A/N: I just want to say that all my reviews lately have been wonderful! It's those that make me really want to keep updating. I'm happy to know that there are others enjoying the story as much as I do. Thanks to all my reviewers thus far!

Chapter Five: Just Another Day

As Bae settled in over the next two weeks or so, Belle noticed that there was clear tension between Rumpelstiltskin and his son. At first light one morning, Baelfire was out the door, leaving a written note for Rumpelstiltskin.

Be back at eight sharp. Bae

PS- tell Belle good morning for me.

Belle was the one to in fact wake up first this particular morning. She was going to start organizing the mess in the living room, but she thought to make breakfast first. It was seven am, so whenever Bae headed out, he'd be back in an hour. She smiled at the thought that he left a small part for her in the note meant for his father.

Baelfire stalked the birds, getting as close as possible before one took off. He practiced for long hours usually, but now that he was working for his father in the shop starting today, he knew he'd have to cut his time in half, perhaps even more. After becoming two feet within a morning dove's space, Bae decided to move on, thinking he'd broken his record for sure. He concluded his morning of stealth and martial arts skills by climbing a tree, despite his wound sustained a while back. Who knew a tree could split his hand in such a fashion? Not that Bae cared about that much anymore, however there was a scar. It was a new day. He knew he had to patch things up with his father, that's why he'd come.

He pulled himself up and down on the strongest branch he could find, eventually climbing the tree full scale. Resting at the top, he gazed at the rewarding view before him. At that moment, he couldn't help but remember his father, how he was before all this magic hit him and he became the Dark One.

Inhaling deeply, satisfied with those memories, Bae climbed back down the tree, glancing at the sun. He'd have to be back soon. He'd already practiced with his knife, crossed the Troll Bridge, and even skinned a fish for breakfast over a small fire he created. Bae had never really slept right anywhere new for a while, surprisingly considering that he was on the move for 28 years straight, finding whatever he could for work, and now that he was with his father, Bae thought he'd feel safer, sleep better. Still, his instincts refused this, and he knew he'd pay for that later.

A fish for breakfast was plenty for him, and he took the tea Granny gave him from the fridge this morning, having some left. Sending the cooling liquid down his throat, the taste of mint came to him, making him smirk. He might need mint now that Belle was in the house.

As he made his way back, he spotted that same woman from before he entered the town in the forest nearby. She'd been watching him the whole time!

"What do you want?" Bae asked, staring her right in the eyes as she sat crouched in the distance.

"How do you know Mr. Gold?" the woman asked.

"Does it matter?" Bae asked. "Just leave me alone."

"I saw you catch that fish, impressive," she said. "My name is Barbra, and I just thought you'd like some of this pie I made." The woman held out her hands, revealing a container of a slice of pie.

"If you lived in the woods, you couldn't make a pie," Bae said, intelligent as ever. He made it a point to stay away from her from now on. He ran off, not taking the pie.

"Oh, you're back," Belle greeted him as he came into the house, smelling the aroma of eggs and meat. That was quite appealing. "I found your note." She looked at the clock.

"You're right on time," she noted, also seeing that his new clothing, consisting of black jeans and an emerald green T-shirt, were also quite dirty. Not that his old brown cloak was much better. Thankfully, he'd remembered to take off his tennis shoes by the front door.

"Well, I did say eight," Bae said, hesitating to go up the stairs and change. "When is my father going to be around?"

"In a few minutes," Belle said. "Would you like some breakfast?"

Bae felt a little awkward, but if she was offering...

"Sure...but only a little. I ate something already," Bae mentioned, sitting down at the kitchen table.

"Oh, well if you really don't want any-"

"No, please. I couldn't refuse that even if I wanted to." The boy smirked as she gave him a small pile of scrambled eggs and two slices of bacon. She sat with him, not eating yet and letting the bacon simmer to keep warm.

"Hmm, he's usually up by now. He likes to start the shop at eight-thirty," Belle told Baelfire. "So, you're his son. What made you come here?"

"I had a feeling he'd be here," Bae said. "Just knew I suppose. Pardon me, but I'd rather not say any more."

"Okay, I won't push you it's just...I never thought I'd be meeting you," she confessed.

"He talked about me?" Bae asked. "With...you?"

"Oh, I asked him once, but he didn't tell me really much of anything," Belle explained. "I could tell you meant a lot to him. When he said he lost you, I thought that meant you were dead."

Bae shook his head, knowing his father had a way with words. Belle and Bae talked a little more at the table, finding pleasant conversation. Baelfire liked Belle, and he thought she was the perfect girl for his father, if she could even keep him in line. His father really liked Belle, he just wouldn't tell Bae it was so yet. Not that Bae thought it was the right time for such talk between them, but the intentions were perfectly obvious to him anyway.

"Ready to work today?" Rumpel's voice asked as he climbed down the stairs, glancing at the state of Bae at the moment. "...I've got plenty to do around the shop." Bae nodded, and Rumpel sat down with Belle for a few minutes to eat a decent meal as the boy ran upstairs to change into a cleaner red hooded sweatshirt with jeans.

Rumpel gave Bae a look of recognition as they walked outside. His son smelt enough like a fish, he noticed. Baelfire finally finished that tea Granny made for him, throwing the cup away before the two left. Rumpel kissed Belle's forehead, feeling he should be honest with Bae about what happened around the house before he came.

Rumpel closed the door, locking it behind him.

"You lock her in there all day?" Bae asked, as if it were cruel to do such.

"Can never be too sure, what with the Evil Queen having her power back as well," Rumpel replied. Bae wanted to inquire more about this Queen his father spoke of, but not now.

"You don't fool me Bae, you reek of fish. What were you up to this morning?" Rumpel asked.

"I work every morning. I practice with the knife, as well as many other things," Bae replied.

"Including catching fish?" Rumpel asked, though almost not so as a question. His son looked at him with a sense of warmth, which Rumpel felt instantly. It made him feel easier. At least they were talking.

When they reached the shop, Bae opened the doors, asking what his father wanted him to do first.

"You can start by organizing my office. I think you can sort out what's worth something and what is not."

Bae was hesitant to consult his father about anything, thinking that he could give this a shot without assistance, not to mention he was still resentful. Their problem wasn't going away so rudimentarily. When he got to the back, Bae couldn't help but think about how repulsive his office was. Stuff everywhere, and some kind of stench. Bae shook his head.

No wonder he needs Belle, he thought to himself as a joke, never to say it out loud, but it made him smile inside.