I cannot thank you enough for all of the hits, the feedback, and the all-around positive response to this story. Please do keep it coming, and welcome to any new readers I've picked up along the way – hopefully there will be more with this one, please let me know!

I also love those of you who have been telling me about how much you love this in comparison to Notting Hill, or that you've actually watched or re-watched NH because of this fanfic. I'm honored to pay homage here to that great movie and I'm really trying to be faithful to it while still adding my own twists to the story.

Just in case anyone was curious as to how I picture Nick and Belle in this story to look – well, I picture Nick to look the way that Robert looks at your average public event that's not formal, such as Comic Con or Paley fest, etc. Jeans, button down shirts – he's left the business world but he still likes to have a nice appearance, albeit casual. And Belle – well she would look like Emilie would look at her average public appearance. Just FYI for some images.

This chapter is ALL Rumbelle, nothing BUT Rumbelle, and the story will move forward after this one. But I wanted this to happen first. REALLY trying to earn that 'M' rating here, and not just for the cursing.

I do not own 'Once Upon a Time.'

Chapter 9

"Here you are." Nick said, handing Belle, who was sitting on the sofa, a cup of hot tea.

"Thank you." Belle said. "I just didn't know where else I could go. My hotel is surrounded by paparazzi and I just can't deal with that right now."

"It's alright. You're right where you need to be." Nick said, sitting down next to her.

"You're probably wondering about the pictures." Belle said.

"It's really not my business, Belle." Nick said. "Nor is it anyone else's – I'm just sorry for you, you don't deserve this."

"They're not fake." Belle said, hanging her head, ashamed. "But it's not what you think. I was young – I had just turned eighteen, and I just arrived in Los Angeles from Australia. My agent in Melbourne was supposed to connect me with an LA agent but that fell through. I was very naïve about the business back then. I was living in a crappy apartment and I got a job working in a restaurant to make some money but – it wasn't enough. I could barely pay my rent and I was too embarrassed to ask my father for help – he was against me going anyway, and this just would have proved him right."

"Well anyway, one evening this man came into the restaurant and I waited on him – I overheard him talking about being a photographer and I told him that I was a petite model back in Melbourne and was looking for work. He said he was interested – he seemed legitimate, had business cards and everything. But when I got there he – he wanted some topless shots. He took other shots too – he somehow convinced me that this was normal in LA, and that it would be in good taste – Nick I was young, I was stupid, and I was so poor and I needed the money and I said I would do it. He only took a few shots and I then I just got nervous and I left – but he got enough. A couple of weeks later my agent in Australia hooked me up with Mulan – that had fallen through at first but there was this new television network and a whole wave of teen shows becoming popular and she took a second look at my head shots and thought I might have potential if I could act. And then I got River's Road. I told her about the photos and she said she'd take care of it. They never surfaced – until now."

"Do you think she would have leaked them?" Nick asked.

"No – no, she's too good, she's one of the best managers in Hollywood, this will affect her career as much as mine. Leroy might have done it though. He knew." Belle said. "I made the mistake of telling him when I took him on as my agent – I thought he was my friend."

"Yes – he seems to be enough of a weasel to do something like that." Nick said. "Belle I'm so very sorry about this."

"Leroy was pretty angry with me. Tyler dragged me off to meet with him the morning after – well after what happened at the hotel. Leroy tried to convince me to take him back – turns out the only reason he fixed Tyler and I up was to try and get us to do a film together. Tyler wants to break away from the action genre – the idiot actually thinks he can act, which is laughable. If you've ever seen any of his movies his dialogue is limited to barely two sentences at a time. Apparently if he removes his shirt every other scene that's enough to sell tickets at the box office. I told them both in no uncertain terms to go to hell and Leroy told me once again that I'd be sorry for doing that. I'm guessing this is what he meant."

"Oh, Belle – I really am sorry." Nick said, and he reached out to touch her arm just as her cell phone rang. Belle looked at the caller ID and answered it.

