Chapter One

Proposition

A/AN: Thank you for all your reviews! This chapter has all kinds of good stuff in it. Belle and Rumple meet for the first time and that's all I'm giving away. Read on if you want to know more and please review! They inspire me to keep writing!

The small girl looked upon the ashen face of her mother lying in the casket. The woman's cheeks were painted a rosy pink and her beautiful full red lips were now illuminated by the false impression of ruby lacquer. The girl nearing seven years touched her chestnut hair gingerly, running her fingers through it, reminiscing about how it felt within her fingers when she brushed it out for her ailing mother who was no longer able to do so.

"Mamma please come back…" the girl whispered, tears welling in her eyes, cascading slowly down her cheeks.

"My dear girl it's time." the hollow voice of her father resounded from behind her. He placed a firm hand on her shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

"Yes papa…" Belle complied turning away from the coffin slowly, allowing her eyes to linger on her mother one last time.

~X~

Belle awoke with tears cascading down her cheeks from the far off memory her mind had conjured up. She'd been drifting in and out of consciousness for almost a week now. Mrs. Potts had been the only face she'd seen daily. The woman had been very attentive to her needs, continuing to ladle water into her mouth. She'd also began feeding her a warm broth. She was finally starting to feel better and was able to sit up a few times a day in bed, but she still couldn't walk without the vertigo assaulting her cognition.

Her third day in Albannach sent her spiraling down with fever. Mrs. Potts had stripped her of all her clothing but her under things until she began to chill furiously. She was then placed in a white cotton gown and given a bitter herbal tea to drink every two hours. Belle loathed the taste but drinking it had caused her fever to break on the fifth day.

Today was her sixth day in Albannach, and she was finally able to get out of bed. Mrs. Potts insisted she take a bath to wash away the sweat from her lingering sickness. Mrs. Potts had drawn a bath for her in a spacious claw foot tub. The water was warm and invigorating and made her feel more refreshed than she had in ages. She'd usually settled for bathing in the cool creek with the other peasant woman. She felt almost anxious to be so exposed in front of Mrs. Potts, but she couldn't bathe on her own because she was still a bit faint. She just hoped the older woman didn't make a big deal about the angry red scars cascading down her back.A warm bath was a luxury she hadn't been afforded since being banished to the servant quarters by Cora. Belle shivered at the thought of that vile woman as Mrs. Potts dumped lilac shampoo in her hair, massaging her scalp.

Belle relaxed against the edge of the tub as the maid worked her magic. She wondered why she was being afforded such a kindness, but she didn't dare question the hospitality until the older woman spoke.

"The master will want to see you once he hears your well. He wants to properly meet you." Mrs. Potts informed her causing a pit to settle in her stomach.

"Who's the master of this castle?" Belle inquired intrigued by the mysterious man she'd only heard rumors about.

"I refuse to disclose any information about the master. You will meet him and get to know him yourself." Mrs. Potts insisted as she dumped a warm bucket of water onto Belle's head. Belle sputtered as she reached up to move drenched curls from her eyes.

"Sorry about that." Mrs. Potts chuckled handing the beauty a plush white towel. Belle stood up carefully, wrapping the towel around her shivering frame.

"I'll give you some privacy. There's a change of clothes for you on the back of that chair and a ribbon for your hair. As soon as you're presentable, I'll take you to meet the master." Mrs. Potts clucked sending a wave of panic through Belle's chest.

"You mean I have to meet him tonight!?" Belle stammered feeling the vertigo return immediately.

"Of course…He's inquired about you every day since you've arrived. We can't keep him waiting any longer." Mrs. Potts said as she made her way out of the lavatory.

Belle finished drying off and grabbed her change of clothing which turned out to be a simple brown servant's dress she was certain all the maids wore here if there were any more. The dress was identical to Mrs. Potts, and she pulled it over her head. She finger brushed her hair and tied it back with a blue ribbon. She walked out of the bathroom to see Mrs. Potts standing there holding a pair of simple white shoes.

"Here's something for your feet." Mrs. Potts smiled before handing them to her. Belle took the flat slippers and slipped them on.

"Let's get going then." Mrs. Potts returned leading Belle out of the bedroom and into the darkened hallway. Mrs. Potts removed one of the lit torches from the wall guiding them down the long elongated hallway. Belle watched as shadows played on the wall, illusions from the torch's dim light.

She felt like they had been walking forever through corridors and down never ending staircases until they came to a room with a large iron door. The door was at least nine feet tall with large lion faced brass door knockers. Mrs. Potts picked up one of the knockers and banged it steadily against the door.

The door opened to reveal two stone faced guards with gruff looks on their faces. Belle gulped the bile back in her throat anxious to get this meeting over with. Mrs. Potts didn't seem to be intimidated by their barbarous appearance as she made her way through the open door. Belle lingered close behind her, hiding her face behind the older woman, keeping her eyes on the stone floor.

"Master the girl has awoken and wishes to speak with you." Mrs. Potts chimed in moving so that Belle was face to face with the "master". Belle looked up daringly upon a man who sat on a golden throne with wispy brown hair that fell past his shoulders, a cold calculating brown eye that fastened its gaze on her, and a scar that marred the entire right side of his face. The master's face was quiet beastly to look upon and an eye patch covering his left eye made him look even more dangerous.

"What is your name dearie?" the master inquired to the chestnut haired beauty staring intently at him in his thick brogue. Belle averted her gaze with a blush once she realized how long she'd been staring at his blemished features.

