Just a little drabble I wrote about the scene where Belle is shot. It takes place directly after the credits roll and ends before the events in the next episode. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Not mine!

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"Who's Belle?"

His eyes stung with tears as Gold looked around and surveyed the scene. Belle was bleeding in front of him, her eyes sharp but not recognizing him. A few feet away, Hook was sprawled out on the concrete, and Gold hoped he was dead. If he wasn't, he would be soon. Gold would see to it.

In the car, the driver was slumped against his steering wheel, unconscious. The town sign was once again nearly pulverized by a car.

"Who are you?" Belle demanded, her voice filled with pain. She reached behind herself and her small hand came back bloody. Gold's stomach twisted. He scanned the area. No one else was there, but that could change any minute. Surely the savior would have some kind of sixth sense about this and come running. He had to get Belle out of here before anyone else showed up. If Regina got wind of this, she would find a way to twist it to her advantage.

Silently apologizing, Gold waved his hand in front of Belle's face, sending her into a deep sleep. She fell back and he caught her. His bad knee protested as he stood upright with Belle in his arms. His cabin wasn't far from where they were. If he could get her there without anyone seeing them, he could remove the bullet and close the wound with ease. She would be safe as she recovered and he could try to figure out how to restore her memories.

Grunting softly, he adjusted her prone form against his chest before he began walking in the direction of his cabin. "Hang on, dearest," he whispered into her ear.

She didn't respond, and for the first time in centuries, he began to pray.


Emma arrived at the town's border after an anonymous call about a wreck came in to the sheriff's station. She was stunned when she found Hook's crumbled body on the ground and a man passed out in a totaled car. She called for an ambulance, and as she described the scene, she noticed a familiar handkerchief lying on the ground. She picked it up and held it up in the moonlight. Gold's initials were embroidered on the corner, and as she looked closer, her stomach sank.

It was covered in blood.

The End.