42. Wait

Belle awoke to the strange sensation of something holding onto her tightly. She squirmed, then opened her eyes when she felt the grip on her tighten. Blinking her eyes open, she glanced down to see the distinct greenish-gold of Rumplestiltskin's arm draped over her. She tilted her head back to look behind her, unable to prevent the smile as she took in the sight of her husband sleeping peacefully beside her. Another glance toward the window told her that it was still dark out, and though a part of her longed for nothing more than to lounge in bed curled up in her husband's arms, she knew there were more important things to be done.

Turning in his arms, Rumple stirred at the disturbance. His eyes opened slowly, and he offered her a sleepy grin.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Rumple closed his eyes for another long moment, and Belle took the opportunity to study him. She wondered if those he made deals with found him repulsive, or if they were too afraid to notice her husband's appearance. She remembered being in a similar position, studying his features while he slept, and it was a comfort to her that she had never once found him disgusting. She missed the human looking man she had fallen in love with, but there was something quite appealing about the scale-like skin and the glittering shimmer that reflected off him. His eyes too, she thought as she poked his side in an effort to see them, were stunning. His eyelids lifted and she was granted with the sight of the blackness that now looked back at her curiously. They were lovely, and so expressive, she thought as she lifted her hand to brush her fingers over his face. Rumple did nothing, merely let her explore.

"I like you like this," she said softly, nodding her head against the pillow as though it were a decision to be made.

Rumple scoffed, "I'm not sure what there is to like," he said, "But all the same I'm glad you're pleased."

Belle knew Rumple was not entirely pleased with his appearance as she was. He'd never thought himself particularly handsome, and now with the curse, she knew what little self-esteem he had was truly squashed. He pretended otherwise, to be sure, but Belle had never been fooled by the showman that sometimes tried to make himself known to her. Belle saw through that. She knew Rumple, and she knew that he'd never truly wanted to stand out. He'd been set apart his entire life because of his heritage, his injury, and his magic. He hadn't been meant to blend in, no matter how much he tried to remain invisible to the world. He could no more hide now than he could then, with the responsibilities of the Dark One resting on his shoulders. They may have been self-imposed, but if there was one thing she knew about her husband it was that he dedicated to whatever he set himself to. He'd vowed to find their son, and he was going to tear the world apart to do it.

That made her stomach sink. To think, innocent people such as Agda, Morainne, and Anna would suffer because of their mistake made Belle feel uneasy. She wanted her son back more than anything, but she wondered how Rumplestiltskin was reconciling the fact that he was going to be potentially separating families in the process.

That was something Belle didn't understand though. How exactly was this curse going to work? She knew the basics, but she didn't quite know everything. It might be wise to sit him down and explain everything to her. Otherwise he would keep her ignorant of it all; not because he didn't value her opinion, but because he was so afraid she would find him monstrous

Rumple stirred again, and Belle vowed she'd work to get answers out of him. He leaned up to press his lips to hers, and she sighed. She'd get answers later.

He pulled her to him, rubbing his fingers down her bare back absently. It was pleasant, but Belle knew it had to remain short-lived. They had too much to do.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked, pressing a kiss to her temple. Belle nodded.

"Very well."

"Good."

They lay there for a while, content to rest on each other. At length, Belle grew restless, and Rumple let her go reluctantly. He watched as she gathered her clothing off the floor, smirking as she met his eyes with a furious blush painted on her cheeks.

"Oh, hush," she said, throwing her petticoats at him, laughing when they landed on his head. Rumple pulled them away, leaving his hair sticking up further than sleep had left it, and he glowered playfully.

"You're not getting these back."

Belle 'hmphed' and turned away, deciding to ignore her husband, and feeling extremely silly as she feigned being mad while completely nude. She opened her wardrobe and stared, making a great show of picking out a dress for the day. A moment later she felt arms wrap around her, and she settled into the warmth of her husband's embrace.

"The pink one," he said softly, and Belle reached for it almost by instinct. Pulling it out of the wardrobe, she smiled as she took in a replica of her signature blue dress, this one a warm pink instead of cool blue that Rumple seemed to favor for her.

"Go," she instructed, "And I'll change."

A kiss was pressed to her cheek, and then she felt the chill of the air prick her skin as his warmth retreated from her. She shivered, then turned and said, "Rumple."

He turned, and Belle felt positively ridiculous standing there naked. Rumple was no more clothed than her, and she found she was having a hard time concentrating. Lowering her eyes to focus on the dress, she cleared her throat and continued, "I'd like to talk to you today," she said cautiously, "About the curse."

She chanced a glance at Rumple and saw him tense. But despite his resistance, he nodded. "I'll tell you whatever I can."

Belle nodded. It would have to be enough.

~000~

Belle sat in the library with several tomes of magical study surrounding her. She and Rumple had parted ways to continue their work, and so far Belle had found nothing but frustration and a headache. She dropped the book to the ground and rubbed her temples, wishing that she could just find something. Crossing her legs, she bent forward, resting her head on the book she had just set down. It felt good to change position, and she groaned as her back popped as she stretched it out.

