When Neal and Emma returned from their mission to the castle, they found Belle from their time seated at the table in the Great Hall pouring over a book while speaking with the current version of her husband.

"Well it's all back on track," said Neal striding over to give his mother a kiss on the cheek.

"Well done, Bae. No trouble then?" the woman asked.

"Unless you count him decking Hook." Emma said with a smirk.

"You punched Hook?" asked the past version of his father.

"Like father like son," muttered his mother with a wry smile.

"In my DEFENSE he attacked you THREE TIMES, and didn't you hit him with an oar and a book cart?" asked the future version of his father.

"Oh yes I did," said his mother blithely. Causing past Rumple to look a little shocked.

"So, we good to go home?" asked Neal.

"I don't like the idea of leaving things to chance just hoping she pulls it off," said Emma. Neal had to admit she had a point.

"I feel exactly the same way, which is why I never do," said the past version of his father waving his hand and causing a scroll to appear in it.

"An invitation to the ball, clever," said Belle.

"So, you'll be inside to watch out for her?" said Emma hopefully and Neal watched his parents exchange an amused expression.

"No. No. We'll be far too busy sorting out how to get home," said the past Rumple.

"You mean one of you can't stay behind and two of you can't go?" asked Emma. Belle stood up a wry smile on her lips.

"No, I'm the best at reading these translations believe it or not."

"So the invitation is for us," said Neal.

"I've never been to a ball in my life," said Emma.

"Hey neither have I," said Neal in an attempt to make her feel better.

"It's not that bad," said Belle. "Curtsy and bow when you introduce yourselves to the hosts," she demonstrated a perfect version of the former, "Avoid interaction as best as possible and if you have to dance make sure it's a partner and not a group so the mistakes are less noticeable."

"This coming from the literal princess," said Emma dryly.

"You'll be fine Miss Swan, you fought a dragon, a little ball shouldn't be a problem," said the future version of his father and Neal couldn't help but appreciate the words of confidence.

"Fine. But please work out how to get us back quickly. We'll be in and out before you know it. I want to get the hell out of here," said Emma determination finally seeming to set in as he assumed she recognized this was their only shot.

"Uh, confidence. I like it." The past version of his father said. Neal and Emma made to leave but the past version called them to stop. "Wait you can't go like that." He waved his hand and a moment later in a puff of smoke Neal had been changed into a fancy waistcoat and jacket while Emma was in a red ballgown with her hair up and a small tiara. She looked stunning and Neal found his breath taken away. "The savior can't come this far and play not princess for a day."

OUAT

The future Rumplestiltskin chuckled a bit at stunned look on his son's face at Emma's change in look.

"Oh Rumple you really do know how to dress a person," said Belle stepping forward. "This is why I always let you do my dresses back here."

"Hmmm. It's a useful talent, though it helps when the model's look quite nice themselves." Emma looked doubtful.

"But, I'm not supposed to stick out. What if someone remembers me in the future?" the past version of himself scoffed.

"Because what you had before was such an intricate disguise? Allow me." He produced a mirror which Rumple presumed would show Bae and Emma that their features looked indistinct to strangers."A glamour spell. This is how you shall appear to one and all unfamiliar with the real you. Now, run along and do everything you can to make sure Snow White gets that ring. Once they're back on track, everything else will be, too."

As the pair was about to leave, Belle took Rumple's hand making him spin her.

"You know it reminds me of our old ball crashing days."

"As I recall, my darling Belle, you were the one that wanted to make a scene," he replied playfully.

"Honestly Rumple was it so wrong I wanted to be seen with my true love?" Just as she had said those words there was a crash, they looked to see the doors had opened and past Belle was standing in the doorway a tray of fallen sandwiches now at her feet her eyes wide as she took in the sight in front of her.

"Belle!" said the past Rumple however she was already running away.

"Well, looks like that's gonna be one more bottle of memory wipe potion," said Emma. Belle groaned covering her face.

"Don't worry Mom, you'll sort it out," said Bae who looked like he was trying to hide his amusement. "You aren't the first person here to mess up the past."

"Oh hush you and get to the ball," said Belle snarkily. Bae chuckled but took Emma's hand and Rumple poofed them to the ball.

"Well, I think I'll go handle the other Belle?" he offered. His other self-appeared lost while his wife nodded.

"Probably best."

Rumple waved a hand and the food vanished the tray repairing itself and flying back into his hands. Then he walked out. Reaching his mind into the spells upon the castle he was able to locate Belle in the kitchens and so headed there.

Hopefully he could smooth things over. After all, his wife no matter when, was very much the same in many ways even if some things had changed her since.

OUAT

Belle had decided to bring some food to Rumple and the visitors who seemed to still be awake despite it growing late in the evening as she pushed the doors open she met a shocking sight.

When she'd first seen the visitors one of the men had looked, familiar but she'd not gotten a good look before Rumple dismissed her but the woman next to him had looked like a red head. Now however the same man was there playfully twirling the woman as he looked at her lovingly and said,

"As I recall, my darling Belle, you were the one that wanted to make a scene." Belle's eyes widened as she stared at the woman for she was now no longer a red head but instead a near copy of Belle herself. Meanwhile the copy replied,

"Honestly Rumple was it so wrong I wanted to be seen with my true love?"

