Summary: Mr. Gold is freed like he knew he would be and he as drawn to the hospital, down to the basement where he found her.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the show or the characters.

Rating: Teen.

Pairing: Belle/Rumpelstiltskin

FINDING BELLE:

Morning came with a thunderous pounding at his front door. Rumpelstiltskin opened his eyes blinking back the fierce glow of the sun filtering through the windows. In sleep he had been so warm and Belle had been in his arms. Looking down, he saw dark brown ringlets peeking out form under the blanket. Belle, during the night, had pulled the blanket all the way over her head. Moving aside the blanket he saw her still deep in sleep, her face so peaceful, and her hand resting over his heart. Gently, as slowly as he could, he kissed the top of her head so she would not wake. And again the knocking sounded loudly at the door. This time Belle stirred. Her eye lids fluttered open it would have been better had she remained asleep, she needed her rest. "Morning," Gold smiled easily.

"Morning," Belle greeted in return trying not to move too much. She wanted nothing more that to curl back into his side with the blanket over them so they could fall back asleep. Then she heard the knocking at the door. Belle grumbled reluctantly sitting up and rubbing her eyes. The blanket pooled around her as she stretched her arms high above her head. Her wounded shoulder protesting greatly. The knocking started again. Belle got off the couch to go to the door.

"Belle, you don't…" he tried to call her back to the couch. Gold was going with the strategy; ignore them enough and they may just go away. Instead Belle was going to let them inside. Lightly growling Gold grabbed the handle of his cane to lever his tired body up off the couch to walk as best he could to the front door. The pain in his leg was always worse in the morning when he woke.

Belle ignored him on the couch as she padded on bare feet to the door. Grasping the knob she turned ad pulled open the door to see a pretty blond standing on the porch. "Hi, can I help you?" she asked angling her body in the open door.

Emma stood on Mr. Gold's porch waiting for him to answer. His car was parked out front, so she knew he was home. Then the door opened revealing a stunning brunette obviously fresh from sleep. The other woman's beauty didn't stop her from noticed the small cut to her cheek, the thin line of blood on her right shoulder. Emma arched her eye brow at the question. "I'm looking for Mr. Gold. Is he in?" She noticed the small look of confusion cross the girls face.

Belle almost turned, but didn't have to when she felt him arm slip around her waist. Instantly a smile danced on her lips. The confusion fell away, "Mr. Gold." She smirked. Belle should have known. Leaning into him she kissed his cheek, "I'll leave you to your business." She moved from the open door and reluctantly from his side. As it used to be at the Dark Castle, Belle knew she had to be away from him when he conducted his business. Moving into the living room again, she once again curled up on the couch, tucking the blanket around her, and staring at the rose lying on the table. Belle's smile widened.

Rumpelstiltskin let his arm fall away as Belle walked away from him suddenly drastically cold without her by his side. "Sheriff Swan, what can I do for you?" Gold asked slipping back into his mask that he wore for this world. Right now he didn't want to be dealing with Emma; he wanted to be back on the couch with Belle in his arms.

"Oh, you know, just checking to make sure nothing else was stolen or you've gone off and beaten someone else." Emma quipped peering over Gold's shoulder to see a chipped tea cup on a display pedestal. 'Odd trinket to have.' It was the same one he had been holding on to desperately yesterday while she watched him in the cell after the Mayor left. Emma hadn't paid much attention to it at the time.

"Busy day I take it? Do you want my alibi just in case?" Gold suggested shrugging. He leaned against the door wishing that he was in the living room where Belle was, wishing he was still lying down with her in his arms listening to every breath she took. The need to be with her was so strong that he focused on it rather then what Emma was saying.

"Sure, if you're willing," Emma looked back at him noting how he wasn't paying attention. He had his head tilted down and looking back in the direction of the other woman with a light smile on his face. "I take it you were here?"

Gold looked back at Emma, "All night, and no, I wasn't alone." He added feeling his features soften at just the mere mention of being with Belle all night. Nothing in his life had ever seemed more perfect than just holding her, feeling her against him. During the night he had woken several times to make sure that she was truly with him and she had been, right there lying under the blanket.

"Ok, well I still need to get you down to the station so you can sign release papers for the items I recovered for you." Emma had meant to get him to do that yesterday but she had been distracted from her half hour with Henry that she just let him go.

"Certainly," Gold consented. He did desire to have his possessions back, but they all paled in comparison to the beauty lying on his couch. "I'll be along this afternoon." He placed his hand on the door signaling to Emma that she should leave. She backed down a step of the porch with him shutting the door. Gold turned the lock. The action surprised him, but left it as it was. He just felt it had to be done. Belle's safety was all that mattered to him.

