It was such a peaceful night for him. He was dreaming about Belle again, a big grin stretching on his face at the memory of the previous day. He had never before taken days off, but yesterday he just wasn't able to work, his entire mind focused on Belle and then the idea just struck him. The cottage was his little respite, a place where he could hide and relax, not being bothered by anyone.

He never took anyone there, not even Cora. But showing this place to Belle was just natural and it was definitely the best idea he had.

Never had he had such a calm, sweet day, spent on practically nothing, just swimming and cuddling, and that was so damn perfect…

And today was Sunday, and that meant no work, and that in turn meant seeing Belle again. He was so damn taken with her… and still couldn't comprehend what she could possibly see in him. But the way she was looking at him yesterday, the way she touched him… it made him feel like a truly sexy young man, not the old cripple he was. It was quite amazing, really. Never had anyone made him feel like that…

He turned on the other side, snuggling more into the pillow, the image of smiling Belle at the forefront of his eyes. She looked so stunning the previous day, her beautiful creamy skin shining in the sun, and shining even more after coming out from water, making her look like a goodness. No, much better… Any goodness wasn't so gorgeous like his Belle.

Oh, his Belle… So beautiful… So kind… So delicate… fragile… but strong at the same time. So caring… So… RRIIINNG! God fucking damn it.

He immediately woke and shot a glare of rage at the door. Who the hell was waking him on Sunday morning? When he was half-dreaming about Belle... He would kill the person.

The bell rang again and slowly Gold rose from bed, taking his cane in a tight hold. He was only in his pajama pants, and for a brief second he contemplated pulling on a robe.

Nah… Seeing him half-naked would cause the person who dared to wake him a heart attack.

Yes, he won't pull on a robe… He smiled mischievously. Seeing a shocked face wouldn't be that bad a start to the day, after all…

But when he opened the door, fast and with more force than necessary, the shock wasn't on the knocker's face, but on his very own. Because right at his doorway, the person he so cursed for waking him from his dreams about Belle, was Belle.

Truly, he didn't expect that. He thought maybe it was that idiot Nolan, and he will have liked to cause him to book a shock therapy session. But it was Belle and he looked completely unacceptable in his ruffled hair, dark circles under his eyes, and only pajama pants on his body. He didn't even put on slippers… His cheeks suddenly started to burn from shame and embarrassment. He always tried to look as presentable as possible. Now he looked… like if he just woke up. Well, he did, but still. Belle deserved better view. Definitely.

He heard her clear her throat. "I'm so sorry I woke you…"

Why was she sorry? She shouldn't be sorry. He was damn happy that she woke him. "It's no matter, really…"

For a moment he considered if kissing her would be a good idea. Well, he wasn't too fresh right now… but God, he missed her so much, even if he saw her just a few hours earlier...

Slowly, so slowly that she could have a chance to move away from him, he lowered his head and for a brief moment, pressed his lips against hers, so sweet. Oh, always so sweet…

Pulling away he took a step back, letting her in. They would have time to kiss more… properly, later. After he brushed his teeth, and took a shower. And they will be inside his house, not on a damn porch, exposed for anyone to view. He really didn't want gossip. Not that he cared about it, but he wouldn't stand if people would start to talk nasty things about his sweet Belle. She so didn't deserve that…

After, he excused himself, saying to her to make herself comfortable and he rushed upstairs to the bathroom, wanting to be over with it as fast as possible.

He would have really never anticipated such a surprising, beautiful morning…

: : . . . : :

After almost a half an hour, he made his way downstairs, standing mesmerized at the doorway when his eyes looked in kitchen.

Belle was standing at the island, and what seemed to be a baking ingredients and a lot of flour in a front of her. She was so absorbed in what she was doing, her hands dipping into flour, that she didn't even notice him, so he just stood there, looking at her absolutely bewitched.

She looked as if she belonged there…

A shiver rushed through him when that thought appeared in his mind. They were dating only from few days, he scolded himself mentally. It was only several dates now and he had no right to think that it will develop into something more. She could very likely dump him at any moment. He was still himself after all and surely soon enough he would do something that would truly displease her. Then she will see the monster he really is; say her 'goodbye' and he would be alone again…

He was alone for so many years, that he couldn't even count them, so the thought shouldn't affect him so much. But it did. He cared for her, he realized. And really, really didn't want to lose her. But did she feel the same way? He hoped so. He wouldn't dare to ask her, the coward he was, so he could only hope.

But maybe she did, maybe luck finally really had smiled on him...

"Belle…" he addressed her with a smile, waiting until she turned toward him, acknowledging his presence.

When she did, a huge grin grew on her face and she let her eyes shamelessly wander alongside his body.

