? Making friends?" He asked her and she couldn't help but compare it to the tone a concerned grandfather would use to speak to his beloved granddaughter.

"After all the people I've lost in my life, it's nice to realize that since coming here a couple of days ago, I've already found a true friend." Bella smiled.

"Emma." He nodded.

"Yes... You should also know... Neal's fiancee, Tamara, is probably the one who... hurt... your son. Emma's working on a way to have reasons to arrest her as soon as possible. If you see her coming your way, it might be a good idea to change streets." Bella warned him and he nodded a thank you.

Bella finished her breakfast as Marco finished his coffee and they both parted ways, ready to face the day.

Another chapter done.

Review please?

Lorelei Candice Black