Chapter 27: Sorry

Rumplestiltskin marched toward the market square with his head held high in bitter defiance. He knew somewhere deep in his heart, that it was the right thing to admit what he had been privy to the past few days and inform those in the village he had taken justice into his own hands. He could not regret it though, not even at Belle's horror and anger. He did not regret the lives he had taken. It had been right.

It had felt good.

That thought gave him pause. He enjoyed the feeling of the Duke's neck snapping under his fingers, but he'd been fresh off the high of obtaining glorious power, and he was determined to stop his son from being sent to his death. Now he was settled into it and to know that some part of him relished in the murder itself was a bit startling. He was not a murderer. He wasn't. And yet Belle had called him one. The village would as well. No one would see the gallant act he'd performed for the sake of his family. And it wasn't fair. His actions were always twisted and distorted into something they weren't just to appease the hatefulness of others. He'd taken the hammer to himself so that he could be there for his son, not because he'd been too afraid to fight. There had been fear of course, but only that his wife and son would be alone. Now he had taken the lives of those who had stolen from him and his family, but his actions would never be seen as right. He did not need to admit to his deeds to know that people would rally for his head.

Let them try to take it, he thought bitterly. He was done playing by the rules of others. He'd done what was necessary, and even though he would honor Belle's wish and confess it, he would not apologize for it.

The crowd was still gathered in the square. It was a chaotic scene, this murder that many viewed as senseless. He could hear talk of, 'First the scribe and now these young lads,' and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. If they only knew. Soon they would. Rumple pushed his way through the crowd and stood in front of the boys. A few people looked at him curiously, but others continued to cry out for justice and answers. After a moment, Rumple shot a burst of magic toward the ground which resounded with a loud pop! The villagers all cried out and turned their attention to the man before them.

One of the councilmen of the village stepped forward. What is the meaning of this, Spinner?" He asked briskly.

Rumplestiltskin regarded the people for a long moment. There were so many familiar faces, all of whom had either looked upon him with pity, disdain, or malice. Now they looked at him as if he were a hero, as if having magic and power suddenly made him worth their time. Perhaps it did, but he would show them what he thought of their easily swayed opinion.

"I know who killed Maurice," Rumplestiltskin said matter of fact. The people stepped closer, eager to hear what he had to say. Rumple continued, "These three villains," he spat, pointing to the corpses before him, "Are responsible."

Cries of protest rang out, but Rumple carried on, "They killed him in cold blood, for the very gold you are holding in your hands, sir." The councilmen in question, still holding the gold, threw it down in disgust. Rumplestiltskin giggled, and summoned the string to him. He played with it idly as he spoke, "They were drunk," he explained, "Celebrating their victory when I found them. This gold is mine," he said as he held it up, then let it coil into his palm, "And I don't like it when people take things that don't belong to them. So-" he wound the ends of the gold around his index fingers, "I made them pay." He jerked his hands apart, and the rope went taut, and the people let out a collective gasp. Rumplestiltskin giggled again, then dropped the gold on top of one of the bodies.

He heard someone shout for his arrest, but only a few agreed. The rest stood frozen in fear, and Rumple watched them menacingly, "Let this be a warning to you all," Rumple declared, "I don't like when people steal from me. And I don't like when people harm those I care about. If you want to prevent this-" he pointed to the bodies, "From happening again, you would all do well to stay away from my family."

Someone again cried out for Rumplestiltskin's arrest, and Rumple laughed. "I ended the war. I saved your children. I have always done what you cannot. I have brought justice to this village. I've done what you cannot do. You cannot punish me." He smirked cruelly as he let some of his magic flair from his fingertips, "But I welcome you to try."

No one made a move, and Rumple's grin spread. "Thought not." He let the magic loose and swirl around him, and when it dissipated Rumplestiltskin was gone.

~000~

Baelfire opened the door and peeked inside. Belle was sweeping the floor, and her brow narrowed at the handle as if it had offended her. Bae entered slowly, wincing when the door creaked as he closed it. Belle glanced back and offered a half-smile to the boy with his arms full of logs and sticks for the fire.

