Poor Unfortunate Souls

An Ouat fanfiction

By

Fantasy Writer '92

"If you want to cross the bridge my sweet, you've got to pay the toll. Take a gulp an take a breath, go ahead and sign the scroll" – Ursula, THE LITTLE MERMAID

On a cloudy overcast day in StoryBrooke, a woman named "Belle" made her way down to the Pawnshop where her "husband" "Rumpelstiltskin" or "Mr. Gold" as he was known here in this world worked.

Stopping just short of the door handle. She took a deep breath, gathering up her courage and went inside.

The bells chiming behind her, signaling to the other occupant that he had a customer

. At first there was nothing except the small sounds of rustling the backroom. Belle's nerves got the better of her as she swiftly turned her heels and prepared to forget the whole thing and walk away. Luck however, wasn't on her side. Not today anyway…

"Belle?" her husband breathed heavily as he emerged, hoisting onto the glass counter what appeared to be a black leather suitcase. "What-what are you doing here?"

A look of puzzlement and bewilderment crossed the brunette's face as she found her legs sauntering back over to the counter.

"Rumple? What's all this? Are you going somewhere? NOW?"

The man shrugged and swung back the portrait on the wall to reveal his safe. "Even if I am, what's it to you? You haven't cared one lick about me in months Dearie. All your thoughts consist of "How am I going to get this son of mine away from the Beast that is his father?"

"-That's not fair Rumple," came Belle's expected retort.

The Dark One scoffed "No offence dearie, but YOU are NOT the best judge of what is "Fair" or "Right". Given your recent choice of actions and the company you keep"

"Oh! And um I suppose YOU know better than I, right?" Belle bit off sarcastically.

"-Not particularly, but I AM the one PAYING the price for your stupidity in regards to our son in magic"

The woman stepped back in shock as if he had slapped her. Never, in all their time together, even in the Dark Castle had he called her "stupid". "What are you talking about?" she asked with confusion in her voice.

"Belle, the Sleeping Curse isn't designed for a pregnant woman. What in Gods' name did you THINK was going to happen? No, wait don't answer that. I KNOW what you were thinking: You would stay frozen in time, and everything would be just fine when you were woken up by your father. But that didn't happen, did it. And if I hadn't intervened, our son would have suffocated. Do you get it?! YOU… sentenced him to death"

"NOoo! Rumple!" Belle viciously shook her head in denial as hot tears streamed down her cheeks.

She couldn't take any more of these lies, she had to get out of there. Clutching her purse, she started to storm her way out but spun on her heel again as she marched up right into his face.

"You're lying, this is just some plot to scare me back to your side. Well it's not going to work" the brunette declared.

But this time as she turned Rumpelstiltskin reached forward and yanked her back by the wrist:

"Now you listen to me, you Spoiled Brat: Whatever sick game you think we have going on in your mind. It's Over. I am talking about OUR son's LIFE here. He's not a Toy or a Doll – " he spat. "for us to fight over. He's a Human Being. Who has his own thoughts and feelings. And most importantly, the freedom to choose. Given to him by this country Regina ironically chose to curse us to. A liberty I now fully intend to take advantage of and start a knew. Far away from this provincial town and its people."

"Where will you go?" Belle choked with mixed emotion.

"I haven't the foggiest but I have recently discovered whispers of a possible family link in California. That's seems like a good place to begin"

"-You're really just going to leave me and walk out on your child and grandson?" asked Belle trying to make sense of it.

The Dark One pierced his lips, choosing his words carefully:

"That's really low using Henry, Dearie. When you know as well as I he prefers his mother's side and all their propaganda. The only time he needs me is when he wants something, just like the rest of them.

Gideon? Yes I know his name dearie, remember I see the future. Well, I'm doing my best to honor his wish and not ruin his family. I won't force myself on him. I only wish he will know how much I loved, no love him. Even in death

– As for leaving you, as my memory serves. YOU left me as soon as you stepped through that portal"

"-Wait, wait what do you mean "death".

"All magic comes with a price Dearie. Those shears of destiny I've been after were going to be used to set him totally free from me. As it is there is a psychic link between us, Once, he's born I will bare all he would have suffered. So says the magical contract."

"Rumple-"

"I will not have Storybrooke be my final resting place. To be trapped in a box, buried underground or Resurrected again against my will to "help" with the next oncoming threat. I'm a three hundred and thirty-four-year-old man. Let me go…Please"

Rumpelstiltskin released her, leaving Belle speechless as he returned to place the dagger and Bae's shawl in the bag.

"And right now, out there on the West Coast is a young woman who's been left wondering what happened. She finally contacted me last Father's Day. I haven't done much good in my long existence but I will always try for my boys. So, I go to Riley to tell her the fate of Neal Cassidy"

he said, coming around with his packed suitcase and golden handled cane in hand.

"Good-bye Belle, try to do right by our son in future" He requested walking past her still form and out the door for the final time.

A week later, a shiny black cane with a golden handle knocked on the door of a college dorm room and a girl of medium height with shoulder length dishwater blond hair and very familiar dark brown eyes answered.

"Miss Riley Cassidy?" asked a Scottish man's voice.

"Yes,"

"I'm Mr. Gold," Instantly a smile lit up on the woman's face as she swiftly pulled him into a hug and pulled back welcomingly.

"Come on in…Grandpa…"