Belle was cleaning the Great Hall when the two great doors swung open to reveal Piper and Jefferson.
"Belle my dear girl!" exclaimed Jefferson dramatically striding forward and embracing her. Belle laughed and returned the hug.
"Hello Jefferson. It's been a while."
"Far too long," added Piper placing a hand on her shoulder. "How are you?"
"I'm quite well thank you."
"Now where has Lord Grumpypants gotten to?" asked Jefferson with a smirk. Belle covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile.
"Don't let him hear you saying that!"
"Yes, I'd rather not have to convince him to change you back into a human from whatever invertebrate he'd decide to turn you into," snorted Piper dryly.
"Shall I go get tea?" asked Belle.
"No need for that dearie! We'll be leaving at once!" came Rumplestiltskin's voice from behind her. Belle and Jefferson jumped and Belle wacked Rumple with the dust rag.
"Stop doing that just because you CAN poof everywhere doesn't mean you need to. You have two perfectly good legs!"
"Yes but where's the fun in that?" he asked with a smirk.
"Best be careful Rum one of these days you might just give your dear caretaker a heart attack and then where would you be?"
"I did survive on my own for 300 years you know Pip." countered Rumple.
"Yes but once one get used to certain things they become much harder to do without?" the blond replied with a smirk.
"I assure you I haven't the faintest idea what you mean," scoffed Rumple. A little too quickly if Belle were honest. Truthfully the idea that perhaps he had grown to value her to the point where he would miss her pleased Belle.
"Well, I hope you three enjoy where ever it is you plan to go." she said beginning to head towards the doors.
"Where are you going Belle?" asked Rumple. Belle's brow furrowed.
"I presumed to do my chores."
"Those can wait. You'll be coming with us," he snapped his fingers and she found herself in her green cloak.
"I am?" gasped Belle.
"She is?" repeated Piper and Jefferson in surprise.
"Did you all suddenly lose the ability to hear?" asked Rumple irritated.
"No but you're being nice which is scary," answered Jefferson. Belle watched Rumplestiltskin roll his eyes.
"We're headed to Guilder there's a forest with some ingredients I need and an orchard just off the side of it. You and I shall collect the ingredients from the forest while Pip and Belle explore the orchard."
"Wait so I'm a glorified babysitter?" asked Piper. Belle was too excited about the prospect of another world to object.
"The last time Belle left the castle grounds she got kidnapped I'm not taking that chance in a different realm." Snapped Rumple.
"Well as long as you aren't planning on going into the Fire Swamp it sounds delightful." said Jefferson. Rumple scoffed.
"Please, if I wanted to send you to get something from the Fire Swamp I would NOT be joining you."
"Well then, shall we go?" asked Belle unable to hide her excitement. Jefferson shot her a grin.
"In a moment. There's one rule you must remember about the hat. The same number that go in must come out." Belle nodded in understanding. Jefferson stepped forward with his top had and set it on its head then with both hands spun in round. The hat swiftly picked up speed the brim widening into a swirling grey vortex and a wind whipping up.
"In we go!" Shouted Piper taking Jefferson's hand and the husband and wife jumped in disappearing down the vortex. Belle's heart beat fast and then she heard Rumple's voice and turned to see him holding out his hand.
"Together?" She took it readily and the two of them jumped. The portal was like being dragged down a pipe in a windstorm and Belle gasped as her feet hit the ground.
She looked around and saw that they were in a circular room. The floor was made of elegant black marble and all around the walls were doors of various shapes and colors.
"There's a different world behind each of these doors?" asked Belle in awe.
"Yes, the room even adds some every now and then." answered Jefferson slightly proudly.
"He likes his hat," whispered Piper conspiratorially to Belle.
"You mean when a new world is created?" Belle said following what Jefferson had said.
"Every realm had to have a beginning at some point," said Rumple. "We're headed to the Goldman's Realm most notably home to Florin, Guilder, and the Fire Swamp."
"Don't forget ROUS's," added Jefferson.
"Rodents of Unusual Size," elaborated Piper as the headed for a rectangular oak door with gold trim.
The four of them stepped though the doorway and Belle blinked for they were on the outskirts of a forest. Off to the left was an orchard of multicolored trees. The sky above them was blue and clear and Belle could hear birds singing. It was Spring in Guilder.
"Well, you know the plan. You two wander around the orchard and we'll come back for you when we've finished." said Rumple.
"Relax Rumple we'll be fine," said Piper with a wave of her hand.
"I promise I won't even stray from Piper's sight," said Belle to reassure him. She knew he didn't want another incident like the one with the Queens of Darkness.
The two men headed off for the forest and Piper gestured with her hand for Belle to go first into the orchard.
"After you."
