Chapter Six: Jennifer's Darkest Secret

Author's Note: Thank you for the positive reviews! :-) I leave my computer for a couple of days and I come back to see reviews already posted. That certainly has made my day! Hope you enjoy this chapter! :) It's a long chapter but I am sure you all don't mind (muaahahahaha)

000

Jennifer watched Baelfire sleep soundly in his cot. He was breathing deeply, smiling a little as he dreamed of something happy. Jennifer sat on the side of his cot, bringing the blankets over his body that had been tossed aside from the heat, while the fireplace had been blazing, and now smoldered with dying embers. On the other side of the cottage, Rumplestiltskin sat in a chair, hands folded in his lap; he, too, had been watching Baelfire, and now, Jennifer.

She looked sentimental as though remembering some sad memory of another before she smoothed back the matted hairs on Baelfire's head as he had begun twitching and muttering things in his sleep; maybe his dream had become a nightmare, but only temporarily as he stirred a little, opening his eyes to see Jennifer, but she said soft words to him and he went back to sleep. She stood and joined Rumplestiltskin at the kitchen table. When she said nothing, Rumplestiltskin's concerns were confirmed: something was troubling Jennifer.

Rumplestiltskin said nothing at first. The tea kettle over the fire had begun to whistle; consideration was taken in retrieving it so as to not wake up Baelfire. Without asking her if she wanted any, Rumplestiltskin placed two tea cups between them, and poured the hot liquid into each, setting it down on the table after serving it. He sat down, gazing at Jennifer; however, her eyes never met his. Instead, they continued to gaze at Baelfire.

"You're troubled," Rumplestiltskin pointed out quietly.

"Hmm?" Jennifer reacted, looking at him suddenly.

"Something is bothering you," he told her. "You've been like this every night." He gestured to her to indicate her sentimental plight.

"Well, I certainly can't be like this in the day time," Jennifer returned, replacing her solemn expression with one of false humor: "Unfortunately for me—and everyone else that isn't a Dark One—I need to sleep."

"You know what I am talking about," Rumplestiltskin called her attempt to conceal her true concerns. He took a sip of his tea; placing it on the table, he added: "You've been with me for two weeks, and yet you're somewhere else."

"I'm just thinking..." Jennifer returned lightly.

"I've heard that before," Rumplestiltskin told her, remembering Milah's plenty of reasons for why she would have little to say to him, or more importantly, why she would avoid him. That was one of the frequent things Milah would say when she didn't want to talk to him about anything revolving around heir lives. Now hearing Jennifer make a few of the same excuses, he started to wonder if she was truly happy. Obviously, tonight, she had allowed some of her feelings to make a sketch on her face—her unhappiness had placed itself on the outside for Rumplestiltskin to see.

"Are you miserable here?" Rumplestiltskin asked quietly, although he dreaded the answer.

Immediately, Jennifer looked affronted.

"I'm not miserable, Rumple." She whispered—Baelfire started snoring—and she leaned forward, taking Rumplestiltskin's hands in hers. "I'm happy here. It's where I always thought I'd end up—with you...with a son."

Rumplestiltskin gave her a calculating look, and said carefully, "A son?"

Jennifer smiled weakly: "Baelfire is a sweet kid, Rumple. But he's not our son. He's yours."

"Baelfire..." began Rumplestiltskin but she interrupted him.

"...likes me, yes—maybe even loves me, but I'm not his mother," Jennifer told him. "I don't even know if I could be—or would want to be. I don't have a great track record when it comes to mothers. You've seen me with my parents—look how we ended things. They tried to kill me."

"They threatened your life," Rumplestiltskin reminded.

"That was only one interaction with a mother," Jennifer returned quietly. "I have had others."

"Others?"

Jennifer looked uneasy, as she said, "Rumple, I've done things that no human being should do."

"It's the penalty of being a vampire, dear," Rumplestiltskin told her.

"It's a little darker than that," Jennifer responded unhappily.

Rumplestiltskin's expression changed to that of concern and uncertainty. He glanced at the cot in which Baelfire nested. He stood, taking Jennifer's hand in his, and led them outside of the cottage where the moon was clearly visible with not a cloud in the sky. When they were out of ear shot of Baelfire, Rumplestiltskin gestured to one of the chairs that still stood around a dying campfire in the middle of the village and silently, Jennifer occupied the first while he brought a second over to her and sat beside her.

