The Idiot Box: the Biggest Fan
Puzzle-Dragon prompted: Belle meets Baden for the first time.
and Joylee56 prompted: Belle, not knowing Gold has a child, meets Bae who is a fan of the show.
Belle had a five minute break before she had to go back in "the dungeon," also known as a the writer room. While her team was creative and talented, they had their moments and today one of the directors/writers Victor was getting on her last nerves. She marched over to the coffee counter when she heard a noise from under the adjacent table.
She crouched down and came face to face with a little boy who couldn't have been more than six years old. He was too young to be one of extras in John's classroom.
"What are you doing down there?" she asked gently.
"I just saw the Evil Queen!" he whispered, terrified. Belle had to stifle a laugh, Regina was roaming the halls in her full costume and makeup and frightened even Ella in hair.
"Well you do know it is just pretend, she isn't actually evil," she said, though she knew a few people who might disagree.
"Really? Because she looked super scary!" he said, tugging at the collar of his plaid shirt.
"I promise," she told him, making a X on her heart with her finger. She held out her hand and he tentatively grasped it, leaving his hiding place.
"I'm Belle, I write for the show." She smiled when he didn't let go of her hand.
"I'm Bae! I love Storytime! It's my favorite show to watch, even Papa loves it!" he said quickly and excitedly.
"Is your Papa here?" she asked looking around.
"Kind of, he is upstairs. I'm here with my new nanny, we had to get a new one, since we moved. My nanny is visiting her Granny and I wanted to see where Storytime is made, she promised if I was good, we could visit."
She smiled, knowing exactly who she was looking for and started walking with Bae to Wardrobe, while he chattered on about his favorite characters and episodes.
"Baden!" a voice called out behind them.
"Papa," Bae called out with smile, instantly letting go of her hand and ran straight into the arms of his father.
It was Mr. Gold. She hadn't seen him since their meeting a few days ago where he made many stipulations on keeping the show on the air.
"Ms. French," he said nodding towards her.
Baden laughed and told his father seriously, "That isn't Ms. French, that is Belle, she writes Storytime, our favorite show!"
Belle blinked the pair a moment, before smiling, "Your favorite show?"
"Well, yes, there are very few shows on television that entertain both a child and their parent," he said looking down at his son. "Now where is that nanny of yours? It's only been a week and she already lost you!"
Ruby ran down the hallway frantic, however stopped short when saw Bae with Mr. Gold.
"Mr. Gold, I'm so sorry—" Ruby started, but he raised a hand and she quieted.
However before he could yell or dismiss her, Belle seeing Baden's worry eyes, quickly injected, telling him all about Regina, how most children are terrified of her, and that the floor was a very children safe place.
Mr. Gold turned from Belle to Ruby, "You are very lucky, you get one more chance. Now take him home, make sure he has all his homework done by the time I get back."
Bae took Ruby's hand and while walking around turned around and yelled, "Bye Papa, bye Belle! Please write more Storytimes!"
When the two of them were out the door, Belle quickly turned around facing her new boss.
"You were never going to cancel the show were you?" she said angrily coming closer to him. "You just wanted those changes to be made."
"I did not want the show to be canceled, but I'm not the only one who makes those decisions," he practically whispered back.
"What you mean?"
"I promised the president if we kept the show on air, there would be changes and the ratings would go up."
Belle went silent, suddenly noticing how close they were standing and backed up slowly.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome dearie, but please disappoint me or your biggest fan."
"I won't," she promised walking towards the writers' room smiling.