Chapter 36: Compromise
Belle French frowned as she pulled on her bathrobe. Rumple should be back by now.
She tried to let it not bother her, that he had gone out to do God knows what to the Dursleys. But it still did.
She even talked to Regina about it. And they were far from being best friends forever.
The closet Belle had to really a best friend was Ruby, and that was stretching it. While it was true that the waitress had offered her a room if things with Rumple got too dicey, they really hadn't talked much since. She was never really big friends with Snow White either, or for that matter had talked much to Snow's daughter.
Besides, she heard Emma hated reading. And to be friends with Belle, you sort of had to like to read.
At least Rumple read The Economist or spell books.
But having someone to talk to, well, it wasn't in Belle's cards she supposed. So, she had to make do with Regina. And now she felt she needed to bathe in bleach.
Maybe when she got back to Storybrooke she'd invite Ruby to tea or something and forgo talking about Little Women or whatever book she was reading that particular week to talk to her.
Yeah, she knew how that would go.
She frowne as she thought about the past few days. She felt horrible about the entire situation. She should be there, fighting for her father—but at the same time she understood that she couldn't take Cora on and that Harry needed someone mentally stable around him right now.
Yeah, she didn't consider her fiancé to be mentally stable.
That didn't mean she didn't love Rumple, it just meant she was a little unsure about him taking an eleven-year-old on a trans-Atlantic flight when he had blood on his mind.
So, she went.
It helped that Rumple did promise to teach her some spells, and more importantly Regina promised to inform her about Moe.
She still didn't trust the Evil Queen though. She knew Rumple didn't either. From the phone call she had with Regina right now, she was pretty sure the queen knew nothing about Gold's plan with the Dursleys or his new obsession: Sirius Black.
The past few days they've been in England had been a whirlwind of information gathering, at least for Rumple. While Belle and Harry might've spent the first day in the Ally, they had spent most of yesterday doing tours by themselves. Harry was a little bit confused about this.
"I have business." Gold said.
Belle inwardly shook her head in disagreement. She didn't know why Rumple couldn't be honest with Harry. Tell him the truth. He was going to find out eventually.
But Rumple didn't.
Of course not.
Although, she sort of agreed with him about the whole Dursley thing. She couldn't believe that. But she had been there when the boy had nightmares. Saw the lasting psychological scars. And yes, they were there. Even with all the hiding Harry tried to do.
Even Regina saw them.
God, Belle still couldn't believe that she had a seemingly normal conversation with that woman.
Seriously, were they going to have a Beauty Queen friendship.
Gag her. That was almost worse than a Swan Queen friendship.
"What's wrong?"
She jumped seeing Rumple behind her. The way he just randomly appeared, it still freaked her out.
"I had a conversation with Regina."
"Yes, that would upset anyone." He said putting his arms around her waist.
Belle shook her head.
Rumple frowned. "What?"
"Harry."
Rumple sighed. "He'll be a sleep for another hour. It was a very specific potion I gave him."
"It's not just Harry," She said. "I want to know what's going on?"
He rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Belle. I thought we been through this. You can't change me. I am who I am."
They had that discussion. That his actions were purely his own. And that as much as she tried, she wasn't going to completely change him. But she still couldn't help but wonder. "I just want to know. The way you've been acting, it scares me."
"I visited the relatives. The so-called aunt gave me her memories. I have another name to add to the list."
"Was that all that happened?"
"The uncle agreed to be my spy."
"Willingly?" Belle asked.
"Well, he lived." Rumple said not fully answering her.
Belle shook her head.
"They made Harry live in a closet. And they abused him."
"What else have you done?"
"I bought myself a bank. And I've been looking into some things. Such as a wizard prison. There's a man there that I need to have a chat with."
"What man?"
"A Sirius Black. He sold out Harry. I feel like I needed to have a heart to heart chat with him."
Belle groaned.
"Well, what am I suppose to do?"
"He's in jail, isn't that enough."
"No." Rumple said. "If you saw that woman's memories, Belle. And Harry almost died."
"And no one can wrong the Dark One or his progeny." Belle finished.
"Well, at least you finally got it."
"I hate your obsession with vengeance. Can you at least restrain yourself from immediately killing this Black."
"I haven't killed anyone." Gold said, "And I never said I was going to kill Black."
She shot him a look.
"I like puns."
"I don't know what I should tell you."
"That you understand."
Truth be known, she did understand. But she still couldn't help but pray that he was better. She didn't ever picture herself with a vengeance-seeking sorcerer. And she did see the tender, loving side to her fiancé when he was around her and his son. It was just that sometimes the dark side of Rumple was too much.
Especially now when she knew he had a score to settle with her father.
"This isn't about Black or the Dursleys, is it?" He asked.
At least he knew her well enough to know that.
She sighed. "Yes, I guess. But I don't like the killing."
Rumple sighed heavily. "And we're at an impasse."
"I'm not going to leave you if that's what your worried about," Belle said. "I just want you to do better."
"I am trying. And to be fair, I didn't actually kill anyone yet. The aunt totally did it to herself."
Belle raised an eyebrow. "You didn't tell me the aunt died."
"She made a bargain with me. The cost of it was her life."
"Rumple!"
"Well, true love could've countered it. It's not my fault she didn't actually love her son."
Belle couldn't say anything, because in the land of Rumple bargains it really wasn't his fault. Instead, she sighed and said. "I really hate your deals."
"Yet, you made one with me." He said.
She did. And it was a bargain that had a lasting impression on her life, for better and for worse.
