Chapter 10: Exploring Storybrooke

As Belle got out of the car parked by the pawn shop, she wondered if she'd run into anyone familiar in Storybrooke. She didn't know how big the town was, but if her father was here then there was a chance she may run into someone from her village. Thoughts turning to Gaston, her father didn't mention his place in this new world and it wasn't something she wished to bring up with Rumplestiltskin. So she resolved to cross that bridge if and when it appeared.

"Where are we going first?" Belle asked, looking around the street.

"First, I thought we'd mail the little package we discussed at breakfast off for testing," Gold answered, locking the car and tucking small package in question into his inside coat pocket.

As they walked toward Storybrooke's post office, Gold pointed out the shuttered and dilapidated building with the clock tower watching down over the town. "That is the library," he gestured. "See the clock at the top. It started working the night Emma decided to stay in Storybrooke.

Slipping her hand into his, she held tightly as he continued, "We'll stop there after the post office if you want."

"That's fine. You're my guide today," she answered. "This place is so unlike back home, isn't it? How did you ever get used to everything?"

The few townspeople that were out acted as if it were a normal day in Storybrooke, however, they both could see the eyes that furtively dared a peek at the unusual couple strolling down the avenue. "You have to remember, dearie," he answered as they continued their slow trek down the street. "I didn't get my memory back until Emma returned to town. So I have two sets of memories in my head, just like everyone else affected by this curse with the exception of Regina and a few others.

"A few others?" Belle asked questioningly.

"Emma obviously grew up outside of the curse and so did Henry. There is another who escaped the curse with Emma, but very few know that at this moment. I don't even think Snow and Charming are aware. And then there is a certain fairy I have my suspicions about."

"The Blue Fairy?" Belle inquired, trying to recall what he'd mentioned to her the other night and during the meeting at the diner the day before.

"Yes, but let's not discuss her at the moment." Gold said. "Come, let's go post this so it can get out today," he said as they arrived at their destination.

After dropping the letter off at the post office, the couple crossed the street and headed toward what should have been a library. According to everybody's collective memory, the library closed years ago. Regina's excuse of lack of funding and the building being in desperate need of rehab convinced townspeople to just walk on by as they went about their hazy, cursed days. Nobody suspected the truth that a dragon-morphed sorceress was being held prisoner in its basement. Regina had been creative in some of her punishments, Gold thought as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the key Belle had placed there earlier.

"If just the outside's to go on this place needs extensive work," Belle pondered aloud as she took the key from Gold and unlocked the doors leading into the empty building.

Inside was the same as he remembered when he was there just days ago. The elevator doors were still ajar and the chair he'd confined Regina to was still sitting nearby, remnants of duck tape and rope laying beside it.

With an eyebrow cocked in his direction and pointing to mess, Belle asked, "You're work?"

"It might have been," Gold replied, his cane echoing on the wood floor as he walked further into the room.

"You do have a penchant for tying people up, don't you," she replied. Immediately realizing the implications of her words, Belle had the grace to blush and turn away. "What do we do about that?" she asked, pointing to the elevator shaft and trying to quickly change the subject.

"We could have it boarded up for now and just concentrate on getting the main floor in working order," Gold answered, deciding to ignore her little quip for now. Looking toward the staircase leading to the upper floors, he continued, "The upstairs rooms could wait and be converted to community meeting rooms later."

"It needs so much work," Belle said as she ran a finger through the dust on a nearby empty bookcase. "It looks like there's no organization and half the books are destroyed."

"Miss Swan did warn you it needed extensive work," he reminded her. Walking over to a front window, Gold pulled off the newspaper that blocked the outside world. Motioning her to his side, he pointed out the dirty window. "Look, I'm just across the way."

"You sound like you want me to do this," Belle responded. "Don't want me lurking around your shop while you're engaging in your dastardly deals?"

