Hello, It's Mrs. Hyde

Ch. 18: The Beauty Housing from the Beast

The Temple of Morpheus

After reading the incantation Rumplestiltskin and Jessica walked through the portal.
Jessica hit the ground with a grunt, gravel cutting into her palms.
She stood slowly, glaring at Rumple. "So gentlemanly of you."
He ignored her. "Keep up."
She brushed dirt from her shirt, eyes narrowing as she trailed him toward the looming white stone structure ahead.
"You need me," she reminded him. "Not the other way around."
Rumple chuckled coldly. "Yes, and once your job is done, I'll be done with you. Again."
Jessica's jaw tightened.
"You'll go back to being just as useless as you were the day Hyde found you and dropped you."
That stung. But she didn't show it.
Instead, she brushed past him with a shoulder bump hard enough to jolt him. "Can't wait to meet the woman who thought you were worth loving."
"Belle doesn't think that," he snapped. "That and a past looming threat is why she put herself to sleep until I could stop the threat and right my wrongs."
Jessica let out a cold laugh. "Yeah. Looks like that's working out great."
They entered the temple.
The central chamber glowed with soft white light. Jessica placed the box onto a carved stone slab.
Rumple waved his hand, releasing his spell. With a hum of energy, the box opened. Belle's sleeping form was released, hovering inches above the slab in a protective shimmer before lowering to lie on it.
Rumple approached with urgency. "This better work."
Jessica chose to ignore him and began to chant — soft, eerie, ancient. Her voice echoed across the walls like wind through bones.
Rumple uncorked the vase left on a shelf to the left of fine sleeping dust. He sprinkled it over all three of them — and the world began to blur.
Chapter 20: Part I – The Dream World
A veil of shimmer and shadow swallowed them whole.
Jessica blinked against the sudden brightness, then against the foggy-hued light that filtered through towering trees. Birdsong echoed around them — unnatural, melodic, surreal.
They stood in the middle of the Enchanted Forest.
But not quite.
Everything shimmered too brightly, smelled too sweet. The sky was too blue. The world felt...staged.
And before either of them could speak, a young man emerged from the trees — eyes blue his hair chestnut brown and full of strange serenity.
"Welcome," he said calmly. "To Belle's dream."
Rumplestiltskin's voice was low and sharp. "Who are you?"
The young man inclined his head. "You may call me Morpheus."
Jessica arched a brow. "Seriously?"
He smirked. "You came to wake Belle, did you not?"
Jessica crossed her arms. "Isn't that obvious?"
Morpheus chuckled, clearly amused by her sarcasm. "Then follow me."
Jessica hesitated. "And we're supposed to trust you... why?"
Morpheus spread his hands and looked around the perfect forest. "Do you have another way to navigate someone else's subconscious?"
Rumple growled under his breath, but began walking. "He's right," he muttered to Jessica. "We don't have time to debate."
Jessica sighed and fell in step behind them.
The path led them to a cliffside. Below, nestled in a dreamlike fog, stood the shadowy silhouette of a castle Jessica recognized from old paintings.
Rumple's.
His castle from the Enchanted Forest.
He froze. "Why would she dream of this place?"
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Doesn't exactly scream happy memories, huh?"
Morpheus said simply, "Dreams often choose the dreamer. Not the other way around."
Rumple's silence was thick as the dream guided them into the castle.
Inside, the lighting was eerie and pale — flickering like candles that couldn't decide if they were lit. Dust floated through the air like ash. Jessica's boots echoed against the marble as they entered the main hall.
A sound.
Belle rushed out from behind a pillar, her hair half-pinned and eyes wide with panic.
"Rumplestiltskin, oh. I didn't know you'd return so soon," she stammered, breathless. "I'm so sorry — I haven't prepared any tea for you or your guest. Please don't be angry."
Jessica stiffened. Belle looked so terrified of the man standing beside Jessica.
Rumple stood frozen, jaw clenched as he watched Belle flee down a hallway.
But Jessica noticed what he was looking at — the mirror.
In it, Rumple wasn't the man standing beside her now.
He was the glittering-skinned, demonic-eyed Dark One.
Jessica's stomach twisted.
That was the face she remembered — the face that stole Alice from her life.
"Many still see you like that. Including Belle" she muttered.
Rumple didn't respond. He made a step to go after Belle but Morpheus stopped him with his words
"Let her go," Morpheus said calmly. "She's trapped in a loop. In her mind, she's still a servant. And you...are still the Beast."
Jessica gave a humorless laugh. "Poetic."
Rumple turned to glare at her and Morpheus. "It doesn't matter. I'll still wake her. With or without your help."
She smirked. "You're welcome to try."
Morpheus raised his hand. A large hourglass floated between them, just beginning to fill.
"You will not have forever to wake her. You have one hour," he said. "When the sands run out, she will descend into the Red Room — a prison of the sleeping curse. Fire and darkness. Forever."
