Belle leaned against a bookshelf watching as Bae fiddled with the computer in the library.

"Thank you again for helping with this," she said with a smile.

"No problem. Nice to do something useful."

"So have you decided how you are going to handle the situation with Henry? Are you headed back to New York or moving to Storybrooke?" she asked. Neal shrugged.

"Honestly I've got to talk with Tamara first. I've invited her here. But I know Henry is going to need to be my priority."

"Well, I'm sure you'll work it out. I look forward to meeting her properly."

"I'm sure you'll get along," replied Neal. "Although you do tend to get along with almost everyone so that might not be a high bar." Belle laughed.

"Well, unless you're a one-handed pirate or a psychotic sorceress." Neal chuckled.

"Tamara is neither. I do have a question is true my father owns the entire town?"

"Yes, it was part of the deal in the original curse, there are a couple exceptions but most people owe him their rent."

"Damn," muttered Neal.

"Why?" she asked.

"I've been looking for someplace other than Granny's to stay, consecutive nights in a B&B isn't exactly great on my bank account. But I'd also rather not owe my father at the moment."

"Ah, I see. Thank you by the way. For giving him a second chance."

"We'll see if he deserves it," responded Neal. Belle tilted her head thinking then went to her coat and fished her key ring from it just as Neal stood up and started the computer.

"There you go. That should work. Mind you everything in this town seems to be stuck in the 80s."

"That's what happens when life stalls for 28 years," said Belle with a shrug before stepping forward.

"Ba...I mean Neal," she was still having a hard time adjusting to the name change. However, Neal held up a hand.

"Look. Clearly I'm not going to get my father to call me anything else so...if it's easier for you to call be Bae you can."

"Are you sure?" asked Belle. Bae nodded and shot her a smile.

"Yeah I am."

"Well then Bae. I know you said you wouldn't let me pay you for the work today but I do have a solution to your little housing problem."

"Oh?" he asked. Belle slid a key off her key ring and held it up.

"It belongs to the apartment upstairs. Library opens at 900 on weekdays so you may hear me or Nova my assistant down here but otherwise things should be all set. The place is already furnished."

"Like I said I don't want to..."

"Owe your father yes. I said he owned the town with some exceptions. One of which is the library which he signed over to me. He said he wanted me to have a place of my own to go to so I wouldn't feel reliant on him."

Bae looked stunned.

"He let you go?"

"Your father has a much better handle on his curse than he once did," replied Belle. "Now take the apartment no strings attached. I quite insist." She pressed the key into his palm.

"Thank you, Belle."

Suddenly the door to the library opened and Belle looked up to see her father. Immediately she reached for her phone.

"No. Get out now."

"Belle darling..."

"NOW father or I'll call the Sheriff and tell them you are violating the restraining order. And you can't really afford another night in prison. I happen to know you are close to falling behind on your rent again."

"Belle I..."

"She said get out florist," said Alice coming through the door. "Or do I need to fetch my pipe?" Maurice shot them all a glare before storming away.

"What was that?" asked Bae.

"My father he doesn't approve of my relationship with your father," responded Belle. "Thanks Alice."

"No problem. Just here to pick up some books for my music class. Hello Neal."

"Hi," said Bae. "So, he disapproves but why would you have a restraining order?"

"Because that jack ass decided to let his daughter be tortured by the Evil Queen then later tried sending Belle here over the town line so she'd forget who she is," scoffed Alice while Belle fetched the books.

"Forget...that's just." Bae's face was a mixture of shock and horror. "What parent does that to their kid?"

"Unfortunately, one that refuses to respect their child's choices," said Belle as she checked out the books.

"Let's just say he was well deserving of that beating your father gave him for harming you," said Alice with relish.

"My dad beat him up?" Bae questioned Belle winced but supposed it was better he found out now rather than later.

"Yes he did. And he spent a night in jail over it. I think Emma still quite enjoys the memory of locking him up. Rumple took his inability to protect me from being harmed quite seriously. My father is probably only alive at my own request." she noticed that Bae looked conflicted.

"I don't know what I'd do if someone hurt Henry," he said.

"It's always easier to judge until you have someone you want to protect," replied Alice sagely picking up her books and heading for the door. "Fairfarren to you both." Belle waved goodbye and then turned back to her step son.

"What's on your mind?" she asked.

"Is it worth it?" asked Bae.

"Is what worth it?" she asked.

"Being with my father. You've faced everything from being ostracized by the town and your family to literal torture." Belle shrugged.

"It hasn't been easy I'll grant you that but yes I'd say that my true love with your father was WELL worth it."

"Then I'm happy you found each other. You seem to make him a better person," said Bae. Belle shrugged.