Belle tried not to hear what was going on between Rumpelstiltskin and the Sheriff, except she had heard that someone had stolen from him. Who would be crazy enough to steal from him? No one in their right mind, that was for sure. In all her time at the Dark Castle, the only people who had dare to come there were people looking to make deals with the devil. She looked down at the simple braided bracelet she wore thanking the gods that she hadn't taken it off. That one bit of yarn had saved her from the curse and allowed her to maintain who she was.

"That's how you survived with your memory?" The minute he saw the bit of braid he knew how she had been protected. One day he had been spinning at the wheel when she had come over to him to watch. She sat against the wall and just watched him. At first he couldn't help but to glance at her every now and then wondering what was fascinating her so much about him turning straw into gold. He had set to ask her when all she said, 'I like watching the wheel.' Had stopped him. It was the same answer he had given her. Then, as she watched on, he had spun a thin piece of enchanted gold and braided it for her with the warning for Belle to never take it off. This was her protecting when he wasn't around.

"You told me not to take it off," Belle answered rolling her gaze up to meet his. The sun was up, lighting the glass causing the colors to dance on the floor between them. She was starting to get tired again. It was as if she hadn't slept in years.

"So I did," Rumpelstiltskin nodded coming back to the couch to next to Belle. She sat up, brought the blanket around her and waited. He draped his arm around her desiring the warmth of her against him. The coldness that had existed within him, it was finally abating, leaving his heart. Deep within him the madness he had suffered in the dungeon of the Prince's castle seemed to flee from him. Rumpelstiltskin had only agreed to give the queen what she wanted because had nothing left to lose. He was locked up; the love of his life was dead, or so he had believed.

Belle felt the change in him. She angled her body to look into the eyes of the man she had never meant to fall in love with. Yet, here she sat, deeply in love with him and grateful that he didn't turn her away. "I don't blame you." Belle murmured trying to catch his gaze.

"Perhaps you should dear," Gold sighed. For the first time since coming here, he was tired. He wanted it all done. Regina, the town, everything. All he wanted, had ever wanted, was Belle returned to him. Now he had her. Why would he continue making Regina's life hell if he had what he wanted? Because, Madam Mayor, would come after him through Belle. His love was in the cross hairs.

"Why?" Belle asked skimming the back of her fingers down the side of his face just to get him to look at her. Every day in the Queen's dungeon Belle would have to live with the taunts that Rumpelstiltskin had forgotten about her, had moved on. The Queen delighted in tormenting her with news of her love's movements. Every day Belle would just stare at her, trying in vain to ignore her. The one hope she had was the braid around her wrist. It was all the proof she needed of his affection for her.

"I told the Queen how to make the Curse work." Gold looked away from Belle, pulled away from her, and stood up from the couch. "The Crowned Prince and Snow White managed to trap me when I came to collect payment. They locked me away in an enchanted cell that I couldn't even get out of. I had nothing left to lose." In that time and place he had lost everything the day he made the mistake of casting Belle out of the Dark Castle. She had been right; he had regretted it more than he would have ever guessed.

Belle should be angry; in fact she should be furious at him. Only she wasn't. Gracefully she rose from the couch and went to him. Digging her fingers into the fabric of his shirt she said, "We all had our parts to play in bring us to this point." He turned to her, shock lighting his brown eyes. "I played my part; I kissed you after she put the idea in my head. I tried to lift your curse when it wasn't the right time, when you weren't ready." Belle would never get over the look in his eyes after he realized what was happening. He looked like a raving lunatic screaming at the mirror. For a few moments he had terrified her down to the very core of her soul. She nearly regretted what she had done.

Once again he brought his free hand up to cup her face, "No, none of this falls on you. The queen took what I loved, so I took what she loved the most. I thought it a fair trade in my madness." Rumpelstiltskin, in madness, knew how to hurt the Queen. And now, he would have to do it again.

"You love me?" Belle asked ignoring everything else he had said. She didn't need to know, didn't need to hear the words, but she wanted to.

"I love you more than anything." Gold answered drawing his hand back to tangle in her thick mass of curls. "I would do anything to ensure your safety." That alone he vowed. It was a bargain he made with himself. He almost leaned into her; almost let his lips touch hers. Something held him back though. Belle stood in his living room, in his clothes, looking like she had never looked before and he was falling in love with her all over again.

