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 found Belle wrapped up safe and sound with Gold's arms around her. The fire had died out; leaving nothing but ash, yet the warmth remained. Draped across her waist was his arm keeping her close to him even as he still slept deeply. Slowly moving the blanket aside, Belle slipped from his hold. During the night Belle had changed position, turned away from the fire and he had turned with her. His head had rested on her shoulder, his hair tickling her skin, and his arm had been across her waist. It was the best way to wake up. She padded down stairs to the kitchen to make a pot of tea. While the water boiled Belle went to the front door to look out at the morning. A man ambled by with his dog and a tall man loitered across the street. He looked different, but she knew his face; Gaston. How had he reverted back to human form? Rumpelstiltskin was right. He was way better as a rose. Dread filled her making her stomach pitch and roll.
Rumpelstiltskin woke in bed alone, her scent clinging to the pillows, to the sheets, and to him. His fingers dug into the sheet where she had been fighting off the rest of the hold sleep had on him. Gold knew he should wake up and yet he was content to keep his eyes closed burying his face in her pillow. This was the second morning in a row that he woke with a smile on his face. It was all because of Belle, because he had her back in his life. Opening his eyes he noticed that she wasn't with him. Rising slowly, his right leg protesting as it always did, Gold got out of bed carefully and traipsed his way down the steps where he found Belle at the front door staring intently at something. Going to her side he stood behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist, he too looked out the center of the window. "She had to go and play this card," He grumbled dropping a light kiss to Belle's shoulder. "That woman continues to annoy."
"How is this possible?" Belle asked leaning her head against his while keeping her eyes on Gaston. Again, the false memories rose to the surface, trying to take over her mind. With them all she could say was his name was Gage Burke and he repaired motorcycles. They had been together, but when she saw Gold all of that changed. "Why can't she just leave us alone?"
"Because she is full of poison," Gold answered. He had known that for years and accepted it because she gave him the leeway to do what he wanted. Now she was trying to take away the one person he had cared about since his son. Gold wasn't going to let that happen. He was going to fight for Belle like he hadn't before. Looking out the window again he knew he would have to do something about Gaston, Gage, again.
"It's too bad you can't turn him into a rose again." Belle teased partially.
"Yes, well," Gold kissed her cheek moving away from the door. "If I had my powers then we wouldn't be here." Belle followed him as he moved into the kitchen to get the pot of water off the stove. "If I had never…" Belle covered his mouth.
"Don't," She shook her head, "We've been over this. I was at fault, you were at fault. We played our parts and here we are. You and I could spend a thousand years trying to undo what we've done to each other and it will never be enough. We'll get though this." Belle had to believe it, had to try to remember that they would have each other. "I saw what you did with the flames last night, briefly." She dropped her hand reaching for the pot of water to make tea. Moving around the center island Belle fell back into the habit of her former life. The familiar act would help her.
Again, Gold rubbed his fore finger and thumb together, "Yes, it appears some of this curse is breaking down around me, around us." Idly his hand rubbed along the muscle of his right thigh. The pain was less, but still there. "I have you to thank for that?"
"What would it take for the rest of the curse to be lifted from you?" Belle asked. "How could you get your powers back?"
"What are you asking?" Gold leaned close to her, leveling his gaze with hers much as he had on that night.
"You heard me." She answered placing her hand over his heart. "I will do what I can to make you who you were to tip the scales away from the queen." More than being with him, Belle wanted to be back at the Dark Castle; she wanted to be home.
"You would give me your body in some slim chance that I could regain my former powers." Against his wishes, a small glimmer of hope sprouted within him at Belle's offer. If it was only possible.
"I would give you my love." Belle countered feeling like a fool for having ever suggested it. Shaking her head she turned from him going to the cabinet to retrieve two tea cups.
Gold went to her, his limp less noticeable, "Let me find another avenue to save us. I don't want you to feel obligated to offer this as a solution." He kissed her shoulder offering comfort. "There is a way out of every problem." Gold commented.
"Yeah, except in those times, people always come to you to make a deal," Belle countered sighing. She brought the cups out of the cupboard and went to prepare the tea. His eyes never left her. Belle could feel them as she moved around the kitchen. "Still, the offer stands."
"Belle, I would never ask that of you." Gold leaned against the counter watching her as Belle idly poured the water and set in the tea bags. "If I did, it would be cruel and selfish. I could never do that to you again." Yet, the hope remained that he would one day again be more powerful in his form of Rumpelstiltskin, the Dark One. Power was seductive that way. His powers were even more so.
