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The smell of cooked food woke her, and with a yawn, she lazily stretched her body, while slowly looking around. Apparently, she fell asleep at his house… on his couch… Just great, what did he think about her now? Gaston would have said she was silly. Well, no, Gaston would have tried to have his way with her, if she would happen to fall asleep in his house, she thought with a shudder of disgust. Nick was none of that, but still. It was just their third date, she shouldn't be sleeping there.

"Good morning, sleepy beauty" She heard him chuckling, when he entered the room carrying two plates with scrambled eggs and bread. How the hell did he do that, having only one free hand? The man was really skillful… She watched entranced how he maneuvered the plates on the table and then disappeared in the kitchen, only to show up again, bringing two cups of tea, again using only one hand. Gosh, she was so clumsy compared to him…

Only now she focused more at this appearance and noted that he wasn't wearing a three-layer suit this time, but only a navy blue shirt with a black-flowers pattern and a tie in pale brown hue. God, the man looked sexy even in the morning. With a smirk she reached for a cup, but at that moment he bent down at the waist, to open a lower drawer, and she spotted how attractive his butt was. What a weird thought, but so true…

She was still staring at his bottom, her hand hovering near the cup, when he suddenly straightened, starting to turn in her direction. Quickly she averted her gaze and moved her hand in a futile attempt to grab the cup, but she only managed to bump it off the table.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed and immediately fell on her knees, taking the unfortunate cup in her hands and studying it. There was a small chip… "I am so sorry… but… it's chipped…" she raised the cup a little to show him, her eyes already moist.

This was all wrong… First she neglected his leg, putting him in discomfort because she was too selfish, then she fell asleep in his house not even knowing if he minded that, and now she destroyed his porcelain cup, which was probably quite expensive… would he get rid of her? She was terrible material for dating… Gaston always made sure she understood that crystal clear.

"Don't worry about that, Belle. It's just a cup…" Nick said with a polite smile, while approaching her and putting cutlery on the table. Right, she was so engrossed with her mishap and damn thoughts about Gaston, that she didn't even pay attention that that was what he was taking out from the drawer… when she was staring at his butt... Had he even noticed that? Her cheeks suddenly started to burn.

But if he indeed noticed her gaze, then he did not show any sign of it. Instead, he cautiously took the broken cup from her hands, helping her on the couch with his second arm.

When she was comfortably sitting, he disappeared in the kitchen again, saying that he would bring a new cup.

Not a minute passed, when he was back with a new cup of tea, and she was nervously fidgeting with her fingers. "Here…" He placed the cup next to her plate and then sat on the couch too, glancing over at her and studying her features for a moment.

"Why are you so nervous?"

She looked at him, trying to stop fidgeting. "I'm sorry, I just… Aren't you angry at me?"

He actually laughed at that. "Angry? Why should I be angry?"

"Well, I broke your cup… and I fell asleep here, so now you had to make a breakfast for me… and a second cup of tea, because of my clumsiness… and-" He cut her off by gently touching her chin, soothingly stroking it with his thumb. "Belle, I've told you, forget about the cup, I have plenty of them, really. And I assure you, it was a pleasure to make a breakfast for you, which by the way is getting cold now" he said gently, hesitantly bending down a bit to place a brief, tender kiss on her lips.

When he pulled back, his face was soft and his smile reassuring and it put her at ease. She had to keep reminding herself that he was not at all like Gaston. Most people would have thought that he was actually much worse… Well, maybe he was; for others. But in her presence, Nick was so much different; all the harshness and ruthlessness he was showing to others disappeared while in her company.

Her heart melted.

She had always known that he had a heart, but actually seeing it, seeing this gentle side of him, full of affection, was making her teary-eyed. She was pretty sure that she was the only person who could see this; the real side of him, and it made her feel special.

: : . . . : :

They ate in comfortable silence, and after she used the bathroom, he gave her a lift to the library.

When he stopped the car, she reached for the handle, but after a thought she withdrew her hand and looked back at Gold. "Um… Nick?"

"Yes?"

"I didn't ask you before, but… How is your leg, after our… walk…?" she asked quietly and swallowed. After all, the last time she mentioned his leg, he had almost fled.

