Stranded

midstorm asked you: Belle is traveling around after Rumple dies, and her car breaks down in the middle of Lochdubh and she meets Hamish.

She wanted adventure, but being stranded in the middle of the Scottish Highlands with a flat tire was not what Belle had in mind. She and Rum always talked about visiting his false homeland. The pictures they had googled on the computer portrayed Scotland as this amazingly beautiful, green land with ancient castles hundreds of years old and peeking mountains that were even older.

Now that Belle was here seeing it with her own eyes, the pictures did not do this country justice. The more beauty she saw, the more it pained her that Rum was not here with her. He was never one for really enjoying the scenery, but she'd gotten him to stop and really see the things around him. He would have enjoyed the rolling hills and peaceful wilderness.

Unfortunately with being out in the middle of nowhere, her cell phone was utterly useless. So much for technology, Belle mused ruefully as she checked for a signal again. She threw the useless piece of mechanics on the driver's seat and stood, deciding that walking the road in search of civilization was her best option.

She was just about to head off in the direction she'd been headed when she spotted a truck traveling along the winding road towards her. Belle sighed in relief. Maybe the locals would be kind enough to give her a ride.

A few minutes later the truck came to a stop beside her rental car, the word "Police" written on the side. Belle stood straighter as the police officer exited the truck, strolling casually to her.

"Good day, miss" the officer greeted, looking straight at her and Belle froze. He resembled Rum. This man who lived in the country where Rum's false memories offered where he had been born looked eerily like her late husband. Rum had wondered if there were people of this world that looked like the townspeople of Storybrooke. There was always a possibly of a doppleganger, and Belle swallowed the lump in her throat at that conclusion. "Wha' seems to be the problem?"

She hoped the man hadn't noticed her initial shock that she hurriedly covered with a sheepish smile. "Flat tire." She pointed over the hood at the driver's side. "Apparently someone forgot to include a spare at the rental company."

The officer nodded. "Well tha', nothing we can do here. I'll drive ye into town and call for a tow."

"Thank you" Belle said grateful, smiling brightly and the officer returned her smile. "Let me get some of my things." She rummaged for her purse and duffle bag in the backseat. She blushed as the officer took the duffle from her, placing it in the back of his truck.

After they were both settled in their seats, Belle turned to him and offered her hand. "I'm Belle."

"Hamish" the officer replied, shaking her hand and Belle couldn't help but stare at him. Truly, he had the same eyes and nose and jawline of her husband, but this man was younger, with far shorter and lighter hair, and not weathered yet by unimaginable hardship. There was a completely different aura about him, she could tell with just the few minutes he'd been in her presence. This man was nothing like her husband, and the more she looked at him, the less uncanny it felt.

"Wha' brings ye ti this part o' the world, Miss Belle?" Hamish asked, bringing Belle out of her thoughts, and he continued with a bit of uncertainty. "Ye sound…Australian?"

"Um-" Belle bit her lip, sorting through the files of her false memories for something about her scripted past. "I am, but I have not lived there for a very long time. I actually consider myself from Maine in the United States."

"Really?" Hamish pulled a face. "Tha' is a strange place for an Australian ti settle. Wha' made ye go there?"

Belle took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, before answering. Everyone had taken a sworn oath to never let it be known where the citizens of Storybrooke were really from. Besides, no one would believe them. "My father's job. He moved us there when I was young. It became my home."

"Why are ye here in Scotland?" he asked, curiously then frowned with a sigh. "Hope ye don't mind me prying, just trying ti make conversation."

"Oh no" Belle said immediately, chuckling under her breath. "I don't mind at all. Scotland is where my husband was from. We always talked about coming here, but it never happened while he was alive." She spoke the last words slowly, sadly.

Hamish glanced at her, offering a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry aout yer husband. Where was he from?"

"Glasgow" was the false memory Rum had told her. "I saw the city already, but I'm more excited about traveling around the countryside."

They talked the rest of the drive about what Belle had seen so far on her adventure and what her next destinations were. Hamish knew or had visited some of the places she mentioned and gave brief accounts of his experience. By the time they arrived in Lochdubh, Belle had nearly forgotten she was talking to a man that resembled her husband. Hamish was far from the rough, troubled interior of Rum.

Hamish suggested a drink at the pub where they could call for a tow. He insisted on opening the door for her when they parked. Belle found herself feeling a bit of a flutter in her stomach as she waited for him to come around the front of the truck. It'd been a long time since she'd experienced such chevalier. With a cute little smile and bow of his head, Hamish let her out and Belle's cheeks redden.

All eyes fell on them as they entered the pub. Lochdubh was a small town, and Belle figured it was much like Storybrooke when it came to everyone knowing each other. Newcomers probably stuck out like sore thumbs. Everyone greeted Hamish warmly, and after he had introduced her, they greeted Belle just as warmly in return. Hamish called for a tow truck, informing them how far Belle's car was from the town.

They couldn't stay at the pub the rest of the day. Hamish needed to make his rounds through the town to make sure all the townspeople were behaving themselves. He'd told her some stories as they drank a mug, and Belle laughed at the slightly illegal but harmless schemes of the citizens of Lochdubh.

Hamish didn't want to abandon her, so he invited her to join him on his walking rounds. Belle was thankful she wore her sneakers, which were way more practical to drive in than her beloved heels. As they walked, he told her facts about the town and its history. By the time Belle's car arrived in town, evening had set and Belle knew she would be taking up residence there for the night, which did not upset her in the least.

Hamish surprised her, or maybe it shouldn't have surprised her at all, when he invited her to make use of the spare bedroom at the police station. Why a police station had bedrooms was beyond her, but Belle accepted gratefully, happy to have made a friend in this far away land.

"Will this do, Miss Belle?" Hamish asked as he showed her to the spare bedroom, hope on his face for her approval. It was simple with plain white walls, a worn wooden nightstand and dresser being the only furniture, and a full sized bed. "The sheets are clean, I mi' add."

"This will do just fine, Hamish" Belle replied, smiling at him as she touched his shoulder. Hamish beamed back at her, holding her gaze for a moment before depositing her duffle on the bed. He left her to settle in, and Belle could feel the gratification radiating from him as he closed the door.

Belle sat down slowly, the mattress sinking under her weight. Taking a deep breath, she pondered over the day's events. Hamish was absolutely adorable and a real gentleman at that. She couldn't help but like him, and Belle wasn't sure whether to be happy or scared out of her wits with that revelation.