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:
In the middle of the night Gold paced, stopped and stared at Belle as she slept on under the blankets of his bed, before turning to pace again. He was trying to find a way around bedding Belle just to get his powers back. If he did so, then he would feel the gnawing guilt that came with his selfishness. Gold wanted to be restored to his former glory, to have his power back, but not at the expense of Belle and her virtue. What kind of man would he be if he just gave in? He loved her. He would lose his mind without her. Could he really take that part of her just to annoy the Queen? Before he could; in a heart beat. Now, he wasn't so sure. If only there was a way to make certain that whatever power he gained passed to Belle as well.
Belle lay flat on her stomach in bed, the covers down around her waist, her head was turned away as she faked being asleep. Rumpelstiltskin was pacing. He was worried and over thinking as he usually did. She could lie here, listen to him, or she could sit up and talk to him. The offer she had made to him that morning weighed heavily on his mind. Belle felt foolish for even daring to offer it now. Pushing the covers back Belle sat up and watched him. "Are you worried?"
"I'm concerned," Gold stopped, placing his hands on the footboard. "Every move we make closer together the Queen puts something else in our path. She is bound and determined to keep up apart." Gold moved his head side to side stretching the muscles in his neck making them crack.
Sliding to the end of the bed, Belle went to her knees threading her fingers through his hair, cupping the back of his head. "She can't keep this up forever." Her heart beat rapidly waiting for him to start talking again.
Leaning foreword he rested forehead against hers, "I'm running out of moves to make Belle." He was exhausted, growing weary with the Queen. Even though he was certain his power would remain; it was a fight to continue this war with her now that he had the single person in all the world that he wanted. Rumpelstiltskin had Belle; he had his love. What more could he want?
"Then let's restore your power." Belle suggested again. "You need to be at full strength." She wanted to hurt the Queen for all that had happened to her. The small edge of vengeance took root in her heart all those long years she had sat in her cell. Now, that she was here with him again that need faded into the love she once carried.
"Belle…" he didn't want her to offer this. In this world nothing worked out the way it was intended.
"You need this." She stated. "Let me help you."
Rumpelstiltskin looked at her, pleading with his eyes for her to let this go. Belle was nothing if not determined. "If we do this, then we do it my way." He had one way that might save them both; blood magic. Rumpelstiltskin could permanently tie his life force to Belle just to ensure that she would survive.
"What?" She felt him come to a decision of sorts. "Tell me."
"Blood magic," Gold closed his eyes and waited for her to recoil. Belle stayed near him, kept her hands on him. Opening his eyes Rumpelstiltskin met her gaze seeing agreement. "Are you sure?" He had to make sure she was clear on what she was agreeing to.
"Yes," Belle stayed where she was. In their world Blood Magic was often unpredictable and costly. It not only bound two people together but it also came with dire consequences. A blood bond would merge their souls, their life force; it would make them closer than anything ever could. She would share not only his love, but his long life as well. Was she prepared for that? Could she stay forever his? Yes, on both accounts. Belle wanted him, loved him more than anything. Her life walked side by side with him.
Gold had thought she would say no. He had counted on it in fact. Clearly he was underestimating her love for him like he had always done. She was willing to tie herself to him; to truly be his. Why did that terrify him? More than anything he didn't want to take away her innate goodness. "Am I really what you want?" She had been more then he ever thought he would have in his life. Belle had been a shining light in his dark life from the moment she accept his offer.
"More than anything," Belle answered seeing the first ray of dawn bleeding through the veil of night. They hadn't slept at all and now she was getting tired. "Can we sleep now?" She asked with a grin. In return he kissed her gently motioning for her to get back under the covers.
Gold flicked the light switch off and then fell into bed holding out his arm for Belle to snuggle into his side. Her head rested on his chest, the light fragrance of her hair surrounded him, lulling him into sleep. Gold would have to remember to wake in a few hours. There would be much that he would need for tonight. It would use up what power he had left but if it worked then he would be able to tap all of his former power from their world. That was assuming it worked.
"Stop thinking," Belle slurred letting sleep drag her down into the black abyss. The only thing keeping her awake were the wheels turning in Rumpelstiltskin's head. She could hear him thinking.
"Easier said than done I'm afraid," Gold muttered kissing the top of his beloved's head. Sometimes he thought having her here was some twisted dream that his mind delighted in tormenting him with. But she was truly here, truly in his arms. Belle was with him and she was more than he deserved at times. Still, he made the effort to shut his mind down for a few hours, to allow sleep to claim him. For a few hours he would just lie with her pretending that he was a normal man in love with an exceptional woman.
