An AU where Belle is traveling the world after Rumple's heroic yet unfair death because she can't bring herself to stay in Storybrooke but also because Rumple always encouraged her to follow her dreams and accidentally steps on a landmine on a small Scottish island at the same time as another grief-stricken soul just so happens to contemplate ending it all there after untimely death of his ex-fiance... or a story of how two grief-stricken people meet by chance and save each other, body and soul.
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Hamish stared at himself in the mirror, face half-shaven. He tilted his head, leaning in closer, not quite believing what he was seeing. The mirror was dirty; that was the only explanation.Â
âHamish, hurry up, weâll be late!â Belle called. It was her fatherâs birthday today, and they were all going out in Barneyâs boat.
âJust a minute!â Hamish rinsed his razor, still staring at himself, but when he looked down, he hadnât even gotten it under the faucet. He shook his head to clear it. Get it together.
Belle appeared a few minutes later, after he had managed one more razor stroke.Â
âHey, youâre not dressed.â She stepped up to him, resting her hand on his bare back. âEverything okay?â
He licked his lips. âIâve got a grey hair.âÂ
Belle stood on her toes to investigate, squinting at his hairline. After almost half a minute, he pointed it out to her.Â
âOh, there it is!â She ruffled his hair and kissed his clean cheek. âItâs the same color grey as mine.â
Hamish frowned. Belle didnât have any grey hairs. She remained young and beautiful always while he aged into a decrepit cave person.Â
But then she lifted back a portion of her curls, and there they were, a dozen silvery strands heâd never noticed before. Belle grinned.Â
âSee? Youâve got a long way to catch up to me.â
He swallowed. Had she really had all this grey all this time and never freaked out about it? And here he was, one measly little hair, having a panic attack instead of shaving.Â
âHamish.â Belle rubbed his back. âAre you okay?â
âAye.â So he had a grey hairâthat was hardly the end of the world. He also had Belle, which was much more important, and a party to get to. âIâll just be a minute.â
âGood.â She kissed his cheek again. âMaybe later, I can take your mind off the grey hair.â
He turned to kiss her on the mouth, smearing shaving cream on her cheek. âYou already did.â
Just finished possibly my 100th rewatch of Hamish Macbeth and the anyelle shipper in me is reignited! But no one writes for Bellish anymore :( I've got some time to write, send me your prompts for Hamish and Belle?
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Summary: With Rumplestiltskin gone, Belle canât face going back to the Enchanted Forest without him. She leaves Storybrooke forever, travels the world, and ends up in a small village in Scotland, where she meets a constable with a very familiar face.
AO3
Chapter 24 - Pieces of Story
âHenryâs book was never super clear on timelines,â Emma said, pacing around the clearing theyâd found. âBut I think weâre about thirty years in the past. My parents just met, but they wonât get together for another year or so. And then Regina will cast her first dark curse andâŚâ she paused.
âWhat?â
âIâll...be born. My father will send me off in the wardrobe, but Iâll also still be here, so Iâll travel to the Land without Magic with the curse. And so will you. And then thereâll be two of us. I think? Is that how that works?â
She looked as dizzy as Hamish was beginning to feel.
âBut Iâll already be in Storybrooke so maybe I can break the curse early? Or will I lose my memories too?â
âStop talking,â Hamish pleaded.
âBut the other me will meet Neal and have Henry and then Henry will come find Other Me in Boston and sheâll come to Storybrooke andâŚâ
âEmma!â
âOr maybe...maybe not? Will Other Me make all the decisions I made? Will we really be the same person? Or will things go differently this time? Or is this a different time?â
âFor Godâs sake, woman!â Hamish groaned.