"Now," Rumplestiltskin said softly. "You've told me what happened on the night you became a 'creature of the night'" the tone on those last words were a bit humorously spoken for he truly thought Jennifer was more of a beautiful lady, than a creature. "But there's more to it than just another vampire biting you and leaving..." He watched Jennifer look at him sadly.

"There is something you're not telling me," Rumplestiltskin stated firmly.

Jennifer appeared extremely uncomfortable, and as she stood to leave, Rumplestiltskin stopped her saying, "You may be able to hide from everyone else—maybe even from yourself—but you will not hide from me."

Jennifer turned around to look at him. A great deal of her face expressed discomfort, uneasiness, and the extreme urge to flee, but in her eyes, Rumplestiltskin saw a flicker of emotion. Where most people would have considered not hearing her darkest secrets, Rumplestiltskin had expressed a desire to know them, maybe even understand them. Jennifer considered the idea, even, that if she refused to tell him willingly then the Dark One would be the one to get it out of her.

She submitted, sitting next to him as she said, "Fine. I'll tell you. Anyway, I think you deserve the right to know who you surround yourself with, especially when Baelfire's safety is concerned." She smoothed out her dress, as though to brace herself for the worst. Rumplestiltskin moved closer to her, placing his hands over hers to stop their trembling.

"You can tell me anything," Rumplestiltskin reassured. He touched her face gently, caressing her jaw in the cup of his warm palm, "Trust me."

"Okay," Jennifer uttered reluctantly.

She began her story.

000

Jennifer had been eighteen years old, full of life, joy and happiness. Her parents would come to collect her from the group of friends she'd surrounded herself by day, and she would have a family dinner with her loving parents by night. A few admirers would come to her door, asking her parents for her hand in marriage and upon asking their daughter's opinion, the admirers would be sent home—her refusal to marry 'just anyone' made her a desirable target: young, beautiful, fertile, and occupying a spontaneous, often-times optimistic personality. Many wanted to be with her but her eyes and heart were reserved for a spinner.

Rumplestiltskin had been Jennifer's long-time best friend. They would talk about everything: the ogre wars that were steadily becoming a nuisance and, they predicted, would only become worse; Jennifer would talk about her past suitors who'd come to collect her hand, and a few moments would pass when it seemed to be only them in the world and no one else.

Plenty of times, Jennifer had tried to tell Rumplestiltskin that she loved him dearly. Her nerves would always get in the way though, or someone would interrupt them, making it hard to find that perfect moment to admit her love. And, often times, Rumplestiltskin seemed to have a hidden secret from her as though he'd wanted to tell her the same thing, but his shyness would seem to get in the way as well.

When Jennifer had enough interruptions, enough self-doubt, she had called on Rumplestiltskin to tell him her true feelings, how she couldn't ignore what her heart was sworn to forever feel. The door opened, and there, standing the doorway, had been Milah, who looked a little curious but otherwise smiled happily at her. Rumplestiltskin came from behind, and explained that he and Milah were about to go to the lake for a bit of a picnic.

"Oh," Jennifer had returned. The crushing of her heart made no difference as she put on a happy expression: "So...you and Milah? You're courting her?"

Rumplestiltskin nodded, looking at her with the same happy expression, albeit a little too happy. He told Milah he would catch up to her in a few minutes, and waited for Jennifer to speak. She struggled with the words to say—she wanted to tell him everything...but he seemed to have fallen for another...

His happiness was her happiness.

"Did you want to talk to me about something?" asked Rumplestiltskin, noticing her expression that normally presented itself when she had to get something off her chest. Something was troubling her.

Jennifer opened her mouth to speak, but hearing Milah call for him, she sighed deeply, shaking her head.

"I...I just wanted to say..." She began. Milah called again, and Rumplestiltskin glanced behind him at the sound.

"Say...what?" Rumplestiltskin encouraged. He looked a little hopeful.

"Um..." Jennifer crossed her arms, knowing it would only be only the way she could stop fidgeting with her hands and maybe even brace herself for the pain that was to come: "I just wanted to say...good luck?"