"I know." Belle handed him the cup of tea just he way he liked it; just how she remembered to prepare it for him. Her time at the Dark castle seemed like a life time ago. A half remembered dream. Except she had that magical enchantment that protected her. As long as she wore it Belle would be safe.
The early afternoon found Belle and Gold in his shop cleaning up the blood that still stained the floor. With every drop she cleaned up Belle could feel every attempt she made to break the glass. She felt the way the shard had cut into her shoulder, the coldness of the pavement under her feet. Belle shook her head turning her thoughts to something else. With the last swipe of her rag, what little blood had been left behind was now wiped away as if it had never been there. On cue her shoulder began to throb. Belle slid aside the fabric of her shirt seeing the red angry wound healing. The jagged line would be with her for the rest of her life. It amazed her what she had gone through just to be with the man she loved. If Belle had to do it all over, she would go through it all again. He was her happily ever after.
"I got the back cleaned up." Gold came out to the front of the store where Belle sat. She was staring at the spot on the floor where her blood had been. Instantly he looked down at his hands almost seeing the stain of crimson still marring his flesh. He could still feel her blood on his hands. That was something he never wanted to have on him again. "Are you ok?"
Belle looked up at him dropping the dirt and blood soaked rag into the bucket of water. For a few minutes she felt as if she was back at the Dark Castle doing one of her many chores. She had needed that feeling more so than being with him. "I'm fine, just a little hungry." She mentioned standing up to take the bucket and rag into the back work room. Belle set the bucket under the work bench and then came back out to the main part of the store. "I figured I would walk down to Grandma's Diner and get a sandwich."
Gold felt his insides pitch and roll at the very mention of her walking alone in this town. "Sounds good, let me go with you." He offered not wanting to let her out of his sight. Regina was just waiting for a chance to hurt Belle again. Gold knew it. He could feel it.
Belle sighed knowing he wanted to look after her. "I can't be afraid to walk out the door on my own." She set her gaze level with his. "You can't protect me every second of every day. I need to know I can save myself like I did when I escaped." Reaching out to him she cupped his face. "I will be right down the street. Promise," Belle kissed him quickly.
Gold relented. How could he not? It was Belle he was talking to. If he could he would give her the world. Taking a quick kiss Gold pulled out some money, "Here, get me something too." He asked with a smile. The minute Belle stepped out the door his insides would twist in knots until she was back by his side. But Belle was right, she needed to do this. Some small amount of normalcy was called for. As much as he may wanted to, he couldn't keep her locked away.
"Ok." Belle smiled surprised when he gave in. She made a move to turn from him when Gold's fingers hooked in the belt loops of her jeans keeping her close. All she could do was smile at him. The man in front of her was something new she had never seen from him before. He was being playful, he was being kind. Gold smiled easily, offered kind words, and he easily reached out to her with no thought of what anyone would think. He would even kiss her when it suited him. This was the human face of the man she loved; the face she had seen just a flash of before. "I'll be back soon." Grabbing her coat Belle walked out the door and set off down the street.
On the sidewalk Belle let her gaze rove over the buildings, the people as the walked by, and everything. There was nothing in this town that was familiar to her. She knew things about this town, but none of it was true. The false memories were screaming at her to listen, to let them guide her. She tried to ignore them. Her name was Belle, she had made a bargain with Rumpelstiltskin, and she would keep her word. She had no concrete memory of being Annabelle.
At the diner she was about to step on to the walk when a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Shrugging it off, Belle turned to see Gaston, "Don't touch me." She snarled backing away from him. If she had to she would run for it. Belle was fast enough, but Gaston was taller than her and had longer legs. How far could she get before he caught her?
"Annabelle, I only came to take you home." Gage spoke carefully. He couldn't let the anger he felt over knowing Gold was with his wife show in his tone. It would push her farther away.
"I have a home and it's not with you." Belle took a step back. Gaston was known to be stubborn. She was willing to bet the same held true for him here. "I don't know you." She said taking yet another step. There needed to be distance between them incase she had to run.
"With him?" Gage shouted. "You would rather be with a man who is the worst of the worst than with a man who loves you? He's a monster!" Gage accused.
"He's more of a man than you are." Belle fired back, her anger rising as the seconds slipped by. "You don't know him."
"Know him?" Gage stepped foreword. "I don't need to know HIM to know he will leave you once he has what he wants." Gage knew Gold for the trickster he really was, the loan shark that preyed on the town. It enraged him to know his wife would choose Gold over him. "He is poison."
"That's what you may see, but not what I see." Belle took another step. Soon she would have to run for it. If she was lucky then she could get inside the diner before Gage could catch her. "I will ask you once to leave me alone. If not then I will call the Sheriff." Belle threatened.
