Warning: This chapter contains a wee bit of smut towards the end :D

XV

Belle stared fretfully at the young knight as he raked a hand through his short-cropped hair, his gaze filled with remorse. "Thor, please, dear, just calm down and tell me what happened. Then we will decide whether or not to panic," she said as calmly as she could.

Thorrin nodded and took a deep breath. Baelfire was his charge and he took his duty seriously, but he'd come to love the little lad and his emotions were getting in the way. He needed his wits about him. He needed to act like the knight he was instead of some doting older brother. "The young master was playing on the portico off the library. You know how he likes to hide from Mr. Lawson," he added with a wan smile. "His tutor asked me to help him retrieve the globe from the upper level and when I came back … Bae was missing."

"Did you search the library?" she asked, wringing her hands.

"I did, highness; Mr. Lawson and I both. When it was evident he wasn't to be found there, I went to Gaston and he dispatched the guard to search the palace."

Belle fidgeted, her fingers twisting and twining as panic began to build in her chest. Rumpelstiltskin wasn't going to be happy about this at all.

"Should we tell Rum – "

"Good heavens, no!" she interjected, cutting him off. "My poor Rumpel has enough pressure on him at the moment. Especially with the feast tomorrow night." She'd managed to cajole her brother into postponing the event for two weeks – to give them both a bit of time to recuperate from their more minor injuries – and Rumpel had been fretting about it ever since. "Besides, we don't want to interrupt his meeting with Lucern. It's not easy to put aside an entire lifetime as a peasant to be thrown into the role of a noble."

"But, highness –"

"No! We'll handle this ourselves and tell him after the fact. There is no reason he should have to feel that anxiety when he's suffering enough already."

Lucern had taken it upon himself to get to know his future brother-in-law in the only means he knew how … by teaching him everything there was to know about the property included in Belle's dowry and his responsibilities towards their tenants. There was also proper etiquette to be learned … which piece of flatware to be used with which course, the proper way to bow to different members of the peerage, the correct address to the myriad titles of the courtiers. It had given him a headache on more than one occasion.

Belle groaned in frustration. "It will be a miracle if one of those simpering maids from the kitchen staff hasn't gotten wind of this and run off to tell him all about it."

Thorrin bit back a grin. More than once the princess had had no qualms in telling the staff to stop ogling her betrothed. "Then we'd best hurry," he said encouragingly.

Belle mounted the stairs which led into the castle proper from the kitchens and nearly collided with Gaston as he rounded the corner. Baelfire was slung over his shoulder like a sack of flour and he had Abel Myerson by the scruff of his neck. "Gaz! Oh, thank the gods!" she exclaimed. "Where did you find them? I should have known you'd find them together."

The knight shot her a cheeky grin. "Where they had no business being, of course." He set Bae down on the carpeted runner covering the polished marble floor and turned him to face his mama. "I think I'll let him tell you where he was."

"It was an accident, Mama, truly!" he cried defensively.

Abel – finally free of the knight's grip on his collar – came to stand beside his friend. "It was my fault –"

Bae shook his head. "No, it was mine!"

"It was my fault, highness. I knew it was time for Bae's lesson, but I thought it would be more fun to play hide and seek and –"

Belle looked them both over as they continued to argue back and forth, taking note of the leaves and bits of flower petals clinging to their hair and clothing. "It looks as though you both fell into the rose bushes," she said mildly, brushing them off.

"Try again, love," Gaston drawled, trying not to laugh.

Belle shot him a disgruntled look before turning back to the two boys. "Where were you if not in the garden? I'll have you know, you worried everyone sick. I had my entire guard searching for you."

Baelfire and Abel shared a look before hanging their heads. The Myerson lad scuffed the toe of his boot against the carpet, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. "We were playing in the formal dining room, highness."

The princess blanched, casting a worried gaze up at Gaston. He winced, confirming her suspicions. "The formal –"

"Mama, it was an accident … promise," Baelfire wailed, tears welling in his big brown eyes. "I tripped over the rug and Abel came to help me up and he tripped, too, and we fell into one of the pedestals holding the flowers and it tipped over and –"

"It set off a chain reaction the likes of which you've never seen," Gaston chortled. "There are roses and potting soil EVERYWHERE!"