âIâm sorry itâs just...I thought my life was weird before.â
âIt was.â
âRight. Okay.â Emma took a deep breath. âWe have to figure out how to get back.â
âYou have magic,â Hamish reminded her. âCanât you just send us back?â
She looked at him as if heâd asked her to fly. âAre you crazy? It took Zelena years to build and cast that spell, and she was a much more powerful magic user than I am. I have no idea whereâd Iâd even start .â
âWell, what about that curse you said Regina cast? The one to get us to our world?â
âWouldnât do us any good,â Emma said. âRemember, weâre thirty years in the past. Once we got back, weâd still be out of our timeline. Besides...that curse has a terrible price. You have to sacrifice the heart of the thing you love most.â
Hamish cursed. âWhat the hell are we gonna do? Click our heels three times and say thereâs no place like home?â
Emma rolled her eyes. âDonât be ridiculous. If it was that easy to travel realms, Rumplestiltskin would have done it already.â Suddenly she turned to him, her eyes wide. âThatâs it!â
âWhat?â
Instead of answering him, Emma turned and stared into the trees around them. âRumplestiltskin? Rumplestiltskin!â
âWhat are youâŚâ
â Rumplestiltskin!â
âNo need to shout, dearie!â
The strange shrill voice made both of them jump, and they turned to see the strangest creature Hamish had ever seen - which was saying quite a bit at this point. It looked like a man, but it had strange glittering gray skin, large yellow eyes, and frizzled hair, and it was dressed head to toe in leather and some sort of scaly material. Grinning widely, the creature twirled one hand in the air.
âYou called?â
âIâŚIâŚâ Emma apparently had no words, and Hamish wondered if this would be the last thing he saw: a sparkling disco lizard.
âWell, if thatâs all you have to stay I could have stayed at home,â the creature snarled. âIâm extremely busy at the moment, after all.â
âSorry,â Emma said. âItâs just...Iâve never...you...youâre not usuallyâŚâ
âNot usually what?â
âSparkly.â
The creatureâs eyes narrowed. âWhat are you talking about? Have we met before?â
âYes. I mean, no. Not...not yet.â
âNot yet?â
âIâm...I mean weâre âŚâ
The creature turned to look at Hamish and gave an almost comical start. âYou...who are you ?â
âIâmâŚâ But Hamish was instantly silenced by a crushing pressure around his throat. His feet lifted off the ground and he gasped for air, clawing at invisible hands. His vision was darkening around the edges and he could hear Emmaâs shouts followed by a terrible shrill laugh.
âI said stop! â A flash of white light filled the clearing and Hamish dropped to the ground, coughing and spluttering. When he looked up, he saw that the glittering creature was staring dumbfounded at Emma, his hand still outstretched and his eyes glinting with the tiniest spark of fear.
âListen.â Emma took a deep breath. âWeâre from the future. I called on you because we need to get back to our time and youâre the only person Iâve ever met who might be able to help us.â
â If weâve met,â Rumplestiltskin snarled, âyou must know that Iâm not easily fooled, dearie.â
âI do know,â she said. âYou fought in the Ogre Wars, and you took the Dark Curse to save your son. You lost him to the land without magic, and youâve spent years trying to get him back. In about a year the Evil Queen is going to cast the Dark Curse, which will take everyone in this world there, and Snow White and Prince Charming will have a child that will break the curse.â
âYouâre a Seer,â Rumplestiltskin said harshly.
âNo. Iâm Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming.â She paused and took another long, deep breath. âIâm the Savior. And I need to get back home.â
There was a long silence.
âWell, even if all that were true,â Rumplestiltskin said shakily, âI donât see why I should help you. If youâre here, the curse has broken, and youâve served your function. I see no reason toâŚâ
âYouâre not an idiot,â Emma snapped. âI canât stay here. If I do, I could disrupt things. You know the tiniest change could ruin everything, and if it does...you might never see your son again.â
Hamish knew she had the old sorcererâs attention now. âI donât have to help you to ensure nothing changes,â Rumplestiltskin growled. âI could just kill you here and now.â
âYou could,â Emma agreed. âBut how do you know I wonât be useful in the future?â She held up her hands, which were still faintly glowing with white light. âTrue Love is powerful magic, after all.â
Something hungry glowed in Rumplestiltskinâs eyes, and Hamish shifted his feet.
âHow about a deal?â Emma said. Hamish felt the hair on his arms stand on end. âIf you help us figure out a way back to our time, Iâll tell you what happens to your son.â
âAnd if I decide to kill you anyway?â Rumplestiltskin snarled.
