Chapter 54

Regina pulled away from her. She wanted to look into Emma's fiery green eyes. She was shaking herself. She couldn't believe that Emma would just blurt out a question like that with no pretense. She wasn't scared of the question. She loved Emma. She just wondered what prompted her to ask. Was she afraid? Or, did she really mean it? It was a quickly fought war of ideas in her mind.

Emma looked into her darkening eyes. She could see the questions swirling. She mentally slapped herself. She'd picked the wrong time. She should have waited. She was always doing stuff like that with Regina. She hadn't completely thought it through before she acted.

Regina's eyes were swimming and she wasn't happy about it. She should be ecstatic that Emma had proposed, but she wasn't. She wondered if it was because of everything that was going on or if was something truly Emma-esque and she'd gone with her gut.

"Wh-what?" Regina asked, not even trying to hide how taken aback she was.

Emma decided that she couldn't back down now. The question was out there and she wanted an answer. She would have to stand her ground or retract it, which she wasn't going to do. In true, stubborn Charming fashion, Emma mentally dug her heels in and prepared for the fight that was about to ensue and the fight of her life as she once again would have to prove her love to Regina.

"Will you marry me?" she asked again.

Regina really didn't know what to say. She moved to sit up on the mattress. She looked around the room. She looked at everything but Emma. She could feel the blonde's uneasiness at her non-answer, but she couldn't think about marrying Emma at time like this. She had to worry about Coraline.

"Emma, we need to be serious right now," Regina finally stated breaking her silence.

Emma rolled over on the mattress and sat up. She felt her feet hit the hardwood floor and her heart sank. Regina was not in the same place that she was right now. She knew that it was an odd time to bring up such an idea, but she had a plan and she hoped that Regina would get on board with it. Now, she wasn't so sure. She might have to go talk to her father for some pointers on how to woo the Queen into a marriage with her. She knew that happened due to Coraline's memories and such, but she was beginning to question if would actually happen now.

Regina stood up. She began pacing. She noticed that shortly after she had, Emma joined her. For her part, Emma didn't leave the room. She actually moved closer to Regina and Regina wondered what she was thinking. She knew that Emma wasn't going to let her leave until they discussed the situation, but she wanted to deal with the issues of Coraline.

"Regina…"

"No, Emma, we need to deal with Coraline right now. I don't know what you are thinking about, but our daughter is down the hall and she is in trouble. I am sorry that I don't want to be selfish right now and think about us. I am scared for her," Regina stated.

"I am, too."

"Then, why aren't you acting like it anymore?" Regina countered.

Emma took a step back. Her eyes burned in pain. Regina's words had hit her like a physical blow. She began to wonder if Regina was right. She couldn't forget what Coraline was going through, but everyone kept telling her to move on passed it. They needed to think about Remy and their lives after Coraline was gone. She was angry, scared, and beside herself with grief for her adult daughter from the future, but she knew that they couldn't stop living.

"Look, Regina, we need to be planning for our future. I know that Coraline is dying slowly and becoming the Dark One. Am I angry about that? Yes, I'm livid, but that isn't going to stop it from happening. You've said so yourself. We can't stop it without taking it on ourselves. You've told me that I have to deal with this. Coraline told me the same thing. I am trying, but I know that we will have to do this together," Emma told her.

"I am not saying that we shouldn't, but I don't think this is time that we should be thinking about getting married. I want to marry you, Emma. I do. I don't need some big extravagant affair that I am sure your mother would love to throw. Something small and intimate would be fine."

"I agree with you on that," Emma stated.

"Then, don't push it, right now."

"Marry me."

"Emma…"

"Marry me."

"Emma…"

She leaned into Regina. She kissed her hard. She was trying to make her understand how much she loved Regina. She was trying to get passed the pain of losing her daughter by trying to associate it with something happy. She wanted to share the wedding somehow with Coraline, because she knew that Coraline would like to have seen it.

