Disclaimer: Once Upon a Time does not belong to me! All characters and references to the show belong to ABC and Channel 5
Once Upon a Time: School's Out! The Third One-Chapter 10
"Belle!" said Jefferson delightedly, standing in the suns dwindling light as she approached, a huge, pleased grin on his face "So glad you could make it!"
"Well, we both know I wouldn't have missed this for the world!" Belle responded sarcastically. Jefferson's grin never faltered.
"May I say you look perfectly lovely tonight?" he said, briefly eyeing her outfit. Belle rolled her eyes. The Hatter himself, although she would never admit it, was looking better than usual, wearing black pants and a leather jacket that accented his slightly broad frame in a positive way, and he'd actually ditched his hat.
Belle shrugged "Say whatever you want, Hatter. After tonight we're never gonna talk to each other again"
Jefferson released a soft, arrogant laugh "Well...we'll just have to see about that, won't we?" he held his arm out for Belle to take, and reluctantly, she placed a small hand onto it, curving her fingers around his bicep.
As he led her away from the College, she looked up at him curiously "Where are you taking me?"
They stopped at his car, which was a blue, second hand Mustang. Opening the passenger door, Jefferson answered Belle's question:
"It's like I told you on Tuesday. Meal, movie, nothing too tormenting. Now hop in!" he swept a hand towards the car seat, and after a moments hesitation, Belle smoothly slipped inside.
OUAT
As the cheerleaders were practicing in the Gym that night, the Royals football players were on the football field, practicing for their first game of the semester against the Trolls, the final scheduled to take place two weeks before the end of the year.
"Argh!" James cried out as Gaston and Arthur Pendragon slammed into him, pinning him to the ground and grappling for the football. Fortunately, he had been able to throw it to Philip Night before they caught him, and he was now hurtling across the pitch, dodging and diving past grasping hands and frenzied bodies.
"Stop him!" Arthur roared, scrambling off James while Gaston kept him pinned and hurtling after Philip along with Billy Fromage and Fredrick Knight. Philip continued to run, but the others were gaining on him, and there was no way out-
"Phil!" screamed Thomas, and Philip looked over to see the player running alongside him across the other side of the field, his arms waving frantically "To me!"
"Catch it!" Philip yelled, throwing the ball with all his might before Billy and Fredrick dog-piled him. Jumping up as high as he could, Thomas caught the ball and continued to run.
"Run, Tommy, RUN!" James roared as Gaston scrambled off of him, hurtling after the runner, but he was too far away, and soon Thomas was slamming the ball onto the ground, hard under the goal.
"YES!" Thomas yelled triumphantly, punching both fists in the air "Suck it you bastards! SUCK IT!"
James rose to his feet, feeling proud and confident despite every muscle he had screaming at him. This practice had been extreme, curses had been screamed, blood had been spilled, and at one point, a boy had literally been thrown across the pitch by two other players.
James smiled. They were ready for the Trolls.
OUAT
"So" said The Hatter, sitting back in his seat in the Burger Place and looking towards a bored Belle "Tell me about yourself"
She sighed "There's not really a lot to know, Jefferson"
"Well, I don't believe that for a minuet" he responded fondly, and Belle rolled her eyes, good God...
"Fine. I'm in my second year at Fairytale, I'm taking French, Geography, and Economics, I'm a columnist for the Mirror-"
"Oh, I know all that" laughed Jefferson "I want to hear something about you. Who are you, Belle French?"
Belle suppressed a groan, but it took some effort. She rolled a French Fry between her fingers and started to reply, but at that moment an idea popped into her head, a tantalising idea that might just make this night a little more fun...
"I'm...curious" she told him, and Jefferson's face became a question mark. Belle grinned "Particularly about you, Jefferson Hatter, tell me, what makes you tick?"
Jefferson's hands clenched slightly on the table, and Belle's grin widened. He'd wanted a date with her, and he was going to get one. Annoying questions and all!
"Well..." he started,and he actually sounded nervous! "Don't tell anyone this, but I'm kinda into textiles"
Belle raised an eyebrow, disappointed "Yeah, I think everyone already knows that"
"They do?"
