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The Trade Off	By : LotornoMiko Category: M through R > Once Upon A Time Views: 5410 -:- 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
- 21
- 22
- 23
The question had caught her off guard. It and it’s teasing undertone stealing a reaction out of her. One that hadn't been thought through, Belle on the defensive, an embarrassed warmth heating her from the inside out, as she had snapped out a reply.

“I...I am not concerned for you! Not in the slightest!”

She hadn't stuck around for Hook’s reply. With those words voiced, she had marched on ahead of him. Her heeled shoes click clacked loudly on the pavement, Belle taking purposeful, angry steps that did nothing to alleviate the feelings inside her. It was a startling contrast to how she had been feeling, these past three days spent wrapped in the dull ache of her unending depression. The small spike of anger she had now felt, it surged stronger when she thought of the pirate, of his smirk, of the look in his eyes, of the way he had sounded and especially over the fact that she had just squandered the most perfect of opportunities with her defensive outburst.

It had been a purely emotional reaction, a startled defense born of her own embarrassed response to how Hook’s teasing had made her feel. She had felt the warmth fill her, had known she was blushing, caught off guard by the question and the assumptions he might be making. It shouldn't have mattered, Belle shouldn't have been even half as bothered as she had let herself be. That she had, wasn't even the biggest of the problems, Belle realizing that the perfect opportunity may have just been lost. The chance to dig deeper about Cora, about Hook’s dealings with her, and any tidbit of info Belle could have gleaned from such a conversation. The realization that she had wasted what had been the perfect chance to pry deeper, had Belle’s temper in over load.

The anger that filled her now, was directed inwards, Belle furious with herself. The woman wondered how she could be such a fool, wondered why she even let the pirate get to her so easily. But most of all, she wondered how and if the conversation could steer back towards Cora without rousing the pirate’s suspicion. She very much doubted it, which was yet another reason for Belle to feel so angry, the woman’s volatile emotions spinning out of control, as every thing, both big and small seemed to hit all at once. Everything from the losses still so fresh in her mind, to the hand closing around hers, and most especially the awareness of the fact that there were other people about. Out and about, and staring with unrestrained judgment at Belle and the smiling man, who was quite calmly walking side by side, hand in hand with the beauty.

She immediately tried to pull away, but the pirate’s fingers brooked no resistance. Belle glared daggers at Hook, but the pirate only smiled all the more broadly for it. His dark blue eyes danced with his amusement, Hook in far too good a mood for Belle to tolerate.

“I loathe you.” She hissed it at a whisper, conscious of the eyes on them, on HER in particular. She suddenly felt even more self conscious, remembering her stockings and just how—WHO had torn them to shreds and for what reason why. It didn't matter that the worst of the tearing was covered by her skirt, or that the worst these people could do was openly speculate. But rumors didn't need proving, and already Belle could feel her reputation tarnishing.

“This was a mistake.” She added, trying to stop Hook’s forward progress. He might have slowed just a little, but never did the pirate outright stop. He kept right on walking, and tugging her along with him, wearing that easy go lucky smirk, that belied the seriousness of his words.

“The only mistake would be to go back to the ship.” He told her. “Now THAT would surely give them something to wag their tongues about.”

Her cheeks surely flamed redder, Belle realizing he was right. She didn't have to like that fact, but she did slowly bow her head as in defeat. Hook’s chiding sound, had Belle looking back up, the man nodding in approval.

“That’s it, love.” He said. “Keep your head held high, and your back straight. You've done NOTHING wrong, and don't for a second let them make you believe it.”

Belle found herself rapidly blinking her eyes at him, more than a little confused by what he was saying. “Nothing wrong?” She scoffed then. “How can you say that?” Belle asked. “When I...when everything….”

“You managed the best you could, in an unenviable situation.” Hook interrupted. “There’s not many that can lay claim to THAT, myself included.”

“I did the only thing I could, made the only choice there was...” Belle protested.