Regina melted into her. The warmth and comfort that Emma offered was a complete difference to both of their anguish and pain at the moment. It was something that was easy to get lost in, but Regina didn't want to get lost in it. She needed the pain at that time to help her stay focused on what was going to happen. She needed the focus so she would be able to be strong enough to watch her daughter essentially die and become the Dark One fully. She knew that she would have to fight Ruby, but she would be there as they lowered her into the well. She would watch it, so she would know that they had made the right decision.

Absently, her hand ran across her stomach and she cradled the still forming life there. She stared up into Emma's impossibly-deep and loving sea-green eyes. She didn't know what to feel. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to be devastated, but she knew that Emma was partially right. They needed to find a way to look past this and move on. She knew that. She knew it wouldn't be easy. Burying a child never was. She also knew that she would be able to give Coraline the life that she had been dreaming of with the birth of the daughter growing inside her. Coraline was giving them both a second chance. Regina was determined that she was going to fuck this up. She couldn't. Her daughter had risked too much for her to let it go to waste.

"We can't fuck up this chance," Regina said.

"I know," Emma replied, secretly smiling at Regina's undignified words.

"I'm serious, Emma. She became the Dark One to save us. We can't let that be in vain."

"I am not going to let it be. We will tell Remy all about how Coraline saved us. We will make it a story, a legend. It will be a way to memorialize her without telling Remy outright that she is the reason that she will get to have her happy ending," Emma stated.

"She is our happy ending," Regina mused.

"She is the embodiment of our happy ending, Regina. She is us and we are her. We are still fighting to save our family and just live peacefully. She is giving us that chance. I am not going to fuck it up. I am going to make sure that she gets the childhood she wants. I am going to be there for you. I am going to watch Henry grow up, get married and have kids of his own. And, as much as we hate it, Wilhelmina and Remy might be together. But, through it all, we will be together. We will test each other. We will aggravate each other, but most of all, we will love each other," Emma told her, pulling her closer again.

Regina was crying. She hated it when Emma made her feel things so deeply and show it. Emma found ways to break through years of her mother's teaching and years of her carefully constructed persona. She smiled as the tears rolled down her cheeks and melted further into her.

"Marry me, Regina."

"You aren't asking me anymore?" she asked.

"No, I am not. I am not going to force you to marry me. I love you. You love me. That should be enough for us and it is. I want to climb to the top of the clock tower and shout how much I love you to the entire town, as much as I know that you would hate that. Just marry me."

"Emma…"

Emma kissed her. She didn't want Regina trying to rationalize at that moment. They had been thinking too much as it was. They needed something to just let go and be normal people for once. It was something that they could do in order to honor their love, their family and still be normal. They wouldn't be the Evil Queen and the Saviour. They would just be Regina and Emma, something that they wanted, and they could share it with their daughter.

"No, Regina. Don't. Let's do this. We can have something extravagant later. Let's just get married for Coraline. That way she knows that we are together before we lose her. Don't do this for me. Do this for her," Emma told her.

"That is very underhanded even for you, Emma."

"Can't blame me for trying, can you?" Emma asked her.

"Emma…"

"Look, I'll give the whole wine and dine, later. Marry me. Let's give Coraline something."

Regina huffed. Emma kissed her. She knew that Regina was actually going to acquiesce to her demand soon. She would give her the big romantic gesture later and Regina knew that. She also knew that this would mean something to Coraline. She was giving their daughter a way to be in their wedding and see it at the same time. How many people can say that? It would give her a good memory and it would be something that they could all treasure forever. It would be a small family affair. That is all she ever wanted.

"Your mother is going to kill me for this," Regina mused.

"I'll talk to Blue. I promise that no one is going to kill you. I won't let them," Emma replied with a knowing smile.

"I love you," Regina stated, shaking her head and kissing her.

"I love you, too," Emma said as she tried to get off the mattress.

"Where are you going?" Regina asked her, pulling her back.

"To talk to Blue," Emma replied.

"Not yet," Regina told her as she pushed her down on the mattress and mounted her hips.

