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The Trade Off	By : LotornoMiko Category: M through R > Once Upon A Time Views: 5409 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Once Upon A Time fandom. Nor do I make any money off of it or this story.

Chapter List
- 1-The Trade Off
- 2-Two
- 3-Three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Six
- 7-Seven
- 8-Eight
- 9-Nine
- 10-Ten
- 11-Trade 11
- 12-Twelve
- 13-Thirteen
- 14-Fourteen
- 15-Fifteen
- 16-Sixteen
- 17-Seventeen
- 18-Eighteen
- 19-Nineteen
- 20-Twenty
- 21-Twenty One
- 22-Twenty Two
- 23-Twenty Three
- 24-Twenty Four
- 25-Twenty Five
- 26-Twenty Six
- 19
- 20
- 21
It was almost to the bowels of the ship that Hook brought Belle to, the oddly matched pair who had been brought together by circumstance and a great deal of manipulation, having had to walk past many a room and corridor. There was even stairs to navigate, Hook holding onto the injured Belle's waist so as to make sure her limping didn't cause her to misstep and fall. Belle wasn't exactly grateful for his assistance, thinking him to be overly solicitous as an excuse to keep on touching her. Especially when he kept on holding her once she was off the stairs, the dim light of the corridor leaving his face partly shadowed.
Unable to read his expression, and uneasy with the closeness he tried to maintain, Belle was quick to shift away with an impatient gesture of her own. The gesture and her own expression were blatant in the message conveyed. A message to get on with it, Belle wanting nothing to do with Hook and his attempts to be teasing.
A moment that seemed to last a lifetime before it ended, and then Hook was back to walking. Belle followed, though not too closely, using her limp as an excuse to trail behind him just out of reach. They weren't saying much to each other, and Belle honestly preferred it that way. Because it felt like every time Hook opened his mouth, the words said upset her in some way. Especially his words about Rumplestiltskin, about the truth Belle was finding impossible to deny.
And just as she couldn't deny it, Belle also couldn't avoid the hurt the truth was dealing her. The pain it inflicted on her, the way her heart broke and made her cry, and it was made all the worse because she still loved Rumplestiltskin. A love she didn't think would ever truly end, no matter how awful the truth might be. A truth she was afraid to hear any more of, yet was morbidly curious about. And so Belle followed Hook, not because she was being particularly courageous, but more because she HAD to know.
At least she had managed to stop crying though tears threatened constantly. But she would go with Hook to this truth, this proof of his, with her head held high, Belle ready to face Rumplestiltskin's demons though she couldn't at all claim that it wouldn't leave her scarred in the process. Because it was scary, and painful, Rumplestiltskin and who he really was, the one thing she had never wanted to face the truth of, Belle having gone to great lengths to lie to herself about him.
It was downright mortifying to be having an eye opening about Rumplestiltskin in front of Hook, though the pirate hadn't acted too smug about it. He wanted her to know the truth, wanted her to understand, maybe even accept it. He wasn't yet rubbing her face in it, though Belle was certain this was all part of Hook's need for revenge. As though it wasn't enough to cost her Rumplestiltskin, as though his revenge needed to make Belle fall out of love with the man as well. But it wouldn't be that easy. Love didn't just go away, and even Hook had to know that. He had after all grieved Mila for so long, pursuing revenge in her name.
It was a revenge he had been seeking for a very long time. How long Belle wasn't quite sure, though reasoning deduced it had to have been for many years. Belle didn't know how old Rumplestiltskin truly was, but his name had been whispered with fear for far longer than she had been alive. And though Hook didn't look a day over thirty, he too was older than she could guess at, what with the pirate having met him BEFORE Rumplestiltskin had come into the power of the Dark One.
It was all quite curious, and even Belle could admit to a reluctant desire of wanting to know more. Hook didn't look or act as though he had any sort of magical power, and yet here he was, alive and well, and able to exact the revenge he had been chasing just short of forever. But it was a revenge she didn't want to think about too much, the knowledge that it's success came at the cost of her own happiness with Rumplestiltskin simply too painful. In fact there was very few things that weren't hurtful in some way, her unhealed wounds ripping open by nearly every thought she had.
