-Belle, your back! He said breathlessly.
She smiled at his words. They both stared into each others eyes without saying a word. As Gold contemplated her face, the one he never ceased to forget every night he could not sleep. This face with perfect curves and fair skin, and those beautiful blue eyes that were always shinning. Belle was staring into his mysterious brown yes, that at first may seem cold, but when his brown eyes met hers they were warm and made her melt, giving her butterflies in her stomach every time he put his eyes on her. She was so happy to see him again. She didn't know where to start; she wondered whether it was wise to tell him everything. But it was him who finally broke the silence:
-"Where were you, Belle?"
The young woman was suddenly filled with anxiety, wondering what to say next
-"I will tell you, but lets go someplace quieter.
She gestured towards the park across the street. The first light of day began to show and the air was mild. Gold and Belle walked towards the bench, the bench where they had sat before, and the last time she had seen him and spoke their last words to each other. Belle began:
-I head that you were arrested because of me.
Gold looked down.
-"I had thought Regina had taken you. But obviously I was wrong He said.
Belle Smiled.
-"I know, you must take me for some psychopath". He replied.
-No, not at all! But can I ask, what made you think that.
-"Well..... Since we have met, I keep having these dreams, dreams where Regina has hurt you... has hurt us. So when I learned that the article was a fake, and that the editor was none other then the Regina's lover, I didn't hesitate to go see her and demand answers. He admitted.
She took his hand in hers looking at him tenderly. Gold was still surprised when she touched him, still in wonder of this beautiful woman, but he would never be tired of feeling her soft skin on his.
-"Have you ever considered that these dreams were perhaps not dreams....but memories." Said Belle hesitantly.
-"What do you mean?"
-"Legend has it, that there was an enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know. Or think we know. One day they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were taken from them. Our World.... But their memories were erased.
-"Where did you read this?" he asked.
-"Someone told me about it."
-"Well dearie, if my dreams are memories, then we knew each other before. He said mockingly.
-"It's very like indeed.
Gold did not believe in this legend Belle was talking about, but seeing how she increasingly insisted and looked so serious, he turned his gaze to a serious one as he looked her in the eyes. She was still holding his hand, and was not ready to let go. He could have stayed there for hours talking to her. It felt good, like this is where he should always be, next to Belle.
The sun was beginning to rise. Their eyes were fixed on each other, and Gold noticed how her eyes had a flash of something new. Something that pulled him towards her, he put his hand on her check as he slowly moved closer to her face. Belle without realizing it moved into his touch. As he felt her gentle lips again his he closed his eyes, savoring the intoxicating kiss. Suddenly then a new sensation settled upon them. It was an exhilarating ray of light that sprinkled over their bodies that formed into one. It then crossed over the whole city, affecting each person. It felt like a renewal. When their lips parted slowly, Belle and Gold both opened their eyes slowly
-Rumplestiltskin, I love you! She said.
-Oh Belle, you're alive! I have missed you so much! He said tearfully
They fell into each others arms, and it felt like home. They were shaking as they held each other, never wanting to be separated again. All the inhabitants of the city had regained their memories. They all slowly started to remember the magical word they came from, and they all were reminded of the Evil Queen who ruled the enchanted forest: Regina. Everyone was running outside, rushing to be reunited and find their loved ones. Belle and Rumple, hand in hand joined them. Belle then recognized someone she knew:
-Rumple, I present you the Blue Fairy, she said. It was she, who told me how to find you, without her help you and I, and all the others would still be prisoners here.
The Blue Fairy, Rumple knew her all to well. Or rather he thought he knew her. This Fairy was responsible for the loss of his son, who had given Bae the magical bean that lead his son to this world without magic. And it was the reason they were all here right now. Belle could see the resentment on Rumples face. She knew the story and she knew how Rumple felt about this fairy. Knowing she should not push, she proposed to her beloved that they go back to the shop. Rumple nodded.
-"My God it's a mess here! She exclaimed. I am gone just a few weeks, and now everything is a mess!
Rumple smiled.
-I have not opened the shop since you left. He said.
Rumple then went to the cupboard. He pulled out a brown shawl, and held it in his hands, staring at it for a long time lost in his thoughts.
Belle approached.
-Is that to find your son? She asked.
-It's why I came here.
-Rumple, I must tell you something....
A thick purple fog formed sharply, and slipped under the door, and then consumed the room. Belle quickly took refuge in Rumple's arms.
-What is going on? She shouted.
Rumple knew exactly what this was.
-It's the return of magic. He said.
The fog had engulfed the entire city. And it took several minutes to disappear completely.
-"This is Regina's doing!" he said.
-But how could she? Exclaimed Belle
-She must have brought her potions here with her from the castle. It is imperative that I find it Belle, he said fumbling thru everything in the back room.
Belle looked worried.
-Find what?
-Belle when you were here cleaning, you did not see... he paused suddenly.
-Rumple! Rumple what's going on? Belle seeing the petrified look on Rumples face.
-Go away! He said to her.
-What?
-Is this what you are looking for Rumple? Regina held the dagger up in her hand.
Rumple was paralyzed. He wanted to kill her on the spot and protect his Belle. But he could do nothing, she was controlling him. Regina saw all his anger that was seething in him. She reveled in seeing him this way. He was hers now. She had all the powers of the dark one. Rumplestiltskin, with his knuckles turning white, contorted his wrists on his cane.
-That old wound will heal quickly now! You no longer need that cane.
She then waived her hand and he suddenly threw his cane down.
-I beg you, leave him alone! Belle cried.
Rumple turned to Belle, as the voices in his head where shouting to get Belle out of there to safety before Regina ordered him to harm Belle. That was something he could not bear to ever hurt his Belle. He thought.
Regina smiled, knowing exactly what Rumple was thinking at that moment. But she was not there to hang out.
-"Come on Rumplestiltskin" she said as she grabbed him before disappearing in a cloud of red smoke.
Belle ran out of the shop all distraught.
-She took him! She shouted.
Scarlett and all the others rushed towards her.
-What is going on? Who are you talking about? Scarlett asked.
Belle took a breath.
-Regina, she took Rumple... and has his dagger!
Sheriff Nolan then approached.
-Belle don't worry, we will do everything to find him and the dagger!
He then gathered up several groups from around the city, to start their search.
-It's ok Belle! Said Mary-Margaret.
Belle turned to her, surprised to see her.
-My husband will find him Belle! Said Mary-Margaret.
-He is your husband? Belle asked.
Yes! I am Snow White and my husband is Prince Charming.
Snow White, the legendry princess the had heard of and read so many stories on while she was in the Dark Castle with Rumplestiltskin.
-Thank you, that Is very nice of you, she said sadly.
Belle knew how serious this situation was. While under control with the dagger, Rumplestiltskin could hurt many people. And only feared what Regina was intending to do with Rumple under her control.
Campaign Storybrooke, three weeks later,
Regina opened the door to the underground cellar. She was holding a tray with food as she descended down the stairs after closing the door behind her. As she approached the cage that was in semi-darkness, Rumplestiltskin was sitting at her spinning wheel, spinning gold as it fell into the basket beside him. His beard had grown somewhat, and he looked exhausted. His mind was elsewhere.
-Are you hungry? Regina launched.
She clutched his arm abruptly.
-You should not have done that, he said in a mischievous voice
She withdrew her hand from his arm, and then put the food down as she kicked the tray to slide under the cage.
-You should eat Rumple. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow. She said as she tuned and walked away. Rumplestiltskin took the food, as he started to laugh maniacally he said over and over:
-"You feed the madness and it feeds on you, you feed the madness and it feeds on you!"