He wasn't expecting the negotiations of his now previous deal to go off without a hitch. He was there, done, gone, and on his way home in a matter of a few short hours. Yes hours. He would be home much sooner then he thought. Magic had its limits and its price. Even for the powerful Dark One. He could not simply wish to be a thousand miles away and 'poof', there he was. But a few short hours compared to the months it would have taken him if he were still a weak and frail human being, climbing the highest moutains, crossing deep waters, pushing through the toughest turain, a few hours was much more acceptable.

He could see the outline of his castle in the distance, he was almost there. And with that thought past, he let his mind slip to the beautiful creature inside. She would surely be asleep at this hour. Looking serene in her lavished bed, and as beautiful and angelic as she always did.. Probably enjoying sweet dreams knowing of his absence from the castle. Her mind being, as he thought, the only real place she probably has as an escape from him..

He snickered somewhat bitterly at the thought. She would surely have a rude awakening this morning finding him home. Nothing to sour her breakfast better then an unexpected and unwanted guest showing up to share. Not that he was even a guest, it being his castle and all.

He didn't even know what possessed him to write her that cursed note.. Telling her he was leaving and when he'd return. He never needed to inform anyone of his comings and goings. And It's not like she would even care.. She was probably just happy to know that he was gone, but he suspected he put a damper on her spirits by letting her know he wasn't going to be gone for very long.

He finally reached the castle grounds, passing the gates and entering. The castle was, of course, quite and dark, as it should be. He figured it would, at the very least, be an hour or two before sunrise. There was no point in going to bed now, he wasn't even remotely tired. He decided do some spinning before Belle awoke to make breakfast, as he proceeded to walk in the direction of the main room. He was just passing by the east corridor when his body unconsciously stopped. He turned to face down hall. Belle's room was at the end.

He just looked on for a few more moments. He had this sudden desire, that he couldn't resist, to see her. To see if his being absent really did show, on that beautiful sleeping face.

He wanted to see that serene look, and he wanted her to have peaceful dreams. But something tore at his insides, the thought that she could only have them when he would disappear..

He walking down to the end of the hall and stood in front of her door staring at the frame for a few seconds before he slowly placed his hand on the knob, giving it a swift but gentle turn. He creaked the door open, ever so quitely so as not to wake her. He could just imagine her reaction to finding him in her room, looming over her in the dead of night..

The room was dark, obviously, he had to take a minute for his eyes to a just, and he took great care to remain light footed as he slowly started to cross the room over to her bed.

From were he was approaching he could just make out the disheveled state it was in. Pillows scattered all over the floor, sheets and comforter were in shambles, twisted and all knotted up in different places. Just the condition alone said it was the exact opposite of a peaceful sleeper occupying it.

As he got alittle closer though, and realized that the bed was actually vacant. "What?" He couldn't help voicing his thoughts at the moment. "Where?.. Where in the world could she be at this time of night?"

The first thought that flooded into his mind was that she had run away. But just as fast as it came the thought quickly vanished from his mind. It wasn't possible. When she first came to stay here he had created a magical barrier surrounding the castle to keep her from doing just that. There was no possible way for her to get past it.

'Then where could she pos...?" Fear suddenly gripped his heart when the next thought came to his mind. 'The West Wing'.. His heart started to pound uncontrollably.

He didn't even hesitate as he sprinted out of the room and down the hall. Cursing himself with every running step he took. " Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why did you show her the place you had every secret, every potion, ever contract of every deal you had ever made?!"

He ran as fast as his legs could carry him up the west staircase, his heart pounding in his ears. The damage that could be done by her hands was unimaginable. Why had he let her in!? He knew it had to be some kind of trick when she asked to come! He was panic stricken, he could hardly breathe.

He couldn't help his racing thoughts 'All the things she could find... Anything and everything about Rumpelstiltskin was it that room. Including... "Oh my god..." He breathed out in a strangled voice. He skid to a stop in front of the dooway, almost falling over in his haste. He flung the door open so fast it nearly came off at the hinges.