OUAT
Rumple had debated back and forth on whether to bring Belle on this trip. He needed an excuse to speak with the Hatter and figured Belle would enjoy Pip's company. He also knew Belle would be over the moon about the chance to visit another realm and the idea of making her happy quite pleased him.
The two men strode through the forest as Rumple looked around.
"Soooo...how are things between you and Belle?" asked Jefferson never one for subtlety
"There is nothing between Belle and I besides perhaps something akin to friendship. So I haven't the faintest idea what you mean."
"So, you're falling in love with her." surmised Jefferson. Rumple gritted his teeth.
"Belle makes for pleasant and engaging company, far more so than you do, I've rarely come across one with a mind as clever as her's."
"And you're complimenting her. Come on! For goodness' sake. You've never in your life issued an Ault eristic compliment that alone makes her special. And you can't possibly deny you're at least attracted to her. I've seen the way you look at her." Rumple sighed. The Hatter might play the fool but he was damn perceptive when he wanted.
"Any man not in the throes of true love would be attracted to her. She's objectively a beautiful young woman. Both inside and out," he added this last part more softly.
"And you aren't in love with her." said Jefferson disbelief evident in his tone.
"Its not as if my feelings matter that much anyway. Even if your ridiculous suggestion were, perhaps correct, Belle would never return the feeling." said Rumple after a pause.
"And why is that?" asked Jefferson his tone slightly softer and more serious.
"Because beautiful women do not fall in love with hideous monsters like myself." answered Rumple turning to face Jefferson.
"Gee who needs enemies to insult you when you do such a thorough job yourself," muttered Jefferson. "Look I think you are both underestimating Belle and exaggerating your own flaws."
"I know what I am Jefferson. My heart is nearly black. My soul forever tainted by deeds I don't all regret. I'm hardly anything to look at. Someone as lovely and pure as Belle can at best pity me but never love. She is too good for one such as I."
"Isn't it up to Belle to decide that?" asked Jefferson. "Look you're no hero or prince charming. But Belle very obviously likes you. I've seen the way her face brightens when she sees you. The joy she clearly takes in interacting with you. It's clear as day to anyone with eyes she cares about you."
"As I said at best in pity or as a friend."
"Women who only consider someone a friend don't look moon eyed every time said person enters the room," scoffed Jefferson. "But if you want my advice on how to handle this, and quite frankly even if you don't, I'll give it."
Secretly Rumple did want his advice but a part of him still shied away from the idea of show such weakness as to openly ask for the advice.
"Oh?" he said trying to appear disinterested.
"Let her in." Rumple blinked at the Hatter's words.
"What?" Jefferson sighed and took a seat on a log forcing Rumple to stop.
"Let her in. Be open with her and let her see who you truly are."
"If I do that she's bound to run screaming down the mountain," muttered Rumple and Jefferson snorted.
"Belle isn't the sort to run screaming from anything and you know it. Look. You and Alice are a lot alike."
"Of course, it's what makes our business arrangement work so well," commented Rumple not seeing what his similarity to Pip had to do with anything.
"Right, well what I mean is you are similar in how you present yourselves. Alice, to put it bluntly, can be absolutely ruthless when it comes to deal making and I pity any fool that tries to cross her. I've seen her make men bleed at the ears and walk away with a smile. That's the image she presents to the world. That said, there's more to her than just that side. She has the capacity for cruelty but she's also capable of great gentleness and compassion. I see it every day with Grace. It was when she let her guard down and let me see that that I truly began to fall in love with her.
You're the Dark One. You scheme and manipulate. Hell! I've helped you out with that on more than one occasion. But I also happen to believe that there's a little more to you than that another secret side if you will. Let Belle see that, let her know Rumplestiltskin the man. Clearly, she's already starting to have some idea. Show her you trust her. Someone can only love you if they know truly know you."
"If in a hypothetical world where your accusations about my feelings were correct, I were to try this you realize it could tremendously backfire." pointed out Rumple his curse heartily agreeing on this point. Jefferson shrugged.
"That's how it always is in love. But think about it. If you go on as you do and don't say anything it's going to be painful. If you do trust her there's a chance of getting burned but there's also one that you might be happy. Personally, I've found it worth the risk."
"Why do you even care Hatter?" asked Rumple as he mulled over the advice in his head. Jefferson gave him a crooked smile.
"You're my FRIEND Rumple even if you deny it. And you are also responsible for my finding true love with Alice. It'd be nice to see you get the same happiness."
"I'll bear what you've said in mind Hatter." said Rumple after a long pause and Jefferson stood grinning.
"That's the best I can ask."
OUAT
Belle was in awe over the orchard it was a rainbow of colors from, ruby red to spring green, to pumpkin orange and each leave was outlined in gold with the light brown bark having an almost glimmering sheen to it.
"So. How are things with you and Rumple?" asked Piper. From behind Belle.