“You sacrificed yourself for the….the man that you love.” He acknowledged in a gruff tone. “That’s to be admired, not reviled.” A pause then, as though Hook couldn't help but be flippant and teasing. “Though your choice in just who to give your heart to, now that...that could be called into question.”

She felt warm, but it wasn't quite as angry a heat as it could have been. “The heart can't help what it wants….”

“The world might be a happier, healthier place if it could...” Hook muttered. “But there’s no use in wishing it was otherwise, or in wasting time on regrets and should have been. You---we can only move forward, and hope for the best.”

“Hope for the best?” She repeated it as a question. “And what is it that you hope for?”

Hook shrugged his shoulders. “Honestly? I haven't the faintest of clues. It’s been so long, so many years spent chasing after my revenge, that I hadn't put thought into hoping for anything else, let alone wanting to. Although...” A sidelong glance was given her, Belle’s lips parting on a silent breath. “I’m starting to think of a few things I could aim for.”

It didn't matter that Belle quickly looked away. She still saw the self satisfied smirk, and the knowing look in his blue eyes.

“Ah but I suppose such things will have to wait until AFTER we get back to my ship.” Hook continued with a laugh. That sound rolled over her, Belle shivering as though cold. Hook’s fingers then squeezed hers, but she refused to be goaded into looking back at him. Belle simply didn't trust her reaction, what sort of response she would give him in the moment. It kept her quiet, the woman almost meek as she walked hand in hand with the pirate. The eyes of the townspeople seemed to press in on them, on HER, sharp and inquisitive, and ready to fill in the blanks. Belle couldn't help but wonder how much they were piecing together, what kind of speculations they were having, the ideas that were forming. It didn't seem to matter that the pirate was somewhat on his best behavior, that he hadn't done anything worse than hold her hand. Just his mere presence besides her was enough of a damning evidence.

Belle wanted to cringe, to cower in the face of the townspeople’s judgment. Instead she stiffened her spine, kept her head held high, and tried to act as though there was nothing unusual about her and the man who was walking beside her. It couldn't be further from the truth, the pirate a striking, handsome man who drew many a lady’s admiring eye, and even that of a few of the men. Hook gave the outward appearance of not noticing the looks he was getting, calmly stopping for the traffic signals, and waiting patiently for the lights to change.

She wouldn't immediately realize the oddity of his behavior. Not for another three blocks, and then abruptly Belle would stop dead in her tracks. Hook would feel the tug of resistance from her, the man turning, looking at her wide eyed stare, as Belle stammered out a question. “How...how did...when did...why are you...?”

The woman didn't just look at him as she asked this. Belle turned her head on occasion, to stare across the street. At the cars, and at the traffic lights, Belle shaking her head again and again in confusion.

“Hmm?” Hook asked with an arch of his eyebrow. “Oh that? It wasn't THAT hard to figure out.” He told her. “I mean, something HAD to be making those horseless carriages stop. All it took was a little observing to figure out just what the trick behind it was.”

“Of course...” The pirate added in a casual tone. “It didn't mean I wasn't absolutely terrified the first few times I had to cross one of these roads!”

She couldn't help the surprise that colored her expression at that. That Hook had found something terrifying, let alone admitted to it? It was a moment of honesty she had not been expecting to be privy to.

"I couldn't imagine trying it myself." Belle admitted softly to him. "Not without the knowledge the queen's curse has given me of such things."

“You're a lot braver than you give yourself credit for.” Hook said in reply. He smiled brightly at her. “You're like ME, a risk taker.”

Belle couldn't help bristling at being compared to him in that way, in ANY way, even one that was actually true. “Some risks are NOT worth taking.” She snapped. “Not if they could cost you, your life.”

"Now I'm not sure I believe you believe that." Hook told her, his grin giving way to a far more serious expression. “You did come to my ship after all. Even knowing the danger that would surely put you in.”