She sometimes wondered if things would be better if she had stayed away from Rumple once he sent her away. Tried to move on.
Ruby had tried setting her up with that nice Will Scarlet when she and Rumple were on break. To be honest, Belle thought it was pretty random at best. She thought he had a true love in Wonderland too, or at least that was the word at Granny's.
Regardless, she doubted she could ever move on to someone else. Rumple had left way too much of an impression on her life. He was her true love, thorns and all. And Harry was in her life now too. Plus, there was the fact that the Dark One was pretty much amazing in the bed.
That was something that wasn't very well advertised.
Thank the lord.
Though Cora seemed to know well enough, at that Belle shuddered.
She tried not to even think about that. That Rumple had slept with Cora. She knew he had to have other relationships, sure. But that woman?
And to have his child?
Belle loved Harry, but sometimes she wondered why was Cora the one to have Rumple's child? Why couldn't she have his babe?
It seemed silly.
She had never thought about children before, she didn't even think Rumple could have other children. But then there was Harry.
And now, Belle sort of wondered.
About their baby?
If it was even possible. Did she even want to have a child with Rumple?
"Belle?"
"Yes, Rumple?" She said.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded her head. "I just, sometimes I wish that I could change you. I know how you get, and I know that you felt like you had no choice. But…"
"I know. Do you think I like this? It's part of the curse. And to be honest, I really feel that Harry needs justice."
She wanted to tell him that he was better than this, but she couldn't. She knew how Rumple was. There was always going to be this side to him that she just wasn't going to like. He did try though, she told herself. He let her father live.
For now.
That was the thing. What if Moe got off? Belle couldn't see it happening, but if he did there was no telling what Rumple would do or for that matter Regina. She had made sure that Rumple got the Evil Queen to promise not to kill her father before leaving, but she still couldn't help that if Regina had the chance.
Her father would die.
She had never really been close to Moe throughout her life, but she didn't want him to die. Be in prison sure. She had even started to be okay with him being in the Augusta prison.
Not ideal, but better than the alternative. She hoped that somehow he would take responsibility for his actions. But based on what Regina said on the phone, she doubted that Moe was going to plead guilty.
And that would leave to several months or perhaps years of this weird tension between her and Rumple.
Not something that an engaged couple wants to experience.
"Belle," Rumple said looking at her. "Did you hear anything I just said?"
She shook her head. "I…sorry, Rumple I was thinking about Papa. It's his arraignment today."
"I know. I…I'm sorry, sweetheart. But the Dursleys had to be dealt with. And this bank and Black thing."
"I still don't get why you had to buy the bank." She said.
"Control." He said, "Access to information. A rude goblin. And a proper investment."
She nodded her head. Sometimes the things Rumple did went over her head. But the bank thing made sense, save for the rude goblin. However, Belle had noticed that several people in the wizarding world were rude towards her. The way they looked at her and muttered things under her breath, well, she was glad Rumple wasn't there.
Or should she say, they should be glad Rumple wasn't there.
"There's a lot more restructuring that is going to have to go on than I like. There government codes, ridiculous. And the goblins knew nothing about charging fees. They pride themselves on being so money oriented."
"Rumple." Belle said, "Enough about banking. I'm more concerned about Harry."
"Are you going to lecture me about that Prudence woman? Belle, I didn't have any control over the situation."
She shook her head. "No. I…I'm not happy with that. But you said you found out about Harry's childhood."
He nodded. "Yeah…it, he's strong."
She sighed. "God, is it worse than we thought?"
Rumple shook his head. "Yes, and no. Harry didn't lie about the severity of the physical abuse. It wasn't anything too major for the most part. But the mental abuse, he does need to see someone. I think."
"So, you're admitting that now?" Belle said. For weeks she had insisted that Harry see a psychiatrist, Rumple and Regina had both sort of pushed the idea to the side. But now, something had changed. Rumple looked almost panic stricken to some degree.
"That room, that cupboard. It was so tiny." He said, "And those relatives. They…they make Cinderella look like mother of the year."
That was saying something, considering how fast Cinderella had been willing to sell Alexandria to Rumple.
Well, at the time.
Before Alexandria was even a spark in Thomas's eye. But still to give up your own child with that little regard was pretty horrible. Despite the spin, Cinderella had tried to make since.
Though, Belle did think Rumple sort of deserved getting pepper sprayed.
Really, agreeing to broker a baby?
He should know better than that!
Belle shook her head. "I…I don't know what to say, Rumple."
He sighed. "I don' t think there is anything to say. Except that I have to find Harry someone competent to talk to. Like that doctor in Augusta. Not that bug."
"Archie has his moments."
"The bug wanted to kill his parents." Gold said, "And had that doxie turn him into a cricket. There are issues there. Besides, we're not going to Storybrooke anytime soon."
Belle shook her head. "We can't keep running, Rumple. When Cora is neutralized."
"Cora won't be neutralized unless I go to back to that wretched town, which is something I don't intend to do. I am going to get my happily ever after here with you, Bae, and Harry."
Belle looked at him. "Rumple?"
"I am going to find Bae." He said, "And I'm going to make things up to both of my sons."
She shook her head, but didn't say anything. A part of her really did like the idea of a fresh start, but it really did seem like they were running away.
And she knew how much Rumple wanted to find his other son.
"We will have to go home, eventually." She noted.
"Agreed. But who says home is Storybrooke? Now, that sleeping potion I gave Harry has about fifty minutes left? How about we take a shower?"