A/N: As always I'd like to give a special thanks to my reviewers: my story guests, tigger64, prttykitty7728, nightmaregirl, thedoctorsgirl42, and juju0268. Reviews are always loved, no matter what! Happy reading :)
Chapter Rating: T
She walked. She trudged down the busy streets of Storybrook trying to find meaning. She was probably just over reacting, but she got afraid when men yelled and acted violent. If only her mother was here, she would know what to do. She sat down on the curb and watched the cars go by her. She saw another woman coming near her. She was gorgeous, she had on red lipstick, thick black eyeliner and had dark black hair. She was although, wearing very skimpy clothing. The woman looked at her and sat down next to her.
"Hey, you look like you have been through hell," the woman said.
"Yeah, why do you care?"
"I don't know, I like to help out a fellow woman. So what are you doing out here so late?" The woman asked her.
"What are you doing out so late?" Belle responded.
"It's a full moon. I can never sleep when there is a full moon," stated the woman, "by the way my name is Ruby. What's yours?"
"Annabelle."
"Oh yeah, I've heard of you! You are the girl that's staying with Mr. Gold because your dad couldn't pay the rent. Mr. Gold sure is an ass, I'm sorry for you."
"He's not so bad, he's just misunderstood. He obviously has to overcome something in his past," Annabelle stated.
"From the looks of it so do you. Did he kick you out?" Ruby asked.
"No I left."
"Oh well you can come and stay with my Granny and I. We have a hotel and restaurant."
"Sure, why not."
The two girls talked with each other along the way to the hotel and quickly became friends. The hotel wasn't very fancy and it certainly wasn't as nice as the room she had at Mr. Gold's home, but it was quaint. Ruby left Annabelle alone the rest of the night. Annabelle found sleep in the squishy bed and didn't dream at all. She awoke with a start when she heard a knock at the door.
"Hey girl, it's noon. I was wondering if you wanted to come down with me to my restaurant and eat something," Ruby said.
Dear God it was noon! She had slept in till noon! That was almost unheard of to her. She followed her new friends Ruby down to the restaurant and saw many people bustling in there. It sure was busy.
"Welcome to Granny's dinner!" Ruby said, cheerfully.
Annabelle gave Ruby a smile and spied on what other people were eating. Everything looked so good, but the people looked so intimidating. She figured out some of the names. There was: Mary Margret with David Nolan, Emma Swan (the sheriff) with Henry Mills, Dr. Whale, Archie, Ashley and a man named August. They all looked like interesting people, but she wasn't much of a people person. She sat down at a table by herself and peered around. They all looked like they were enjoying themselves. Lucky bastards. Ruby approached her glowing and wearing her usual small amount of clothing. Annabelle really did like Ruby.
"Hey Anna, what can I get ya?" Ruby asked her.
She called her Anna. That was so unique, no one has ever called her Anna before. She kind of liked it, it gave her independence. Annabelle ordered just some toast with some strawberry jam and some orange juice. It was delicious, even though it wasn't much.
Ten minutes after she finished eating Gaston and her father approached her. Annabelle gulped and started to worry.
"Annabelle you never visit me! Why? Have I not taking care of you your whole life, have I not treated you right? Why do you disown your own FATHER?" Maurice (Annabelle's father) asked her.
Just as she was about to answer Gaston started in at her.
"My beautiful Annabelle, you never went on that date with me. What's the matter with you? Can't you see I'm the most handsome and strong man in this city? You could belong to me," Gaston told her.
Annabelle wanted to cry out for help, but Ruby was busy waiting other tables. She shut her eyes and tried to contain her anxiety, until she heard a familiar voice.
It was Mr. Gold! She had never been so happy to see someone in her life.
"Boys, this woman obviously doesn't want anything to do with you so if you would be ever so kind, I'd like to take Annabelle back home with me. She has other duties she needs to fulfill," Mr. Gold said, prying her Father and Gaston away from her.
Annabelle got up and seemed to run to him. She grabbed his hand and he led her out of the restaurant and out to the car. Ruby instantly noticed and ran after her, but when she Annabelle smiled at her and waved giving Ruby reassurance that she was okay. They left Gaston and Maurice or "Moe" speechless.
In the car Annabelle flung her arms around Mr. Gold's neck and brought him close to her pulling him in for a kiss. At first Mr. Gold was reluctant because he was afraid of losing his powers, but then he realized that it must not work that way in the real world (hopefully) and if it would make his Belle happy he would kiss her back. They started out with light feathery kisses, but then moved on into more deep and sensual kisses. Mr. Gold used his tongue to prod Annabelle's tongue and he softly nipped on her bottom lip. When they released each other, he nibbled on her earlobe, then traced his tongue from her neck to her collarbone. It felt wonderful and Annabelle moaned. She was finally happy, then Mr. Gold stopped.
"I have a surprise for you when we get back my love."
He said my love! Annabelle let him drive her home without any distractions, meanwhile trying to control her urge to kiss him to death. When they arrived back to Mr. Gold's mansion, he led her through the door. It was much brighter and it didn't look so gothic, he had changed his home, slightly. He grabbed her hand and led her to her room.
Before he would let her enter he whispered into Annabelle's ear, "close your eyes Belle."
She shut her eyes and used him to guide her, when she was told to open them she was surprised by seven bookshelves in her room filled with intriguing books just for her!
"Th-thank you!" Belle said to him, with tears in her eyes.
"It is my pleasure Belle."
