Belle and Rumple were quick to get to work the day after the Charming's visit going over the curse and finalizing details. Rumple had already worked in a spell so that his memories would get triggered the moment he heard the savior's name, Emma. Which had of course been the point of getting the name but there were a few other things that needed going over. Namely what he would ask for when the Evil Queen called on him for help with the curse.

"I'll only be able to ask for three things." he told Belle. "I originally planned on asking for a life of comfort."

"That's wise," said Belle pacing. "Otherwise, she could stick you in some powerless poverty-stricken position and we can't risk that."

"The second was that I need a way to have some level of control over her," said Rumple. "But I'm not sure how to phrase that. It has to be simple." Belle thought for a moment then smiled.

"What about she has to do whatever you say any time you say PLEASE?" Rumple thought it over and then a grin spread across his face.

"Oh, you are a genius my love. Not only will that work even without my memories but because it's such a normal phrase if I use it once my memories activate it won't be a certain give away to the Queen."

"Not to mention it's so simple she'll likely not think twice about granting the request." added Belle smiling at the praise.

"Excellent then the last unfortunately is where we run into an issue. You see, my original plan to mitigate the Hatter's suffering under the curse was to request they be together, contentedly." Belle saw immediately where the dilemma was.

"But now you have me and are torn between asking for Alice and Grace to be together or for us to be together." Rumple nodded.

"Precisely. If I don't insist on us being together Regina will undoubtably separate us and punish you again." Belle shivered at the thought but shook her head.

"But if the curse is supposed to tear away all that we hold dear, that suggests Grace and Alice will be separated. That could be rather traumatizing for Grace once the curse breaks. In fact, considering Regina's already hurt her once I wouldn't put it past her a second time."

"Nor would I. She's not happy with Pip for siding definitively with me and she holds a grudge against the Hatter for a part he played for me many years ago."

"Then our choice is clear isn't it? We are Grace's godparents after all." Rumple nodded.

"Much as it pains me Grace needs to be with her mother. She's suffered more than enough in this life and it's my fault in part." Belle stepped forward and grasped his hand.

"I disagree about the bit regarding what happened to Jefferson and Grace being your fault. But you're right when you say she should be the priority. Whatever trials Regina wants to put us through we as adults can handle. I know you'll search for me once you wake up and if worse comes to worst, we'll at the very least be reunited when the savior succeeds."

Belle wouldn't deny there was a small part of her that was afraid of what Regina was going to do to her under the curse. But she also knew it was temporary and that the strength of their love could weather whatever she threw at them.

"Then it's agreed. The third request will be for Grace and Alice to be together." said Rumple looking glum and Belle knew it was not that he begrudged his friend and goddaughter the limited safety this would provide them and more a frustration over not being able to find a loophole to protect all of them.

"Agreed," she said leaning up to kiss him.

OUAT

Rumplestiltskin wasn't upset per se about his third condition for the Queen. He was glad to know at least that Grace and Pip would be safe. Whatever Belle said he still felt somewhat responsible for the incident with Jefferson and even that aside it was HIS curse that they were all going under.

Grace actually knew about it, her mother having explained the curse to her around the time Rumple had the vision telling him they would find Jefferson in this new world. Grace had been nervous but largely accepting of the concept mostly pleased that she'd be seeing her father and trusting Rumplestiltskin's word the curse would be broken.

All in all, he was mostly just irked by the fact that he was certain Regina would use this curse as another chance to harm Belle. As expected, he was eventually called on by Regina. Well, she'd called on him a few times previously but he'd ignored her. The only time he'd seen her since threatening her was when he gave the hint for her to crash the Charming's wedding.

Now though helping her was in his best interest so he met her in the garden of her palace by her apple tree.

"You called dearie?"

"Why didn't it work!?" demanded the Queen.

"Oh, so worried...just like Snow and her darling husband," teased Rumple. Who was not going to give Regina information right away and not for nothing.

"WHAT!" said the Evil Queen sharply.

"Oh, they paid me a visit. They were quite anxious about you and the curse. Though with how you appear to be getting on perhaps such worries were in vain."

"What'd you tell them?" asked Regina looking worried though she seemed annoyed by the dig.

