Rumple was relieved to have Belle back at his side and also have magic back. It would make certain things much simpler, including protecting his own now that people had their memories.

As they returned to the shop Belle tilted her head.

"Why have you kept the limp? Magic can cure it now and you didn't have it in the other realm?"

"I'm keeping it as a reminder of what I've done all this for. Who I've done it for and as a reminder of the side of me I do not wish to lose."

"The one that became the Dark One for the sake of his son," said Belle with a slight smile.

"I hope that isn't an issue." Belle shook her head as they neared the shop the chain of the necklace that held the dagger, magically returned to its hidden state now around her neck.

"Not at all. I'm just going to run and lock down the library I don't want anyone wandering in if the town suddenly becomes a free for all." Rumple nodded.

"I'll meet you in the shop," he replied and they parted with a brief kiss. This was the opportunity he needed. He'd not been thrilled by the fact that Belle made him promise not to kill Regina. The woman needed to be punished. After all he'd warned her the last time about crossing him. She'd done more than enough.

Still his promise left some wiggle room. He hated going around his wife like this but he wouldn't let what had happened stand.

Putting on some gloves he went to the back room and pulled out a medallion. Then he magicked himself to the Sheriff's station where he guessed Regina would be by now. Enough time had passed that the heroes would have taken her from her mansion and he doubted they'd be sensible enough to just kill her. He entered to find Regina trying to work her magic. He smirked.

"Magic is different here, DEARIE." Regina scowled.

"So I noticed. I presume this is your doing?"

"Mine and Belle's yes," he said. "Speaking of which you made a rather large mistake your majesty. I thought I warned you not to harm her again after the last stunt you pulled regarding her." Regina shrugged.

"The curse separates you from your loved ones."

"I know dearie. I made it. But you cast it and controlled it. You made it as painful for Belle as you could."

"So, what you're going to kill me?" she asked and he was pleased to see a little fear. Rumple shook his head.

"Oh no. Belle being the near Saint she is made me promise not to. But that doesn't mean there aren't other versions of punishment." He grabbed her hand through the bars and pressed the gold medallion to her bare palm. Horror flooded Regina's face.

"Is that?"

"Oh yes, the one thing you can't escape. Destiny. And yours is particularly unpleasant." Turning away he then magicked himself back to the shop feeling satisfied.

He'd just put away the medallion when Belle entered the back room. She wore heels again and unlike when she was Lacey held herself with a great deal more confidence.

It was quite attractive.

"All locked up?" he said. She nodded.

"Yes." He watched as her eyes scanned him.

"So, this is what you looked like before the curse?" there was nothing but curiosity in her tone so Rumple couldn't quite tell what she was thinking as she drew closer.

"Yes, I'm afraid it isn't much of an upgrade from my other self. Even before the curse I was never the most handsome of men." Milah had made that more than clear. Belle took another step closer.

"Lacey certainly liked what she saw." They were now a so close he could feel her breath. "And so do I." She pressed her lips to his and he couldn't hold back they began to kiss passionately both seemingly wanting to make up for the last 28 years of lost time.

It felt so right to have her back in his arms. Passion seemed to overtake them and suddenly he found himself pressing her against the wall as Belle's hands reached for his tie and began to unbutton his shirt.

At the same time, he removed her sweater and began to undo her blouse and skirt. Neither registered any sounds from beyond the curtain until there was a cry of.

"JESUS H CHRIST!" They broke apart, fortunately still mostly clothed to see the Savior backing out of the room as if she'd been set on fire.

Belle gasped and then buried her face in his shoulder sounding half embarrassed half amused.

"We could ignore them," he whispered. "That would get them to leave." Belle pulled away and wacked his arm as she started to straighten herself.

"Absolutely not," she hissed. Rumple rolled his eyes feeling minorly annoyed but redid the buttons on his shirt, buckled his belt and fixed his tie.

Belle was taking a bit longer so he strode out to see a still red-faced Savior.

"For God's sake Gold ever heard of putting a sock on the door?"

"Generally, it's bad form Sheriff to come into someone's back room uninvited," said Rumple with an unapologetic shrug. Snow was desperately looking anywhere but at him and the prince appeared half amused half perplexed.

"I'm going to need my brain bleached," muttered Emma and he chuckled feeling rather pleased. At this point Belle came out from behind the curtain. "And here I thought you two were taking things slow," the blond added. To Rumple's pleasure Belle came to stand next to him and took his hand.

"Why go slow when you are already married?"

OUAT

Belle felt a bit embarrassed by Emma walking in on them halfway to making love. They had gotten a bit carried away, but now that she was more presentable, she had less trouble facing her friend. At least she hoped Emma would stay her friend.

"Why go slow when you are already married?

"Wait, Lacey. You two are actually together? That wasn't part of this whole curse thing?" Belle shook her head and Rumple felt even more amused.

"It's Belle actually and yes."

"Belle as in Beauty and the Beast?" said Emma glared at Rumple. "I guess that fits."

"People have said worse," said Rumple with a chuckle and Belle rolled her eyes.

"They just don't know you like I do," her husband kissed the back of her hand.

"Nor do I care."

"We already checked Emma; they really are together because they want to be. They're true love." said Charming looking at Rumple and Belle remembered something about her husband and the prince sharing a conversation in the Infinite Forest regarding her.

"That wasn't my question. But, setting THAT weirdness aside we've got priorities." said Emma.

"Yes. We do. How is Henry?" asked Belle having been filled in by Rumple on the events regarding the apple turnover.

"Fine now. Though it was close thanks to your husband. You know maybe I don't need answers maybe I need to punch you in the face." said Emma crossing her arms. Belle sighed deciding to give the woman a pass due to being concerned for her child. Rumple however shrugged.

"But I was right, wasn't I? I knew your boy would make it Miss Swan. And now not only is he safe and in your custody. But you've been reunited with the family you've been searching years to find. Seems to me instead of a punch in the face. I should be getting a thank you." Belle gave an exasperated sigh and resisted the urge to rub her temples, knowing her husband was purposely winding up Emma.

"Twist my words all you want. What did you do?" asked Emma.

"You'll have to be a bit more specific," replied Rumple casually and Belle decided to jump in before the Sheriff actually DID try to punch Rumple.

"Rumple would never have toyed with Henry's life Emma. If he says he knew he'd make it in time then he did. We don't play with children's lives. I promise you that," said Belle firmly. Emma held her gaze still appearing slightly skeptical but seemingly willing to perhaps take her word.

"What was that purple haze then?" she asked. Rumple smiled.

"You know," he flourished his hand in a way reminiscent of his old impish self. "Magic."

"Why'd you bring it?" asked Snow.

"Not telling," said Rumple which didn't appear to reassure the three.

"The primary reason isn't for anything bad I promise you that," said Belle. "I'd never have consented if that were the case."

"You were in on it?" asked Charming.

"My wife and I work as a team," replied Rumple and Belle smiled with pride. Suddenly the lights flickered and the store shook as the ground beneath them rumbled.

"What the Hell was that!?" said Emma as Snow ran to the window outside the lights had dimmed. Belle turned to see to see Rumple had a worryingly twisted smile on his face.

"That is my gift to you. That is gonna take care of Regina." Not wanting to argue in front of the heroes Belle kept silent as betrayal roared up inside her.

"Emma, come on!" called Snow.

"We need to go take care of this." said Charming.

"We're not done." Emma told Rumple firmly.

"Oh, I know. You still owe me a favour," the three heroes left and as soon as the door closed Belle rounded on her husband.

OUAT

Rumple knew he was in for trouble as soon as the door closed.

"WHAT is that?"

"A wraith it will take care of Regina for us. Permanently." replied Rumple.

"You promised you wouldn't kill her!" said Belle.

"And I won't," said Rumple deliberately. "The wraith is doing all the work and anyway having your soul sucked out doesn't kill you. It just leaves you an empty husk."

"You knew very well what I intended when I said those words Rumplestiltskin do not play games with me!" snapped Belle and she wasn't wrong there but he also wasn't sorry for what he did. In fact, he felt rather irritated at how little consequences Belle wanted the woman to face after all she did.

"You truly expected me to do nothing Belle? This is the woman that stole you from me twice. That locked up and tortured my true love. This is the woman that took the heart of our GODDAUGHTER and trapped one of our closest friends in a realm ruled by one of the cruelest women ever to live! You were there the day Grace was brought in nearly emotionless with Pip practically a mess and you still expect me to let that woman to go unpunished?! Nobody hurts my family Belle and gets away with it. You should know me well enough to know that by now."

Belle's blue eyes flashed as she glared.

"Yes, I was there and don't think for a second I wasn't as scared and upset by what happened as you! But THIS wasn't the way to go about dealing with it. Certainly not behind my back. And if this is how things are going to be then evidently twenty-eight years did more damage than I thought!" Belle turned on her heel and grabbed her purse storming for the door.

Fear suddenly filled Rumple. She was leaving him.

"Belle..." he began as she opened the door and glanced back still angry however for just a moment her blue eyes softened slightly.

"I need air Rumple. I can't be around you RIGHT NOW." he noticed how she put emphasis on the last two words and knew it was both a dig at how he'd been so deliberate with the usage of his words but also a reassurance she wasn't leaving for good. Then her eyes hardened again and she slammed the door behind her.

OUAT

A short time passed before the heroes plus Regina were back in his shop.

"We need you to stop that wraith." said Snow White.

"And why should I? I released it for a reason. Surely you know she more than deserves it and after all you simply need let it take Regina and nobody else will be hurt."

"We don't sacrifice lives like that," said Charming.

"And it's actions like that which allowed her the free reign to cast the curse in the first place," pointed out Rumple.

"Are you going to help or not?" asked Emma.

"Not." he replied simply. The heroes could work it out on their own.

"What about a portal?" suggested Charming suddenly Rumple listened while pretending not to pay them any mind.

"The only option for that would be Jefferson's hat." replied Regina.

"How likely is he to lend it?" asked Emma.

"Not much given what her majesty did to him and his family," sneered Rumple.

"Oh shut up," scowled Regina.

"I'll call, Fae...I mean Piper or Alice. What the hell!" The Savior appeared frustrated as she dialed the number. Rumple waited curious.

"Ok...right...meet us at Gold's shop we'll have her here." Emma hung up.

"Get the Mother Superior here. They said they'd be willing to make a deal but it involves her."

"What do they want with Blue?" asked Charming and Rumple chuckled causing some alarmed looks.

"Oh this will be interesting."

OUAT

Fifteen minutes later, the Blue Hag had apparently fought her way to the shop per Snow's request and Pip and Jefferson had joined Jefferson wearing his hat.

"So that thing can travel different worlds?" asked Emma.

"Yup. You wanna open it up and send your wraith through to what remains of the Enchanted Forest you can. For a price," said Jefferson.

"They spend too much time with you," said Regina.

"Why did you want Blue here?" asked Snow.

"Because she's the only one who can give you what you need in exchange for Hattie's help." said Pip with a predatory smile. "Well, her and Regina in fact."

"I won't be giving the likes of you anything," said the fairy primly. At the same time as Regina said "What do you want?"

"We need his help just hear them out," said Emma.

"We want you Blue to confess," said Pip. "Tell The Charming's here what your oh so good self-did that enabled Regina to enact her plan against Hattie." Seeing where they were going Rumple stepped in.

"You see I had placed many layers of protection spells over Pip and Jefferson's home to keep out any dark forces wanting to get in. Regina here should never have been able to violate the safety of their home."

"The wards were tampered with. I broke through easily," said Regina. "If he had them protected, I shouldn't have been able to scry their location."

"I don't see what you're saying," said Charming. Jefferson rolled his eyes.

"Of course, not but someone else does."

"That's...that's preposterous! You are suggesting that I'm the one that damaged the wards so Regina could get in?"

"I didn't make looking for them a secret," said Regina.

"And we'd turned down your offer of betraying Rum." added Pip.

"I wouldn't do such a thing...it's beneath me!" said Blue.

"You're lying." The voice that spoke now was Emma's.

"Emma!" exclaimed Snow. "Fairies can't lie!"

"Well, this one is. I can always tell when someone's lying and she is. So why don't you stop wasting our time and confess lady." Emma had her arms crossed Rumple smirked. Oh this was a change he'd not foreseen.

The Blue Bug looked furious but at last she spoke.

"The trio of the Hatter, the Piper, and the Dark One was extremely dangerous. I had to do what I could to get them out of the way."

"But you only succeeded with one," said Rumple grinning.

"Blue! How could you?" said Charming

Even Regina looked smug at seeing the holier than thou bug brought down a peg.

"Some things must be done for the greater good child."

"Yes sending a man to be tortured repeatedly and leaving a child to have her heart ripped out is quite good," said Jefferson pulling down his scarf to reveal the scar that ran round his entire neck. "Of with their head, eh?"

Charming and Snow looked betrayed and unsure of what to think the Savior appeared a bit disgusted. Good. She wouldn't trust the bug implicitly now. Flustered the Blue Fairy swiftly walked out. Regina spoke up.

"Great now everyone knows what a sanctimonious hag this one is can we move on to me not dying now?" Jefferson nodded.

"I'm a man of my word. Lead the way."

"Thanks for the space, Rum," called Pip.

"Thank you for the show," he replied and the door swung shut behind them.

The victory over Blue was sweet, but the joy didn't last long and soon the gloom over the fight with Belle settled back over even as the storm outside calmed indicating the departure of the wraith. So, Rumple did what he always did when he was troubled. He spun.

OUAT

Belle found herself fighting a bit against the strong wind but at last she made it to Granny's and slipped inside. It was largely empty at the moment except for Ruby and Granny.

"Lacey!" exclaimed the woman coming round the counter then paused. "Actually, what is your real name?"

"Belle." she replied. "And yours?"

"People called me Red back home so not to different," said the girl. "What can I get you? Iced tea?"

"Yes please." said Belle sitting down in a booth. She toyed with where her wedding ring should be residing. She blinked as her drink was set down in front of her and Red slid in across from her.

"So, Belle. What about that connection with Gold? Odd waking up and finding yourself in a relationship with Rumplestiltskin?" Belle shrugged.

"Not really, considering we were married before the curse," she replied. Red's jaw dropped.

"Wait. The Dark One is married?"

"Yes. Lady Belle of the Dark Castle is my official title. Not that Rumple or I really pay attention to that sort of thing."

"Well...I did not see that one coming." said Red.

"Few do," responded Belle dryly. "Ruby was with Graham which also started once the curse began to weaken so?" she let the question dangle. Red beamed.

"Yes, the Huntsman and I are true love! We met when he joined Snow's rebellion."

"He's a wonderful man. He did me a great service in helping me escape Regina back in the Enchanted Forest." Red nodded.

"You'll have to tell me that one but it does sound like him."

"Where is he now?" asked Belle.

"Emma called him out to help them contain whatever is causing this storm." said Red and Belle felt a stab of guilt. It was HER true love that brought said thing. She only hoped Graham didn't get injured.

"What I'm wondering is why you are sitting here alone in a diner drinking ice tea and talking to me when your man is to my guess more than readily available. Don't you have 28 years of making up to do?" Red wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and Belle laughed quietly.

"I would be. But we had a fight."

"A bad one?" asked Red. Belle shrugged.

"Relatively. Nothing I'd consider leaving him over but mind you. But he made me a promise and then used the wording to get around keeping it."

"Well, that does sound like Rumplestiltskin if you'll forgive me for saying so," said Red. Belle wasn't offended.

"To everyone else yes. But not to me. Never to me."

"What did he do?"

"Tried to kill Regina." Red looked conflicted.

"Welllll...I can't wholly blame him for that one."

"I feel the same on that score," sighed Belle.

"But you still feel betrayed he went behind your back," supplied Red.

"That about sums it up." Red looked thoughtful.

"Was Rumplestiltskin awake during the curse?"

"Only during the last part when Emma came," replied Belle.

"Well then evidently all that devotion he was showing was the real him. It seems to me you've got a classic case of "I know better". The Dark One felt Regina deserved punishment likely for what he did to you and so went behind your back. Not cool mind you. But I'd say given the puppy dog levels of adoration I've seen him throw your way even when you were Lacey, he's probably feeling bad as you just with the guilt added on."