It was all Belle could do to not sigh out loud, fighting the depression that seemed determined to close in around her. It was a pointless battle she knew, but Belle couldn't simply give herself over to the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. Even though it was healthy to grieve, at least to a point, Belle or rather the Charming Family, perhaps even all of Storybrooke, simply didn't have time for it. The people of this town were in danger, her friends' lives at risk. They all needed Belle to keep her emotions in check, keep her wits about her, and not just simply to avoid Hook's attempts at seductions. Belle needed to not be a weeping, crumpled mess, and instead focus on getting answers, or at the very least something they could use to find Cora before she found and joined forces with her daughter, Regina.
But a huge problem remained, Belle unsure of how to go about coaxing the information out of Hook. He was plenty chatty about Rumplestiltskin and Mila, of the tragedy that had happened, of the evils done by the man that Belle still loved. But he had yet to truly say much about Cora, and what he had said wasn't anything anyone could use. Nor did Belle expect him to be forthcoming with the information if Hook began to suspect that one of the reasons Belle had stayed with him, was not simply because of the deal, but out of her desire to pump him for information.
It was a delicate situation, and that was before Ruby and the prince had tried to beat Hook up. Already on guard because of that, Hook might clam up completely if he realized what Belle was truly after. It left Belle in an unenviable position, the woman having to bide some time, and hope not too much was lost before she got what they all needed from Hook.
Unenviable though it was, Belle almost welcomed the distraction it might provide. Because if she busied herself with thoughts of finding out something useable on Cora, it helped distract her from thoughts of how her life had literally been blown apart. How it remained in shambles, Belle having little left to carry on with in the aftermath. At least there was Ruby, and the Charmings, their friendship and support the greatest kindness left to Belle. A kindness she didn't want to take for granted, a kindness she wanted to repay even if it meant keeping herself in close proximity to the pirate.
A pirate Belle thought she understood to a point, and still managed to be puzzled by. A pirate who hadn't been quick to mock Belle or her friends with the knowledge of what Belle had almost done. The fact that Hook had neither told on Belle for her suicidally foolish attempt to cross the curse's boundary, nor tried to use that information as a means to play the dark hero who they should all be grateful to, truly surprised her. At the very least he should have been using that information to get Ruby and the prince to back off, or be demanding favors for the fact he had kept Belle from cursing herself to the oblivion of a new alter.
He had done none of that, hadn't even tried to take credit, or embarrass Belle over her actions earlier in that day. He had kept it a secret, and Belle wondered why. Did Hook have some other agenda, or was he merely using this as another way to exert some power over her? Last night would have been the perfect chance for that when Belle had told him no, when she had laid out the terms of her resistance. Hook could have used that Belle in a way owed him, could have tried to use that secret to worm his way back into her arms.
No matter how Belle tried to think about it, it just didn't make any sense to her why Hook would keep quiet and not use what she had done against her. She didn't consider him to be doing it out of honorable intentions, let alone respect. Nor did she like the idea of owing him a favor for the saving, and no matter how much Belle mulled over the angles, it left her uneasy. Hook left her uneasy, and it left her wholly unprepared for the answer he WOULD give her when she finally asked.
"Why didn't you tell Ruby and the others about what I had tried to do?"
Hook didn't immediately answer, walking a few steps more before he suddenly turned to face her. Was it by chance or design that he now stood situated in the best light this corridor had to offer? Face no longer so shadowed, Belle could now make out his eyes, and the sensual shape of his lips though Hook wasn't smiling.
Instead he looked totally serious, his expression almost solemn. "Wasn't my secret to tell."
"Maybe it's not....but you could have used it to your advantage." Belle pointed out. "Still could." And in so many ways.
"Don't see the need." Hook answered. "Won't gain a thing from exposing your moment of...poor decision."
She frowned at that. "Do you think you'd gain more if you keep quiet about it?"
The slightest turn of his lips, Hook now appearing amused. "Is there more to gain?" There was lascivious edge to his voice, one Belle refused to respond to, mentally willing herself not to blush.
"No, nothing." Belle said out loud, her tone firm.
"Shame." Hook said, and moved to turn away.
"I won't owe you anything for it." Belle added. "Not when it's hugely your fault why I tried to curse myself in the first place..."
