Second Chance

Chapter 5 Forgiveness?

Rumples POV

Belle was sat on a tree log, next to Snow. I was leant on a tree facing them both.

Snow was explaining everything that happened.

Belle hasn't looked at me once.

I knew this would happen.  I knew it...

But the plan was that everyones memories would be wiped - so they wouldn't know what i did...

How do they all remember? Did i not do the spell probably? I could have sworn i did? 

Things would be a lot simpler if everyones memory were as vague as Belles...

"...they had been gone only seconds before we started to choke..." Snow sniffed, recounting to Belle what had happened, not even missing out one bloody detail...

I watched Belle and her eyes widened. 

"Next thing I know I am back in the here... We are back exactly where we were when Regina cast the curse... And Charming... I had to leave him in in the infirmary... He's bleeding... Exactly like he was when we left..." tears started to splurge from her eyes, "and...Emma...Emma, Henry and Neal..nowhere to be seen... I'm guessing they were left behind..." she crumbled and Belle pulled her in for a hug and rubbed her back. 

Well, at least she's stopped firing arrows around.

"And thats why I was so angry when i finally saw you two, same him," she spat with more than a hint of malice, wiping her eyes. 

"You've lost your family, again, i understand...thats... terrible.." Belle closed her eyes and shook her head.

With every second I knew I was losing her more and more...

"So we don't know why we are back here, but we know its to do with him," Snow glared at me.

Belle took a second and then took a deep breath, turning her body to face me.

Her beautiful eyes were on the verge of tears, i just know it. I could see her hands shaking a little, but she was trying to hide it. 

"Rumple...please explain.." she said meekly. 

She is so pale that she looks ill, and I hate that I'm the reason.

I took a deep breath and stood up straight. 

"Snow, may i ask you a question?" i started, raising my eyebrows.

"mhh.." she grumbled.

I placed my hands behind my back before continuing, a true Gold stance.

"Now if Charming were in a situation, where he was taken from you, would you, or would you not do anything you could to get him back?" I asked calmly.

"Well yes, exactly - like I'm prepared to do anything for Emma, Henry and Neal," she nodded, more than confused.

"Ah, but there is a slight difference, is David your true love? Yes, of course he is, your Prince Charming? Now imagine a life, without him?" My voice cracked a little. 

Snow's face fell and she looked horrified.

"I don't want too..." she replied quietly. 

"So ill ask you again, would you do anything to get him back?" 

We all knew the answer. 

"Of course..." 

And then it dawned on Snow.