Regina had gone to her house after talking to David. Jefferson wasn't in any mood to help her, but she didn't care. He had run out of his usefulness and now he was just a nuisance. Mostly because he was the reason she lost her trump over the imp. Thankfully for her, David was far more easier to manipulate. He might think he was some great prince who overcame his past and had the love of the people, but he was still just a naive and foolish shepherd. And that gave Regina a huge opening to get Belle back. It wasn't like she thought Belle was useful herself. No, just her own foolish love for Rumplestiltskin was useful.

After a few hours thinking over the game board of Storybrooke, Regina left her house. She hoped that her little talk with David would get him and his little Snow White to play hero and save the beauty from the Beast. Everyone knew how they felt about Gold so it wasn't hard to make them believe that Belle was in danger. It would have been even easier if Emma hadn't found her asylum and Belle was just somehow missing during the curse. That would make them think that Gold was holding her this whole time.

There was just one issue at the moment she needed to resolve. Henry.

Henry, or rather the Charmings, took it upon themselves to hide Henry away from her. It wasn't even a good hiding place. She could easily just pop right into the loft and take him, but that wouldn't get his love back. But she knew she never had it in the first place.

Regina left her house using the back door. She was sure the shepherd and princess had something to do with the mob settling down, but she would be honest in saying she wasn't ready anytime soon to face that again. Now she had to remain hidden. It would have been easier with a cloaking spell of sorts but she never learned it. Back in the Enchanted Forest, she wanted people to see the Evil Queen. Even during the curse, she had power and control. Now, although she had her power back, she lost all control.

For now, she thought. I just need two little people to get it back.

To her great luck, she happened to spot one of them walking on the sidewalk. Like her, he was constantly looking behind him to make sure no one was following him. And she knew who he was watching out for. She quickly hid behind a tree and watched Henry walk down a road. She knew that road, but why Henry was headed to Jefferson's house she couldn't understand.

She followed behind him, keeping distance so she wouldn't be caught. Her son was clever. She always knew that but where he got it she wasn't sure. Was it because she raised him, or because of who his real family was?

But I'm his family. Not them.

Regina let go of the thought. She couldn't focus on that. She wasn't sure how Henry even knew where Jefferson lived, but it didn't matter. Henry knocked on the door and Jefferson, who was just as surprised as her to see him there, let him in after Henry mentioned something she couldn't hear.

Because Jefferson nor Henry had magic, they couldn't detect the magic that spread across the house while a hidden bystander spied through a mirror.

David was on his way to the therapist's office when his cell phone ring. He was hoping it was Emma. He wanted to apologize for his and her mother's behavior since they were acting like fools. It didn't matter if they knew Regina and Rumplestiltskin better, Emma was his daughter and he should have complete trust in her. He would say that he did trust her no matter what, but his actions certainly didn't prove it.

He looked down to see that it was Ruby who was calling. He wasn't sure what it was for, but he knew she wouldn't be calling if it wasn't an emergency.

"Ruby, what's going on?"

"David, you need to some to the diner. It's about Gold."

He was ready to let her know that he was busy and didn't have time, but hearing Gold's name stopped him in his tracks. What was he doing at the diner?

"What? Is everything okay?"

"I'm not really sure. I'm not even sure how to explain it."

"Is someone hurt?"

He quickly wondered if Belle was with Gold. From what he saw of her, he knew that Ruby and the town would immediately think the worst if they saw the girl with Gold. He certainly did.

"There's a girl here with him. She doesn't look very...healthy, but he's not hurting her. I just want you to come by and make sure it's okay. I don't mind talking to Gold, but I don't want to cause more trouble than necessary."

David thought that was a good call. He told her he would be right there. He agreed with Ruby that they shouldn't bring too much attention to themselves, but Gold obviously had by bringing Belle into town. The girl should be at home resting. He wondered if Archie gave permission for her to be out. He was thankful that Archie's office wasn't that far from the diner, because he was definitely going to have to talk to the man afterwards. As he was headed to the diner he quickly dialed Snow and told her to meet him there. He figured a softer touch would be help.

The information Jefferson gave her kept spinning her head. It was a lot of things to learn, but all very helpful. He was a stronger link to Regina and Gold than her parents were. Or at least to Gold. But Jefferson telling her that he would side with Gold nerved her. She did agree that Gold wasn't the villain, or at least at the moment. To Emma, he just seemed like a man who wanted his True Love back.

