Last entry to this little story . . . . . thank you for the reviews and I hope you enjoyed it!

I do not own 'Once Upon a Time.'

Chapter 3

"Thanks." Snow said as Belle handed her a cup of tea and sat down at the table with her.

"You're welcome." Belle replied, and both women drank their tea in silence for a moment.

"Why do men have to be so stupid sometimes?" Snow asked, finally breaking the silence. Belle laughed a bit.

"It is frustrating, isn't it? Can you imagine how bad off they'd be if they didn't have us?" Belle asked, and Snow smiled.

"Belle, I – I want to apologize to you." Snow said.

"For what?" Belle asked.

"I said some things to – well, I thought I was saying them to David but it turns out I was saying them to your husband, and I'm sure he's going to tell you about it. I kind of – told him that I thought you were under a spell or being blackmailed or something to marry Rumpelstiltskin, because if you weren't then – well, then you'd have to be -"

"A bit odd?" Belle interjected. "You're not the first person to say that about me. Nor will you be the last."

"Well, I just – wanted to let you know that I'm sorry. I didn't have any right to say those things. I don't even know you well enough to make that kind of judgment call about you." Snow admitted.

"It's okay – I can't expect others to understand." Belle told her.

"So you're not, right?" Snow asked.

"Not what?" Belle asked in return.

"Under a spell?" Snow asked. Belle smiled.

"Well, if I were, I probably wouldn't be able to tell you, would I? But no – I'm with Rumple because I want to be. I love him." Belle said. "I'm just a bit – frustrated with him right now, but – when you're married to the Dark One, that kind of becomes par for the course. He's trying, though. To do better. That's all I can ask of him. By the way – I should apologize, too. I kind of – came on to your husband. I didn't know it was him, I thought he was Rumple, I never would have – well, done that. If it makes you feel any better he ran out of the room as soon as he saw what I was wearing."

"What were you wearing?" Snow asked. Belle stood up and opened up her robe.

"This." she said, revealing the see-through nightie.

"Oh my god." Snow said, looking her up and down. "Well, at least I know he's not going to look at other women, I mean – wow."

"Yeah, Rumple likes it." Belle said, closing her robe up.

"Don't need to know that." Snow said, and she took a long sip of tea. "Can I borrow it? I mean – after I lose about fifteen more pounds."

"We'll go shopping sometime, I'll get you one of your own, it's the least I can do after everything today." Belle said. The girls were quiet again for a few moments, until Snow finally spoke up.

"Am I a bad person for just – wanting a night away from them? From my baby? I already miss him." Snow said.

"Of course you're not. You're tired and frazzled and after what just happened you have every right to want to get away. Sometimes it's necessary for your own sanity. I've stomped off on Rumple plenty of times because I knew if I didn't I'd say something I'd regret. And Neal will be fine – it's not like you sent him off with a stranger. Technically." Belle told her. Snow sighed.

"Why didn't they just TELL us right away?" Snow asked in frustration.

"I think they were just trying to spare us being upset." Belle said.

"And that worked SO well." Snow replied.

"Well, I didn't say it was a GOOD plan." Belle said, and they both hesitated for a moment and then they laughed. After they settled down, Snow became serious.

"What if they can't figure out a way to switch back?" Snow asked.

"They'll find a way. We just have to believe in them." Belle told her.

"Yeah, you're right." Snow said. "We can still be aggravated with them for a while though, right?"

"Absolutely." Belle replied, and they both laughed again.

David and Rumpelstiltskin had switched keys, with David driving his truck and Rumpelstiltskin back in his Cadillac. Both men had to adjust the seats to accommodate their new bodies. David got out of the truck and went to the other side of it to take out Neal's baby seat when the Cadillac pulled up behind him and Rumpelstiltskin got out.

"You know, you should consider getting a more practical car than this, it's not exactly family friendly." Rumpelstiltskin commented.

"What are you doing here?" David asked.

"Well – I just want to make sure that you don't do something stupid with my magic that you obviously have no clue to how to manage. Your wife is already upset enough with you, I doubt that you accidentally setting the apartment on fire will please her." Rumpelstiltskin said. "Plus I haven't had anything to eat yet, I have no food at the shop, and Granny's is closed by now. But hey – it's your body, if you'd like me to starve, then by all means, send me on my way."