Rumplestiltskin smiled, but he seemed disappointed.

"Did..." Jennifer began quietly. "Did you...want to talk to me about something? Or...maybe someone?"

It was Rumplestiltskin's turn to look like he wanted to tell her something, but Milah's voice was heard again and both looked disgruntled in her direction. Jennifer smiled sadly at him, when he sighed.

"I..." Rumplestiltskin started again but the efforts seemed futile. He sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I have to go."

"Sure, you do." Jennifer said, placing a smile on her face. "Have fun!"

Rumplestiltskin bravely kissed Jennifer on the cheek and then left to tend to an impatient Milah. When he had gone, Jennifer's expression changed from its false happiness to heart break. She placed a hand on her cheek where the fire of his kiss had remained on her cold, pale face. And what might have been the sound of small glasses shattering in a cabin next door as the neighbor willed his dishes not to be broken as two children ran outside, Jennifer felt it might as well have been her heart...breaking as Rumplestiltskin sought his happiness in someone other than her.

For a year she watched Milah and Rumplestiltskin live happily together. And the secret she wanted to unveil had become locked inside, as she watched Milah and Rumplestiltskin laugh about this and that. It would wait a few more days, she always told herself—after all, Rumplestiltskin and Milah weren't even engaged yet. Truly, they appeared happy. Why would Jennifer want to ruin such happiness? She'd walked away from the village to clear her head—and her heart—unbeknownst to her that Rumplestiltskin had glanced outside the window, his expression being one of slighted sadness and a bit of regret as he watched Jennifer walk away, seeing her head bowed. Milah attracted his attention, by talking about having a family one day. And that seemed to resolve his sadness for his dearest friend.

Jennifer, alone in the forest, wept quietly; the tears rolled down her cheek, dripping off her chin. Her shoulders shook slightly, as the pain of a broken heart felt far worse than any wound she'd ever experienced. She'd hoped for a cure, and that someone would heal her broken heart, that they would take the pain and sadness away. Almost as though someone had heard her wish, a man appeared from the thickness of the forest, looking like a ghost at first, wearing a large black cloak.

"A woman as beautiful as you," he said lightly (but he startled the weeping woman no matter), "should not look so miserable."

Jennifer glanced at him, brushing her tears aside. She stood quickly, ready to run for his pale features scared her. His eyes were bright yellow, and the elongated fangs made him appear fearsome. However, something in his voice made her stay. Something in the softness of his tone prompted her to remain where she was for he may have appeared harmless, despite his beastly appearance.

"Who are you?" Jennifer questioned.

"My name..." he chuckled, "is not relevant. And I think you should be more concerned with how I can help you." His voice was deep, but soft in the way he spoke.

He approached her carefully, as though she was a timid gazelle and needed the proper coaching to keep her from running. Jennifer was no fool, however; she kept her distance no matter how close he came, her hands held up in a defensive manner. The creature continued to advance. He raised his hands slowly.

"Something ails you—something terrible, something that is causing you a great amount of pain."

Jennifer stopped, looking at him: "It's nothing that can be cured."

"With every curse, there is a cure."

"This isn't a curse."

"A broken heart," he said knowingly, "may not be a curse, but I know the signs when I see it. A beautiful woman, torn in two. A desirable creature with all the loveliness of many, pulled into love only to be awakened by its agonizing reality, the devastating truth that someone would choose another...over her."

Jennifer frowned, repeating more firmly, "Who are you?"

"As before, my name is not relevant. I can help you, though."

"A man who refuses to give me his name is not a man I can trust," Jennifer declared, crossing her arms.

"You may not trust me," he returned smoothly, "but know that I can ease the pain in your heart. I can make you feel stronger, faster, and more alive than that man who dejected your happiness would have ever made you feel. All you have to do is allow yourself..." he reached towards her, taking her hand, "to be free from your sadness."

Jennifer eyed him carefully.

"A woman like you deserves to be happy," he told her. "And someone who is so intelligent to not trust a total stranger, and strong enough to ignore her own desires—however self-serving they'd be—is one who should be able to live years and years in happiness and good health."

Jennifer watched him kiss the back of the hand he held so gently in his. Jennifer considered running. What this man was trying to sell, she hadn't the slightest clue. But a tugging in her gut implored her to flee...but the idea of no longer feeling so crushed was what kept her feet cemented to the floor.

