A/N: Sorry for the wait, and thank you for all the lovely messages.
"You gonna be okay?" Ruby asked, looking at Belle warily.
"Yeah," Belle assured her with a smile. "I know...I know that I love them, but I just need some space."
"Okay. Well, you can stay as long as you need to," Ruby promised, though she didn't seem convinced. Belle waited for Ruby to close the door to her guest room before she stopped smiling. It had been the longest two days of her life and she needed some quiet and normalcy, if only five minutes of it. She had been given an overwhelming amount of information that she had been unable to process. She was married, adopted a child, had a super power, and joined some kind of vigilante group. In a year. And she remembered exactly none of it. Gold had asked her to stay for the boy's sake, and she had wanted to agree but she couldn't. She couldn't keep looking them in the face knowing she was hurting them when she couldn't even remember them. She had given him back his ring and asked for some space to think things through, and then moved in with Ruby. Ruby had assured him it was only temporary and that Belle would regain her memories but Belle wasn't so sure. Emma and Mary Margaret were sure she could heal herself but Belle didn't know how to do this specifically. They had tried and had agreed to keep trying but she held no hope. At this point she wanted to just try and move forward. Once she had her things settled she joined Ruby in the kitchen.
"How are you feeling?" Ruby asked her, pouring tea into cups
"Lost," Belle admitted. "I want to stop disappointing everyone but I don't know how."
"Oh, honey, you're not disappointing anyone," Ruby assured her, dropping into a kitchen chair next to Belle. "Everyone understands, this is a big deal. But I know you, and you are going to get your memories back."
"What if I don't?" Belle asked her hopelessly.
"You will."
"How did Gold happen?" She asked suddenly. "He never gave me the time of day and he seemed like such a..."
"I don't know," Ruby admitted. "You never told us much about him, just that you were dating but I know that you loved him. You fought so hard for him. I think now he'll be fighting for you."
"But...if I fell in love with him once I could again, don't you think?"
"Yes. Stop trying so hard and just relax. Everything will work itself out."
Belle nodded. Ruby was right, the harder she tried the worse she felt. She was a fighter and somewhere inside her she knew the part of her that remembered was struggling to get out.
Gold was beside himself. In the last two days he had lost his closet friend Bernard, and his wife of five minutes had moved out, unable to remember anything about her life with him or his son. His ex-wife had reappeared and taken something from him, though he hadn't spent the time to find out what. His son was miserable and withdrawn and blamed himself. Gold needed to do something, anything, to try and make this right.
Mary Margaret and Emma had assured him that Belle's memories would recover, that she would be able to heal her damaged memory once she regained the ability to do so, but Gold knew that that could take months or even years. Gold didn't have that kind of time; she could have moved on by then, started a new life with a new man. This woman was the love of his life and he couldn't lose her. As long as she would allow him to do so, Gold would fight to win her back. The only problem was he had no idea how he had won her in the first place. He had tricked her by letting her meet the Trickster while keeping up his cold, unfeeling facade. It was tempting to try that route again, but they had nothing to unite them. Before she had been investigating Regina and attempting to rescue Bae from the foster system but they didn't have that now. Just his word that she had loved him enough to want to marry him, which had not been enough to make her stay. His company was hosting an event that night. He decided that would be a good place to start.
Hook was beyond delighted with his Mila. Her intentions had been good, honorable even, but she had done him the biggest favor. He hated the little brunette girl, Belle, with a passion. She had bested him at every turn and now she had no idea who he was. It practically wrote itself. She would have no qualms about going out by herself because she simply didn't know any better, and he would be waiting for her. This time it would be just him and her, none of her little friends to help her. All he had to do was wait.
She knew why she was going. She wanted to see him, talk to him around other people, maybe dance with him. She couldn't picture him doing any of those things and part of her wondered if they had some kind of financial arrangement that no one knew about. Belle liked romance and Gold seemed incapable of this. Still, she was going to go to his event and hope something jarred her memory.
She wore a dark red dress with one horizontal strap across her chest. The material was silky and form fitting, though not as tight as Ruby's dress. It gathered on the left side at the waist and was held with glittering stones. She put on black stilettos and pulled her dark hair into a shiny chignon.
"Like old times," Ruby commented when Belle met her at the door.
"Do I like these things now?" She asked, feeling the necklace at her throat nervously.
"No, not really," Ruby said, grabbing a sparkly black clutch by the door. Ruby's own dress was strapless and cut at the knees, black and tight and yet it looked classy somehow on Ruby. She had her own dark hair pinned up and held with a pretty blue and green hair clip.
"At least that hasn't changed," Belle sighed, stopping dead at the sight of the long stretch limo in front of them. "But this; this is new."
"Yes it is, although I think I know who it's from," Ruby smiled at the driver, who had gotten out to open the door from them.
"Mr. Gold sends his best," the driver said, an elderly man with blue eyes. Belle felt a strange pang looking at him but wasn't sure why. She wondered if they had met before and it was triggering a memory, and if it did, why it made her feel sad.
Ruby smiled and slid in where Emma, Mary Margaret, David, and Archie were waiting.
"Gold sent a limo," Mary Margaret said once everyone was settled in, "But not himself."
"Do you blame him?" Emma asked.
"I guess not," Mary Margaret conceded.
Belle didn't say anything as the guilt started to creep in. She didn't want him to feel like these things were necessary to win her back. She decided to push the feeling aside in favor of checking out what Emma and the ever stylish Mary Margaret were wearing. Emma's dress was navy blue with capped sleeves, and her hair was halfway pulled back. It was simple and elegant. Mary Margaret was also wearing sleeves with a square neck line and a light purple dress. David was wearing a matching tie and vest, and Belle was amazed at the difference a year made. She knew David was divorcing Kathryn but would never have guessed he and Mary Margaret would get together. Even stranger was Ruby and Archie. She couldn't wrap her brain around that.
The venue for Gold's event was beautiful. It was lit up with twinkling lights while music played softly in the background. It was on the water but indoors with the exception of a large balcony. People were milling about, some standing and talking, other sitting at round tables waiters in sharp tuxes poured champagne.
"Oh look, there's Jefferson," Emma said, indicating towards a man sitting alone at a table wearing a top hat. They made their way over to him and took a seat, where a waiter was waiting to pour drinks.
"Nice shindig, eh?" Jefferson commented once the waiter was gone.
"Gold always throws the best events. What's it for?" Emma asked, taking a sip of champagne.
"New clients; blah, blah, blah," Jefferson waved a hand airily. "I imagine it stemmed from a desire to show off his new wife."
Belle froze. "Me."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her.
"I'm…" Jefferson seemed unsure of how to fix his mistake as everyone else looked around, embarrassed. Five minutes in and Belle had already had enough.
"I'm going to get some air."
No one tried to stop her as she got up and walked to the balcony. The moment she was gone Emma punched him hard in the shoulder. "What was that?!" She demanded as Jefferson rubbed his shoulder.
"I am a paid employee," he said with narrowed eyes.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Gold is on the balcony waiting for her."
Belle thought she was alone as she walked out into the crisp night air. She walked over to edge and looked out over the water. "What am I doing?" She asked, leaning her head on the white ledge.
"Belle." Belle snapped her head up and saw Gold walk out from the shadow looking what she could imagine was nervous.
"I didn't know you were out here," she said apologetically. "I'll go-"
"No. Please, uh, stay." He sounded the same as he had when he asked her not to move out the day before. She bit her lower lip and nodded in agreement.
"How...how have you been?" She asked, unsure what to say to the man you married but couldn't remember.
"Well," he said, stepping closer to her. "I, uh, brought you this. I know you said you didn't want it, but, uh, it might help. With your memories. You don't have to wear it, if you don't want..." He was holding her wedding rings in the palm of his hand and he looked so broken that she had to take them.
"Thank you. Maybe it will help," she offered, slipping them on. Jefferson had mentioned that he had organized this as a way of showing off his new wife and she wasn't so cold that she would deny him that. She was, for all intents and purposes, his wife. No one had suggested a divorce although she knew they all expected her to since she had moved out. How was she going to get to know this man if she was hiding from him? He wasn't asking her to sleep with him and in a house his size she was certain she could have her own room.