The late morning sun fell across his closed eyelids bringing him out of sleep. Gold sat up without Belle by his side. Then the scent of food wafted up the stairs and into the bedroom. She was down stairs making breakfast. Before he knew it, Gold was at the door without his cane. He wasn't limping. Though, he could guess that he would need it before he left the house.
Down in the kitchen Gold watched Belle move from counter to counter as she set out plates, filled glasses with juice, and poured two cups of tea. "Morning."
Belle had made sure to get up before him and come down to make breakfast. Rumplstiltskin had consented to her idea even though she knew he thought it wasn't a good idea. It showed he trusted her. That meant a lot to her. "Morning." She greeted. "I made breakfast; fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, and tea."
"I see." He inhaled deeply, all the scents mingling together. "Its smells wonderful." Taking slow steps to her, he wrapped his arms around her pulling Belle back against his chest. Gold buried his nose in her hair to inhale deeply again.
Belle rested her hands on his arms leaning into him. "What is it?"
"I don't want things to change with us." He answered. More than anything he wanted to keep her just as she was, just as innocent as she could be.
"But that's the point," Belle turned in his arms; "Relationships grow and change. We're meant to be together. I told you once that love is layered and I meant it. This is just another layer."
"Will I never win with you?" Gold teased. If he could spend eternity losing to Belle it would be a life well spent.
"Oh, you'll win… occasionally." Belle smirked at him trying to get him to lighten up. They were together; they had a plan to stay together. All was right with them for the morning.
"As long as I win," He kissed her slowly feeling the passion build with in him, with in her. Belle's fingers tangled in his hair anchoring his lips to hers. He wouldn't pull away, not this time. This morning he was going to enjoy the feel of her lips, the rose petal softness of them against his. The counter to his left was the right height. Gold ran his hands down her sides and to the back of her thighs. Not wanting to waste his new found strength, he picked her up placing her on the counter to his left.
Belle thought he was going to stop her, to push her away. This wasn't his way, but he was going along with it. She wanted to enjoy it for however long she could. Rumpelstiltskin picked her up setting her on the counter to their left. It put her at the right height to change the angle of the kiss. Tightening her grip slightly, Belle angled his head taking charge of the kiss. This time she ravished his mouth, letting his know just how much she wanted him. Rumpelstiltskin was her future.
Gold was losing himself to her, to the desire of her touch. Time had gone on around him before he had even noticed that his heart had grown cold, grown callus to other people. He hadn't known what he was missing until she was standing there in front of him, staring him down, truly unafraid of his power. That day he had met his match, had met the woman he would love for eternity.
Soon he grew dizzy, bespelled by the power of her ravenous hunger for him and the heated kiss they were sharing. Belle was devouring him, body and soul. Rumpelstiltskin couldn't care less. His fingers clenched the fabric of the simple orange sarong she had worn to bed again feeling the softness of it on his palms. She took her hands from his hair, pulled back and reached for the hem of his white cotton shirt. There, in her eyes, a question was being asked. He consented, letting her have this for now.
Belle pulled the shirt up and over his head dropping it to the counter behind her. His skin gleamed in the morning light, lightly tanned, perfectly human. She was in awe of him, truly mesmerized at the sight of his eyes gazing into hers. Belle placed her right hand over his hart feeling it beat. She felt life in him like she never had before. Drawing him back in for another kiss Belle gladly let breakfast fly out of her mind when she could have him, have his lips to feast from. She could spend eternity learning him, loving him. Right now, being able to hold him, to kiss him, was enough for her.
An hour later Belle came back down stairs wearing navy blue slacks, a light blue camisole top with a white button up dress shirt, and a pair of black boots. Her hair had been brushed back out of her face and secured with a comb. Again, she came to a dead stop seeing him. Gold wore a dark navy blue suit jacket, pants, and matching vest with a black shirt and royal purple tie. If she wasn't careful her mouth would drop open. Is attire for this world suited him but Belle missed how he used to dress. The devil on her shoulder whispered, "You miss the leather pants he wore. The right leather pants." Belle blushed.