"I didn't ask you to get firewood, Bae," she said with a slight grin. The boy shrugged and dropped his collection in the pile near the fire.

"I like to be useful," he said softly. He stood, staring at the logs for a moment before turning to look at his mother, "What did Papa say?"

Belle sighed and leaned against the broom. "They killed your Grandfather," she said sorrowfully, "For some gold your father gave him."

Bae moved forward and sat at the table, tugging on his mother's hand until she sat as well. He kept his hand on hers and squeezed, "Why did Papa give him gold?"

"He apparently needed it."

"And those three took it? So Papa killed them?"

She nodded, trying her best to fight back her tears. Bae lifted his sleeve and used the fabric to wipe at his mother's eyes. She laughed and batted his hand away, offering him another half-smile. "Thank you."

"I want to hate him," Bae said softly.

Belle glanced up at her son, "So do I," she agreed, "But we won't." Bae looked at her quizzically and Belle repeated firmly, "We will not hate your father. I'm so angry I hardly know what to do with myself, but I will not hate him." She gave Baelfire a pointed stare, "And neither will you."

"He…murdered," Bae said, looking conflicted, "He killed the people who killed Grandfather, but he still…" Bae sighed and let his head drop to the table, "I wish he didn't have magic."

Belle lifted her hands and ran them through Bae's unruly hair, "So do I."

"If I can't hate him," Bae asked after a moment, "Then what do I do?"

"Love him," Belle said gently, lifting his head up with her hand to make him look at her. "As best you can. Magic has changed him, but he's still your father. He did it for us, and in his own way he thinks that should be enough. It isn't, and we both know that, but-" She looked away and sighed, "But your father loves us. And he doesn't quite know how to show it. He feels he has to prove it to us."

"Why?"

Belle shook her head and shrugged, "I don't know. He's never felt that he deserves us. And nothing we say or do will ever convince him otherwise."

"It's not fair that he puts that on us," Bae frowned. "If you can still care for him after this, then that should be proof that you care."

"It should be," Belle agreed, "But your father is a complicated man."

"Everything is complicated now."

Belle reached out and grasped her son's hand. "We'll be all right," she said, "No matter what, I'll make sure of that."

There was a pop outside the cabin, and the sheep bleated in surprise. Belle glanced at Bae and whispered hurriedly, "Do you want to see him? You can hide if you don't."

Bae shook his head, "I'm not afraid of him."

Belle sighed. "I hope we never are," she whispered.

The door opened a moment later, and Rumplestiltskin stopped short in surprise to see his wife and son staring at him. He entered the room quietly and approached the counter. Grabbing a cup, he poured himself some wine and drank deeply. When it was empty he poured another glass.

"Did you do it?" Belle asked as she watched her husband warily.

He nodded, "I have done as you asked, dearest."

"And?"

He spun around to face her. "They're afraid!" He declared, waving he free hand dramatically. "They cower in fear of the Dark One!" He began to pace, speaking in an increasingly higher tone, "Apparently a man cannot protect his family without striking fear into the hearts of others! I wonder, do they truly think the law would have served those boys the justice they deserved?"

"The law is there to protect us-"

"Then where was the law that could have ended this war? Where was the law that demanded aid be brought to the pregnant wife of a soldier? Where is the law that provides for the starving families of deceased soldiers? Why does the law not care for its people, Belle? The law has done nothing to protect us, and I will not stand by idly because the law is supposed to do something. I will protect my family, no matter the cost!"

"But you defeated the Ogres, Papa! There is nothing to protect us from anymore," Bae protested, "We have nothing to fear."

"There is plenty to fear, Bae," Rumple said, fixing his eyes sharply on his son, "But I'm going to make sure neither of you are afraid."

He downed the rest of his drink and slammed the cup on the table. With one last look at his family, he stormed out of the house, slamming shut behind him. Belle rushed out to catch him, but she was met with the fading purple mist that signaled his departure. She sighed and wiped at a stray tear that threatened to fall. Bae joined her a moment later.

