Appendix Four: Belle Meets Ashley

Mr. Gold was driving rather quickly through town. Belle held on for dear life. Mr. Gold turned to her and slowed down.

"Sorry, dear. Forgot this is only your second time in a car." Belle nodded and they continued. Finally they pulled up to a small apartment building.

Mr. Gold turned in his seat, and even without seeing his eyes, covered as they were with sunglasses, Belle knew what he wanted.

"Ok. Obviously this is something I need to do." She began untying the ribbon as she muttered, "let my hair hang loose like a strumpet."

"Where did you find those clothes Belle? I didn't order them."

"Yes you did. I just chose what looked right."

"Ah," Mr. Gold's tone told her everything.

"I found what looked proper, Rumpel!" Belle insisted. He just looked at her. "But I suppose I need to 'fit in' in this cursed world, so a little bit of sacrifice is needed," she sighed.

"Belle, if this is the only sacrifice asked of you, I will be a happy man."

Belle removed the ribbon with a flourish and gave him a shining smile, but then saw him frowning.

"What?" she asked.

"Your hair," Mr. Gold replied, "shake out your hair."

"What?"

"Shake it, like a dog!"

"A dog?"

"Trust me."

Belle obeyed, but not before she narrowed her eyes, showing her displeasure.

When she looked back to Mr. Gold, he went about parting one mass of curls to the side, while tucking some strands behind her opposite ear. He sat back and nodded in approval.

"Better?" she glared.

"Much. You've gained ten years. It will stop me from being arrested."

"Charming," she responded drily.

"Lovely! How ironic!" She arched and eyebrow. "That's Snow White's nickname for King James," Mr. Gold explained. "Just never thought I'd be compared to him. I'm sure he would object quite strongly!"

"Well then he's a fool!" Belle retorted. "Charming is in one's actions in any case, not his looks. And from what you've told me, he hasn't been doing well in that since coming here."

"It's all the curse."

She shook her head from side to side, "It's 'the curse this' and the 'curse that.' I've only known about it a day and I'm already sick of hearing it as an excuse for bad behavior. It's just a convenient—and rather unoriginal, if I may say so-excuse for an un-charming man to explain why he is doing horrible things. How about finding the strength within himself to do what is right?"

"It's a strong curse," Mr. Gold told her.

"So strong everyone is weakening it left and right?"

Mr. Gold tipped his head, pondering, "Point taken. Since when have you become all knowing?" He accused.

"When have I been wrong?" Belle asked.

"Point taken, again." He pressed his lips together.

Belle shrugged, "I read."

"Be careful , dearie, for 'pride cometh before a fall.'"

She teased, "Coming from Rumpelstilskin?"

"I've learned from my mistakes," Mr. Gold said.

Belle looked up at the building. "Ok, since she's expecting me, this should be easier."

"Yes," Now he had to say it. "Belle," he began again, "do you remember when Ella married Prince Thomas?"

"Even on my side of the world their story was everywhere. Right after, you came and took me to your castle."

"Ah, yes. That rogue Ogre rebellion." He paused, taking an uncomfortable breath, "Well, as you know, when people marry, the lady often becomes…" He stopped again, trying to think how to phrase it.

Belle smiled kindly and took his chin to meet her eyes, "You can say 'delicate condition.' I won't faint!"

"Delicate condition? Ah, yes." He muttered, "Princesses."

"What was that?" Belle asked.

"Nothing. Nothing," Mr. Gold said quickly. "Very well. Glad that is clear. Here, though, she has had the baby."

"But Ruby said they would not be married for two days."

Mr. Gold tilted is head, holding out his hands and gesturing with his fingers as a traffic cop to encourage her to come to the conclusion.

Her brows furrowed, then her head snapped up, looking horror-struck.

"Cursed world?" Mr. Gold reminded her helpfully.

"Oh! Princess Ella?" Belle exclaimed, "The scandal when we go home!"

"Actually we're still not sure what will be remembered when we go home. Now when you are there . . ."

"I know how to talk to a girl!" Belle insisted.

"Yes, but be sure to . . ."

They were interrupted by a voice from the balcony above them.

"You didn't waste any time!" Ashley called.

Belle looked up and saw Ashley with the baby in her arms.

She blew out a long breath. "Cursed, world, cursed, world" she repeated as a mantra.