David sighed. "Fine. Just – stay out of my way." David said, as Rumpelstiltskin followed him into the apartment. Rumpelstiltskin immediately made his way into the kitchen.

"Do you have anything to eat in this place that's not frozen, canned, or boxed?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.

"Well, I'm sorry, it's the best we can do at the moment. Belle's an excellent cook, by the way. I had seconds." David remarked as he set Neal down in his crib.

"Yes, continue to taunt me. Just remember, dearie – I get my powers back when I get my body back." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"Like Belle will let you do anything." David retorted. Rumpelstiltskin shot him a glare as he rummaged through the kitchen, finally settling on one of the frozen dinners that he had rejected earlier that evening. David reluctantly joined him in the kitchen, grabbing a soda out of the refrigerator and sitting down next to him.

"By the way – what exactly were you doing with my wife when we got to the house?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.

"What was I doing? More like what was your wife doing. She practically attacked me. I always thought Belle was a nice girl, not some -" David began.

"Tread carefully dearie, before you say what you're about to say." Rumpelstiltskin interjected. "We are, after all, newlyweds."

"Yeah, that came through loud and clear from her." David said. "I guess I just never thought about it."

"I'd prefer you didn't." Rumpelstiltskin told him. "Well – this was awful. Even makes Granny's over-rated menu seem desirable." Rumpelstiltskin said as he finished up his dinner. "So – who gets the bed?"

"It's my house." David replied.

"Yes, but – your sofa doesn't exactly look comfortable." Rumpelstiltskin commented.

"That's too bad for you, isn't it?" David retorted.

"Again – your body, not mine. You want to spend the next several days with a sore neck, that'll be your problem." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"Provided that we actually find a way to reverse this." David reminded him.

"Oh, we'll find a way. I want to get back to my wife, and I'm sure you want to get back to yours." Rumpelstiltskin said. "We both better get a good night's sleep; we have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

Rumpelstiltskin covered his head with a pillow and buried his face in the sofa. It was three in the morning, and the baby was crying loudly. "Can't you figure out a way to settle him down?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, sitting up a bit.

"Well, I'm sorry, he has colic and this is basically what our last two weeks have been like every night. You're the one who wanted to stay here – deal with it." David said, pacing the floor with the baby in his arms.

"That isn't going to work." Rumpelstiltskin said, and he got up and walked over to David. "Give him to me."

"I'm not letting you touch my son." David said.

"Well it's already too late for that, I held him earlier when your wife thought I was you. Give him to me." Rumpelstiltskin said. David reluctantly handed the baby over to Rumpelstiltskin, who sat down on the sofa with him.

"Maybe he's just afraid of me because of – well, what I look like." David suggested.

"It's far too early to be dealing with your insults, Charming – though be assured that I will have a retort for that one later." Rumpelstiltskin said. He moved Neal's head close to the left side of his chest, and began to gently move him in a rocking motion. The baby calmed down immediately.

"How'd you do that?" David asked, sitting down next to him.

"He's soothed by my heartbeat. This always worked with Bae whenever he cried." Rumpelstiltskin said. "Here – you try it." Rumpelstiltskin said, and he handed the boy off to David. David mimicked the motions he was shown, and the baby remained calm and was soon asleep.

"Thanks." David said. An awkward silence fell between them, and then David spoke up. "I'm really sorry – about your son. He didn't deserve what happened to him."

"No, he didn't." Rumpelstiltskin agreed quietly.

"You were a good father to him, weren't you? Before the um – the curse." David said.

"I did the best I could. That's all we ever can do. It just – wasn't enough." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"You know, I envy you. At least you got to raise your son – you got to see his first steps, hear him say his first words, teach him how to read and write – all the things I missed with Emma. I know that I have a second chance with Neal, but – it's not the same." David told him. "Maybe you'll get a second chance – with Belle."

"We haven't really talked about that." Rumpelstiltskin admitted.