He ran inside, stopping in the middle of the room catching his breath. Nothing. Not a sound, not a book out of place, not an instrument moved.

The room was completely untouched since he was last in it.

A heavy sigh of relief escaped his lips. His legs suddenly felt numb and weak with it. He stood there a few more minutes still catching his breath "Thank God.." He muttered to himself.

After a short minute his mind started working again. "If not here.." He could feel his nerves beginning to prickel. His heart started its fast tempo all over again, just as he got it under control.

He then ran out of the room, this time securing it with a special spell just to be safe.

He'd search every inch of the castle grounds all across the barrier, she had to be somewhere right? Theres no way she could have escaped.. He twirled and ran to the end of the hallway opening the door to his room. He had suddenly remembered something in there that could help him locate her.

He ran directly toward his stand when the room illuminated itself. But he then he stopped short as a soft shuffleing sound reached his ears. He quickly turned his head in the direction it came from. What he saw caused his heart to cease beating and to jam up in his throat.

He couldn't trust his eyes. 'It couldn't be..' Suddenly without his permission his feet were slowly carrying him closer, and his eyes were then proven right. Belle.

Sound asleep in his bed. He was stunned. What was she doing in his room?.. He didn't know what to think. Did she come in here looking for something?..

His first emotion at seeing her there was shockingly heart stopping. The second, was suspicion and anger. What did she think of coming in here? Part of him wanted to scream at her, to ask why she was there, to shake her and scare her into telling him what she was thinking.

But all of those feelings melted away when he saw the look on her face. It was so serene, so beautiful. Her breathing was slow and steady, her chest falling in and out at a calm pace. And most capturing of all was the smile of contentment that graced her lips.

He just stood there, for what seemed like hours just staring at her, completely captivated. Without thinking, he raised one clawed hand, ever so slowly, and gentlely brushed a stray strand of hair that fell across her face, tucking it lightly behind her ear, before he traced his finger slowly down her rosy cheek ending at her ruby red lips.. What was he doing?..

He suddenly stopped and pulled his hand away looking at his clawed discolored hands in disgust. He had no idea what he was thinking, what had come over him.. She would be absolutely repulsed if she knew he'd just touched her..

He quickly stepped back startled, as she suddenly shifted clutching her pillow and pulling her legs toward her chest, her contented smile faltering abit, as a slight shiver overtook her. She had fallen asleep on top of the coverlet. And he just realized that nothing was on her to keep the nightly chill away. And she was only dressed in.. in her.. light silk..

He quickly turned away trying to fight the red heat starting to flood his face.

He didn't wanna risk waking her by pulling the comforter out from underneath her. Like he would even attempt it.. But he had to do something. So with fast hands he untied the cloak he was wearing from his now past trip, and gentlely laid it on her, pulling it up to her shoulders. When she unconsiously sighed, her contented smile gracing her lips once again.

He couldnt help his own smile that came unbidden to his mouth as he took in her childlike expression. Then she suddenly murmured his name.

"...Rumpel..."

He smile quickly died on his lips and his breath caught in his throat, as his expression turned to shock. She was still asleep he could see that. But why had she said his name?.. Was she thinking about him? Dreaming about him?.. He then snickered bitterly to himself. Probably having a nightmare about him was more like it.. He thought to himself as she muttered something again.

".. Home..."

His expression darkened further as he began putting the pieces together. She 'was' having a nightmare about him. And she wanted to go home.. Of course she wanted to go home. He should have expected that to be it. But regardless, he couldn't help the deep twist he felt in his chest at her words..

With that, he slowly stepped back from the bed, turning and snapping his fingers, darkening the space, and letting her sleep. As he left the room with a heavy heart. Missing her final muttered words.

"...Rumpel.. Come home..."

Thanks for all the R&Rs on the last chapter! You guys are the best! I hope you enjoyed this chapter too! :)