"Hi. Yeah, I'm okay. No, I'm – the hotel was a madhouse. I'm staying with a friend. Yes." Belle said, pausing between each sentence. She paused and giggled a bit after the last reply. "I know. No. Okay, maybe. I really don't know, Philip. I just need to figure all of this out. I think I'm gonna turn off my phone, but I'll call you tomorrow, alright? I love you, too." Belle hung up the phone.

"So – that was your boyfriend Philip, I take it?" Nick asked.

"You're reading the gossip rags now? Since when?" Belle asked.

"Ruby sends me things. She's a bit – upset with you." Nick said.

"I'm sorry." Belle said, looking down.

"So – you and this Philip fellow – is it serious?" Nick asked. Belle took a final sip of tea, set the cup down on the end table, and started to laugh.

"Oh, I cannot believe we got away with that for three years and we're doing it again. And Leroy says I can't act." Belle said. "Nick – I'm Philip's beard."

"His what?" Nick asked.

"His beard. Philip is gay." Belle told him.

"Really? You're kidding." Nick said. "I saw some pictures you looked – pretty cozy together."

"That's the point. It keeps the paparazzi happy and they leave both of us the hell alone." Belle said. "Philip starred with me in my second movie. We hit it off immediately – we like a lot of the same music, same films, we have a similar sense of humor – I kind of figured things out with him when we were filming our first love scene and he seemed more interested in ogling the cameraman than me in a body suit. So I asked him and he fessed up. We became pretty close friends – he's probably the only real friend I have in Hollywood."

"After the whole debacle with Sean and Ashley, I really wasn't interested in seeing anyone, but unfortunately in Hollywood the press can't stand it if you don't show up at events with someone on your arm. God forbid you should be allowed to be single. Mulan was always setting me up with people – actors, models – just to have someone to be with. Well, when our movie premiered, Philip and I decided to go together – he was and still is pretty deep in the closet, really only a handful of people know – and when one of the press corps asked me if I was seeing anyone, Philip blurted out that it was time everyone knew we were an item and he planted a big kiss on me right there. Well, the press went insane. I thought it was hilarious but we went out to dinner and talked about it the next day and decided why the hell not. They did the same crap to him anyway. If it was so important for us to have a significant other, then we'd give them that. So this way, they left us both alone. We enjoyed being together so it wasn't a chore to go on 'dates' with him and attend events with him. We took vacations together – I got to do some sightseeing and he would meet his boyfriend in the hotel. It was a brilliant arrangement all around. Even had Mulan fooled – it was almost two years before she found out, and that only happened because she stopped by my house and saw him with his boyfriend out by my pool."

"So after three years of this the press started clamoring for more. Why weren't we married or at least living together, why no baby, blah, blah, blah – we realized we had to stop the ruse. So we 'broke up' but remained friends. Then we both went back to a few years of fake set-ups, and then Leroy introduced me to Tyler. Tyler was nice enough at first but – my god, the more time we spent together the more I realized what an absolute dolt he was. Total idiot. He doesn't read, unless you count comic books, and even those I think he just looks at the pictures. He doesn't care about anything that's going on in the world and his level of vanity is unreal – I think he's had more lipo than the entire cast of every 'Real Housewives' show combined. I just could not deal with him anymore. I was also pretty sure he was cheating on me. So I just stopped returning his calls. Believe me, when he was at my hotel room I was as shocked as you were to see him there. After you left I told him to get the hell out, and he said he'd already notified the press, which I figured he had. He convinced me to let him stay - I made him sleep on the sofa bed in my room – and if I would make a quick appearance with him outside the hotel that morning, we could find a way to end it quietly, so I agreed. I didn't know he was going to drag me off to meet with Leroy so that pissed me off. Then after I got back to LA I waited a couple of weeks and had my publicist announce our breakup. I asked Philip if he'd like another go at our little game. I had just been offered the part with August Booth and I really didn't want the press hassling me. I figured enough time had passed that it would be believable for Philip and I to get 'back together' as a couple and not just friends, and he thought, why not. So that's pretty much it."