Gold noticed the blush, made him wonder what she was thinking. He tried not to hint that he had seen her blush. The smile refused to die away and he let it shine through, letting his eyes lock on her dressed in blue. Always in blue. It made her look so beautiful to him. While she had been getting dressed Gold had called a head to the diner making arrangements for Mary-Margaret, Ruby, and Emma to entertain Belle while he gathered what he needed for tonight. It had taken considerable maneuvering to get them to agree and in the end he even relented in owing the three women a favor down the road. No price would be too high to ensure Belle would be out of the clutches of the queen while he was away from her side.
"Where are we off to today?" Belle leaned against the wall with her thumbs tucked in the corners of her pockets.
"You are going to make friends." Gold leaned on his cane taking the first step towards her. "Three lovely ladies are going to be waiting for you at the diner."
"Did you pay them?" Belle arched her brow. She was only teasing, partly. He would do anything to make sure she wasn't alone. It touched her heart.
"No," Rumpelstiltskin splayed his hand over his heart dropping his jaw conveying shock in a playful manner.
"Hmm, just checking," She laughed. "Ok, I will go to the diner and make friends all day on one condition."
"What is it dearie?" Putting some of his weight on his cane he leaned into her, close enough to kiss.
"As soon as you're finished with whatever you have to do, you come and get me." Belle wasn't going to risk walking home. She couldn't even manage to walk to his shop without being waylaid by someone who insisted she was someone else.
"Is that all?" He asked. Belle closed that last inch sealing her lips to his. She leaned back and smiled at him playfully.
"Yes," she answered innocently wearing a wry smile. He leaned into her and kissed her as sweetly as she had him. Tonight she would get to be with him in the way she had long desired. Tonight, hopefully, his power would be restored and that would help them get home.
Out in the woods, on the porch of the cabin Gold stood and pushed open the door. This had been the very place in which he had nearly beaten Mo French to death, Belle's father. If he thought he should feel regret; he didn't. Taking each step with ease Gold went over to the mantle. He put his left hand under the ledge and with his right he hit the edge until the top part of the mantle popped free. There, in a hidden space, was the dagger he had used once to kill the Dark One before him. Written on the blade in calligraphy letters was his name, his real name. Holding this dagger made his skin crawl with revulsion. If he was going to bind Belle to his life force then he would need it. Magic lived within the blade. It transferred from their world to this one. This ancient magic could never be dispelled, never dulled.
An eerie feeling fell upon him; someone was watching him. Quickly, quietly, Gold crouched down and out of sight, dissolving into one of the shadows of the dark cabin until the feeling of being watched abated. The feeling didn't go away it only grew stronger. A few seconds later the door pushed open allowing Henry inside. Gold shook his head standing up. "Shouldn't you be at home?"
"Shouldn't you be with Belle?" Henry asked recalling the story in his book about Rumpelstiltskin and Belle.
"What do you know about it?" Gold asked, realizing at the last second that he shouldn't have. The boy knew more than any young man should at his age. For an instant Gold thought of his own son, Bae. Picturing his son was like a knife through the heart.
"I know enough." Henry answered unafraid of Rumpelstiltskin standing before him. The stories in his book had lifted the curse from his eyes enough to see the truth of everyone in town, even Mr. Gold. The man was still a deal maker and a trickster.
In town Belle sat with Mary-Margaret, Emma, and occasionally Ruby would wonder over when she was in between tables and waiting on orders to be ready. At first she felt nervous sitting with them, then Mary-Margaret started talking and being friendly. Belle hadn't felt as nervous. It was nice having another person, a few women, to talk to. She hadn't realized who bad her people skills had gotten, except with Rumpelstiltskin. He would smile at her, tease her instantly calming her rattled nerves. To her, he was the easiest person in the world to talk to. It was others that made her nervous.
But an hour with them and she was laughing and smiling. She was even making jokes. It was a marvelous time. Belle hadn't even noticed the time when she saw it was almost three in the afternoon. Time had gone by so fast. "So, what's the plan for you tonight?" Ruby came over taking a break.
"Uhh, well…" Belle smiled and bit her bottom lip. "I've got a date." That was the hardest sentence to say. She couldn't very well come out and say that she and Gold were going to make love and weaken a curse.
"Then someone should do your hair." Ruby suggested. "I have these awesome blue extensions that would look great on you."
"Oh, honey, no… I couldn't"
"Yeah you could." Ruby laughed. "My shift is over at 5pm and after that we can go to my place.
"Ok," Belle relented. She wanted to look good for him tonight. Though, she knew no matter what she wore he would think she was the most beautiful creature on this earth. Feeling the need for some fresh air Belle excused herself and stepped outside.
