Thank you all! Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape, Grace5231973 (that's right, Zoso), .370, tigger64, Monica Kyler, thedoctorsgirl42 (oh, you have no idea how right you are!), Br0k3n Ang3l, maizeblue7, Byoken, jjxox8d (I did ponder doing it, but then it would be Jefferson's chipped cup, so...didn't do it), TygTag (yes, Zoso).

I do not own Once Upon a Time

Chapter 22 – Day 11: Closure

It was getting late. Rumpelstiltskin and Belle were tired of walking around and decided to head back to Bram's wagon. Merchants and sales folk were starting to close for the night, so the streets were slowly becoming empty. On their way back, they met the children, who were playing with the local kids.

"Bram's still busy for a while, but I already have everything we need." Rumpelstiltskin told his son.

Gretel stared a suspicious at the man, but saw absolutely no signs of anger anymore. Actually, there was nothing visible in Rumpelstiltskin that would denounce his torments of the day, besides some paleness, which could be easily associated with tiredness.

"Are we leaving tomorrow?" Baelfire asked regretfully. He would have enjoyed staying a bit longer at Bram's. But his father nodded, washing away any hope of a longer stay.

"The war is getting closer. The earlier we leave the better." Baelfire understood his father's point and nodded, although with much sorrow. He didn't like the idea of leaving his friends behind in dangerous times. "I'm going back to the wagon. If you want, you can stay around here. I'll send Bram later on to fetch you once he's back." He said grinning. He'd make the woodman walk endless miles, if he could, after the stunt he did. His son happily agreed and quickly returned to the game.

Rumpelstiltskin was of course reminded of his wife, once they reached the wagon. Belle looked with some apprehension at the woman who was busy tiding up her stall. The cripple was staring at the mother of his son, with a thoughtful expression.

"Wait a while here. I need to talk to her." He suddenly said. Belle tried to protest but the man interrupted her. "It's okay. I'm not going to do her anything. I just need…You just stay here. Okay?" Belle looked still a bit worried but let him leave. It was after all his own problem and she could understand he wanted to get rid of whatever was stuck in his chest (and she could only imagine how tormented that was). Belle sat on the wagon, never taking her eyes of the broken couple, her fingers fidgeting around the red rose.

"Long time no see." Milah jumped of fright as she recognized the distinctive melodic accent. She turned around looking pale and absolutely surprised. She never expected her husband to actually have the guts and come talk with her. "Oh, don't work yourself up. I'm not doing anything to you. You can thank Bram for that." The cripple quickly dismissed, unable to hide the annoyance in his voice. She sighed silently of relieve, but looked rather uncomfortable. "Look. I just wanted to make one thing clear." Rumpelstiltskin said in an undisputable manner, which was totally unfamiliar to Milah. "The day you left me and Bae for that…that…" Rumpelstiltskin closed his eyes for a second, holding his anger so he wouldn't start shouting. "That day you died." He coldly said, the anger audible in his voice. He opened his eyes and stared into hers with such determination, that Milah actually felt some fear. "So, you stay away from my son." He ordered adding no space to discussion. The woman swallowed dry and nodded. Rumpelstiltskin seemed to be satisfied with this, turned his back and started walking away.

"Rumpelstiltskin!" Milah called in a gasp. He turned around inquisitively. She walked a few steps closer. "I- I'm really sorry." This time it was the cripple who stared surprised, not expecting to hear those words coming out of her. "It was unfair for you…"

"Unfair? You have no idea what unfair is! Do you know how it feels to have your wife taken from you and not being able to do anything against it?"

"Come on Rumple. It was not like we loved each other!"

"We had a son together! You had responsibilities! You could at least have tried!" Rumpelstiltskin raised his voice, years of suppressed anger, hurt and frustration boiling up in his chest.

"We would have had a miserable life together!" Milah too shouted at her husband that refused to see how their marriage was lost from day one.

"No. You would have had a miserable life! I would at least have tried. I am happy with my life, as simple and poor as it is. It was always you that wanted more! You and your bloody quest for adventures…What happened with that pirate of yours anyway?"