"You're taking a class in it. Ella told me you obsessively make hats"
"Aaah!" Jefferson snapped his fingers, his face twisting as though he had just remembered something "Right!"
"Come on" said Belle, resting her arms on the tables surface as she leaned forward, cocking her head a little "If we are gonna be...on a date" she said the word with some disdain "Can't I at least know something about you?"
Jefferson took that moment to take a long drink of his lemonade, drinking soundlessly through the straw. Belle continued to watch him, awaiting his answer. Without saying a word, he put down his drink, looked her up and down, and shrugged.
"Maybe"
Belle raised an eyebrow "Maybe?"
"Yeah. Maybe" he grinned "I prefer to get to know a girl better before I spill all of my secrets" he took another bite of his half-eaten burger and Belle rolled her eyes at him, popping a fry into her own mouth, and thought that Jefferson looked almost approving.
OUAT
Daniel stared at Victor Whale in disbelief, unable to process the words he'd just said. He must have misheard him, or he misspoke, either way there was no way he could've said what he thought he just said!
"Daniel, did you hear me?"
"Um...no. What did you say?"
On the couch of the Darq House where they were sat, Victor sighed exasperatedly "I said, I thinkRegina might be cheating on you with Jiminy Hopper!"
Daniel blinked. Oh dear God...
"No way" he shook his head "Jiminy Hopper? There's no way Regina would go for a guy like him!"
"I'm telling you, Dan" said Victor, slowly shaking his head "Gaston told me he saw him bring her into the Knight House and they went straight to his room! He said they didn't come out for like ten minuets"
Daniel laughed "Well then, I definitely don't believe it!" he said, leaning back leisurely in his seat "Look, I know Regina, I trust her. She would never cheat on me"
Victor groaned softly, looking at Daniel with heavy pity.
But a few seconds later, his eyes brightened, and he became more determined, pointing a finger in Daniel's face as a thought came to him:
"O.k...O.k...ask yourself this, my friend" he trailed off, staring at Daniel with a look of intensity that made him more than a little uncomfortable "If it's really nothing for you to worry about, how come she didn't mention it?" Daniel frowned, not quite sure what he was getting at "I mean come on, if it was really nothing she must have mentioned something to you. If it was genuinely nothing, of course" he added. Daniel didn't respond, Victor's words ticking over in his head. Regina wouldn't cheat, he knew that (And especially not with Jiminy Hopper. He was a nice guy and everything but he definitely wasn't her type!) but the science geek did have a point. How come she had never mentioned visiting the Cricket to him?
"I have to go" he hauled himself off the couch and headed for the door. Regina might not be seeing someone else, but she was obviously keeping something from him. And he was determined to find out what.
OUAT
After they finished their meal Jefferson walked Belle to the movie theatre, and at her...ugh, dates insistence, she started to pick out a movie, taking her own sweet time before she was to be stuck in a dark room for two hours with the Mad Hatter. Eventually, he started to get impatient.
"Belle?"
"Yeah?" Belle turned to him, and he made a noise that was halfway between annoyed and amused "How about this one?" he was pointing at the listings for a film called The Cleanse. Belle wrinkled her nose, she'd heard about that movie, a horrific portrayal of a twisted government that forced it's citizens to kill each other by postponing all laws, it was supposed to be incredibly creepy, not to Belle's taste at all.
"Um, no" she said, and looked at the listings properly, suddenly determined to pick the slushiest, most agonizingly romantic chick-flick she could find. After a moment, she pointed a slender finger at the perfect movie:
"The Special Occasion?" Jefferson read, and Belle grinned wickedly. From what she'd heard it was a classic rom-com, full of romance and predictable endings. An excellent choice, she thought.
"Right" he nodded, and Belle nearly laughed, the passiveness of his expression an obvious mask for his inner anguish "Shall we go in, then?" he said, his upper lip very stiff.
A satisfied little smirk on her face, Belle nodded, and didn't even complain when Jefferson put his hand on the small of her back as he walked her inside.