Belle pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on. "Gaz, enough!" she scolded. "It's not funny. A lot of work went into the preparations for the feast and now the servants will have to start all over again." She eyed the children, her lips pressed into a firm line of irritation. "Boys, where is the one place you were warned not to venture?"

"The formal dining room," they answered in unison.

"Not only have you disobeyed, but you blew off your lessons, and worried everyone when we couldn't find you. What do you think I should do about this little problem? Hmm?"

The boys shrugged, chancing worried glances up at her beneath a fringe of dark lashes as their shoulders drooped dejectedly. "Please don't tell Papa," Bae whispered, his little hands fidgeting with a button on his shirt.

Belle shook her head. "Oh, I promise I won't tell, Bae … you will."

"But, Mama!"

"No buts," she interjected, holding up a silencing hand. "In the meantime, however, the two of you will be helping the servants clean up the mess you made. Hopefully, this will teach you a lesson in following rules which aren't meant to be broken."

Thorrin squared his shoulders as he took a step forward. "I think I'll help, too, highness. It was my fault Bae was unsupervised."

Belle nodded and dropped to a knee to be eye level with her son. "Darling, I'm not angry with you. I want you to understand that, ok? But you must always take responsibility for your actions … especially when you've done wrong. This is how we learn."

Baelfire threw his arms about her neck and rested his head on her shoulder. "I love you, Mama," he murmured, holding tightly to her. "I promise to be good from now on."

Belle squeezed back, rubbing her hands over his back in soothing strokes. "I love you, too, my darling boy … always. That will never change." She pressed a kiss to his cheek and smiled as he pulled away to go with his guard. "Now, run along and try to stay out of mischief."

Gaston arched a brow as he offered a hand to help her rise. "That was quite a mild punishment for the destruction they caused."

"They're only six, Gaz," she said in her own defense. "What did you expect? For me to send them to the stables to muck out the stalls?" She bit on her lip thoughtfully. "I'm just hoping Rum isn't too upset about me disciplining Bae. We haven't talked about it at all."

Gaston lifted one heavily muscled shoulder in a shrug. "Well, it's not like you can avoid the issue any longer."

"No, I suppose not." Belle left her friend there in the corridor to return to the salon where Lyssa awaited her. They still had a guest list for the wedding to assemble. Hopefully, she would be able to stave off her worries with the odious task.

*.*.*

Rumpelstiltskin took it slow – unable to do anything but, still on crutches as he was – carefully making his way back to his chambers. His head was spinning, his stomach empty – having skipped lunch after Lucern's latest prank – and he needed to see his family. Things just always seemed better when he could share them with Belle and Bae. Merrick – the knight Belle had assigned to dog his steps – opened the door for him and he breathed a sigh of relief, happy to be back in his sanctuary, the one place where he felt safe and loved.

His princess was there to greet him, flinging her arms around him. "I'm so glad you're back," she cooed softly, peppering his jaw with a myriad of delightful kisses which had the stresses of the day sluicing away. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too, dearest," he murmured, burying his face against her hair, breathing in her floral fragrance. "I miss being with you all day."

She led him over to the sofa set before the hearth and propped his foot up on an ottoman. "Luc means well, Rumpel. He knows I could teach you what you need to learn, but this is his way of trying to get to know you. We can't deny him," she giggled. "He means well."

Rumpelstiltskin's stomach growled loudly as Gerta brought in their supper tray and set it on the coffee table, happy they wouldn't be dining with the rest of the family. Belle's eyes widened as her love blushed furiously.

"Was that your stomach? Did you not have lunch today?"

"Let's just say I will never have need to know what fork is used for es …" His brow furrowed. "Escar … bloody damn, it was snails, Belle! Who eats garden pests? There are a lot of things I've eaten in my life due to necessity, but I have never resorted to eating bugs!"

