"Viol- Someone told me they have balls like that every night," Henry had comment at breakfast the next day, "Do you think they'll have another tonight?"

"I'm not sure, kid," Emma glanced across the breakfast room at the petite brunette, "Since when did you start liking parties?"

"I don't know, they're okay I guess," Henry flushed before moving to sit next to a young Camelot girl.

Sure enough, Henry had been right. After a day of pretending that Regina was a savior, and helping her pour over enchant tomes about Merlin, Emma found herself in the ball room again.

"So frivolous, isn't it?" a voice trilled behind her.

Emma stilled, forcing herself not to turn to talk with the Dark One. She felt defeated after her kiss with Hook last night. Nothing had changed, she was still the Dark One, apparently even True Love's Kiss couldn't save her. Unless Hook wasn't...

She shook away those thoughts.

"All the pomp and frills, dancing and lying- one wave of your hand and it could all be gone," the Dark One tempted, "Or maybe, you could free the wizard and show everyone who the real savior is."

"No," Emma gritted her teeth, "Regina can do it. She can free Merlin."

"If you saw so," the consciousness resembling Rumpelstiltskin didn't sound convinced, but soon his attention was elsewhere, "Well, well, well, look at that delicious treat."

Turning to where he motioned, Emma flushed, seeing Belle. She wore the same dress she had the night before, white and flowing and completely bearing her shoulders and collarbone. So much pale skin, Emma's breath caught in her throat.

"I don't think anyone in this room would deny a night with her," the Dark One whispered.

"N-no," Emma breathed, "I would think not."

"Even you seem taken by her," he continued, "She came here to help, to help you, leaving her own sleeping husband behind."

The blonde shook her head, "Yeah, well, like you said, she has a husband."

"Come, come, dearie, a little taste won't hurt anything. Ask her to dance, to walk with you in the garden. She's a very- hm- satisfactory companion, and not just in bed," he giggled at the last part.

Emma grumbled something about how bed wasn't what she had planned, but paced over to Belle anyway.

"You look, um, kinda lonely?" she offered.

Belle smiled, "Oh you know me, kind of a wall flower," she held up her glass case, rose inside.

Emma chuckled, "Hey, do you want to go for a walk or something? I heard that there were some gardens and it's stuffy in here."

"I'd love to," Belle took Emma's arm, "I've been dancing with Leroy, but, between you and me, he tends to step on my feet."

Emma grinned, already feeling better as they left the din of the ballroom behind. Waving their way through the gardens, she listened as Belle talked about what she'd found searching the library. But when they approached a bench, Emma interrupted.

"Do you mind if we sit? These shoes are killing me," she said.

"Oh, of course!" Belle dropped down onto the bench, smoothing her skirts around her.

Emma eased down, "I, um, haven't gotten used to these big dresses yet."

"Yes, they do take some time," Belle agreed, oblivious to the Dark One consciousness that had appeared on the other side of her.

He straddled the bench, moving close to her. Emma moved closer on Belle's other side, telling herself that she was protecting her.

"I won't hurt her," the Dark One murmured, touching Belle's hair, "You don't have to worry about me."

He ducked his head, laying phantom kisses on Belle's throat. She shivered.

"Are you cold? Should we go inside?" Emma asked, glaring at the Dark One.

"N-no, I'm fine. It just felt like- nevermind," Belle smiled, "It's nothing I'm sure."

"Touch her," whispered the Dark One, "She's starving for attention- affection."

Emma unconsciously brushed a piece of dark hair away, exposing Belle's neck.

"How do you do it?" she asked.

"Do what?"

"Love him, love Rumpelstiltskin, with all his darkness," Emma breathed.

"I could see beyond the darkness, beyond the curse. Behind all the scales and giggles, he was just a man, really, one who needed to be shown love," Belle clutched the glass jar to her chest.

Emma traced the curve of Belle's shoulder as the Dark One continued to gently kiss her.

"Belle, you're so-" kind, loving, good were the words that came to mind but Emma finished with, "Beautiful."

Belle looked up at the blonde and smiled, "Thank you, you look lovely tonight as well, although I miss the flower crown."

Emma shrugged.

"I should probably head back," Belle said, after a moment of silence, "If you need anything or have any more issues sleeping, my door is always open."

"Thanks," replied Emma as she watched Belle glide away.

The Dark One consciousness slid closer to her on the bench, "I can make you a deal."

"I don't want your deals,"

"But you want Belle," he grinned, "I'll help you seduce her, if I get a turn in her bed once you've had a go."

Emma narrowed her eyes, before growling and storming away.

But she didn't say no.