He had started to reach out to her, his hook’s tip catching at one of the curling strands of her hair when Belle spoke up. “I didn't think you'd kill me.” That hook paused in it’s motion, the look the pirate flashed her one born of complete disbelief. “Not really.” She added in a soft, hesitating tone. “I mean, it’s not like I even knew the real reason behind this blood feud of yours.”

“Would you still have come, if you had known?” His expression was a study of serious, those dark eyes curious but holding an intensity to them that froze Belle in place. It made her think long and hard about her answer, Belle finally looking away.

“Yes.” Belle finally whispered it. “I would have still come.” She heard him exhale a sharp breath before speaking.

"You were THAT loyal to him?"

He sounded amazed, but Belle couldn't focus on that. “I was---I STILL AM!” Out the corner of her eye, she saw Hook shake his head no. “I would do ANYTHING for him.” She added in a broken tone. “Anything...”

“Not that it’s something he can appreciate.” His words stung her more strongly than if Hook had chosen to slap her. A soft sniffle was the only response she could give voice to, Belle’s eyes starting to well with tears. Hook’s furious expression softened somewhat, the man muttering a kind of apology to her.

“Sorry.” He said. “The last thing you need is me digging the knife in any deeper. Not when you already know what kind of bastard the crocodile actually is.” His words were met with another round of sniffles.

“Here....” He added. Letting go of her hand to reach into his coat’s pocket. A cloth was withdrawn, Hook using the soft fabric to dab at Belle’s face. “Let’s try to put him past us. At least for one day.”

“For one day?” She repeated uncertainly. It didn't seem possible, and yet for one moment, Belle wanted to try. It wasn't that she was in any way over Rumplestiltskin, or that she was free of the depression that clung to her like a second skin. But she was tired, sick of being weighted down by her negative feelings, and the misery she had continued to wallow in. A misery that served no one, least of all Belle, and definitely not that of Storybrooke.

“I can do one day.” Her tone was determined, Belle rewarded with a smile from the pirate. She couldn't manage a smile back at him, not even a half hearted attempt at pretending. But it felt as if some understanding had been reached, some unspoken agreement to not so much as mention Rumplestiltskin’s name.

To Be Continued...

I may come back and tinker with the contents of this chapter. Super unhappy with it. Am giving up for now on this particular chapter. So! Long time no update. I have honestly been trying to update this story since 2014. yes twenty fourteen. This chapter has had me so stuck, and it feels like filler more than anything. I have reread the story at least five times, and always I get stuck on how to bridge the gap from last chapter to what is coming. It’s my hope getting this chapter finally done, the next will prove...well not easier, but maybe it will come quicker to write? I don't know....I so want to get to a certain parts of their date on the town. But it’s been SO hard to get this chapter resembling anything I can be satisfied with. I have like three or four drafts from over the years...trashed them all, and started from scratch again. Not sure its any good. Am stressing way to much about this.

This is normally the part I write responses to my reviews, but as it’s been a few years, I wonder if I should....well I'll answer this much at least. Nx loveless xn, wrote a few comments/questions I felt needed addressing. One, the scenes in this story all take place before Hook learns from Regina that he and Cora can cross the town line. So right now at this point and time he thinks he'll be cursed too. If you remember the season, Hook didn't learn he could cross the town line until after he had been out of the hospital.

Also, Rumple only had enough potion to enchant Smee’s cap, and Baelfire’s shawl. However, if I understood the scenes right, each person needed an item special to them to act as a talisman. So Smee’s cap wouldn't have worked for Rumplestiltskin.

In other news, during my reread, I tweaked some words in each chapter, fixed some name spellings, and also the first chapter got the most work done to it, as I fixed number of opening paragraphs to try and make it flow more smoothly and satisfactory to me. But it’s still the same story, just with a few added words here and there.

Okay I am done rambling! Would love to get some feedback on this chapter, heck on the whole story! Thanks if you've read this far. And extra thanks if you're a returning reader. I'm flattered if you waited for this...though I wish the chapter could have been something better than the filler feel of it...X_X

---Michelle
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The Trade Off