"I just encourage him to be the person I know lies within even if it's sometimes buried. You are the thing that helped him maintain his humanity." Bae didn't respond but gave her a small smile.

OUAT

Belle was sitting with Alice having breakfast at Granny's.

"So there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh?" Belle asked. Alice shifted.

"It's complicated. You know how I went over and talked to Regina to make sure she wasn't going to go all revenge crazy over her mother?"

"Yes," said Belle.

"Well, we were talking and...it started to feel like old times. You know before she utterly betrayed me by kidnapping you and hurting Hattie."

"Really? Well, I know she is trying to change for Henry's sake," said Belle.

"Yeah. Which is great. And I actually believe she's genuine about it. Which is what makes this next part so hard. Regina asked me if there was any chance we could be friends again. I said maybe. I mean, if she really is changing it would be great to have Gina back. But...she's also the woman the ripped out my daughter's heart and tortured one of my best friends. It almost feels like I'd be betraying you, Hattie, and Gracie if I restarted this friendship."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't blame you," said Belle. "Not to mention pragmatically the more friends on our side Regina has the better chance of her staying on our side."

"Hattie and Grace said to do what makes me happy and Grace already tolerates her for Henry's sake."

"Then if nobody else is seeing it as a betrayal then I don't see why you shouldn't." Personally, Belle still had a long way to go before she would be friends with Regina but she certainly wasn't going to take offense if Alice wanted to rekindle what had been between her and Regina.

"Really?" asked Alice grey eyes wide.

"Yes," said Belle. "I'm with Jefferson and Grace. If it makes you happy then why not?"

"Thank you, Belle. I didn't want to do anything without making sure it was alright with you."

Belle shrugged.

"You have my full support. Speaking of which..." the topic of their discussion entered the diner. Spotting them Regina walked over.

"Piper, Bookworm," she greeted. Belle rolled her eyes at the nickname noting it was said with significantly less derision than before.

"Hello Regina," she said.

"What do you two know about the stranger that arrived recently?" she asked Belle exchanged a look with Alice.

"Nothing. Why? Do you think he's a danger?" asked Alice.

"I don't know but who the hell hangs around a nothing town like Storybrooke? As far as he's concerned the most interesting thing that happens around here is the change in specials," said Regina.

"You have a point," said Belle who found the man hanging around this long a bit strange.

"Well keep an ear out," said Regina.

"If you keep us in the loop," countered Belle boldly causing Regina to raise an eyebrow. "Bookworm's got bite. Yes, I'll keep you informed. If I learn anything. A threat to the town is a threat to Henry and from what I hear that's become a common cause for us." There was a hint of resignation in the woman's tone regarding the last line.

"Yes,I suppose it is," said Belle as she placed money for her meal on the table before getting up.

"It was lovely seeing you, Alice. Regina." Then she walked out puzzling over the stranger. Well, if he came by the library, she'd certainly be assessing him.

OUAT

Rumplestiltskin eyed Greg Mendel as he waited for Red to finish getting him the rent money. Belle had relayed Regina's suspicions from the previous day and he had now added the man to the list of people to keep an eye on.

In fact, he'd started an investigation of his own into the man via some connections outside Storybrooke, email was a useful thing in this realm, but it would be a while before anything was found.

Just as Red handed over the money a dark-skinned woman with long hair came storming down the stairs and out the door. She was quickly followed by Bae hurrying out and calling after her. Red shot Rumple a smile.

"So, Mr. G. Word on the street is that's your son."

"Yes, it is," he replied.

"And Henry's father. Bet that was a shock."

"One of many," said Rumple wryly.

"Well, he seems like a nice fellow. Certainly, tips well," said Red cheerfully. Rumple chuckled.

"I'm pleased to hear it. You have a nice day Miss Lucas," he pocketed the rent money and then headed outside where he found Bae standing despondently on the pavement.

"Was that Tamara?" he asked.

"Yeah, turns out she didn't take the whole I'm from the Enchanted Forest thing very well," sighed Bae.

"It is a hard pill to swallow. It took Miss Swan quite some time to come to accept it."

"Yeah, but I don't really think I have that kind of time. More likely Tamara will just dump me."

"You never know. And worst comes to worst I could always perform magic in front of her. Miss Swan was quite convinced once she came face to face with a dragon."

"I don't think terrifying Tamara with a reenactment of Sleeping Beauty is the answer but thanks for the offer," said Bae dryly. Rumple shrugged.

"If you say so. How is co-parenting going?"

"Alright. I don't think Emma has forgiven me for what I did but she's willing to put that aside for Henry's sake. Tamara thinks I'm still in love with Emma."

"Are you?" asked Rumple.

"I love Tamara," said Bae a little too quickly in Rumple's opinion. He also noted that it wasn't actually a response to the question.