He took extra care of shaving himself thoroughly and dressing in nice, clean clothes, not troubling with a full suit however, putting on only dress pants and violet shirt. He thought he looked decent, but Belle was gazing him like he was her favorite pie. And he blushed. From ears to neck, he blushed. But he didn't even mind it. He felt as pleasurable as yesterday, when she looked at him with similar admiration in her eyes.

In his entire life, he only got looks of disgust from his first wife and looks of lust from Cora. Never anything more than that; but Belle's eyes, there was pure enchantment in them when they took him in. It was really astonishing, especially considering how he always thought about himself as not too nice to look at; his body slim and not very attractive, and his current age not improving that at all. And yet, she looked at him as if he was the most pleasant and splendid sight her eyes have ever seen.

His Belle was really extraordinary, indeed…

Trying to stop blushing like an idiot, he approached her, crushing her to his chest and stealing few hot kisses, before releasing her with a fond smile on his face. "What are you doing?"

She chuckled and poked him in the nose with her finger covered in flour. "I thought we could bake something" she gave told him as an answer and then brushed two more floured fingers against his two cheeks.

Before she could withdraw her hands, he grasped her wrists in a gentle grip. "Are you planning to bake me?" He sounded so serious with this foolish question that she burst into a loud laugh. "'Course not, silly, but you look so… adorable… with all this flour… on your face…" She managed between giggles and he blushed even more, if that was possible.

But well, he couldn't let her smear his face with flour and laugh at him, could he?

His hand reached for flour on the table, and, taking a handful, he smacked it on all her face.

"Well, now you look adorable too" he teased her, snapping her in the nose. She laughed only more and not able to hold back, he joined her.

Not even able to tell when and how it had happened, he found himself in her embrace, his lips on her own. Light kisses with them smiling, quickly transformed into hot and passionate kisses and caressing. Her nails scratched against his scalp and when he opened his mouth at that, she slid her tongue inside it, taking a control over the kiss, shyly exploring his mouth, and he allowed her without any protest.

Before meeting Belle, he was always in control, never letting anyone to take it in any aspect. But it was different with her. He in fact enjoyed it, letting her to have power over him, savoring with the feeling and the fact about how bold she is…

But however pleasant the feeling was, he still enjoyed having control. So gently he pushed his tongue into her mouth, taking control, and the kiss became firmer now. He released his cane, taking hold of Belle's waist and leaning more on her for better support. Gently he shoved her backwards, until she hit the edge of the island. Carefully he lifted her, so she sat on the top, her legs slightly opened, allowing him to stand between them.

He started to trail kisses on her neck and collarbone, stopping a little longer at her pulse point, gently sucking on it. Under his ministrations she started to wriggle and quietly moan, her legs wrapping around him, hands tugging on his shirt, and he lost his mind in lust.

His hands slid along the outside of her legs, going from knees to thighs, and back to knees again. While he nibbled at her pulse point, eliciting a long moan from her, his hands moved upwards again, this time brushing the insides of her thighs, making their way up to the place where he really wanted to touch her.

He was so utterly mesmerized by the feeling of her skin, so creamy, so soft… so pleasant to touch… like silk under his fingers… and so warm…

But then suddenly her body tensed, hands slid from his back to his shoulders, pressing at him, and a single word escaped her lips; "Stop…"

The lust left him at once, his hands withdrawing and mouth leaving her neck immediately as well. He wanted to take a step back, but before he could, her firm hands shoved him, and while he stumbled back, she jumped from the isle, running from him to the other island, before which she paused, her body shaking, eyes wide in terror and tears cascading down her cheeks.

Damn it. What the hell could he have done… Did he cross a boundary? He was definitely too bold…

Well, just, shit…

"I am so terribly sorry, Belle…" He made a slow step toward her, his hand rising up with intention of wiping her tears, but she only jerked away more, her back hitting the edge of island, hands covering her crying face and her body shaking even more.

His heart shattered, his hand dropping to his side.

She was such an innocent and sweet creature… and he had scared her… Such an idiot he was.

"Belle, please… I…" He swallowed hard, trying to fight down his own tears of total and utter panic. "Belle, sweetheart, you know I wouldn't… I didn't…" he was stammering, his heart racing from nerves and guilt. If she thought now that he wanted only one thing from her… He wouldn't stand that, if she would have such a picture of him…

Why did he have to be so hurried? Not waiting for permission, not asking for it… He was much more than an idiot.

And she just stood there now, more tears wetting her face, coming through her fingers... "Belle please, let's talk…" He again tried to do one step toward her, but she stretched her arms forward and he stopped in a half-step, averting his gaze when her eyes rose to his.

"Nick, hold me… please…" He moved his eyes at her at that request and uncertainly he approached her, stopping in front of her, his arms firmly by his sides. Why did she want to hug him after what he did, after how stupidly bold he behaved? She should slap him in the face, not ask to hold her… Right?