Belle busied herself with the tray, uncovering their meal to find a sumptuous pot roast with potatoes, carrots and wild rice. "Well, there's nothing unusual about our dinner, so tuck in," she said, handing him his plate and cutlery. "Escargot is a delicacy, love. Lucern simply adores it."

"After I realized what it was, I lost my appetite," he mumbled around a mouthful of potato. He moaned softly as he bit into the hot yeasty roll Belle handed him, slathered in butter.

She settled in beside him, her eyes brightening. "There are places in the Far East which think beetles are a delicacy. They can sometimes grow to the size of my hand," she intoned, trying to remember some of the things she'd read. "Snakes, sheep's eyes … those are quite good, I'm told, cooked up in a tomato broth."

Rumpelstiltskin groaned, his fork dropping to his plate as he shot her a look of disgust. "Belle, love … please, not while I'm eating."

"I'm sorry, darling," she apologized, her lips twitching with mirth. "We had a maharaja visit once who thought our diet here was rather unorthodox. He was a fascinating dinner companion though."

"It's after six," he said, setting his empty plate back on the tray. "Baelfire is late."

Belle looked away, suddenly unable to meet his gaze. "Yes, h-he's … um, having dinner in the kitchen this evening before Thorrin takes him to the baths. He got into a spot of trouble today."

The spinner nearly dropped the full tankard of mead as he clumsily set it down on the table. "W-What kind of trouble? Is he hurt? Why didn't you come tell me?" he asked, his eyes widening in panic.

"Rumpel, I promise he's fine," she assured him. "I told him I would let him tell you all about it when he returned tonight."

He reached for his crutches and levered himself to his feet, unable to sit still despite the pain he was suffering. "No, Belle, I think I'd like to know now!"

Belle took a deep breath, her gaze lowering to her fidgeting hands. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him so upset and it just made her feel worse for keeping the events of the day hidden from him. She began by telling him about Baelfire going missing and the color drained from his face, his breathing hitching and stuttering from his throat.

"M-Missing! And you didn't think I'd want to know my son was lost?!" he roared.

Belle winced. "Rum, I had our knights searching everywhere for him. There aren't many places in the palace he can hide where they won't be able to find him. And he was found."

"But? I can hear a but in there, Belle," he growled through clenched teeth. "And where the hell was Thorrin? He's supposed to be protecting Baelfire. How –"

She rose to her feet and went to stand beside him by the hearth, reaching out a calming hand to comfort him. She could practically feel the anger radiating beneath his warm skin. "Rumpel, it wasn't his fault. He was helping Mr. Lawson prepare for the lesson and Abel coaxed Bae into the game. They're children. They're going to get into mischief at one time or another."

"It's no excuse!"

"Rum …"

He pulled away from her, pacing in his agitation. "I can't believe you didn't tell me. How difficult would it have been to send a runner to find me?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, darling," she murmured softly. "But I handled it. He and Abel had a wee accident in the formal dining room and tipped over all the flowers which had been brought in for the feast tomorrow night. Don't worry, though; their punishment was light. I had them spend the afternoon helping the servants set the room to rights."

His eyes narrowed dangerously on her. "You punished him, too?!"

"Well, of course, I did. He has to learn to take responsibility –"

"You had no right!"

Belle stood her ground in the face of his anger, her hands balling into fists to quell her temper. "I had every right. He's my son, too, Rumpel."

"No! He's my son, my responsibility!" He was shouting now, his upset taking precedence over his good sense.

A single tear slid down over her pale cheek as she stared at him. "Is that really how you feel?"

He stumbled back as he took note of her tears, a look of betrayal on her face. "Belle, no, I'm –"

"Goodnight, Rumpelstiltskin," she choked out, hurt beyond measure. Turning on her heel, she made her way to the door which joined his room to hers, closing it quietly behind her. He winced as the latch clicked, over loud in the quiet room.

He hobbled over to the door and rested his brow on the cool wood. In all the time he'd been with her, that door had never been closed to him. And now he'd hurt his little love, hurt her heart, and he couldn't remember ever feeling so miserable. He'd let his distress get the better of him and lashed out at the one person who didn't deserve to witness his ire.