Chucking, Gold replied, "All my deals are fair and square. It's not my fault others don't read their contracts." Pulling her close, he continued, "But seriously, I think this could be good for you. Plus, I know those marionettes in the store creep you out. Wouldn't want you to be around them all the time. "

"They are frightening," Belle agreed as she wrinkled her nose. "You don't know how many nightmares I had those first few weeks at the castle because of those puppets." Looking around once more at the immense task awaiting her if she decided to take the position, Belle turned back to Gold.

"It's going to take a lot of time, help and funds," Belle pondered.

"I 'm sure now that there will be a shakeup at the town council meetings they will find some funding in their budget," Gold supplied. "I might even be persuaded to become a benefactor if a certain librarian would be especially nice to me. I could even get a plaque somewhere for all to see of my good deeds.

"Yes," she said playfully. Belle sarcastically added, "I'm sure the townspeople will be relieved to drop their children off to Rumplestiltskin's Children's Corner.

With a gesture reminiscent of the impish Rumplestiltskin, Gold held a hand up to his heart in mock hurt. "Well…I never."

"Uh huh," Belle retorted as she turned and looked around.

Turning serious, he added, "If you decide to tackle this, I can put up wards to keep Regina out. If that's what you're worrying about. Only people you want in can enter."

Looking at him askance, Belle replied, "You'd do that anyway, wouldn't you. No matter what I had to say on the matter."

"Ahh," he responded. "You know me so well. Yes, yes I would."

Looking up at Gold resolutely, Belle stated, "I think I'm going to do it." Seeing him shake his head in approval, she continued, "Back home I took care of day-to-day running of the castle, first with my father and then with you. This would be my project. No one else's."

"We'll inform Sheriff Swan this afternoon. then," Gold decided. "She'll more than likely be hanging about at Granny's. We'll catch her there. Until then, I need to go check on the shop."

"Then let's go," Belle said as she followed him out of the library and turned to relock the dilapidated building. Looking back one last time at the task ahead of her, Belle grabbed Gold's free hand and together they walked back to the pawn shop.

As they turned to cross the intersection, Belle glanced down at the street that ran perpendicular to the library. A few blocks down, she could make out a mass profusion on flowers and a large sign that announced the store's name.

"So that is my father's shop?" she asked as they stood at the corner.

"Yes," Gold replied. "It's called Game of Thorns." Belle stood in silence as she stared down the street.

"Would you like to go see it?" he asked as he stared at her frozen in place.

"Yes…no…," she answered in confusion. After so long locked away from those she loved, she yearned for a chance to see her father again. However, she didn't want her next encounter to end in confrontation like the previous one had. Bringing Rumplestilstkin along would just further antagonize her father.

"Let me guess," Gold replied. "You want to go alone."

"If you wouldn't mind," Belle told him. "I just think it might be a little easier if I do it alone."

"I'll tell you what," Gold said. "You go down to your father's shop. I'll stay here and make sure you get there okay. While you're there I'll go check on the shop. After you're done, you can walk over to Granny's and we'll have lunch," he explained, pointing to the diner halfway between the two shops and next to the library.

"Thank you," Belle sighed as she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. She knew he was worried about her in this new land after her ordeal with the Queen. This would be the first time they were separated since she walked into his shop hunting for "Mr. Gold", even if it was only for twenty minutes.

"Like I told you're father, you're not a prisoner," he replied. "Plus, it's broad daylight. Regina wouldn't attempt anything right now with you."

"I'll see you soon," she waved and walked down the street toward the florist's shop.

Two blocks later, she turned around and waved toward the figure she recognized as Rumplestiltskin. Taking a deep breath and turning to face the store, Belle tried to gather her courage as she opened the door to her father's shop. A tiny bell above the door announced her arrival as an unknown clerk appeared at the counter.

"Can I help you?" the young girl asked Belle. "Anything in particular you are looking for? A nice bouquet of jonquils or a nosegay of hyacinths."

"Is the owner in?" Belle asked the clerk. "Can I speak to Mr. French?"

"I'll see if he's available," she answered. "Whom may I ask is inquiring?"