That was the hardest piece of information to grab on to. Gold had a True Love, and it wasn't as if him being the Beast was hard enough to believe. But how could anyone love him? She wouldn't say she knew the man, but she 'worked' with him plenty of times to know he wasn't a good person to be around. Let alone actually love him. But Belle did, or at least that was what everyone said. But she wanted to know from the source. Once again, the bonds person in her needed hardcore proof before believing in anything, and while she had some major hardcore proof for magic and who her parents really were, this required a little more.

Emma knew it wasn't best to just walk up to Gold and Belle and ask how she loved him. That would probably scare the girl and than she would have Gold attacking her, and she definitely didn't want that. Even if she hoped she made it clear that she wasn't his enemy at the moment. So her next best option was Archie. Jefferson told her that he had a session with Belle. That wasn't a surprise. The girl was in an asylum for twenty-eight years with no memory of who she was and she could only guess what Regina did to her before that.

She made her way to Archie's office, too focused to realize that something was happening down the road. She raised her hand, ready to knock, but the door swung open.

"Oh, Emma. Hi."

"Hi. Sorry, I was hoping I could talk to you."

"Yes, of course. I was on my way out, but I can spare a few moments. Please, come on in."

"Thanks."

Emma settled down onto the couch, crossing her legs in the Indian fashion as usual.

"So what I can I do for you?" Archie sat at his desk. He didn't grab a notepad or anything. He knew Emma was coming for answers, not so much for therapy help.

"Belle." She cut to the chase. "Can you tell me anything about her?"

"Uh..."

"I know there that's doctor and client confidentiality, but this is important. Someone told me you talked to her." Emma was careful not to mention any other names if she didn't have to. She didn't want Archie to somehow tell Regina that Jefferson 'tattled' on her, and than Regina go after them both. Though she figured Archie wouldn't help Regina like that.

He did once, but he was cursed. I can't blame him for that, but he's a smart man. Surely he knows what is at stake.

"Um, yes. I did talk to Belle."

"Did she seem okay?"

"Well, she was..."

Emma sighed. Archie was a good man, and she hated that he was dragged into this game. She decided to go ahead and let him know what she knew so he wouldn't feel guilty about what information he gave.

"Listen, I know she was under the hospital in Regina's asylum. I read her and Gold's story in the book."

"Their story? Oh yes! Henry's book. Belle told me about them, but I didn't know they were in the book. I never got to read it."

Emma smiled. "You should. It could help you in the future."

"Yes, considering what she went through, she seemed to be doing okay. She wasn't sure how to handle the town, since she had never really been in it before. I suggested they go out to dinner or something."

"Like to Granny's?"

"Perhaps. For starters."

"Did she tell you anything about her past with Gold? Or Rumplestiltskin? I'm sorry, I'm just trying to understand all this. It's a little hard."

"How are you doing? Adjusting to...everything."

Emma eyed him. She wasn't here for her, but he was just too nice to be rude to. "I'm doing fine. It is hard, but I'm managing. Right now, I'm just focused on Belle, Gold, and Regina."

"Do you think she's in danger of Gold?"

"You're the one who talked to her. What do you think?"

"But I asked you."

She sighed. "No. I think...after reading everything that Gold just wants to keep her safe. Is she in danger of him? No, I don't think so. But she probably is of Regina."

"And?"

Emma mentally kicked herself. Henry had said that he was Jiminy Cricket. The conscious of a person. She shouldn't have been surprised that he heard that hanging 'and' at the end of her sentence.

"I think my parents are going to do something."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw how they acted! I saw how they reacted when they first saw her with Gold and it wasn't good. It was crazy!"

"What do you mean?"

"They wouldn't listen to me for starters. I kept telling them that Gold wouldn't hurt Belle. I guess I've always known it."

"What do you mean?"

"On Valentine's Day, he beat up Moe French. Which I'm now guessing is Belle's father. Gold kept saying something about a'her'. He seems like a heartless bastard, and maybe he is. But not to Belle. But my parents are trying to be that prince and princess in a fairy tale again and..."

"And?"

"I don't know! I just...I just want them to stop."

Emma let out a big sigh. She wasn't in the mood for a therapy session. She had come here to talk about Belle. Not her parents.

"Listen, I just need to know about Belle."

"Well I think you know what you need to know."

Archie looked at her with his kind eyes. He was a nice man, so maybe it was that therapist in him that was being a jerk. Why couldn't he just tell her what she wanted to know?

"Belle's in danger."

It was a half question. She wanted to believe it, but was it really true? Emma knew Regina wanted power, and Henry. Her parents just wanted her to be their princess and Savior, not so much their daughter. But besides leverage over Gold, what role did Belle really play?

She got up to leave but stopped at the door, turning around.

"Belle's father. Do you think he could help?"

