Belle walked into his shop during lunch time, just as she did for almost two weeks. She felt really anxious, not knowing if he had good time yesterday too. He didn't say anything when she expressed the desire for a next meeting, so had he felt the same way? Well, there was only one way to find out.

And now, after almost a half hour spent in his shop, she started to think herself a fool. He didn't say a word about yesterday, and not a word about another meeting.

Obviously he didn't want to... She was talking like crazy yesterday, and walked him to home… What woman does that? And he surely just wanted to be nice, offering dinner and confirming it as a date when she had said she wanted it to be a date… And now he was just trying to be nice, not mentioning about how disastrous yesterday was…

She screwed it up. Of course she had to screw everything up…

Her eyes suddenly started to sting and she had to leave. She refuses to cry in front of Mr. Gold.

"I'm sorry… I… I have to go back… to the library…" she uttered, avoiding his eyes, and trying to keep her voice from shaking.

She turned around and when almost at the door, she heard his voice. "Maybe, if you don't have other plans of course, you would like to meet me at five in the park, under the statue…?" he asked hopefully and Belle felt that her heart missed a beat, especially when he added "And so to not be misunderstood, I mean a date, Miss French".

So he had enjoyed yesterday and wanted to repeat it after all! She wanted to cry from happiness.

But now she had a lump in her throat, so she only smiled at him, nodded, then quickly walked out.

While outside, she let her tears fall.

She really was going to have a chance with him!

: : . . . : :

Throughout the whole day, she thought about Nick and wore a huge smile on her face, causing customers to glare at her oddly. But she didn't care. She was going on a second date with Mr. Gold and that's all that mattered for her.

Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, it was already 4 PM. Again she spent almost an hour on preparations, and this time she picked a bright, yellow dress at knee length. She added a small pair of earnings and a modest pendant, (the one that Ruby gave her last year on her birthday) and she left her apartment.

: : . . . : :

5 PM on the dot she was in the park and found Mr. Gold standing under the statue. He wasn't a laggard man, she thought with a smile as she approached him.

When he noticed her, he bowed slightly and stretched a hand, previously hidden behind his back. "Here – if you'll have it…" he said, handing a rose to her. Belle took it with a little chuckle. "Thank you. You really are a gentlemen, aren't you?" She beamed at him and smelled the flower. She loved flowers, but roses were one of her favorites. And this one smelled even more beautiful, because it was from him.

"Yes, it's seems I am... Shall we?" he smiled and bent an elbow, which Belle enthusiastically took, holding the rose in her other hand.

: : . . . : :

They've been walking over an hour, talking a little, but mostly quietly enjoying a beautiful environment and each other's company.

Now they were heading to her apartment and Belle noted that he slowed down the pace and his limp became more visible now.

Of course, she completely forgot about it. She was used to walking fast and she completely forgot about his limp… How could she forget about it?! And obviously he was too nice, or proud, to say anything. And now his leg had to killing him, because he started to show a signs of discomfort, although he tried to hide them.

When they reached her flat, which was above the library, she made her decision. "Will you come in?" she asked, hoping that he would agree. It was quite a walk to his house from here, and with each step he seemed to clench his teeth in pain. "I will make us some tea, hm?" she added sweetly when he hesitated, and knew she broke him when he smiled slightly. "With pleasure, Miss French" he finally answered and she beamed at him, quickly unlocking the door.

Ruby wouldn't be happy about her inviting a man to her house after a second date, a man whom everyone feared, but she didn't care. She could be a fool, but she trusted him.

: : . . . : :

While inside, he seemed to be as shy as he was yesterday at Granny's. Belle shook her head with a lenient smile and pointed a finger on a couch. "Make yourself comfortable, and I will prepare some tea" she said and disappeared to the kitchen.

: : . . . : :

In the meantime in the living room, Gold sat on the couch and stretched his leg. A walk wasn't such a good idea, after all. He tried to keep Belle's pace, but it was eventually too much for his broken ankle. But of course he didn't say a word to her; he didn't need her to pity him, didn't want her to see him weak.

And if that was not enough, now he was sitting in her living room. That wasn't good. It was her space, he was the town's monster and he shouldn't be there… He took a deep breath. Why the hell was he so nervous? It's not like he had never been in a woman's house before…

He had to distract himself, so he looked around. It was a small and modest place, but quite cozy in a sense. Nowhere else had he noticed pictures, well, only few of her, but not a single one with her family. Did she even have a family? Should he ask?

No, better not…

"Here we go…" he suddenly heard her cheerful voice and quickly shifted his leg to a normal position.

Pretending to not notice, Belle gave him his cup and sat next to him.

For a few moments they were quiet, sipping their teas. It was an excellent tea, he had to admit.

Finally he cleared his throat and broke the silence. "It is a quite nice place, Miss French" he commented and waved his free hand in an unspecified direction.

"Thank you... Well, it's nothing extraordinary, but I like this place. But I'm sure it's nothing comparing to your house" she said without a grudge, just a simple statement of fact, as his house was huge and richly decorated, but he felt like walking on thin ice nevertheless, so he didn't say anything.

After few more minutes, when he tried to keep a calm face, although his leg was still hurting like hell, Belle looked at him disapprovingly. "You know, you don't have to hide that. I can see that you are in pain. And I'm sorry, I shouldn't been walking so fast…" He looked at her, wanting to deny, but she didn't let him. "Can I help you somehow? A cold compress or a massage…?" she asked with concern and he frowned slightly. "No, I don't need anything, thank you. In fact I should be going…" he said, trying to not snarl at her, after all she just tried to be nice, it wasn't her fault that he didn't like when someone offered him help…

Carefully he rose to his feet, leaning heavily on his cane. Belle quickly followed him, placing her hand on the top of his, so to stop him from walking away. "You don't have to go already… I… I'm sorry if I offended you… I simply wanted to help…" Her voice was sad and quiet.

"You didn't offend me, Belle. It's simply late and I have to open the shop in the morning." He placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled gently. "It was a really nice evening, despite a little discomfort with my leg. But don't worry about that, it's really nothing" he assured her, before she would apologize again. But was he telling her the truth, or just trying to be nice? She thought. "I really hope to see you more, Belle" he added and she had zero doubts now. He wanted to see her again, and he liked this date, and oh God, she's going crazy…

He was already at the door, when she shook off her reverie and quickly approached him. "Wait!" she called after him, to stop him from leaving. When he turned to her, she was already next to him. The distance was so small, that she could feel his warm breath on her face and she simply couldn't tear her eyes away from his so tempting lips…

So without a second thought, being brave or maybe stupid, she stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the mouth, just a little brush against his lips, but he stiffened nonetheless.

When she pulled away, he stood in place with widened eyes and a slightly open mouth from shock.

After few seconds, when she had already started to think that he would simply turn and leave, he suddenly closed the distance between them, capturing her mouth and pushing her backwards until she leaned against the wall.

Although it started roughly, his kiss was tender and almost chaste, only their lips moving, one hand on his cane, while the second gently caressing her cheek. After a seemingly too short moment, he pulled back and smiled at her, then nodded and walked away.

: : . . . : :

Even in the middle of the night she could still feel his warm, slightly harsh lips, gently brushing against hers. Pleasant warmth was spreading through her entire body. He was a better kisser than in her wildest dreams. And she really couldn't wait to kiss him more…