"I get that, pet." Hook retorted. "But I'm not about to be the type to hold against you the actions taken in the heat of your grief."
Again he surprised her, Belle blinking owlishly at his back. She almost forgot to follow him, just barely hearing Hook murmur something softly under his breath.
"We've all had our moments where grief has made us weak."
"What did your grief make you do?" Belle asked, honestly curious.
"There's little I didn't do because of it." Hook retorted, but it was a cryptic response. So much could have been done, especially given how long Belle was thinking Hook had to have lived.
"Will you tell me?"
"It's not behavior I'm always proud of." Hook hedged in his response.
"Now I'm REALLY curious." Was Belle's reply. And she was, wondering what could be so bad that it would leave Hook hesitant to talk about.
He tossed a smirk over his shoulder at her. "Somehow when I imagined us getting to know each other better, it didn't involve my shortcomings."
"Just doesn't seem fair." retorted Belle. "You know at least one of mine."
"Alls fair with love, war, and pirates." Hook chuckled and came to a stop before a door. Belle was a bit too indignant to notice right away which room he had led her to, but when she did, the woman managed to hide her surprise. Because it was one of the last rooms she had checked, the one with a number of locked chests.
It was in fact, the pirate's hold, not so much storage for food and a sundry of supplies but for the treasure gained. Searched for, stolen, it didn't matter to the pirates. But Belle didn't yet know this room contained what was an impressive amount of wealth for any one man. Nor was Hook particulary concerned with showing off the gold and jewels he had accumulated over the years. Not when his intent was on the chest with what was the greatest of Hook's treasure. A treasure that was cold comfort to what he had lost, Hook carefully walking over to one chest in particular.
Belle was relieved that Hook didn't seem to realize some of the dust was disturbed, her visit of last night so far undiscovered. But more than relieved, she was intrigued, watching as Hook sought out a chest she had noted as being visited often. A chest Hook opened with a key from his pant's pocket, the pirate gesturing Belle to come near.
More curious than she could help, Belle tried not to look over eager as she slowly walked to it. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but a chest of fairly ordinary things was not it. The clothing folded there with their colors faded, the material worn, didn't immediately register as a woman's things. In fact, it wasn't until Hook touched one of the top most articles of clothing with the back of his fingers, that she realized just who this clothing must have belonged too.
"Mila." Belle stated in a hushed tone. Hook wasn't looking at her, instead staring down into the chest. Belle inched a little closer, trying to get a better look inside, then nearly jumped at the sound of Hook's voice.
"She was such a vibrant soul, a larger than life personality. And now all that's left of her is this chest."
"And your memories." Belle offered quietly. "She'll live on so long as you keep her memories close."
"It's not the same." Hook retorted. "Remembering someone is not the same as being with them."
"But sometimes memories are all we have." Belle pointed out, but even she sounded bitter. Because she was recognizing that all she really had left of her life with Rumplestiltskin was the memories and the dreams of a happy future. The dreams were dashed, and the memories were tainted by the truth, Belle not able to look back on the past without seeing the shadows of the lies she had told herself.
"Hard to move on with just memories." Hook muttered. But then he had never truly moved on, stuck trapped in his grief. And memories were a cold comfort on the best of days, never mind the worst.
"But shouldn't we try?" wondered Belle, and now Hook looked at her.
"Do you think it that easy?" He watched Belle do a frantic shake of her head no.
"No...but to not do anything...to just wallow in grief and regrets..."
"I've done more than wallow." Hook retorted. "I've spent lifetimes trying to achieve revenge."
"Revenge." Belle tried not to scoff. "And has it really left you fulfilled?"
"To new to it's success to say for sure." countered Hook, who then brought his fingers to catch at strands of Belle's hair. She immediately stiffened, but didn't try to jerk away, as though remembering to adhere to the deal they had both made. "Though I've certainly been enjoying the unexpected aspects of it."
Rather than rise as though baited by him, Belle stared down into the chest. "Why did you bring me here? Where is the truth you wanted me to see?"