Archie thought for a moment. "I can't see the harm in trying."

Snow met David at the diner, ready to let David know that Henry was missing. But as soon as she arrived and stepped inside, she forgot about her grandson. In one of the booths was Gold and Belle, who still didn't look so healthy. Ruby talked to Snow and David privately at the bar.

"I don't know who she is. I've never seen her before."

"Don't worry about it Ruby. It's fine." David tried to calm her down.

"But who is she?"

The two passed a glance at each other. Snow answered, "I don't think you're ready."

"What if Gold hurt her. She doesn't look very good to me.

"Ruby, it's alright. We'll take care of it."

David headed to the booth, ignoring Gold's clear aggravated mood at the prince's presence.

"What is you want? Haven't you caused enough damage?"

"I'm not here for trouble-"

"Than you wouldn't be here."

"Rumple." Belle scolded.

The prince glanced at Belle. He was shocked to see the imp behaving so well at her command. He wasn't really sure what to say. Gold wasn't causing any disturbances. The real problem was what the town was thinking. It was clear on all of their faces when they looked at the pawnbroker and the girl who still looked rather sick that she was in danger.

He suddenly remembered what Regina had told him. Belle was his True Love. It was still hard to believe that Gold even had one, and he didn't have any actual proof of it but Regina's word. But for some strange reason, he was more trusting of Regina than Gold. All he ever did was manipulate and lie. But that was both of their games, so now David had to decided who to really trust.

And he trusted his daughter. If Emma believed that Gold wouldn't hurt Belle, despite what he and Snow knew of the Dark One, than David decided to believe it. Besides, they were just eating. So what was the problem at the moment?

"Have a good day."

David walked off, guiding Snow at of the diner. She was looking at him as if he had lost his mind, but he ignored everyone's looks.

"David! Are you crazy?!"

David stopped her on the sidewalk. "Listen Snow, there's nothing going on here."

"He might not be causing trouble, but still-"

"Still what, Snow? They're just eating. It's not like he's killing everyone."

Snow stared at David. "You actually believe Regina."

"I believe our daughter, and if Emma doesn't believe that Gold will hurt her, than we need to trust her."

"I do trust her David."

"I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is..." David let out his breath. He wasn't even really sure what he was saying. "We don't know everything yet. But once we have proof that Gold isn't hurting her, then we will do something about it."

He walked away from her, making Snow run up to catch him. He was too frustrated right now and getting into any argument with Gold wasn't the best choice right now.

"David."

"What Snow?"

He turned around to look at her. She seemed hesitant on what she wanted to say but before she did, she saw Emma across the street, coming from where Archie's office was.

"Is that Emma?"

David looked to where she was pointing and saw their daughter as well. They both ran up to catch her.

"Emma!"

Emma nearly halted in her walk but continued on, having them follow her.

"What?"

"What you talking to Archie?"

"Yeah, but not for me. You don't have to worry about me."

"What did he say?" Snow asked.

"Um, not too much."

"Did he tell you about Belle?"

Emma turned around on her heels. "Why?"

Her parents looked at each other, hoping one of them had an answer. Snow spoke first.

"Emma, there's something you need to know."

"What?"

It was already getting dark when Henry left Jefferson's house and he wasn't feeling any better than when he had arrived. Everything Jefferson told him only made things worst. He started walking down the road but he didn't get far. Regina was standing in his way.

"Mom." He gasped.

"Oh. So I am still your mother."

"What do you want?"

The smile she was wearing went away. "You, of course."

She waved her hand and magic covered the two, taking them back home.

Next time: Emma confronts Regina about Henry, Gold helps Belle feel better, and the town ask questions about Belle. David meets Moe French.

Uh no! Moe's coming into the picture and we know how he can be. Even now! Is something going to happen to Henry?

Aright, so I noticed in the last chapters and a couple before that that I was going a little too quick. What I mean in that sense is that I was too focused on information rather than explaining a little what the characters were thinking. I looked back at the first few chapters and realized how bad it got, but I think this made it up. I allowed the previous chapter a little because although it went fast, it did go over some major information when Emma was talking to Jefferson. Jefferson, I think, knows more about Rumplestiltskin than anyone so he's somewhat important.

Sorry for the delay. Muse got shot really bad after season finale, but Rumple and Belle are still in the same realm. That's the least I can ask for. Asking for more is too much for the writers. Also, grandparents are staying for two weeks (half is over) and I spend my time if I'm not at work trying to get away and keep myself calm. It's complicated and I don't like helping take care of elderly so I staying at home writing isn't always the best option for me right now. I could take my laptop, but I don't like to travel heavy.