Lacey sighed she'd been secretly refusing to take her medicine for several months now and it had done wonders for her mind. Of course, she could escape some of the injections they sometimes gave her but at the very least the fogginess created by the pills was gone.
This new clarity of mind had led to her trying to scheme of ways out of here. She really couldn't think of a good reason why she should be in here. She didn't want to hurt herself or anyone else and without the drugs she was as sane as the next person.
That said she'd not been able to come up with anything viable yet and she wasn't willing to risk giving away the fact that she wasn't still drugged up until she had a plan with a good chance of working.
So like any other day she lay on the metal shelf that served as a bed for her thinking when she heard voices outside. Slowly she sat up. Someone was coming to the door. But it wasn't the clicking heels of the nurse or the woman with the dark eyes. Her cell door opened and a man in white scrubs he wore a black ski mask that covered his face showing only slightly wild blue eyes. The man held out his hand.
"Come with me if you want to get out of here now."
"You won't hurt me?" she said. The man shook his head.
"Absolutely not. I'm going to take you to someone who can protect you." Knowing that this was basically he only shot Lacey decided to take a leap of faith she grabbed the man's hand together they hurried out past the front desk where she saw the Nurse collapsed unconscious, and down a hallway till they reached a back door.
It was nighttime but even so Lacey had to take a moment to let her eyes adjust.
"Get in," he said.
"Who are you?" she asked as she obeyed.
"It's better for both of us if you don't know that."
"And who is it you are taking me to?" asked Lacey.
"A man named Mr. Gold. Does that ring any bells?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Tell me what exactly do you remember?" Lacey bit her lip.
"My name. But I only know that because they told me that was it."
"Do you know where we are?" she shook her head. He sighed.
"Well I can tell you your name is Lacey French. We are currently in a town known as Storybrooke Maine. I just semi-illegally sprung you from Storybrooke's semi-illegal asylum and right now we are headed to meet two people you used to know one of whom is going to protect you.
"So I won't get locked up again." The masked man snorted.
"Over his dead body." This sentence was strangely comforting.
"And why are you helping me?" she asked. He shot her a smile that even through the mask was kind.
"A favor for some friends. Not to mention a lovely girl like you doesn't seem like she should be locked up."
"Well, thank you." she said as they pulled up in front of a pink house.
"You're welcome. Just hang on a second," the man pulled out a phone and texted something."
"Alright let's get you inside before someone see's something," he said. Lacey glanced round but all the houses had their curtain's drawn and their lights out.
They hurried up the front walk. Internally Lacey prepared to meet these new people particularly this Mr. Gold who was supposed to protect her.
OUAT
Rumplestiltskin would have been pacing if it weren't for the fact that it aggravated his leg. Instead, he tapped the counter nervously while Pip checked her phone.
"Hattie has never failed you before he won't fail now," she said calmly.
"It's not the Hatter's skills I doubt. We don't know what condition Belle will be in!" said Rumple.
"And there's no point worrying about the worst-case scenario until we do know," countered his friend. Her phone pinged.
"They're here. Hattie says Belle's mostly ok but she doesn't remember anything besides the name Lacey." Rumple closed his eyes. She was safe.
"I'll get the door," said Pip hurrying to the hall and he followed behind her. Pip opened the door and Jefferson came over the threshold pushing in front of him a woman Rumple knew very well. It was Belle. She did didn't look quite as bad as when the Hatter's had brought her from the tower, but this Belle was undoubtably still malnourished her skin unnaturally pale and her beautiful brown hair a ratty mess.
The most painful bit though was her eyes. Eyes that had sparkled with love and laughter now surveyed him with heartbreaking caution. He'd thought he was prepared for his wife not to recognize him. But he wasn't. Rumple tried to look as unintimidating as possible.
"Hello Miss French," he said.
"Are you Mister Gold?" she asked.
"I am." he replied maintaining a distance between them. He feared if he got too close, he might do something too forward and scare her.
"I'm Fae. I was your friend before you were locked up." Pip added kindly.
"And you three worked to get me out of the Asylum?" she said.
"Yes," said Rumple. "We got you out as soon as we learnt of your fate. You're safe now I promise."
"Why don't I take you upstairs and we'll get you a warm bath and some clean clothes?" suggested Pip.
"Alright." said Belle tentatively and allowed the blonde to lead her up the stairs. Once the women were out of ear shot, he limped to the kitchen followed by the Hatter.
"Well, it could be worse. She could have memories that would make her hate you," said the Hatter.
"I know. But..."