âThatâll be your choice,â Emma shrugged. âBut Iâm guessing you wonât want to. Do we have a deal?â
âNot so fast! What about this... thing ?â Rumplestiltskin pointed one gnarled finger at Hamish, and Hamish grit his teeth.
âWeâre a package deal.â
âOh, your paramour is he?â
âOh, gross,â Emma grimaced. Hamish tried not to look insulted, but she sent him an apologetic glance anyway. âSorry, just...no. Heâs a friend of mine, and I kind of got him into this mess, so...now I have to get him out.â
Rumplestiltskin stepped up close to Hamish, and Hamish stared him down, glad heâd already faced down so many bizarre things today. Or...whenever.
âWhat are you?â the sorcerer snarled.
âA police constable,â Hamish replied, his voice level.
âA what?â
âA sheriff,â Emma interrupted. âWhere heâs from, theyâre called constables.â
Rumplestiltskin held up one hand to silence her and stepped even closer so that his and Hamishâs noses were almost touching. âIf this is some sort of fairy trick,â he hissed, âI will kill you so painfully that your ancestors will feel it.â
Hamish felt his temper rise. âBack off, ye bogginâŚâ
âHamish!â Emma said.
Rumpletilskin backed away, his teeth bared in an ugly sneer. âSuppose we finish this conversation in private,â he said, raising one hand. There was a swirl of purple smoke, and then everything went dark.
--------------
Hamish stumbled as his feet hit hard stone, and his head spun. Next to him Emma looked very pale, but otherwise in one piece. Whatever magic Rumplestiltskin had used to transport them, Hamish didnât like it. The Dark One watched them, appearing to delight in their discomfort, and then turned and strode briskly through a set of large wooden doors. Emma and Hamish stood still for a moment, taking in the massive stone entryway and imposing statues in the corners.
âCome along, dearies, we havenât got all day!â Rumplestiltskin called, and they hurried after him.
The room heâd led them to was long and wide, with a massive table in the center and, at one end, glass cases displaying hundreds of...well, Hamish wasnât sure what they were, obviously. Knick-knacks of some kind. About the room stood stone pedestals, each holding an artifact, and off to one side was a dais on which stood a spinning wheel. On glancing around, Hamish noticed what looked like golden fleece in one corner, a bejeweled grail in another, and at the far end of the room a pair of hideous wooden puppets. The puppets looked familiar, and he realized heâd seen them in Goldâs shop. He felt lightheaded again, and wished there was more than one chair in the room.
âNow then,â Rumplestilskin said, clapping his hands before him and turning to face them. âLetâs hear your tale.â
âThat wasnât the deal,â Emma said. âYou have to help us figure out how to get back first.â
âWell, I canât very well do that if I donât know how you came to be here, can I?â he pointed out.
âIt was a time travel spell,â Hamish said, and the creature glared at him.
âThatâs ridiculous,â he spat. âHer Highness here might have powerful magic, but sheâs clearly not trained well enough to work that sort of spell. No oneâs ever done such a thing before.â
âI didnât cast the spell,â Emma said. âWe just got...sucked into it.â
âWho did cast it? Assuming I believe you, of course.â
âI donât know if youâve met her yet,â Emma said thoughtfully, âbut her name is Zelena.â
Rumplestiltskinâs face turned a strange shade of pale green. âAh. Zelena. Sheâs...returned from Oz, has she?â
âYou know her?â
âAhâŚâ
âOh! Rumplestiltskin! Youâre back!â
All three of them turned at the sound of this new voice, and Hamish felt his heart sink to his shoes. Belle stood in the entryway of the great hall, her beautiful auburn hair cascading in ringlets down her back, her blue eyes bright with curiosity. Next to him he felt the sorcerer shift his weight and clear his throat, but he couldnât spare a thought for anyone but Belle.
âIâm sorry,â she said, âI didnât know you had...guests.â
âBelle!â Emma said, sounding awed.