"Tell him it's…" Belle was interrupted by the noise of someone yelling from the back room before she could answer.

"Annie," Moe called out, his voice gaining in volume as he entered the storefront. "Did the McIntyre order get fin…." He stopped as he looked up to see his daughter standing before him.

"Annie, why don't you take your break," he informed his clerk. "I'll take care of this order." Moe waited until the young Annie disappeared into the back of the store before addressing his daughter.

"Hello," he said in a stilted voice.

"Hello, Papa," she greeted in return. Belle felt an ache in her heart at how difficult it was to stand and exchange greetings with the man who raised her, the man she'd idolized from the time she was a little girl.

"Running away from him already, girl?" Moe questioned her, unable to determine why she was standing before him in his store, alone.

"No, Papa," Belle answered. "I told you I'm not leaving him."

"Then where is he? Lurking outside the door. Or did he turn invisible with his magic and standing beside you?" he snidely asked.

"He's at his pawn shop at the moment," she answered and turned to look at the place in which her father spent his days. It was a far cry from the castle he used to have dominion over, but from what she'd come to understand, everyone had a different standing in this new land.

"Let you off the leash for awhile, did he?" her father retorted, not able to let go of his anger.

"Papa," Belle implored. "Please, stop. Just stop. I don't want to fight. You're the only family I have and I don't want our time together to be estranged."

"You know what to do to change that," Moe answered as he went back to the counter, returning to his work.

"No," Belle demanded. "You know what to do to change that. I'm here. I'm trying to make an effort. "

"Belle, you just don't understand," her father tried to explain as he slapped his hands down upon the counter. "I've seen more of this world and the other. I know what that man is capable of. For some reason, you've romanticized him and it makes me angry."

"I do know what he's capable of," Belle retorted. "He's capable of loyalty and devotion. He's capable of putting aside his own feelings and supporting me as I try to reconnect with the man he's longed blamed for my supposed death."

Silence filled the little shop. Belle didn't know what else to say. Then in a voice almost too low to understand, Moe muttered, "She told me he killed you."

"What?" Belle asked, trying to get her father to open up.

"The Queen," Moe said in a louder voice this time. "She came to me before all of this and told me that Rumplestiltskin murdered you in a fit of rage."

"Then she lied to each of you," Belle responded, her heart breaking for what both her father and Rumplestiltskin went through because of the Queen's evil actions.

"I still can't look at you and him together," Moe answered honestly. "It breaks my heart just thinking of you spending even a minute alone with that monster."

"Well, that's something you have to work on, then" Belle sadly replied. "I'm not leaving him, Papa. Not after I found him once again." Although she wanted to run into his arms like she did as a child, Belle stood back and resisted the urge. "The next move is yours. If you want to see me, I'll be working at the library. Otherwise, you know where I'll be."

They stood in silence, neither knowing what else to say. Each entrenched in his or her position. As they stared at each other, the tiny bell above the door alerted father and daughter to the presence of another.

"Mr. French," said the female voice as she walked into the store behind Belle.

"Yes, Sheriff Swan," Moe replied. "What can I do for you, today?"

Sensing the tension in the air, Emma decided to get through with her little speech quickly and get out. She had enough problems with her own newly found family. The last thing she needed was to mediate another family situation. "I'm just going around to local businesses to make sure everything is fine now that…you know."

"No problems here, Sheriff. I'll be sure to call you if anything should arise," he answered. He then added as he looked pointedly at his daughter, "From anyone." Each knew that he wasn't only referring to the former queen cum mayor.

"Well, then…" Emma said as she backed towards the door. "I'll leave you to your business, then."

"Wait, please. I'll walk out with out if that is okay," Belle asked Emma before she left the store. Turning back to her father she hesitantly walked over toward the counter and gripped the hand he had resting on its top. "I do love you, but the next step is yours. Good-bye, Papa."

Taking a deep breath, Belle turned around and followed Emma from the store. Closing the door behind her, she looked at her new companion and said, "Thank you for waiting.