OUAT
When practice had ended and the footballers showered and changed back into their regular clothes, Thomas, Peter and James walked out of the Gym and started walking in the direction of the dorms, and somehow the conversation, which had started off being about the upcoming semi-final, turned to Snow White's pregnancy.
"It's not long now, Jay" said Thomas, sucking in a tense breath through his teeth "How far along is she now? Seven months?"
"About that, yeah" James nodded, going a little pale, but putting on a brave bravado nonetheless "But...we're gonna be O.k though, we've got a plan. Snows gonna live with the baby at her Dad's until we find a place"
"Right" Thomas nodded approvingly, but Peter frowned.
"But...what about money?" he asked, and both Thomas and James turned to him "Are you're parents gonna...help you out?"
"No" said James, a little insulted "Snow and I both had Saturday jobs before we came to College, we have some money saved up"
"Yeah, but still...shouldn't you get a job or something? I mean, that cash isn't going to last forever"
James' steps slowed slightly "Well...yeah, obviously" he said "I just...have to wait for something to open up. You know what the economy's been like around here"
His steps quickened, and he was soon walking ahead of his friends. Looking at each other, they chose not to comment, and soon followed.
OUAT
The door to Regina's bedroom opened unexpectedly and Daniel threw himself inside, causing the young occupant to jump up from her bed, her lap-top (on which she had been completing some late homework) sliding from her lap, and a feeling of discombobulation going through her "Daniel? What's wrong?"
"Is there something you're not telling me?" he asked immediately, and Regina shook her head, very confused.
"No. Of course not!"
"O.k" he nodded, not believing her "So do you want to tell me why you went to Jiminy Hoppers room a couple of days ago? Because the guys-" he didn't specify what guys. He had a feeling Victor would rather not have his heart torn from his chest "-Think that...you're cheating on me with him!"
Regina blinked blankly, and immediately burst out laughing, her head thrown back and tears streaming down her cheeks as she shook with hysterics "H-Hopper?" she choked out, looking at him again, her eyes streaming "J-Jiminy Hopper? The Cricket?" her head fell into her hands, by now she was laughing so hard she was completely silent "Oh God...Oh God, Daniel! You know I would never-"
"I know!" Daniel snapped, and Regina's laughs softened until they faded completely, watching her boyfriend with her large brown eyes.
"So, you wanna tell me who made up this vicious rumour?" she said, already going through a list of possibilities in her head: Maleficent, Rumplestiltskin, George, Victor-
"No" said Daniel, his voice made of stone, his whole body rigid with frustration "I want you to tell me what's going on with you!"
Suddenly, all signs of laughter left Regina's face, and she rose from her bed "I told you before, nothing is going on with me!" she said, too passionately Daniel thought, and he could tell she wasn't being honest with him. He shook his head, bewildered.
"Why are you lying to me?"
"I'm not!" Regina yelled, anger colouring her words "Why can't you just...let it go?!"
"Because you're scared!" he yelled back, and as soon as he said those words he knew they were true, because the moment they left his lips Regina's flawless face creased up in terror, and her eyes shone with a momentary spark of fear. All of this took place in a nanosecond before she did what she always did when she was backed into a corner. Regina got mad.
"I don't have to listen to this!" she snarled "What goes on in my life is my business, Hay! You have no right to try and extort anything from me! And if you don't like it, you can Get. Out!" she crossed her arms, fixing him with a look that was like ice.
Wearing an expression that barely hinted at the feelings of his own rage, Daniel turned his back on her and headed towards the door. When he reached it, Regina started to feel the smallest twinges of regret, and closed her eyes when he put his hand on the handle so she wouldn't have to see him leave.
So she was surprised when, instead of hearing the door open, she heard the metal clunking of it being locked. She opened her eyes, wondering what the hell was going on, and saw her boyfriend, now facing her after having just locked them both in.
"Regina, you can yell at me, and scream at me, and even hit me as many times as you want" he said, his voice dark "But neither of us are leaving this room until you tell me what's going on. You've been keeping something from me, something that's been scaring you-" Regina stared at him, starting to tremble despite herself "And that stops now"
For a long, terrifying moment, neither spoke, their eyes locked across the room, bright blue boring into deep brown.