"My name is Belle, and I'm from Avonlea." she spoke quickly her tongue tying with every syllable.

"Ahh yes that little eyesore on the map…" he scoffed before continuing, "You seemed to be in quite the hurry to flee from that place the night I saved you." he clarified. Belle locked eyes with him again after dispelling his revelation.

"You saved me?" she stammered searching his eyes for any deception but there was none.

"Yes you fainted right in my arms, truly a damsel in distress." he snickered with an amused laugh.

"Thank you." Belle stated, the quiver in her tone slowly dissipating.

He gave her a serious glance, studying her intently, taking in every curve and crevice of her body. She felt heat rise in her cheeks as his eyes continued to roam over her freely. He stood up and sauntered towards her. She was unsure how to react once he introduced himself.

"Rumplestiltskin." he replied giving her a small bow.

"What?" Belle asked dumbly at his uncanny gesture.

"My name is Rumplestiltskin." he affirmed now standing only a few feet in front of her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Rumplestiltskin, and thank you once again for saving me." Belle said bowing respectfully.

"Can you read or speak any other languages?" he quizzed circling her casually.

"Yes I can read and write, and I am well versed in every known tongue in the land." she stammered her throat becoming heavy with anxiety at his close proximity.

"So you're not just a meager peasant then? You're well educated." he continued, and Belle wasn't sure if he meant it as a statement or a question.

"Yes my father was a merchant, and he taught me how to read and write." she half lied unwilling to disclose her proper heritage. She wasn't sure if she could trust Rumplestiltskin or not and if held any loyalties with Cora, then she was treading on dangerous ground.

"What's your occupation now?" he questioned, his hand resting on his chin inquisitively.

"I was working in the queen's palace as a maid, and I fled when she let her mutants loose the night you rescued me. When the queen gets angry she sends her mutts out to terrorize the town. I didn't want to risk being maimed by one of them or something far more dreadful." she swallowed hard recounting her step mother's abusive behavior.

"I see…" Rumplestiltskin replied, and Belle thought she saw something becoming of sympathy flicker in his brown eye.

"Belle would you like to stay here and work for me? I have a son named Baelfire who needs a good tutor. You sound like your qualified enough for the job. If you agree to my terms, then you'll be allowed to live here in the castle with me. You will also be given a generous monthly salary if you're satisfactory enough." Rumplestiltskin offered.

Belle felt something welling up inside of her that she hadn't felt in a long time as she listened intently to his proposal. Was it hope? She gave him a small smile as the cogs within her mind began to turn at the thought of gaining his loyalties. If she could gain his allegiance then perhaps he would help her win back her kingdom.

"I accept." Belle beamed giving him one of her brightest smiles that sent his heart aflutter.

"Splendid…I would like you to join me and my son for lunch tomorrow then at eleven o'clock sharp. Don't be late." he warned turning his back on her, sauntering back to his throne.

"That sounds lovely." Belle reverberated in his direction as she allowed Mrs. Potts to lead her back to her quarters. Rumplestiltskin felt his heart beat at the sound of her alluring accent, realizing there was more to his beautiful new servant than meets the eye. He was sure he would enjoy unraveling those parts of her as he got to know her better.

~X~

Cora stared hard at her reflection in the mirror. She couldn't help but feel enraged at the fact that her "little" servant had disappeared without a trace. She assumed the stupid girl had been eaten by one of her exotic pets since she still hadn't turned up. Cora made sure she had did everything in her power to break Belle since she banished her to the servant's life. She should've killed her, but she wanted her to live to see all the things she'd never have.

Cora's plot to put Regina on the throne was running smoothly. She had met with King Leopold two days ago, and he seemed to fancy her daughter. She needed him to consent to an engagement soon, so that she could continue on with her plan. She would inevitably unite two kingdoms with such a marriage. All she needed to do to make sure her daughter procured those two kingdoms was to assassinate Leopold's darling daughter on down the line. Leopold needed one of Cora's own heirs on the throne to safely annex the kingdom and inconspicuously getting rid of Snow White was the only way. In time Leopold would get over his darling daughter's death and request to have more children with Regina, thus securing an heir.

"Mother I'm going out for a ride." the voice of her daughter reverberated from the hallway.

Cora turned to see her daughter dressed in her riding uniform. She smiled at her impeccable appearance. "Go quickly and be home soon because the king is having dinner with us tonight." Cora commanded.

"Yes mother." Regina stated compliantly before scurrying out the door. Regina sighed in relief when she made it out onto the castle grounds. She was sick of her mother's selfish intentions so tonight she would be running away with Daniel. They would make their way to a faraway kingdom and live happily ever after. Regina was going to ready her horse for their long journey ahead. She felt her heart skip a beat at getting out of this wretched kingdom, running away with the love of her life.

She made her way into the stable and couldn't help but smile upon seeing the man that held her heart in his hands.

"Daniel…" Regina beamed racing towards him. The man smiled tucking a lock of raven hair behind her ear.

"Regina…" he whispered stroking her face gently. She pressed a soft kiss against his lips ardently.

"We leave tonight." she whispered resting her forehead against his own.

"Yes my love, and we will finally get to be together forever." he declared kissing her again fervently, both unaware they were being watched from the shadows.

A/AN: Well there's chapter one! I hope it was to your liking! Please review if you want to read more! Here are some questions to ponder while you wait…

1. How will Rumple and Belle's dinner go?

2. What's going to happen to Regina and Daniel?

Stay tuned for more to come!