"It hurt after that walk, but it's been quite okay since yesterday" he assured her with a smile and slight nod of his head.

Well, his limp seemed to be normal in the house, so maybe he was really feeling fine now. "That's good, I'm glad that you're better." She said honestly and managed a small smile, although she felt quite nervous. "So, um… I'll see you later?"

He smiled with genuine excitement… although somewhat mysteriously, "Most likely you will…"

: : . . . : :

It was almost lunch time when the door to the library opened and she saw Nick walking in.

Without a thought she ran to him and, wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him passionately, almost throwing him off the balance. When she pulled away, a big smirk was stretching on his face. "Seems someone was missing me…" She blushed, while he eyed her and then kissed her on the cheek. "You look lovely" he complemented her. Right, she even forgot that she had changed her clothes after coming here this morning. But how sweet of him, that he noted that… Gaston had never noticed her changes of clothing or hair…

Damn it, she really had to stop thinking about that scumbag and his asshole qualities.

She shook it off mentally and then beamed at Nick, dipping her hands in his hair and starting to play with them. She will definitely never get tired of his incredibly soft hair…

"What are you doing here, Nick?"

He smiled mischievously at her, grabbing her by the waist with one arm and pulling her closer to him. "I have a certain plan for today. You will go right now upstairs and put on a swimsuit under your clothes, then you will close the library early since its Saturday, and we will go to Granny's for lunch. And the rest of the day is a surprise." He announced and looked at her intently, his eyes somehow shining from exhilaration.

She pulled back a little, to have a better look at his entire face. "What surprise? Why do I need a swimsuit? Are we going to a pool?"

"Not telling. A surprise is a surprise."

He seemed to be as persistent as Ruby was, however with a little bit of persuasion, she would surely be able to extract all the information from him. But then, she really didn't want to ruin the surprise; whatever it was, he seemed to be quite excited about it.

"Fine… Let's go." She gave up the subject reluctantly and after kissing him on the lips one more time, she quickly went to her flat.

: : . . . : :

At Granny's they both ordered hamburgers with fries and ice teas. It actually quite amused her that they both like the same kind of food.

While waiting for their orders, Belle noted Ruby's ridiculous gestures again. Of course…

"I'm sorry Nick… It seems I have to talk with Ruby, again…" There was no point in pretending, he already knew how protective Ruby was with her.

"Sure…" he chuckled and shook his head with amusement.

: : . . . : :

This time when Ruby stormed in to the bathroom, Belle spoke first, not wanting to hear her friend's jabbering and grumbling. "I'm sorry Ruby, I know I promised you, but it just wasn't going to work." She started, and then smiled fondly at the memory of the previous day. "We had a wonderful evening, really. He was so nice…" she sighed contentedly, for a second being back in Gold's house, feeling his warm lips on hers and on her neck… And then suddenly she felt her friend's hands at her shoulders, her concerned eyes staring into hers, her mouth already opening to say something, and Belle was again in Granny's restaurant, sober and aware of what was bugging her friend's mind. "Before you suggest anything, Ruby, no - he didn't lay his hands on me" She said firmly, not mentioning his little ministrations of course... No need for Ruby to know about that.

"Hey, I didn't mean to make any suggestions" said Ruby defensively, but then she grinned. "So… Tell me, what were you two doing that you couldn't even find the time to call me, hmm?"

"Nothing…" she blushed and Ruby gave her a knowing look. "Ruby, really, we did nothing… Just… some kissing… and cuddling… That's all…" she was a pure scarlet now, her cheeks stinging.

Ruby laughed at her embarrassed state. "Okay, okay Belle… Go back to him then, don't want a prince to wait, right?" Belle couldn't help and giggled too, both chortling now like some overly emotional teenagers.

But after a moment Ruby started seriously, "You really seem to be happy, Belle."

"I am". It was true. She was happy. Gold was making her happy. And she certainly didn't feel ashamed because of it.