"It doesn't make it easier. Yeah. Welcome to my life for the past 28 years and before you go apologizing no I don't bloody blame you for what happened."
"She went after you because you sided with me." Jefferson shrugged.
"Yeah, and it was hell. But I'd still side with you and have my family kept safe than the shady blue bitch or the psychotic Evil Queen with a temper problem. You're my friend. You didn't intend for it to happen and unlike a certain vindictive monarch I don't blame the wrong people for my problems."
Rumple sighed. Some of his guilt over the Hatter affair ebbing away.
"Thank you, Hatter."
"Anytime. Now I'd best get out of here I kept my face turned away and the drug in that tea should make at least the last two minutes before the nurse passed out fuzzy but I'm still gonna lay low at your cabin."
"That works. I'll have Dove send supplies if necessary."
"Excellent." The Hatter clapped him on the shoulder.
"Don't lose hope. We're getting close." Rumple could only hope that truly was the case.
OUAT
Lacey was surprised by the emotion she saw when she gazed into Mr. Gold's eyes. There was passion, concern, relief, nostalgia, and heartbreak. None of which made much sense to her. However oddly enough she believed his strong assurances that she was safe and allowed Fae to lead her up to a room upstairs.
"I made sure to get you some spare clothes and we can bring you some more," said Fae gesturing to some pajama's on the bed. Lacey sat down on it savoring the softness of the mattress.
"What are you all getting out of this?" she asked. "Surely breaking me out is risky."
"A bit," said Fae. "But even though you don't remember it, you and I were best friends and I would never willingly abandon you."
"What about Mr. Gold? I only met him for a moment but he doesn't seem alturistic." Fae laughed softly.
"No that's not a word I or really anyone would use to describe him. But you've always been a special case. You'll have to ask him for more details but right now I assure you all he desires is your safety and happiness. He won't request anything in return."
Lacey realized that Fae was assuring her that Gold wouldn't ask for payment in...less conventional means however strangely the thought had never occurred to her. No, the moment she had entered his presence she'd felt a bit intimidated but also entirely safe.
"I understand," she said.
"Now, I have to get home to my daughter but I'll be back to see you soon," said Fae. Lacey felt a little nervous. She already felt as if she knew this woman and trusted her after mere minutes. She supposed it might make sense if what the woman said was true and they had been close friends. Fae took her hands.
"It's good to have you back. We'll take care of you I promise."
"Thank you. All of you." she replied softly. The blonde nodded and made for the door. Once she was gone Lacey changed out of the hospital gown and ran a warm bath that she relaxed in until it became tepid. It was a blessed change from the quick cold showers of the asylum. After she got out she changed into the pajama's and crawled into the fluffy bed falling asleep almost immediately.
OUAT
The following moring Lacey awoke for the first time in her memory to something other than the tiny four walls of her cell. It took a moment to place the where she was and why she was lying on such a soft bed instead of her hard shelf. Then it came flooding back
The masked man. Fae. Mr. Gold. The rescue. Slowly she sat up as it dawned on her that she was free. Finally free.
Lacey jumped up and after running a brush through her hair threw on the pair of jeans and white top and yellow cardigan that had been left for her by Fae before padding down the stairs tentatively.
The smell of bacon was coming from the kitchen and she slowly walked in to see Mr. Gold making breakfast. He turned and once again she saw those same swirl of fierce emotions from last night in his eyes before they were suddenly tamped down. He smiled at her pleasantly.
"Good morning Miss French."
"Hello Mr. Gold." The man gestured to on of the stools in front of the island counter.
"Please have a seat." Lacey did and he went back to making the breakfast. After an awkward pause she said.
"Thank you, for doing this. Helping me I mean."
"Believe me Miss French it's nothing." he said waving off her thanks.
"But it's not. Why are you helping me. Fae said she used to be my friend and evidently you also know me what am I to you that would make you risk this?" Mr. Gold paused for a moment keeping his back to her as he tipped eggs and bacon onto a plate. When he turned around plate in hand, he looked a little sad.
"I don't think it would be right to tell you that. I don't want you to feel any sort of undue pressure due to the past. I'm helping you because you are a brilliant, beautiful, kind young woman who does not deserve to be kept locked up by Regina."
Lacey noted the way he had most decidedly dodged her questioning. However, he did seem sincere his brown eyes meeting her gaze steadily.
"Alright, then what is the plan?" she asked starting on her food. "They'll know I'm missing as of this morning." Mr. Gold leaned against the counter.