"I'll see you inside," he said, stepping away but she grabbed his wrist.
"Wait! I...can I ask something?"
"Anything," he breathed, stepping closer to her, unaware their friends were all watching.
"I may have been...too hasty today. Moving out, I mean. I was scared," she admitted.
"That is completely understandable," he said softly.
"I think I would like to come back. We are married and I want to get to know you again. I'd like my own room though." She looked up at him shyly, expecting him to tell her no. She was not prepared for the look he was giving her. She was certain if she didn't say something he would start openly weeping. What had she done to deserve this man's obvious admiration? He was staring as if she had just hung the moon for agreeing to move in with the man she married two days earlier.
"Of course. Anything you want," he nodded.
She took a step back, uncomfortable with how much emotion he was expressing.
"We should probably get back inside," she said. He nodded and stepped ahead of her to hold the door open. They looked at each other once more before she went back to her seat at the table and he began speaking with someone.
"What happened?" Ruby asked the moment she sat down.
"I'm gonna move back in," she told them, taking a swig of champagne.
"Whoa. How did he convince you to do that?" Emma asked a little sarcastically.
"He didn't, it was my idea. How am I supposed to be getting to know him if I'm hiding at Ruby's?"
"He could take you on dates," Mary Margaret suggested.
"I married him," Belle reminded her. "I'm not going to be in the same room. But we got married and I think if I remembered I would be really excited about that. I always wanted a family, and now I have one and I can't even remember them." She looked sadly down at her napkin, hating herself for not remembering him.
"Don't force it," Mary Margaret advised but Jefferson had had enough of the somber attitude. An upbeat song was playing and without a moment's hesitation he grabbed Belle's hand and brought her onto the empty dance floor.
"No one else is dancing," she commented as he spun her in a theatrical circle.
"So what?"
"That's fair I suppose...but everyone is staring." He grinned widely.
"Dancing with the boss's wife if probably frowned upon, but considering all the times I have saved your life I'm sure he'll let it slide."
"You've saved my life?" She asked.
"Recently," he added, dipping her low. Ruby and Archie had joined them though they were dancing a little more conservatively.
"So we are friends," she stated.
He laughed a little, spinning her. "Sweetheart, without me you never would have married the man."
Belle laughed with delight at the idea that eccentric Jefferson setting her and Gold up. "Really?" She asked, spinning him this time.
"Of course my dear! How else was I going to get you to introduce me to Emma Swan? I never thought you'd marry the man!"
"I'm unpredictable that way!" She laughed, finally having some fun. She didn't see Jefferson wink over her head at Gold, who watching the pair dance with a soft expression.
"She looks like herself, doesn't she?" Mary Margaret commented to Gold as David escorted Emma onto the floor.
"Happy," he commented, wondering what Jefferson possibly could be saying to her.
"These last two days have been hard on everyone. I can't pretend to understand what you're going through, or her. But I- we, are all rooting for you. Both of you."
He turned to face Mary Margaret, fully appreciating the slight brunette for the first time.
"That means a lot to me." The song changed to something slower and Belle expected Jefferson to bow out to dance with someone. Instead he pulled her closer, put a hand on her waist and took her other in his hand so they could dance more appropriately.
"You dance like a gentleman," she commented, placing her free hand on his shoulder.
"Because I am a gentle-"
"May I cut in?" Belle and Jefferson looked up to see Gold standing there politely. Jefferson immediately stepped back, allowing Gold to take his place. All of Belle's nerves returned as they began to spin.
"Jefferson says he set us up," she said finally, trying to ignore how Gold smelled. It felt comforting and she knew on a subconscious level she remembered it.
"I suppose in his mind he did," Gold commented after a moment.
Belle smiled happily, wishing she could remember their relationship the way he could. "Was it love at first sight?" She asked even though she knew the answer. She just wanted to hear him talk about it.
"No, you didn't like me very much," he frowned as he recalled their first meeting. "You may have implied you were going to arrest me."
"That sounds like me. How did it happen?"
You were looking for information on a former employee of mine. I had been doing my best to keep you out but that idiot Jefferson let you up and the rest was history."
"And we were happy?"
"Very happy." The song had ended but she found she didn't want to let go. His presence was reassuring.