"Papa?"

Rumpelstiltskin pushed himself away from the door, turning to find Thorrin and Baelfire standing just inside the room, freshly scrubbed and dressed in his pajamas. Thorrin bowed out, closing the door behind him as the boy hurried across the room to throw his arms about his father's waist, his large brown eyes wide with worry. "Bae …"

"Why did you shout at Mama? Don't you love her no more?" he asked, having come in on the tail end of his parents' argument.

"What?" Rumpelstiltskin gasped. "Of course, I still love Belle." He sat down heavily on the padded stool next to his spinning wheel. "I just overreacted to something she told me and … I stuck my big foot in my mouth and hurt her feelings."

Bae sat down on the floor and rested his chin on his father's good knee. "Like my other mama used to do to you?"

His son couldn't have said anything to have made him feel any worse. "Yeah," he groaned.

"But you said we shouldn't talk that way to people we love, Papa."

"I know that."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Bae …"

"Are you going to apologize?"

The spinner ruffled his son's unruly curls and huffed a short laugh. "Yes, I am. How did you ever get to be so wise?" he asked, awe in his voice making his brogue thicker than usual.

Baelfire shrugged. "Because I pay attention when you tell me stuff," he said with a solemn nod. "Now why were you shouting at Mama? Did she tell you I got in trouble today?"

"She did," he said, mustering a stern tone. "And I am very disappointed you skived off your lessons with Mr. Lawson in order to play with your friend."

"I'm sorry, Papa. Mama made us clean up in the dining room," he whispered conspiratorially. "Don't tell her, but we had more fun helping to clean than we did with our game."

Rumpelstiltskin hugged his son close to his heart as he pulled him onto his lap. "I won't, son. I promise. But I do want you to mind your manners and follow the rules she's set for you. Not only do they keep you safe, but they are teaching you your new place in this society. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Papa."

"Alright, off to bed with you," he smiled, unable to help himself. "And no story tonight, son."

"Awww," he groaned, but went off to bed as he'd been told with a kiss to his brow. All was quiet before he ducked his dark head around the curtain which separated his little bedroom from Rumpel's. "When are you gonna apologize to Mama?"

"Bae!"

"G'night, Papa. Love you!" he called, leaping into his bed without further comment.

Rumpelstiltskin sighed wearily. "Good night, my boy."

*.*.*

Belle rolled over onto her side, the side which faced away from the door she'd been watching for the better part of an hour. She buried her face in her pillow, clutching another to her chest as tears continued to course down her ashen face. She'd held herself together long enough to allow Gerta to help her with her bath, foregoing her evening pot of tea in favor of her tears. She couldn't allow it to remain pent up. It would only fester and grow and she didn't want that.

It was his fear getting to him, she knew. Though it hadn't hurt any less, knowing that. She should have followed her first instincts to tell him instead of keeping it from him. But she'd wanted to show him she could be Bae's mother without him there at her side to supervise. She was a princess, with all the duties and responsibilities which came along with the title. She was more than capable of taking care of one small boy.

Yet, she'd known … she'd known he would take it badly and she'd done it anyway. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! she cursed inwardly. Maybe she should apologize … No! She'd done nothing wrong. Then why did she feel so guilty? And she missed him terribly. She missed the feel of his body pressed flush with hers as she drifted off to sleep. She missed the little snuffling noises he made in his sleep and the way his arms would tighten reflexively about her. Oh, why wouldn't he come and apologize so she could curl up next to him and find comfort in his arms once more? Stubborn man!

Belle pummeled her pillow, taking out her anger and frustration on the down-filled bedding. It wasn't often she was denied something she really wanted. And what she truly wanted was her spinner. As much as she loved her family, nothing in her life had prepared her for the true and abiding love she shared with Rumpelstiltskin. She shivered as the tears began in earnest once more. Her petite frame shook with her sobs, trembled from her weeping. So much in fact, she didn't hear the door opening or the thumping of crutches on the carpet.

