Before story note: Well that was an unexpected amount of support in a short amount of time. Thanks everyone for your reviews and ego boosting followings lol.

Gaston was your typical, run-of-the-mill jock. Track medals adorned his bedroom walls, his parents never missed a basketball game, and of course he was the star quarterback of their school. Basically, if it was a sport, Gaston participated in it. This included the sport of wooing Belle. The first time she called him an "air-headed pig," he made it his mission to make her his. No girl ever refused Gaston. Ever. He could have his pick of any girl, including teachers and some men, except for this bookworm of a girl. So after months and months of asking her out, she finally said yes on Valentine's day their junior year, and they had been going out ever since. Everyone thought it was the strangest thing to see the most popular, handsome guy with the pretty, yet odd girl that always had her nose stuck in a book.

Most of all Belle.

Belle could always see herself going out with someone a lot... smarter. Sure Gaston could charm the smile off of the Cheshire cat, but was he dumber than a box of rocks when it came to academics. His only hope for college was an athletic scholarship, and thankfully for him, all of his teachers made sure too keep him at at least a C average so that he could always play, or else he'd never graduate. So it was no surprise that he just didn't understand the concept of school after school hours.

"Do you really have to stay after school?" Gaston whined for about the twentieth time as they approached her locker. He held her backpack for her as she rotated the combination.

"Yes Gaston, I really do have to stay after school. I have to make up that grade for Mr. Gold's class." Belle said as she put her belongings into her locker. Shutting it, she took her boyfriend's hand and they walked to the cafeteria.

"Man this sucks. Especially since you have to stay with that dick." He said, mentally grateful he had dodged the bullet of Mr. Gold's American History class. Mr. Gold was not the kind of teacher that would let Gaston slide just because he was a star athlete. If anything, he would try even harder to fail him. "This is probably just his way of living out his own fantasies." Gaston laughed loudly at his own joke.

"God, you are such a pig." Belle said, rolling her eyes. "And besides, Mr. Gold is not a bad guy. He just doesn't take much crap from anyone."

"Ooooh, maybe it's not just his fantasies he'll be living out. Eh Belle? Do I need to worry about him taking you away from me?" Gaston said still smiling, but a slight edge was in his voice.

"Cut it out Gaston." She said, joining in with his laughter.

"Yeah, there's no way he could compete with this." He released her hand and flexed his muscles for her. "I'm built like a god. No, a god on steroids."

"Well ok Mr. Roid-God, lets get your head through the double doors of the cafeteria, or in a minute it's not going to fit through." she said smiling and grabbing his hand again. She led him through the clusters of tables and to their usual spot to await their gang of friends. First to arrive was Ruby, and boy, did she look pissed.

"I'm so sorry Belle. I tried to let you in but..." Ruby began, referring to the history class debacle.

"It's ok Ruby. Honestly I probably deserved to be locked out for a few minutes. It's definitely not the first time I've been ridiculously late to his class."

Ruby smiled, but before she could say anything further about the incident, David popped out of nowhere with his arm around Mary-Margaret's waist and asked, "So why were you so late today anyway? Or should I ask what book kept you up so late last night that you had to lumber in 30 minutes late?"

"Oh ha ha." Belle said. "And how do you know that it was a book keeping me up?"

"Because I know all." David said looking serious for a whole second, before a smirk crept across his face.

"Oh stop it David." Mary-Margaret said, playfully hitting him. "You are going to creep someone out."

"Are my psychic abilities are uncomfortable for you? Just because I can see into the future? The past? Read your mind? Pick the winning lottery numbers." David said in a mystic voice and making "ooooo" sounds. Everyone was laughing at him except Gaston who suddenly stood up from the table.

"Where are you going hun?" Belle asked, a little taken aback by her boyfriend's sudden behavior. He didn't respond, but instead stalked off towards the cafeteria line.

"What's his problem?" Ruby said, quirking her eyebrow up.

"I have no idea. As far as I know, he's fine." Belle responded, a little worried. "I'll go talk to him." She also stood up, and made her way towards the line. "Gaston, what was that all about?" She touched his shoulder, and he shrugged her off.