Confusion creased Belleâs forehead and she came a little farther into the room. âIâm sorry, do we know each other?â
âOh, sorry, no.â Emma floundered a little. âMister...Rumple...the Dark One told us about you.â
âDid he?â Belle turned a flirtatious smirk on Rumplestiltskin, and Hamish turned in time to see the sorcerer flush dark green and take a hasty step back.
âNo,â he snapped. âGo away and read a book, or whatever it is you do.â
âYou could ask nicely.â
âI could also turn you into a toad!â
Rolling her eyes, Belle gave her master another saucy smile before flouncing away. Rumplestiltskin muttered something under his breath about disrespectful little maids, but Hamish wasnât paying full attention. He had just realized that heâd seen that smirk and heard that tone of voice before - those were signs of Belleâs interest, and he knew because heâd been on the receiving end of both multiple times. For a moment he felt a sort of kinship with Rumplestiltskin, who was clearly a bit unnerved by the exchange and was trying to look unconcerned. Being the object of Belleâs affections, though wonderful, was also overwhelming.
âOkay...so...anywayâŚâ Emma sounded like she was trying not to laugh. âYou know Zelena?â
âZelena. Yes. Illegitimate daughter of Princess Cora, and erstwhile Western Witch of Oz. I donât suppose she...ah...came through with you?â His eyes darted about the room and Hamish realized with some surprise that he looked nervous.
âNo. Sheâs dead.â
âAh.â Rumplestiltskinâs shoulders relaxed. âA shame, really. Such tremendous talent.â
âToo bad she was a total nutter,â Hamish said dryly.
âYes, well, that family does seem to have a certain... flair for the dramatic.â
Emma snorted. âProbably why you guys got along so well.â
âDid she select this time period?â Rumplestiltskin pretended not to hear her.
âI donât think so. From what I heard, she wanted to find her mother and...I donât know...convince her to keep her? I couldnât quite work it out.â
âVery likely. Well, youâre in luck. The mechanics of the spell may have been hers, but the actual casting was yours.â Rumplestiltskin pointed a gnarled finger at Emma. âIf she did not choose this time period, you must have, which means you can cast the counterspell.â
âGreat,â Emma sighed. âSo what do we need? Four glowing mushrooms and a hair from a giantâs ass?â
âNo, no, nothing so grotesque,â Rumplestiltskin said. He flourished one hand and a thin wand appeared in his grip. âThis wand, should you wield it properly, will detect the spell you used and reverse it, sending you back to your time.â
âSeriously?â Emma crossed her arms. âItâs that easy?â
âOh, yes.â Rumplestilskin twirled the wand slowly in his fingers. âHowever, it is now your turn to uphold our deal. Tell me how to find my son. And be warned,â he said, holding up one finger, âthat there are penalties for lying to the Dark One, Savior or no.â
âAfter the curse breaks, you have to find a way to cross the town line,â Emma says. âBut once you do, we go together. Finding people is...kind of my thing. We find him in a city. He comes back with us.â
Rumplestiltskin was hanging on her words as if they were water and he was a parched man. âAnd...we are...reconciled?â
Emma paused. âUhâŚâ
âOut with it dearie!â
âHe...he forgives you,â Emma said. âHe loves you.â
Rumplestiltskin looked slightly manic. âAnd we are together?â
âIâŚâ
âYou will tell me or I will rip your heart out!â snarled the sorcerer. Hamish stepped forward, his own heart in his throat.
âYou donât want to do that,â he said hoarsely. âSheâs more than Snow Whiteâs daughter. Sheâs the mother of your grandson. Kill her and your son will never forgive you, no matter what happens after the curse breaks.â
âMy... grandson ?â
âHenry,â Emma said. âHe has his fatherâs eyes.â
As Rumplestiltskin processed this information, Hamish thought he could see a shift in the sorcererâs face - something more human, less demonic shining out of his eyes, and he thought of Henry, who wished he could have known his grandfather better.
âWell,â Rumplestiltskin said at last. âThat is a revelation.â
âSo...youâll send us back?â
âNo, you will.â Rumplestiltskin handed her the wand, stepped back, and spread his hands wide. Emma looked from him to the wand and then squared her shoulders and raised the wand in the air.
