"No, stop it! Let go of me!"

Rumpelstiltskin was startled awake by Belle's thrashing and yelling.

"No, please don't!"

"Belle! Belle, sweetheart wake up. It's only a dream," he said, trying to calm her. He gently shook her shoulder in attempt to wake her.

Belle's eyes flew open and tears started to stream down her cheeks. She moved so that she was closer to Rumple and buried her face in the crook of his neck as he stroked her head, trying to comfort her.

"Shhh. You're fine. They can't hurt you here and they will never hurt you again," he assured her.

Belle eventually calmed down enough to where she fell asleep again on Rumple's shoulder. He slowly lowered them down so that they were more comfortably lying down. He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she slept, eventually drifting back to sleep with her.

The second time Belle awoke, it was much more peacefully. It took her a few moments to remember where she was and why she was lying in a man's arms, but she soon realized her location and smiled to herself. She was wrapped in her True Love's arms.

Sun light was peeking through the stain glass windows and drifted towards Rumple's closed eyes, causing him to stir. Belle noticed his slight movement and decided he was awake enough.

"Good morning," she chimed.

"Mmmm..Good morning," he mumbled.

She giggled at his lack of being a morning person. Belle attempted to get up from his embrace but that only caused him to hold on tighter.

Belle laughed. "Are we ever going to get up?"

"Nope," he mumbled.

"What about to make breakfast?"

"Mmmmmm..No," he said and then pecked her forehead. A few moments later, he stomach started to rumble.

Belle started to laugh. "Are you sure? I think your stomach says otherwise."

"Doesn't matter. There's nothing consumable in the kitchen anyways."

"What have you been eating then?"

"Not much at all really. If it got to the point where I really needed to eat, I just," he snapped his fingers and two plates of scrambled eggs and toast and tea appeared on the small table, "did that."

"Where does it come from?" Belle asked out of curiosity.

"I'm not quite sure. It doesn't taste quite as good as it does when it is made by hand though. Magic always comes with a price."

"We'll have to go to the market sometime today and get groceries and other supplies."

"If you insist, dearie."

Belle made another attempt to sit up, this time succeeding. She rose from the bed and walked over to the table where she sat down and started her breakfast. Rumple joined her shortly.

Rumpelstiltskin straight of bed was a sight to see. His already unkempt hair was sticking every which way.

Belle looked up at Rumple and slightly grinned at his appearance. Rumple didn't notice.

"Magicked food or not, this is the best form of sustenance I have had in months," Belle said lightly.

Rumple's face twinged at her comment about her stay with the Queen.

"Yes, well, when we're finished eating, we can get dressed and walk into town. It is quite lovely out today," Rumple observed, staring out the window.

They finished their breakfast in a comfortable silence and Rumple left Belle alone to change into something more suitable while he did the same in his room. They met each other again in the dining hall.

"Shall we?" he asked holding out his arm.

She took it happily and they both headed out the overly large doors of the castle and down the long road that lead to the nearest village. Belle had a wicker basket on her other arm.

"Does anybody in this village know of you?" he asked her.

"I've been here maybe twice. Once to get your straw and then another time I visited the tavern after I left."

Rumple looked down out the ground at the reminder of how he forced her to leave.

Belle stopped walking. "Hey," she said, bringing a hand to his face, "Please don't continue to blame yourself for this. I forgave you a long time ago. I don't blame you for anything. I love you."

Rumple grabbed the hand that was on his cheek and kissed her palm. "I love you too."

They continued down the road and made it to the small village within half an hour.

"Get whatever you feel is necessary. I am going to lay low. People seem to panic when they see me, as they should," he said with a high pitched giggle.

Belle playfully smacked his arm. "You make yourself out worse than you actually are."

"Yes well, what I am implies bad things. The title 'Dark One' doesn't exactly bring pleasant thoughts to the mind."

"It brings pleasant thoughts to my mind," she said with a smirk.

"Only you my Belle, only you."

Belle searched her way through the market and got a few food items that she thought that were needed. She was getting a sack of flour when the vendor, a brawny man that appeared to be around the age of 30, gave her some trouble.

"Will that will be all miss?"

"Yes, sir," Belle answered politely. Belle handed the man the appropriate amount of gold in exchange for the flour. The man stared at it oddly.

"Well that is a peculiar way of buying things, don't you think?" the man asked amused.

"I suppose so, yes," Belle laughed lightly. "Well, thank you. I'll be off now."

"Do you need any help taking that stuff home?"

"Oh no, I'll be find. I have someone else around here to help me."

"Then at least give me your name."

"Belle. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be going."

"And where can I find you again Belle?"

"I don't need you to be finding me again," Belle informed.

"Who are you to say so?" the man asked, becoming annoyed.

"Excuse you, but I can decide who I will and will not see," Belle said, turning to walk away. The man grabbed her arm and turned her towards him.

"Ah come on sweet heart, just give me a chance."

"I believe they lady said no," a low voice in a hood said from behind him.

The man turned around and scoffed. "She doesn't know what she wants."

"I believe I do," Belle said, reaching for Rumples arm.

The two turned to walk away. "Who are you anyways?" the man asked and the grabbed Rumples hood, pulling it down. Needless to say, his reaction to finding the Dark One under the hood was priceless.

"Now, unless you have a death wish, I suggest that you leave her be."

"Wait. You're with him?"

"Yes. Now goodbye!"

The two left and began their journey back home.

"I don't think I will ever tire of seeing people's reactions to you being with me."

A/N Thanks for reading. Special thanks to all that reviewed, favorited, and/or followed. :) feel free to leave suggestions. :) :)