Jessica's eyes sparkled, gaze shifting to Rumple. "No pressure dark one"
Rumple's lips thinned. "I'll remind her. I'll make her remember why she loved me."
Jessica tilted her head. "And you think recreating a moment where you weren't half as bad that day will trick her into falling for you again?"
"She wasn't tricked. She did love me once and I can do it again," he snapped.
"She's terrified of you," Jessica said bluntly. "This castle? It's depressing as hell."
"She loved this place," Rumple hissed. "We danced here. This is the place where we fell in love."
Morpheus interrupted quietly, "In her mind, this place is a prison. So it's become that."
Rumple stared up at the faded chandelier, chest rising slowly. "Then I'll do it better this time."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Oh, how romantic. Fool her all over again."
Morpheus's voice was steel. "Will you lie to her?"
Rumple stared straight ahead. "My love is not a lie. Not for her and not for our child."
Jessica raised a hand. "So, can I leave now?"
Morpheus shook his head. "Unfortunately not. Either until the sands run out of time or Belle wakes...you will remain."
She sighed, sinking into a velvet chair near the ballroom threshold. "Fantastic. I suppose I'll just make myself comfortable while I'm forced to watch the dark one pretend to be something he isn't"
"You don't know anything, dearie. So do me a favor and go sit down and be quiet. This won't work with you in my way"
Jessica laughed as she turned her back to Rumple to go sit down but mumbling to her self
"I won't be the one who gets in your way"
And so she watched.
Watched Rumplestiltskin turn into a version of himself she didn't believe existed — gentle, nervous, even self-deprecating. He offered Belle tea, danced slowly with her beneath newly lit chandeliers, murmured sweet things.
The castle transformed around them — no longer cold and gray, but glowing. Belle wore a yellow ball gown, her smile radiant.
Jessica's jaw slowly fell open.
Envy twisted quietly in her ribs.
Belle had softened a monster. Again.
And Jessica? She couldn't even scratch the surface of the man she'd followed into hell.
When the dance ended, Rumple pulled her close, and kissed her.
Belle kissed back but then blinked, and in an instant, clarity washed over her face.
She stepped back, the music dying.
"We've done this before," she breathed.
Rumple stepped toward her. "Yes we have. Now we're married with a child on the way and none of this is real. You put yourself to sleep to protect our child. But the danger's passed. You can come back to me now."
Belle's eyes clouded. Jessica could see the uncertainty in Belle's face. She'd be lying if she said she didn't enjoy watching this rejection. "My memories...they hold truths too. Like all the promises you broke."
Rumple's voice cracked. "But-but our baby—"
"I love you," she started. "And I know you love me. But we're poison Rumple. When we're together somebody always gets heart broken. I'd rather raise our child alone than our child be indebted to you."
Jessica exhaled slowly, watching them from the sidelines.
Maybe love wasn't always enough.
Morpheus appeared, hourglass in hand. Only a few grains remained.
"I was hoping she'd you'd say that," he said softly.
Rumple's eyes widened. "No. I still have time."
Belle turned. "What do you mean? Who are you?"
Morpheus looked at her, face calm. "I had to be sure you wouldn't fall for his lies again. And now I can wake you up with true loves kiss"
Belle blinked in confusion
"Wake me up? I'm sorry but I'm not in love with you"
Jessica stood. "He will.and you are Belle. He's your unborn son."
Belle turned to her. "I'm sorry, but who are you?"
Jessica offered a faint smile. "The reason Rumple got here at all."
Belle's eyes narrowed as she turned back to Morpheus. "This isn't possible. I don't even know you."
Morpheus stepped forward. "But you've known me since the day I was conceived."
Belle went pale. "What?"
Rumple growled. "He's lying."
"You know I'm not, don't you, Mother?"
Morpheus asked as realization washed over Belle
Jessica blinked. "You didn't sprinkle the dream sand on just us while she's pregnant. It's...plausible."
Morpheus nodded. "I am your son. And I came to warn you. Do not let him do to us what he did to his first family."
"No!" Rumple said. "Don't listen to him he can't be our unborn son—"
Morpheus stepped forward. "I'll prove it"
and kissed Belle gently on the forehead.
The world cracked.
They arrived back at Morpheus's Temple with a blink and the sounds of Belle gasping for air.
Rumple and Jessica, putting aside their hatred for one another helped Belle to a sitting position.
Jessica conjured a bottle of water for her while Rumple conjured a door to Storybrooke
"Let's talk about this at home"
Rumple smiled to Belle but she took a step closer to Jessica and crossed her arms at him
"Our son gave us a warning Rumple. I'm going to listen to it. I'm going back, but not with you and not to that house"
Jessica smirked at Rumple before holding her arm out for Belle to take, which she did and into the portal door they went.

