I do not own Once Upon a Time
A Gestapo car left the three in front of the house in Rue de Varenne. Belle remained silent during the ride, as well as Mary Margaret. James tried to establish a dialogue with Gaston, but his attempts were not any significant result. When Laura opened the door, Belle fired up with a "good night" abrupt to the German and headed for the stairs.
"Isabelle" James said, interrupting her when she stepped on the first step. "Come with me to the office for a glass of brandy."
It was not an invitation, but a command. While Mary Margaret went up to the room, Belle turned and followed James to the office.
"Nothing brandy for me," she said, while James was serving up a cup.
"What is it, dear? It is obvious that something bothers you. Were the attentions of Gaston? Or the talking with Gold?"
Belle dropped into a chair, bringing her fingers to her forehead. Tears filled her eyes, but they did not fall down her face. Belle never cried, ever since her mother died. It was not now that she'd cry.
"I just…" she shook her head disconsolately. "I don't think I can stand it. I'm betraying everything they taught me and everything I believe. I'm living a lie! "
"Isabelle, please try not to get disheartened. I totally understand how you feel, "he said.
Isabelle was reluctant. If there was one thing she was sure of was that no one understood what she was feeling. As much as James tried to say she could not shake, Belle was lost. She wished her father was there with her, to hold her, protect her, advise her, and said that everything would improve. But he was not there.
She remembered what her father told her throughout her childhood, after the death of the mother, 'Be brave Belle. Even if you do not feel brave, do the brave thing and bravery will follow.' And at that moment, she knew she was not brave, but would try to move on without fear.
"Don't worry, Isabelle. Mary Margaret and I will always protect you." He was the second person who promised that to her that night, but he was only one who she would try to believe. She thought for a moment if she should tell James about conversation with Gold, about his son, but chose not to say anything. That was her mission and James already had enough problems to worry about. "Isabelle, I accept the fact that the situation is difficult for you, mainly because of the attention that Gaston is giving you, but you should not underestimate him."
"I know that James" she said.
James left his brandy glass on a table and leaned toward her. "Imagine the following situation, Isabelle: you see a woman being abused by a German officer, and in an act of compassion, but without considering the consequences, tries to help her by giving money" Belle felt her face flush as she realized that James had seen her that night. "Then, puff! You're captured and brought to be questioned in the central base of the Gestapo in Paris. And another coincidence occurs: one of the men you meet on the night of our dinner, as Colonel Gaston, for example, comes in to interrogate you. Who does he see sitting in the interrogation room, strapped to a chair? None other than the cousin of his good friend James Bougton, Isabelle, who he met a few weeks before in James's dining room. What he starts thinking? Does his friend James doesn't know about the activities of his cousin? Perhaps, at least, he begins to develop a stronger interest for James and his wife and monitor more closely the activities of both. Maybe even come to question whether they truly support the German and Vichy governments, as they claim to do".
"I... I'm sorry, James" Belle tried to apologize. "I couldn't bear to see that poor woman being treated that way, like she was worse than an animal."
"Isabelle, you need to understand that for them, the Germans are the superior race. Anyone who is not German is an animal."
"I'm really sorry. I didn't think through the consequences of my actions."
"Your actions and feelings are very noble, but you need to remember that you're not here just to spy Adrian Gold, Isabelle. Of all the problems you have to face, he is the lowest of all! I spent the last three years working to gain the trust of the Germans. My wealth, combined with their greed, makes everything look like a sick obsession, but possible. Never forget how much it costs to me to do all this, Isabelle. Each time one of them goes through my door, I feel desire to draw my weapon and fill them with bullets. "
Belle saw that his features were contorted. His hands were clasped tightly with one another, and the knuckles turned white with the strength he had.
"Instead, I invite them to come to my house, I serve them the best of our wine cellars, spending money on the black market to find the best meats and cheeses to fill their mouths and pass a good time chatting amiably with them. Why, you ask? How can I do this?"
Belle remained silent. She knew he did not need her response.