The Curious Case of Lights and Love at Lake Lochdubh
For: @minticetea
Happy Rumbelle Secret Santa!!!
Prompt: Anyelle, X-files AU
Summary:Â When mysterious lights and a crop circle appear in the small town of Lochdubh, Agent Fox Mulder is soon on the case much to the dismay of Constable Hamish Macbeth. However when Linguistics Expert, Belle French, arrives to assist, Hamish finds the intrusion on his town not as troubling as the intrusion on his heart.
The gust of Scotlandâs fresh air was a welcome relief to her jetlag eyes, as Belle exited Edinburghâs baggage terminal. The hustle and bustle of life was eerily quiet in the predawn light, as she rolled her luggage to the curb. After watching the rest of the passengers on her plane leave with family or awaiting taxis, she started to worry that he wouldnât show. Just as more doubt started to creep into her mind, she noticed a single headlight in the distance. Relief washed over her, as the white Ford Fiesta pulled up to the curb.
âSorry, Iâm late,â Mulder apologized while getting out of the driver seat.
She smiled at him, as he took her luggage placing it in the boot of the car.
âYou know you have a headlight out?â She called out to him as she slid into the passenger seat of the car buckling her seatbelt. She heard the boot close, as he slid back into the driverâs seat.
âOh yes, Iâm very aware I have a headlight out. Third time in fact, in the last two weeks.â
âHuh,â her brows burrowed together. âIs there a short circuit or something causing it to go out?â
âMore like a short temper,â Mulder responded. âThe local authority doesnât take too well to strangers in his town.â
âAre you serious?â
âIâm convinced Iâm keeping the local repair shop in business, with as many replacement lights Iâve had to buy.â
âThatâs terrible.â
âJust the cost one pays to find the truth I guess,â he shrugged, smiling at her. âThank you for coming. I know you didnât have to butâŚâ
âYou donât need to thank me,â Belle abruptly cut him off. âThe truth is I really owe a lot to Dana. It was due to her ample praise of my work that the bureau extended their consulting contract with me. So when she called asking for a favor, I was only too happy to help.â
Smiling at the mention of his partnerâs name, Mulder never ceased to be amazed by what an inspiration Scully was to others. Of course she had a hand in Belle French becoming one of the top consultants in ancient languages, Scully always made it a point to promote and expand the number of women working in the field.
âI must confess though, Mulder, I donât know many agents, who seek out paranormal activity while they are supposed to be on vacation. When Scully called asking me to come to Scotland to help you with this, I was surprised when she told me it was unofficial business.â
âWhat?â He shrugged. âSome agents prefer a beach, others the ski slopes. I just prefer to find the unequivocal proof of extraterrestrial life.â
Her laugh turned into a smothered yawn, as Mulder observed her with concerned eyes. âSleep Belle. We have a few hours till we get to Lochdubh.â
X
A thump and sound of shattering glass bolted her up into a sitting position from a dead sleep. Alone in the car she looked out the windshield to see a uniformed man standing next to a taller man smoking a pipe and wearing a deerstalker hat.
âWhat theâŚâ she mumbled to herself scrambling for the door handle. The look of complete and utter shock that fell upon the two menâs face as she exited the car would have been hilarious if anger hadnât preoccupied her thoughts. Looking down at the shattered glass on the road, she raised her chin looking the policeman straight in the eye.
âDid you just break the other headlight?â
He blinked owlishly at her.
âHow dare you!â She scolded.
She waited for a response but was met with silence. After a few more moments of glaring daggers at them, the taller man finally spoke to her.
âIâm so sorry, mâlady. My friend here thought this car belonged to someone else. He will be more than willing to pay for the damage. Uh, isnât that right Hamish?â
A firm nudge to the ribs, finally broke whatever spell the man was under, as he jumped to attention. âOf course. Of course I will pay for the damage. Both of them.â
âDarn right you will. YouâŚâ
âBelle!â
Turning to the call of her name, she saw Mulder running towards her, a drink tray and a white bakery bag in hand.
