"Can I.. Can I come.. help you?"

He was just a few feet from the door when her unexpected question made him pause in his retreat. Turning around slowly to face her, he examined her appearance. Her eyes downcast as she took on a most becoming shade of crimson. Fidgeting, shifting herself from one foot to the other, examining her hands with great interest it appeared. He didn't trust that he had heard her right. Help him? Why? What for? He couldn't help but be suspicious of her sudden request.

"What are her motives?" That being his foremost thought.

Even with Belle staying there for quite a couple of months now, and him believing that maybe she was starting to find him tolerable, coming to terms with her new living conditions, years of being the Dark One, hated, and feared by everyone in the known lands, (and for good reason) A trusting nature was not something he could, nor would, indulge in. Was she hoping to find a way to break her contract? Or learn of his weaknesses? He could think of no other reasons. But he decided to mask his suspicions and play it out.

"Come again Dearie?" He asked with a teasing smile.

Was he really going to make her ask again? It was hard enough to get up the nerves to ask the first time.. Taking a deep breath and raising her eyes to meet his with a very convincing gaze of confidence.

"May I help you today?"

He took great care to prolong his response, at no little expense to her nerves. He always did find enjoyment in playing with her emotions. It amused him to see her face crease in obvious frustration. And with his teasing smile he finally answered.

"Assist me how my dear? You already clean my estate, launder my clothing, serve me my tea, and cook me my meals. I can not think of whatever else you could possibly mean?.." He took great care to raise his eyes to the ceiling in mock concentration, while tapping his index finger to his now pursed lips.

His response got the reaction he was longing for. Her face creased in her fustration. She dropped her fidgeting hands down to her sides, then up again to rest on her hips. She began tapping her foot on the marble floors, in doing so, gesturing to her irritation.

He couldn't resist letting out his little manic giggles as he watched her take on the stance of mother ready to scold a disobedient child.

Closing her eyes with a audible sigh, and taking another deep breath, she voiced her "specific" request.

"Can I come and help you? In the west wing?"

"Ahh, that is what you meant is it?" He couldn't hold back the slight tone of skepticism coming into his voice now. "And why pray tell would you want to assist me with my trifle potions and etc?" More importantly, how do you suppose you'd even be of any help to me with such things hmm?"

His tone was teasing, and she could sense his amusement. He was definitely having fun at her expense. But, she also has been with him long enough to read between the lines. She also sensed distrust beneath his exterior. She could only imagine what he was thinking. Her sudden interest in wanting to see where he worked. Where he used dark magic in creating curses, potions, and so on.

She turned a shade of bright crimson once again. She could never tell him the real reason behind her request. She didn't quite understand it herself. But, she was starting to.. to miss him.. She didn't understand her feelings at all.. But he'd been absent lately. Out making deals and so forth, not returning for weeks at a time.. It was becoming more and more rare to see him. All she thought about with her request was being able to spend time with him.

But he was right. What could she possibly help him with? She didn't know any magic.. The realization of how ridiculous her request now sounded hit her. She looked down again at the floor, this time with embarrassment and also great disappointment. How stupid of me to think I'd be of any use..

"Oh.. Your right.. It was stupid of me to ask.. Sorry.." She felt utterly ridiculous...

"I'll just go start making the afternoon tea then.."

She turned to leave then. Feeling the sting of fresh tears forming in her eyes. She didn't understand why she was getting so upset over this. It didn't make any sense to her.

This time it was her turn to stop at the sound of his voice.

"Belle.."

Belle? He hardly ever uses her name.. He always calls her with simple endearments. 'Dearie' being the most common of course.

She turned only slightly, waiting for him to continue. She didn't want him to take notice of how upset she really was.

He didn't know what prompted him to call out to her. Maybe it was the look of utter disappointment that came across her lovely features.. All that crossed his mind was that he didn't want to let her leave. Not with a heart wrenching expression like that. He still didn't know her motives for wanting to help him in the west wing were, but at that moment all he thought about was the look on her face, and what he could do to get rid of it.

"Perhaps.. Perhaps there might be something you could help me with."

Who'd have thought a few little words would have the power to light up her face so.. Beautifully. Every line of disappointment etched in her face had vanished. The most glorious smile spead across her features. He was dumbfounded by it. She looked so.. Angelic. He couldn't find the words to continue.

Only when she suddenly shifted, looking once again to the floor, then the walls, then the ceiling, looking uncomfortably flushed, did he finally realize he'd been staring. For how long he wasn't sure. Finally clearing his throat awkwardly he continued.

"Why.. Why don't you make us the tea, and come up when you have it ready. Then we'll get started."

With that he exited. Leaving her to her assignment. She stood there for a few moments feeling flushed, but smiling like a fool. What had gotten into her? She didn't understand why she could not stop smiling. She felt so.. happy. And all she really did was add to her work load. She couldn't help laughing at this thought. "Another thing to add to my list of chores for the day." She really didn't care about the added work she just requested. All she cared about was that she was going to be working and spending time with him. Still chuckling she made her way to the kitchen to brew their favorite floral blend.

Rumpelstiltskin heard her small steps making their way up the staircase, and the rattling of the china. Just before she was about to knock, he swung the heavy door open to welcome her. Trying to rid any awkward feelings from earlier, he bowed dramatically allowing her entrance.

"Welcome to the Beast's lair my dear." He said, with a wicked smile. Trying to give her the chance to change her mind.