Then, out of nowhere, Regina's eyes shone with unshed tears, and she whispered "Alright"
Daniel could barely believe it, it had actually worked! But he had never intended to make her cry...he stepped forward, feeling guilty "Regina..."
"I just want you to promise me o-one thing" she said, the stammering making her sound incredibly vulnerable, and when Daniel nodded, she took a long, calming breath, her hands moving so that she was gripping her forearms, staring at him with an expression that couldn't be anything other than begging "Please don't leave me"
Daniel shook his head, unable to believe what he was hearing. She looked so scared, like she honestly believed he would ever leave her. He stepped forward and took her into his arms, pulling her in so that her forehead rested against his shoulder, and pressing his lips to her ear:
"I never will. I promise"
And then she burst into tears.
OUAT
As they walked out of the movie theatre, the sky now darkened to a deep black, Belle watched the Hatter's expression. He was carefully calm, betraying no hint of emotion other than peace and serenity, but she knew what a good liar he was and held back a grin as they walked back to his car.
"So, what did you think of the movie?" she asked innocently. Jefferson shrugged, not looking her in the eye.
"It was...Fine" he said, pulling out his car keys and turning off the alarm "Did you like it?"
"It was O.k. So, what was your favourite part?" she probed, and Jefferson responded with another shrug.
"I, uh...I thought it was all...Just fine" he repeated, and Belle struggled to hold off an evil giggle.
"Jefferson?" she said as they got into his car "Do you know what I really look for in a date?"
Jefferson looked at her, about to start the Mustang "What?"
Belle grinned "Someone who'll tell me the truth"
She waited. He stared at her. She waited. He didn't speak a word. She raised an eyebrow, and he sighed in defeat.
"Alright, I was bored out of my mind!" he groaned loudly, and Belle laughed in triumph "For Gods sakes, it was the most cliche thing I've ever seen in my life! Oh, at first they hated each other but now they they love each other? Oh that's so romantic and fluffy! Except that it's been done by every other Goddamn movie in the universe!"
Belle was triumphant, laughing freely as Jefferson ranted and raved about the admittedly appalling rom-com, leaning his head back on the seat exhaustedly when he ran out of steam, glowering at Belle.
"It-it wasn't that bad" her voice shook through her giggles, and Jefferson made a very critical sound "Oh, come on! The part where they finally realise their love for each other? You didn't think that was good?"
"I thought it was fake" Jefferson snorted, and Belle angled her body so that she was facing him properly.
"Oh yeah?" she said, just as critically as him, and he nodded "And what would you know about love?"
"Well, maybe not as much as you" he admitted "But not as little as you might think" he added, surprising Belle into delving just a little deeper:
"Oh really? And who did you love, Hatter?"
Jefferson started the car, turning the key in the ignition and pulling the Mustang off the pavement after the engine roared to life. Belle thought he was just going to ignore her until she heard his voice:
"My sister. Grace"
It was then that the Hatter finally had Belle's full attention. She stared at him, completely boggled by his words. His sister? The Mad Hatter had a sister?
Jefferson glanced at her, his nose wrinkling when he saw the way she was staring at him "Oh Jesus, no! Not like that! How mad do you think I am?"
Belle was about to tell him that she hadn't been thinking remotely along those lines, but Jefferson was already talking again, pausing the car at a red traffic light.
"Grace Hatter, my eleven year old sister. Our mom died when she was six, and our dad got really, really depressed after she was gone, so I pretty much acted as Grace's father from when I was fourteen" he put a hand in his jacket pocket, pulling out a deep purple leather wallet and passing it to Belle "There's a picture of her in there if you wanna see"
Belle opened the wallet, and in amongst the credit cards and cash there was the little plastic envelope for small photo's, and in it was a picture of a pretty little girl with blonde hair and laughing brown eyes, dressed in a dark red coat that had gold vines that sprouted pink and green flowers decorating it, holding the hand of another blonde woman who Belle was certain was Jefferson's mother. She looked like Grace, only older.