Nick had been listening intently to every word. "So you have to endure this bullshit day in and day out? Do you ever have a private moment in your life?" he asked.

"It's kind of hard to do that. I've tried – I've very rarely succeeded." Belle said. "You know, I'm sorry, I've just been talking and talking about myself here. How have you been?"

"Alright. My life is nowhere near as exciting as yours. Just working at the shop, that's all." Nick said. "Oh – and I'm going to be a grandfather."

"Really? Um – which -"

"Bae, good lord, if Ruby got pregnant I'd be in jail for castrating someone." Nick said. "Emma's about five months along. I already knew when you were here but – they were keeping it quiet at the time. Bae moved out – he got an apartment with Emma."

"So you're living alone now?" Belle asked.

"Yeah, I'm turning his room into a workspace. He just finished getting the last of his things today, actually. He and David are supposed to come over this weekend and help me get my things set up in there. It'll be nice to not have my home equipment cluttering the living room." Nick said.

"Nick, I've thought about you every day. I shouldn't have let you leave like that."

"It was for the best, Belle. You and I both know that." Nick said.

"I wanted to call you. I told Philip all about you. He told me I was an idiot for letting you go." Belle said.

"Really? I was told the same thing by Jefferson." Nick said.

"Well, maybe we're both pretty stupid then." Belle said.

"Maybe we are." Nick agreed.

"You know, I um – it's getting late and I'm kind of tired, I've been working with a dialect coach all day and I really didn't get much sleep last night so -"

"No, of course." Nick said.

"I can sleep out here if that's okay." Belle said.

"Don't be ridiculous you'll sleep in my room." Nick said. Belle gave him a strange look. "I mean – and I'll sleep out here. Let me just go put a fresh set of sheets on for you."

"Nick, I'll be fine out here, really." Belle said.

"No, it'll be more comfortable for you." Nick insisted.

"I don't have anything else to wear but – well this." Belle said, looking down. "All of my clothes are at the hotel and I can't go back there."

"I still have some of those sweats and t-shirts, you can borrow them. And you can wear one of my pajama tops to bed if you'd rather." Nick suggested.

"That'd be fine. Thank you." Belle said. Nick went into his room and came out with some clothes, handing them to Belle.

"Here, you use what you like. Why don't you go change for bed and I'll get my room ready for you."

"Thank you so much, Nick. I don't know what I would have done if you wouldn't let me stay here." Belle said, and she stood up and gave him a hug. Nick trembled when she held him, realizing that he was far from being over her.

The next morning, Nick sat in the kitchen in his pajamas nursing a cup of coffee. He had been awake for most of the night – the thought of Belle in his room overwhelmed him and he just couldn't seem to settle into a good sleep. Coffee would have to get him through the day. He was about to start cooking some breakfast when Belle entered the kitchen wearing one of his pajama tops, her feet bare.

"Good morning." Belle said.

"Good morning. Coffee?" Nick asked.

"Yes, thank you." Belle replied, pouring herself a cup and sitting down with him.

"Did you sleep alright?" Nick asked.

"Mostly. Just kept thinking about those pictures. I'm just worried that August Booth will fire me – this is exactly the kind of thing he doesn't like when he's filming, and we're filming in Ireland, the UK press is even worse than the press here." Belle said.

"Yes, I used to live there, I know how nasty they can be." Nick said.

"I'm going to make some phone calls today, I have a ton of messages and I'm sure Mulan is going into Defcon five mode by now." Belle said.

"I have to go to the shop today – I have a class to teach at ten. Will you be alright here?" Nick asked.

"Yeah – like I said, I'll probably be on the phone all morning. Do you have a land line, I don't even have a phone charger with me." Belle said.

"No, I don't – do you have an iPhone, I have a charger for that." Nick said.

"No, an Android." Belle said.

"Well, I can stop at the store and get you a charger." Nick suggested.

"Oh, would you? That would be lovely. Do you think you can pick up some other things for me? A toothbrush, shampoo and whatnot? I'll make a list for you."