Belle felt her heart beat faster. He had actually said he loved her. Sliding her hand up and over his shoulders, Belle kissed him much like she had on the fateful night when she lost everything. For a second he froze. She thought he was going to react much like he had last time. But he surprised her. His other arm wrapped around her waist bringing her in closer to him. Soon the kiss grew heated, passionate. She felt his tongue trace her lips, begging her to open to him. Belle did so, hungry for his kiss, eager to know the taste of him. His tongue swept into her mouth changing the kiss as he plundered her mouth with ruthless abandon. It excited her, drawing a moan to float between them.

Gold was becoming drunk from the taste of her. Belle was as fair, as light as the spring rain. She tasted of the sun, of the fresh spring mountain air. He could go on kissing her for a thousand years. He had to stop before it was too late. Gold knew Belle wasn't ready for this. Before he had the strength of will to stop her Belle pulled back breaking the kiss. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing harder, more ragged. He kissed her forehead gently whispering her name, "Belle."

Belle loved hearing her name fall from his lips. There was never a sweeter sound than that. He always said her name with a gentleness that belied is actions. "I'm…"

"Never say sorry for kissing me," Rumpelstiltskin yearned for more of her. Again he dropped a kiss to her forehead with her arms coming around his waist. "What say we go into town get you something to wear and then over to the diner for a bite of breakfast?"

"No, I'm fine…" Belle started to protest. She didn't want to go out and have the Queen see her.

"Belle, I can't keep you locked up here, despite what I might think is best." He smiled lightly to put her at ease. Truth of it was he wanted nothing more than to stay here and not leave, just being with her.

"What if she sees me? I don't know who anyone is supposed to be." Belle said. In her mind she had a vague sense of who she was supposed to be, of whom others were, but she knew none of them.

"I'll be with you. She wouldn't dare harm you." Gold hoped his certainty came across to her. Regina was being painted into a corner by slow degrees since the arrival of Emma Swan. He sensed the curse would be coming to an end and he could only hope that he and Belle survived it together. He stepped back from her, "Let me change and then we will be on our way."

Belle drifted back to the couch to wait for him. Her fingers kept tracing her lips over and over memorizing the feel of his kiss, the taste that invaded her senses. She sat on the couch and crossed her legs under her wanting him again. Belle thought she had an idea of what would be like with him. It would be hard and she would have had to work at it back then. Now, he touched her, offered her affection easily. He seemed to need to convince himself that she was really here with him. Belle could hardly believe it herself. Last night, sleeping in his long desired embrace had been the best. She had never thought to see him again.

Looking towards the stairs she heard him coming back down. He was dressed in a black suit, a crimson button up shirt, black vest, and matching tie, with a scarlet silk scarf under the collar of the coat he had worn yesterday. In his free hand he had a grey sweatshirt and a simple pair of slip on shoes for her to wear. Belle got off the couch to go to him before he was on the bottom step. She smiled up at him reaching out for the things he carried. Quickly she slipped on the shirt and shoes sort of eager to get out of the house now.

At the store Modern Fashions, Gold chatted with Lucinda behind the counter while Belle went through the store picking out clothes to wear. He kept his attention on the conversation he and Lucinda were having, but made sure to listen to every move Belle made. Rumpelstiltskin didn't want to run the risk of losing her. Not again, his sanity wouldn't survive it.

"What do you think of this?"

Gold turned to Belle and had to put his hand out on counter to steady himself. She stood before him wearing blue jeans, a pair of flat shoes in silver, with a sun golden camisole, and a blue button up shirt over it. She had over her left arm a simple suede jacket with fur lined cuffs and collar. "You look stunning dear." He answered finally able to form words. Belle smiled at him bringing even more light into his heart.

"Really?" She asked looking down at herself and then back at him. Belle noticed his smile.

"Absolutely," Gold confirmed. Looking to Lucinda he asked handing her one of his cards, "Will you be so kind as to pick out a few more things in the same style and have them sent to my house?"

"Of course Mr. Gold," Lucinda processed the transaction. "I should have the clothes by 3pm for you."

"Perfect dear, thank you." Gold too his card back and guided Belle out of the store so they could go to the diner.

Out on the street Belle slid her coat on blinking back the sun light. Her eyes had yet to adjust to the natural light after being in a dark room for years. But she would get used to it and she would be with him while she did so. The day seemed less cold than it had yesterday, but then again she had no coat and no shoes when she had broken the window to run for it. As they walked Belle made sure her hand brushed his every now and then. Beside her, Rumpelstiltskin grinned in a way she used to know.

Coming to the diner Gold opened the door for Belle to enter before him. As soon as he stepped inside everyone turned to look at them. It should have unnerved him to be stared at in such a way, but he was used to it. Belle wasn't. Her smile died instantly. Moving up beside her, Gold pointed to the back of the diner where a booth was free.