"We got taken into care after my dad collapsed" Jefferson continued, and Belle looked up, shocked "We were allowed to stay together for a while, but after a year a couple took a shine to her. A nice couple who couldn't have kids of their own" he breathed in deeply through his nose "So they took my sister"
"But not you?" Belle whispered, and Jefferson shook his head, pulling the car forwards as the light turned green, his hands tightly gripping the wheel.
"I was fifteen. They thought I would be trouble" he laughed mirthlessly, glaring ahead of him "So I was left in the system until I was sixteen, by which time I got myself a job, studied real hard in school, and a couple of years later I eventually got a scholarship to Fairytale College"
"And...Grace?" Belle asked timidly, hating herself for the sympathy she felt for him, for all she knew, it could all be one well thought-out trick. But, whispered another part of her mind, why would anyone make up something like this just to get laid?
I don't know, Belle silently answered it, I just don't know.
"I still see her" Jefferson answered her, answering her question "Her foster parents let me visit during the holidays and birthdays, and sometimes I even get the occasional phone call. But..." he trailed off, his mouth moving as though he wanted to finish that sentence, but didn't quite know how.
"It's not enough" Belle finished softly. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, she reached out a delicate hand and cupped his shoulder, inwardly screaming at herself.
Jefferson just nodded, keeping his eyes on the road and acting as though he was not aware of Belles touch.
"No. It's not" he said quietly, and they continued driving back to the College.
OUAT
"I t-thought it was just a fluke" Regina stammered, her voice shaking from held back hysteria. They were sat on the end of her large bed, and Daniel had an arm wrapped around her shoulders, stroking the top of her arm soothingly "The laptop, Golds money...b-but then I-I started forgetting about my clothes, and t-then my stuff, and then...and then..and then I h-heard someone call Snow White "Fairest" and now I-I'm so scared!" she started sobbing in earnest, her hands pressing against her mouth while Daniel held her against him, murmuring soothing nonsense in her ear.
"It's O.k, Regina" he whispered, kissing the skin behind her ear "It's O.k"
"N-no! It's not!" she cried, pulling away from him violently and staring him in the face "What if it get's worse? What if I'm loosing it again?!" she started to shake, more tears leaking from her eyes "They're going to take me away again!" she whispered fearfully.
"No!" said Daniel fiercely, gripping her shoulders so she couldn't turn away "Listen, I don't know what's happening, Regina, but I know you're not...you know" he couldn't speak the forbidden word, not while she was so vulnerable and scared.
Regina sniffed, and Daniel's gaze softened, his grip loosening on her arms "I promise, we're gonna figure what's going on here. I'm not gonna let anyone take away the woman I love. Not ever!"
At his vow, Regina let out a small sob and pressed her lips to his, they were soft, the kiss sweet, and tasted of the tears she had wept. Daniel cupped the back of her neck, a gentle finger stroking the skin there until she sighed against his mouth.
Pulling away, she leaned her forehead against his shoulder, pressing herself as close to him as she possibly could while he wrapped one arm around her waist and using his other hand to stroke her hair, resting his cheek on her head. She clung to him, clinging to his comforting warmth, his unflinching trust, his complete faith in her.
"I love you" she heard him say, and she smiled against the skin of his neck.
"I love you, too" she said, burying her face in the crook of his neck and inhaling his coffee-and-toast scent "Can you stay with me tonight? Please?" she pleaded in a whisper, wanting more than anything to not be alone right now, and felt the warm swell of relief in her heart when she felt him nod against her head.
"Yeah, of course I will" he kissed the side of her head, and Regina tightened her grip on him ever so slightly, unwilling to ever let him go.
OUAT
Belle and Jefferson walked down the campus walkway, heading towards the dormitories. They walked in companionable silence, and Belle was thinking about the car ride back.
She had never expected that kind of...admission, especially not from someone like him, someone who was so shrouded by mystery and madness. And she'd never expected him to have a little sister who he talked about so devotedly, almost painfully reminding her of they way someone else got when he talked about his little brother...
Belle shook herself inwardly, God, what was wrong with her? Why did her thoughts constantly trail back to him? After the way he'd spoken to her on Tuesday, snapping at her so viciously, he didn't deserve to occupy her thoughts.