Ruby sent her a genuine smile. "Then I hope that you will get what you want. If you like him… and he makes you happy… Then no matter what my opinion is about that guy, I am at your side, Belle." She patted her arm, her facial expression even more serious now. "I haven't seen you so happy and alive since you've come here… after you broke up with that jerk. So I really hope that you will find your happiness with Mr. Gold, if that is what you truly want", she smiled slightly, a sincere tone in her voice.

"Thank you Ruby. You are a real friend", Belle hugged her tightly.

She didn't want to be with anyone since her rather nasty parting with Gaston, but now she wanted to be with Nick. And more than that, she felt something with him, something she had never felt in Gaston's presence. It was a little bit unsettling, but also very pleasant.

: : . . . : :

After they ate lunch, they got back into his black Cadillac and headed towards the outskirts of town.

Now they were slowly riding through the forest, and Belle couldn't stop wondering where they were going. It made her feel slightly anxious. She always felt that way while anticipating a surprise. She just wanted to see it already…

As if granting her wish, a wooden cottage appeared in front of them and Gold stopped the car, turning the keys. "Here we go" he said brightly, but then looked at her with an uncertain look, like if gauging her reaction.

"Is it yours?" she asked with wonder and he snorted. "Well of course it is. I wouldn't take you to some foreign cottage, now would I?" He gave her an amused look, but then he cleared his throat and his expression changed to serious, but also somewhat hopeful. "I thought we could spend today here. It is a quiet place… with fresh air… And there is also a small lake behind the cottage, so we could have go swim. That's why I told you to take a swimsuit. But… uhm…" he cleared his throat again and attempted to smile, in which he quite failed. "I can ride you back to the library if you would rather prefer to go back…"

"What? Hell No, I…" she sighed and shook her head, while reaching for his hand and squeezing it slightly. "I love this surprise, really." She grinned and was pleased to see that he smiled widely too.

"Shall we go inside?" she asked when he made no movement to get out from the car, only looking at her mesmerized, rubbing his thumb over her palm.

Her question seemed to put him back into the reality and he carefully get out from the car and held the door open for her, as he also did a moments later with the door to the cabin. Such a gentleman… One of a kind, she thought fondly.

: : . . . : :

Carefully, he stepped inside the cottage; a short distance through undergrowth was not a pleasant experience for his lame leg. Belle was really upset about it, how the other day she accidently ignored his crippling, which caused him pain. He didn't mind however. As he didn't mind when she fell asleep in his house and when she broke his cup. In fact, he couldn't quite understand why these things upset her so much, it wasn't anything important anyway. But whatever reason it was, he had to admit - she was definitely the most compassionate and remarkable woman he ever met…

If someone would have told him… well, ever... that he will be dating with such an angel, he wouldn't believe it. He would have laughed bitterly in that person's face, because he would've never considered himself worthy; he deeply believed in being unworthy of love, especially Belle's love. Love? He frowned and gazed over at her; she was looking around the cottage with childish interest, carefully touching everything in reach.

What where her feelings? What where his feelings? He frowned even more. He definitely had feelings for the girl, every time when she was nearby, a wave of pleasant heat shot through him. He didn't know if it was love, but it was something.

But as for her… He really had no idea. No one had ever shown him so much attention and kindness as she did, but maybe she just liked him, maybe it was nothing more than her caring nature? He shook his head. No, as far as he knew, the girl wasn't dating, wasn't interested in dating men, at least since she moved to this hole called Storybrooke. If she changed that for him, if, from all the men in Storybrooke (and there were quite a good choice of young handsome men in said hole) she choose to date him, then her interest had to be serious. Especially since she had initiated it, with those lunches of hers… The best lunches he ever had, honestly...

And now, he was a love sick idiot.

"So… What would you want to do first?" He asked her, drawing her attention to him again. "We can go to the lake, if you would like" At his mere suggestion, a big, bright smile immediately illuminated her face. "Yes, I would love that!" she exclaimed and outstretched her hand for him to take, which he gladly did.

: : . . : :

Although she was beaming from excitement, this time she didn't forget about his leg, suppressing her want to just run towards the lake. Never again she would forget and neglect his leg, she promised herself.