"Well, then if Tamara is worth it, you'll find a way."

"Is that what happened with you and Belle?" asked Bae. Rumple chuckled.

"Somewhat." They broke into a leisurely walk down the street eventually stopping when they saw Emma, Snow White, and Geppetto hurrying in the direction of the pawn shop. Rumple sighed heavily. What would the heroes want now?

"Rumplestiltskin we need you to help us its urgent," demanded Snow White.

"Well since you asked so nicely," he began sarcastically but Emma cut him off.

"What Mary Margaret means is we have a problem and we were wondering if you might be able to help solve it."

"At least someone in your "charming" family has manners," he scoffed opening the door to the pawn shop and allowing them to follow him inside.

"Please Dark One, it's my son Pinocchio."

"Ah yes the boy that pretended to be my son," said Rumple in a chilly tone.

"August did what!" exclaimed Bae looking surprisingly affronted.

"If he offended you then I am terribly sorry. But he's my only child. I can't bear to lose him," begged Geppetto. Despite his annoyance with the wooden man Rumple could feel some sympathy for the father.

"What's the trouble?"

"August is turning almost completely to wood. Give it much longer and he's going to die," said Emma.

"We went to Blue but she said she can't help because Pinocchio wasn't selfless, brave, and true," said Snow White.

"Well that's a partial lie. If the spell she used on your boy is the one I suspect she never HAD to include those conditions in the first place," said Rumple causing a look of shock to cross Geppetto's face. "But the head knat has always had a poor understanding of humanity including the fact that we all...stumble at times. That we have regrets. Now magic is back I could in theory make a potion to change him back if I can get it to him before he dies. The question is what do you have to offer."

"How can you..." began Snow White indignantly but Geppetto cut her off.

"I don't have much to offer other than my skills. But this is my son, and I will do whatever you ask of me to save him." Rumple nodded.

"Lucky for you I happen to understand you position rather well. I have a clock here that needs fixing I'll expect you to do so in payment. I'll get started on the potion and you lot bring the boy to me."

Relief flooded Geppetto's face.

"Thank you! Oh thank you!"

"Don't thank me now. Your son isn't out of the woods yet," said Rumple. "Now everyone but Bae out," Snow White looked like she wanted to protest at being ordered around but Emma interrupted.

"Sure thing, we'll go find August," the blond shepherded her mother out of the building and Geppetto followed. Rumple went into his back room and began to get potions ingredients out.

He heard Bae follow.

"That was a low price," he said.

"Well, like I told Geppetto, I understand a little of what he's going through. The desperation to save your child is a terrifying thing that I wouldn't wish upon anyone," replied Rumple.

"Did August really pretend to be me?" asked Bae.

"Yes and I was desperate enough for forgiveness that I fell for it. He really just wanted the dagger."

"Oh that man is WRACKING up reasons for a smack next time I see him that he isn't in danger," grumbled Bae.

"The Hatter broke his nose over the matter actually," replied Rumple smiling slightly at the memory.

"That's some loyalty," said Bae. Rumple chuckled.

"That it is."

OUAT

Emma, Mary Margaret, and Geppetto all had been hiking to August's trailer. Emma was surprised by the small price Gold had requested but now that she supposed Geppetto must have touched the parental part of Gold. Or maybe he was on best behavior for Neal.

Either way she was more perturbed by the revelation from Geppetto that the wardrobe could have actually carried more than one. While she could see now after having Henry why he'd do something like that she realized there was someone else involved who didn't get let off that easily.

"Wait...but why did the Blue Fairy lie? Why not go tell my parents or find another damn carpenter?" She glanced at Mary Margaret, "You realize this makes that Blue Fairy friend of yours a bit sus right?"

"I...I don't know why Blue wouldn't tell us. Maybe she thought we'd punish Geppetto. Not that we would have." That sounded like an excuse to Emma but the deceptions of the Blue Fairy, who was proving really as sanctimonious and useless as the Gold's had said, was a topic for another time.

They eventually reached the trailer and found it empty only to get a call from August however the line cut out before he could finish whatever warning he was attempting to give was cut off as the line went dead.

OUAT

They all rushed back to the police station which was where the call had come from. Henry and David had joined them along the way. As they reached the outside of the building August now completely made of wood came stumbling out.

"August!" she exclaimed.

"Oh! My child. My boy. My boy. What happened to you?" cried Geppetto as August fell to the ground. Geppetto pulled the man's head into his lap.

"I'm so sorry, papa," whispered August.

"No. There is nothing to apologize for. Everything is gonna be all right," said Geppetto.

"Emma," gasped August and she moved forward. "Emma... She's..." August gasped for air. "She..." then his voice trailed off and his eyes closed. Geppetto broke down sobbing.