She was combing her tresses out in front of mirror. The water was dripping down her back and causing the linen shirt to stick to her skin. She was grateful for the shower but she didn't know how long Blue was going to make her wait before she would see her. Time was something that she had an abundance of now, but that didn't mean that she had learned patience. She hadn't.

"Why did you come here first?"

"Blue, nice to see you again," Coraline told her.

"Where did you get that ring?" Blue asked her.

"You gave it to Emma, who gave it to Mom, who gave it to Belle when we the Darkness attacked our castle years ago. Well, I guess that won't happen now, but that is how I came to possess it. What does it matter to you, now, how I came to own it? Did you feel its power?"

"I did. I also saw somethings that I wasn't prepared for. The visions that the ring gave me, are they true?" Blue questioned.

"Define truth. Are they true for you? Partially. Are they true for me? Absolutely. But, for others, it is nothing. I have many questions to ask, but I am not sure that it matters now."

"I am sure that you do, Coraline. I am to call you Coraline, am I not? Why have you come here, now? What do you hope to accomplish?" Blue inquired.

"I am not trying to accomplish anything. I have been realm hopping for years, while you have been living here in the Enchanted Forest with no worries of the Dark One. That didn't seem strange to you? You couldn't explain why he wasn't here, so you just ignored that fact?"

"No, I didn't. I kept searching, because I knew that Evil wouldn't just disappear. You took our memories of your life and death and made your story no more than a legend. What was I supposed to do with that? The legend ends with you dying and your body returning here. I have had the fairies searching for any trace of your actual existence. You are a hero to the people, but you are nothing more than a story. Henry couldn't even believe when he had no proof of your existence. So, I ask again, what do you hope to accomplish here?"

Coraline hadn't thought about that. She had been moving from realm to realm for years. She didn't know what she wanted. She was the Dark One, but she didn't crave power. She didn't crave money. She just wanted her family. That was her crux, her selfishness for her family.

"I am not like other Dark Ones. I don't care for power and wealth. I just want to make sure that my family survives and lives long and healthy lives. I have spent my time realm hopping in order to learn to deal with my darkness. Have I done things that I am not proud of? Yes. Have there been times that I have done something you would consider evil? Yes. Am I villain? That remains to be seen. I cannot answer that. But, I can tell you that I have done everything to get back to them and prove that I'm not as bad as all the other Dark Ones," Coraline replied.

"How can I be sure what you say is true?"

"I don't know. I could give you something, but I don't think that you are ready for it. I guess you will just have to trust me," Coraline replied.

"You can understand why that is hard for me, I am sure."

"Yes, but I'll give you something that will help you do that. Well, make that two things. Here," Coraline stated reaching back into her pouch.

She handed Blue a wand and stood back. She watched as the fairy's eyes widen in recognition. She just smiled at Blue. Once she seemed to be willing to listen more to what Coraline had to say, Coraline handed her something else. It was a dark leather studded vambrace. Blue took the item and regarded it. When she looked back at Coraline, she could see the mirth in her eyes.

"How did you get that?"

"The joys of being the Dark One."

"Meaning?"

"You inherit everything from the former Dark Ones."

"You get everything that they had?" Blue asked.

"Yes, but it is up to you as the Dark One to keep it all. I didn't care for all of it. I kept some of the magic items, but I gave most of the wealth away. Rumple's castle was where I spent most of my childhood, so I kept it as well. But, it is on the outskirts of the Enchanted Forest, so I am not threat. I wouldn't threaten the kingdoms anyway. I would be supporting them."

Blue watched as she began to pace. Coraline wasn't used to having to explain herself. She was used to announcing herself as a knight and daughter of the Savior or the Evil Queen, depending on the realm, and getting the cooperation she sought. She knew that Blue would different and she knew that she'd be wary. She knew that Blue would challenge her. She expected it. She just didn't think that it would be this hard after she saw the memories in the ring.

"So what does this vambrace do?" Blue asked her.

"Do you remember the bracelets that Rumple made?"

