A/N: I loved the end of Witch Hunt when Rumple came back and "You feed the madness and it feed on you" was creepy. I wonder what it means. To clear something up, Tiger Lily sent the doll.
Chapter Seventeen
"Rumple, where are you?" Belle asked as she walked out of the dining hall then saw him standing in front of the doorway. "What are you looking at?"
She walked closer when she saw the look on his face and his hands were shaking. She slid his hand in hers as he looked at her then looked down again. Belle looked down when she reached for the doll, but he gently pulled her back.
"Don't touch it," he said softly as Regina, who was holding Duer, Robin and Roland came closer and Roland stood next to Rumplestiltskin.
"Is that…?" Regina asked as she looked at the doll and Rumplestiltskin nodded his head. Smiling, Roland went to pick up the doll when Rumplestiltskin placed his hand on Roland's shoulder to stop him. "No, Darling, don't touch it."
"Why?" he asked as he walked to Rumplestiltskin and stood next to him.
"Because it's dangerous," Rumplestiltskin said then looked at Robin. "Will you go get Emma, Bae and Henry? They're in the rose garden. Take the left staircase. The rose garden is around the corner."
With a nod of his head, Robin half jumped over the doll then ran down the stairs and Rumplestiltskin led the others back to the dining hall.
The doll was lying in a glass tray on the dining table as they looked at the doll and Rumplestiltskin was pacing. He had fetched a shovel to pick up the doll and Belle had gotten the glass tray from the kitchen. Bealfire had gone to get Snow White and Charming and Rose and Duer had been placed in the nursery while they decided what to do about the doll.
"And you're sure you don't know how it got here?" Charming asked.
"Yes," Rumplestiltskin said with a nod of his head. "The last time I saw it was while we were in Neverland."
"But it doesn't mean that Pan sent it," Snow said. "He's dead."
"We never saw the body," Rumplestiltskin sighed as she walked to him and he sadly smiled at her.
"No, Snow is right," Emma said. "He has to be dead. When you stabbed him as Pan, the blade had to have punctured his heart."
"Yeah, it had to because you got stabbed," Henry said.
"I remember," Rumplestiltskin said, rubbing his chest.
"What happened when he changed into your father?" Snow asked.
"I had to pull the dagger out then readjust it so I could finish him off," Rumplestiltskin said, pacing faster.
"Which means you killed him," Emma said.
"It appears so, but, with him, you can never tell."
"But, if he is still alive, how did he know that you hadn't died?" Snow asked and Rumplestiltskin frowned.
"That is one in a long list of questions, Dearie," he said when he sat down on the black wood couch with the red cushions and placed his hands on his knees.
"So is this a warning or a challenge?" Robin asked.
"I think it's both."
"Not to get off topic. But could he be the one who took those children?"
"I wouldn't put it passed him."
"Why would he take them?" Emma asked.
"He is either gathering an army or those children are hostages in case I come after him."
"So you're going back to Neverland?" Snow asked.
"It looks like I have no choice," he sighed and Belle sat next to him.
"How are you going to get there? I don't think Hook will take you," Charming said.
"You're probably right," Rumplestiltskin said. "I guess I better go ask him."
The wind blew through the sails as the Jolly Roger gently rocked on the waves and the clicking sound grew louder. Rumplestiltskin limped toward the gangplank when he looked up and placed his hands on the gold handle of the black wood cane. He moved up the gangplank while the crew looked at him, but no one stopped him from coming on board. He nodded his head to them when he headed for the door that lead to Hook's cabin then lifted the black wood cane and knocked on the door.
"What?" came from behind the door when he sighed and lowered the black wood cane then held onto the gold handle.
"May I have a word with you, Captain?" he asked when the door opened and Hook appeared minus his shirt and hook. Rumplestiltskin's eyes widened then he coughed and Hook gave him an annoyed look.
"What do you want?" Hook asked, leaning on the doorway.
"I have need of your ship."
"Why?" he asked and Rumplestiltskin told him about the doll. "And you believe he sent it?"
"Yes."
"But he's dead."
"We don't know that for sure."
"And you think he's there?"
"I don't know. That's why I need your ship."
"Sorry, Mate, but I'm never going back there."
"I see," he said then turned and limped away.
"Wait," a voice said as he turned around and saw Tinker Belle standing next to Hook and she was wearing only Hook's shirt. "I'll go."