"Yeah – not a problem. I just have to teach my class, Jefferson can run the shop the rest of the day. I'll get us lunch too. Anything particular you'd like?" Nick asked.

"Yeah – is there a good hamburger place around here?" Belle asked.

"Hamburger? Since when do you eat hamburgers, I've been out to dinner with you plenty of times, you eat like a bird." Nick commented.

"I have to gain weight for this role. I still need to put on about five pounds. I can't believe you didn't even notice." Belle said.

"Belle, you were stick thin, a few extra pounds would barely make a dent in you." Nick said.

"Well they will on the camera." Belle said. "Anyway – a burger sounds good. With cheese. Actually extra cheese. Ketchup, mustard – just slop everything on it. And fries. And a large coke. It sounds heavenly." Nick laughed.

"Well, alright then. Hamburger with extra cheese, fries and a coke it is, then." Nick said. He took a sip of his coffee and Belle couldn't help but notice the cup he was drinking it out of.

"It that the cup I broke in your shop?" Belle asked. "The chipped one?"

"Yeah." Nick said, setting the cup down.

"You brought it home?" Belle asked. "I thought you'd throw it away."

"It um – it was the only thing I had to remind me of you." Nick admitted, clearly embarrassed.

"Oh, Nick." Belle said.

"I um – need to shower and get ready to go in to the shop. You make me that list of what you need." Nick got up and set the cup in the sink, then left the room without another word. Belle stood up and walked over to the sink. She picked up the cup and stared at it. She thought he hadn't given her a second thought after he left that night. He was all she thought about. Maybe he felt the same way after all?

"Well thank you so much for lunch Nick, it was wonderful." Belle said.

"It's nice to see you actually eating real food." Nick teased. "You were too thin before – you look perfect now."

"It's the camera – it really does add weight. It's one of the worst things about doing what I do. You can splurge once in awhile but then you have to spend half your life at the gym." Belle said. "At least with this role it doesn't matter, I'm actually enjoying being able to eat what I like without guilt."

"Well, I brought plenty of food for dinner and breakfast tomorrow. You can stay as long as you need to." Nick said.

"I'll stay tonight for sure but – I probably need to go face the world soon. Mulan is doing her best at damage control."

"What about August Booth? Any word from him?" Nick asked.

"No. I've left a message but – he hasn't called. I really hope I haven't blown it with him, I've worked so hard preparing for this role." Belle said. "I really need to spend some time studying my script. Would you like to run lines with me?"

"Sure, I can do that." Nick replied.

"I have to do them in an Irish accent, that won't bother you, will it?" Belle asked.

"I will not confuse you for Killian Jones in the slightest, dear." Nick said, and Belle laughed.

"Well alright then." Belle said, smiling at him.

Belle and Nick spent the majority of the afternoon running lines from her script. Nick cooked dinner for them, and they spent several hours talking and just enjoying one another's company. It was almost as if several months hadn't gone by at all – they just picked up right where they left off, both of them enjoying their time together.

When evening fell, Belle sighed as she looked at the clock. "I should probably get to bed." she said. "You too – you didn't sleep well last night, did you?"

"I was up for a bit." he lied. "I'm fine."

"Well, try and get some rest. I'll see you in the morning." Belle said. She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "Good night." she whispered, and she walked out of the room. Nick watched her intently as she left, but stayed on the sofa and said nothing.

It was nearing 1 a.m., and for the second night in a row, Nick tossed and turned on the sofa, realizing that once again, sleep was going to elude him for most of the night. He'd best stock up on coffee for the next few days if Belle was going to be staying here, he realized. He sighed as he thought about her being here – in his room – in his bed. He closed his eyes to at least attempt to get some rest when he heard a noise from down the hall. He ignored it – she was probably just getting up to use the bathroom, he thought to himself. He heard the footsteps – but they were getting closer. It sounded as if they were in the room with him. Nick opened his eyes and looked up to find Belle standing over him, watching him longingly. "Did I wake you?" Belle asked in a whisper.

"No – couldn't really sleep anyway." Nick said, sitting up.