She muffled a scream as he reached out to touch her shoulder. "Belle, dearie?" he whispered, and she bit down on her lip, forcing herself to calm. She rolled onto her back, staring silently up at him in the semi-darkness, trying to make out his features. She didn't say a word, merely held the blankets up so he could slide in beside her. They wouldn't be able to talk loudly with Gerta asleep in the next room, and it was becoming too chilly at night to take their conversation to the terrace.

Rumpelstiltskin winced as he climbed onto her bed and dragged his battered ankle in behind him. It was a small discomfort to the larger one lodged in his chest caused by the knowledge that he'd hurt her. He dragged her into his arms as she continued to stare up at him, her watery gaze filled with wariness. "Oh, Belle … I'm so sorry. I swear I didn't mean it."

"Then why would you say such a thing?" she whispered brokenly.

He pressed his lips to her brow for a long moment, reveling in the fact she hadn't yet pushed him away, that he hadn't completely ruined things between them with his hasty words and twisted tongue. "I was afraid. Sometimes, it seems that's all I ever am … afraid. For so long, I've been the only parent to my son. I … I felt as though you'd taken that away from me."

"Rumpel, I would never do that. I just wanted to help. I didn't want you to worry needlessly," she tried to make him understand.

He smoothed a hand over her tangled curls, relishing the softness as it ran silkily through his fingers. "I know, dearest, and I reacted horribly. Milah tried to run with him when Bae was three, and this incident brought back the panic, the fear, of losing him. I know it's no excuse for lashing out at you, but please … please forgive me, Belle."

She wrapped her arms around him, careful of his still tender ribs beneath the bandages, and nuzzled into his neck, breathing him in. "I love you, Rum. Of course, I forgive you, but you hurt me terribly. Please don't do that again." She kissed the underside of his jaw, his stubble scratching pleasantly against her lips. "I'm not Milah, my love. I'm not going to take Bae away from you."

"I know," he choked out, shivering as her hand crept beneath his nightshirt to stroke his belly. "I'm trying, Belle … I promise. You are Bae's mother as far as I'm concerned. More than Milah ever was, and I am sorry I made you think otherwise." The taut muscles in his belly leapt reflexively beneath her tentative touch. "I-I never meant to hurt you."

Her hand crept higher, coming to rest over his heart. "I love you, Rumpelstiltskin … so much. Don't be afraid to let me in, to know you. Don't be afraid to talk to me."

"I want to … I do. It's just difficult when I've never had anyone to share things with before." His breath caught as her nails scraped lightly over his flat male nipples, leaving him breathless and aching. "I will try to be more open with you, dearest."

Belle's hand curled around his nape to pull his head down, her lips soft and pliant against his. "I missed you," she whispered, her breath sweet and warm as it fanned his face.

His arm wrapped firmly about her waist, pulling her flush against his body with more vigor than he'd intended, causing them both to moan from the sheer pleasure of contact. Warm wet kisses, breathy sighs and the need growing between them was all that was important at the moment. "It was only three and a quarter hours, sweetheart … but it felt like an eternity," he murmured throatily, rolling onto his back and pulling her atop him.

She gasped, feeling his hardening length pressing into her belly. He was giving her control and the knowledge filled her head with dizzy delight. Her fingers went to work on the buttons lining the front of his sleeping shirt, sliding each one through the button holes until it parted, and she was able to splay her hands on his warm skin. The bandages still bound his ribs, but there was much of him left bare to her itching fingers and petal lips.

Belle sat up, a low moan in her throat as she pressed her heated core against his cloth covered cock. It stole her breath as fire burned hot in her veins. The wedding was still over a month away, but damned if she wanted to wait. Especially when her love was chanting her name on a breathy whisper as if she were a goddess and he her only supplicant. His eyes were mere slits of dark need as he watched her rock against him, his head thrown back in abandon as his fingers curled over her hips to steady her.

"Rum – Rumpel … " she fairly growled his name as she pressed her hips harder to his. She pulled roughly at the hem of her nightdress, her skin hot against the silk, and she wanted to be rid of it. She wanted his hands touching her bare skin as she did his. She wanted nothing separating them now.