Hook played with her hair for a few seconds more before answering. "It's here." His fingers slipped free of Belle's hair, Hook bending to reach for what Belle had mistaken for just a badly damaged book. It's leather wrapping was worn, as though someone, Hook most likely, had run his hand over it again and again. The book wasn't properly bound, someone having taken needle and thread to sew the pages in place. It was also pretty thick, bigger than almost anything else, save for a few of Rumplestiltskin's books on magic.
"What is this?" Belle asked, watching as Hook hesitated and just stared down at the bulky mess of a book.
"The truth." He said, and let out the deepest, longest sigh she had ever heard a man breathe. "It's all here, every last word of it, as written by Mila's own hand."
Belle's eyes widened, the woman barely able to comprehend Hook was handing the book to her. "This is her diary?"
"Yes." nodded Hook. "One she had been keeping for years. It's all there...everything from just before she married Rumplestiltskin, to just before she died. It's everything you've wanted to know, and then some....if you are brave enough to read it, love."
Belle could barely remembering taking hold of the book, staring first at it, then Hook. She swallowed nervously, debating on giving it back to him.
"Now I don't want you to think I'm giving this to you." Hook suddenly added. "It's not yours to keep save for a reading. This is all I have left of my Mila's voice, so you can see why I find it too precious to part with permanently."
"Yes, I understand." Belle said faintly, becoming aware of how heavy the book truly was. As though the memories and the truth that were there was ready and willing to weigh down Belle to with their secrets. It actually scared her, Belle frightened of what she would discover in the book's pages.
"It'll take courage lass." Hook said, having read the fear in her eyes. "But you might find you are better off for knowing the truth."
"Better off HOW?" Belle demanded plaintively.
"Might find it easier to free yourself from Rumplestiltskin once you know." offered Hook, which only left Belle fighting not to cry. Realistically she knew it was the smart thing, the sane thing to sever all ties and feelings to the man who had turned his back to her. But her heart's emotions made her want to cling all the harder, hold on to every last bit, whether it was truly good or just imagined.
Worse yet, a tear did slip, Hook brushing it aside with his thumb. "It's ultimately up to you. love." He said. "I can't force you to read it, no do I expect you to start right away."
"Then when?" Belle asked in a choked voice.
"Not sure about that." Hook admitted. "I guess it'll happen when you feel ready."
"That might never happen." Belle retorted, and Hook shrugged.
"Might not, but I'm thinking it's better to know the truth than to torment yourself with what Mila's diary MIGHT say."
He had a point, and a good one at that. Because Belle would forever wonder, would forever be curious over what had happened, what Mila might have had to say about the two men in her life, and the events that led to the woman's murder and Hook and Rumplestiltskin's blood feud. But a thought made her frown, Belle almost defiant as she stared at Hook.
"Won't Mila's interpretation of things be just as biased as anything you or Rumplestiltskin could tell me?"
"Maybe. But why would she lie about her life with Rumplestiltskin? It's not as though she expected anyone, let alone a sweetheart of her husband to be reading that diary." Hook answered easily enough.
"I suppose you have a point." Belle muttered but she didn't sound happy.
"A point's not all I be having." Hook gave a slight smirk, which only got Belle glaring. "But before we get to any of that, I suggest we go have breakfast. You'll think better on a full stomach. I know I will."
"I am a little hungry..." Belle admitted, though she hadn't lost her glare completely. Hook's smirk increased, the pirate turning teasing.
"As am I.....and not just for food."
Another touch of her hair, and then Belle ducked under his arm, the book clutched close to her chest. She couldn't hope to outrun him with her foot's injury, but her evasion had been enough to make Belle's point.
"All right, all right." Hook was chuckling. "Food comes first with you, love."
She didn't bother correcting him, Belle looking straight ahead as they walked side by side. She didn't know what would happen after breakfast, if Hook would really adhere to the terms she had laid out where his attempts at seduction were concerned. She supposed if worst came to happen, Mila's diary would make an adequate bludgeon. Though Belle was hoping it wouldn't come to it, wanting Hook to behave, to be something other than the lusty pirate she thought him to be.
Breakfast itself was a mix of good and bad, Hook determined to be teasing even as the food was pleasing. Belle found herself treated to things she hadn't tasted in twenty eight years, her stomach plump with foods that simply did not exist anywhere but in the Enchanted Realm. She couldn't help but be appreciative, if not for Hook's company than for his good choice in meals.