But all she did was smile at him. Not a hint of indescision in her eyes. She crossed the threshold in all determination, slowing her pace as she looked around the room in wonder. The room was.. Amazing. Every inch of the walls were covered by beautiful leather bound books, glorious high windows that looked out over most of the dark forest, shelves full of crystal vials, filled with contents of the most beautiful colors. She looked on, admiring every detail. But failing to notice the small step up reaching the center of the room. Too late. She felt herself falling, the tea tray leaving her hands. She squeezed her eyes tight waiting for the impact of the hard floors and the crash of porcelain. But neither came. She suddenly felt extended in air, a pressure across her midsection. She felt warm breath near her ear. A sudden shiver coursing through her. She knew it was him. She opened her eyes, turning her face to his as he still held her. He looked down at her, her face mere inches from his own, looking quite off guard.

"Thats.. Thats twice now you've saved me from the same fate. Tha..Thank you." She was breathless and flushed. Her heart was pounding so loudly she could swear he could hear it.

Whats wrong with me? She couldn't help thinking. Her heart responded the same way the first time this happened.

After a few more seconds realization hit him, as he abrubtly let her go and pulled himself away from her, appearing just as breathless as she, and taking him a few seconds to find his voice.

"Y.. Yes well, once again its no matter.. Though lets not try for a third time, agreed Dearie?"

She nodded her assessment as he moved past her to his desk. She was still concentrating on trying to still her wildly beating heart. And little did she know so was he.

Eventually she regained control, and trying to move past the moment she noticed the tea tray perfectly situated on the corner table.

"How?.. Oh never mind, I know how." She chuckled awkwardly as she made her way over to it. Preparing the tea with the perfect amount of sugar and lemon. After handing him his tea, (in his favored chipped cup) She stood off in the corner twiddling her thumbs as he flipped through some papers in a near by cabinet. She wanted to explore this room, flip through the massive stack of antique books, examine the perfectly arranged, beautifully colored vials across the shelves. But she didn't dare touch anything for fear of an angered reprimand. What could she possibly be able to help him with? She felt foolish standing there not knowing what to do with herself.

He was observing her in the corner of his eye, and couldn't help the snicker that escaped his lips as he watched the expression on her face constantly changing with the thoughts flowing through her mind.

His little outburst caused her to feel even more foolish. She puffed out her cheeks in rising irritation. She had had enough.

"Well? Do you need my help or not?"

He stopped his laughing but his teasing smile still lingered. He still didn't trust her motives, but he'd find out soon enough.

"Well then come to my desk and take a gander!" he giggled as he skipped forward.

She couldn't help smiling at his childish mannerisms, its one of the things she lo.. liked most about him.. To think this was the person everyone in all the known kingdoms feared. Herself too at first.. But just within the first few days of residing in the Dark Castle she began to see a very different side to him. The all powerful Dark One wasn't as 'Dark' as he or anyone else may claim. She would never believe it, she knew it in her heart, and she always trusted and followed it.

She smiled to herself again at her thoughts then followed his lead. Picking up her skirt at her side she began skipping just as he did over to where he now stood.

Just barely escaping a run it with him on her last little step, she ended up landing much closer to him then she anticipated. Releasing alittle gasp as she straightened herself and realized their faces were barely inches apart. At that distance she found herself staring into his eyes, as she looked on she couldn't help but notice how.. beautiful they were, with few specks of royal purple framing his irises. Something she would never have noticed without being an.. inch away.. from.. She felt her face grow aflame.

He instinctively took a step back as she approached, when she landed though, he was all but frozen. She was so close.. He knew she didn't mean to get that close to him, who would? He was repulsive to look at. But even with that thought he found himself staring into her eyes in kind. He was entranced. She was was never going to make the same mistake again. Why not take this moment to appreciate her beauty.. He knew once the initial shock wore off she'd jump back with all eagerness, features scrunched in disgust. But after a few more passing moments, after the realization had surely passed by, she never moved. Why? Her face finally lit up, a heavy crimson running across her cheeks. Though, she still didn't move..

"I..I'm sorry.." She stumbled.

She should have moved, she knew. But she couldn't help, or fight, the feeling that she didn't want to.. Even after voicing her apologizes, she continued to keep no vacancy between them. She didn't want to stop the study of his features. His speckled gold grayish skin by any other would be looked at in disgust, but she couldn't help but find the beauty in it. The way it shimmered it the right lighting. His eyes would be looked at by others as dark and ominous, but to her they were magnificent. She could see the stories, secrets, and scars.. that lie within them. She realized how much more she wished to know of him. There was just.. something.. about him..

Without thinking, she began to raise her hand.. What was she doing? Before she could even figure it out for herself. He stumbled backwards breaking the trance between them.

She began blinking rapidly. Reality setting itself back in place, she stumbled backwards alittle herself too stunned to speak. What was she about to do? Before she could even finish putting her thoughts together his voice broke over her.

"Well my dear I don't believe being knocked down will defeat me. You'll have to try alittle harder to do that!" He said with his manic giggles, though sounding more awkward and alittle breathless.

"Now Dearie, to assist? or not assist? That is the question."

He wasn't looking at her anymore. And good thing too, she had no idea what her expression might have been. Though after taking another moment to calm her nerves, she walked toward the desk. The time to assist is now. To figure out what just happened? Later...