âWell I see youâre up.â He placed the items down on the hood of the car, taking out one of the coffee cups, handing it to her. Turning to the policeman, he smirked.
âI see you are already making new friends, Constable Macbeth.â
âSee, I knew it was his car,â Hamish balked to the taller man.
âSo that makes it okay?â Belle interjected.
He turned to her, his Adamâs apple bobbing as he swallowed down whatever words he was going to speak.
âYou know he has had to pay for every headlight you have broken. Last time I checked you are supposed to be enforcing the law, not breaking it.â
A small crowd of locals gathered at the scene, as the petite brunette berated the mute Constable in front of all to see.
X
Throwing his hat across the room with a curse, Hamish stalked into the station.
âBad morning?â TV John asked lying on the couch watching the telly.
âI looked like a bloody idiot!â
Hamish moved to the window, peaking out the blinds. Across the street, Mulder was helping carry Belleâs luggage into the Inn. Â
âWell you better call Billy and have him repair those headlights, unless you want a round two from the little lady.â
âSo you heard then?â
âIâm pretty sure the whole town heard,â TV John chuckled.
âIâm not paying for that. That bloke has been creeping around this town for too long now. The rest of them left weeks ago, but oh no, not him. Â And now what? He has his girlfriend coming here?â
âWho said she was his girlfriend?â
âWell who else would she be?â Hamishâs harsh tone grew curiously lighter. âWhy you donât think she is? You think sheâs single? No way would a woman as beautiful as that be single.â
Chuckling TV John picked up the phone, dialing, as Hamish continued with his rambling.
âA girl like that wouldnât want to be stuck in a small town like this. Nah, did you see her clothing? Well of course you didnât you werenât there, but it was nice. Expensive. A girl who likes that type of expensive duds isnât going to beâŚâ
âOne room or two?â Johnâs inquiry jarred Hamish from his own self chatter.
âAh, I see thanks.â And with that John hung up the phone. Grinning at Hamish, he spoke. âTwo rooms.â
âWhat?â a distracted Hamish answered.
âThat was Granny from the Inn. They are staying in two rooms, two separate rooms.â
âTwo rooms?â Hamish smiled. Grabbing his hat off the floor he put it on walking towards the door.
âWhere are you going?â TV john inquired.
âI gotta go see Billy the mechanic.â
X
After a much needed rest, and a belly full of some of the most scrumptious food she had ever eaten, Belle found herself with Mulder in the middle of a field a kilometer or so outside of town, where the first crop circle appeared almost a month and a half ago.
Although she had seen the pictures Mulder had emailed her, it was an entirely new experience to see the patterns and symbols first hand. Examining the flattened grass, Belle listened as Mulder recounted how local residents reported strange lights above Lake Lochdubh, while a local sheep herder found this in his field the next morning.
âCan we talk to him, the herder that found this?â
âNobodyâs talking now, the Constable made sure of that.â
âIâm surprised it got out at all.â
âSomeone contacted the media. Soon every reporter found their way to Lochdubh. I found out about it on a small international paranormal news feed I follow. Caught the first flight out, but thatâs when the hoax confession came out. Everyone was leaving by the time I arrived.â
âWell that was one of the things that confused me, when Dana called and told me about it. They classified it as a hoax within days of it appearing, so what made you decide to stay here and investigate?â
âWell I found it interesting that the man, Peter, who confessed to it, was known to spend his nights passed out in the local pub. Something just didnât feel right about it. So I stayed, and a week and a half later, I saw the lights over Lake Lochdubh, and a new symbol appeared in this field by the next morning.â
âSo why would Peter do it again, after confessing it was a hoax?â Belle inquired.
âWhy, indeed, especially since I have it on good authority that he was passed out in the drunk tank that night.â
âSo it wasnât him, but why confess though?â
âWell one thing you will learn about this small town, is that the residents want to keep it that wayâŚa small townâ
âSo we have a false confession, lights in the night sky, and new patterns and symbols being discovered?â
Mulder nodded.
âI love a good mystery,â Belle chuckled, as they continued to examine the field.