So pleased in fact was Belle, that she was already taking stock of what she could find in the kitchen, determined to busy herself in the coming days with making some of the delicacies she missed. Cooking was no problem for Belle, the girl having learned to excel at that task, while in Rumplestiltskin's care. And Hook was more than appreciative, his ship the Jolly Roger, soon filling with the mouth watering smells of cakes and sweets being baked, of pudding masterpieces being created and preserved.
Belle might not have been able to eat if the food had been the ordinary, every day fare she had grown used to while living in Storybrooke. But for a time, her depression was kept somewhat at bay by the temptations of the food she continued to create. But even that soon lost it's appeal, Belle able to make only so much pudding and cake before the uniqueness of it all faded, and the depression began to seep in.
When she took to crying while her banana bread was in the midst of baking, Belle realized she was in need of another distraction. Mila's diary never far from her side, beckoned, but Belle kept on resisting, doing nothing more than to touch it's leather wrap and hear the crinkle of the pages inside it, before her courage failed her. She simply wasn't ready, not for the truth as Mila had seen it.
Hook never bothered Belle where the book was concerned, never put undo pressure on her to begin reading. She'd catch him watching her every time Belle tried to gain the courage to open the book. And every time she turned away, there was an understanding look in his eyes. But she didn't want his understanding, didn't want Hook to be sympathizing with her. She wanted him to keep on being someone she could despise, but he wasn't a one note villain. There was more to him than his anger and lusts, sides to him she was just beginning to spy glimpses of, the man he had once been, waiting to stand revealed if Belle would just reach for Hook.
But her own anger, along with her depression was too strong for that. Belle was fighting to not grow used to Hook, to not care one way or the other about him. She kept on trying to maintain a distance between them, some moments easier than others, Hook always trying for more, always trying to seduce her into something. Be it a smile or his bed.
Hook was overly attentive, but never so much as when he had Belle besides him in his bed. Always quick to touch her, to tease her, he pushed her to her limits of tolerance before backing off before she snapped completely. Never once did she consider giving in to him, never once did she melt or swoon or respond to his kisses, though her body was a traitor of a different kind. Left tingling with arousal, Belle often found herself gritting her teeth, or trying not cry out for relief. And yet always Hook respected her refusals, never going so far as to outright force himself on her.
But it was frustrating him, the desire apparent in his eyes, the strain on his face, the tension of his body showing how much it hurt him to hold back. And yet he still kept on, as though Hook couldn't not touch her. She'd wake to his hand caressing her, to Hook's lips on the side of her face, or his nose buried in her hair. He'd wind them both up with his desire, only to have Belle leave them panting, unfulfilled and wanting more.
It was during those times, that the worst of Belle's depression was kept at bay. But then at Hook's retreat, the depression would come, crashing over her like a wave. Belle found herself hiding from Hook, wanting to be alone when the worst of it was making her cry. He didn't always leave her, instead trying to comfort her, to hold her against him and stroke her hair as she broke down and wept. And he never seem to judge her as weak for her tears.
Hook might not have thought her weak, but it didn't spare Belle from her own cruel judgements. She was harder on herself than anyone should ever be, Belle thinking herself weak, fearful, and useless. She especially felt useless the more time went by where she couldn't see past her own depression to make a true effort at finding out anything about Cora from Hook. Nor could she find any clues scattered throughout the ship, Belle finding she was moping about more and more and Hook was starting to disappear for unexplained amounts of time. Belle was sure he was meeting with Cora, and yet she couldn't prove it, couldn't even try to follow him, for the fiendish pirate continued to hide her clothes!
The clothing situation made Belle irate, the pirate not hiding how much he enjoyed watching her prance around in nothing but one of his shirts. It left Belle fuming, and made her feel like she was a prisoner aboard his ship. And then the depression would hit, and she'd break down crying, feeling a ton of self loathing and before Belle knew it, three days had passed like this.
Three days wasted, or so it seemed, Belle sitting curled up on the cushions of a chair, the diary on her lap. She kept staring down on it, and several times she managed to open the leather wrapping, to look at the words on the yellow with age paper. The date there on the first entry surprised her, Belle shocked to realize it was more than three hundred years since Mila had been alive.