"Yes…it is like that, but not quite at strong. It will dampen my magic, but I will still have access. I had them made so I could learn to live without it. It helped me fight the Darkness inside. However, my survival instinct will take over if I am threatened."

"What does that mean?"

"If I am threatened, I will transport away from the threat. I haven't directly engaged anything since I had them made. There were things that I needed to face in order to get better at fighting the Darkness," Coraline answered.

"Where did you get them made?" Blue questioned.

"That doesn't really matter right now. I need to know some things. I came to you to get those answers. Can you help me or not?"

"I've helped you before, Coraline. You are still the daughter of Emma, even if you aren't the daughter I know. I am still the family fairy. There is always Tink, if you would prefer."

"No, you've always been straight with me, Blue. I prefer to speak with you, but the problem is that I need conformation that my family is safe and cared for. Can you give me that?"

"You want to see them?" Blue inquired.

"Of course, I do."

"I can send a raven to Regina if you wish," Blue stated.

"You would do that?"

"That is your wish, is it not?"

"It is."

Blue smiled at her. She knew that Coraline was more like Regina than she wanted to admit, but her need to be near her family was from both of her mothers. She knew what it would mean for them all to be together again, but she also feared the ramifications of letting her meet them without creating some sort of plausible backstory for her.

"So, how would I introduce you to them?"

"I don't know. I'm immortal and the Dark One. I am also their daughter. I am the True Love of Wilhelmina, daughter of Pyroxes, last of the Vulcannonians. Pick something and I'll go with it."

"I don't think that any of those will work. But, I could work with the Vulcannonian angle. How much armor do you have?"

"Enough," Coraline replied.

"Do you still have the Resurrection Cloak?"

"Yes."

"Go. Sleep. I'll have Nova take you to a room. It isn't much, but I am sure that it is better than the well. I'll send a raven to Regina. I'll let you know as soon as I've heard from them. Get some sleep. Rest or whatever you do. I'll come get you as soon I know. Now, go."

Coraline stood up, nodding. She turned to the doorway to the room that she was in with Blue. She could see Nova at the door, already waiting for her. Coraline followed her down the corridor and to a room. She made herself comfortable and decided that she could actually rest for the first time in years. Now, she was so close to seeing her family that she was willing to do anything to see them. She would lie about who she was if she had to, but she knew that Blue would pave the way for her to be with her family. Blue would answer her wish, again.

Belle left the room where Snow and Charming were waiting with the now very obviously ailing, young Prince Neal. She needed to check on Red. She didn't want her to be alone for too long. She knew that Coraline had given her some sort of strange mission to complete before the end was clear, but Belle didn't know what it was.

She entered Coraline's room and sat down. Red looked up when she noticed her sitting in a chair near her. She could always sense when Belle was near. She leaned away from the bed and more towards her.

Coraline must have sensed her as well. She woke up and looked at the brunette in the chair. She smiled.

"Evening, Belle."

"Evening, Coraline. How are you feeling? Are you comfortable?"

"As much as I can be."

"The bracelet doesn't it make it hurt too much does it?" Belle asked honestly horrified that Regina had actually agreed to put the bracelet on her.

"It doesn't hurt. I know that you weren't actually on board with this, this time, Belle. Trust me when I say that it will help slow down the process. It is buying us enough time for things to happen as I need them to. You have nothing to blame yourself about. You have always done everything that you can to protect me. That won't change in the future," Coraline told her with a small smile.

Belle smiled back. The knowledge didn't make it any less painful, but it did help her deal with her guilt. She knew that if she could help Coraline in any way she would. She had just been surprised by Regina's request. She understood Emma's anger. She even agreed with it on some levels, but she had to hope that Regina and Coraline had some crazy plan to deal with it all.

"Red," Coraline stated, breaking her thoughts.

Red picked her head up. She placed it beside Coraline's hand on the cot. Brown and green swirling eyes met those of Red's Wolf-yellow.