Mr. Gold got out and opened the door for her. As she took his hand and stepped out, something did occur to her. "I thought everyone was terrified of you. So far they all seem rather forward and unafraid."

"Some are," Mr. Gold admitted. "My theory about that is that as soon as Emma arrived, and people got closer to their 'Happy Endings,' the curse started unraveling. People began losing their fear."

"For fear is of the curse!"

"Not bravery." He concurred.

"So what do you want me to deal?" Belle asked.

"That, I leave to you. Women know what women want. A man…. Rarely." Mr. Gold gave her his nondescript smile.

"Glad to know you're going to make it easy," Belle rolled her eyes. "Well, here's to it. Wish me luck!"

"Always," he said and kissed her before shooing her on her way.

Belle walked away from him and slowly walked up the stairs, not sure what to do. Yet the thought came to her that she must follow her instincts and continue.

Ashley was waiting for her at the open door.

"Come in," she said, none too friendly.

Belle entered and gingerly sat on the couch Ashley pointed to.

"Why are you here?" Ashley began to interrogate immediately.

"Not certain," Belle answered honestly. "Why did you want me here?"

"I wanted to see, like Ruby, why you were talking about me with that man."

"Not so much talking about you. He was updating me about your coming marriage."

"I see," Ashley's eyes snapped fire. "So he's taking an interest in my wedding. What does he want?"

"I beg your pardon?" Belle asked.

"Why is he suddenly bringing a much younger girl to talk with me?" Ashley wanted to know. "His 'fiance,'" she said it as though it was a curse word. "It's a new low finding a pretty woman to make his deals for him."

"Not a low," Belle contradicted. "He just felt maybe, considering your past together, you would be more comfortable dealing with me."

"Really!" Ashley leaned forward," So out with it: why are you here and what the hell are you doing with him?"

Belle was taken aback by her vehemence, but swallowed and replied, "We met awhile ago, when things were . . . different. We fell in love."

"You know the kind of man he is," Ashley warned her.

"Yes."

"So then why should I trust you any more then he?"

"I can't answer that for you." Belle met her eyes.

What did he want her to do? Belle knew he wanted a deal, but only helped by saying she would know. Know what a woman wants. What does Ashley want? What would Belle want if she really was the 'new girl in town?' And with that, she had it.

"He wanted me to meet you," Belle began. "For company."

.

Ashley shook her head, "No, the truth! What does he really want? Everything with him comes at a price!"

"Yes," Belle agreed. "In exchange for this he is . . . " What can she promise on his behalf? Mr. Gold. Money, he had money. "Waiving your rent for a year."

"No rent for a year?" Ashley asked skeptically, "Just to spend time with his girlfriend?"

"Fiance," Belle corrected.

Ashley looked at her left hand, "I don't see a ring."

A ring! Belle would need to fix this, soon, since it seemed so blasted important here. For now though she ignored the point and explained, "He wants me to fit in, meet the ladies of Storybrooke."

"Then he's a moron," Ashley scoffed. "As long as you're with him, nobody will have anything to do with you!"

Belle looked down. There was no doubt that Ashley also spoke of how things would be when they went to their own world. She sighed, and then she realized how to make Ashley want this.

"That is true, everyone will have nothing to do with me, including a certain mayor."

Ashley frowned, "Why would I care about that?"

"How friendly has she been to your friend, Emma?" Belle asked.

That did strike a chord. Belle could see.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Belle suggested.

Ashley's eyes narrowed. "I still don't see the catch. There always is."

"No catch, I swear. I'll put it in writing if you wish."

"Yes, you will!" Ashley looked around. "Damn, no paper. Wait here," She ordered as she struggled with the baby.

"Let me hold her while you go," Belle suggested.

Ashley's head whipped around with a flash. "Never! His woman holding my baby? Taking my baby? You really thought I would fall for that?"

"He never breaks a deal," Belle steadily reminded her.

Ashley met her eyes, than after a long pause consented, "Ok, you hold the baby, but you're coming with me!"

"Very well," Belle said and took the baby.

Immediately a burning went through her, and she was looking out the window of her room in Rumpelstilskin's castle, wondering about the new Princess. Probably having a baby by now, having a home, going to places she's never seen.

Then she was back in Storybrooke and following Ashley. Ashley sat out the desk and wrote the terms, while Belle tried to hide her disorientation after the vision.

"And it will be as I've written it." Ashley emphatically stated.