"What's going to happen, Mama?"

Belle pulled her son to her and rested her chin on his head. "I don't know, sweetheart," she sighed, "We can only hope for the best."

~000~

A couple days later, Belle found Rumplestiltskin standing at the sheep pen, watching with a focus too intense to be genuine. He'd spent the past few days avoiding his family, only coming in late at night to sleep for an hour or two or to take care of other business. Belle knew Rumple could hear her approaching, and she was relieved when he did not vanish. Maybe he was tired of running.

She stopped next to him, watching as a lamb tried to stand on wobbly legs, only to fall. When it stood again, Belle giggled, "He's determined."

Rumple made a non-committal sound. "Indeed."

Belle sighed and turned to better face her husband. He did not look at her, but she studied him nonetheless. His mouth was set in a deep frown, and his black eyes were dark and bitter.

"I don't want us to be at odds," she stated plainly. Rumple dipped his head slightly, but did not move otherwise. "I can't do this alone. I need you here, Rumple."

"I don't regret what I did," he said softly as he looked down. He fidgeted nervously with his fingers, "They had to be punished. Justice had to be served."

She reached out and touched his hand, causing his head to turn and regard her. He said nothing, but watched as she brushed her fingers over his knuckles, "I don't agree with what you did, Rumple, and we will never agree that it was wrong." she sighed, "But I'm tired. I need to be there for Bae because he's so upset and confused, but I need someone to be there for me. Nothing feels right anymore, and I just wish we could go back to the way things were."

Rumple turned his hand up, linking his fingers with hers. "I was crippled before. I was a coward."

Belle reached up with her other hand and caressed his cheek, "You are nota coward."

He sighed, "No. But now you must think me a monster."

Belle stepped closer and looked up at him hard, "You're not a monster either, Rumple," she declared, "You're my husband, and right now I need you more than anything else."

He breathed in sharply. "I need you too," he admitted, gathering her in his arms and holding her tightly to him. "I'm sorry, Belle," he whispered, "Not for what I did but for how I've hurt you. I never want to hurt you, sweetheart."

She nodded and clutched tightly to him [?], the grief she'd felt over the past several days finally manifested itself, and she cried. Rumple pulled her tight, running his hands over her back soothingly. At length, her strength waned, and she sagged against her husband, completely weary. Rumple gathered her in his arms with ease and carried her into the house. He laid her gently on the bed and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Rest, sweetheart," he whispered lovingly. He stood, blinking in surprise to see Bae standing there, watching him with wide-eyed curiosity. He glanced at his mother, then to his father and Rumple took a step forward.

"She's okay," he assured his son. Then he gestured between himself and Belle, "We're okay."

Bae nodded and took a hesitant step forward. He had not been alone with his father since he'd admitted to killing those boys, and Rumple could sense his fear. "She misses her father."

"So do I."

Rumple nodded, but remained quiet. Bae watched him for several seconds before stepping forward, "Are you sorry?"

Rumple glanced at his son, then back at Belle. "I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you and your mother," he said, "But I cannot regret anything else."

Bae stood for a few moments before nodding once, then turned away. It wasn't a dismissal, but it wasn't acceptance either. Rumple watched as Bae pulled a book from the pile that was growing beside his bed. He was just like his mother, Rumple mused idly. Bae curled up by the fire and began to read. After a moment he glanced back and offered his father a small smile before returning his attention to his book. After standing still for a moment, Rumple quietly disappeared in a puff of purple smoke, wondering as he left what was in store for them next.

Author's Notes:

I promise things will not always be bad between them, but I must also warn you that it can only get worse before it can get better.

I leave for the beach this coming Friday, so I'm not certain if I will be able to post a chapter. I should be able to Saturday evening, but just to be safe, anticipate no updates until June 6. I didn't realize vacation was so close or I would have let you all know a bit sooner. But it snuck up on me. I will try to update Saturaday May, 24, but again, I'm not certain if I'll be able to. I do apologize for the inconvenience.

Thanks to my betas, as always! And thank you for all your kind words!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. All rights belong to ABC, Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis.