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. A/U

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

Rating: T+

Pairing: Belle/Rumpelstiltskin

Note: a time shifts happen.

A/N: Sry for the LONG over due upate. Been working on my novel and it is now completed! Yay for me! I can get back to fanfic! Lmao!

FINDING BELLE:

GRANDMA'S DINER:

Morning came to Storybrooke with the town getting back to normal. Belle could see the change amongst the people. The tension had drained away after Mary-Margaret had been cleared of all charges. Of course that had been an interesting conversation between her and Gold. He had abducted poor Kathryn just to double cross Regina. Belle understood why he had done it, but it still bothered her that he could do something like that to other people. Rumpelstiltskin had looked at her, caressed her cheek. He told her he would do anything to ensure the Queen's focus was taken off of her, even if his actions were considered evil to her. If Regina was concerned about beating Emma then he would have to make a few grey choices. After that life was slowly returning to normal even though a silent war still raged between the Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin. Belle smiled at that thought as her finger fiddled with the gold band on her ring finger. Lucky for her she had been left out of most of it. Regina knew if she came at Belle directly then Rumpelstiltskin would go directly at her with murderous consequences.

The bell above the door jingled bringing Belle out of her silent musings. Where she thought to see Rumpelstiltskin, was actually Regina coming through the door and heading straight for her. Mentally she rolled her eyes while on her face she plastered a fake smile. This was going to be one conversation that was bound to leave her cold, angry, and irritated all at once, but she wouldn't show fear. Regina wouldn't have the power to make her afraid anymore. "Good morning Madam Mayor." Belle greeted with false welcome. Regina only smirked at her before sitting down.

"Good morning." Regina greeted automatically spying the gold band gracing the young woman's finger. "So, are congratulations in order?" she could swallow her pride long enough to get what she wanted. What she needed was to make a deal with Gold and to do that she would have to go through Belle. Gold only did things that were in Belle's best interest now.

"Coming from you?" Belle questioned arching her eyebrow skeptically. "What do you want Regina?" She knew the Queen had to be up to something or else she wouldn't be here talking with her. "I know you're not here to just hold a conversation with me. Tell me what you want so I can tell you to go to hell." It wasn't wise to keep antagonizing the Queen, but for the moment Belle was safe. Regina still believed that her heart was still in the clutches of Rumpelstiltskin and it was already proven he would do anything for Belle. For as long as she could, she would keep up the brave front and show no fear for the Queen to work with.

"So hostile," Regina mused.

"You taught me the value of hate, your majesty, and I hate you." Belle snapped her voice as cold as ice. All the fury she could muster was right at this moment directed at the Queen.

"Alright," Regina admired directness to a point and was amused at the chilliness coming from Belle. "I want to make a deal with your… Well, what do we call him now? Master? Lover?" Regina smiled venomously. She well remembered her conversation with naïve young woman back in the Fairy Tale world when she was running away. Though, she was disappointed to see that the insults hadn't cut as deep as she had thought this time.

Belle called her anger, "He's my husband now." She bit out. "And why, your majesty, would I convey to him a deal you wish to make? What's in it for us?"

"It would be a deal he wants to make." Regina taunted even though she knew the deal was mostly for her, it would keep her from making a move against Rumpelstiltskin or Belle for one more day. That was of benefit to him.

"I doubt that." Belle shrugged. "He's quite content to wait until Emma breaks the curse. Besides he has other things on his mind. Making deal with you, not something he'd want to do." The door to the diner opened again with Emma coming through the door accompanied by Henry. The boy went over to sit at the counter top table while the Sheriff came over her way.

"Belle, Regina." Emma greeted, "Odd to see you two sitting together. Everything alright?" She asked settling her gaze on Belle trying to decipher the look she was being given.

"We're just fine Sheriff," Belle answered. "The mayor just stopped by to inquire about an antique Mr. Gold was acquiring for her. She wanted to know if it had arrived yet." She offered a gentle smile inclining her head. "Well, if you two would excuse me, I should be going." Sliding out of the booth Belle levered herself up and wavered on her feet. Automatically Emma's hand was there to steady her. "I'll let you know when your item has arrived." Belle smiled sweetly at Regina.

"You ok?" Emma gripped Belle's forearm to steady her. She remembered when she had been pregnant; balance was one of the casualties when carrying new life. "Maybe you should sit back down." She suggested.

"No, I'm fine. I'm still getting used to all of this." Belle chuckled finally steady on her feet. "Thank you." Taking her arm from Emma's grip Belle ambled to the door only to be met by Henry. "Well, hello there." She greeted him with a smile.