Gage reached for her, wrapped his large hand around her wrist, "I won't let you go back to him." He tried to tug her close but Belle fought him.
"Let me go!" Belle shouted trying to twist free from him but Gage was strong and he held her effortlessly. She tugged harder, managing to get free, but Belle stumbled and went to the concrete; her head colliding with a raised section of sidewalk. Pain exploded in her temple and her shoulder screamed out in pain.
"Hey! What is your problem?"
Belle looked up to see a petite woman with short black hair stand in front of her. Then Sheriff Swan was there. Taking a moment, Belle waited for the pain in her head stop before she stood up. The petite woman crouched down and asked if she was ok. Belle answered, "I'm fine, I just tripped trying to get him to let go of me."
"Let me help you." Mary Margaret and Emma had come around the corner just in time to see Belle fall. "Are you sure you're ok?" She asked again, offering her hand to help the other woman stand.
"I'm ok. Probably my skull took a good knock." Belle touched her fingers to her temple gingerly feeling blood. "Great, I can't seem to go one day without bleeding." She scoffed. Maybe she should have let Gold come with her. That was the coward's way out and Belle was no coward. No she could handle this and she could handle Gage.
"Mary Margaret, take her into the diner." Emma said. "Let me deal with this." Looking at the girl who had been with Gold, Emma offered her a small smile. "It's ok." She nodded when Belle mouthed the words thank you.
"This is none of your business." Gage growled. "That's my wife."
"Really?" Emma arched her left eyebrow, "She doesn't wear a ring and she seemed real intent on getting away from you."
"It's because of that bastard Gold." Gage pointed up the street in the direction of the Pawn Shop.
"Again, not so convinced. I saw them yesterday and treated her with nothing but a kind touch and offered her gentle words." It had actually surprised Emma to see Gold so gentle with anyone. He had always come off cold and cruel. Maybe Belle was the reason he had built up defenses.
Inside the diner Mary Margaret went to the counter to get a wet rag from Ruby. The scantily clad girl was about to ask what she needed it for but then saw Belle with a trickle of blood down the side of her face and Ruby just nodded handing over the rag. She went back to the table to sit across from her. "Here, you can use this to wipe away the blood."
"Thanks," Belle mumbled taking the rag from the woman. "I'm Belle."
"Mary Margaret." She introduced herself. "Can I ask what happened?"
"Gage seems to have this delusion that I am married to him." Belle found it insane. She had no memory of anything, of any life with him. All she remembered was Gold. Lifting the rag to her temple Belle hissed as the fibers touched the small gash. The cold water made the wound sting. Behind her the bell above the door jingled when Emma came through it and over to the table.
"What happened?" Emma asked studying the small cut to her left temple.
"He grabbed my arm; I wrenched free and lost my balance cracking my head against the sidewalk." Belle stated bringing the rag away from her head. She was happy to see that there wasn't a lot of blood on the white fabric.
"If you want I can take a statement and you…"
"No, please…"
"You can get a restraining order if you are feeling threatened." Emma suggested.
"Really? What good is it going to do when he is friends with the Mayor?" Belle asked getting up to look out the blinds to where Gage waited across the street. Regina was doing this and was probably somewhere close gloating about it.
"We can try," Emma reasoned. There were always ways around the power Regina held over this town. More than once she had come out a head of Regina and Emma hoped to continue that streak. "There are ways around her."
"No," Belle looked at Emma, "I'll find my own way."
Back at the shop Gold went over the invoices for a few items that had been recently delivered. Taking a moment to pull out his pocket watch he wondered what was keeping Belle. Gold was moving around the counter when the door opened allowing Belle and Sheriff Swan to enter. The bottom dropped out of his stomach. "What happened?"
"Nothing," Belle muttered setting the bag of food on the counter to her left.
"Really?" Gold scoffed. "The bruise starting to form on your forehead tells another story." He brushed his fingers down the side of her cheek.
"Let's just talk about it at home." Belle grabbed the bag of food and went into the back room. Her hand was shaking from where Gaston had grabbed her. The last time she had been grabbed in that manner, Rumpelstiltskin had been the one to be that rough. It had scared her then because she loved him so much. When Gaston had grabbed her it had made her angry, given her the urge to hurt him. Belle sat on the work bench in an effort to calm herself. Anger was clawing for her attention. She couldn't let it win.
Gold watched her sit on the work bench. Then he looked at Emma, "What happened?" He tried to keep his tone even ad failed miserably. It was Belle. She was more precious to him than anything.
