Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

One day Belle asks him a question he's unsure how to answer. He is spinning like usual, and she's sitting beside him with a book he's sure she's read before with Draco asleep beside her. Suddenly, she looks up from it and asked him the strangest thing,"Why aren't you a king?"

Rumpelstiltskin turned looked up from his spinning and at her."What?"

She marked her page and set her book aside."You have a castle, gold, and more power than anyone. You could easily rule every kingdom known to man."

"I'll admit, the thought occurred to me when I first got my powers, but I quickly got rid of that idea."

Belle rested her head on his knee."What changed your mind?"

"I learned the hard way that power comes with a price, and I soon figured out that political power is no different. Politicians are just like wizards. They can make people do as they say with just a few words, I didn't need extra problems."

She had to agree with him. The men in her father's court had threatened to remove him if he did not do something about the war."You have a point, but what price would you possibly pay by being king?"

"I'd have to give up this,"he replied gesturing towards the castle. Belle looked confused, so he explained."If I were a king, I'd have no freedom. I'd be bound by responsibilities to my people, and that's not for me. Does that make sense?"

Belle smiled."It does. Your not like the Queen. You'd rather take a little and protect it with all you have than be greedy and take everything just because you could."

He smiled slightly. His Belle was so naive sometimes."Don't judge me so quickly, dearie. The Queen and I have more in common than either of us would care to admit."

"Sure, there are some similarities. You both have done evil things with and without your powers, but your methods are completely different."

"Oh?"He was intrigued now.

"From what you've told me, the Queen harms people out of spite. Right now, I heard she's trying to harm mermaids for no reason. You give people a choice. It's up to them in the end to accept or reject your deal."

"The people I make deals with usually have no other options. Your deal is proof of that."

"But it was still my choice. No one decided my fate but me, and I chose to stay with you forever."

Another small smile formed."Brave Belle. You truly are one of a kind. No one else would have come but you. I can't help but respect you for that."

"You respect me?"

"Of course, dearie. Why do you think I let you go? You were nothing like the spoiled princess I expected you to be and you even came back."

Belle then began to smile."So you are happy that I returned."

"I'm not unhappy, but what made you come back?"

Damn. In all the excitement that day, she hadn't told him about the woman on the road. After he fixed her ankle, she'd forgotten about kissing him. She could do it now. If she did, he'd be human and free of his curse, but did she really want that? Moreover, did he want that? The answer to both questions was no. She couldn't strip him of what made him him. She respected him to much.

"Something just came to me and made me turn around. Besides, Draco would have missed me."

Rumpelstiltskin knew she was lying but dismissed it."He wouldn't have been the only one, Belle."

She stood up, still smiling."And I would have missed you both every day."Belle then bent down and hugged him tightly to her."I mean it, Rum. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He hugged her back and felt his heart flutter at her words. She liked him. She cared about him. She might even, dare he say it, love him. Rumpelstiltskin was broken from his thoughts by banging on his door. He kept his arms around Belle's waist, and she ended up resting on his lap.

"Rum. Wha-"He silenced her just before the Queen barged though his doors.

Dressed in her usual black, she waltzed in as if she owned the place. However, her grin faltered when she saw the pair's position and the dragon at their feet. Draco was awoken by her presence and began growling. He looked ready to attack until Belle told him to heel.

"You should get better locks, Rumpel. You never know who might come in while you're...busy."

"I do have locks, your majesty, it's just that some people have a habit of getting passed them. As for me being busy, it's not my fault if they see something they shouldn't."His voice held its usual jovial tone, but his eyes terrified Belle slightly. She could see the sparks of magic crackling in them, like he was ready to explode any minute."Is there any particular reason as to why you are here?"

"Can't a girl come visit her old friends?"

Old friends? Then it all clicked. The Queen was the woman on the road. She'd planned for her to Rumpelstiltskin to break his curse. Belle looked down at Rumpel with a slight smile, and he looked up in time to see it. He knew she has something planned and began smiling as well. Ever the brave one, Belle put her arm around him and rubbed his shoulders. Surprisingly, he relaxed a bit.

"Of course she can, but first she'd have to have friends."

His words made the Queen flinch but only for a moment."I see you had no trouble making one."

At that, he laughed."No trouble? This girl has caused me nothing but trouble."

Belle smiled to herself and thumped Rumpel's temple."You love it. Without me you'd be bored like you were before."

He pulled her closer, and smiled cheekily up at her."You do add an element of excitement to my life. For that, I am grateful."

"As you should be."

Their smiles mirrored each others, both equally mischievous. They were admitting their feelings for each other and irritating the Evil Queen in the process. Rumpelstiltskin could feel her anger resonating from across the room. Regina was too easy sometimes.

"So the rumors are true. Beauty truly is with the Beast, willingly no less."

"If you wanted the truth about the rumors, you could have asked anyone,"Belle accused, still smiling."There are people in the village near here that know just how close we are."

"I just wanted to see for myself. If you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to."

The Dark One tipped his head slightly as black smoke surrounded the Queen before she was gone from sight. Now alone, Rumpelstiltskin's grip on Belle's wast loosened just a bit, and the two looked at each other.

"Her little spy has been watching and told her of us. That is why I cover the mirrors."

"She can see through mirrors?"He nodded gravely."What else can she do?"

"Lots of terrible, horrible things. Almost as much as I can."

"Almost?"

"I have more experience than she, but she is a quick study. You must be very careful from now on Belle. She knows of us and would stop at nothing to see the both of us dead or worse. I will continue to protect you kingdom as long as your father does nothing foolish."

"He won't."

However, there was no force behind her words. Part of her knew that her father would act foolishly. He may be even crazy enough to side with the Queen to get her back. Rumpel expected the same thing.

"And if he does?"

He hated asking that. If she had to chose between hm and her father, he knew which one she'd pick. Belle saw the sadness in his eyes and immediately knew what he was thinking. She rested her head on his shoulder and began drawing lazy circles on his other arm.

"Then you will be free from your debt and have me as well."

He tilted his head slightly to look at her, but her eyes told him that she was not lying."Then again, maybe I should let Maurice come."

She smacked his shoulder softly."You're terrible. I can't let my father's soldiers get slaughtered by you and Draco just so you can have me with no strings attached."

He grinned evilly at her."You'll have make it worth my while, dearie."

"I think have one way."

Without warning, she lunged forward and kissed him. I was short enough not to change him but long enough to make a statement. Draco saw them at let out a stream to flame from his nose happily. The couple broke apart and looked at him, still grinning.

"I guess he was waiting for us to finally kiss as much as I was,"Belle said.

Still confused, Rumpel spoke,"You were waiting?"

"Yes, but you were so oblivious, I had to take matters into my own hands."

"Well, feel free to do it again anytime, dearie. I was trying to be a gentleman."

"Don't. Just be you, alright?"

Rumpelstiltskin merely nodded and realized then that he truly loved her. He'd tell her later so as not to scare her now, but he had a feeling already she knew.

TBC