The Best Tea Cup is Chipped Book 1

The Dark Curse Comes

Belle and Rumple were quick to get to work the day after the Charming's visit going over the curse and finalizing details. Rumple had already worked in a spell so that his memories would get triggered the moment he heard the savior's name, Emma. Which had of course been the point of getting the name but there were a few other things that needed going over. Namely what he would ask for when the Evil Queen called on him for help with the curse.

"I'll only be able to ask for three things." he told Belle. "I originally planned on asking for a life of comfort."

"That's wise," said Belle pacing. "Otherwise, she could stick you in some powerless poverty-stricken position and we can't risk that."

"The second was that I need a way to have some level of control over her," said Rumple. "But I'm not sure how to phrase that. It has to be simple." Belle thought for a moment then smiled.

"What about she has to do whatever you say any time you say PLEASE?" Rumple thought it over and then a grin spread across his face.

"Oh, you are a genius my love. Not only will that work even without my memories but because it's such a normal phrase if I use it once my memories activate it won't be a certain give away to the Queen."

"Not to mention it's so simple she'll likely not think twice about granting the request." added Belle smiling at the praise.

"Excellent then the last unfortunately is where we run into an issue. You see, my original plan to mitigate the Hatter's suffering under the curse was to request they be together, contentedly." Belle saw immediately where the dilemma was.

"But now you have me and are torn between asking for Alice and Grace to be together or for us to be together." Rumple nodded.

"Precisely. If I don't insist on us being together Regina will undoubtably separate us and punish you again." Belle shivered at the thought but shook her head.

"But if the curse is supposed to tear away all that we hold dear, that suggests Grace and Alice will be separated. That could be rather traumatizing for Grace once the curse breaks. In fact, considering Regina's already hurt her once I wouldn't put it past her a second time."

"Nor would I. She's not happy with Pip for siding definitively with me and she holds a grudge against the Hatter for a part he played for me many years ago."

"Then our choice is clear isn't it? We are Grace's godparents after all." Rumple nodded.

"Much as it pains me Grace needs to be with her mother. She's suffered more than enough in this life and it's my fault in part." Belle stepped forward and grasped his hand.

"I disagree about the bit regarding what happened to Jefferson and Grace being your fault. But you're right when you say she should be the priority. Whatever trials Regina wants to put us through we as adults can handle. I know you'll search for me once you wake up and if worse comes to worst, we'll at the very least be reunited when the savior succeeds."

Belle wouldn't deny there was a small part of her that was afraid of what Regina was going to do to her under the curse. But she also knew it was temporary and that the strength of their love could weather whatever she threw at them.

"Then it's agreed. The third request will be for Grace and Alice to be together." said Rumple looking glum and Belle knew it was not that he begrudged his friend and goddaughter the limited safety this would provide them and more a frustration over not being able to find a loophole to protect all of them.

"Agreed," she said leaning up to kiss him.

OUAT

Rumplestiltskin wasn't upset per se about his third condition for the Queen. He was glad to know at least that Grace and Pip would be safe. Whatever Belle said he still felt somewhat responsible for the incident with Jefferson and even that aside it was HIS curse that they were all going under.