"I just don't like how David was talking to you." he said, not even looking at her.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"He was practically all over you. I mean what kind of creepy guy knows what you were doing last night?" Gaston huffed.

It took Belle a whole second to realize he was serious, and that he was in one of his moods. He's a good guy, but he has a devil of a possessive streak in him. "Well Gaston, I do tend to stay up at night reading books. Everyone knows that." She smiled, and once again tried to lay her hand on his shoulder.

"And you!" Gaston snapped at her. "How do you know that it was a book keeping me up? God, how could you throw your sex life out there so easily? You were acting like such a slut." Her hand flew before she knew it, and a loud slap resounded in her ears. Tears were burning at the corners of her eyes, and turning on her heel, she stormed out of the cafeteria before he saw them fall.

The teachers lounge was packed as usual. Everyone crammed in there for all the latest gossip around the school, including an unwilling Mr. Gold. The only reason he even came in here was because it was the only room that had a fridge. Walking over to it, he tried to steer clear of the rest of the teacher populace. After somehow avoiding having to talk to anyone, he opened the refrigerator door and pulled out his lunch.

"Hey Mr. Gold." A voice said from behind, and he turned to face Archie, or Mr. Hopper as his psychology students called him. "How are you today?"

Knowing he couldn't be so lucky to avoid all conversation, he called it a win because at least he sort of liked Mr. Hopper, and that's more than most of these people could say. "Aye I'm alright. My leg is a little sore, but nothing that sitting down and resting it won't cure."

"I see. So have you had that talk with Belle yet? She's such a smart girl you know. She's the only one in my class that has an A+ average. But then again, she makes it to my class on time." Archie joked.

"That's because you are her second period class, therefore you have no competition. I have to fight with her bed." They both chuckled as they made their way to a table. "And yes, I have indeed talked with her, and we have come to a proper arrangement."

"Ha, proper. Is that what you call it?" Mr. Gold heard from the side. He turned to face one of the science teachers, Regina. "That girl should be held back just like anyone. What makes her so special?"

"Well for one, dearie, she's a straight A student. She applies herself, a smart girl, and as far as I can tell, her only crime is staying up late to read books." Mr. Gold said, standing straight, despite the fact his leg was burning. He was not going to back down to this she-devil. "I'm not sure what she did to get your undergarments in a knot, but I suggest you live with the decision your principal and I have agreed upon." He knew that last additive would get under her skin. He was aware of the fact that Regina and Principal Graham were sleeping together, and he knew that she thought she had him tightly wound around her little finger. Showing her that she didn't have complete control over the principal, as she believed, gave him a great satisfaction.

Regina didn't have anything to add to the conversation, so she turned and stalked off, in search of Graham no doubt. When she exited the room, he pulled out his seat and sat down next to Mr. Hopper, who had ignored the whole conversation in lieu of grading papers.

"God I hate that bitch." Another voice said, making her way to the trashcan. It was the newest teacher to the school, Emma. "She keeps trying to undercut my Criminal Science class just because it's an elective. I only have one working computer, and 18 students a period. How the hell am I supposed to teach? I've asked Graham for some help on the subject, but surprise, surprise, it's how he said, 'Not in the budget.' But Regina has 20 computers in her room, and how often does she use them? Never, that's how often."

Mr. Gold never had a reason to talk to Emma before right now, but he feels he just gained an ally at this school. "Well Miss. Swan, you are more than welcome to take my computers. I never had a need for them."

Emma turned and looked at him, with an increasing doubt in her eyes. "Are you serious? That would be great, but what's the catch?"

"Now why would you think there would be a catch dearie?" Mr. Gold said, in mock defense.

"Because from your reputation around here, I wouldn't expect you to just up and hand over a classroom full of computers." Emma said, crossing her arms.

"Let's just say, you'll owe me a favor later on." He saw the panic in her eyes. "Now, now dearie, I wouldn't make you do anything illegal. I just don't need anything right now, so I'll have to think of a way for you to pay me back. Besides, I know it'll piss Regina off, and I'd almost say that's payment enough."