But now she threw her hands around him, clutching to him and burying face into his chest, surely now able to hear his rapid heartbeat. Carefully and so very slowly he surrounded her with his own arms, rubbing her back gently, resting his head on her shoulder and breathing deeply. She kept shaking and crying, and he wasn't able to hold back his own tears, few of them escaping and slowly finding their way down his face.

"I am so sorry… Please, Belle, don't cry…" he pleaded with a shaking voice. Her tears were breaking his heart and he had no idea what to do, how to apologize…

She pulled back a little and his hands immediately dropped to his sides, but she took them in hers and tangled their fingers together. "Don't apologize… It's… It's not your fault Nick. I… I don't cry, because… you… I just…" she shook her head, angry that she was stammering.

Quickly she looked around and spotting his abandoned cane, she took few steps toward it to pick it up, and then she gave it to Nick, while taking firm hold of his second hand, and she headed toward the couch, pulling him after her.

When they sat, she took his hands again in her own, squeezing them gently.

He looked for a few seconds at their joined hands, and then raised his eyes to hers. "Belle…" he started, although not sure what he actually wanted to say next, but she raised her hand to shush him.

"No, let me talk, Nick. I… I have to tell you something… about me… about my past…" She took deep breath and squeezed his hands again, before releasing them. "Something I've never told anyone... Even Ruby doesn't know the whole story. But… but after what happened… I have to tell you. You have to know this… And I can't do…that… having this in my head… It's… It's kinda blocking me I think…" She took another deep breath, shyly looking at him, hoping he would understand.

Gently she touched his cheek, rubbing it for a brief moment, before withdrawing her hand and resting it on her lap. "Just please, don't interrupt me, and in fact don't talk at all, okay?" She pleaded and he nodded, remaining silent, and his heart racing like crazy.

With concerned eyes he observed how she opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it and shifted in place, and then started fidgeting with her fingers, and then took deep breath and shifted again, finally separating her hands and ceasing the fidgeting. Whatever she wanted to say, it seemed to be something really hard to talk about. He wanted to tell her to take her time, but he promised to be quiet. He also wanted to touch her reassuringly, but if that would not be welcome right now? He didn't know, and didn't want to risk it. So he straightened a little and placed his hands on his cane to stop the urge to reach for her.

Eventually she stood up and, pacing through the room back and forth, started to speak nervously. "I lived in Australia before, with my father. I was never focused on dating, always too busy with studying, but when I crossed my twenties, my father started to worry about that. And there was… There was Gaston… He worked in my father's shop, and my father really adored him. I never found him especially interesting, but when he asked me out one day and my father had this pleading look… I thought I could indulge him and I agreed on the date. After that my father was so happy… I had never seen him so happy before… So I went on another date with Gaston, and then another one… It was like a circle… and before I noticed, I was in a relationship with a man I didn't love. In fact, I couldn't even bring myself to like him. We had nothing in common and he didn't even have respect for me. He kept repeating how my look wasn't good enough, that I was too fat, too short… That my behavior was too silly… That my clumsiness was only embarrassing him… And he didn't respect my interests too. He was constantly criticizing how I loved to read books, y'know?" She snorted at the memory, but then sighed deeply and went silent for a moment, taking a place beside him again.

He was still quiet, his thoughts racing with anger. Did this scumbag do something to her? Hurt her? He would kill the bastard if he did…

"Anyway… I talked with Ruby about it a little." He raised his eyebrow at that. As far as he knew, Ruby had always lived here, in Storybrooke, and never been to Australia. "Oh, you probably wonder how I could even know Ruby…" She chuckled, as if reading his mind. "My mother was from Australia, but my father's home town is here. He met my mom here and went after her to Australia, y'know? Quite romantic, isn't?" She slightly smiled and he only silently nodded in response, not wanting to break the promise he gave her earlier.

"So anyway, when I was a kid, my father was taking me here on holidays and that's how I met Ruby. We quickly became best friends and stayed in regular contact, even when I was in Australia and when my father stopped to visiting this town with me. So… that is how I know Ruby" She smiled to him, but then her face turned sad once again.

"But going back to the story… So I've talked with Ruby about my 'relationship' and I realized that it doesn't even make sense. I was making myself unhappy by forcing myself to be with someone to whom I had no feelings… and it was starting to go too far, as he… Almost always when we were alone he tried to do something more… I was still stopping him; kept repeating that it's too fast for me, when in fact I just didn't want him to touch me at all. So after that conversation with Ruby, I decided to end it the next day, when we were supposed to have another date…" She took another deep breath, swallowing hard when new tears appeared in her eyes and tried to escape.

Trying to keep her voice from shaking too much, she pierced her eyes into floor and continued, the worst part coming now.