"True. Our plan if you will is to let you recover for a couple of days and then tell the Sheriff you are here."
"WHAT!" exclaimed Lacey. If the Sheriff found out then they'd probably send her straight back.
"You needn't worry. The Sheriff isn't in Mayor Mills's pocket. In fact quite the opposite. And if worst comes to worst the woman owes me a favor."
"Is Mayor Mills the woman with the dark eyes who locked me up?" she asked.
"Yes. She is the one primarily responsible." agreed Mr. Gold. "But I won't let her get her hands on you again. That is a promise." The firmness in his tone was quite convincing.
Lacey wasn't quite sure what to make of Mr. Gold yet. It was as if her head was telling her to be wary of the man but her instincts made her feel as if he was the person she could trust most in the world.
After they finished breakfast she said,
"So what do I do now?"
"Well I have a rather lovely library I think you might like," suggested Gold.
"Did I like to read?" asked Belle who had to admit that the suggestion had caused a leap of joy in her chest.
"Oh yes, it was difficult to pull you away from your books sometimes." he replied with a wry smile as he led her through the hall and to a set of double doors. She opened them and gasped in awe.
Inside was a two-story library. Shelves lined the walls with books of varying ages and designs on the shelves. A small spiral staircase led to the second level and each of the book cases had a ladder attached.
"It's beautiful," she said.
"Books are a precious gift. They can teach us anything and take us anywhere. You can feel free to borrow as many as you like," said Mr. Gold. "While you stay here you can consider this house as good as your own." Lacey had walked over to examine one of the shelves but turned to look back at him.
"You are far too kind Mr. Gold. How can I ever repay you?" Mr. Gold shook his head fondly.
"You needn't worry about that. Your safety and happiness is reward enough." Though she sensed that he wasn't lying she could also tell it wasn't the complete truth. Lacey walked over and rested a hand atop the one that held his cane.
"I think you are a better man than you or others may give yourself credit for." she said remembering what Fae had said about nobody ever using the word altruistic to describe Gold.
"The fact that you think that means the world to me Miss French."
"Lacey please. You helped rescue me. I think you've earnt the right to call me by my first name."
"Very well, Lacey."
"And what may I call you?" she asked tentatively. Mr. Gold smiled softly.
"Robert. Robert will do."
OUAT
Seeing Belle, the following morning was only marginally easier than the previous night. She didn't appear scared of him per se. Perhaps like with Grace some feelings of trust might be lingering even if she couldn't explain them.
That said she still wasn't his Belle and that was difficult to deal with. But Rumple knew he needed to be patient. The girl had amnesia for goodness' sake. So he decided to show her something that Belle had most certainly been fond of. The library. The Library from the Enchanted Forest had fortunately been carried over from the castle and transferred to Rumple's house.
He knew he'd made the right call as he watched the familiar look of awe and joy spread across her face at the sight of the books.
And then she'd gotten close. Close enough he could have reached up to stroke her cheek. But he didn't. This wasn't his Belle. He needed to take things slowly with her.
"I think you are a better man than you or others may give yourself credit for." she told him and a small smile made its way across his face. It was a such a Belle thing to say.
"The fact that you think that means the world to me Miss French."
"Lacey please. You helped rescue me. I think you've earnt the right to call me by my first name."
"Very well, Lacey." It felt wrong calling her that but it at least put them on first name terms
"And what may I call you?" she asked. Well Rumplestiltskin wasn't really going to fly in this realm at the moment so he gave her his cursed name.
"Robert. Robert will do."
OUAT
The rest of the day was largely uneventful. Mr. Gold. No Robert. Showed Lacey around the rest of the house.
"I don't want you to feel like a prisoner but I would suggest you hold off going outside until we've sorted the situation so that it's safe for you." he had said and she agreed. Besides it wasn't like she felt some huge compelling urge to go anywhere she felt safe here and that was good enough.
Evening came and they had dinner once again made by Robert before Lacey decided to head to bed early her body still recovering from the drugs and poor treatment of the asylum.
She closed her eyes sinking into the warm bed hoping for a good night's rest.
Author's note: So! Belle is back. But not really. I always felt the Lacey subplot wasted a chance to have Rumple and Belle get to know each other as strangers and have Rumple winning her over again. Instead they took the lame route of just making her the dark polar opposite (Which also screwed things up with Bae. Dumb.) Anyway Belle's back but no memory. I gave Gold the first name Robert as a nod to Robert Carlyle obviously. Let me know what you guys think in the comments! Thanks for reading! Until next week!