Something warm covered her, and Belle lifted her head to see Rumple stepping around her. She tugged at the blanket he'd just placed around her shoulders with a grin and watched as Rumple mimicked her position on the floor. Two cups of tea floated in front of him, and Belle arched an eyebrow at the display. Rumple said nothing, instead took both cups in his hand and offered her one. She took it gratefully, the hot surface warming her stiff, chilled hands.

"Taking a break?" She asked, and Rumple shook his head.

"Not so much a break as simply giving up before I destroy the entire castle."

Belle took a sip of tea. "I take it you're frustrated too, then."

Rumple nodded. "Frustrated doesn't even begin to cover it."

"Magic is….quite complicated, isn't it?"

Rumple laughed dryly. "That's one way to put it, my dear."

Belle smiled, then groaned as the throbbing in her head returned violently. At Rumple's concerned gaze, she pointed to her head. "It hurts."

Rumple said nothing, but leapt to his feet and walked over to a shelf behind her. Belle turned and watched as Rumple browsed through several vials until he found what he was looking for. He returned to Belle and knelt down and poured a small amount of the red liquid into her tea.

The tea fizzled, then smoked for a moment before settling back down and looking as unsuspicious as before. Belle regarded the drink, then eyed her husband. "Poisoning me?"

The look of horror that crossed his face was worth the pain caused from Belle cackling. "I'm teasing," she said, reaching out to touch his knee, "Though I would like to know what you're feeding me."

Rumple seemed to relax once he realized she didn't truly expect him to harm her. It bothered Belle to know that he was so fearful of actually hurting her that he couldn't even take a joke. With how dreadful and tense things had been over the past year, they needed a few laughs.

"It's a headache potion," Rumple replied, standing only long enough to place the vial on a table nearby. He returned to his original position across from her and motioned for Belle to drink. "I've mastered many of the simpler potions," he explained, "It's just tedious work gathering all the ingredients."

Belle sipped her tea, surprised when she tasted nothing but lemon and honey. "What's in this one?"

Rumple grimaced and shook his head. "You really don't want to know."

Belle made her own face of disgust, but she could already tell the potion was working. Her head was feeling clearer already, and if it worked this quickly, Belle decided she'd rather just not know. Ignorance could be the best course in very few instances, and Belle felt this was one such time.

With a clearer head, Belle felt renewed and eager to continue her work, but Rumple seemed nervous and twitchy. It was a sign he wanted to talk, but didn't quite know how to go about saying what needed to be said. Suddenly uninterested in getting back to work, Belle marked her place in the book and scooted closer toward Rumple.

"What is it?" She asked.

He glanced around, looking anywhere but at her, then finally relented with a sigh.

"You wanted to know more about the curse."

Belle nodded. "Yes."

"Well, it's best to tell you before I lose my nerve."

Nodding, Belle took Rumple's hand in hers and began to rub his knuckles encouragingly. "Go on."

Rumple shut his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he looked resolved and ready to speak.

"As you already know," he began, "The curse requires the sacrifice of the thing the caster loves most."

Belle nodded, trying not to let Rumple see the shiver that coursed over her.

"I don't know who that person is for Regina," Rumple said, "But I know that she wants to cast the curse more than anything."

"But you said she doesn't know everything."

Rumple nodded. "She doesn't know what is required to cast the curse. But she's made a deal with me that cannot be broken."

"What was the deal?"

"That she would cast the curse no matter what."

Belle's eyes widened. "So you tricked her into something she doesn't fully understand."

Rumple looked down, and Belle was torn between anger and sorrow at the look on his face. Rumple was clearly ashamed of what he'd done.

"I did."

"She's a desperate soul, then."

Rumple looked up amused. "You remember that."

She nodded. "We were both desperate. And I can hardly forget what that awful man said to trick you into taking the dagger."

"I'm not much better than he was."

"I want to agree," Belle admitted, ignoring the look on Rumple's face. "But…you're doing it for Bae and I…I cannot fault you for doing whatever it takes, but it's wrong and I just-"

Belle lifted her hands to her head, squeezing slightly to relieve the pressure that was slowly starting to return. "I'm so confused. I don't know what to think."

She heard Rumple move, then felt herself being pulled back against him. He had positioned himself behind her, and was now holding her between his legs while he rubbed his hands on her arms in an effort to comfort and console.

"There's a catch to all this, though, that might ease your mind."

Belle laughed bitterly. "And what's that?"

"The curse is going to be broken."

Belle turned to look at him skeptically. "Why cast it if it's just going to break?"

"Because we don't need the curse to find Bae," Rumple explained, "We only need the curse to get to the world."

Understanding began to dawn on Belle. "So once we get there, we break the curse, then go find Bae."

At Rumple's look, Belle felt her brief relief fade. "There's a catch to the catch, isn't there."

"There's always a catch with me," Rumple sighed. "No one here will break the curse."

"Then who will?"

"A product of True Love."