"What are you offering?" Jennifer asked.

"A lifetime of happiness—and many more lifetimes to come." He said. "All you have to do...is kiss me."

Jennifer stepped back, smiling: "And there's the catch."

"Excuse me?"

"You want something, for nothing." Jennifer returned. "You want me to take this deal you are offering for a kiss—but why would anyone want to kiss you?"

"Because I have much to offer: such as immortality."

"And how will that keep me from feeling heart broken? Why would anyone want to feel that forever?"

"I can give you power to seduce another—perhaps the man who rejected you?"

Jennifer shook her head: "I admit that I am devastated for his acceptance of another woman in his heart, but I will refuse to take away his happy ending."

"Even if that ending..." the man drawled, "meant that he truly was destined to be with you?"

Jennifer scowled, saying, "He is happy now with her. Why would I take that away at all?"

"Because you love him." The man stated the obvious.

How obvious it was—but Jennifer simply backed away.

"You offer me the power of seduction, an immortal life..." Jennifer whispered. Her eyes widened: "You are a vampire...aren't you?"

The man smirked at her, bowing as he said, "Smart woman."

"Why would becoming a vampire rid me of my broken heart? It would only amplify the symptoms, prolong my sorrow," Jennifer told him calmly. "And kissing you? Why you need to kiss me in order to make this all work?"

"Vampirism is not an assault," he said. "It's consensual."

"Well," Jennifer returned, "I can only imagine what stories you've told your other girlfriends who've kissed you and have become vampires."

"Plucky," the vampire mused, smirking at her. "I like you."

"That's a shame—because I..." Jennifer hissed, "don't like you. You're trying to twist my sordid situation to match your sale price. That's just wrong."

"What if I were to tell you that this woman your intended is in love with" the man drawled as Jennifer began to leave, "wasn't in love with him at all? What if I told you that by being a vampire, you would one day be reunited with the one you love?"

"He'd never love me as a vampire," Jennifer muttered. "He doesn't love me now."

"Are you sure?"

Jennifer slowly turned around. After a moment's consideration, she muttered, "How would you even know about such things?"

"As a vampire, I have acquired incredible hearing and sight—I have heard your cries in your room, and so have heard your love—Rumplestiltskin—talk about you to his beloved as though you are the best thing to have ever happened to him. He speaks highly of you..." The vampire continued, sounding too aware of her situation. "And I can certainly see why. And...seeing as they are not completely engaged, there may still be time to make your happy ending...yours...forever."

The vampire stood, his bright eyes darkening as he placed a soft pale hand on Jennifer's cheek. Jennifer thought him insane, but if Rumplestiltskin was talking about her a lot, then maybe there was still a chance? The vampire smirked.

"You love him, don't you?" The vampire questioned.

"Yes."

"And you will do anything for him?"

"Anything," Jennifer agreed warily. "But become something everyone fears and loathes, for he would only fear and loathe me as well."

The vampire chuckled darkly: "You are a hard woman to bargain with."

"I'm not stupid," Jennifer returned. "A vampire's life is a terrible life—and there's plenty of it. Hunting humans by night, hiding from the sun...it's all terrible."

"Not everything," the vampire considered. "You receive acute senses—hearing, sight, smell. You can feel things deeper than most—more than what Rumplestiltskin's flower could ever possibly feel. You will be faster, and stronger—more desirable to the humans, I am sure. And you will be able to seduce any man of your selection..."

"The price of all that is killing humans," Jennifer argued. "That's a steep price to pay."

"A steep price, indeed—but necessary." The vampire added.

Jennifer weighed the odds. She bit her lip, her nerves chewing away at her. What it would be like to be able to run faster than the fastest horses. To be able to lift trees from the roots and throw them several cities over? She would be able to do so much for her village with that kind of power—it was so tempting. But the fact remained; She would have to kill people to retain this power and never seen the sun again. Would it be worth it?

Jennifer looked at the vampire.

"Something else on your mind?" he asked.

"Can I choose who I hunt?" asked Jennifer quietly. "A dying man has not much else to lose and I would prefer taking his blood...instead of that of a lively youth."

"Interested, huh?" The vampire drawled.

