This is amazing. I love your story. It is really good and so real. Please update soon.

I love it when Rumple finds his courage; he's risking everything he has with Belle to tell her the truth, and I honor him for it.

Granted, he did threaten Moe - there's a lovely quote from a book called A Civil Campaign by Bujold where the hero's reputation has been run down-and he says to one of the gossiper-"You think me a murderer. Then why are you standing in my way?" But Moe was asking for it.

Well-I think Belle felt that as long as she has the name, she might as well have the game. (Poor Mr. Gold and his leg, but somehow I don't think he minds too much. That's why God invented ibuprofen, right?).

Plus Mary Margaret is easy about age-how old are she and Prince Charming now?

I don't blame him for being antsy about the whole Rumplestilskin thing...

Oh, Regina, you are so scummy!

But Graham might not be up to the game; he certainly doesn't have his heart in it.

It's clear that Belle and Mr. Gold *do*.

Great chapter! Both of them learned something-Adrian that he is willing to change and to admit his faults to Belle, because she's the only one who matters, while Belle learned that kisses from the wrong man just don't count, even if he's fairly nice.

Oh, dear. There really are obstacles here, and not just character stupidity. Mr. Gold really doesn't think Belle could ever have feelings for him, and vice versa, but it's not just than.

One can only hope that both will figure out what's really important.

Illicit affair? They're over 18 and not married to anyone else. If anything, a picture of them holding each other in the paper would likely miff both of them off-Belle is already defending Mr. Gold, and is likely to turn into a tiger if something gets in the paper. As for Mr. Gold, well, revenge is his middle name. He's revealed his personal grief to Belle, and if he thinks Regina is hurting Belle (she with the Bambi Eyes of Doom), then Regina is going to wish that she had left things alone.

Possibly in a dungeon somewhere.

A basement full of books? Does Belle need an assistant? (I used to go through donations and books to be sent to the book sale because I once picked up a first edition for a quarter before I worked for the library).

And obviously, the situation is becoming warmer for both of them (even if Belle is a (gasp!) morning person and he is not.

Justin is going to find himself turned into a toad if he doesn't watch it, though.

Oh, my, yes. Mr. Gold is so in love; and all Belle really had to do was to be there, and treat him like a human being.

And make tea perfectly. His heart is becoming two sizes larger, like the Grinch.

She's extremely intelligent, both for reading the contract so thoroughly, and for having that ever so interesting clause removed.

She gets to work with rare books? Yum, yum, does she need a helper?

But he does look after her, if only for his reputation's sake (I'm sure that's what he tells himself, to. Uh huh).

And her father is a moron. Belle is also way smart to be polite to Regina. Bet the mayor wasn't expecting it!

Another lovely chapter.

Good start! But Rumple is always fair to people who pony up their side of the deal; it's the ones who try to cheat him that brings his dark side out. Knowing that Belle and her roomie always pay their rent on time is a big plus as far as he's concerned.

Ok, and he's trying really hard not to fall in love with her...

Please don't just leave it there.

OMG don't stop there! This story is riveting. I hope you find the time or inspiration to continue it. BTW this cliffhanger is evil. I'll be following.

Oh my lord I need more of this story! I am absolutely smitten! You are an incredibly talented author. I hope this story isn't abandoned. Oh well, I live I'm hope xx

You MUST contnue this, I'm in love with it! *.*