Milah swallowed hard, controlling herself not to slap her husband. He would never understand how depressed she felt when she had imagined her future with him, deprived of any pleasure of life. He would never understand how the simple life of the spinner's wife, of motherhood and poverty would have eaten her up. How empty it felt to her. He would never understand how Killian's stories and adventures brought light back into her sad life. How she felt in love with the pirate's clear eyes and persona. How lonely she felt now that he was gone.

"We were separated during an incident…Killian ended up in Neverland, believing I'm dead." She mournfully said.

"How sad. My condolences."

This time Milah did slap Rumplestiltskin. His sarcasm had just been too much. She watched him turn his face to her, a strange glint in his eyes that made him look both mad and fearsome. She had hit with such a force, her fingers stayed marked on his pale features. Meanwile, Belle had almost jumped from the wagon when she saw Milah slap, but stopped herself from running to them. Rumplestiltskin had asked her to stay. And he had not backed out after the slap, so she figured out the confrontation was still on. Belle knew she had no right to get in between, so she continued watching them closely, from a distance.

"You know." Rumplestiltskin said with a rather calm tone. "You are right. We would have made a lousy couple. Actually, I'm glad I raised Bae on my own." The spinner spoke in a cool but dangerous tone. "At least I made sure he grew up happy." There followed a heavy silence, as the couple stared in each other's eyes. Milah was terrified, never having seen this side of Rumpelstiltskin, not even during their hottest discussions. "Now, if you will excuse me…" He turned his back to Milah and walked away. After a few steps he turned around. "Oh, and don't forget. You stay away from him." He said still sounding threatening. He returned hastily to the wagon, leaving his wife behind, who had fallen silent. Rumpelstiltskin felt really tired, but somehow relieved. He finally had confronted her. He could finally close this chapter of his life.

"I'm exhausted." He complained.

"After such a day, no wonder." Belle retorted tentatively.

She would have died to know what they talked about, but she had been too far away to catch word. But then again, she knew it was not her place. This was something between Rumpelstiltskin and Milah. Belle looked at the woman in question and noticed her staring at them. The beauty glared at her direction and must have had effect, since the woman returned to the closing of her stall. Rumpelstiltskin meanwhile had laid down on the wagon and was already half dozing. He felt dizzy from all the intense feelings that plagued him today. Belle stared lovingly at him, holding the red rose on her hand. She had considered telling him the truth today, especially after her short confrontation with Bram. But she had not had the heart to do so. Rumpelstiltskin had such a tumultuous day that she thought he probably would react badly at the news. She felt so unsecure, especially because of Rumpelstiltskin's negative opinions about the court and mainly, about her father. She sighed and wished things could be easier. But she knew she had to tell him, sooner or later. It was not an option anymore. Tomorrow they will leave to Snowland. It will be the three of them again. The moment opportunity presents itself, she will tell him everything. That Belle promised herself. Now she would have to be sure Bram will not give her in.

Rumpelstiltskin dozed off perhaps half an hour and woke up with Bram's loud voice. He lifted his head and blinked several times at the sight before him. Bram had a small handcar full of supplies for the coming weeks. Such image made Rumpelstiltskin's heart sink. The little hope he had in Bram leaving the kingdom died right at that moment. He got up and descended the wagon.

"A bit soon to collect for winter, don't you think so?" The cripple said. Bram only glanced briefly at his friend and started loading. "Do you really think complete isolation is a good idea?"

"Look. Everybody keeps going on about this war! Fear is a contagious thing. The war is in a very early stadium. I mean, it could be over in a short time. Who knows? And if things get ugly, I can always leave."

"What if you wait too long? It's too risky!"

"Rumpel. You have your convictions, I have mine. I'm not doing this without thought. But this is what I feel is right. It's my decision."

"What about your children? Don't you worry about their safety? Their future?"

"Of course I do. But as long as we stay together, we'll be okay. Because we are a family."

Rumpelstiltskin groaned defeated. He failed in understanding his friend's point of view, just like Bram failed in understanding his. In the end, they could do nothing more than just accept the situation. So Rumpelstiltskin stood powerlessly watching Bram load. The woodman suddenly froze, when he was about to pick another item. Rumpelstiltskin turned around to see what made him stop. He was absolutely surprised to see Milah walking in their direction. Belle was too shocked, thinking the woman had the nerve. As Milah came closer, the beauty saw immediately Baelfire's resemblances with the woman. The boy had inherited his mother's looks. She wondered how it felt for Rumpelstiltskin to look at his son and be daily reminded of the woman who had left him. The cripple, on the other hand, couldn't imagine what Milah wanted.