"Maybe you should. Like I said – it's not the same. It'll never be the same. But when I look at this little guy here – at least he helps me to – not spend so much time thinking about what could have been. He just makes me think about what CAN be. And I'm gonna do all that I can to make sure I don't screw up this time." David said. Rumpelstiltskin remained quiet. "I should probably get back to bed. See you in the morning." David got up and walked away. Rumpelstiltskin sat staring off ahead of him for nearly fifteen minutes before he finally decided to lie down and try to get back to sleep.

"No, no, no that's too much, don't -" Rumpelstiltskin said, trying to stop David from adding something to a vial, but it was too late. The potion exploded in David's face, covering his entire face with soot from the smoke.

"I told you – don't yell at me." David said angrily. "Maybe I should go to the Blue Fairy for help."

"Don't you go near that shifty jellyfish with this, she'll just make it worse." Rumpelstiltskin said, gritting his teeth.

"Well you're obviously not making it better!" David shouted.

"That's because I'm being forced to deal with an idiot!" Rumpelstiltskin shouted back, just as the door to the shop opened, and Snow and Belle entered, making their way to the back room. Both of the men looked up at their wives.

"Where's Neal?" Snow asked.

"He's at Granny's. Ruby is watching him. He still has enough milk till the afternoon; I told Ruby you'd come and get him later." David said.

"Actually, I told him – we don't need them knowing about all of – this." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"So you two haven't figured it out yet, hmmm?" Belle asked.

"No." Rumpelstiltskin said, glaring at David.

"Should we tell them?" Snow asked Belle.

"I don't know – maybe we should just watch them for a while, it could be entertaining." Belle said.

"Tell us what?" David asked.

"I don't know – maybe they've suffered enough." Snow said.

"Snow – what's going on?" David asked.

"We figured it out." Belle said.

"Actually, Belle figured it out – I'm surprised neither of you did – but then again – not that surprised." Snow said.

"Figured out what?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.

"How to um – get the two of you back to normal." Belle said.

"Really? You know to fix this?" David asked.

"Possibly. But – there are some conditions." Belle told them.

"Conditions?" David asked. Snow and Belle both looked at one another.

"Belle and I had a couple of long talks last night and this morning, and – we've decided we want to be friends." Snow said.

"That's – fine, when have I ever told you who you can and can't be friends with?" David asked.

"You can do as you like, Belle, you know that." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"Well, you see – we don't just want to be friends with each other, although that is part of it. We both think it'd be nice to have someone to – do things with. As a couple." Belle said.

"What things?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.

"Dinner at each other's houses, going out together – that sort of thing." Snow replied. "Which require the two of you to – you know – play nice." David and Rumpelstiltskin looked at one another. "Part of this is – for Henry. I mean – we are his grandparents, I think it would be good for all of us to be on the same page when it comes to him."

"So – do we have a deal?" Belle asked.

"Do we have a choice?" David asked.

"Not really, no." Snow replied.

"I suppose I could tolerate – Charming over here. For Henry's sake." Rumpelstiltskin said.

David sighed. "Fine. So what's the solution?"

"This – thing that happened. This is a curse, right?" Belle asked.

"Yes, it's a type of curse, but – true love's kiss." Rumpelstiltskin said, realizing what the solution was.

"Can break any curse." Belle added.

"How do we know it'll work? I mean – do you two even LIKE us right now, much less love us?" David asked.

"Oh, we're still mad at you, but – that doesn't mean we don't love you." Snow told them. "It can't hurt to try, right?"

"I suppose not." Rumpelstiltskin said. The each walked over to their wives. Snow looked up at David.

"I guess I didn't think about having to kiss you like – this." Snow said, looking him up and down.

"Well, what about me, I have to kiss HIM." Belle said, looking at Rumpelstiltskin.

"It's not really an even trade though, you have to admit that." Snow said.

"Rumple is a very handsome man." Belle insisted.

"Ladies – can we just get this over with?" David asked.

"Get it over with? Is it such a chore to kiss me, David?" Snow asked.

"You know that's not what I meant Snow, I just -" David began.

"Charming – you're digging a hole again. Just shut up and kiss your wife." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"You ready?" Belle asked Snow.

