The Rose and the Dagger

Chapter 10: The last rose petal

The alarm clock rang out waking belle up from a deep sleep; she slowly reached out to turn off the ringer that was piercing her ears. She was slowly opening her eyes, and had to blink several times to see clearly. As she looked over at the rose on her nightstand, she saw that the dried rose she had placed on her book was not dry anymore, but appeared to be opening up and blooming into something beautiful, amazed at this, and upon closer inspection, she was sure of it the rose was coming back to life! She was astonished. She shook her head, saying to herself this was foolish, but the more she stared at it, the more she couldn't deny the rose was really coming back to life! Belle thought she was going crazy, that her mind was playing tricks on her. With her mind still focused on the rose, she shook her head and decided to get into the shower. While the hot water from the shower was falling on her she closed her eyes, her mind went back to the rose and the book, she kept thinking more about why she had the book and the rose, and why she felt so bound to it. All of these thoughts intermingled in her head, as the water was turning cold after being in the shower so long, she go out and dressed quickly to get on with her day, and go down for breakfast, for now clearing her mind of what she had just saw with the rose.

Granny served Belle her coffee with a sad face.

-Is something wrong? Belle asked.

The old lady handed her the newspaper. Belle nearly choked on her coffee when she saw the front page: "The mysterious unknown of Storybrooke, a young woman with a troubled past"

« The young unknown, will not waste any time finding love. Only arriving here 15 days ago with amnesia, she was hired on by the antique dealer and pawnbroker Mr. Gold, also known as the owner of the city. This pretty brunette has wasted no time in getting into the pockets of Mr. Gold, as she did her former lovers. This young woman as innocent as she may seem, is know as Lacey French, a former escort girl, and she is not unknown to the police. She has been arrested several times, for theft, and many other indiscretions, by evidence of the photo below. » The article was signed Sidney Glass.

Belle collapsed on seeing the photo. It was she, dressed in a miniskirt, handcuffs on, being put in a police car! A second picture appeared at the bottom of the article, it was her and Mr. Gold, about to embrace in a hug. She immediately recognized the picture, remembering their walk in the park, and the kiss they almost had before they were interrupted by a strange noise, and then Belle realized what that noise had been, it was this reporter who was following them and had seen them. Devastated by the article, she returned to her room and burst into tears. So this was her life? Escort Girl and delinquent? She looked at the photo again. That was her, but this Lacey seemed so different from who she is now. She never imagined having a past so dark. And the newspaper article which posted it on the front page, and then insinuating a relationship with Mr. Gold, even though nothing had happened. Belle wanted to just flee the city! But before she could she had to see Mr. Gold to talk to him, to explain all of this, to let him know she was no longer this Lacey, that she had changed, as she remembered nothing from this past, that the newspaper was showing her as. But before she could leave, and try to move on again, she had to tell him she loved him. If only he would listen to her.. but how could he believe her? Tears threatened to spill over again, as she thought about the times he had found her being kissed by a bully I a dark alley, how could she explain it was a trap? Belle knew in herself that this was not her, the way they described her in that article. But yet the evidence was there.

***

The rose was daily losing more petals. Whenever Rumplestiltskin passed the rose his face filled with sadness. Since his servant had been seriously injured, the rose had slowly been loosing its petals and its vitality. To protect this flower, that now for him was linked to the legend. He had the rose protected in a crystal vase.

He watched his servant day and night. He was still beside her, wiping her forehead with a damp cloth from time to time. She then opened her eyes with a groan. Her wound was not healing. Rumple did not like to see her suffer. He was terrified of losing her. He was starting to experience the same feelings he had a few years ago when he lost his son Baelfire. He could not bear to loose someone he loved a second time!

He brought up her meals that he had prepared himself, without magic. But she barely ate anything. More days passed and she was weakening.

One day her took a book from the library, a book she so often read "Her Handsome Hero". Sitting besides her, he would read out aloud a few lines "The Young man had saved her, his love. Exhausted by his fight, he collapsed on the floor. Her beloved rushed into her arms. Her tears fell on the face of the hero, and she offered him her most beautiful kiss. Then his eyes were opened, and they kissed again. The wedding was held on the same day, and they lived happily ever after." When Rumple had finished reading, he thought he heard Belle mumble something. He approached the young woman.

-Belle, he said softly.

-Kiss me, she muttered in her sleep.

Rumple felt embarrassed, but he could not keep his eyes off her. He rationalized her fever could be making her delirious the thought. But he more he looked at her, the stronger the desire became to kiss her. He inched slowly towards her face, until his lips touched her, closing his eyes he gave her a tender kiss that lasted seconds. He pulled away and looked at her. But nothing. Nothing had happened. She was not breathing. No it could not be, this could not be happening! Rumple slightly shook her to try to wake her but it was in vain.

He shouted Belle: "Please, please wake up!"

Tears ran down his face. He had just lost the one he loved the most in this world. Devastated, he collapsed. Sitting down and resting his head on the edge of the bed, he wept.

In the large dining room, down stairs, the last rose petal had fallen...

***

Gold could not believe his eyes. He held his head in his hands looking at the daily newspaper. He read the article several times, saying that it could not be Belle. Yet there was no denying the picture on the front page was her. A lot of questions came to his mind, and was confusing him. Did she really have amnesia? Or was this young woman just looking for his company? Was she just after his money? But yet, she looked so sincere thought Gold. For only being 28 years old she was the only one who had given him that brilliant smile that he couldn't get out of head, and the one had fallen in love with.

- You read the newspaper? Regina launched opened the door as she entered. I heard the news, I'm so sorry, she said in a tone falsely sincere. "This does make good publicity for you or your shop"

- Oh please Madam Mayor, he replied annoyed by the remarks

- Oh I beg your pardon, from the time we have known each other, you know you can always call me Regina. « And Lacey left Storybrook this morning, so that little problem will no longer be bothering you. She had to understand that her little game is useless here, now that she has been unmasked. Surely she is in another town or city, seducing yet another idiot to extort money » Regina said with a mocking laugh

- Get out now! Gold shouted in an angry outburst

- Don't tell me you have feelings for this girl.. oh no Gold! You have fallen in love with her haven't you, oh thats funny. You will be coming to me, to help you with your broken heart ! She said, leaving with a satisfied look.

Sickened by the life that had never allowed him to be happy, he took his cane, and anger mixed with grief, he destroyed everything that stood in its path. His cane slammed into the windows that were broken into pieces. He threw all the shelves objects, and smote all he could destroy until he can do more.