Chapter One

Severed Ties

A/AN: Thank you for the awesome reviews! I always promise a happy ending! I just can't promise you when! Belle turns to an unlikely person for help in this chapter. You might be surprised.

Belle was completely drenched through her thin jacket, and she was numb. The pain of her abused hand was pulsating. She couldn't believe she was standing in front of the house of someone who loathed her or used to loathe her. She couldn't figure out what had drawn her to the former mayor of Storybrooke's house but here she stood. Maybe it was because she couldn't afford to walk another mile in this storm. Her vision was blurring and her mind was buzzing around the previous events of the night. She took a deep breath, knocking heavily on the door with her uninjured hand.

She was startled when the porch light came on. She really didn't expect anyone to answer at this late hour. Her heart beat timorously in her chest when she heard the locks unhinge. There stood before her a more casual looking Regina, wearing flannel pajamas.

Belle felt her breath hitch in her throat, expecting to be pulverized by magic but nothing happened as Regina analyzed her disheveled appearance, "Now isn't this an oddity. The woman I imprisoned for over twenty eight years is standing on my doorstep at two o'clock in the morning. Now tell me Mrs. Gold, aren't you afraid to be out at such a late hour with the Snow Queen out and about? My real question is why are you here?" she inquired inquisitively.

Belle expecting to be smoldered by now opened her mouth the words rolling out like a red carpet, "Regina I'm sorry, but Rumple has done something terrible. I just couldn't stay. I left him. I would've gone to Ruby's but your house was much closer. I couldn't bear to be out in this storm any longer. I was getting cold."

"Rumple do something terrible? How appalling! I mean he is the dark one after all. His list of causalities is far greater than mine!" Regina scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Please may I come in? I'm sure Ruby could come get me." Belle sighed dejectedly, her vision blurring slightly. Regina saw her stumble almost falling into her. She caught the fragile girl, bringing her into the house.

"Have a seat right here. Let me have a look at you." Regina spoke softly, leading the young woman to her sofa. Belle practically collapsed on the loveseat, but Regina propped her head up with a set of pillows.

Had she traveled to a parallel universe? Was the former evil queen actually concerned about her? The old Regina would've slammed the door in her face or crushed her heart for good measure.

Belle took a shaky breath as the most feared woman in town examined her hand. "Do you have a habit of self injury Mrs. Gold?" Regina inquired with a raised brow.

"I was angry so I broke a mirror." Belle shrugged naturally causing Regina to smirk, " So the bookworm does have bite." she teased lightly.

"Hold still. This may sting a bit." Regina commanded focusing on Belle's hand that was full of gashes. A lavender beam crept up her arm slowly ebbing its way towards her severed hand. The magic wrapped around her hand causing it to tingle. She felt broken skin begin to sew itself back together, traces of glass disappearing.

"How does it feel?" Regina inquired as the beauty flexed her hand back and forth, peering at her with inquisitive brown eyes.

"It feels normal…Thank you. I should probably be on my way now. I'm sure I've inconvenienced you enough." she replied shakily, expecting her former captor to pronounce judgement at any moment.

"Nonsense! You can stay the night and leave in the morning. This storm is only going to get worse and at least here you'll be safe. I know you probably think I shouldn't care, especially since your married to the town pariah, but I do owe you. I can't say that I owe many people anything, but I'm trying to be good. I want to be better for Henry. I imprisoned you for twenty eight years so the least I can do is take you in for the night. I have a pair of pajamas that should fit you if you'd like to stay." Regina offered taking her aback.

Belle didn't know how to feel about Regina's sentiment, but the evil queen seemed sincere enough. She was too tired to refuse her kindness and decided it wouldn't be wise to do so.

"I'm very grateful for your hospitality. Thank you." she supplied. The regal nodded to her returning a few minutes later with a pair of blue silk pajamas. She changed into them, forgetting about the dagger momentarily, slipping into a state of exhaustion.

Regina turned off the light returning to her room. She slipped under the covers. Before the beauty had ventured onto her doorstep, she was tirelessly searching for a way to unfreeze Marian. Her attempts had been futile. Perhaps, Belle could help her find the answers she sought. The beauty was better at researching than anyone she knew. She would have to ask her in the morning.

~X~

Rumplestiltskin stared aimlessly at his ransacked kitchen. He had broken every dish and cup in his possession except the chipped one. He turned it over and over in his hands, seeking any sense of comfort from it but finding none. How many times had he held that cup in his hands thinking of her back home in the dark castle when he believed he would never see her or again? He'd even taken it to Neverland, a journey he'd never expected to return from. He would hold it in his hands at night while he thought of her beautiful face, afraid of never seeing her again.

How could he dragging her down into his pit of despair, breaking her heart over and over again? He felt himself slowly reverting back to that selfish man he used to be. If he did then his son's sacrifice would be completely in vain. He couldn't let Bae down. He'd come to far for this but what about the hat?

He finally had it in his possession. He could hold on to his power and keep anyone from ever controlling him ever again, but there would always be darkness inside of him even if he had the sorcerer's hat. The dagger would still bear his name, and he would still be the dark one without limit. The thought of having that much power nauseated him and yet it enthralled him all at the same time.

"I'm so sorry Belle, but I have to do this." the poor spinner whispered inside of him. Giving up all that power would make him weak, and he couldn't afford to be weak in anyone's eyes. Belle didn't need a weak man in her life, and he was weak without his power, at least that's what he convinced himself of. His insecurities wrapped themselves around his mind, making him believe the lie that had been festering inside of him for over three hundred years now. He wasn't good enough for someone like Belle without it.

A/AN: Phew! I hope you guys like that! I'll try to update every week if I'm not too busy. Let me know what you think!