His fingers wrapped loosely over her wrists. "Belle, what are you doing, love?" he panted. They were going too fast, he knew. Much too fast with the wedding so far in the distance. They didn't need to chance her becoming pregnant before they were legally bound. It would cause a scandal, and she nor her family deserved that. "Belle, stop."

Her face fell into a mask of disappointment. "Why?" she whined. "You're to be my husband in six weeks." She ground her hips down again and he couldn't suppress the hiss which issued past his teeth. "And it's not like you're not enjoying yourself."

"I didn't say that, now did I?" he growled. "But do you really want a wee babe not even eight months after we wed?"

She shook her head. "No, I plan to be rather selfish after the wedding," she purred, leaning over to press a kiss to his belly. "I want you all to myself, and I'll only share you with Bae."

His groan turned quickly into a whimper as her lips continued a downward path towards the waistband of his cotton trousers. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

Belle glanced up with a coy grin before she shook her head slowly. "I just want to touch you, Rum."

Rumpelstiltskin sighed, staring at her a long moment, knowing he was going to give in, but it would be on his own terms. "There's not much we can do with my injuries taking their own sweet time to heal … but I can still bring you pleasure, dear one. If … you're adventurous enough?"

His princess bit her lip, thoroughly intrigued, if not by his words, then his tone in that lovely brogue so deep and thick with desire. "I trust you," she said, nodding her acquiescence.

His hands ghosted slowly from her hips and along her thighs over the cool silk of her gown. He yearned to have her naked beneath him, but this would do for now. He urged her off his lap and sat up to remove his shirt and toss it to the floor. "Kneel," he commanded, moving the pillows out of the way. "Put your hands on the headboard."

Her breath hitched in excitement as she hastened to obey. When she'd done as he asked, she met his gaze in askance, her heart hammering loudly in her ears. "What are you going to do to me?"

As confident as he'd become over the last few months, he still couldn't keep the blush from his cheeks. Milah had been repulsed by his clumsy efforts at lovemaking, so why would Belle be any different? Then again, his former wife had never responded to his touch as Belle did. Yet, he couldn't deny her because he was afraid. That wasn't who he was anymore. After what had happened earlier, he couldn't allow his fear to guide his every action.

"Rum … are you alright?"

"Yes, dearest," he assured her as he moved behind her. He was careful of his ankle and putting too much weight on his battered ribs as he laid down on his side and skimmed a hand up her thigh beneath the hem of her gown. It only encouraged him as she sucked in a sharp breath. It was joined by a little whimper as he continued his upward path to the sweet swell of her arse. A grin curved his lips as he noted the absence of undergarments. "Are you ready, my Belle," he asked, the gown inching upwards with his hand.

"Yes!" she moaned, twisting a bit to try to see him over her shoulder.

"Very well," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the base of her spine as he bared it to his view. "Remove your gown."

She blushed a startling shade of pink, but she did as he bid, tossing the garment to the floor beside his shirt. She braced her hands against the polished wood headboard once more, her breathing heavy with anticipation. Her whole retinue of guards couldn't have pried her hands loose if they'd tried. Nothing would deny her his long-awaited touch. However, she was forced to muffle a shriek as he shifted around for a moment and then his head appeared between her legs.

"Rumpel!"

"Relax, sweetling," he cooed, pressing a lingering kiss to the inside of her knee as his arms wrapped around her thighs. "If I do anything you don't like … tell me and I'll stop."

Mouth dry, her tongue darted out to wet her lips as she stared down into his eyes, searching his gaze. Finally, she nodded her consent. His lips trailed along the sensitive flesh of her inner thigh, first one and then the other, and she trembled, little sparks of need pooling low in her belly. His soft lips and the scratch of his stubble were a delicious contrast against her smooth skin. She watched him warily as he spread her wider, bringing her lower as his mouth inched ever closer to her already dripping folds.