True love...

Belle dropped her tray with a loud clang cause the inhabitants of the room to notice her.

"Belle!" began her Rumplestiltskin but she was already running away back to the kitchens. When she got there she stood at the counter gripping the sink tightly her mind realing.

The woman had looked just like her and she called the other man Rumple, which frankly there weren't many names that was a nickname for. And she'd referred to the man as her true love...

Setting aside the impossibility of the whole matter the idea of her and Rumplestiltskin being her true love...

She knew she'd been growing fond of Rumple...she thought about the recent birthday ball they'd had for Grace. How her heart had fluttered when she'd danced with Rumple. How happy she'd been.

Then Alice's words also came back to her "Rum and I are friends, you two have something a little more special."

She did love him. It had taken her a while to realize it but she did. He made her laugh, he protected her, he respected her opinions and was always up for an intellectual conversation, truthfully, he treated her better than most men she'd met.

Footsteps sounded behind her and she turned to see the man her copy had called Rumple...she studied his face closely.

Now she was actually getting a proper look she could see some similarities, they were of about the same stature, and both still had the long hair though this one wore it more brushed out rather than wavy, his skin lacked the sparkling tinge and altered hue but the facial structure was the same, then she reached his eyes the Rumple she knew had always had eyes of an almost amber shade with smaller than average pupils. This versions were more of a sable color and looked for lack of a better word, normal, however they held the same warmth that her Rumple's often did when he looked at her.

Frankly she couldn't say she preferred one version to the other in terms of looks at least presuming this man was the same Rumplestiltskin.

"Hello," she said softly.

"Hello," he replied. Offering the tray that she'd dropped.

"Oh, thank you," she answered taking it and putting it up on a shelf. When she turned back round he was still standing there.

"What's going on?" she asked. "You look like Rumplestiltskin but not, the woman back there with you looked like me, and she called you her..." Belle broke off.

"True love?" finished the man.

"I imagine that would all be rather confusing. Shall we take a seat?" He gestured to the kitchen table pulling out a chair for her. She tentatively took a seat and he sat across from her.

"The short answer to all of this is accidental time travel," he replied. Belle's eyes widened.

"But you've always said time travel was one of the things that couldn't be done by magic."

"At the time I told you it couldn't. But someone, as my prospective daughter-in-law put it cracked that code. Myself, your future self and two others were then accidentally sucked into the past."

"So that really is me up there," she said softly trying to wrap her mind about the concept. The Rumplestiltskin in front of her nodded. Trying to find something else to divert her attention to for the moment she asked.

"Is this what you looked like before your curse?" Rumplestiltskin nodded.

"It is. The Land Without Magic removed the more...physical manifestations of the curse." Listening to his voice she also now recognized that. For it was the same tone Rumple used whenever he was being serious or genuine rather than the high playful voice of the imp.

"And what about what I overheard?" she asked not quite meeting his gaze. Rumple sighed.

"Well, I suppose there's no way round that one. Yes, we are true love, strange as that idea may seem to you now." A small smile graced Belle's lips.

"Oh I don't know. My feelings on the matter have been growing for quite some time. Though you love me as well?" Rumplestiltskin smiled.

"More than I can ever express my Belle. And Belle, that man up there does as well. Then again how could I not?"

"I'm not that special Rumple," she said with a wry smile.

"I beg to disagree; I happen to know that in the future I would be completely and utterly lost without you." Belle's heart warmed she noticed Rumple was toying with a ring on his finger and she wondered if they were married.

"You always were rather good with compliments when you wanted." Rumplestiltskin chuckled.

"I only speak the truth. For instance, were it not for you I wouldn't have my son back."

"Baelfire? But I thought you said you lost him?" said Belle happy but confused.

"Lost not dead dearie but that's a different story. The point is thanks in part to you we were reunited and his life was even saved." Belle was shocked that she could have had such a profound impact nonetheless she reached out and took his hand.

"I'm glad to have been able to help you. I'm sure you want to get back to him now." At this Rumple laughed. "More like he wants to get back along with me. You saw him right before you ran out." Belle gasped.

"Oh! You mean he was the man with the blond lady?"

"Indeed he grew up quite a lot during out separation, the woman is Emma Swan the daughter of Snow White and Prince James and I believe they're together at the moment."

"That's wonderful Rumple. Well, minus the whole getting stuck in the past thing," she said.

"Yes that is a bit of a problem. But one I believe we should have the fix too soon," said Rumple.

"So what now?" asked Belle. Rumple shrugged.

"Well, that's entirely up to you. You'll need to drink a memory potion to forget all this so that the future can progress as planned. But for now, you can either go up there and confront me or stay down here."

Belle sighed.

"You mean my version of you and I will have to forget the actual proof that we have true love?" she asked slightly disappointed. Rumple always did better with actual proof.

"Unfortunately, so," he replied looking sympathetic. Belle sighed.

"Well, I suppose the course of true love never did run smooth. Alright, I'll come up." Rumple stood and took her hand helping her up.