Belle's eyes brightened. "We have True Love!"

Rumple looked at Belle, sorrow burning his eyes. "But we have no other children," he said sadly, lifting a hand to caress her face. It was something they had never even considered. With so much happening between their marriage, his departure to war, Bae's birth and Rumple's injury, talk of another child had never crossed their minds, let alone their lips. Even despite their intimate relationship, no other child had ever been conceived, and it was only in this moment that both Belle and Rumple anguished over the fact. Bae had been enough for so long. But now there was no time.

"We…..we could have one," Belle suggested feebly, though the thought didn't sound right at all. They were looking for their child. To bring another life into this family only to use it to find their firstborn would not be fair. If another child were to come of their union, Belle wanted it to be for no other reason than they wanted a second child. No child of hers would be a key to the other.

Rumple looked thoughtful. "It's….a possibility," he said at last, "Though I've had a vision."

"Of the future?"

He nodded. "I saw the child that broke the curse so we could find Bae."

"Who was it?"

Rumple shook his head. "All I know is that it's know our child," he said with a look of sadness. "It's the child of Regina's step-daughter and her husband."

"Who is her husband?"

"They haven't met yet."

Belle stared. "What?"

"Do not worry," Rumple said reassuringly, "I'm going to make sure they meet."

"You're playing matchmaker."

Rumple flushed. "I suppose so."

Shaking her head, Belle leaned back against Rumple. His arms wrapped around her, making Belle feel secure and safe.

"So they meet, fall in love, and have this special child who will break the curse."

"On her twenty-eighth birthday, yes."

Belle sat up and turned to face Rumple, looking affronted. "What!"

Wincing, Rumple reached out to clutch Belle's arms. "We'll be frozen. We won't notice the passage of time."

Belle stared at him, mouth agape. How could he think this was acceptable! Anger festered, and Belle felt the urge to scream. She took a deep breath, silently counted to ten, and then exhaled.

"We're going to be frozen for twenty-eight years," she repeated.

Rumple nodded.

"And this child," Belle continued, "Where will it be?"

Rumple opened his mouth to speak, then snapped it back shut. He blinked several times, then sheepishly looked up at Belle. "I don't know."

"So all you know," Belle said in a tone that was equally exasperated and confused, "Is that a child of the step-daughter of the woman casting the curse is somehow going to break the curse that takes us to a land without magic twenty-eight years after it's cast."

When stated like that, Rumple saw how absolutely horrid the plan truly was. But it was all they had, and he wasn't going to stop because the outlook didn't seem favorable. He'd rather try and fail then to have never tried at all.

"That's the sum of it, yes," he said at last.

Belle dropped her head in her hands. "Oh gods," she sighed, "This is the worst idea you've ever had, Rumplestiltskin."

That stung, but it wasn't without truth. Rumple sat up on his knees and pulled Belle to him. "I know, sweetheart," he said, rubbing her back in an effort to sooth her, "But it's the only way. We'll be together the entire time, I've made sure of that. We won't know any time has passed at all. One day we'll wake up, remember our purpose, and then we'll begin our search for him."

"We're upheaving the lives of an entire world on the hope that some child that isn't even born yet will break a curse cast by her- what? Grandmother?"

"Step-grandmother."

"Oh, close enough," Belle snapped. At feeling Rumple tense, she took a moment to calm herself.

"This is what we're doing," she asked, "We're really doing this."

Rumple nodded, his chin bumping her head.

"Bae will be older than me," Belle said with a sniffle. "My son will be in his forties before we find him."

"It's not ideal-"

"What if he forgets about us?" Belle asked suddenly, looking up at Rumple with panic in her eyes. "What if he decides twenty-eight years is too long to take to find him, and he won't forgive us? What if he has his own family?"

Rumple pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers in an effort to silence her. She slackened, and when Rumple was convinced she wouldn't melt into a panicked mess, he released her.

"I wrestle with the same thoughts," he said, "But we cannot let what if's stop us."

Belle nodded weakly, wiping at her eyes. "You're right," she sighed, then let out a breathy laugh. "Since when are you the sensible one?"

Rumple laughed. "I promise not to make a habit of it."

Belle smiled, then asked, "So when will the girl and her husband meet?"

"Snow White," Rumple said, "And not for a while yet. There are some things that must be set into motion first. It's going to be a delicate and complicated situation. But nothing that cannot be done."

Belle nodded, allowing herself a moment to let everything sink in. It was a lot to process, and she wasn't sure how she felt. She wasn't sure if she would ever be okay with what they were doing, but she couldn't abandon her son. That was simply not an option. There was still the hope of finding another way to the Land Without Magic, and Belle knew that she needed to work harder if she was going to find it before it was too late.

"So what do we do in the meantime," Belle asked softly, "Until everything is ready?"

Rumple lifted her hands to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "We do the hardest thing possible," he said grimly, "We wait."

End Part Three

Author's Notes:

One more part to go! Seven more chapters left!

Thank you everyone so much for your continued support and kind words! I appreciate it so much!

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