Reeling from that knowledge, from the concept of how old Hook and Rumplestiltskin truly were, Belle couldn't bring herself to read more than the date printed on the first page. She'd go back to brooding, the book sitting closed and that was when Hook strolled into the room, her clothing hung over his arm, his hand holding onto her shoes.
Belle immediately stood up, her eyes sparking with what she hoped was anger. She was about to snarl at him his claims of being too drunk at the time, to remember where he had stuck her clothes when Hook spoke.
"Get yourself ready to leave." He said, his tone and manner brusque as he gave over her shoes and clothing.
"To leave?" Belle asked, wide eyed now. Had he gotten tired of her weeping, and of her refusing to be bedded by him? Was he about to release her from the agreement they had? But she hadn't come closer to finding out anything that the Charmings could use, Belle uneasy at returning to them and Ruby empty handed.
"Aye." Nodded Hook. "We're going to go on a little field trip."
"A field trip..." Belle echoed in a dull tone of voice.
Hook misunderstood her, frowning and speaking in a tone that should have brooked no argument from anyone. "You've been moping around for days now, lass. Some fresh air will do you a world of good."
Belle felt fresh air was not what she needed, that nothing would fix her life, or mend her broken heart. She was thoroughly depressed, and already turning away from Hook, her clothes in her hand not as big a comfort as she had first thought. Because suddenly it didn't seem like there was much point to anything, to even getting dressed, Belle just wanting to lay and sulk in her misery.
Bit Hook wasn't having any of it, reaching for her. Belle let out a startled gasp, spying a certain determined gleam in Hook's eyes as he began unbuttoning the shirt she was wearing. "What are you doing?!" She demanded in a strangled tone, trying to push him away. She dropped her shoes and clothing in the process, which only made Hook tsk in response.
"Getting you ready for our day out on the town." He announced in calm tones.
Belle couldn't stop from staring at him dumbfounded. And then she remembered enough to speak,

to protest. "I can't go out with you!"
"And why not?" Hook demanded, with the slightest of frowns.
"Well...everyone will talk for one thing..."
"Let them." Hook said with an uncaring shrug.
"You may not have much of a reputation here to maintain, but I do!" Belle snapped. "If people see me out with another man....some stranger, a pirate, they'll know..."
"They're going to have to know sooner or later." reasoned Hook. "And it's not as if they don't already have some suspicions."
"Suspicions are one thing, proof is another!" exclaimed Belle with a fitful shake. "And it would hurt Rumplestiltskin...."
"All the more reason to get it over with then." Hook grinned with just a hint of malice to his expression.
"You may want to, but I am not about to rub in his face our....situation. Especially not publicly."
"Won't be anything to rub." Hook retorted, and Belle frowned again.
"What does that mean?" Her hands were on her hips now, Belle unconsciously shifting into an aggressive stance.
"Just that he's gone." Hook answered, and Belle's eyes widened in surprise.
"Did you...."
"Oh he's not dead." Hook was quick to assure her. "And it's not because of me that he's left Storybrooke."
"He's gone to find his son, hasn't he...." Belle stated, and wished she could feel happier about this.
"No doubt about that. So now's the perfect time to get the rest of the town used to the idea of us as a couple." Again the pirate tried to get her shirt open, Belle shying away and batting at his hand. "Come now...I know the Roger's nice, but there's a whole town to be exploring." His voice had turned coaxing, Hook trying to entice Belle into agreeing. "And I'm sure you be wanting to get some things for yourself, some nice dresses and the like."
"I don't exactly have enough money to fit myself with a new wardrobe." Belle pointed out, her tone withering cause clothing was the one thing she very much wanted more of.
"No problem there. I've got that taken care of."
"I won't have you stealing!" exclaimed Belle, and Hook actually laughed.
"Won't have to do any of that. I am a rich man you know."
She was going into permanent frowns, Belle staring at him with suspicion. "With the Enchanted Kingdoms gold? They'll laugh us right out of the stores..."
"Gold's gold, but it's all already settled." Hook grinned. "I've been busy liquidating some of my treasure, having it changed into what passes as this lands' currency." He chuckled anew at her dumbfounded expression. "I have a friend or two, even here lass."