Jennifer blushed as he chuckled.

"A woman so kind, so sweet...the vampire life can be hard to those who have just started out, but in time, you will no longer be burdened by such human thoughts."

"Those human thoughts will be the only things that keep me human," Jennifer told him, stepping forward. "I tell you what...I will make this deal with a few of my own conditions."

"Vampirism is not magic, love," The vampire responded with the softest of tones. "You can't just pick and choose what parts you want and what parts you get. It's the whole package—you take the good with the bad."

"If I am killing left and right—how will Rumplestiltskin love me?" Jennifer demanded.

"Love is adaptable," the vampire stated. "You would be amazed how many dark souls fall in love and love deeper than those who remain 'good'."

Jennifer shook her head, throwing her hands in the air.

"This is all too much," Jennifer uttered incredulously. "Become a vampire—a killing machine—and Rumplestiltskin is just going to follow his heart back to me? I will not hope for their love to be in ruins if he is truly happy."

"He will never be truly happy," the vampire argued.

"How do you know that?"

"Because his true happiness lies with you."

Jennifer tossed her head back in the air, laughing derisively. She shook her head, looking at the surprised vampire for he'd not expected such an unpredictable response. She walked towards him, her eyes glinted with anger.

"You are something," she hissed. "Twisting my love for him to fit your sale. You're not only a vampire monster, your soul is as dark as the deal you're offering."

"Become a vampire," he insisted. "You can use your power of seduction on him. As much as he feels for you already, all he needs a little push in the right direction. And neither of you would been the wiser. Don't you think he deserves a true love? True happiness? Isn't that what you have to offer him...truly?"

Jennifer growled inwardly, turning around to walk away but something kept her feet nailed to the ground.

This vampire could spin words into gold. There was a tugging in her gut but now it was imploring her to make the deal, to become what she was most desperately afraid of. She would have a family with Rumplestiltskin, maybe? And yes, if he already felt as deeply for her as the vampire claimed, then all he needed was to be reminded. And she would take the deal...and she would do what the vampire suggested...then maybe she could have the life with him she had always wanted.

Jennifer sighed. At the very least, she would have all that power—that incredible power—to use if it didn't work out, right? And, she presumed, she would eventually find another love within all those lifetimes, right? And if all of this worked out, she would have been—as the vampire said—none the wiser.

She turned around slowly, and the vampire was grinning as though he knew she'd made her choice.

"I have one condition...only one." Jennifer whispered.

"And that is?" he asked.

"You will never ever come back to this village." Jennifer told him. "We will never meet again. You will leave the moment this deal is finished."

The vampire nodded.

"But I have to know first," Jennifer said. "How does this benefit you?"

The vampire smiled: "I like helping people."

"That's a lie."

"Intuitive," The vampire noted. "But my reasons are my own."

"How will I know this condition will be honored?" Jennifer remarked.

"You have my word."

"I'll require more than that."

The vampire sighed deeply, muttering, "Women were a lot easier to persuade a long time ago."

"They still are," Jennifer returned. "But I'm just ahead of the curve."

"How about this," the vampire remarked. "I'll add a little something to this deal."

"And what would that be?"

"In addition to never seeing me again," the vampire drawled, "I will allow you to keep your vital humane thoughts intact—in and out of transformation. You will be able to keep your mortal side along with this immortality I will grant you. You will be able to feel twice as deeply than any creature, and retain your human side."

Jennifer nodded, but the vampire didn't do anything.

He warned her softly, "But you should know something. You will be a monster with a human heart, and while it has stopped beating after this, it will always be able to break. You will want like any human, and hate like a human. Vampires kill—but only for the hunt and nourishment. Humans are more...selective. Your anger will fuel your appetite, and you will never feel completely nourished until your stomach—and your heart—are satisfied."

"What the fuck does that even mean? Stomach and heart?" Jennifer questioned.

"You'll learn to satisfy both," the vampire comforted. "And now...if this has been settled. We shall continue to other things."

Jennifer nodded.

The vampire leaned in, and touched her lips with his. Jennifer returned it. The vampire smiled when he withdrew.

"I don't feel anything," Jennifer uttered.

"That's because I haven't done anything," the vampire said lightly.

"Then what the fuck was the kiss for?"