Emma mulled this over for a minute before she stuck her hand out for a handshake. Grasping his in a firm grip she said, "Mr. Gold, you have yourself a deal."

"Excellent. They've been taking up too much space as is." He looked at the clock and noticed that there were fifteen minutes left of the lunch period, and he needed a head start back to his room to get ready for his 4th period class. Sighing, he stood up and picked up his untouched lunch. He had to toss it into the trash can, knowing that by tomorrow his egg salad sandwich would no longer be edible. He made his way again across the packed teachers lounge and through the door. Leaning on his good leg, he slowly walked back to his classroom.

About halfway there, he heard a door shut, and the unmistakable sniffle of someone that had been crying. Usually not one to meddle in other peoples emotional problems, an unstoppable force made him turn to see the cause of the sound.

It was her. Belle. And he knew right then he was in trouble.

'God.' Belle thought. 'How could he say such a thing? He's such a... a... fucking douchebag!' She looked up at herself in the mirror, and she saw she was a complete wreck. Her eyes were puffy with a combination of sleep deprivation and intense crying, and her face was red. She turned the faucet on, and cupped a bit of cold water before washing her face with it. It was slightly refreshing, and so she did it a few more times, just to get all the tear streaks off her face. 'I think that's about as good as it's gonna get girl.' She thought, wiping her hands on a towel. Getting one last look in the mirror at her sad appearance, Belle walked out of the bathroom door, with the intention of going back to her locker to grab her books. That was until she heard a voice.

"Are you alright dearie?" Once again she heard the clank of a cane against the floor and she looked up to see Mr. Gold walking towards her, limping worse than usual.

"Oh, um hi Mr. Gold. I'll be alright. I know I look like a mess." Belle said, trying to smile. "Are you ok though? You are limping pretty bad."

He wanted to assure her that no, she looked beautiful like always, but he knew that would be inappropriate. Instead he went with, "Aye I haven't had much chance to rest it. I was just on my way to my classroom to do just that before my next class comes in."

"Don't let me hold you up." Belle responded. And when he was about to protest, she added, "My boyfriend and I just had a fight is all. I'll be alright." He still looked doubtful. "Would you like me to walk with you back to your class room?" 'Woah,' she thought. 'Where did that come from?'

"Only if you would like to accompany a lame old man dearie." Mr. Gold smirked. "Actually, I can give you a few worksheets to help with your grade if you'd like. You still don't have to come by today after school, but if you get a headstart, that's one less day you'll be stuck with me."

For some reason, Belle's heart sank when he said that, but she brushed it off. "That would be great. Lead the way Mr. Gold."

It took them five minutes to walk back, and along the way Mr. Gold's leg almost gave out and Belle reached around him to make sure he didn't topple over. Once she was sure he was steady, she let go of him and they continued on... until Mr. Gold decided to test a theory, and his leg conveniently gave out again. And sure enough, Belle had her arms around him making sure he didn't fall over. 'I should do that more often.' Mr. Gold smirked inwardly and assured her he was fine before she let him go again.

He would swear until his dying day that she lingered a bit longer before releasing him from her hold.

Reaching the classroom door, they walked inside and towards his desk. Sitting down in his chair, he rustled through some papers, until he found a manilla folder with Belle's name on it. He pulled out 2 worksheets and handed them to her. "Here you go. Like I said you don't have to do them this weekend, but you are more than welcome to turn them in early."

"Thanks Mr. Gold. I appreciate all the work you are doing for me." Belle said and looked over the papers. "I um, I should probably go. I still need to get to my locker for my things.

"Alright dearie. I'll see you in class, hopefully on time, Monday." Mr. Gold said. Before she made her way out of the door, he just couldn't stop himself. "Miss. French?" Belle turned around and looked at him. "I don't think that you look like a mess."

TEH_AUTHORS NOTE

D'aaaaaaaw how cute. Well there be chapter two. Hope you enjoyed :D