Rumpelstiltskin stopped, taking a moment to breathe her in, her arousal heady and thick. His mouth watered with the need to taste her, to devour her. She tensed, her muscles tightening as his tongue swept along her cleft, but he didn't dare stop, not until he heard the words commanding him to do so. He pressed deeper, searching for the little bundle of nerves above her entrance. She felt like heaven and tasted of the sweetest nectar and his cock swelled painfully. The knowledge that she belonged to him, that no one had ever seen her so disheveled and vulnerable, more powerful than any aphrodisiac

He lapped at her core earnestly, artlessly with unpracticed movements, but his Belle didn't care. She panted, her nails leaving grooves in the wood beneath her hands as her hips began to move. He'd withdraw and she'd follow until she'd found a rhythm she liked, moving steadily against his wriggling tongue. He concentrated on her clit, slowly circling as he traced the curve of her arse with his hands, urging her to move faster. She gasped as he slid a lone finger into her, her inner walls clenching about it. She was past the point of wanting him to stop now.

He reached down with his other hand, pressing his palm to his aching cock, praying he could hold off his own orgasm long enough for Belle to reach hers. He crooked his finger inside her, the digit on a mission to discover that place inside her which begged for his attention as her hips moved faster against his tongue. Her movements were erratic now and still he worked her tirelessly. He knew she must be close, he himself was barely holding back.

Belle whimpered, biting her lip bloody, frustrated as she climbed her peak ever higher. She could feel the ache within her, the pressure in her belly nearly unbearable. All she needed was one final push. "Rumpel …" she whined, her pleasure just within her grasp.

Rumpelstiltskin closed his lips over her, his tongue curling around her clit, his teeth following in a gentle scrape. It was more than she could bear and she spiraled over the precipice, her body convulsing in tremors as she embraced her pleasure; a pleasure only her spinner could give her.

His body jerked reflexively, his own climax rushing out of him as her warmth flooded his mouth. She collapsed weakly against the cool wood of the headboard as he continued to drink from her until he'd savored every last drop of her essence. Finally, he slid out from under her and moved to her side, pulling her into the circle of his arms.

"Are you alright? Belle?"

She gazed up at him languidly, her body sated and replete. "That was … that was amazing."

"Really?" he asked, a crooked grin adorning his lips.

"Mmhm," she hummed, nestling into his embrace. "You're wonderful, Rumpelstiltskin. Every inch of you."

He pressed a kiss to her brow and eased out of the bed, reaching for his crutches. He held up a hand before she could protest. "Don't fret, sweetling, I'm just going to check on Bae and clean myself up a bit." He leaned in once more to kiss her. "I'll be back in a moment."

She took her gown from his outstretched hand and hurriedly pulled it over her head. Having Bethany find her without a stitch on in the morning would just bring questions she had no intention of answering. "Hurry back," she called softly, watching his slow progress to the door.

She was asleep before he returned to her, his body wrapping protectively around her sleeping form. Their fight all but forgotten, replaced by a new memory, one of many they would create together, he drifted off to join her.

A/N: Hi, dearies! I apologize for not posting last week, but I got caught up in my RSS and couldn't stop until it was finished. I hope you all like it. I can't wait until I get to post it :D Not to mention the holiday totally kicked my ass. I really hate adulting. Anyhoo! Did you enjoy the chapter? Next week, we're moving on to the feast. Since I haven't written the chapter yet, I really don't know what I can tell you. We'll just have to see what develops. If you have any suggestions, don't hesitate to let me know. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Oh! I nearly forgot this week's fic recommendation. Check out 'Belle's Sacrifice' by Ethereal Wishes over on ffnet. I prompted her to write this little fix it after last week's episode. It's fab!

Hugs and love to my darling reviewers: Witch Nova, Wondermorena, Grace5231973, power214063, ninewood (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12 & 14 wow! Thank you!), Erik'sTrueAngel, scorpion 22, Songbird1986, MyraValhallah, Twyla Mercedes, christianqueenofegypt, minterwint, onlyinyourdreams77, Cloelius Princess, musicbean2 and Weirdness47. Thank you all so much for taking the time to send me such kind comments. If I didn't get a chance to reply, please forgive me. Love you all.