"You think I should go talk to him and work it out?"

"No. I think you should have another glass of tea. Let that guilt of his marinate a bit and THEN go work it out and have great make up sex."

"RED!" gasped Belle.

"Oh, come on don't act all innocent. You're a married woman, right?" Belle blinked she couldn't even quite recall Alice being THAT brazen.

"I'll get the tea."

OUAT

Rumple sat in his back room doing what he always did when he was troubled. Spinning. He'd been informed via text by the Hatter that while the wraith was banished Emma and Snow White had fallen into the hat.

He heard the bell tinkle and then the sound of light footsteps. Looking up he was surprised to see Belle step through the curtain.

"Hi," she said quietly.

"Hey," he replied tentatively, not wholly sure where he stood with his wife. "You came back." She nodded.

"That wasn't in doubt."

"Still angry?"

"A bit. But Red convinced me I should probably come back and work it out rather than just sitting in Granny's drinking iced tea."

"I imagine the latter was a more pleasant prospect," quipped Rumple.

"Perhaps. But not the mature one," replied Belle finally taking a seat next to him.

"I don't regret setting that wraith on her Belle," he answered honestly. "I stand by what I said." His wife sighed.

"I know. And I don't wholly blame you. I've always known who I was married to and if I'm honest with myself that wasn't what I was angriest about. I was angry because you tricked me just like you do others. We're supposed to be partners. Equals. Which means I expect you to be fully honest with me. I could have used the dagger to make sure that you would hold to your promise but I didn't, because I trusted you. And you betrayed that."

Rumple listened to his wife as she poured out her feelings and frustrations. He could certainly see her point and truth be told he did feel guilty about tricking her. After all he had promised honesty. He'd known very well what she had meant and purposely disregarded it.

"I'm sorry. You're right. I should never have done that to you. I've no excuse."

"Apology accepted. I take it from here on out you'll be fully transparent with me? If you aren't going to do something just don't promise you will. I might not like it. But we'll work it out," she looked at him with determined blue eyes.

"Very well, I will," said Rumple and he intended to keep it that way. He'd let himself slip up and was lucky his wife was forgiving him. But he wouldn't let it happen again. Still...

"Why did you ask me to promise not to harm her then if you agree she should be punished. Surely you know the so-called heroes will never properly punish her?" Belle nodded.

"Firstly, because this isn't the Enchanted Forest, you can't just kill someone and expect no consequences just because you're the Dark One. There'd be no doubt about the culprit and I didn't want to risk you getting thrown in prison. Secondly, we're not the only people she's hurt there are others that will want justice and may not act favorably towards you because you took their chance away. We'll have enough ill will to deal with without adding more. Lastly, she's Henry's adoptive mother and much as he wanted to break this curse, when I interacted with him in the library, it seemed to me there was a part of him that did still somewhat care about her. She raised him for ten years and I don't think all of that was fake."

Rumple couldn't deny seeing some level of logic in her arguments.

"Perhaps had I explained that things might have been different. Or it at least might have prompted a conversation," said Belle thoughtfully. "It seems I too need to remember to communicate."

"To be fair we're 28 years out of practice," Rumple teased and this time Belle actually laughed.

"That we are." she leaned closer. "In fact, I think we're out of practice on a few things." Rumple quirked an eyebrow a little surprised but not displeased by where this was going.

"Then maybe we should head home and get back into old habits hmmm?" he replied. Belle pressed a kiss to his lips and then whispered.

"I like that idea." Rumple gave a low chuckle and still half embracing, with a wave of his hand they disappeared in a swirl of crimson smoke.

Author's Note: So I changed Belle's initial request because I don't like how show Belle made it an ultimatum dangling their love like a carrot. Belle's reasons are also a little different since she's characterized differently in this story and aren't solely noble. Blue finally gets a bit of componence! So I hope you all enjoyed seeing her get put in her place somewhat and I'm trying to remember to keep Belle interacting with other characters so we get some Ruby friendship! Thank you so much to all my readers and especially those that comment. If you like the story please do take the time to leave a note below it means the world! Until next time!