"All I saw was the tall guy, Gage, grab her arm, she twisted free where stumbled back and fell." Emma looked over Gold's shoulder to see Belle. Her face was in her hands and her shoulders were shaking. "I tried asking what had happened, but she wouldn't talk about it."
"And nor will she." Gold commented. He knew her enough to know that that would be the case. "You should know he was outside our house this morning." If was on record it would be one more bullet that he could use against Regina. The evil queen needed to be knocked down a peg or two.
"I can file a report about it if you want?" Emma offered. Though, she had the feeling that he wouldn't take her up on it.
"That won't be necessary, but thank you. I thought you should be aware all the same." Gold had made his play, small as it may be. He was in for the long haul against Regina now that he had someone to protect.
"If you could get her to file a report…" Emma tried again.
"Sheriff, she won't. I know that she won't." Gold said looking back at Belle. Seeing her like this had his heart breaking. They had just been reunited, only to have the Queen try and break them.
"Look, if you have any more trouble from him, let me know." Emma gave one last glance towards Belle. The other woman was now sitting up; wiping away the tears she shed. She was calming herself now.
"Thank you, again. I'll take it from here." Gold said keeping his tone light. He had no more use for the mask he used here; not since having Belle back. She wouldn't let him keep up the façade of nonchalance, of hardness. Belle would see right through it, she would just smile at him and wrinkle her nose shaking her head. That knowledge made his heart lighten.
"Ok, I tried." Emma left the Pawn Shop to head back to the diner where Mary Margaret and Ruby waited no doubt wanting details. They were always curious about what happened between her and Gold for the simple fact that no one dealt with him unless they were desperate. Seeing him with Belle, however, made Emma rethink her opinion of Gold, of the way he acted. He had been a man alone, a man hurting inside, but now had the chance to heal. Emma could see that every time he looked at Belle.
In the back room Belle took a few deep breaths to calm herself down while resting her hands in her lap. This day wasn't the worst of her life, that had been when she had been locked up by the Queen; condemned to spend her life away from a man she loved. Belle hadn't stayed locked up for so long to just let him take care of her once she was out. She had freed herself. It had taken courage, determination; it had taken bravery. Belle could rescue herself when she needed to. And yet she wanted nothing more than to let his arms hold her, to shelter her from the world until it all fell away.
"Belle?" Gold had tried to make his steps as light as he could, giving her time. The more time they spent together, the better he became. His limp was slowly fading away. It was all because of Belle. "Will you tell me what happened?" Gently he asked brushing a lock of her hair aside to see the scrape to her temple. Belle was the only living soul he could be gentle with, could be a man with. No one had touched his heart since he lost his son.
"I tripped." Belle said not looking at him. She felt so ridiculous now saying it out loud. The minute Gaston's name was mentioned Belle knew that Rumpelstiltskin would go after him. It was who he was and he was fiercely protective of her.
"But that's not all is it?" Gold asked tipping her chin up so her eyes locked with his. He was trying to be calm, to be the sort of man she could count on to comfort her and not seek revenge. It was hard to go against his nature. Belle was worth it.
"No." She answered. "If I tell you'll get mad and you'll go after him." Belle knew it. "You can't punish him for what she suggested he do." If he became injured because of her, Belle would be hurt as well. Too much pain had happened to them
"What are you asking?" Gold needed her to be sure. He would do what she asked as much as it pained him. Belle had to come first and all the plans he had were now in need of some serious restructuring.
"Don't hurt him, please." Belle leaned foreword resting her forehead on his shoulder. "I don't want anyone hurt because of me." Her fingers dug into the vest he was wearing pleading with him to leave the matter well alone. They had spent too many years hurting. Belle didn't want to waste the time they had together.
Gold wrapped his arm around her, "I give you my word that I won't harm a hair on his head. Don't fear for his safety," It cost him nothing to give Belle his word. For her he would do anything, make any bargain to ensure her safety.
"It's not his safety I fear for," Belle looked at Rumpelstiltskin, "I don't want you to go after him because he'll hurt you."
"I have my ways of staying safe in a fight." Gold assured her.
"Really?" Belle lifted her arm, pulling down her sleeve to show him the red marks from where Gage had grabbed her. "He's strong. In our world, Gaston took on three Ogres that had broken the walls. He barely broke a sweat. If you faced off against him there would be no way you could win."
"You assume I would fight fair." Gold pointed out. He was trying to get her to smile at anything. The fear he was seeing coming into her eyes made him nervous, made him uncertain as how to make her feel better. Taking her arm gently in his Gold kissed each red mark left on skin.