"Here we are" said Jefferson suddenly, and Belle snapped back into reality to see that they were stood outside a dormitory door. But it was the wrong door.
"Why are we outside the Darq House?" she tensed, wondering exactly what thoughts were going through the Hatter's messed up head. Jefferson glanced at her, apparently confused.
"Your lap-top" he said, as if it was obvious "That was the deal, remember?"
"Oh!" Belle gasped in realisation. Of course, how could she forget? That was the whole reason she was here! "Right, sorry!"
Jefferson smiled, opening the door "Step this way, Milady"
Rolling her eyes, she stepped up into the Darq House hall. Despite the late hour, there were still a couple of boys occupying the house sitting room, sat in black chairs around a coffee table while playing a card game.
"Hey Keith, hey George" said Jefferson, nodding to George Spencer and a block jawed boy with straggly brown hair. They glanced up when Jefferson greeted them, George immediately going back to the game, Keith having other idea's:
"Wow" he said, leering at Belle in a way that made her shiver with revulsion "Hey Hatter, where'd you pick up that piece?"
"Excuse me?!" said Belle, outraged. Jefferson smiled thinly, stopping her as she went towards him. He took a few steps forward, slowly, heavily, the creepy smile never leaving his face, making the self-assured smile disappear from Keith's as he leaned down, the smile still there when they were eye level.
George put down his cards, watching.
"Unless you want your jointed carcass to be the next picked up piece" he spat the words, making the lecherous Keith flinch as the Hatter's spittle landed on his face "I suggest you watch your tongue. Understand?"
Keith nodded "Yeah" he said. Jefferson inclined his head towards Belle, and with a glare he unwillingly turned to her "Sorry"
"There's a good boy" Jefferson grinned. He made his way back to the stunned beauty and they started upstairs. Grinning, George picked up his cards.
"Well, that went well" he said, fanning out his cards in his hands "You looked like you were gonna wet yourself"
"Shut-up" Keith sneered, wiping his face looking down at his own cards "God, that was gross...That mad bastard had better pay me what he promised!"
"I wouldn't count on it" George shook his head "He'd called mad for a reason" Keith cursed savagely, and his fellow player smirked "Do you have any three's?"
"Go F-" Keith's lie was cut off by a loud screech of fury from above, the sound of feet stamping on the ground and causing dust to trickle on the table. George sighed, sneaking a look at Keith's cards while he was occupied.
"The Imps at it again" he muttered.
OUAT
As they came to Jefferson's bedroom-his full name scrawled in swirly writing on the brown wood-Belle's back was burning. Right behind her, little more than two feet away, was another bedroom, a bedroom she used to visit often, a bedroom, if she was not much mistaken, that contained someone who she knew would have a fit if he knew why she was with Jefferson right now, and she thanked whatever god had been listening that Rumplestiltskin was completely in the dark about this date!
"Your lap-tops in here" said Jefferson, and Belle's mouth fell open in disbelief.
"It's in your room?" she said, completely baffled "It was in your bedroom? The entire time?"
"Yeah" Jefferson nodded, looking at her strangely "Where else would I keep it?"
Surprisingly, Belle had to fight off the mad urge to laugh. Mad. Hm. She'd been with him all night and already he was starting to corrupt her.
"Would you mind waiting out here?" he asked, looking as though he was worried that he was going to offend her "I'm kind of...a private guy"
"No, of course not" Belle shrugged carelessly "I understand"
He smiled at her gratefully, slipping into his room quickly and coming back out, Belle's silver lap-top tucked under his arm. The young woman to whom it belonged felt incredibly relieved to see it again, and reached out to take it.
When she was holding it in her hands, Jefferson brought her attention back to him with one word: "So?"
Belle looked up, now it was her turn to be confused "So...?"
Jefferson laughed softly, leaning back on his doorframe "You didn't forget, did you? The whole point of this was to see if you" he held out a hand to her "Belle, would like me" he brought his hand to his chest "The Mad Hatter" he grinned while Belle stared at him, a deer-caught-in-headlights expression on her features "I'll keep my end of the deal, of course. If you don't want to see me again, I'll leave you alone" he put his hands in his jacket pocket, and Belle watched him, her lips slightly parted.