"That day… My father wasn't home… We sat on the couch and I told him, as gently as I could, that we should end it. But he… He got mad. He kept hitting me and pushed me, pinning me down on the couch, and he… He started to touch me… Tried to… To…" She couldn't speak suddenly, a huge bulb in her throat, tears starting to cascade down her face.

For a year she tried to not bring the memory of that horrid day back to the surface, but right now she had to and it was so difficult, the image suddenly so very clear in her mind.

She looked back at Nick, her heart tightening at the sight of his very concerned face. His hand reached for her then and she allowed herself to be pillowed against his chest, his arms soothingly swaying her, until her tears ceased a little and breath became less shallow.

When she was able to speak again, she pulled back slightly, but still remaining in reach of his reassuring arms.

"He was a big and strong man; I had no chance against him… He covered my mouth with his hand, so I couldn't scream…" She swallowed hard and squeezed him tightly again, his one hand rubbing her back in soothing circles while second gently stroking her hair.

"After a while he took his hand from my mouth for a second and then I screamed as loud as I could. Someone fortunately heard that and knocked on the door, asking if everything was okay and saying something about calling cops. Gaston was frightened by that and he got off of me, running away through the window. I… I didn't tell anyone about this. The neighbor who knocked, I told him I just saw a rat… I tried to tell my father though, but he was so fond of Gaston and angry that I broke up with him, that he wouldn't listen… He even tried to convince me to ask for Gaston to forgive me so we could date again, threatened that he would throw me out if I wouldn't. So I threw myself out first and after a short talk with Ruby, I came here… to start from the beginning." She ended and took another deep breath, a few more tears escaping her.

So she told him her story. In a sense she was now bare before him, revealing to him her terrible past, something no one knew about. But she needed to. Needed to finally get rid of this weight on her heart and mind, needed to let someone to know about it, and needed someone to comfort her, to protect her… And Nick was the right person. She could trust him. And he deserved to know.

But he still didn't say a word, just held her tight and stroked her back.

She pulled back a little to look at him. "Nick, say something…"

Only now she noted that he had even more tears in eyes, struggling to not let them flow down. But in the moment she looked at him, he lost the battle.

They both were silently crying now, and she pressed against him again, burying fingers in his hair and holding him as close as she could.

They stayed like that, holding to each other and crying, for long minutes, before he gently disengaged himself from her, his palms cupping her swollen cheeks. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart… that… that should have never happened to you…" He murmured, trying to hold back his new forming tears. "I would never… never… do that to you" He managed to say before one tear escaped him and flowed down his cheek. She reached for it, wiping it with her thumb and smiling gently. "I know you wouldn't. And I shouldn't have reacted the way I did… But when you're hand… It just… It woke the memory… I'm sorry" She really felt sorry. They were doing really good so far, but escaping the past isn't apparently that easy as she had thought.

"Don't apologize sweetheart… You have nothing to be sorry about…" He kissed her forehead and pulled her back to him, resting his head on her shoulder and breathing deeply. Her head leaned over his heart, its beating soothing her.

She felt utterly safe in his arms, and knew that he wouldn't hurt her and wouldn't let anyone hurt her...

Her hands hugged him more firmly, almost taking away his breath.

She felt much better now, after saying aloud about what had happened back then. And for the first time since then, she felt that she could get rid of the fear the memory brought. She hadn't been dating because of that fear. Her big crush on Nick broke that, however. Now she didn't allow him to touch her, because of that fear. But with her confession, and his reassuring touch and patience, she was sure that she would be able to break that fear completely. They could work on that together. But not just yet, now she just wanted to stay in his firm, warm embrace...

: : . . . : :

After many long minutes, she gently pushed him off from her, taking his head in her palms and leaning forward to capture his lips in a tender kiss, salty from their earlier tears.

When they broke apart, their foreheads rested against each other in an affectionate manner.

"We will take it as slow as you need, Belle" He assured her, and smiled when she petted his hair. "I will adjust to your pace, I promise" He really meant it. He would have been more cautious already earlier if he had known about her past… That guy, Gaston, was really lucky that he didn't live here. If he did, he would have been a dead man in a matter of week.

But now his Belle was safe. No one would hurt her, ever. He won't allow it. And he wouldn't hurt her either. He would be more careful in the future, he promised himself.

Yes, he would be good for his sweet Belle… He would prove her that he deserves her, deserves her trust…

He smiled and his lips found hers once more in another tender, languid kiss.

She broke it after few minutes, resting her head on his chest, his arms swaying her again.

She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be lulled into slumber. She felt so tired… But she could sleep now.

Now he was here and she explained everything to him… And he understood.

And now, without this burden, she could really start from beginning.

They could.

Together.