Something There

It was an odd place that she found herself. Surely, she could not be in a dream? However, if felt like she was floating in nothingness, but that was just nonsense!

Her eyes attempted to study what was before her, but no images or figures appeared. However, in its stead, voices were heard. One was very faint, sounding like a little girl crying for her mother. For a moment, she thought it was her. It was then overpowered by a gruff voice, which did resemble Papa's.

Suddenly, the swarm of voices picked up at a tremendous volume, causing her to cringe from it all; there was too much to take in. She was overloading on the foreign voices and it felt like someone was laughing at it all, laughing at her state and her confusion.

"Someone…help me…!"

She hoped her voice would over power the rest, but it seemed to just fade away, as if she was nothing. Perhaps, she had become nothing.

"Belle."

Wait. She knew that voice. It sounded so pained though. She could not remember his voice sounding in such a way. After all, he always had such an air about his tone, wanting others to show who truly held the power.

It took her a few moments, but somehow, her mind began to put together the voice, trying to find a name. He had a very particular name. Yes. Others would cower in fear when it was spoken, like he was a plague ready to attack. However, to her, he was quite the opposite.

She denied his status, seeing something underneath, something that had been locked away for many centuries.

"Rumpelstiltskin."

Everything dawned on her and Belle felt a crushing feel, as if someone was trying to drown out the name and herself. Whatever this was, she would not let it take her! She had to fight, he was calling for her and she would go to him.

"You left him. You don't care for him."

The voice was full of poison, but Belle knew what it said was entirely true. She felt compelled to leave at a point, but, something had changed over time. Something inside of her blossomed and she was a fool for denying it!

"I know."

She knew it was not wise to admit it, but, perhaps, this would be the way to challenge this voice. The voice, in response, chuckled, hoping the weak woman would continue to accept her fate.

"However, I am the one in charge of my fate. I will not let it end like this."

The voice became silent from the proclamation, very perplexed by the sudden strength that came forth from the woman.

"You are a fool!"

Belle, finding herself in full confidence, was about to retaliate, continuing her growing strength. However, something was now beginning to pull her. However, it was not the same drowning sensation she experienced moments ago.

The voice sounded very hectic and began to bark commands to something…or perhaps, nothing. The voice was joined with the other voices again, causing Belle to block out the noise, shielding her ears with her trembling hands.

Just as it came, everything vanished and her eyes widened as she took a breath of air, enjoying the sweet sensation that now filled her empty lungs.

Her vision was blurred for a moment, but, it did not take long for her sapphire orbs to recognize the figure hovering above her.

"Rumpelstiltskin."

The Dark One could only stare in disbelief, watching as his beloved Belle rose from her death bed. He had spent what felt like eternity, grieving for his Belle. However, he knew he could not have her body decay; for fear that death would truly take her. He had the idea to preserve her, to prepare a coffin that would surely entrap her everlasting beauty. Before he could do that though, without thinking, he leaned down to Belle.

His eyes studied her, his finger caressing her cold cheek, knowing he would never see her rosy complexion. Leaning down even more, just a breath away from her lips, Rumpelstiltskin hesitated. He knew it was not fair to take a kiss from her, but, call it a selfish wish. Just the memento would be enough for him, to know she would always be honored and loved.

Yes. How he loved her! Acting on this, The Dark One pressed his scaly lips to her feather-soft lips, but he was forced to move back as he heard Belle take quite a breath in.

She uttered his name in such a way that would surely bring him to tears. However, Rumpelstiltskin was in awe and slight shock, causing his tears to retreat for now.

"It really is you."

His fair maiden's hands quickly flung open to capture the beast within her grasp, giving him such a squeeze, possibly fearing that he was, indeed, a dream.

Everything now hit the man, who, in turn, encased his beloved beauty in his own arms, holding her as if she would disappear, bringing him back to his nightmare.

"Belle! My Belle!"

The two could not deny their emotions, Belle having the tears fall freely from her eyes, while Rumpelstiltskin offered a few tears of his own. The duo lost themselves in one another, where time was so irrelevant and that all that mattered were each other's company.

It was Belle who pulled away first, her hands caressing his cheeks, feeling the rough texture, still feeling like he would soon vanish. She offered a slight smile, showing pure happiness that only got Rumpelstiltskin to shed one last tear, knowing this smile was meant for him and him alone.

This is what true paradise must have felt like.

"I cannot believe I am here. I was somewhere so confusing, and this voice was trying to keep me there…"

The Dark One's hands now rose to greet her own, pulling them down into her lap, his eyes never faltering from her own.

"You were walking with death, Belle. I cannot fathom how you are here, but I am a grateful beast to have you back."

Without thinking, as if acting further on his recognized love for the woman, his finger pulled one of her unruly curls behind her ear, hoping the gesture was comforting for her. He knew this would be a lot to take in, especially for her, but he was trying to learn what sort of magic had occurred here.

"You aren't a beast, Rumpelstiltskin."

She muttered just above a whisper, which only got the male to crack a slight smile, which was quite a rare sight to behold.

"I was a fool though."

The wicked voice filled her mind, knowing it did speak with the utmost truth. She had the option to remain in the castle, obeying her Master's words, but, the Queen offered her something so tempting. It just happened so quickly, that it was too late to look back…

"Hush now."

He simply said, knowing he had every right to yell at her, to curse her for disobeying him. How dare she leave him?! However, no anger would rise from this situation, for it all diminished when he looked into her eyes.

"The Queen…"

She had no moment to finish, for Rumpelstiltskin seemed to be on full alert when she uttered her name, causing the Beauty to fall into a moment of silence.

"She did this."

He concluded, knowing what he said was true, for Belle's eyes said it all. The man attempted to get up, to quickly do away with the pest that was the Queen. However, Belle's hands were persistent, wanting him to stay in the comfortable and loving scene.

"Yes, but please, do not let your anger ruin this."

How could he possibly win now? He knew he would need to learn to sneak away from this comfort, knowing that he was still The Dark One, despite his new found maiden that had truly captured his dark heart.

For now, the two remained in their blissful state, speaking words to ease both of their minds and to realize what they had shared. Unfortunately, it took a dire circumstance to make them realize, but, nonetheless, the Beauty and the Beast were in love.

Something was there.

The Queen's scream encased her castle, causing all those who were to be in her company, to abandon the endeavor, knowing their death would greet them if they dare cross her path.

Regina stared in disbelief at Belle's miraculous recovery. It was impossible! She watched with her own eyes as the woman took her last breath, watching as The Dark One began to fade, showing his weakness to her. It was all going according to plan and Regina knew it just sweetened the deal when he saw the fool of a beast give her one last kiss.

"The only kiss he deserves, and it's from a dead maiden!"

She could not help but laugh from the sight, finding it most amusing. However, she was very close to shattering her own mirror from how the scene began to unfold. After that though, everything went dark, the mirror knowing that his Queen would not want to see anymore.

"Damn it all!"

This was bad. He would come after her and with full force, using his rage to try to smother her existence. They always seemed to tip toe on a rather civilized relationship, however, with Belle being alive, all hell, indeed, would break loose.

[[ U Not sure what to say about my year absence from this fanfiction…I guess, life caught up with me and I came across this again and did not want to leave you guys hanging. I will do my best to keep up with it now! Forgive me and my madness! o ]]