She had napped for a short while and had come back downstairs to the kitchen to make them something to eat for dinner. She could hear the soft squeaking of his wheel as he spun quietly in the living room. She thought it odd of him to have brought the wheel up from the basement, but figured he probably just wanted to be within earshot of her, concerned for her well-being should she have needed anything.

Rumple purposefully placed his wheel there to keep a careful eye on her. He wanted the opportunity to talk to her about the books he found in her purse. Belle knew that with him being so close to her she wouldn't have the chance to read those books safely there. She would have to go somewhere else. So she pulled out the cookbook that she borrowed from the library instead and began paging through some of the recipes.

Upon hearing the flipping of pages, he promptly left his wheel to check in on her; thinking that she was probably reading one of the books of magic. When he entered the kitchen he was disappointed to see that she was just perusing through the cookbook.

"Hungry?" he asked leaning up against the wall. She jumped at the sudden sight of him.

"You startled me," she claimed, clutching her fast beating heart.

"In your absence, I tried one of the recipes from the book. The leftovers are in the fridge. I can warm them up again and we can have that for dinner, if you like?"

"That sounds wonderful. I'm starving."

… …

They ate their meal in silence. It was as if they weren't going to acknowledge the white elephant in the room. They both waited on the other to initiate a conversation, but no words came out. So they called it an early night and went straight to bed.

They both didn't sleep well that night. Both were much too concerned about the other. She wanted to read those books. She wanted to read them without him prying.

He wanted to keep a close eye on her and make sure she didn't get too deep in magic. He didn't want her to turn out like Cora. In Rumple's mind, Belle was the last good pure thing in the world to him. And as much as he felt that he needed magic, he needed her more and wasn't going to allow magic to drive them apart.

… …

Despite it being Sunday, they both got up fairly early the next morning. They both got up together and went downstairs for breakfast. She went to the kitchen and began picking out items to cook: Oranges, oatmeal and sausage. He went ahead and filled the tea kettle with water and placed it on the stove.

Without saying a word to the other, they divided the cooking tasks. She made the oatmeal and cooked the sausages and he cut up and diced the oranges. When Gold was finished with his task he went for the newspaper and sat down with his already brewed cup of tea.

Belle brought over the oatmeal and sausages and they ate their meal in silence once again. Gold knew she never ate when she was under duress, and he felt relieved to see Belle eat something. He wanted desperately to find out what ailed her so. So he waited until she was finished to talk to her.

However, Belle had other plans and ate her meal quickly so she could leave to go read the books.

"Belle we need to…," he began to say, but in mid-sentence saw Belle abruptly get up to leave, "are you going somewhere?"

"I'm heading back to the library," she said placing her emptied dish into the dishwasher and headed upstairs.

"It's Sunday. The library's closed," Gold pointed out, following her up the stairs to their bedroom.

"I know, but I'm doing research and all the materials I need are there."

She looked for something comfortable and casual to wear today. It was still part of the weekend and she wasn't planning on seeing or impressing anyone today. Just research.

"We need to talk Belle," stated Gold.

"Can we talk when I get back?" she said, slipping on a loose blouse and plain black skirt.

"Do you need help? In this research?" he said trying join in on her activity and to oversee what she was doing.

"No, it's not necessary, but I appreciate you wanting to assist though."

"When shall you be back?" he inquired.

"Probably sometime later in the afternoon. I'll call you when I'm heading home. I have my cell on me. See you soon," she said kissing him on the cheek and leaving. He heard the front door open and close. When he heard the car pull out and drive speedily away he called out pointlessly into the silence, "Good morning."

… …

She arrived at the library with books eagerly in hand. Belle plopped the books down at the first empty table and began reading. After an hour or so she came to the conclusion that the Basics in Magic wasn't going to help her. She scanned thoroughly for anything involving the Dark Curse. She perused through The History of Dark Curses and stumbled upon a curse similar to the one that brought them into Storybrooke, but nothing fruitful had come from studying that book either. The next hour later she opened Wielders of Magic and began reading about the many different sorcerers and enchantresses. She searched for Rumplestiltskin's name and was excited when she came across it.

Rumplestiltskin : Afflicted by The Dark Curse and has since been known as The Dark One. His reputation for making deals has led many astray, making the saying "All magic comes with a price" a common understanding. Most people who make deals with this sorcerer, find themselves getting what they want without fully understanding the actual cost of the deal. Therefore, proceed with caution because most people who make deals with this sorcerer find themselves losing out in the end.

Great, thought Belle. Three hours of reading and she found nothing on the Dark One curse, only what she already knew; All magic comes with a price. How old was this curse? She wondered. Who in Storybrooke was older than Rumplestiltskin? Would the fairies know? Fairies! The Blue Fairy, Mother Superior. She has to know something!

Belle slapped his books shut and immediately stuffed them back in her purse. She was going to go the convent. Excited about her new lead she exited the library, locked the doors and headed straight toward the car. Unbeknownst to Belle, her husband lurked from a careful distance, watching his wife drive away in their car…

… …

Belle parked in the church parking lot and exited the car. She wandered up to the convent doors and was about to knock when the doors burst open before her. Church service was letting out and people were exiting the building. She scooted over to the farthest side of the entrance way allowing girth for people to leave. The nuns lined up at the exit shaking hands with all the attendees, wishing them well on another beautiful week. After about fifteen minutes or so she saw Mother Superior exit the building with Friar Tuck.

Like a trout swimming against the current, so was she going against the crowd to get to Mother Superior. "Mother Superior!" shouted Belle to her.

"Belle," Mother Superior said softly and sweetly, "I'm so glad you're here. You just missed service, though."