"Uhm, Rumpelstiltskin?" She hesitantly called, fidgeting her dress while she looked awkwardly at Bram and the unknown woman. They were both clearly giving her warning looks. She turned to her husband. "You're heading to Snowland, right?"

"Yes. You?" She nodded.

"I'm leaving tonight with a caravan. There are more people traveling to Snowland. And you?"

"Tomorrow, probably in the morning."

"Are you taking the main road too?"

"No, the secondary. It's shorter."

"Isn't it dangerous?"

"Why? Do you think I'll be more exposed to danger than traveling with a big group of people in the most visible path around here?" He cynically said. Milah had to bite her tong, while Bram held his breath. Usually their hideous fights started this way. But the woman managed to sustain her posture and gave a fake smile, much to Rumpelstiltskin's amusement.

"Well, in any case, I wish you a safe travel." She coldly said. "I guess I won't be seeing you again."

"Not if you go to Kriemont." He coldly retorted.

"Or you to Valbir."

They glared at each other defiantly and seemed to come to some unspoken understanding, since they both said their goodbyes, turning their backs to each other. Suddenly, Rumpelstiltskin stopped and turned around.

"Milah." She turned to face him, curious. "Just answer me one question… Why did you leave Bae."Milah shrugged her shoulders and gave him a rare remorseful look.

"I never wanted to be a mother….And I knew from the very beginning you'd be a better parent than I would ever be." She admitted repentantly. She gave him a genuine apologetic smile and waved goodbye. Rumpelstiltskin remained frozen, watching her walk away. His look was of pure disbelief.

"That bitch!" Bram angrily spat.

Rumpelstitlskin and Belle had no time to reply, for they were interrupted by children's voices and laughter. Since everybody was returning home, the children had decided to go back to the wagon. They saw from a distance Rumpelstiltskin talk with the woman of the sweet's stall, but were too far to hear anything. By the time they reached the wagon, she was already far away.

"Do you know that woman, Papa?" Baelfire asked curiously.

"Yes. She lived in our village many years ago." His father neutrally replied.

"Were you friends?" Rumpelstiltskin gave a chuckle.

"Far from that. We couldn't stand each other."

"Pity, it would have been quite a match. She really makes good sweets." Rumplestitlskin grimaced at the boy's joke. If only he knew.

The group made the final preparations to return to Bram's. Baelfire, had noticed the rose. He grinned happily and stared at his father with excited eyes.

"Don't get any ideas." Rumpelstiltskin mumbled trying to sound upset, much to his son's amusement. But Baelfire let him be. He knew his father had been a long time alone and was terribly shy. He was glad things were finally developing between the pair, even if it was going more slowly than he wished for.

Meanwhile, Belle had managed to talk with Bram unnoticed. The woodcutter had not hidden his disapproval when she begged him to keep her secret. She promised to tell the truth in their way to Snowland. Bram stared from the rose on her hand to her pleading eyes and gave in. But made her promise to really reveal her identity to Rumpelstiltskin and Baelfire. He couldn't help to think it was wrong he was holding such a secret, but he knew he had not the heart to break the news to his best friend. It would only hurt Rumpelstiltskin and Belle. So he kept his silence.

They left when the skies were starting to change into pinks and purples, announcing nightfall. Clever eyes followed the wagon that became smaller and smaller as it distanced itself .Their departure was being closely watched by an old man with a long hooded cape. The man grinned, almost maliciously, revealing his gap in his mouth.

"Until we meet again." He whispered and vanished immediately in the thin air.

Zoso! The Dark One! But he will not appear for a very long time... I'll keep him in reserve.

I enjoyed putting something of /Dark on Rumpel's tone. And do I have the feeling I made Milah even worse than in the show? I can't believe there are people defending her. Poor woman, she was not in love, so she got depressed and run away with a pirate...A hot pirate, but, to leave a child behind? These people are mad or awful (future) parents themselves. Althoug, I do think Rumple did go too far in ripping her heart. But he's the dark one, so...what to expect?

Enough rambling.

Review and till the next chapter ;)