"Like I said—you're a beautiful woman," the vampire returned, bowing a little. "I wanted the pleasure of kissing you as I know I will never see you again."

Jennifer rolled her eyes.

"This next part," the vampire mused, "isn't so...pleasurable."

He suddenly lowered his mouth to her neck, and bit down...hard. Jennifer screamed, but it faded in a matter of minutes. The hour passed as she lied on her back while the vampire continued to drink from her and then, something was felt inside her veins, like a fire had been lit within the blood stream. It made its way up her arm, then shoulder, then into her heart. Jennifer screamed again, tossing and turning, but then just as quick as it hurt, it stopped hurting. Jennifer looked up, her face covered in sweat.

The vampire smirked down at her.

"Better?" asked the vampire.

Jennifer glared at him, having not been informed that the process was going to hurt like hell. She stood to her feet with his help, and he smiled.

"Ah, perfect. Now remember—you have the power to seduce your selected...use it well." He winked at her, and then in a flash, he was gone.

That night, Jennifer roamed through the forest in the direction of the lake. She'd do a little this and a little that, knowing Rumplestiltskin still had feelings for her. It had been obvious in those few moments that he'd wanted to say something to her. To tell her something extremely important before Milah had pulled him away. Jennifer would not let that happen.

She would give them time to say what needed to be said.

So she went to the lake, stopping behind a tree to see Rumplestiltskin and Milah on a wool pelt. They were laughing together, talking softly. Milah was sitting on her side as Rumplestiltskin lied on his back; she was feeding him grapes, and when a little grape popped off the vine and landed in his eye, they shared a laugh as Rumplestiltskin rubbed the poked eye. Then they kissed sweetly, the slow and gentle kiss that Jennifer had repeated in her mind over and over and over again that she and Rumplestiltskin would have shared.

Her heart ached when Milah whispered, "I love you, Rumple." And then, it broke five times over when he whispered, "I love you too, Milah."

Jennifer touched the bite on her neck.

Well...it seemed clearer to her that she and Rumplestiltskin were truly never meant to be together. No power of seduction would be able to sway Rumplestiltskin from Milah; the way they watched one another, the way they whispered soft nothings in their ears, and then the way they kissed and kissed, and kissed some more. Jennifer felt her heart shatter, stepping back, when, at that moment, Rumplestiltskin asked Milah to marry him.

Well, it appeared she had waited too long and now it seemed too late.

She wanted him—so much, but Rumplestiltskin was clearly happy with his chosen flower.

Jennifer left before they could see her.

The same night, Jennifer's heart was still hurting. What had been aching and devastation had slowly turned to one of irrational hate. Hatred for Milah. Hatred for Rumplestiltskin. She craved something to hurt as she had been hurt, to rip apart something so damn precious that it would stain the world forever. Jennifer wandered through the forest, her feet stomping the ground; she carelessly swung at a tree and when half of its thickness was tossed half a yard away, Jennifer was impressed at her strength, glancing at her hand to see she had sharp claws for nails, as sharp as daggers.

She felt empowered—but the pain in her heart refused to soften.

She heard movement of feet, and Jennifer stood on the sidelines to see a woman wrestling with firewood. She was walking oddly, cursing furiously under her breath. Jennifer thought of what the vampire said—that she could kill her selected. Well, maybe Jennifer didn't have to kill them completely. She could just take a few sips and be done with it—no one would be harmed.

When she approached, the woman suddenly dropped her firewood, and took out a dagger.

"Step back!"
"I'm not going to hurt you," Jennifer had told her. "I—"

"BACK!" the woman was suddenly running towards her with the knife.

Frightened, but affronted, Jennifer braced herself. She pushed the woman before the dagger made contact, and then the woman was slammed into a tree; she grunted with the impact. Jennifer stared incredulously at her hand, obviously having not realized her strength. She then stepped towards the stranger, offering support and comfort, apologizing. The woman glared up at her, then with a hidden knife inside her dress threw it straight at Jennifer; it punctured her shoulder, and Jennifer whimpered.

Pain shot through her shoulder, but just as quickly as it had come, it was gone. Jennifer glanced at the puncture wound and noticed that it had already healed. Fear of dying left Jennifer...and was replaced with anger. How dare that woman try to kill her when she meant no harm! How dare she...HOW DARE SHE!