"I didn't come for the service. I wanted to speak to you."

"To me?" Blue said, surprised by the sudden interaction.

"…privately?" Belle replied looking around at all the townsfolk giving her looks.

"Of course. Come… follow me to my private quarters."

Belle had never been to the convent before and it seemed foreign to her. Lacey knew where the convent was, but only because she needed to know what places to avoid. Belle looked up and marveled at all the gorgeous stained glass windows and the uniquely designed interior as she followed Mother Superior into her private office. When they both entered the room, Mother Superior shut the door behind them and gracefully walked over to sit down behind her desk.

"I suppose congratulations are in order," said the woman with a gentle smile.

"Oh, my marriage… right," Belle said sitting down in one of the vacant chairs across her desk, "thank you."

"No," Blue clarified, "on your expectancy."

"You…wha… how?"

"I sensed another life growing within you. And also," Mother Superior began as she quickly scanned Belle's body up and down, "a lot of magic at work. What ails you child?"

"That's exactly why I'm here. I need to know more about the Dark Curse and whether or not my child will be afflicted by it. I need to know what the cost is of bringing a child into this world burdened with that curse."

"Oh. I see."

"I figured only someone of really old magic could point me in the right direction and I can't help but fear the worst!" Belle looked about anxiously in the office and then looked back up at Mother Superior, "If I know more about the thing I fear, I'll feel more empowered and less fearful. So Please… do you know how the Dark Curse came to be?"

"Yes," replied Blue with a heavy sigh, "Unfortunately, I do."

"Once upon a time during the great birthing of religions and magic, I was a different fairy," Blue's face turned down as if regretful. "I was the Dark Fairy obsessed with power and magic. It was so long ago. I can't even remember why I wanted that much power to begin with. What I do remember was my calling. I was destined to be Queen of the Fairies. As the Dark Fairy I wanted that power, to be this great leader, but in order to attain that position I had to rid myself of the Darkness and be as pure as light. I needed a clean and unbiased slate. So, being the Dark Fairy and the rebel that I was, I sought out the assistance of the Elves to help separate me from my dark nature. The Dark One Dagger was originally enchanted by the Elves to destroy this Dark force, but Elves are also known for their love of trickery, especially on humans. So they tricked me, tricked the fairies, and transformed it into a curse alluring mortal men for centuries of its omnipotence; allowing anyone who possessed the Dagger, to have ultimate control over the Dark Curse, but also fall prey to others who sought out to become the Dark One themselves. That is, if you kill the previous Dark One using the dagger. It gave the Elves a sick pleasure seeing men rise and fall to its power."

"Back in our land… Neal and I resurrected Rumplestiltskin at the Dark One vault. How did the first Dark One come to be?"

"The original Dark One was once human, led to that same place by the Elves. That is how the Dark One Curse was created and was transferred to man."

Belle's next question sounded ludicrous in her head, but she had to get it out, "Were there any children who had fallen prey to this curse? What were the repercussions?"

"In all my history of knowing and living through its creation and enduring the cost of such a curse, no child was ever The Dark One, thank goodness. And up until now, no child had ever been born of the Dark One. I believe the only reason for that was that typically the people who were cursed were so often consumed by their own power that they feared anyone who got close. The Dark Ones always fear those that would kill them for that power."

Mother Superior hesitated on her next words. She wanted so much of what she said next to be untrue.

"Belle, I don't know how else to explain this to you… The Dark One's power is transferrable. It's in its genesis. Your progeny would inherit the magic that comes with the curse, without a doubt."

"What are you saying? What does that mean?"

"Like the cost it took to resurrect your Rumplestiltskin, it would take a life to perpetuate that Dark Magic. More specifically, the magic from the curse is taken from the life of the heart, so death of the heart is certain and one cannot live without a heart."

Did you like my twist with the Blue Fairy? I know I did. I often times wondered what her back story was and so... this was the best I could come up with to fit my needs. I hope it worked and made sense on your end.

I suppose this story is catching fire because I've had quite a few story followers in these past few days. And all I can say is… Thank you! You (Yes You!) validate me. I know this sounds pathetic, but I practically live off of every review that I get. I know it sounds pathetic, but I don't care. I have no shame.

So if you like, or don't like what you read… I want to hear it! Please? I won't bite. I promise.

I also want to send out digital kisses and hugs to those who have been awesome and left reviews and shown me unbelievable support: Montreat11, Grace5231973, BreathingintheSun and OUATgirl17

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! oxoxoxox

Ok, on that note... after reading your messages/reviews from last chapter in regards to Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and hearing your plight… and because I love you all… here's a free homework pass…

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (referenced: IMDB - Copied&Paste): During WWII in England, Charlie, Carrie, and Paul Rawlins are sent to live with Eglantine Price, an apprentice witch. Charlie blackmails Miss Price that if he is to keep her practices a secret, she must give him something, so she takes a bedknob from her late father's bed and places the "famous magic traveling spell" (Hellebore henbane aconite glowworm fire and firefly light) on it, and only Paul can activate it. Their first journey is to a street in London where they meet Emelius Browne, headmaster of Miss Price's witchcraft training correspondence school. Miss Price tells him of a plan to find the magic words for a spell known as Substitutiary Locomotion (Treguna Mekoides Tracorum Satis Dee), which brings inanimate objects to life. This spell will be her work for the war effort.

There are two other spells that Ms. Price uses… one to enchant her broomstick to make it fly (Lackipo nikrif scrumpet leech), and her other handy transfiguration spell that she uses quite often in the film (Filigree apogee pedigree perigee).