CHAPTER FOURTEEN – In the Library (Colette's point of view)
"Rumplestiltskin! Th-this is a surprise!" Colette exclaimed. This was not happening.
"Well, I'm just full of surprises, dearie. But again, why are you reading that?" He pointed out the book that she had dropped when he surprised her.
"Oh, this? Oh, it's-it's nothing, I was just curious, and-"
"Colette, you and I both know you're a terrible liar. Why don't you just tell me why you're looking into this type of magic? I'm not sure that your powers extend this far. It has only ever been accomplished a few times." He picked the book off the floor, and started flipping through its pages. "What exactly would you do if you could travel through time?"
Colette had to come up with something. He knew her well, being her magic teacher for so long. What would sound true to him? I got it! "I would like to see my father, just to know who he is." This was partially true, anyhow. She was dying to ask her mother from the future, since her present mother would never tell her in a million years. Probably more, actually.
Oddly enough, Rumple acted almost hurt by this. "Ah. I see." He cleared his throat. "I'm not sure time travel will help you there, dearie. That is just something you will have to ask your mother."
"But I've tried, and she says she will never tell me, that it's too painful. Is it really that bad? You must know something, right?"
Again, Rumple looked hurt by these questions. It was an odd expression for him in Colette's opinion. He was very good at masking his feelings, so for him to be open was strange. A thought occurred to her.
"You – you wouldn't have anything to do with it, would you, Rumplestiltskin?"
He looked as if he might answer, as if he really wanted to answer, but then he just waived the thought away and returned back to time travel. "Even if you want to see your father that badly, you can't, dearie. Only a few have succeeded, and I don't think you can. I can't even travel through time. So, don't try." He began to send the books back to their shelf. Colette knew that if there was a time to get rid of him, it would be now.
"Okay, Rumplestiltskin, I suppose you're right. I promise I won't try to time travel to see my father. I'll see you tomorrow for my lessons then. Why don't you go enjoy the ball now?"
"Eh, I don't think that's such a good idea dearie. There are quite a few people who would like to see me skinned alive in there."
"Like who?"
"That is a story for another time. If you arrive on time tomorrow, maybe I'll decide to tell. Then again, maybe not."
"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodb-"
"Colette! Do you have all the necessary books we need, or do we have to loot another library?" Kendra asked as she entered with the others. "Trust me, the faster I can get out of this thing, the be-"
But then everyone stopped in their tracks. Rumple hadn't left yet, and if anyone could see through the charm, he could. He only had eyes for one person though.
He swallowed a few times before simply saying "…Belle?"
Belle gave a large sob, and then ran out of the room.