"Take her away from here. Be together. Support each other. The fairies will be in soon to do another 'treatment.' I'm safe. I'm not going anywhere. Go for now. You need some time together," Coraline told her.

She could see the hesitation in Red's eyes. Red nosed her hand with her muzzle. Coraline pet her, smiling. And, the she pointed to the door. Red watched as Tink, Nova, and two other fairies came in. She looked at them and then at Coraline.

"I'll be fine," Coraline assured her.

"We'll stay with her for now, Red. Go on and get some rest. We've got her," Tink told her.

Red wasn't sure if she should go. She didn't want to abandon Coraline, but she knew that she wasn't technically doing that. She let out a breath and then leaned back onto Belle.

Belle understood the gesture and stood up. Red did the same. They both walked to the door before Belle turned around and looked back at the reclined form of her pseudo-sister, friend, and hopefully, never her ward.

"Go."

Belle looked straight at Tink before stating, "Call us if anything changes."

"I will."

Belle reached down and petted Red on the head. Red looked up at her brilliant sapphire eyes. She could see the questions, but wondered if she could actually answer them.

"Come on, Red. I'll take you home. You need to rest, too," Belle told her.

Red nuzzled her hand in response. They slowly padded out of the room. Red turned around looked back at her young niece. Her heart broke for her family, but she had things that she needed to do away from the Abbey. But, first she would nap, with Belle if she would stay.

They arrived at Granny's a short time later. Belle led her up to the apartment that she had on the top floor of the B and B. They both knew that Granny was home and in her apartment in the front of the inn. They'd waved at Ashley as they passed through the diner to get to the B and B.

Red sauntered over to her wardrobe and fazed. When she turned around, Belle was behind her. She could see the emotions in her eyes. Belle was close to her, close enough that body heat was merging with Ruby's.

"Belle…"

"Shut up, Red."

"Wha—"

Belle was kissing her before she could finish her thoughts. There was so much that Belle wanted to tell her, but she knew that now wasn't the time. Ruby needed love and she needed to know that she was supported.

Belle couldn't have been happier. Ruby was melting into her. For once, Belle was the one seeking and Ruby was her prey. She guided Ruby's naked form back onto the bed. Ruby just looked up at her with her swirling yellow and blue-hazel eyes. Belle was beautiful and she was willing to be with Ruby, still something that baffled Ruby.

The kiss was deepened and Ruby closed her eyes. She knew that Ruby needed something that she was afraid to ask for and something that she was afraid to take. Belle would give it to her anyway and she would do it her way. She wasn't going to wait for Ruby to make a move.

She was glad that she hadn't given Ruby time to dress. It gave her full reign of her body. Belle moved from Ruby's mouth to her neck. She kissed her throat before she bit down. She could feel the growl building. She knew that Ruby wasn't used to Belle being so aggressive, but she knew that Ruby needed to let go. She needed an outlet and Belle was going to give it to her.

When Ruby tried to buck Belle off her and flip them over, Belle held her down and bit down harder. She ran her nails down Ruby's skin, marking her further. Ruby finally understood that Belle was going to be in charge of this encounter. She moved her head up and locked her yellow eyes with Belle's burning sapphire eyes. Belle had released her neck in favor of her mouth.

Belle just wanted to kiss her senseless but she knew that wasn't what Ruby needed. Her hands dug into Ruby's flesh. She heard her growl. Belle kept grabbing at her, kneading her muscles and branding her skin with her warmth. She leaned down and started laving her breasts.

"Belle…"

Belle popped up on her. Her hand skimmed down Ruby's front until she found Ruby's center. Their eyes met and held just as Belle sank her fingers inside, hard, to her knuckles. Ruby let out a strangle cry as her body accepted every bit of Belle. She couldn't believe how good she felt.

"Belle!"

Belle didn't stop. She continued her movements, loving the sound and the feeling as she pounding her. It was the look that Belle gave her when their eyes met again that finally sent Ruby over the edge. Belle still didn't stop want to prolong it as much as she could.