"Oh, no. Not again."

Neal came rushing over staring at the scene in shock.

"August?"

"No. It can't end this way. He was supposed to get a second chance," said Mary Margaret.

"What happened? My father said the potion is nearly ready."

"Someone killed him to stop him from telling us something. He used his dying breath to warn us. I will not let that be in vain," said Emma.

"If Grandpa Gold was going to fix him then we should go get him!" said Henry. "It might not be too late the boy was about to run for the pawnshop when another voice spoke up.

"That won't be necessary I can help." They turned to see the Blue Fairy.

"Oh now you want to be useful?" said Emma sarcastically still feeling salty about the wardrobe.

"Pinocchio fulfilled the conditions I set. He was selfless, brave, and true in his final actions."

"So since he met your arbitrary requirements you now feel obligated to lend a hand," drawled Neal.

"I think we should still try Gold first. Henry go get your other Grandfather," said Emma. Between Gold and the fairy she'd take Gold any day. The devil you knew and all that. From the look on Geppetto's face he appeared of a similar mind probably remembering what Gold said about the conditions of August not being wood being unnecessary.

"All due respect your goodness I agree with..." began Geppetto but Blue over rode him and before Emma could stop her waved her wand over August who glowed for a moment before being replaced by a young boy.

"Do better this time Pinocchio," said the fairy making Emma want to smack the woman. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Tamara approach in time to see the miracle. Pinocchio sat up beaming at his father.

"I'm a real boy Papa!" Geppetto pulled the boy into his arms.

"That you are my boy." Emma stepped forward.

"Pinocchio? I have to ask you a question. I need you to think real hard, okay? Before you turned into a little boy, you were trying to tell us something very important. Do you remember? You were trying to warn us about something." The boy looked confused.

"I... I don't remember. If I did, I would be truthful. I promise." Emma's heart sunk she forced a smile.

"It's ok." She then turned away walking swiftly towards the departing Blue Fairy.

"Hey! What the hell was that?" she asked.

"I was saving a good man from being indebted to the Dark One," said the fairy Emma glared.

"And lost us the only lead on the town's safety. If you'd waited five minutes we could have tried Gold who was already willing to help."

"Yes, but for a price."

"All magic comes at a price," said Emma shocked as the words rolled off her tongue. "In this case I'd say it was August's memory." The fairy shrugged.

"What's done is done."

"Yeah, you made sure of that. Just like you made sure I went through that wardrobe with nothing but a seven-year-old to guide me. Don't think I'm going to forget that. Geppetto has the excuse of being a parent but for a supposedly all powerful being you've made some crappy choices," snapped Emma. "In the future but out."

"I'm sorry that the Dark One and his...mistress seem to be getting to you." Emma raised an eyebrow.

"Firstly, Belle is his wife. And secondly, I don't need them to influence me. You've done plenty to give me a poor opinion of you." Emma shook her head and walked away she passed Neal and Tamara who both looked happy and were walking the opposite direction. She found herself in front of Henry who was standing with Gold watching the reunion of Pinocchio and Geppetto from afar.

"It seems I arrived too late, my apologies," said Gold. Emma shook her head.

"More like the Blue Fairy decided to interfere. I'm starting to get why you think she's a pain."

"You said it not me," said Gold.

"So, we don't know who tried to hurt August or attack the town?" asked Henry.

"No we don't," sighed Emma. Though there was a short list of suspicious she's in the town and fiancée or not Tamara was top of the list. Something about that woman had been setting off Emma's inner alarm bells since they first met. One thing was for sure there was no way that woman was getting near her kid till Emma was certain she wasn't a safety risk.

"Well, I suppose we'll have to double guard now," said Gold.

"Whoever this SHE is I'm going to find her," said Emma firmly.

"I have great faith in your abilities Miss Swan and should you wish to consult me you know where to find me."

Once Emma would have said fat chance of going to Mr. Bloody Gold for help after the stunt he pulled with the fire. But now, well she didn't trust him, but she did think she could rely on him to help if only to protect Henry. She'd not missed the soft way he looked at her son. Whatever his faults it seemed that Rumplestiltskin protected his family fiercely. And so she responded,

"Thanks."

Author's Note: Author's note! So Belle and Bae get a bit more bonding in as to Bae and Rumple. I made some alterations to Selfless, brave, and true because I could genuinely see Rumple being willing to help Geppetto father to father. We also get some more anti-blue fairy who was WAY too smug about the whole situation in my opinion. I'm actually having quite a bit of fun having Emma call her out. Thanks as usual to all my readers and especially my commentors if you like the story PLEASE take a moment to leave a note below your words truly make my day and knowing others are invested helps me keep going. Until next time!