She carved. She dipped the wood in warm water, bending it into a circle. She wrapped the string around the frame. And again. And again.

It slowed the voice, dimmed. After ten or so dream catchers Emma couldn't hear the Dark Curse's Rumpelstiltskin like trill anymore.

But she could still feel the hum and pull of the dagger.

She went to it, the voices encouraging- take it, take it, use your magic, take it takeittakeittakeittakie-

"No!" Emma screamed, a burst of magic shooting from her hands.

It nearly hit Belle.

"Emma! Are you okay?" Belle rushed to her side, "Is it the curse? Does it want the dagger?"

"I hear him everywhere," Emma whispered, hugging the brunette tightly. Then she fainted.

A half hour later, Emma's parents, Hook, Henry, and Regina were gathered around as Emma lay on her bed, head in Belle's lap.

"Obviously, I need to move the dagger," Regina said, "Hide it, so Emma isn't tempted."

"We all have demons, love," the pirate said, looking down at the Dark One, "It's just a matter of resisting them."

"Being cursed is a little different than 'having demons,'" Belle said.

"And what makes you such an expert?" Hook demanded.

"Maybe the fact that she's married to the last Dark One?" Regina suggested.

"Maybe we should all stop arguing for a minute and figure out what would be best for Emma," Mary Margret said, clasping her husband's hand for support.

"We should give the dagger to King Arthur, you know, for safe keeping. He might even have a way to get rid of the darkness once and for all," Charming said.

"What about Merlin?" Belle asked.

"Well, that tree outside hasn't exactly been the most helpful," Hook said.

"No! We can't give the dagger to Arthur!"Mary Margret cried, "We can't be sure he's trust worthy! And..."

"And what?" Charming asked, "He was a great help when we went to find the magic mushroom!"

Regina snorted, "And look how well that turned out."

"It's just..." Mary Margret hesitated, "It's just that Lancelot says we shouldn't trust him."

"Lancelot? Lancelot died, Mary Margret," Charming said.

"No! I saw him!"

"Well, were is he then?"

"In hiding! He can't exactly be out and about what with what happened between him a Guinevere!"

"Because stealing another man's wife is a completely trustworthy move!" Charming cried.

Belle looked pointedly at Hook, but he didn't notice.

"As much as I'd like to keep this episode of Jerry Springer going, shouldn't we focus on the matter at hand?" Regina snapped, "Look, I'll hide the dagger until we can find out where the King stands, and you-" she looked down at Belle- "Make sure Emma's alright."

"I have some place we can go," Henry offered, "If you want some place quiet."

Emma was still, staring off into space. Belle gently touched the blonde's hair, "That sounds perfect, Henry."

As they walked to the horse stables, Emma kept hold of Belle's hand, looking over her shoulder every once and a while. Belle, for her part, tried to keep the butterflies out of her stomach. It was nearly impossible though, thanks to a less than appropriate dream she'd had several nights ago. Ever since then, she'd dreamed of both the Dark One and the Dark Curse in a scandalous way.

"Here we are," Henry said, ushering them into the stable.

"And you just, came upon these stables one day?" Belle asked.

"No, they belong to my friend, uh, Violet," Henry said, reddening a little as he said the name.

"Violet?" Emma seemed to snap out of her trance, "Who's that?"

"Just a friend!" Henry said.

"Hello? Who's there?" a young, female voice came from outside.

"Quick, hide!" cried Henry, shooing Belle and Emma behind some bales of hay. From there they watched Henry talk to the pretty, young girl, before leaving with her.

"A girlfriend?" Emma was astounded, "Did he think I wouldn't find out? I'm the Dark One."

"And his mother," Belle offered, "Which might be scarier. Maybe this is his way of telling you."

"Maybe," Emma's was still watching the door, "What are we going to do?"

"We could go for a ride," Belle gestured to the horses, "That always helped me clear my mind when I was younger."

"Are you sure?" Emma asked as Belle lead a horse outside, "I don't think it likes me."

"Well, that's obvious, dearie," the Curse trilled behind her. Emma jumped, turning.

"Hey," Belle grabbed her hand, "Hey, don't look at him, okay? Look at me. You can do this."

Belle mounted the horse, then offered Emma her hand, "Trust me."

Carefully, Emma mounted the horse, ignoring the Curse's taunts. Once she was ready, Belle started them off at the quick trot, before galloping through the forest. Emma clung to her friend's waist.

"I-I didn't exp-pect you ride s-so fast!" Emma chattered as they barreled through the forest.

"It's more fun this way!" Belle cried in response, flashing Emma an excited grin as they rode.

They neared a clearing, and Belle slowed. Emma dismounted and looked out over a meadow full of rose-like flowers.

"How are you feeling?" Belle asked, picking a rose and handing it to Emma, "Aren't these pretty?"

"They are," Emma smiled, "And I am feeling better."

"Can you still hear the voices?" inquired the brunette.

"No," Emma drew closer to her, "Not at all. Thank you, Belle."

Emma leaned down, moving to kiss Belle on the cheek, but at the last second, Belle turned, kissing Emma on the mouth.