"For Ophelia'd know your every woe
And every pain you'd ever had
She'd sympathize and dry your eyes
Help you to forget, and help you to forget
And help you to forget…"

Natalie Merchant - "Ophelia"

Belle had never imagined, even in her darkest fantasies, how truly beautiful and all consuming darkness could be.

Rumpelstiltskin's hands tightened around her waist as Belle put her hands around his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss.

The darkest desire and the darkest passion flooded through Belle's being as she gave herself over to the emotions and sensations of the moment.

She remained unsure of whose emotion or desire had triggered this and it didn't bother her- not in the least. It was a fulfillment of long repressed desires and needs, filling both of them to the brim.

Rumpelstiltskin broke the kiss suddenly, his breathing deep and shallow, eyes closed tightly.

He was unsure himself- unsure what had suddenly filled him with such a desire for the beauty in front of him.

Granted, during her time at the castle, he had felt a wistful longing for Belle. But there was nothing to be gained from it, nothing to enact on. A creature of light could never fall in love with a creature of darkness.

He stood up, willing himself with every last ounce of resolve he had. He turned around to the thin reeds of Angel's Breath, a sudden ball of bitterness filling him.

"Your wound should be fine. I require nothing else of you this evening," Rumpelstiltskin said, try to detach himself from the kiss.

Belle remained in the chair, her hands tightly grasping the arms. She had let her walls down completely, allowing herself to be filled with his own emotions and allowing the Dark One a glimpse into her heart and soul. What a mistake that was.

With her wall completely down, she became receptive to every single feeling of Rumpelstiltskin's- his past emotions and his present. She could feel every loss. Every fear. Every desire- everything. And it hurt. It hurt so terribly that he had been so unhappy, so broken and lost in his darkness.

The wound on her breast had begun to bleed again. Belle left the room, Rumpelstiltskin's anguish and frustration mingling with her own.

Rumpelstiltskin had long wondered about Belle and how she affected him. She had left hours ago, yet he could still feel the imprint of her lips against his, the feel of her waist on his hands, the rapid beating of her heart against his fingertips.

He had hurt her. Not physically, but he could feel something inside her shatter like glass when he dismissed her.

Why had he cared, more importantly? Yes, it was true he was lonely. It was also true the tales he had heard about the young, brave beauty had enraptured him, intrigued him.

Then again, the Dark Castle was filthy…

Still, he felt he should…what? Apologize for what exactly? To apologize, you must have something to regret. He regretted nothing about what he'd done with Belle. Kissing her had made him feel alive. It had awoken something in him so foreign and long lost that…he was afraid.

Shaking his head, he descended the steps to Belle's room.

Belle had fallen asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, the sudden rush of emotions and conflictions taking a deep toll on her psyche and heart.

Rumpelstiltskin entered her chamber silently, not wanting to startle her suddenly. He saw her sleeping form on the bed, the moonlight illuminating her body. He almost turned around to leave when he noticed the dark stain on her gown.

Quietly, he approached her, curious as to what had happened.

He gently lowered her gown, revealing the jagged gash and blood flowing freely. He gasped at the sight. What had happened?

He quickly drew his forefinger over the wound, repairing it with the slightest touch of magic, cost be damned.

Belle shifted in her sleep, her breast brushing against Rumpelstiltskin's hand.

He felt a sudden rush of desire and lust overtake him. He fought it desperately, feeling a dark, primal hunger flush through his veins. Monster or not, he still had human urges.

He felt his mind overcome with sensations, feelings and memories- none of them his own.

He gasped softly, the combination of everything he seemed to be experiencing startling him.

"What's wrong?" he heard Belle asked, her voice still soft with sleep.

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head, clearing the sudden onslaught.

"Nothing, dearie. I heard you crying and wanted to make sure all was well," Rumpelstiltskin lied, withdrawing his hand from her heart, feeling the sudden emptiness that had come.

"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't disturb you," Belle said contritely, rising up in the bed to a sitting position.

Rumpelstiltskin only sat in silence, slightly overwhelmed.

"Are -you- all right?" Belle asked, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head, his mind still plagued with images and memories not his own. He felt confused and afraid, in a way. As the Dark One, he had distanced himself from emotions- all emotions. But Belle seemed to have an effect on him- a disconcerting one at that.

Without realizing what he was doing, he leaned his head on Belle's shoulder.

Belle wrapped her arms around him, placing her cheek on his head. She had no intention of using her abilities at this moment- her heart and soul were still too broken. But she knew the power of a comforting touch, of a hand being held in the darkest hour.

Rumpelstiltskin wrapped his arms around her waist, breathing in the scent of innocence and trust.

Seeing and feeling the pain and confusion had given him a small glimpse into a part of him he'd locked away. Loveked away for his own protection- his own sanity.

Belle held him, stroking his hair and rubbing his back. His grip slackened as he pulled away.

Belle's eyes were darkened by the moonlight, the guttering candles sending flickers across the room.

There was a sense of isolation in the room, a sense of a possiblity with no regrets. It made both feel that there was no sense of tomorrow, only here and now.

Rumpelstiltskin placed a hand on Belle's cheek, the other on her waist. He drew her closer to him, gently- wanting to give her an opportunity to change her mind.

She didn't. Belle put one hand over Rumpelstiltskin's hear and the other on the back of his neck.

This wasn't the passionate kiss they'd had earlier- but a softer one. A kiss filled with unspeakable yearning. A kiss of comfort.

Something to take away the fear and hopelessness.