The Lobotomy

Written by: Adventure-Seeking-Juliet

When: While listening to Neko Case...not quite sure why.

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time, no matter how much I'd like to.

A/N Much thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers! Here is the part you've all been waiting for...the reunion. It's not fantastic, and I wasn't really sure if I wanted to write it, but a friend of mine convinced me too. So here it is! I hope you enjoy~

Chapter Five:

When I wake up, I'm completely alone.

My head is pounding and when I try to sit up, the room begins to spin. So I try to study my surroundings from the king-sized bed that I'm confined to.

My new prison is easily three times the size of my old cell...and much more homey. The walls are a deep shade of gold- and nearly every inch of the spacious room is cluttered with knickknacks.

I feel my heart rate begin to slow when I see the decor of the room. I wouldn't mind being trapped somewhere as comfortable as this...

I stretch my arms out, smiling when my fingertips don't even reach the edge of the bed. I was cramped in my cell for so long, I had forgotten what it felt like to move.

The door to the room swings open just as I am trying, for the third time, to disentangle myself from the red satin sheets.

And there he is.

At least, it seemed to be him. He didn't look the way I remembered him...his skin wasn't dusted in gold...and his eyes were a deep brown.

Human.

Everything about him is human, from the roots of his hair to the obvious limp in his walk, and for a brief moment I worry that another woman has broken his curse with true love's kiss, while I've been locked away.

He is staring at me, unblinking, and I try to stare back with an emotionless face.

He mumbles," I'll call you back," into the phone held up to his ear, then lets his arm drop.

The phone falls on a chair next to the door, then bounces onto the floor, but he doesn't even look at it.

There is fear in his face, but there is also hope.

His eyes meet mine," Belle?"

There is a beat of silence before Belle replies to his query.

"Rumpelstiltskin."

Though her voice isn't cold, it is devoid of all emotions. When she says his name...it is a statement, not a question.

Gold collapses onto the bed, all of his breath leaving him.

"You remember."

His voice is nothing but a raspy gasp.

Belle stares into his face," Everything. I remember everything."

Rumpelstiltskin's heart constricts, and the bottom drops out of his stomach. She remembers...

Panic floods his senses, and he cannot bring himself to form a coherent sentence," So...you...everything-"

Belle only nods, once.

He moves forward, wanting to reach out to her," I-I have no excuse. There is so much that has happened now...and I understand if you never wish to see me again."

When Belle says nothing to contradict his claims, he stands," I do not blame you for your silence, but I want you to know that I have regretted my decision since the moment I made it."

He turns to leave, but a petite hand wraps around his wrist.

Belle musters a thin smile," I told you so." Tears are sliding down her face now, silently forming tracks on her skin, and Rumpelstiltskin can no longer hold back.

All of his fear is forgotten when he sees how broken his Belle is. Cowardice means nothing to him anymore- he spent too much time thinking he'd never get a second chance... to waste it.

He envelops her in his arms, his own tears streaming down his face," I thought you were dead, if I had known-I would have found you. I would have broken every deal to find you."

Belle nods into his shoulder," I know."

Gold pulls back a little, staring into Belle's too-pale face," You know?"

"The Queen told me everything before they tried to...to..." She stumbles over the word," lobotomize me."

Rumpelstiltskin's hands frame her face as he uses his fingertips to brush the tears off of her skin," I-I should never have made you leave. All of your pain..it's my fault. I can never forgive myself."

Belle shakes her head, looking grim," Neither can I."

For a moment, he is shocked. Though he had expected her to be angry...he had been hoping Belle would give him a second chance...even though he knew it was a lot to ask for...a small piece of him had been believing it was possible.

"Oh, I see." He chokes, out, releasing her from his embrace.

Then, Belle's face breaks into a smile," That one was a quip. Not serious."

Rumpelstiltskin stares at her, his mouth gaping," I love you."

Belle pulls him closer, wrapping her legs around his waist...so that the two are pressed closely together...and she lays her head on his shoulder.

The two of them stayed like that for several minutes, just clinging to each other... Both of them afraid that if they let the other person go, they'd vanish in a puff of smoke.

"I love you, too," Belle whispers, her breath teasing the skin of his neck.

Words had become obsolete- he pulled her closer, and their lips met.

This kiss was nothing like their first-it was an act of desperation, it was an act of regret and remembrance, all of their emotions were tied into the action.

All of the things they wanted to say were passed between them as she pulled him down onto the bed, and their bodies tangled in the satin sheets.

A/N Not the best reunion...yuck I don't know. I really wanted to turn it into a just a tiiiiny bit of smut, but I'm afraid it might be too soon for that. Tell me what you think with a review!

If you would like to prompt me, please private message me your prompt or leave it in a review! I'll take anything from summaries, to songs, to pictures, to short phrases.