The fresh air, the warmth, settled in her lungs infusing her with the coming spring. Belle looked up to the sky; spring was on its way. The warm breeze whispered around her singing song that she alone could hear. It was remnants from their world bleeding through, trying to gain a foothold. Her heart broke listening to the weeping, lamenting, melody that the wind carried to her. Idly her fingers went to the bracelet she wore. She had eagerly agreed to bind herself to Rumpelstiltskin, but could she really do that? Did she have enough bravery to see it through? If she backed out, he wouldn't be angry at her. Rumpelstiltskin would keep her just the way she was. He would be happy. 'No,' She thought. 'I can do this.'
"Well, I see you haven't wizened up and gone back to your husband."
Belle looked at Regina, the Evil Queen, as she stood on the sidewalk with her hands clasped in front of her. "To what husband are you referring? That fake one you created to fit this fictional world?" She asked turning to stare down the woman who had ruined her life.
"Aren't you afraid?" Regina asked. She knew she could intimidate anyone; except for Gold. That was starting to annoy her.
"Of you?" Belle scoffed. "Now why would I be afraid of miserable old crone like you?"
"Watch what tone you take with me." Regina warned.
"Really? Or you'll what?" Belle faked a shudder. "I'm not afraid of someone who takes their bad mood and selfishness out on the world. You're problem is that you feel slighted by everyone and you can't move on." She fisted her hands on her hips. "That's just pathetic and sad." It occurred to her that she should take care with what she was saying; that it could provoke the Queen. Belle didn't care.
"I warn you…" Regina stepped closer. "Be careful what you say next."
"You need to get a life and stop infecting others with your bile and poison…" Belle was stopped by Regina's fist connecting with her jaw. The taste of blood invaded her mouth. Facing Regina, Belle hit her back harder. Regina fell against the iron gate with blood blossoming on her lower lips.
Pain hummed in Regina's lower lip. The little princess had some strength to her. Moving away from the fence she swung again, catching Belle across the cheek. The blow didn't knock the other woman off her feet as Regina had intended. Instead Belle countered, landing a blow to her ribs and a jab to the right side of her jaw.
Belle wasn't going to back down. Regina had taken enough from her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Emma coming down the walk way towards them. In that second she knew that she was going to end up back in a jail cell. Stepping back quickly, missing one the next punch thrown by Regina, Belle rubbed at her jaw.
Regina composed herself. "Sheriff Swan I want her arrested. She assaulted me."
"Actually, you hit her first. I saw you from inside the diner." Emma shook her head, "but I have to take you both in and fill out a report. All part of my job."
Back in the cabin Gold sat in the same chair he had occupied a few nights ago as he stared at Henry. The boy knew more than he should, and perhaps, some of that knowledge was his fault. Gold had maneuvered the book into Henry's hands and then made sure the boy found Emma. Swan would be the key to breaking the curse once and for all. Tonight, though, he and Belle would help to weaken it. "And what may I ask, brings you out here?"
"Nothing really," Henry shrugged. "I just felt like taking a walk." That was true for the most part. He had felt the need to venture out here. Something had pulled him, compelled him to come to the cabin.
"Well, it's a nice day." Gold stood up. "Try not to get lost." He warned standing up and then his cell phone rang. "This is Gold." Sheriff swan was on the other end and what she was telling him had his heart stopping. "I'll be right there." Closing the cell he put is in his pocket walking to the door. Gold looked back at Henry, "You should go home." And he was gone.
At the station Gold bypassed Emma, going to the cell where Belle was sitting on the cot, her knees drawn up against her chest. He hated being behind bars, being close to a cell, but he hated to see Belle in the cell even more. His left hand wrapped around the bar getting Belle's attentions. "What happened?"
Belle looked up to see Rumpelstiltskin standing there, worry in his eyes, "She started it." It was the truth, though, Belle would admit to egging her on just in the slightest. Getting up off the cot Belle went to him with the bars separating them.
"I have no doubt." Gold replied feeling the tension in him easing. He reached through the bars to stroke the small red blotch on her cheek. "But, Belle, what did you do?" He knew she didn't stand idly by and allow Regina to hit her. His Belle was stronger than she looked in body and soul.
Belle cleared her throat and smiled innocently, "I may… have called her a miserable old crone who takes her bad mood out on everyone." She averted her gaze, looking down at the floor. His index finger rested under her chin, tipping hr head back. There was a smile on his face.
"Only you, my love," To him, they were the only ones here. Gold laughed lightly when she smiled at him. "Sheriff Swan, if you would be so kind as to release her, we'll be on our way."