The rage was unbearable. The outlet needed to come.

Jennifer advanced to the woman who was now losing confidence in her ability to kill the vampire. Instead, she turned to run but Jennifer, angry as she was and now feeling the emotion with the same strength of two hearts, ran her dagger-like nails through the woman's stomach to simulate a pain far worse than a mere shoulder injury. Jennifer laughed—it felt so good to do the hurting instead of her being the one to hurt.

The woman spit up blood, her eyes widening and her voice managed two words that would forever haunt Jennifer.

"What are you saying?" Jennifer questioned.

"My..." She whispered.

"What?" Jennifer demanded. "What?"

The woman gestured to Jennifer's hand still inside her stomach. As Jennifer pulled her hand out, the woman wept and said those two words: "My...baby"

Jennifer stared at her hand. Her anger was replaced with immediate devastation, and self-loathing. What had she done...what had she done?

In her hands were two halves of an unborn infant. The head barely fit in the palm of Jennifer's hand, the fingers no bigger than the end of Jennifer's pinky. She dropped her hands down to her side, quickly backing up. Then she lost her footing and fell onto her back, her eyes tearing up. The woman was dead, her insides pooling around her; and her unborn son lied on the ground, in two.

000

Rumplestiltskin stared at Jennifer as she finished her tale, her face soaked wet from the dried and refreshed tears that came as she expelled her secret. Her head was buried in her hands as she could barely think to see the expression on Rumplestiltskin's face. Thankfully, the other villagers had gone to bed and couldn't overhear the story—and what a story it was.

"So..." Rumplestiltskin began. Jennifer looked up at him, sitting up. "You asked to become a vampire."

"Yes."

"Because of...me." Rumplestiltskin uttered slowly.

Jennifer nodded.

"But you never tried to dissuade me from her," Rumplestiltskin told Jennifer pointedly. "I don't even think we exchanged more than a hundred words between us in the days the wedding had been prepared." He took Jennifer's hands in his. "You could have told me what you felt for me, Jennifer."

"How could I?" Jennifer asked hoarsely. "I saw you and Milah at the lake. You looked so happy, and I couldn't bring myself to do it."

"You gave up your own happiness. You had the power to seduce me, to pull me away from Milah. But you gave up your true happiness for the sake of my own?" Rumplestiltskin asked quietly.

Jennifer smiled weakly, but it was a damn good confirmation.

Rumplestiltskin sighed deeply, taking this in. The adoration he held for Jennifer seemed to only grow.

He looked at her for a moment, saying, "Did you ever see him again? The vampire that turned you?"

"No." Jennifer said, wiping her cheeks.

Another moment passed. Rumplestiltskin spoke delicately, knowing Jennifer's temporary fragile state, "Did anyone ever find the mother and her son?"

"How do you think the town found me out?" Jennifer whispered unhappily.

"We thought wolves did it," Rumplestiltskin offered.

"I made you all think that," Jennifer muttered. "But when I started ducking the sun, hiding in caves, and my face began to pale—well, people started catching on. The fact that one of the wives of the sickly man three shacks away caught me drinking from her husband only publicized what the people here already suspected."

Rumplestiltskin looked at Jennifer, who was slowly putting herself together. Coming to the open with a dark secret kept for many years was difficult—after practicing to keep it under guard, it would be difficult to allow it to willingly resurface. Not to mention that it would be frightening as hell.

Jennifer sighed shakily.

Rumplestiltskin said lightly, "You think what you've done to the mother and her son makes you a bad mother?"

"Look at me, Rumple. I have fangs and yellow eyes. I feed on people to live and sustain, and because I feel deeper than two human beings, I can hardly control my emotions. The closer I am to people, the more dangerous I am. I can't be a mother—I'd be too overprotective, and I would be too dangerous."

"Baelfire isn't looking for another mother," Rumplestiltskin said, chuckling a little. "He's fourteen."

"But I was hoping for a family of my own," Jennifer admitted quietly.

"Ah..." he muttered, "And now we are at the summit of your dilemma. Is that why you wish to leave?"

"Leave?" Jennifer gasped, reacting. "I don't want to leave you!"