"I do this because occasionally after several and several doses of brandy, I can hear some piece of information revealed by some German drunk mouth. And sometimes, this piece of information allows me to alert people who are in danger and perhaps save the lives of some innocent French or English. It is for this reason that I support their presence at my table at dinner or as tonight."
Belle continued to sit in silence, understanding everything.
"Therefore, realize that you cannot risk yourself more of the way you did tonight, and that there should never be any evidence of our involvement with any of the organizations which the Nazis are desperate to thwart. Not only would result in the deaths of many brave men and women who work with us, but also endanger the valuable information that I can pass on to those in need. I don't worry so much about my own life, Isabelle, but with other people. As Mary Margaret, for example. Living with me here in this house, it is impossible to her not be part of my deception. And she would be considered complicit if I was discovered." James said, looking at her with eyes full of tears. He loved Mary Margaret with all his heart, and could not bear to see his wife suffer in the grip of the Germans. "So sometimes we need to live a life of lies. This is not the life we would like to have, Isabelle, but you must be brave."
"And what should I do about Gaston?" Belle asked, finally. "He disgusts me with his obsessive attention."
James held his brandy glass with both hands, looking steadily at her.
"We just agree that sometimes we must live a life of lies. And Isabelle, you should do yourself a question: if I were Regina Mills and order you to continue to foster the relationship with Gaston, in the hope that he misses information that could help you not only in your mission, but also help your countrymen and the French in the battle, you would refuse to obey me?"
Belle avoided his gaze. She clearly understood what he said.
"Given what we discussed, I agree, of course" she replied reluctantly.
"Then, perhaps, in your relationship with Gaston, you can separate yourself from your soul and remember, every time you feel the urge to break away from his arms that you are acting on behalf of a cause much greater than your own disgust. That's what I need to do twenty-four hours a day."
"But and what about Adrian Gold?" Belle said.
"I noticed how you danced together tonight, during dinner, and the only thing I can tell you is that Adrian joined the Nazis, which makes him as disgusting as the Germans. Remember, Isabelle, that for Gold, it all boils down to what he can earn. He makes arrangements with the Germans in order that it will bring benefits for himself" James said.
"But... What he gained to join the Nazis?" Belle couldn't think what benefit could gain by joining the Germans. "What was his price?"
James shrugged.
"The power," he concluded.
Belle thought about it. Betray his country for a cause as petty as this; the power was something that was repugnant. How anyone could sell to the Germans just to get power?
"Well, I must leave it now. I have to work ..."
James stood up, gave her a brief smile and left the office.
London
It was raining hard that night in London, and the wind pounded against the windows of the office of Regina Mills, in headquarters of the SOE.
She was focused reading several documents that were under her desk, in her front, and apparently disliked immensely.
A knock on the door caused her to leave the papers aside and asked whoever was bothering her, to get inside.
"Regina, you asked to speak with me?" A tall, dark-skinned man entered the office, displaying a submissive smile on his lips.
"Sidney Glass!" She recognized the man, sighing with relief. "It's been a while since I last saw you. Please come in!" The woman said, rising and greeting him warmly. "I thought you were not coming."
"And disappoint you? I would never do that, my dear" Sidney sat in the chair opposite the desk. "I came as fast as possible, so I got your message."
"I appreciate that, Sid. I urgently need your services" Regina folded her hands, pointing to Sidney, displaying a treacherous look on her face. "I think you should remember our dear friend, Adrian Gold."
Sidney arched his eyebrows, apparently surprised to hear the name of that man. "Of course, Regina."
"You did an excellent job the first time I asked you to spy on him and write those stories" She went to the small table in the corner, where there were several bottles of liquor, and opened one of them, pouring the drink into a glass.
"That was nothing, my dear." Sidney said, feeling uplifted by the praise he received. "I feel flattered to be able to help you again."
Regina smiled even more with that. Sidney was her perfect puppet. He would do anything for her, and get his support was extremely easy. She knew that the man harbored strong feelings for her, that he believed it could be reciprocal, but actually meant nothing to her.