"Oh, quite well, I must say I'm almost sorry Spring has come. All the snow at the castle meant Rumple and I had very few interruptions to our time together."
"So you enjoy spending time with him," probed Alice. Belle twirled a fallen leaf in her hand.
"Yes, I do. I'd never have imagined it when I first arrived but quite frankly, I've never enjoyed someone's company so much. The hours always seem to fly by when we talk. I've never met a man like him."
"Well, there are no men like Rumplestiltskin, he is the Dark One," said Piper exaggerating the title with her tone.
"Oh, I don't mean magically. I mean in other ways. As I said he's incredibly interesting but he also respects me and shows interest in MY thoughts in a way I've never had a man do before. My old fiancé Gaston preferred to think of me as a pretty trophy rather than a person." explained Belle.
"Sounds like a real catch," scoffed Piper and Belle laughed.
"My thoughts exactly." she paused wondering over her next question and then took the plunge.
"You and Jefferson have true love don't you?"
"Yes, we do," answered Piper a soft smile gracing her face.
"How did you know you were in love with him?" Belle watched Piper as she got a pensive look on her face.
"Well, it all happened a bit fast. Almost like it snuck up on me. It seemed one day we'd met and the next my heart was opening up and falling for this mad wonderful man. Love's a funny thing. It fills you up, makes your head spin round and your heart run like mad. You want to be with the person all the time. When you're together things just feel...right. But if I were to say exactly how I knew I was in love with him it was when I finally understood a phrase from my home world, Wonderland, "Home is where the heart is." All my adult life I'd wandered but when I found Jefferson I finally found a home."
Belle listened intently to Piper's words hoping to glean some insight.
"And how did you know Jefferson loved you? I mean anyone can say the word I love you."
"Oh it's about more than just words, I think you know a man loves you when he does something truly extraordinary. Something with some real weight that shows you how much you mean to him."
"What was it for you?" asked Belle. Piper gave her a mysterious smirk.
"Now that would be telling."
"Right, well, thank you, I'll keep that in mind," said Belle.
"Hmm," replied Piper her perceptive grey eyes surveying Belle in a manner that made Belle feel that the woman guessed more than she let on. Eager to swap the subject Belle said.
"So, tell me about Grace is she your daughter?"
"Step daughter actually though I love her as my own," answered Piper with a smile and they spent the rest of the time discussing the exploits of Jefferson and Piper's young child who was quite the little mischief maker apparently.
At last, Rumplestiltksin and Jefferson returned from the forest. Belle noticed Rumple had a pensive look on his face.
"Did you get what you needed?" asked Belle.
"Yes, I did. Hatter if you would?" said Rumplestiltskin. Jefferson removed his top hat and with a flick of his wrist tossed it onto the ground it began spinning and this time Belle jumped into the swirling vortex without hesitation.
They returned to the Dark Castle and Belle profusely thanked Jefferson and Piper.
"It was no trouble. Seriously, that's probably one of the tamest trips his Darkness has sent us on," replied Jefferson with a smile.
"Well, it was wonderful all the same. I do look forward to seeing you both again."
"Yes, we'll attempt to come back soon so you have someone other than this one," Piper jerked her head at Rumple. "To keep you company."
"Careful Pip or the next time I might send you two somewhere far less pleasant," warned Rumplestiltskin though Belle could hear the lack of any real threat in his tone.
"Sure, you will." answered Piper as they headed for the castle doors.
"Well then, fairfarren Rumple, Belle!" said Piper. Belle recognized the farewell as a Wonderlandian phrase she once read in her books.
"Until next time!" called Jefferson and with that the two were gone.
"Well hopefully we won't have to put up with them again for a while," muttered Rumple and Belle laughed.
"Oh, come now we've been over this you like them and we both know it." Rumple snorted.
"Think what you will." He turned to leave but Belle caught his hand.
"Thank you for taking me Rumple. That was amazing." She watched as a Rumple's mask fell slightly and his lips turned upward in something almost akin to a smile.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Then the mask was back up.
"Now off with you I don't want dinner late just because of the trip!"
"Heaven forbid," scoffed Belle with a smile and turned to go to the kitchens.
Author's Note: So this chapter came out way longer than expected but I hope you like it. I wanted to build on the friendship with Jefferson and Piper and also the Jefferson, Rumple dynamic we get a glimpse of in "The Doctor". I also hope you like the literary reference's again. I felt this was a natural progression for the story as at this point Rumple's aware enough to admit that he's falling in love with Belle but he's obviously firmly in the camp of refusing to think she could return it. Belle's still trying to sort out her feelings but suspects the direction they are heading. If you like the story PLEASE PLEASE leave a comment below! Feedback and even ideas are always welcome. It really does mean the world to me! Until next time!