"Where are you headed?" Emma asked, not seeing her constant companion anywhere in sight.

"I'm going to Granny's," Belle answered. "Would you mind walking with me for a minute? I wanted to discuss what we talked about this morning."

They walked a few seconds in silence before Emma asked, "Where is Mr. Gold? I didn't think he'd let you out of his sight anytime soon."

Smiling at Emma, Belle replied, "According to my father, Rum let me off the leash for awhile."

"Ahhh…," Emma said. "So that was what that was all about. Your father doesn't approve of your living arrangements, I take it?"

"No," Belle said dejectedly. "I understand. I really do, but I can't just give him up to make my father happy. We've been through too much already."

"You really do love him, don't you." Emma wondered aloud. Before coming to Storybrooke, Emma had given up the notion of true love and soul mates. She still had her doubts. Years of personal experience and the effects of her occupation were hard to overcome. But looking at the young girl in front of her, and even her own parents, she realized that love wasn't necessarily dead after all.

"Yes," Belle said, a smile lighting her face. It was a similar smile to one she'd seen often on Mary Margaret's face when talking about David. "I know people are going to think I'm insane, or brainwashed or under an enchantment, but I love him."

"Who am I to judge," Emma retorted as they continued down the street. "My track record isn't exactly pretty." Abruptly changing the subject, she added, "You were going to tell me your decision about the library."

"I'm going to do it," Belle answered resolutely. "It's been a long time since I've felt useful. I think this will be a perfect."

"Good," Emma responded. "I know Henry will be over the moon. He told me he tried to get Regina to open up the library for years. Let me see how much funding is in the budget to help with repairs."

"What it needs immediately is a good cleaning. That won't take any extensive funds for right now. Just honest manual labor," Belle said as they reached the intersection and headed toward Granny's.

"If Henry ends up sneaking away and into the library, just give him a mop and tell him to help. That can be his price for interrupting you," Emma joked. Turning serious, Emma said, "Gold told me Regina wants Henry back."

"She said that in his shop yesterday when she came in," Belle said, corroborating the story Gold told Emma earlier.

"Did she say anything else about him," Emma inquired as they approached the diner.

"No," Belle replied. "She was struck speechless when she saw me and didn't say anything else. Then she fled."

Emma reflected on this bit of information. Nothing varied from Gold's recollection and she sensed that Belle was telling the whole truth of their encounter with Regina. Opening the door, Emma looked around at the sparsely filled diner and saw that Gold hadn't arrived yet. "I'll sit with you until Gold arrives," Emma offered as she moved toward a booth along the front windows.

Looking at the benches, Belle moved toward the tables instead. "I think a table would be better for Rum. It might be too difficult for him to slide out with his bad knee."

Emma had never really paid that much attention to Gold's disability. The cane was just always a part of him, even being involved in assaulting Belle's father. With his austere façade and expensive suits, Gold gave off an aura of indestructibility. Yet with Belle's thoughtful observation, even though she didn't believe that Gold deserved thoughtfulness, Emma realized the man did have weaknesses. And not just physical ones. His largest weakness was sitting right before her.

As they settled at the table, Emma told Belle, "Since you're going to do it, just keep the key. You don't have to give it back. It's stupid for me to have to hand it over every time you want to use it."

"Use what," came a young voice from behind Belle. Before she could turn around, the little boy the voice belonged to sat down next to Emma. Staring at Belle, he asked, "What are you going to be doing that needs a key?"

Emma looked at her son and chastised, "Henry, you're not going to be involved in every little thing going on just because you were right about the curse."

Smiling at the charming young boy before her, Belle explained, "I'm going to try to get the library up and running again."

Henry's eyes lit up and turned quickly to his mother, "Emma, can I help? Mom wouldn't let me anywhere near that place. I've always wondered what it was like inside."

Remembering what she had to do in that building, Emma was reluctant to allow him anywhere near there until it was once again up and running. But she also knew Henry and realized there was really no way to keep him away if he really wanted to go. The boy was an expert of sneaking around, even with Mary Margaret as his teacher.