Back in Storybrooke

They landed just outside Granny's.
Jessica stepped onto the pavement much easier than how Rumple had transported her. Belle stood beside her, slightly dazed but conscious. Rumplestiltskin stumbled and disappeared moments later, too stunned and ashamed to speak.
Belle turned slowly. "My son was testing us."
Jessica nodded. "Looks like it."
Belle rubbed her stomach protectively. "He's already lost our son before he was even born."
Jessica muttered, "I wonder when true loves kiss will wake the dark one's heart. Or maybe he's just too far gone now."
Belle smiled politely at Jessica
"Thank you. For helping to wake me up and give me a way home without depending on Rumple. It means a lot"
Jessica paused. Then, after a breath, added awkwardly, "I...wasn't exactly planning on liking you."
Belle tilted her head. "Oh?"
"I thought once I met you, I'd kill you. Rip out your heart while I make the dark one watch."
Belle raised her brows but didn't say anything as Jessica continued.
Jessica looked down. "You've just...been used as a pawn so many times as a result of Rumple's indiscretions. It's not satisfying to me anymore to cause him harm by hurting you. It's how Mr. Hyde and I bargained to even get ourselves and our lands people here. We..stole the box you were locked inside. For what it's worth, now that I've met you, and seen how brilliant you are as well as smart enough to turn away the dark one, I just don't think you deserve anymore pain"
There was a pause.
Then Belle pulled her into a hug.
Jessica stiffened—not really ever hugging anyone besides Alice before.
"I'm sorry about what he did to Alice," Belle whispered. "And you Jessica. I know who you are. Jefferson...told me everything about you."
Jessica's throat tightened. "Really? Well, Thank you."
Belle pulled back with a small smile. "You have no idea how many people Rumple's hurt in this town. I just wanted so badly to show him he was worthy of love if he believed it and if he only tried he could be a good man. I'm just convinced he never will. But one things for sure, I am not going back to his house."
Jessica laughed quietly. "You want to help me find my brother's house then? I'm sure he'll let you crash there"
Belle nodded with a smile. "I'll walk with you. Thank you Jessica."