"Neither could I." Belle said, smiling at him. At least he thought he saw her smiling – the room was dark aside from the moonlight and street lighting that barely crept in from the window. Nick reached for his cane and stood up, moving toward Belle. He reached out and touched her cheek, then moved his hand down toward the pajama top of his that she was wearing. Belle reached for its top button and unbuttoned it, and Nick moved his hand toward hers and unbuttoned the next button on her top. Belle moved forward until her lips met his, and they kissed softly and slowly as Nick continued to move his hand downward, unbuttoning the remainder of buttons. Belle moved away from Nick slightly, and allowed the shirt to fall off of her body and onto the floor. Nick's eyes glanced up and down her body as she stood before him wearing nothing but a pair of lace bikini panties. The light that glistened into the apartment allowed him to see just enough of her to realize how beautiful, how perfect she was.

"Wow." Nick whispered, and he moved to kiss her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed his lips to envelop hers, and his tongue to explore her mouth. He then moved his mouth down her neck, kissing and licking her as she moaned in ecstasy. Belle began to unbutton Nick's pajama top as he had done for her – he quickly helped her do so as they continued to kiss. His cane fell to the floor and he held onto her tightly to balance himself as she removed his shirt. Once his shirt was removed, lying in a heap on the floor next to the one she was wearing, Belle wrapped her arms around him and led him to the bedroom, allowing him to lean on her for balance as he followed willingly.

They entered the bedroom and Belle led him to the bed. Nick sat down on the edge, and Belle climbed onto the bed and knelt behind him, kissing his neck gently.

"Belle." he whispered, closing his eyes. "I – I don't have anything here to use for -" he began.

"I'm on the pill." she whispered, her mouth moving up as she gently flicked her tongue around and inside his ear. Nick turned to face her and kissed her, and he carefully maneuvered himself on top of her as he gently pushed her onto her back. He peppered her body with kisses in a straight line from her neck all the way down her body to the top of her panties, which he moved his hands downward to remove. Belle slid her hands down his waist toward his pajama bottoms and began to pull them downward as well. Nick gradually moved his lips back up her body until he reached her exposed breasts, and he moved his tongue slowly across each one as Belle panted and sighed with exhilaration. She grabbed onto his and hair tugged it gently as he allowed himself to maneuver inside of her. She moaned and trembled as he entered her, and she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his back. Nick pushed her arms back and splayed them across the bed with his, their palms touching, as he thrust himself back and forth inside of her, both of them moaning in rapture as they climaxed together. They relaxed in one another's arms for a bit afterward, and then Belle climbed on top of him, and they explored their passion for one another again, this time with Belle taking the lead.

Their lovemaking was careful and silent and drawn out until both of them were exhausted. Neither of them said a word, but they could feel and sense one another's thoughts as if they had been together for years. Their bodies merged and fit well together, as if they each were made perfectly just for one another.

Belle curled up against the left side of Nick's body, both of them naked. She wrapped her legs around his left leg and lay her head across his bare chest, gently moving her hand up and down it. Nick took his right hand and put her hand in his, and carefully ran the fingers of his left hand through her long, flowing hair.

"I'd like to stay a few more days. If that's alright." Belle said quietly.

"Stay forever." Nick replied in a soft voice. He kissed the top of her head, then closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. In a matter of minutes they were both sound asleep, their bodies entwined and locked together for the remainder of the night.

So um . . . yeah. That happened. :)

By the way, because I'm cheezy and I've watched too many soap operas over the course of my life, I just picture the song "Nothing At All" playing in the background of that last scene, so if you'd like to hear it and join me in the cheezy fun, you can find it on You Tube, just search for "Notting Hill Soundtrack" and then play "Ronan Keating – Nothing At All" – it WILL come up in the search. NH has such an incredible soundtrack and this song just fits well for Rumbelle IMO.

Also – the last line Nick said – stole that from NH, I admit. Although it really fits for Rumbelle too, doesn't it? It was actually THAT line that got me thinking that the movie's plot would be a good fit for our favorite couple. So I just had to use it.