Ruby, finally completely spent, reached down and pulled Belle's hand away. She searched the auburn-headed woman's eyes. There was nothing but love there, but Ruby was still feeling the afterglow of the mind-numbing orgasm that Belle had given her. She wasn't sure that she was seeing things clearly in that moment.

"Not that I am complaining, Belle, but what was that?" Ruby asked her.

"You needed the release. Ruby, you've been coiled tighter than a snake about to strike. I didn't know what else to do. You won't tell me what Coraline said to you and I understand that, but I needed to do something. Besides, you're beautiful and you are extremely sexy when naked."

Ruby just smiled. Belle wasn't the timid woman that everyone thought that she was. No, she was hellfire just Regina. She wondered if it was a princess thing. She could see the same fire in Snow and Emma. She wasn't sure what Belle really wanted from her but she was willing to give her anything. Belle had chosen her in the end and not Rumple. She knew they loved each other, but she wondered if she would ever be enough for the librarian.

"I love you," Ruby replied.

"I love you, too," Belle stated smiling back.

Belle grabbed Ruby's hips and pulled herself down her body. Ruby would have stopped her if she had half a mind to do it, but she couldn't. The look in Belle's eyes stopped her quickly. The fire that she'd seen earlier was brighter and fiercer. There was no denying the want in her eyes. There was no denying Belle anything for Ruby. If she wanted it, she could have it. If Red could get it for her, she would.

Belle made her spread her legs. Ruby just grabbed all the pillows and put them behind her head and shoulders as she looked down at her lover. Their eyes met and held. Belle sat back on her haunches and slowly removed her blouse. Her eyes never left Ruby's body. There was a connection between them that she didn't want to break.

"Belle…"

"Hush, Red and enjoy," Belle told as she took of her bra next.

With her naked torso, Belle leaned down and started raining kisses against Ruby's torso. Ruby whimpered at the fleeting kisses. She was keenly aware that she wanted and needed more of Belle and quickly. She wasn't sure what it was about her, but Ruby couldn't get enough. Belle scooted further down the bed and laid her head against Ruby's thigh. Ruby could smell herself, but there was something more. She realized that it was Belle's arousal.

She started to move. She wanted to give Belle love, too. But, every time that she moved to change their positions, Belle bit the inside of her thigh in warning. The immediate pain only served to stop her movements for a brief moment. The shock of Belle's bite only made her more aroused. She smiled down at the woman when she realized that her warning was not having the effect she wanted. Ruby reached down to touch her, but before she could, Belle moved her head.

Ruby yelped as Belle's lips surrounded her and sucked hard. She fell back onto the mound of pillows and tried to control her wanton moans. She was failing wonderfully and she could have sworn that she could Belle smiling at her failure. Belle's tongue licked through her folds and all Ruby could do was grab the sheets. The flicks of her tongue weren't tentative. They were sure and true. It was like Belle was trying to burn her love into Ruby.

"Belle…"

She didn't stop. She only licked her harder. She circled her opening a few times before plunging her. Ruby bucked, but Belle like others, was deceptively strong. She held onto Ruby's hips and kept her where she wanted her. She flattened out her tongue and ran it the length of Ruby's womanhood. Slow and steady strokes continued and Ruby's voice got deeper and higher alternatively with each stroke.

Then the most wonderful thing happened to Ruby's ears, Belle moaned into her. She could feel the vibrations run up her body but solely centered on her clit. She shuttered in pleasure. She wasn't sure what she could do to repay Belle for this, but she would gladly do it. She'd never been taken so forcefully and thoroughly.

"Belle…"

She sucked and nipped. She licked and tasted. She memorized every inch, every sound, and every squirm as she learned how to pleasure Red beyond her wildest imagination.

"Belle…please, love…"

"What do you need?" Belle asked, backing up just enough to ask the question.

Her eyes were burning into Ruby's. Ruby couldn't tear her eyes away from her. She couldn't answer her. Belle had stolen her breath, her voice, her ability to think beyond the pleasure.

