Hi everyone my busy schedule cleared up a bit so I got to update, yay! So firstly thanks to all the reviewers, readers, and followers!

Jael73- thanks for reviewing! Also thanks for understanding what I meant. Hope you liked it and continue to read.

VyeLoyomBrightwarrior- I'm so glad your liking this story, and I'm sure Rumple will have a lot to sayJ

ZizhunWriter- I love that idea! I love that people are leaving prompts. I keep having new ideas too that keep me from pushing along the story.(Rumbelle fluffJ) but hopefully I will be able to use your idea.

mimidawn- thank you so much for reading! Glad you liked it.

jamie.wan.kanobi- Thanks for PMing me! I love talking about ideas and stuff! Please continue to do so if you see anything wrong, or have questions or thoughts.

So I think that's everyone but if not it wasn't intentional I'm really sorry and you can PM so I can thank you. Ok so this chapter is based of ideas and prompts from VyeLoyomBrightwarrior. It was actually in the first review so thank you VyeLoyomBrightwarrior!

Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon A Time. Or the fabulous characters (and that's probably a good thingJ)

He wasn't exactly following her, but he knew she arrived at the shop at exactly 9:00, and while inside she would make tea. He noticed and was a little upset that their chipped cup was nowhere to be seen, but he brushed it off. Then she would clean the shelves and organize the books. Although she seemed to spend more time reading them. She'd be in the middle of cleaning a dusty book jacket one minute, and then next minute reading the first page. Eventually she was too engrossed to notice that it was already lunch, and that she had finished the book. She would close whatever she was reading and then close up the shop and walk over to a little café. It wasn't far from the shop so she went there every day. She also just loved the delicious fresh soups and salads they made.

She always sat alone, which made him feel a twinge of sadness, but that was soon suppressed as guys would try to flirt with her. He would start to get mad, but Belle never seemed interested in any of them. She would give them a friendly smile as they offered to buy her a drink, but she would always make an excuse, or so he thought. From his position across the street he couldn't hear or see what they were seeing, but none of the guys ever stayed or sat down.

He wondered why. Why didn't she take one of them up on their offer? It really puzzled him. All the guys were much younger and better looking than him, and he was sure that none of them would've made a deal for her. Especially not one that took her away from everything and everyone she knew. Including a fiancé. She could've ruled after her father with Gaston. But, no he took her away. He was positive those other guys wouldn't have done that. They wouldn't have made her become their maid and make her sleep in a damp dungeon, or yell at her and throw her out. They also wouldn't have lied and kept secrets from her. He felt horrible remember all the wrongs he did against her. He was growing less and less sure if he should she her again. But he really wanted to know why she was here. It baffled him that she was here. Sometimes he wondered if he imagined her. Maybe that's why he started to follow her. To make sure she didn't disappear.

She sometimes would look behind her, as if she sensed someone was watching her. But she never saw him. Not that he was complaining. He wasn't ready yet, and though he didn't know it, neither was she. So he followed her secretly.

She would go back to the shop after lunch and continue cleaning until well into the evening. She would leave the shop, and at first he would go home too. But as soon as he realized she regularly stayed late he started to get worried about her walking to her apartment alone at night, he started following her home too. Just to make sure she would arrive safely.

It had been almost two weeks since he started trailing her. He found she pretty much did the same thing every day. She would wake up, clean the shop, read a book, take a lunch break, clean the shop again, and then go home. He wasn't bored of following her, though. He loved seeing her every day, seeing her small smiles, the light in her eyes, and the glow of her face. He didn't realize how much he missed her carefully chosen outfits and heels. That's why he thought it was so odd when she started to forgo her expensive heels for plain flats. He also never thought he would see her in pants, but she did nowadays. She would either wear jeans or lose yoga pants, along with a baggy shirt or a formless blouse.

Today she was dressed in dark jeans, a grey flowy shirt, and red flats. It was rather fancy compared to how she usually dressed. He got his answer midday as to why, and it pain him at the realization. It happened when she closed the shop and walked to her usual café for lunch. Instead of sitting at a table meant for two all by herself, a man walked over and she got up and shook his hand before offering him the other seat. He sat across the street in disgust as they smiled and laughed. They both ordered the same thing, though not hamburgers and ice tea, and continued talking. At the end of the lunch, which came all too late for Rumple, he handed her a piece of paper, which no doubt had his number. And to Rumple's surprise she took it. She even gave the man a hug, which Rumple clenched his jaw at, before the man left. Rumple walked home that night almost as depressed as when he was forced to leave Storybrooke. The next day he debated whether or not he should keep following her, but he ended up decided that he still would. Even if she didn't love him, he still love her and would continue to make sure she was safe and happy. If that guy made her happy, then so be it. At least that's what he wanted to believe. If he really thought about it, deep down he was thinking of how to win her back. He still had an agreement with Ursula. Maybe he should move up the date to go to Storybrooke. He could find the author sooner and demand a happy ending. One with Belle. But for now he would watch her no matter how painful it was for him.

She walked out in her new usual attire, of jeans and flats, and started out her usual routine again. It was only after she closed her shop, usually early, that she made another change. A change that made him follow her in a taxi through the New York City traffic. His taxi driver raised an eyebrow when he told him to follow the taxi in front of them. But with the generous tip Rumple gave him, he did what he was told. After they swerved and honked through the heavy traffic they stopped in front of a tall, large building. He watched her go into the rather old building and then he waited for her to come out. It ended up being an hour and a half. He thought about going in but he couldn't risk her seeing him. Although he was very curious.

When she came out she had tears coming down her face but she was smiling through them. He felt a flutter in his heart at her smile. He hadn't seen it that radiant since she arrived in New York City. He wondered what made her smile like that. He was happy for a moment seeing her happiness but it soon vanished when he saw the man from the café follow close behind her. She threw herself into his arms for a big hug.

As always thanks for reading and please review or PM with any thoughts, prompts, or Rumbelle feels. Thanks!