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.

"For the last time, Emma, I'm fine," Belle snapped. "Nothing happened last night."

The librarian was silently cursing the fact that they'd been banished to a small town. Nothing was a secret here. If one person knew something, the entire town would in a few hours. Last night, a few neighbors had spotted a man in black entering the Gold's house. By noon the next day, the entire town knew, and a few people had even called the sheriff.

"We're just worried, Annie. There are a lot of people who don't like Gold," Ruby said.

"And I want to know if I have to come pick up a body," Emma piped up.

Belle sighed. "There's no body to pick up, Emma. No one broke in. It was just my husband coming in late. All his suits are dark, so whoever saw him probably thought it was burglar."

Thankfully, her friends bought it, and Ruby brought her lunch to-go. Belle paid her and quickly headed towards Mr. Gold's shop. Gold looked up when she passed through the curtain and took a seat across from him.

"You need to be more careful. The neighbors spotted you and told Emma."

He grabbed the bag from her and reached inside. "Just tell her that I was coming home late."

"Don't worry. I did. I've been around you long enough to know how to twists words."

Gold chuckled as her passed her one of the burgers from the bag and took the other. "You have learned something from me after all. I'm so proud."

"You're just a terrible influence. Last night was proof of that."

"Oh sure, blame me," he said, rolling his eyes. "Maybe next time you'll choose a better scenario. I'm not complaining about last night, but I will rat you out and say that it was your idea if we get caught."

Belle blushed. Fantasy Night may have been her idea, but he'd readily agreed to it. After the first three years under the curse, Belle had come up with a way to keep their marriage exciting. Whenever boredom crept up on one of them, that person would leave the other a note. On the note were instructions that the receiver had to follow that evening.

Last night's instructions had involved Gold dressing up as a burglar and breaking into his own house. The events that followed had forced Belle to wear a jacket the entire day and made Gold limp a bit more than usual, but neither one of them complained.

"Like yours are any better. Do you know how long it took me to find that French maid uniform?"

An evil smile formed on Gold's lips at the memory. "You enjoyed it just as much as I did. If only they'd existed in our world."

Belle flicked a French fry at him. "Pervert."

He quickly caught it in his mouth and grinned at her. "You wouldn't have had to wear it everyday. Besides, I didn't complain when you had me wear the Cabana boy outfit and made me your slave."

She smiled innocently at him. "To be fair, it was hot that day, and I had to find some way to get you out of the suit."

Mr. Gold wasn't buying it but dismissed it and reached into his jacket. He pulled out a small envelope only to pull it away when Belle reached for it. "Don't open it until you get to the library."

Belle did not like the sound of that or the evil gleam in his eyes but promised not to open it.

Upon reaching the library, Belle took a seat behind the reception desk and opened the envelope. She quickly pulled out a single letter and started reading. As she read, her face turned redder, and her eyes got wider. He was crazier and more perverted than she'd originally thought.

Damn you, Rum and you obsession with leather. You're lucky I love you.

TBC

I'll leave what the letter says up to you guys. ;)