"Another?" He asked her. She nodded, falling into an easy rhythm with him. Other people were dancing but they didn't matter. "How is Balfour?" She asked him.
"He's doing well," Gold lied smoothly. He didn't want her guilt to keep her with them and he was sure she would fall in love with Bae much sooner and easier than she would with him.
"I think after this I'm gonna go home," she said, looking up at him hopefully. She wanted to talk to him more without all these extra people.
"Will you be up for a while?"
"I'll do my best."
He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her hand softly. "I wouldn't ask for anything less." When the song ended they stepped apart and he went back to speaking with his guests as she said goodnight to everyone and slipped out. The limo was waiting for her but she didn't want to leave her friends stranded so she hailed a cab. A dark haired man was doing the same.
"You take it," she offered.
"We can share it," he smiled at her. He was handsome with dark hair and sharp blue eyes, but something felt a little off about him. She ignored the feeling and stepped into the cab with him. They both gave addresses and settled into an awkward silence.
"Killian. Jones," he told her, offering her a hand.
"Belle Fren…, er Gold," she accepted his hand.
"Come from a wedding?" He asked her, indicating how dressed up she was.
"Not exactly."
"You look lovely."
'Thank you, Mr. Jones."
"I have to confess, Mrs. Gold, that I feel like fate has brought us together tonight," he smiled at her.
"Oh? How so?" She asked politely.
"I have a legal...complication...and I have been at odds with what to do about it, but now you're here. Perhaps you could help me?"
Belle relaxed after hearing he was looking for a legal consultation. She opened up her clutch and handed him a business card.
"Call me at my office tomorrow and we'll set up an appointment to discuss it. A cab isn't the best place for that."
The cab stopped and Killian smiled. "Thank you. I'll call you tomorrow. Cheers, Mrs. Gold." He handed the driver a wad of cash and added, "For the lady's drive home," and shut the door before she could protest.
She was grateful to have come by herself. A small amount of her things were at Ruby's, the majority she had left behind intending to get it later. She climbed the spiraling stairs; glad she didn't have to move her things out while Gold was there. First thing she did was pick a room at the end of the hallway. It was white and small, obviously intended for guests but it would do. She then made her way to the room she had previously shared with Gold and grabbed her things and arranging them neatly in her new bedroom. It felt good to be back and since she couldn't remember things she relied more on her feelings.
Once she was out of her dress and into pajama shorts and a tank top, she headed downstairs. She expected Gold to be home much later, not to be walking in as she came down. They both froze, staring at the other person.
"I, uh, was gonna watch a movie...if you want to join me."
"Give me five minutes," he replied. They passed each other quickly on the stairs and Belle knew she had to get past how awkward she felt or she might as well just stay at Ruby's. She picked out a comedy and waited until he came down clad in flannel pajama bottoms and a dark black t-shirt. She couldn't remember having ever seen him so casual and he looked good.
"Ah. This is a good one," he said once she pressed play. He had brought down a blanket with him and handed it to her. She was grateful for it, offering half of it to him which he accepted.
"Do we do this often?" She asked once they were settled.
"This is more of an activity for you and Bae."
"Oh. Okay. So what do we do?"
He paused for a moment, his face flushed slightly and she looked away, embarrassed. It shouldn't have surprised her, but she hadn't thought about sleeping with him outside of the literal sense. She refused to think on it, to keep things between the two of them light.
"It's been a while since we just...went out," He said finally. "I suppose that's my fault. We could though, if you wanted. I spend so much time working, I take for granted..."
"I think that sounds nice," she agreed brightly. Light.
They didn't say anything for the rest of the film which was fine with Belle. She had wanted to talk but she was also exhausted. She fell asleep halfway through and woke up as the credits were rolling. She had fallen against him in her asleep and he had put an arm around her. He was also asleep, breathing deeply, and when she tried to get up he tightened his hold on her slightly. She could have gotten away from him if she wanted, but in that moment she didn't. She felt safe and loved; even if she wasn't sure she loved him back. It violated her desire for space but there was nothing imposing about the position she found herself in, so she settled back in. Cuddling was nice. She could do this. She could make this work.