"Tink!" Hook said with wide eyes.
"I was going back and forth for years. He'll never know I was there," she said and Rumplestiltsin limped closer.
"No, I won't risk it. He knows you helped us and will be looking for you," he said.
"He's right," Hook said.
"Then you have to take him," she said and glared at Hook. Sighing, Hook rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest.
"Fine," he said and Rumplestiltskin smiled.
Water dripping echoed in the darkness as the torchlight flickered on the stone walls and a rat sat on a crate near the wall. At the end of the hallway was a doorway sealed with iron bars and a slot was at the bottom of the iron bars so a tray of food could be slid through.
"You feed the madness and it feeds on you." echoed in the darkness behind the iron bars while someone walked closer and looked at the iron bars. "You feed the madness and it feeds on you. You feed the madness and it feeds on you."
"Hello?" Belle asked when giggling came from the darkness and something moved closer. She jumped when fingers wrapped around the iron bars and wide, brown eyes appeared.
"Well, hello, Dearie," Rumplestiltskin said and she frowned. He was wearing the Armani suit and same shoes he was wearing back in Storybrooke, but the suit and shoes looked worn and tattered and his hair was spread wild on his head. He also looked like he hadn't shaved in a few days and he gave her a wide grin.
"What are you doing in there?"
"How should I know? It's your dream," he said and giggled. "Are you worried about something?"
"I'm worried about you."
"Me?' he asked, placing his hand on his chest. "I'm fine."
"I'm talking about…"
"Ah, I know who you mean, Dearie," he said then slid his arms over the horizontal iron bar and his hands dangled down. "Why are you worried?"
"I don't want him to go to Neverland."
"He has to."
"Why?"
"Well, it's quite simple. He's just protecting his family. You do know how much you mean to him, don't you?"
"Of course I do," she said and took hold of his hands. She was amazed that she could feel his hands in hers and he wrapped his fingers around her fingers. "But I'm not sure he can do it alone. He needs you."
"No, Dearie, he doesn't need me," he said then let go of her hands and walked into the darkness.
"Come back!" she shouted.
"I didn't go anywhere," he said then reappeared sliding his arms over the horizontal iron bar.
"If he doesn't need you then who does he need?"
"You," he said as he took her hands and wrapped his fingers around her fingers. "It's your trust in him and your strength that makes him believe he can do whatever he puts his mind to."
"He doesn't feel that way?"
"Not really. And it's not his fault."
"Whose fault is it?"
"I'm afraid it's yours. You have been a bit smothering since he…since he faced his father."
"I have?"
"Yes, it's like you want to wrap him up in cotton wool and stuff him in a box," he said with a small smile. She let go of his hand when she brushed the hair out of his eyes and he titled his head to one side.
"He's been through so much."
"Yes, and he will keep pushing himself so you won't think he's a coward."
"He knows I don't think of him that way."
"Then let him do this," he said with sad puppy eyes.
"He doesn't have enough power."
"Oh, he does have power. He just has to unlock it," he said then giggled.
"What do you mean?"
"Like I said, he doesn't need me," he said as he flicked his hand up. "What he needs is the key and the key is he."
"I don't understand," she said as he sighed, moved his arms back behind the iron bars and moved into the darkness.
"You have to go now, Dearie. Duer needs you," he said then vanished and Belle wrapped her fingers around the iron bars.
"Rumple!" Belle shouted as she sat up and Rumplestiltskin sat on the bed, holding Duer in his arms.
"I'm right here," he said as she looked at him and moved closer. He slid his arm around her when he felt her shaking and she placed her head on his shoulder. "Easy, Darling, it's alright."
"Give me my son," she said as he handed her the baby and she sat against the pillow. He watched them with a small smile on his face and brushed some hair behind her ear.
"That must have been some dream," he said as he snuggled closer and placed his head against hers.
"I don't want to talk about it," she said and stroked Duer's cheek.
"You were mumbling something about me needing someone," he said and she looked at him. "Who were you talking to?"
"I was talking to you," she said and his eyes widened.
"You were talking to me?" he asked, arching his eyebrows up.
"Yes," she said then told him about the dream and he watched her switch Duer to her other breast.
"Well, I…he is right. I do need you," he said and smiled at her.