  X
Four days had passed since Hamish first laid eyes on Belle French, and although he saw her consistently in his dreams, he had yet to see her again in person, that is until he walked into Barney and Agnesâs pub that Thursday night.
She sat in a corner table, a dress of blue lace, wound tightly against her firm body. She sat with Mulder, and Doc, sipping on a beer. Thanks to the townâs twin gossipers, Nessie and Jessie, Hamish had learned everything there was to know about the divine Belle French, and where and with whom she spent her time with over the last few days. She was an interesting bird, he would give her that. Â She had a BA in Ancient Languages, and her masters in Literature, if the gossip was to be believed.
âIf only she was here under different circumstances,â he thought to himself.
He thought he quieted down this alien phenomenon hogwash when he got Peter to agree to confess to making those symbols in the field. Yes, Hamish was curious as to the origins of the lights and unexpected crop circles, but he was not about to let his beloved town to be put on display for every passing stranger to examine. Â The people here deserved peace and quiet, not to be poked or prodded by every alien chasing crackpot that stumbled into town.
He snapped out of his thoughts as her delicate laughter floated across the room, nestling into his ears.
âSheâs a beautiful woman,â Barney the bartender motioned his head towards Belleâs table as he poured Hamish another.
âAye.â
âNice too. Agnes told me she was single as well.â
âOh, did she now,â Hamish feigned annoyance.
âIâm just saying, a girl like that, they donât stay single for long. A man has gotta take a chance when he still has one.â
âWell, I happenâŚâ Hamishâs words were cut short, as he heard a familiar masculine voice boom through the room.
âAnd itâs a pleasure to meet you as well Ms. French.â
Hamish turned in his seat to see the newly returned James Spencer pulling up a seat next to Belle. His grip on his mug tightened as a wave of anger, and what Hamish would deny was jealousy made his blood boil.
James Spencer, six foot two, well built, and rich, was the only child of town matriarch Albert Spencer. He had recently returned to Lochdubh after his fatherâs passing, to take over the town store. If there was one thing Hamish hated more than a stranger in Lochdubh, it was James Spencer in Lochdubh. And there he was, talking to Belle French with a smoothness that would probably have her falling in love by the end of the night.
X
âAnother round for the lady, Barney.â
Within minutes of meeting James, Belle knew he was not her type. Sure he was easy on the eyes but as he continued to boast about himself, she could see there was no real substance behind his looks. She had dated men like that before and it always ended in disaster.
âWell we are glad you are back, even though we wish it was under different circumstances,â Doc spoke up to James.
âThanks,â James smiled, turning his attention back to Belle. âI moved back here from Elin after my fatherâs death.â Although he appeared solemn as he talked about his father, Belle couldnât help shake the feeling that there was a bitterness hiding somewhere beneath his eyes. As he continued to talk, Belle couldnât help but to catch a glance of the Constable, who was sitting at the bar. She caught herself glancing down at how well his jeans fit his backside. Feeling sudden warmth coiling in her belly, she shook her head, trying to force her attention back to the company at her table, but her eyes kept searching for him. Â
Two days later, the knocking on her door roused her from her sleep.
Rubbing her eyes, Belle let an elated Mulder into her room.
âLook what someone left outside my door. And more importantly look at page 118.â
Taking the book from Mulderâs hand, she turned to the dog eared page. Astonished Belle looked down at the page, the symbol she just saw in the field, staring back at her.
âWhat, HowâŚ.Who?â Startled her thoughts scrambled together.
âI have no idea. I woke up this morning, and this book was at my door. Who knew? I guess at least one person in this town actually wants to help us.â
âItâs a Lingua Franca Semitic script.â Belle said flabbergasted. âI canât believe I didnât see it before.â Grabbing the pictures of the crop circles off the desk she examined them against the book. âGet me a pen and some paper,â she instructed as she sat down at the small hotel desk. Â Mulder watched silently as Belle frantically took pen to paper, finishing she sat back in her chair in awe.
âCould you translate it?â
She nodded silently at him.