Rumplestiltskin looked puzzled, saying, "Then maybe I heard you wrong. You said you wanted a family of your own."

"I do," Jennifer stated. "I want a husband, and a child. It's the life I always wanted with you."

"And how is this wish of yours changed?"

"It hasn't." Jennifer returned.

Rumplestiltskin looked at her, perplexed.

"I'm confused," Rumplestiltskin stated.

"I want to be a mother, but I can never be. Baelfire means the world to me, but he will always be your son, not ours. His biological mother is gone and since I am a vampire now, I don't exactly have that biological preset for being a mother." Jennifer uttered. "And I can't have the family I want—not with you, or anyone."

"Anyone..." repeated Rumplestiltskin.

Jennifer nodded, saying, "By trying to be your happy ending, Rumple, I had mine taken from me."

"And your happy ending is..."

"Having your child," Jennifer returned quietly.

Rumplestiltskin suddenly had a wonderful epiphany moment. She was infertile. And for someone who'd loved him so deeply all the years and wanted to be with him, not having the ability to bear his own child would definitely be Jennifer's worst fear come true. Rumplestiltskin smiled sadly at her, but the expression of love and understanding remained.

"I didn't know I would become barren after being a vampire," Jennifer explained unhappily. "The bastard seemed to forget to tell me all I needed to know before I agreed to it." She shook her head, scoffing, "I was an idiot for thinking I could have everything."

"But you can," Rumplestiltskin offered. "You've shown me plenty of loyalty, Jennifer, and I would be more than happy to take you as my bride...if you'd have me."

Jennifer smiled, saying, "But Baelfire..."

"Baelfire isn't looking for a mother," Rumplestiltskin pointed out. "But that's not to say he would refuse you as his maternal figure."

"I can't be a mother, Rumple." Jennifer emphasized.

"You've shown me otherwise," Rumplestiltskin reasoned.

"How?"

"When the knights were ready to take Bae from me that night in the forest, you were ready to give your life to protect him."

"But..."

"And I have seen you sit by him throughout the night," Rumplestiltskin pointed out. "You comfort him in his sleep when he has nightmares, and the moment he hears your voice, he's instantly calmed."

"But I can't be a mother." Jennifer insisted.

"In my opinion, you already are," Rumplestiltskin returned humorously.

"I can't have children," Jennifer responded.

"That doesn't stop you from caring for my son," Rumplestiltskin reminded.

"I don't even look like a mother, Rumple! Look at what I am!"

Rumplestiltskin smiled, saying, "Well I am a father, and look at me!"

"You're unbearable," Jennifer returned, but the smile crossed her face.

"And that's something you will simply have to live with, dearie—forever."

Jennifer felt touched by his response. They kissed a second before Rumplestiltskin pulled away, asking, "You really did that to a woman? What prompted you to do it?"

"Rage," Jennifer responded. "I told you I am a blood thirsty, cold-blooded monster. I wasn't say that just to keep up with social appearances."

Rumplestiltskin chortled, "Ah—cold-blooded and bitingly sarcastic."

"I'm sorry, but I have never regretted something so deeply in my life. I meant to kill the woman—the child though...Rumple, it eats away at me that the child never has known life or his mother...how can I possibly forgive myself for that?"

"Well, you can start making it up to someone whose mother has gone. That's a start." Rumplestiltskin offered, pointing his eyes to the cottage in which Baelfire was still napping.

"I think I can do that," Jennifer whispered. "Also, can we keep this whole conversation between us?"

Rumplestiltskin nodded, "Let's seal the deal the way it should be done between the Dark One and his beloved vampire."

Jennifer smiled endearingly, and they kissed in the same gentle, soft way she had seen him kiss Milah; in the same way that Jennifer remembered always having wanted to be kissed. He held her shoulders; she, his arms, and as they kissed gently, the campfire before them that had been dead of any light was now lit by a strong, dancing flame.

Jennifer glanced at it curiously.

"Did you..." Jennifer began.

Rumplestiltskin glanced at the fireplace with curiosity, smirking at Jennifer as he answered, "Well, apparently your powers of seduction have a way of seducing me after all...even, as the Dark One." He leaned in and whispered, "let's keep that secret between us, hm?"

Jennifer nodded, kissing his cheek.