Although I could sense out anyone no matter where they were, it was harder when said being was out at sea. With the sea as vast and empty as it was it made it more difficult to pinpoint where Hook would be. However I also knew that Hook can never resist a town with plenty of ale and treasures to steal. I would have to wait for him to make port.

I was also beginning to plan ahead. Once Belle kissed me I knew that my curse would fade away. It was going to be difficult to give up, magic was an addiction. Belle, on the other hand had far more to offer me than magic ever will. If I could have Belle I'd never have to be alone again. Although the feeling of power was thrilling, the village coward now instilled such a fear in peoples hearts. I also knew that once my enemies found out that I had lost my powers countless would come after me, including Regina.

So I devised a plan, once I got Belle I would have to prolong a kiss. I would have to take her away from here, far away where no one would ever find us. I have often heard rumors of other worlds and I knew ways of getting there, I've just never had a reason until now.
In gaining Belle meant that I would lose my power, meaning I would lose Baelfire for good.

No. No, there had to be another way. I will just have to add that to my list of things to search for.

I spent days wandering up the coast line knowing that Hook would never go to far in land. No pirate ships were spotted along the coast or in the towns. Days turned into weeks, I was growing more desperate. The pleasant dreams of Belle and I together flooded my dreams only to turn dark and horrible. Every time I would wake from these nightmares I would jump from my bed and continue on.
After nearly a month of searching, I over heard some unruly men talking in a pub. They were speaking of a pirate with a hook for a hand.

"Hook is starting to kidnap young women, hes starting a new business. Every time he comes to a city he offers his best women for a price," One man stated.

The thought of Hook prostituting Belle to another made me want to light the world on fire. I had to find her.

I turned to the men and asked, "and do you gentlemen know the where about of Hook?"

"We don't answer to the dark one monster," another said with a disgust look.

"Like you're any better Rumpelstiltskin? I've heard rumors that you once did the same for profit," a third said to him.

"How's this for a profit?" I asked pulling out a small coin purse I had on my hip and poured a large amount of gold coins onto the table,

"Where is Hook?"

The men were all in shock from all the shine that now covered the table. Finally one spoke up, "I heard he was stopping in Tortuga. Theres a great profit for whores there."

I disappereared out of the pub leaving the drunken men behind. I had to collect my thoughts. Tortuga, if Belle was there it was no doubt that she needed him desperately. Tortuga was fill of nothing but pirates, thieves, and cads. There were no rules in Tortuga, that's why anyone not strong enough to hold their own soon fell to the pirates and thieves. It was true pirate country, but that wasn't what feared me. What feared me was that my Belle was there.

Tortuga was an island off on its own, therefore I couldn't use my magic to reappear onto the island. The sea had a certain magical quality to it that only another magic could feel. It interfered with mine making it difficult to route. I would need to find a passage. I just had to be closer to Tortuga than I was now, I knew no sailor would take me all the way up to the docks. Not unless I sailed with fellow pirates or mad men. Neither was an option at the moment.

I paid off a noble captain, a trader, to take me near the coast.

"Where about you heading to?" the captain asked.

"Tortuga," I replied starring out to the sea.

"Tortuga? Are you mad?" the captain yelled.

"Of course dearie! I'm the dark one," I laughed. Of course I was mad, mad with guilt, anger and love. My cowardice was no where to be found. Because I came to realize that as much of a coward as I am, I'm more afraid of Belle loosing her life over loosing mine. I'd gladly face my death if it meant she'd go free. Besides Baelfire, no other has ever made me feel this way.

The captain and the crew feared me, of course. My appearance and reputation knows no boundaries. The pained look in their faces only reminded me of how Belle never looked at me in such way. I mostly stayed in my quarters, the captain so graciously gave me my own cabin to reside it.
It was late night the ship had stopped sailing for the evening. Everyone was asleep, the ship rocked gently as the waves hit the ship pushing it around. I couldn't sleep, I cant take anymore of seeing Belle when I knew it was a lie. Hearing her screams and seeing her disappear. I needed to sleep to build of the strength but I simply couldn't. Then something in the air had was tracking me, another magic. I prepared to face Regina, I figured it would be her. When I sat up on my bed however, it was Cora. Regina's distant mother, my apprentice, and my old lover.

"Rumple, what are you doing?" Cora asked with her displeased motherly look, "chasing down pirates for some girl?"

"How did you get here?" I questioned. The ship was to far from a shore, she couldn't have reappeared her.

"I was on a passing ship and I sensed you," Cora answered stepping closer to me, "I wanted to see you."
She placed her hand on my face making me go stiff. Her hand was cold, nothing like holding Belle's in my dreams.

"Leave her Rumple, Tortuga is crawling with your enemies. You'd be walking into a blood bath," Cora warned with worry in her eyes.
I moved her hand away, still unafraid of whatever was waiting in Tortuga, "sounds terribly fun."

"I'm serious Rumple I don't want to see you fall for something as pitiful as a girl," Cora said getting closer to me.

I froze again, not really knowing what she was planning. I didn't have much time to react.

Cora leaned into me slowly, she placed her lips on mine and it was like...nothing. The one time Belle kissed me it was like honey and the magic started to fade, it made me feel like a man again. The feeling of Cora on me, all I could get out of her is that she tasted like blood and I still felt like a monster. Nothing pleasing about it at all.

Cora tried to press her advantage but I had to stop her, "I have no interest in you anymore dearie."

"Why? You and I could have become the most powerful rulers in all the land," Cora pointed out.

"So that everyone can fear us and hate us like you daughter?" I replied.

"Who cares what they think, just so long as we're in power," Cora purred.

"In case you haven't noticed dearie love is power."

"What makes you say that? Love is weakness."

"If love is so weak then why hasn't Regina killed off Charming and Snow?"

"Because my daughter is not like you or me, if I wanted to I could kill them without a second glance," Cora said with her eyes changing a shade darker.

"Leave Cora, I don't have time for you right now," I scowled at her and layed back down on the bed.

Cora got onto the bed and got on top of me. I tried to push her off but she grabbed my wrists and pinned me down. I tried to resist her but even I am just a man.

"C'mon Rumple, show me just how dark you can really be..." Cora said whispering in my ear.

I couldn't take it anymore, I pushed her off of me with all I could and screamed, "No!"

When I pushed her off she disappeared and she was gone. This was the first time since Belle had left that I allowed myself to cry. I haven't felt as alone as I do now, I needed Belle here with me more than ever. I made a promise to myself to never upset Belle again, to never leave her again. I would prove to her that I could be a better man.