"Have I been smothering?" she asked and placed Duer against her shoulder to burp him.
"Not really," Rumplestiltskin said. "I wasn't myself after…well…after my father, but I am now."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he said then kissed her cheek.
"It's funny, but I do miss that side of you."
"Oh, he's still in here," he said and tapped his chest.
"You mean like when my father showed up?"
"Yes," he said with a nod of his head and she got up, walking to the wooden cradle. She placed Duer in the wooden cradle then covered him with the fleece blanket and walked to the bed. She climbed onto the bed when she slid under the bedding and snuggled against him. She placed her head on the center of his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and she listened to the soft sound of his heartbeat.
"I still don't understand what he meant by you being the key."
"I don't know what he meant either," he said then rocked her and kissed the top of her head. "So it's alright for me to go?"
"Yes," she said then closed her eyes and he watched her drift off to sleep. He didn't feel like moving her as he leaned his head against the headboard then smiled and closed his eyes.
"So who's coming with you?" Charming asked as he looked at the chart Hook had brought and placed his hands on the dining table.
"Well, besides Hook, I'm taking only three others," Rumplestiltskin said. He was wearing a black shirt open at the front, a black leather vest, a black leather waistcoat with a high collar and silver buttons, a black leather belt, black leather trousers and black leather pirate boots that came to his knees and had silver heels. A sword was in a black leather scabbard and the black leather belt hung low on his hips.
"Why only three?" Emma asked.
"Because you aren't coming," he said as he pointed to her then looked at Snow White, Tinker Bell, Belle and Regina. "Neither are any of you."
"What?" Regina asked.
"There is no way in this world I am going to take a nursing mother into something that could turn into a hostile situation," he said, looking at Belle. "As for the rest of you, I will rest easy knowing that my grandson, my adopted grandson and my goddaughter are safe and Hook will rest easy knowing his woman is safe."
"He's right, Hook said, smiling at Tinker Bell.
"I can take care of myself," Regina said and glared at Rumplestiltskin.
"I can as well," Snow said.
"Me, too," Tinker Bell said.
"What happened to me being the savior not you?" Emma asked.
"I know you're the savior, Dearie," Rumplestiltskin said then sighed, slamming his hands on the table. "Seven hells, just do as I say."
"Calm down," Charming said as Rumplestiltskin raised his hands and took hold of the gold handle, limping to the black wood couch with the red cushions then sat down. Emma looked at Rumplestiltskin when she walked to the black wood couch and sat down next to him.
"Be honest with me. Why are you doing this?" she asked and he gave her a puzzled look.
"I have to stop him," he said.
"You did."
"Apparently not," he said then sighed.
"That's because you tried to take him out on your own. You forgot one thing," she said and looked at the others. "You don't have to."
"I know that, Dearie," he said and placed his hand on top of hers.
"Then let us come with you. Don't take this the wrong way, but you're not really up to it."
"She's right," Regina said while walking closer and she knelt down in front of him. "This is going to slow you down."
He watched as she waved her hands over his leg then he winced and Emma wrapped her fingers around his fingers.
"What did you do?" Belle asked.
"I just healed his leg," Regina said as she helped him to his feet and Rumplestiltskin slowly walked to Belle. Belle held her hands out when he ran to her, picked her up and spun her in a circle. He lowered her to her feet then looked at Regina and smiled.
"Thank you," he said and Regina nodded her head. "But you're still not coming."
"What?" she asked, wide eyed and he held his hand up to silence her.
"Shall we get going?" Hook asked and Belle slid her arms around Rumplestiltskin's neck.
"Come back to me," she whispered and went forehead to forehead with him.
"Always," he whispered then kissed her lips and Emma sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Get a room," she teased as they laughed then Rumplestiltskin, Robin, Baelfire, Hook and Charming walked to the door and left the room.
"There is no way they're getting away with this," Regina said as Emma, Tinker Bell and Snow White looked at her and she crossed her arms over her chest.
"What do you have in mind?" Emma asked.
"We're going to stow away on Hook's ship," she said with a smile then looked at Belle.
"Go on. Henry can help me take care of Roland, Rose and Duer," she said with a grin and Regina's eyes widened then she smiled. With a wave of her hand, a black smoke enveloped her, Emma, Tinker Bell and Snow White then faded and Belle left the room, hoping that Rumplestiltskin would be too angry.