After a few minutes, they finally reached their destination and she let go of his hand, taking few steps forward, looking mesmerized as the rays of the sun played on the lake's surface, creating beautiful patterns on the slightly wavy water. The view was stunning…

When she finally came back to reality and turned around, Nick was still standing in the same place, watching her with some longing on his face. But just when she caught his gaze, he promptly smiled, his face turning into one of warm amusement. "I see that my idea to take you here was a good one" he chuckled slightly and she couldn't suppress her own, joyful laugh. "It was a perfect idea!" She ran to him, throwing arms around his neck and holding him tight, his hands immediately finding their place on her back.

"Thank you! It's the best surprise I've ever had!" She briefly kissed him on the lips, then on both cheeks, and then pecked his lips again. When she pulled back, he was looking at her with fondness. "I'm glad" he whispered and released her, allowing her to take a step back.

For a moment they were just looking at each other, but then she smiled brighter and turned her head to look at the lake again. She couldn't wait to get into the water. It was ages since she had last swam, and, after reading, that was her only other passion in life.

Well, no reason to wait any longer. Just take off her clothes, so to be only in her blue swimsuit, and jump into the crystalline water…well shit, is that going to be awkward?

Turning back to Nick, she briefly wondered if she should ask him to turn around, but then realized that she didn't actually mind him watching. She did mind when Gaston was looking at her, the only time she allowed him to undress her she felt very uneasy, with his hungry eyes wandering her body, devouring her and making her feel like a prey for a hunter. He had always been looking at her that way, like a lion looks at meat.

Now, when she started to remove her blouse and unzip her skirt, Nick's eyes were following her every move, but there was nothing more in them than pure fondness. He was looking at her like if she were a treasure, like if she was the most beauteous sight his eyes have ever seen. And under his sensitive, although attentive gaze, she actually felt that way, like she was really beautiful. Ruby was often telling her that she was, but Belle somehow couldn't bring herself to believe her, not when so many times she had heard opposite from Gaston.

Now however, probably for the first time in her life, she felt beautiful, and not only that. She also felt secure, not a sign of the uneasiness she felt with Gaston.

It was in fact kind of a wonder how safe she felt in Gold's presence, when the rest of the citizens in town found him nothing more than intimidating and scaring. He was none of that to her…

She now sheepishly smiled at him, blushing like crazy, when his eyes locked with hers, and there was pure admiration in his gaze.

Still, she was almost bare for his sight, while he was still fully clothed. Approaching him, she reached for his tie and loosened it, pulling it off him. "You're not going to swim in a suit, are you?" she asked playfully, with amazement observing as he swallowed hard, when she ran her hands along his chest and stomach.

Well, she never said she would make it easy for him.

With a sweet giggle, she turned around and ran towards lake, leaving him helplessly behind.

While in surprisingly warm water, she turned to look at him, giggling more at the sight of his struggle to remove his clothes as quickly as possible. It was quite amusing, his fumbling, but when he finally managed to do it and moved closer to the shore, abandoning his cane near it, a wave of guilt rushed through her. Seeing him limping visibly, struggling to make these several steps to the water, made her heart ache for him. His leg surely was causing him a lot of pain right now, yet he still tried and quite managed to put on a steady face.

With his self-doubting he probably felt ashamed of his leg... Not that he had to, not with her. It was really nothing for her, she didn't view him any less than he was because of his little indisposition. She hoped that someday he would understand that.

But right now he didn't, and although he clearly needed some assistance, he wouldn't ask for it.

With an honest and friendly smile she approached him, giving him a tight hug, vaguely noticing how slim, yet wiry his body was. At first look he seemed to be slender, but when touching his bare body, she could feel his strong muscles and, after taking a step back to take a better look, his body was really attractive, not showing signs of his age.

Not able to resist, she again ran her hands through his chest to his abdomen, then back up again, eliciting a hiss from him when she accidently brushed his nipple with her nail. She suddenly felt an urge to kiss him there. It was odd; she had never felt something like that. With Gaston she felt repulsion at even the thought of kissing him elsewhere than his mouth, (even that it was a struggle) yet with Nick, she wanted to pepper kisses on his whole body. A wave of warmth hit her body at that thought, and she definitely had to go back to the water, before she will actually start to trace kisses on him. Not that she thought he wouldn't appreciate that, he was a man after all, but that's not the point.