"The truth! That nothing can stop the darkness. Except, of course, their unborn child. You see, no matter how powerful, all cursed can be broken." He paused for effect. "Their child is the key. Of course, the curse has to be enacted first. Which you seem to be doing a remarkably poor job off."

"Tell me what I did wrong." she demanded. Rumple examined his fingernails

"For that, there's a price."

"What do you want?"

"Simple. In this new land, I want comfort. I want a good life."

"Fine! You'll have an estate, be rich." said Regina carelessly.

"I wasn't finished! There's more!" he said holding up his hand.

"There always is with you." scoffed Regina.

"The Pied Piper and her daughter Grace are to be kept together," he said. Regina rolled her eyes throwing up her hands.

"Whatever the banshee and her spawn will be safe. What else you know these things only work in threes."

"In this new land," he paused. "Should I ever come to you for any reason, you must heed my every request. You must do whatever I say. So long as I say "Please." Regina looked startled then smirked.

"You do realize that should I succeed, you won't remember any of this?" Rumple shrugged.

"Oh well, then what's the harm?" for a moment he wondered if she'd actually be foolish enough to agree to that. Surely anyone with half a brain wouldn't but the Evil Queen was far too bent on revenge for such little things as common sense.

"Deal. What must I do to enact this Curse?"

"You need to sacrifice," he flourished his hand, "a heart."

"I sacrificed my priced steed." In an instant Rumple had her by the throat.

"A horse? This is the Curse to end all curses. You think a horse is gonna do? Great power requires great sacrifice. The heart you need must come from something far more precious."

"Tell me what will suffice." he released her.

"The heart of the thing you love most," honestly if she'd read the instructions she ought to have figured that out originally. Evidently she hadn't wanted to believe it.

"What I loved most died because of Snow White!"

"Is there no one else you truly love?" he said mockingly and he knew she understood his implication. She'd have to sacrifice the one person that remained by her. Her father.

"This Curse isn't gonna be easy. Vengeance never is, dearie. You have to ask yourself a simple question. How far are you willing to go." Regina leaned in.

"As far as it takes." Rumple gave a high-pitched giggle.

"Then please stop wasting everyone's time and just do it! You know what you love... now go kill it!" Then with a wave of his hand he disappeared.

OUAT

According to Rumple wouldn't take long for Regina to finish her curse once she'd learnt the final ingredient. Due to that the four inhabitants of the Dark Castle had taken to staying close together. It wouldn't do much when the curse hit but at least they could spend as much time as possible together.

"You know I still can hardly believe she's going to kill her father," said Belle. "For all our differences I could never do that." The mere idea was preposterous. Rumple who was by the window shrugged.

"You are an incredibly kind and forgiving person my love. Regina on the other hand..."

"Is a vengeful witch who blames the wrong people for her problems and drags others into her conflicts." finished Alice from her spot by the fire.

"Precisely, Pip," said Rumple.

"Gracie, do yourself a favor and if you can try to be like your dear Auntie Belle and avoid holding grudges," Alice directed at Grace who was curled up by her mother. Grace giggled.

"You don't want her to be like you?" asked Belle who thought most parents wanted their children to emulate them.

"Oh mercy no. I'm far to reckless and generally hard-hearted," said Alice with a wave of her hand. Belle tilted her head thinking it over and supposed she could understand it. Alice was not an unkind person when she chose to be. But she displayed that side to a rare few and was often exceptionally ruthless.

"Personally, I want to be like Uncle Rumple. Ten steps ahead of everyone!" piped up Grace. This got a laugh out of all three adults. Rumple bowed before moving to sit by Belle and put an arm around her.

"I'm honored your Ladyship but I wouldn't go around touting the fact your role model is the Dark One."

"I suppose," sighed Grace looking a little put out. Belle loved watching Grace and Rumple interact. It showed a softer side to Rumple. The one she imagined must have acted during the time he was raising Bae. Besides it really was funny to see the juxtaposition of the Dark One with a young child.

Grace was ten almost eleven now. She maintained much of the gentle sweetness of one her age. But there was something in her eyes to show that a part of the innocence that had once been there was gone. In Belle's opinion it had been stolen the same day her heart had been.

Belle was about to suggest she go and make them some tea when suddenly Rumple froze.

"It's time." he said.

"You're sure?" asked Belle and Rumple nodded.

