a/n: I'm going to try to keep this similar to the tv storyline, but it will be slightly AU from now on because the show obviously showed Belle and Hook meeting while she was still locked in Regina's castle and that's not the case here. However from here let's assume Snow and Emma have returned as well as Cora.

Chapter 11: Favors

The next day Rumplestiltskin dropped Belle off at Granny's Diner at her usual time for breakfast. "Won't you join me for breakfast?" she asked.

"Perhaps another time my dear, I have a lot of work to do today," Rumple replied.

Belle looking slightly disappointed started getting out of the car. Rumplestiltskin grabbed her hand, "Can you come by my shop for lunch this afternoon? Say 12ish?"

Belle turned toward him and smiled, leaned over and kissed him, "Of course, I'll see you then." She got out of the car and went into the diner. Rumplestiltskin drove away.

Belle went into the diner and was walking toward her usual spot at the counter when she noticed Key sitting alone in the corner. She walked up to him, "Now you wouldn't be stalking me now would you?" she inquired jokingly.

Key looked up at her, "Well seeing as I was here first, it must be you that is stalking me."

Belle smiled and turned to go to the counter.

"Won't you have a seat?"

Belle turned back towards him. He was motioning to the seat across from him, "You did say we were friends."

Belle walked back over to him, "Actually, I said perhaps we could be friends."

"Ah, still playing that card, very well I'll play along. Can maybe friends still talk about their days?"

Belle smiled, "I suppose."

"Ok then, I'll start. How was your date last night?"

"Oh, it was wonderful. Everything was so romantic and we talked all night. He made me feel so much better."

Key laughed, "It's hard for me to imagine Rumplestiltskin as being romantic."

"Well believe it because it's true. He's a real gentleman too. I tell him everyone else will see it if he just let them get to know him."

The two were interrupted by Ruby coming over to the table. Ruby eyed her friend questionably as she talked, "What can I get you two?"

Belle looked up at Ruby unsure of why she was looking at her funny, "I'll have the pancakes and an iced tea."

Ruby looked over at Key, "I'll so the same except I'll take a beer."

Ruby rolled her eyes, "Little early don't you think?"

"It's never too early to enjoy oneself."

"Fine, I'll be back in a minute." She turned to leave but not before flashing Belle another judgmental glance.

Ruby returned with their food, and the two ate and chit chated until Belle had to open the library. Belle bid Key good day and left.

That afternoon she went to Rumplestiltskin's shop for lunch as she had promised. She flipped the sign to closed as she entered. She found Rumple and lunch already waiting for her in the back room. He was sitting in a chair at the little table. She put both her hands on his shoulders and leaned down to give him a quick kiss, "Hello, Rum."

Rum smiled at the sight of her, "Hello sweetheart, I trust you've had a much better morning today?"

Belle had a seat across from him, "Oh, yes much better. And you?"

"Can't complain."

The two began to eat their lunch. After a few minutes Belle couldn't help but notice Rumplestiltskin seemed a little off…sad even, "Rum, you don't seem yourself today, is something wrong?"

Rumplestiltskin looked down at his food, "I've just been thinking about Bae, that's all."

"Oh."

Rumple looked back at her, "I just can't help but feel I'm not doing everything I can in my power to find him, that I'm still failing him as a father."

"Well what can we do to change that?"

"We need to cross the border, but as you know that's not possible."

"There's no one in town that can cross it?"

Rumplestiltskin was about to say no when he had a revelation. He stood up, went over to Belle and grabbed her hands, "Belle you are amazing! I don't know why I didn't think of it before!"

"What is it?"

"Emma! Emma can cross the border! And it just so happens she owes me a favor."

"A favor? A favor for what?" Belle was now a little agitated.

Rumple looked at Belle kind of guiltily, "Uh…she offered me a favor if I let Ashley keep her baby."

Belle nodded, "Ah." They had already had the discussion about Ashley and her child, and Belle had already forgiven him. She wasn't going to me mad at him again over it.

He kissed her, "Thank you for helping me realize."

She giggled at him and played on his words, "It's no matter."

Rumple smiled and kissed her, "I love you."

"I love you too."

After Belle had returned to the library, Rumplestiltskin went on a trip to Emma and Mary Margaret's apartment. He used his cane to knock on the door and Emma answered the door, "Gold, what do you want?"

"Emma? Might I have a word with you?" he asked calmly.

"Come on in." Emma moved aside to let Mr. Gold into the apartment. She walked over to the counter and picked up her hot chocolate and took a few sips, "Alright so what is it?"

"I'm here to collect on that favor you owe me."

Emma looked relieved and surprised at the same time. She hated being in debt to Mr. Gold, but she couldn't help but wonder what he could possibly want. "I'm listening."

"I need to find someone."

"Who?" Emma began taking a sip on her hot chocolate. Mary Margaret stepped out of the next room just in time to hear their conversation.

"My son."

Emma began choking on the sip she had just taken. After she calmed herself she spoke, "You have a son?"

"What?" questioned Mary Margaret.

"Don't look so surprised dearies."

"But how…" Emma stuttered.

"Just like any other child, I didn't create him in a laboratory glass if that's what you're insinuating."

"Why do I need to find him? Why can't you?"

"I've tried, but he's not in Storybrooke. He came to this land in a similar way you did, so he has the ability to go anywhere. And as you know I can't cross the town line, but you dearie, can."

"So if I help you then I will owe you nothing correct."

"Correct."

Emma thought for a moment before responding, "Ok, fine." Emma walked over to the sink to clean the hot chocolate off.

Mary Margaret came up to Mr. Gold, "A son? So that means you were in love once."

"No, I was married once, but we were never in love. Bae was the only positive thing that came from that time in my life. Which reminds me, I did need to speak to you about something as well, Mrs. Blanchard."

Mary Margaret looked confused, "But I don't owe you any favors…"

"No, but perhaps you would still be willing to help me."

"Oh?"

"Belle, the head librarian, I don't believe you've had the privilege of meeting her yet, is in need of some friends, and I was wondering if you…and perhaps Emma, would…I don't know…do whatever it is you girls do."

"Since when do you help people get friends?" Emma asked from the kitchen, "Or is this some sort of deal you have with this librarian too?"

"No deals, she just means a lot to me that's all."

Mary Margaret smiled, "She's your true love isn't she?"

Rumplestiltskin looked rather embarrassed. He turned his gaze away from her, "You might say that, yes."

Mary Margaret and Rumplestiltskin heard Emma choke on her hot chocolate again.

Rumplestiltskin continued, "She's having trouble fitting in and finding friends, when everyone judges her on who she associates herself with. I know you are pure of heart Snow White, and won't judge her for the actions I have done."

Mary Margaret smiled, "I'd be happy to."