"Of course," Belle assured her.

Ashley signed her name, then put the contract in her pocket.

"He has to sign, not you," she explained. "We'll go down. I won't let him into my home. Now give her back," she ordered.

Belle complied. As Ashley touched the baby, her eyes whipped open for just seconds.

"Are you well?" Belle asked with concern.

Ashley's eyes focused again. "Yes," she shook her head quickly as if rousing herself, "I thought I saw something . . . strange."

She looked at Belle and a certain fear was clear on her face now. "What is really going on?"

"I really don't know," Belle honestly answered.

"Well in any case," Ashley straightened up resolutely. "We need this contact signed."

The two ladies went down the apartment building stairs and walked over to Mr. Gold who was leaning against the car, smoking a cigarette. He dropped it, and crushed it under his heel.

"A good day to you," He greeted Ashley with a grin.

Ashley didn't return his greeting, and said with scorn,"So you want me to be bff to your little piece of . . ."

"Now, now," Mr. Gold smiled. "No need to be unpleasant. These days should be ones of joy. Everyone loves a wedding!"

"Well you're not invited!" Ashley stated, hate in her eyes.

"Of course not," Mr. Gold agreed. "Our relationship has always been professional."

"Yes, it has, and that's why I have this." She pulled out the contract.

He read it, nodded, gave a shrug, and took out his pen signing with a flourish, and . . .a quiet giggle escaped him. That was the second time today, Belle noted, that his Rumpelstilskin side came out.

Ashley was more than a bit disconcerted, but merely nodded walking back up the stairs.

"Have a lovely wedding," Mr. Gold called, "I love helping young people find their true love!"

Ashley stopped and swung around to look at him.

"Or at least, let's call it, dates at dances." Ashley took a quick step back, and caught herself. "Leave me alone!" She ordered and ran back upstairs slamming the door.

"What was that about?" Belle asked.

"While you were together, she remembered a certain night when she met Prince Thomas. Am I right?"

"There was a moment," Belle said, "when I held the baby. I had a memory of when we were at the castle. And when I handed Alexandra back, she had a few moments of disorientation."

Mr. Gold nodded, "My theory was correct. An un-cursed resident of our land, touching her, and bringing back memories."

"So the baby is not cursed!"

"As are you, I, and Emma. Emma started it so she touched my chipped cup. From then on, every time we touch something we love, or someone else loves, that was not cursed, more of the curse unravels."

He nodded, "Yes, yes I see it. She touched what I loved most—when I thought you were dead, that was the chipped cup. Emma, the curse breaker, started the road to finding you , and now you are a curse breaker too. It's the ultimate relay race!"

"And Emma was the key, since the process could only start when she came to Storybrooke!" Belle finished for him.

"You got it, dearie!"

Belle thought about Emma, "It was Emma meeting Ashley that started the process of her freedom."

"But the curse is only fully broken for her when the Happy Ending Comes."

"And that's true love's kiss!"

"For some. But as you said, not all have to be paired off to have a Happy Ending. But we do know for sure it works. Graham's curse was broken after he and Emma shared true love's kiss," Mr. Gold explained.

"But Snow and James!" Belle protested

"Adultery can never be true love."

Belle frowned, " I'm sure though that Ashley and Sean kissed."

"But, ah, along with something . . .else." Belle only blushed a little. She was starting to get used to the cursed world. "And all it led to was the 'Prince' running away. .."

Belle was seeing it, "But the kiss that comes after swearing to never leave. . ."

Mr. Gold nodded, "For them, because of their past, the kiss must be purest kiss of all."

"One that comes when joined in marriage!" Belle exclaimed.

"I think about ten minutes after the wedding, Ashley will be begging you to come visit! But she wouldn't know she needed to unless you met her today."

Belle grinned, leaned over and kissed him quickly. "My clever man!"

"Now here I was, shedding my pride, and this little flatterer comes and tries to ruin it," Mr. Gold lamented in mock sorrow.

Belle laughed. "Only too happy to tempt! So what do we do now?"

"Let's go to my shop. I have lovely things to show you." And something to tell her. The time was right. He looked over to Belle who was laughing and free. Did he really wish to ruin that?

Then he thought of that idiot David and how waiting only made it worse.

He made himself smile, too, and enjoy the sunshine as they sped to his shop.

All magic, even good magic it seems, comes with a price.