"The first thing we're going to do is close the elevator shaft," Belle informed the two across from her. "And then work on cleaning the first floor. Rum even promised additional funding if I required it."

Emma raised her eyebrows as she commented, "You mean Gold is going to do some thing good for the community?"

Smiling at Emma, Belle added, "He did make some strange comment about 'Anything to keep those kids away from the nuns.'"

"It's well known in town that Gold does not get along with the nuns in town," Emma supplied.

"Ahh…," Belle responded. "And the nuns are the fairies from our world, I take it. He never did like any fairies." Now that she knew the full story of his son, she now knew where his hatred stemmed from, but it wasn't something she was prepared to reveal to Emma.

"Nobody knows why, but he did have a lot of venom directed at the Mother Superior, yesterday." Emma commented. Turning to her son, she asked, "Is there anything in you storybook?"

"No," Henry replied and then sat up a little straighter as looked up at the sound of the door opening. Gold was walking toward them, the sound of his cane echoing through the tiny diner.

"Hello, Sheriff Swan. Henry." Gold said in his smooth voice. "I see you've been keeping Belle company while I was detained."

"Emma was kind enough to walk with me from the florist," Belle replied as he sat down next to her at the table. "I told her I was going to take the position."

"Good, good," Gold replied. "And thank you for escorted Belle from the shop. I trust you had no complications along the way."

Not wanting to discuss her father in front of others, Belle answered, "No. Emma popped in as I was done with my conversation and we decided to walk out together."

"No sign of Regina lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce," Emma replied as she stood and pushed her chair in. "Come on, Henry, let's let them have their lunch in peace. I know you'll be bugging her enough soon enough."

"Thank you," Belle said to the two as they turned to leave. "And Henry," she said to the boy, "You're welcome anytime to come over and help."

"Thanks," he said with a smile as he followed his mother out of the small diner.

"Help with what?" Gold said as they exited the restaurant.

"Henry asked if he could help out with fixing up the library," Belle responded.

"Ahhh." Gold replied. "That boy is like a little puppy. Always underfoot."

"Be nice," Belle admonished. "You know you like him. And not just because of certain reasons," Belle added cryptically, not wanting anyone to hear the real reasoning because Gold's softening for the young Henry.

"Here comes Ruby," Gold said, trying to change the subject. "Let's order and get on with lunch."

The two ordered Belle moved to sit across from Gold. They talked quietly as the rest of the patrons of Granny's tried not to stare at the unusual couple sitting together.

"How did it go with your father?" Gold asked after Ruby had brought their lunch to the table.

"He still refuses to accept my decisions," Belle answered as she ate her soup.

As he sat and took a bite of his own sandwich, Gold realized he may have to do the one thing he swore he'd never do-apologize to Moe French. In his mind, he had nothing to apologize for. He'd acted on information he'd believed to be true at the time. But he realized that if Belle was going to be truly happy, she needed to reconcile with her father. He thought about his own reconciliation with Baelfire and for the first time put himself in Moe's shoes. They weren't that different from his own, he hated to admit.

Reaching across the table, Belle held Gold's hand in her own as she said, "Promise me that you won't push Baelfire away when you find him. No matter what he says or does. Just listen to him and be patient."

Thinking back on his false reunion with August, Gold realized he had no idea what would happen when he saw his son again. It could go a million different ways. Squeezing her hand, Gold replied, "I'll try."

They finished their mean in silence. Each absorbed in their family estrangements and thinking how they could go about changing it.

Another chapter finished. No smut, but lots of talking. I think next chapter Belle might have a visit from the girls of Storybrooke as she starts to work on the library. A little girl gossip is always a good thing. And who knows, I might throw in a little smut if you're nice.

I've also got a Tumblr account that I've posted my stories to as a backup for here. I'll still post them here before anywhere else, but I'm going to start giving little excerpts and sneak peaks of my stories there as I'm working on them. My tumblr name is josephine77.

Like always, please review.