"Why are they staring at us?" Belle asked sliding into the booth with Gold sitting next to her. She was reluctant to have him away from her side. Lucky for her, he shared her feelings. Rumpelstiltskin seemed almost as reluctant to leave her alone as she was to be alone.

"They're not staring at you dear, they're staring me." Gold answered trying not to notice. He couldn't give them the satisfaction of letting them know he noticed. Word had reached the town of his actions against Mo French. There was no surprise that people would be wary of him; they always were. Except he couldn't be worried about that now, Belle was his main concern.

"They're staring at us." Belle pointed out locking gazes with a woman who had short black hair wearing a green sweater and a pair of blue jeans. Somehow she knew the woman as Snow White.

"Just ignore them," Gold skimmed his knuckled down the side of her face, "I do."

"I can't seem to." Belle replied roving her gaze over all the people staring at them. Almost instantly the people she looked at would look away from her. Vague memories surfaced as to why they would stare at her. She knew they were fake memories brought on by the Queen's curse. Belle was holding on to what she knew was real, she was holding on to her memories of them. Under the table, by his side, Belle too his hand giving her the stability she needed. The world would come down on her if she didn't.

"Belle," Gold brought their joined hands out from under the table to drop a light kiss to the back of hers. "It will be alright." He felt compelled to put her at ease when he saw the fear in her eyes. This place was strange to her. It was still strange to him.

"Hello ."

Gold looked up, keeping a hold of Belle's hand, to see the lovely an ever scantily clad Ruby waiting with her order book in hand. "Good morning Ruby." He smiled his usual wry smile that he used for the rest of the world. Beside him Belle tightened her hand in his.

"Your usual coffee and toast?" Ruby asked keeping her eyes on the brunette beside Gold. The girl looked familiar, only she couldn't place her.

"Yes and a cup of tea with a fresh bowl of fruit. Please." He added when Ruby smiled at him walking off to put the order in.

"What are we going to do today?" She was trying to do as he suggested; she was trying to ignore the people staring at her. It wasn't easy; their eyes bore holes into her tormenting her to look at them.

"We could go into the forest if you like. Spend the day away from the town." Gold would go anywhere to escape the eyes of the town. Since being released from the jail cell everyone had taken to staring at him when the past him by. It was beginning to irritate him and he was not a man to suffer irritation lightly.

"The forest?" Belle queried. "Are you sure, I mean…" She wouldn't bring up his limp but it worried her. When it had been just them, he had been strong. Now, this curse had taken something from him.

He smirked at her; she was worried about his leg. "I've been out there many times. Don't worry."

A little while later Belle was back out on the street at the side of Rumpelstiltskin. They were content, feeling alone in the world; at least they were until the Queen. Belle stopped, fear lancing through her. Gold stepped in front of her, to protect her, to send a message to the queen that he was not to be trifled with.

"Ah, Madam Mayor." Gold said greeting her with a fake smile; a show of civility for those who passed them on the street. "Did you need something, a deal made perhaps?" Beside him Belle hid her smile and Regina glared at her. Gold leaned foreword, putting most of his weight on his cane, acting nonchalant. Belle placed her hand in the center of his back allowing him to draw strength from her.

"Mr. Gold." Regina offered up a smile as fake as the one he was wearing. "And who is your charming friend?" She asked trying to keep up the ruse of ignorance. It wouldn't be wise to give the game away to those people passing by.

"Oh, I think you know dear." Gold hinted.

"She does know." Belle added stepping up beside Rumpelstiltskin. "She knows very well what she did to me." Anger was rising inside of her at the sight of the Queen standing there in the daylight after everything she had gone through. Days and nights she had stayed locked up only able to pace in the tiny room, only able to see the sky through bars in a tiny window. Belle had had years to be angry, to regret, and now she wanted some good old fashioned revenge. This feeling wasn't like her; it felt right though. "I promise to pay." She stood beside Rumpelstiltskin, who at first had started out as her captor but then turned into a man who she came to love; Belle took his hand, lacing their fingers together for the Queen to see, for everyone passing them by to see. At this moment the Queen had another enemy to worry about. She was going to make sure that this curse was broken and the Queen suffered.

"Well, there you have it," Gold smiled broadly on the inside tightening his grip on Belle's hand. She was speaking up, she was not backing down. It was brave. Do the brave thing and bravery would follow. Her phrase kept rattling around in my head. Taking a step closer Gold whispered in Regina's ear, "She remembers it all." He kept his hand in Belle's and together they walked off down the street leaving Regina where she was on the sidewalk.