"Is it ok if I walk with you?" Henry asked. He had wanted to ask her about a few things but never had the time until now, and he had to head to school.

Belle glanced at Emma and then Regina before saying, "Sure," Again she smiled at the young boy. Henry grinned broadly going to the door to open it for her. Belle had been keeping watchful eye on Henry in the last few weeks. The boy had been bouncing back and forth to convincing Emma and when he thought he had her believing she would back slide. Outside in the sun, a smile crossed her face.

"Can I ask you something?" Henry shoved his hands in his pockets looking at all the fairy tale characters walking along the streets, operating their businesses. He was worried that Emma didn't really believe. That night in the woods, seeing the gateway to the other world, it should have been enough. But it wasn't and he was running out of ideas.

"Sure you can, but I have a feeling I know what you're about to ask." Belle lightly touched Henry's shoulder. "You want to know what you can do to make Emma a true believer."

"Yes, do you know how?" Henry lit up with hope. He had done everything he could think of to help open Emma's eyes to the truth, top what was really happening in Storybrooke.

"No, believing is a different process for everyone. You can show Emma all the proof in the world that our home exists, but she's not ready to take that leap of faith." Belle saw the hope fade from Henry's eyes. "I'm sorry. In the end it will be Emma to choose when she's ready to believe." Across the street she saw the stranger who had come to town a few months back; August his name was. The man had been renting a room in the Inn that gold owned. Deep in his eyes, she could see a spark of knowledge. This town, these people, he knew them. "Maybe you should talk to August. He might have a few ideas." Names how power, and just as Belle finished speaking August had crossed the street.

"Did I hear my name?" He smiled at Belle and then he grinned at Henry. "What a lovely morning." As he had stood across the street he knew the brunette on sight. She was Belle. He had heard stories of the girl who lived with Rumpelstiltskin, and now, to see her in person he could see why the all powerful Dark One had asked for her. She was a beauty. In this world she was living with Mr. Gold, the Storybrooke counterpart of Rumpelstiltskin. Even in this world he held considerable power. And now, Belle was carrying the child of Rumpelstiltskin. The world never ceased to amaze him.

"Yes, I spoke your name." Belle smiled in return. "My young friend has a problem that only a writer can solve." She complimented in a round about way.

Up the street Rumpelstiltskin stepped out onto the street to see his wife talking with Henry, and the stranger August W. Booth. Honestly what sort of name was Booth any way? He shook his head, plastering an extremely fake warm welcome on his face as he walked up to where they stood. As he drew closer he could see that Belle had both of her hand propped on her lower back. Tonight he would make note to rub out any aches and pains for her. Idly he reached out, placing his hand on her back giving her the signal she should lean on him as he said, "Good morning Mr.?"

"Booth." August answered with a knowing smile on his face. "And you would be Mr. Gold. I believe I have a room rented in the Inn you own."

"Yes and how are you finding the accommodations?" Gold asked gently rubbing small circles on his wife's back. Belle leaned back into his touch lightly.

"I'm enjoying my respite here. So many interesting people to meet," August smiled at Belle. He knew who she was, who she used to be. "Well, if you will excuse me, I have some roaming to do." August inclined his head offering Belle a small smile, nodded to Gold, and looked at Henry, "Later if you want I can help you with your problem."

"Sure!" Henry smiled and looked at his watch. "Oh, I gotta get to school. Bye Belle," He rushed away.

Belle couldn't resist laughing as the boy hurried off. "He's a darling child." She murmured resting her head on Rumpelstiltskin's shoulder. Henry had a warm, caring heart, despite Regina having raised him. Though, knowing her husband he had a plan in place to return Henry to Emma when it was of greatest benefit to him. He was nothing if not a man of careful plans.

"Yes, he is." Rumpelstiltskin was aware of the gentleness in his voice. His own son Bae had been like that. Reaching out to Belle he placed his hand over her swollen abdomen to make a connection with his child. Inside the mother Rumpelstiltskin could feel the contentment of the child being shared with Belle. A girl. His heart swelled. They were going to have a daughter. "Oh my…" He sighed.

"What?" Belle asked putting her hand on top of his. "Is the baby alright."

"Oh yes, more than alright." He smiled at her. "I can tell you what…" Belle covered his mouth and shook her head no.

"Don't tell me." Belle smiled lightly. She dropped her hand so he could speak.

"Alright dearie. I will keep it a secret." Leaning into her, he kissed her forehead lovingly not caring who could see him. Belle and their child were all that mattered to him. They were the ones who had to be protected.