"Actually, I need to her sign a few things." Emma said, "And I would like to have a chat with her in private."
Gold looked out the window. The sun was fading, but it would be hours yet until the full moon rose in the sky. He looked back at Belle and she nodded. It would be the only way for her to get out of here. That would give him and Regina time to talk. "Be my guest." Gold stepped out of the way.
Belle stepped out of the cell walking past Rumpelstiltskin as she followed the Sheriff into the office. She didn't know exactly what they would be talking about. For some reason she had a feeling it wouldn't end well.
Gold waited until he heard the soft click of the door being closed before his let the icy chill of his displeasure bleed through and replace his normally composed features. "What did you think you were doing?" He let all the anger and fury into his voice. The first time he lost Belle had been because of his fear of losing his power. It was because of the Queen, and now she was trying to pry Belle from him again.
"Why Mr. Gold, are you angry?" Regina tried to appear smug, but the blind murderous rage she saw in his gaze was shaking her inside. The temperature even dropped by a few degrees in the cell as he stared at her. If looks could kill then Regina would be dead and she knew it.
"You will be silent… please." Gold ordered seeing her close her mouth with the distinct need to scream at him. There was no need to pretend anymore. "I will tell you this only once. Go after her again and everything you love will be mine. If you love anything that is." Rumpelstiltskin moved away from the bars keeping his cold hard stare centered on Regina. He wouldn't make the mistake of turning his back on her. "You can go after the whole damned town, I don't care. If you try and harm Belle in any way and I will make it my life's mission to see you suffer." Rumpelstiltskin vowed.
Inside the office with Sheriff Swan, Belle felt an icy chill spread through the station house. He was angry, practically furious. Yet, Belle knew that his rage wasn't for her. No, it was for Regina. Belle hadn't meant to make matters escalate, except they had. She had gotten so mad, so furious that Regina had the nerve to stand there looking so smug after knowing how she ruined their lives. Belle had just lost it.
"You can lodge a complaint and have an assault charge brought against her." Emma offered. Right now she would love nothing more than to see Regina knocked down a peg or two after every thing that had happened here in town.
"No, she'll find some way to get out of it." Belle wanted to turn, to look at him. She would be with him soon enough and she would have him all to her self when they got home. "I have my own way."
"As Sheriff, I should tell you that a report will be filed and it will be on record." Emma said lacing her fingers together on the desk resting over the file she had taken the time to write. "If you could sign this, then you're free to go."
"You're not putting me back in a cell?" Belle asked, "I did hit her back."
"I know that, I was there. She instigated the fight. Even though you swung back, Regina was at fault, at least that's how I saw it and I'm Sheriff." Emma gave her an easy smile.
"You don't have to do that," Belle signed her name.
"Yeah, I do." Emma nodded. "You don't deserve what Regina is doing to you."
"Thank you." Belle sighed feeling a weight being lifted from her shoulders. "Can I go now?"
"Yeah, we're all done here."
Out of the office Belle went to Rumpelstiltskin and put her arms around him. She felt the ice fade from him to be replaced with warmth. His left arm draped over her shoulder steadying her. Belle angled her head asking, "Are you ready to go home?"
"More than ever?" Gold smiled and just to annoy the Queen he took Belle's lips in a light, sweet kiss letting her know just how happy he was. There was nothing he's rather do than kiss her lips, feel her smile, or listen to her laugh. The rose petal softness of Belle's lips never ceased to torture him with wanting more. Now, if all went according to plan, he could have her for eternity.
"Are you through?" Regina sniped.
Gold had to stop kissing Belle and that took considerable effort, "I think I've made my point." He smirked at the Queen. Rubbing it in just a little more he lovingly kissed Belle's forehead.
"Finally," Regina groaned rolling her eyes. She caught the attention of Emma, "You can let me out now."
"Oh, no I can't actually. I can hold you up to 24 hours without charging you with anything. As it is a public safety issue I feel obligated to do so." Emma tried not to smirk at the anger in Regina's eyes.
"I have a son…" Regina started to say.
"Henry will be fine. He can do well without you." Emma hadn't needed to point that out, but it gave her great satisfaction to do so. "So, sit tight, relax, you'll be out before you know it." Emma went to the coat rack and retrieved her worn red leather jacket getting ready to head out.
"You're leaving me here?" Regina asked grabbing the bars. If it wasn't beneath her then she would have shaken the bars.
"Yeah, I have to make my rounds."