"Cora?" Belle breathed out, and Hook gave her an odd look.
"No not her. We parted ways quite a while ago, but then she's never been one to do my bidding."
"But you hers?" Belle asked, and Hook lost his smile.
"We had a partnership. We used each other, but I was never her boy to boss around that completely."
"Then why would she ally herself with you? What did you bring to the table?" asked Belle.
"Is it really so hard to believe I might have something to offer a woman?" Hook asked, and he wasn't teasing then.
It wasn't a question she wanted to answer one way or the other, Belle just shrugging. Hook seemed disappointed by that, then shook off the feeling like it was water. "In any case, our partnership ended not long after we reached Storybrooke. No doubt she is with her daughter by now, and she's welcome to her!"
"If she found Regina, we would have heard about it by now. They would have wrecked the town or worse." Belle pointed out.
"You have a point there." Hook admitted. "But it's out of our hands what those two do now."
"You'd turn a blind eye to what Cora and her daughter might do?" Belle demanded, her hands back on her hips.
"I'm just not one to worry about something I can't affect." Hook retorted. "Cora wants her daughter back, and she'll kill anyone who tries to stop her. You best remember that."
Belle was shivering in response when Hook added one last thing. "And before you start hating me for it, you might be incline to know that Rumplestiltskin left the town unprotected even knowing Cora was here and scheming."
She actually went pale at that, Belle taking a step back and collapsing onto the chair. Hook looked at her, but he wasn't oozing satisfaction. Instead his gaze was sympathetic, Hook sighing. "I'm not as big a villain as you think I am..."
"But neither are you a hero." Belle was quick to point out.
"Most men fall somewhere in between." said Hook. "The world isn't so black and white, there's a lot of gray to be found. Most are just trying to get by, trying not to get killed or whatever. Heroes are heroes because they take the risk, because they do the things thought impossible. But not even a hero will be able to keep Cora from her daughter."
"Hook....if you know anything, anything at all...." Belle began. "Please...tell me....tell me how to find her."
"I'm speaking the Gods honest truth when I say I don't know where she is." Hook retorted. "If anything, your friends should be working to find Regina. If they can convince her to not side with her mother..."
"Now that might be the truly impossible feat." Belle said, sagging as though defeated. But she wasn't, not yet. Because she didn't believe Hook didn't know anything, that he didn't have a way to find or get in contact with Cora. And more than that, Belle was determined to prove it, to do just about anything, even endure a trip through the town with him if it meant she was one step closer to prying it out of him.
"Give me ten minutes." Belle said out loud.
Hook nodded in approval. "I'll be waiting for you topside." He said before sauntering out of the bedroom. Belle watched him go, not immediately moving into action. It wouldn't take her that long to get dressed, though there didn't seem enough time to prepare herself mentally for the idea of going out to face Storybrooke on Hook's arm. But then Belle might never be ready and simply because it wasn't Rumplestiltskin she was about to go out with. But she'd put herself together, though Belle didn't think she'd manage a smile. She'd do what she'd have to, though Belle was far from accepting that this was her life now.
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To Be Continued...
Whoo! Super long chapter and time skip! Ha ha! *dies* Well first I think it's obvious I got stuck on how to end this chapter. It was turning into the chapter that did not want to end. X_X But I got the three day time skip in! Whoo hoo! I didn't think it was gonna happen...I got to the 20 KB mark on Tuesday night, and realized I was at a decision making point. To either end the chapter, or do what felt natural and ease into the time skip. I needed sleep though, but was able to do it the next night. I'm really happy with this chapter for the most part, cause it flowed almost non stop for me. I only had a few stumbling moments near the end.
I had been planning for them to go shopping and what not since almost the start of the story. But I hadn't thought of something until my reread recently. I had completely missed somehow, that Belle would worry what people would think of her. So I was able to put that in...her being worried about her reputation.
Ahh...I'm actually drawing a blank on what to say next...I felt like I had more to say, but my thoughts kinda ran away from me. This is a longer than usual chapter, though I should say it happened by accident the size of it. Meaning I don't think it will be a regular occurrence to get future chapters to this size. Now I'm off to spell check and proof read. :D
----Michelle
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The Trade Off