"What." Lick. "Do." Kiss. "You." Suck. "Need?" Nip.

Ruby groaned as her body searched for the permission for oblivion. She tangled her fingers deeper into her sheets as she tried with every ounce of her being to answer the beautiful woman between her legs.

"You!" Ruby screamed from the bottom of her soul as Belle returned to ministrations.

Belle dove back in with a fervor. She kissed longer, nipped harder, and drove her tongue in deeper. It only took two more strokes and Ruby's hip flailed from the bed. A moan tore through her throat and her hands found their way to Belle's head, holding her at her center as she came again and again from the sheer power of Belle's tongue.

When it was too much again, she buried her hands further in Belle's hair. She didn't want to hurt the smaller woman, but she if she didn't Belle to stop, then she thought she'd die. But, Belle didn't stop, not immediately, and she came again. Her lungs emptied what breath they had as she screamed out again with her orgasm. Spent and completely sated, Ruby's hips fell to the bed and she passed out.

"Sleep well, Red," Belle told her.

Belle got off of the bed and redressed in her bra and blouse. She walked into Ruby's bathroom and washed her face. She stared into the mirror over the sink and smiled at herself. She hadn't thought that she could actually love Ruby into completely submission, but she had.

It might not have been the right time for it, but she knew that Ruby needed it. She needed it to. She needed to prove to herself that she was capable of loving the Wolf even in the hardest of circumstances. She needed to know that she could pleasure her beyond words.

She pulled out her cell phone and looked down at the screen. There were two texts. One was from Regina and the other from Snow. She read them quickly. They were needed back at the Abbey, but for a few precious moments she would let Ruby rest.

She didn't know what Coraline had asked of her, but she knew enough that it was weighing heavily on Ruby's heart. If she could give her just a moment's peace, then she would.

Coraline had asked her to help research the magic of the Dark One. She had. She'd given Coraline everything that she could, told her everything that she knew and helped her work out what could possibly happen now that the Dark One wasn't tethered to the dagger. Belle could tell that time was running out, but she didn't know why. She knew that Ruby would tell her in the future, when the pain of right now wasn't so great, but she'd hoped that Ruby would tell her sooner. She knew that she could help them if they would only ask, but she knew that they were afraid to ask her. She had always been the quiet, shy princess that was in Rumple's shadow. They didn't see her for what she was and it was time that they did.

Belle smiled into the mirror as the touched the glass. It shimmered and rippled. Belle smiled deeper as she leaned forward, still touching the mirror glass, and commanded it, "Show me Coraline." The mirror rippled and Coraline came into view. She knew that it was here and now, but she also knew what Coraline had told her only hours before when they had been alone. She could only wonder why Coraline did it, but that would be a puzzle that only time would unravel for her. Belle just hoped that she could be what Remy needed if they hadn't succeeded…

"You love her?" Coraline asked her.

"Yes."

"You love them all?"

"Yes, Coraline, I do. They have been more a family to me than my own. I would do anything for them. I have forgiven Regina. We are friends. I love Ruby. I will stand with Emma, if she ever asks. And, according to your story, I become one of your adoptive mothers. I take you in and raise you as my own, Coraline. I love both like a daughter and a sister," Belle told her.

"Then, I want to give you a gift. It will be small, but I know that you will be able to use it wisely. You might need it one day," Coraline said like she knew something that Belle didn't.

"What is it?"

"Give me your hand," Coraline demanded.

Belle reached out to her. She could feel the coldness that had been creeping in to Coraline as she took Belle's hand in her own. There was a sudden warmth and an electric current running through her arm. She didn't know what it meant, but she wasn't going to pull back from her.

"I love you, Belle. I always will. You were the one that gave me the discipline and the knowledge that I needed to survive. You will always be like a sister to me. No matter what happens to me, Belle. I will be Coraline French thanks to you. I owe you so much."

"What are you doing?" Belle asked her confused.

"I am giving you something that no one will expect from you."

"What?"

"Some magic…"