"I can feel it. She just activated the curse. We're on the far side of the realm so I'd say we've ten minutes," They all stood.

"Well then," said Alice. "I suppose we should say our goodbyes."

Belle then stood and moved over to hug Alice.

"Take care," she said as they embraced.

"You do the same. We'll all find each other again." said Alice as they pulled apart still holding hands.

"I'm sure we will. After all we can trust Rumple on some things," said Belle. The jab wasn't one of her best but in the situation, it brought a smile to both their faces.

Next Belle stumbled a little as her goddaughter threw herself at her to hug her. She knelt down to properly embrace her.

"Goodbye, Auntie Belle."

"It'll be alright Grace," said Belle as she gave her a tight squeeze. Then she pulled away and smiled. "We'll be back to having tea parties in no time."

OUAT

Rumple felt a pull inside him as soon as the curse had been activated. A part of him felt excited finally he would be getting to where Bae was. And yet the idea of saying goodbye even for a short time to his loved ones as they were largely put at the mercy of the Queen was not a pleasant one.

He saw Grace heading towards him and bent down to catch her as she buried her face in his collar.

"I'm going to miss you," she said. Rumple tried to chuckle as she pulled back a little

"On the contrary dearie. You'll hardly know any time is passing at all. Then once the curse breaks, we'll all be together again including your father. I promise."

"And your son," she said. Rumple felt a pang. Bae had briefly been mentioned to Grace when they'd told her why he'd made the curse.

"Eventually him too. I promise you this isn't the last we'll see of each other your Ladyship." Grace bit her lip.

"And you always keep your promises."

"That I do," he said as she hugged him once more before moving on to Belle. Then it was time to say farewell to Pip.

"Ready for this?" she asked quietly.

"Hardly," said Rumple.

"Well, a bit late to turn back now," chuckled Pip. Then she hugged him."

"Thank you for everything Rum." she whispered.

"The same to you Pip." he replied and then added as she pulled back. "You and Grace shall be together. Count at least on that."

"I'll never be able to repay you for this." she said.

"There are no debts between family," answered Rumple for family was what the Hatters were. Grace having said goodbye to Belle she stepped back with her mother.

"I think we'll leave you to yourselves no," said Pip. "Fairfarren to you both."

"See you on the other side," said Belle. Then Grace and Pip left leaving Rumple and Belle alone. Rumple turned to Belle.

"Regretting all your life choices now dearest?" Belle laughed softly.

"Not in the slightest. I admit I'm a bit scared but, I know you'll get to me once you wake and this is how we find our boy." Rumple felt a rush of warmth as she spoke of Bae as her own. He pulled her into a long kiss before leaning his forehead against hers.

"I love you, Belle."

"And I love you," she replied stroking his cheek.

"Suddenly I'm thinking of all the things I should have said to you and now there isn't the time." he murmured.

"Then tell me when we see each other again." Rumple held her close reveling in the feeling of her warm body against his, her head tucked under his chin.

"Then what do we do instead?" he asked. Belle pulled away looking up at him with those beautiful blue eyes that had captivated him from the day they met.

"I have an idea." she stepped away and walked over to the phonograph from Frankenstein. She started it up and a gentle tune began to play. Realizing her plan Rumple head out his hand.

"One more dance my love?" Belle curtsied.

"I would be honored." she stepped forward and they began to slowly dance around the room completely lost in each other's presence. Outside the dark curse rolled towards them but as it washed over the Dark Castle Rumplestiltskin and Belle continued to dance to the tune of true love.

Authors Note: And so book one ends! I've no idea how many chapters it is going to take to cover the events of cursed storybrooke so whether that is a book of it's own or connected to book two which covers season two I'm not sure. We'll see. But I agreed with some of my commenters it works smoothly to end book one of the Enchanted Forrest stuff here. Speaking of which shout out in particular to everyone who has taken the time to leave a comment below. They really make my day and give me the motivation to keep this fic going (To know I'm not just throwing this out into blank space)! If you like the story please leave a note below! Even if you haven't though thank you very much for taking the time to read this! Also feel free to check out my other stories. I also model this final dance after the one in season six (just minus the awful ending) Until next time! See you in The Best Tea Cup is Chipped Book 2! First chapter should be out next week!