FOUR MORE MONTHS GO BY:

Belle woke to the pre-dawn light. She stretched her hand out finding only emptiness. Rumpelstiltskin wasn't beside her. Opening her eyes she saw him sitting beside her, his hand resting on his swollen belly; his eyes were closed. She took a moment to watch him. Every day that passed more and more of his former appearance would bleed through to this reality; only enough to make the Queen beware of him. At his temples a light golden tint had returned hidden only by his hair. The amber of his eyes seemed to glow as they had used to. He was becoming more and more the man she knew, melding with the man she loved. "Have you slept at all?" Belle asked breaking the silence; the stillness.

"Oh yes, but not like I used to in this world. I find I don't need it as much." He answered without missing a beat. Rumpelstiltskin removed his hand and smiled at his wife. "Things are falling into place." He mumbled. The Queen had come into the shop the morning before gloating. It wouldn't end well for Henry; that much he knew for sure.

"Today's the day isn't it?" Belle asked taking his hand and placing it over her swollen abdomen. Their child would be born soon. Belle knew that such a magical even was old magic, the birth of a new life, had so much power all on its own. Though, she also knew the man she loved. He had a plan too. She could see it.

"Yes," Rumpelstiltskin lowered his head, "And I fear young Henry will be caught in the cross fire between Regina and Emma." He confessed. Everything he had done had been to keep the boy out of harms way. Regina just kept right on doing things the way she always had.

"Can you stop it?" Belle asked even as she read the answer in his sorrowful eyes. "He shouldn't be made a pawn in this." She snapped.

"No, this will have to play out. For the curse to be broken over the whole town Emma will have to be in great pain at the loss of her son. That alone will save him." Gold replied.

"How?" Belle wanted him to say it. She needed to hear it fall from between his lips.

"A kiss of true love can break any cure." There was no flourish of his hands, not sarcastic tone to his voice. Rumpelstiltskin spoke from experience. At the time he had not been ready for Belle's kiss, her love; their true love. It had scared him and he had lashed out at her. That would be something he could never atone for, but he could try.

"What should I do?" Gently Belle drew the tips of her fingers down his cheek where the light glinted off the brad in her palm; lapis and gold. This was her life, her choice, and now she was going to go home with the man she loved and live once again at the Dark Castle. That should have made her heart beat faster in anticipation, but something held back the joy. She had a bad feeling

"I want to keep you out of harms way." Rumpelstiltskin confessed. For the next few hours by his side was not the safest place for his wife to be. "There is a well out in the forest. It is said that this well can bring back what it lost. I want you to go there and wait for me."

Belle didn't argue, didn't try to bargain with him. She could see the genuine worry in his eyes, feel it in the way he stroked his hand down her stomach. Somberly she nodded with the knowledge that today was the day everything changed. How would it feel to go home? How would it feel to be in a world that made more sense than the one they had existed in for twenty-eight years?

EARLY AFTERNOON:

Belle felt her heart heavy with sorrow for Henry even though she had known he would fall victim to the war waged between Emma and Regina . The move that Regina had made had put the boy under a curse; the same curse that had claimed his grandmother Snow White. Tears slipped down her cheeks. This had to stop. Too many people were getting hurt. For her part in helping to send the fairy tale characters home where they belonged, Belle had to do was give birth to her child. "Easy." She muttered shaking her head.

"Belle?"

Her head turned at the mention of her name to see Mary-Margaret coming her way. Belle smiled through the tears. "Hello Mary-Margaret."

"You heard about Henry?" Mary-Margaret asked placing hr hand gently on the young woman's shoulder.

"Yes, the poor boy. Do they know what happened?" Belle placed her hand on Mary-Margaret's. Deep down the fairest beauty in all the land had to know that Henry was related to her. This had to be causing her so much pain. Belle couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like for her.

"No, not yet. The prognosis for him isn't good. I just came from seeing him…" She trailed off feeling another wave of tears threatening to fall. Belle's hand tightened on hers.

"Would you like to walk with me? I'll be glad of the company." Belle offered. Movement helped her and it would help Snow White process her emotions. She had information that she couldn't impart to the grieving woman next to her, but she could offer hollow reassurance. "I'm sure Henry will pull through. He's a strong boy, like his mother." Belle squeezed Snow's shoulder.

"Thank you, and I think I will walk with you. The fresh air might clear my head and help…" She cleared her throat. So may things had happened to her and the latest was Henry getting sick, dying. A kind boy like him should never have been hurt like this.

"Believe in happy endings, they happen." Belle dropped her hand and rubbed a comforting circle on Snow's back. "I speak from experience. I have my happy ending. Henry will pull through this. I know he will." That was she could say, all she was comfortable saying.