"Let's do this. What's the worst that can happen?" Snow said. Both women put their arms around the men that were their husbands trapped in one another's bodies, and they kissed them. When they pulled away, they looked at the two men, who both felt a surge of energy burst through their bodies. David looked down at his hands.

"It worked." David said, smiling. "You were right."

"Belle, you're – you're brilliant." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"Rumple." a soft voice said, but it wasn't coming from Belle – it was coming from Snow.

"David." Belle's voice echoed. "No – no this wasn't supposed to happen like this."

"What happened?" David asked.

"We switched. David, we switched!" Belle shouted at them.

"No – no, that shouldn't have happened, you two -" Rumpelstiltskin began.

"All magic comes with a price, isn't that what you always have said?" Snow asked.

"Let's do it again – try another kiss." David said.

"Don't bother, you'll just be like you were before. Let's go." Belle said, looking at Snow.

"Where are you going?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.

"Out. You better have a solution by the time we get back." Snow said, and both women walked out of the shop. Once they got outside, they both started laughing.

"They actually believed us." Snow said. "How long should we let this go on?"

"Oh – a few hours at most, we don't want to be too cruel. That gives us just enough time to go shopping for a bit." Belle said.

"What if it hadn't worked?" Snow asked.

"Well it did – true love's kiss can break any curse. Even stupid ones." Belle said, and they both laughed again.

"Do you mind if we go to Granny's and get Neal? I really miss him." Snow said.

"Of course, that'll be fine." Belle said. "You think they'll be mad at us for tricking them like this?"

"They'll get over it. It's the least they deserve. Come on – I haven't been shopping in forever, let's go!" Snow said excitedly, and the two women walked off together.

Later that evening . . . . . .

"How'd you get him down so fast?" Snow asked as David climbed into bed with her.

"Gold showed me a trick he used to use with his son – before he had magic. It really works." David said. He bent over Snow to give her a kiss, then pulled away with a pained look on his face. "My jaw hurts."

"Yeah, that's – probably my fault. I kind of – punched Gold in the face yesterday when I found out about the switch. I'm sorry." Snow said. David smiled.

"No you're not." David said.

"I'm really not." Snow said, and they both laughed. "Well, at least one good thing came out of this whole mess. I made a new friend."

"Belle's a really nice girl, isn't she? What the hell is she doing with Gold?" David asked.

"She loves him. I guess it's not our place to judge. You know, the dwarves didn't really like YOU when we first got together." Snow told him.

"I really am sorry, Snow." David said.

"I know. Just don't read any more pendants in Gold's shop. You're lucky you didn't get turned into a frog, cause I'm not sure I'd have kissed you like that." Snow said.

"Yeah, you would have." David told her.

"Well, okay, I suppose I would have. Eventually." Snow said, and they kissed once again.

Rumpelstiltskin was sitting up in bed when Belle came into the room, quiet and deep in thought. "You alright?" Belle asked as she climbed into bed with him.

"Yeah." Rumpelstiltskin replied. Belle snuggled up next to him and he put his arm around her.

"Sorry about the little joke Snow and I pulled – we thought it was funny." Belle said.

"It was – it's alright. We deserved it." Rumpelstiltskin said. "You could have done far worse that would have been deserved as well."

"Just promise me next time something like that happens you won't keep it from me." Belle said. "Please stop trying to 'spare me' of things – I can handle them."

"I know you can. And I am sorry, Belle." Rumpelstiltskin told her. They were both quiet for a bit, and then Rumpelstiltskin spoke up. "Do you think – we should have a child?"

Belle sat up and looked at him. "A baby? You want to have a baby?" Belle asked.

"I don't know. I mean – perhaps. Perhaps I could – be a better father this time. At least I'd have a better shot at it – because it would be our child. Together." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"I have – thought about it at times. I just – haven't said anything. I'm not really sure I'm ready yet. I'm not sure you are, either." Belle stated.

"Well – perhaps we should start thinking about it and talking about it and – if and when we decide we're ready, then – we can start – making plans for that." Rumpelstiltskin said.

"Alright. We can do that." Belle said, and she moved in close and kissed him.

THE END.