A/N: This is was in the challenge forum for OUAT, but I misinterpreted the intention, so this is how it came out. Still pretty good.

It's a Modern World After All

Emma sighed as Red came into the office that day. Her face had shown it all, something was up. The blonde put down her pen in mid-sentence, for Ruby was also still wearing her work clothing. This had to be urgent.

"Emma...Mr. Gold is up to no good," she began.

"Yeah," Emma said in monotone. "Tell me what I already don't know."

"He took my red cloak. I know he did it. I had there this morning, and then he and that girl came in. After he went into the back room, they left. I went back there and my cloak was gone!" Ruby exclaimed.

"So...you proceeded to stalk him?" Emma asked, raising her eyebrows slightly, thinking this whole predicament was completely ridiculous.

"No, of course not. I don't trust him that's all," Ruby said. Emma sighed again, tired and slightly annoyed with work today.

"Please Emma," she begged. "I wouldn't come to you if it wasn't important."

"It's okay Red," Emma replied. "I've just been having very rough days."

Red smiled, taking a seat in the chair across from Emma's. She told the sheriff everything she needed to know, and that afternoon, Emma was off to Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop.

Surprisingly, she had no luck there, and the shop was locked up tighter than a sailor's knot. She thought to try his house, and as she was walking up, she found Belle on the front porch, reading a book. Ruby's cloak was right at her side!

"Belle?" Emma asked.

"Yes, that's me," Belle replied. "Emma right?"

"Yeah, I'm the sheriff...and you just stole Red's cloak. Come on, didn't your parents teach you better than this?" Emma asked, wanting to role her eyes as she stepped up onto the porch.

"Oh!" Belle said, looking at the cloak. "I was supposed to return that to her hours ago! How could I forget? Please, let me explain..." Emma took a seat.

"You see, I was thinking about making a surprise for that man named Jefferson. He's the one who got me out of that basement and sent me to find Rumpelstiltskin. I feel as though I owe him. So, I ran back to Granny's after we had a drink together to get the cloak so I could get a few measurements and proportions before I went making one for Jefferson. I meant to return it," Belle said.

"Why didn't you just tell Ruby?" Emma asked, thinking that would have made this whole scenario disappear. Therefore, her job was much easier.

"Jefferson was right there at the bar! I told Granny."

Emma sighed, almost ready to laugh, but then again, she wasn't up for that either today. All her twists with Henry and Regina, the whole thing was just out of control. Henry was moving in with Emma and Mary Margaret, and Regina seemed to have disappeared after the curse was broken.

Belle invited Emma in for a drink, because Belle knew Emma could use it. They talked for a while, Belle asking about Henry and the whole cause of the curse. She seemed curious about everything in the modern world, considering she'd been shut out for most of her time in Storybrooke.

"Why did Regina lock you up?" Emma asked, setting down her glass.

"Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. I'm still trying to remember everything from my past. Rumpelstiltskin seems to be helping me out," Belle smiled at her widely.

"Don't take offense to this, but I am rather curious. How can you love him? He's so, well, you know..."

"Cold?" Belle finished, looking her expectedly. "It's all right, I understand. Rumpelstiltskin is a bit of a troubled man, but...well, I've known him for a long time. You have yet to see his more sensitive side. He brought magic back to Storybrooke, where it was supposed to be. I can't say whether that's good or bad, but he seems content...then again, he always liked his power...more than he liked me, that's for sure."

Emma flinched at Belle's explanation, staring at her, folding her eyebrows together. Sympathetic now almost, Emma looked Belle in the eyes.

"Why would you say that?" she asked. Within the girl's eyes reflected a sense of knowledge and wisdom Emma could not yet grasp to its fullest intent.

"He told me that once, I called him out on it. I know he loves me, but I think he's got other motives for this place. I wish I could tell you, but even I don't know," Belle replied, looking at the red rose on the dinning room table.

"Sheesh whenever we talk about him, you smile a lot!"

"What else can I say?" Belle asked, shrugging. "I love him."