"So? What do you say?"
Feeling the weight of the computer in her hands, Belle sucked in her bottom lip. This was the part where she was supposed to tell him no. She still didn't like him, she definitely didn't want to see him again, and then they would part ways as participants in a very brief and strange situation.
So why wasn't she? Why was she standing there staring at him like a befuddled idiot? Why the hell was she hesitating?
Jefferson started to grin, sensing her answer, and Belle released her bottom lip.
"I-"
"WHY THE HELL WOULD I CARE?!"
"What the hell?!" cried Belle, hearing the voice of Rumplestiltskin rip through the hallway, the sound of his voice probably carrying all the way to the nearest planet.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Jefferson angrily mumbled, not loud enough for her to hear.
But she probably wouldn't have heard him even if he'd screamed it, because someone else was being so much louder:
"I don't give a flying f-NO! I really don't! YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT FOR ALL I CARE!" Rumplestiltskin continued to roar, and then there was the sound of something small clunking against the door, as if it had been thrown "BITCH!"
Then, scaring the life out of the small nineteen year old, Rumplestiltskin's door exploded open and there stood the man himself, his long hair tousled as if he'd been running his hands through it, and his eyes black with rage. Those same eyes locked on Belle, and looked momentarily stunned to see her there.
"Belle..." he murmured, almost silently. Then, his eyes travelled to the Hatter, and from the doorframe where Belle couldn't see, the devious little psycho looked at Rumplestiltskin, his lips splitting into a great big smirk.
And that, if anything, was enough to send his already hot temper roaring to the surface:
"Well, isn't this sweet?" he said in a croon that was more of a sneer, pressing his hands together in false cuteness "The happy couple, back from their first ever date!"
"Rumple..." said Belle quietly, flinching when his gaze snapped to her, a wild look in his eyes "It's not-"
"Oh, don't give me that, dearie!" he all but screeched at her, and Belle felt the beginnings of tears in her eyes without knowing why "It's obvious what's going on here! You've moved on!" he hollered, laughing in a terrible, high voice "And isn't that just delightful? Too bad your boyfriend had to blackmail you into it!" he sneered at Jefferson, feeling a grim satisfaction when that big grin was wiped off his face.
"Screw you, Gold" Jefferson snarled, and Rumplestiltskin responded with a wolfish grin of his own.
Belle, however, was focusing on a different thing entirely "Who told you that Jefferson was blackmailing me?" she said, her voice low, hard.
"Why, your delightful friend Ruby Lucas, of course!" Rumplestiltskin trilled, and Belle felt something in her heart plummet.
"I have to go" she whispered, and Jefferson called after her as she walked away, but Belle didn't look back.
"Dammit" Jefferson muttered, still staring after her instead of watching Rumplestiltskin "Well, that was a-GAH!"
While he'd been talking to himself, Rumplestiltskin had lurched forward and pressed his forearm against his neck, pinning him up against the wall and applying the pressure until Jefferson was struggling to breathe. As the Hatter clawed at the arm that pinned him, Rumplestiltskin brought his face closer to his own, until Jefferson could feel his captor's hot breath on his flesh:
"I swear to God, Hatter" he snarled darkly, each word layered with promise "If you hurt her, if you even make her remotely sad or angry, I will hunt you down and rip out each and every one of your twatty little organs through your fucking throat. Do I make myself clear, boy?"
"Y-Yes. Yes!" Jefferson choked, gasping as a familiar sensation of loosing consciousness descended upon him. With a look of intense hatred at the boy pinned by his arm, Rumplestiltskin pulled away, letting the Hatter gasp on the ground as he stormed out of the dormitory, needing to just leave.
Chapter 10, I now pronounce you finished! Gah, sorry this took me so long but I wanted to cram a lot in. Also, I'm back at College so I'm gonna be worked to the bone for a while. Well, what did we think? I'm really worried about this chap so I hope you liked it. I do hope you'll tune in for the next chapter, as it has Belle going ballistick on Ruby, and the Royal's first football game, where a surprising few may not turn up for some reason...
Please review!