"I am delighted to hear that Sidney, because that's exactly what I want to ask." She said, handing the cup to him. "A few months ago, I sent a new agent to get information about Gold, but so far she has proved extremely inefficient and keeps playing a mediocre job. She couldn't even get any details about what Adrian been up with the Germans, and the last report she sent to me was simply... Disappointing."
"So you want me to investigate Gold?" Sidney said.
"Oh no, dear Sidney" Regina smiled. "Although Miss French has proved ineffective, I'm sure with time she will get any information she wants about Adrian, but that's not what bothers me. Miss French may be innocent, but that does not mean she is stupid."
Sidney understood what the woman was trying to tell him. "Do you think she can find out about... Us? Our involvement with Gold? "
Regina turned around on her desk, sitting in her chair. "I know she is beginning to doubt the veracity of the alleged crimes committed by Adrian."
"But we both know that Adrian is not innocent." The man said.
"Yet, Sidney, we need to have control over this situation."
"So you want me to look at Miss French and Gold." He concluded, while Regina smiled at him triumphantly.
"I knew you would understand me, my dear. Keep me informed if our dear Isabelle is getting out of line." Regina said finally, her eyes reflecting a devilish brilliance.
She could not allow Isabelle French found out about the true facts surrounding the life of Adrian Gold. If she had a moment of doubt, the young woman would lean to his side and Regina would have to take more drastic actions.
She smiled even more when a new plan emerged in her mind. She needed Isabelle approached her task from another angle, so she had no choice in their fate. Regina would make the choices of the fate of that innocent girl.
As soon as Sidney left her, Regina started writing a response to Isabelle hastily, giving her new orders for the mission.
France
"Isabelle ..."
Belle was on the terrace, sitting on a wooden chair, reading and watching the sunset over the distant horizon, when James's voice broke the silence.
"You got a telegram." He said, reaching out and handing her a small envelope, which was still sealed, and without another word, he left the place, leaving her alone again.
Belle examined the small envelope. There was no sender on it, but she knew who had sent that telegram was Regina. Opening it, she pulled the little paper that was inside, reading it.
TN PBNV QQSQ HGR PWQ VGON AKOGOVSQRGKB AK HGLA EFBKFXF, ONYXAVINKP XX EXO VXM AX AQ. RF QQW BWV, FB FBLWPBSOH LQW BGWZDLFXF LO LEN LXAYBC.
IRNWK.
The paper contained dozens of letters, which for some people would meant nothing besides scrambled words, but Belle had learned about the coded messages during her training, and luckily she had ease to decipher them. Supporting the piece of paper on her book, Belle began to decode that message, and after five minutes she had already translated the message her hands.
We need that you get more informations in your mission, regardless of how you do it. In the end, is necessary the execution of the target.
Queen.
Belle read and reread the telegram over five times. Revised it further five times. In the end, is necessary the execution of the target. Execution of the target. Execution. Regina was ordering her to kill Adrian Gold.
After obtaining all information necessary she should kill him. How could she do this? She could never kill a person, and think about who she should kill only complicated the execution of this task. She had always been taught to be brave, but that was not the kind of bravery that she was willing to face.
Maybe, for Regina, killing was a very simple action, like breathing, but it wasn't. How far would she be willing to follow such orders? Could kill a person? And if that person was innocent? But Adrian Gold was not innocent... Adrian Gold was a monster...
Isabelle was a monster.
She would not be able to execute that order, even if she wanted. No one would decide her fate but her.
She would not kill Adrian Gold. She would rather sacrifice herself to take the life of a person. When the time came, she would have to face the man, and knew she would die. She wouldn't kill Adrian Gold. He, on the other hand, maybe would kill her, but Belle would not fear when that time came. On the other hand, she would die in peace.
Isabelle would not kill Adrian Gold.
Thank you for all your lovely feedback! As a gift I post this chapter earlier! Please keep sharing your thoughts! ;)