"That's my brave Belle," he replied with a smile. Oh yes, she knew that smile. Whatever differences there were superficially this was her Rumple.

OUAT

Belle sighed as she watched her husband leave to deal with her younger self glancing over she noticed that the younger version of her husband looked nervous.

"Don't worry, he'll smooth it over."

"What makes you so sure?"

"She may be younger but she's still me. And you and I usually know what to say to each other." Rumplestiltskin scoffed going over to sit at his wheel.

"I beg to differ. Half the time talking with you is easy and the other half is disconcerting."

"At which point you tended to poof me away," said Belle dryly going to join him.

"You've always been impertinent for a maid," replied Rumple with a chuckle.

"From what I've heard I was never just a maid," she said. "But tell me what troubles you?" Well she had a good idea what might be troubling him but better he get it out. Rumple gave her a slightly incredulous look.

"I do still find myself baffled at the idea of us being married," he said. "Let alone true love." Belle sighed times like this where Rumple's insecurities kicked in were when she really could strangle Cora and Milah.

"Is it so incredible? I have it on good authority you were in love with me at this point." She reached out and took his hand. Rumple looked down at it.

"Who wouldn't love you Belle?" she smiled sweetly.

"The woman down there loves you."

"But how...no one can..." began Rumple but Belle cut him off.

"I'm going to stop you right there. Firstly because it's categorically untrue that you are unloved. Even taking myself out of the equation the Hatters are very fond of you and Grace adores her Uncle Rumple. As for myself. I could spend ages listing everything I love about you from your wit to your love for your family, but at the end of the day nothing can properly describe the depth of love I feel for you. The depth of love we share."

"And has it brought you happiness?" asked Rumple.

"Of course," said Belle.

"Then why do I see grief and pain in your eyes?" asked Rumple reaching up and brushing back a lock of hair. Suddenly Belle cursed how well her true love could read her. "The woman downstairs isn't haunted by whatever it is you've faced." Belle held his hand to her cheek.

"The woman downstairs still lives a sheltered life. You're right, I have faced hardships of late but it has little to do with my choice to be with you. It was more a matter of the fact that I gained things worth fighting for and people tried to take them from me. But I would not trade my happiness with those I love for all the peace and simplicity in the world."

Rumple gave her one of his long perceptive stares that made it seem as if he were seeing into her very soul.

"I suppose with passion like that I can't deny your words."

"Good, at least something convinced you," she said releasing his hand. Then deciding to change the subject she said. "You must be glad to see Bae."

"It's amazing. I can't believe how much he's grown. Or that he's forgiven me. Well, you did spend hundreds of years looking for him," said Belle.

"He calls you mother," Rumple pointed out. Belle gave a small smile.

"Oh yes. That's recent but I won't deny I like it."

"I dare say you are better than his biological mother." Belle's face twisted in distain and the thought of Milah.

"Yes...but I wouldn't say that's a high bar either." Rumple gave one of his high pitched giggles and she joined in laughing just as the doors to the great hall opened and the future Rumple reentered joined by Belle's past self.

"Right, shall we take some of these and continue in the library?" she asked future Rumple gesturing to a few of the books, catching on Rumple nodded picking some up before poofing them away.

OUAT

Rumplestiltskin stood awkwardly now with his Belle. Despite hearing the passionate proclamations of her future version, a version who held a hint of world weariness, he couldn't help but still feel some doubts staring at the beauty in front of him.

"I thought I told you to go read a book," he said at last. Belle rolled her eyes.

"I did. For hours. Is it true?"

"I would imagine my future self would have already confirmed everything," he replied.

"I'd still like to hear it from the you," she said stepping close to him so they were only a few feet apart. Rumple closed his eyes taking a deep breath.

"Yes, it's true. I love you Belle." He opened his eyes to see her smiling brightly.

"And I love you Rumplestiltskin." Then before he knew what was happening she'd crossed the remaining space and was kissing him. He froze for a moment before returning the kiss. Finally, the broke apart and he looked down at her.

"This isn't just because what you've found out is it?" Belle shook her head brunette waves bouncing a little.

"It's been coming on for a while. This just gave me the confirmation I needed to accept it and say something." Rumple nodded.

"I could say the same." It felt wonderful to hold her in his arms. The joy however was mitigated somewhat by the fact that he knew it couldn't last.

"I fear this is only temporary my Belle," he said quietly stroking her cheek and Belle nodded. "I know your other self explained."

"I daresay you look forward to the day you are with him rather than this," said Rumple gesturing to himself but Belle shook her head.

"I don't care how you look Rumple. This is the you I've fallen in love with and I'm sure I love the other version equally as much. Because it's still you and that's what matters." Rumple chuckled only Belle would think that way.

"You really are an unusual woman."

"Your unusual woman," she replied leaning up for another kiss. Yes he decided. Their time was limited for the moment but he would enjoy it for what it was. A chance to enjoy what was one day to come.

Author's Note: So! Our past and future couple's get to swap and talk to each other before past Rumple and Belle finally get things out in the open. Do let me know what you think! Thanks to all my lovely readers and especially commentors if you like the story please take a second and leave your thoughts below it means A LOT! Until next time!