So she fought down the urge of kissing and caressing his body, and just ran her hands along his chest and down his arms once more, while sighing deeply.

"Uhm… Belle? Are you alright?" She heard him asking with concern and she looked up to meet his eyes, intently searching her face for any sings that something was wrong.

She immediately shook away from her thoughts, a joy replacing thoughtfulness. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go swim!" she exclaimed cheerfully, taking a firm hold of his arm with her own, while her second arm wrapped around his waist, encouraging him to lean against her for better support. Surprisingly, he did just that, not arguing, not pretending that he didn't have a problem. It made her grin and she titled her head to peck him on the cheek, giggling when he pulled her closer.

: : . . . : :

While in water again, she intently observed how he was slowly wetting himself; his arms, his neck, his chest… Did he even have an idea how sexy it looked? She shook her head; these thoughts were really tormenting her today.

So to distract herself, she moved closer to him, on the way gathering some water with her hands.

The moment he looked at her, her arms shot forward, splashing him with water right in the face. She burst into giggles when he started to curse and spit, his hands vigorously rubbing his eyes.

Then he looked at her with pretended resentment, a smile hiding behind his eyes, and before she knew it, he started to splash her with water, not giving her a chance to elude from it.

Finally, she managed to turn around and, trying to not choke with water from her laughing, she tried to swim through the heavy water, her uncontrolled giggles following her.

When the attacking splashes ceased, she stopped and turned around, noticing that Nick was nowhere in sight. She squealed and jumped when suddenly something touched and tugged at her ankle, and giggled when Nick appeared on the surface, with a smug grin on face.

He pulled her to him, kissing her lips firmly and she let him to take charge and establish the pace. He was sucking on her bottom lip, his hands sliding tenderly along her back, whilst she threw her arms around his neck and encircled his waist with her legs.

His tongue slid along her bottom lip and she granted him access. Gently his tongue stroked hers, then set for exploration of her mouth, eliciting moans from her each time he hit an especially sensitive place.

After what could have been hours, he broke the kiss with a gentle nibble on her bottom lip, and carefully leaned her back, so that she lied on a surface of water, her legs still clasped behind his waist, and his hands taking a grip of her hips.

He started to swirl her around him, her back whishing over the water, face prickling from sunlight and the sound of her own laugher ringing in her ears. She had never felt so free and happy in her entire life… Her arms spread and she arched her back more into water, closing her eyes, letting herself only feel. It was as if the entire world just stopped existing, and it was only her, Nick and the lake; only here and now.

Too soon it ended and Nick tugged her upwards, holding her closely to him. Slowly she opened her eyes, taking in the sight of his relaxed, smiling face.

When he leaned into her, his lips finding hers, a realization hit her. This was the place she wanted to be, the place she wanted to spend eternity in – right here, in his arms. She should have dismissed the thought; they were only dating for a few days after all. But she couldn't. The man was just simply wonderful and she hadn't felt so right ever before.

: : . . . : :

Hours passed before they got out from the lake and lied down on thin layer of sand at the shore. They weren't talking, just cuddling. Belle rested her head on Gold's chest, drawing idle circles on his abdomen with her dainty fingers. His left arm was around her, hand gently stroking her hair and cheek, his second palm slowly sliding down her arm and back up again. They were completely lost in the moment, lying quietly, listening to each other breathe, and Belle also listening his slightly fast heartbeat.

They didn't need words. They were in one another arms, both feeling like if the rest of the world didn't exist, like they were the only ones that mattered to each other...

: : . . . : :

When in the evening they were riding back, the journey passed in a pleasant silence, and Belle's hand was resting on his right knee the entire time, caressing it gently.

He drove her home, and their goodbye kiss was long, sweet, and languid; both craving to prolong the moment, however long as possible, both not willing to end the day already.

Her heart was racing, butterflies tickling her stomach, something what she had never felt with anyone before, and she knew now, that what they had with each other…

It was really special.