âWell what do the symbols mean?â
âBelieve.â She whispered.
X
Exhilarated by the finding, Belle and Mulder found a renewed resolve to uncover the mystery of the Lochdubh lights and crop circles. With a camera, walkie talkie, and blanket in hand, Belle made her way to the shore of Lake Lochdubh that evening with the intent of hopefully viewing the mysterious lights, while Mulder scouted the field. Â
As the sun went down, Belle pulled the blanket tightly around her, as she heard a snapping of a twig in the distance. Grabbing the walkie talkie, she pressed the button.
âMulder are you there?â She was met with moments of static before Mulderâs voice rumbled in.
âIâm here, everything okay by the lake?â
Hearing another twig snap, Belle whispered. âI think someone is here.â
âIâll be right there.â
She heard a heavy footstep behind her. Lifting her walkie talkie, she spun on her heel, ready to pounce on the intruder.
âHamish?â
âHey,â He held both hands up in front of him. âI didnât mean to scare yah. I heard you were coming up here, and I just wanted to check on you.â
Relief flooded her system, as she placed her walkie talkie down.
âBelle are you okay, are you there?â She jumped as Mulderâs voice boomed from the device.
âYeah, Iâm here, itâs okay. Itâs just the Constable.â
Hamish tried not to grimace at the ringing description she gave of him. Just the Constable. Not like the Adonis, James Spencer, Hamish thought to himself. He stood silently just looking at her. This was a mistake. He had heard from TV John that the pair of them had planned on splitting up, she at the lake, Mulder at the hay field. The thought of her alone in the dark made him apprehensive, so he packed a bag and before he could think better of it, headed to the lake to find her.
He needed to say something, but standing before her with those alluring blue eyes on him, all thought went out his head. How could anyone be so gorgeous? âSay somethingâ his thoughts screamed at him.
âTell her you were worried about her, no tell her you always patrol around the lake,â his inner thoughts fought.
âSoâŚ.â He finally spoke. âSeen any little green men?â
Shite, why the hell did he say that?
âIf you are done making fun of me, Iâm sure you have other people you still need to harass tonight, Constable,â she bucked back her displeasure evident in her voice.
âIt was just a jokeâŚIâ
âYes, Iâm well aware everything I and Agent Mulder do is a joke to you Constable.â She snipped.
This was not going well, but as much as his embarrassment wanted him to flee, he still couldnât just leave her here alone.
âListen, Iâll just sit over here then,â he placed down his bag, spreading out a blanket he had in his arms about 20 feet away from hers. She shot him a look of her confusion, so he continued his reasoning. âIâm worried about you being out her alone.â
He saw her chin lower, her defensiveness ebbing away. âI wonât say anything, Iâll just sit over here, butâŚwell my job is to keep this town safe, and while you are in this town, that includes you as well.â
The corner of her mouth twitched, and he could have sworn that he saw a brief smile.
âI actually wouldnât mind the company,â she conceded.
His promise to stay quiet lasted all of fifteen minutes, and before long, the two of them were lost in conversation with each other. Â As the night went on, she found herself sitting on his blanket, as he pulled out a thermos of coffee.
âItâs so beautiful here. I understand why you want to keep this place hidden away from the real world.â Â
âIt must be a change for you, coming from a big city,â Hamish responded.
âWho said Iâm from a big city?â She laughed. Hamish listened memorized by her story. How she lived in Australia till the age of 10 then moved to America with her father after her mother had passed. He was surprised to learn that she currently lived in a small town, Storybrooke Main, to be near her father.
âThe FBI often calls me in to consult on a variety of cases, so I get to travel some, but most of my work can be done at home remotely. Although I enjoy the adventure, there is nothing like small town.â She smiled at him, and Hamish felt his heart skip a beat. Â
The more she talked, the more he learned, and the more enthralled he became with her. Lucky for him, they saw no lights over the lake that night, or the next, or the night after that. His new ritual of nights with Belle under a blanket of stars next to Lake Lochdubh, had easily become the best nights of his life.
Hamish never had trouble garnering a womanâs attention; there must have been some truth about women loving a man in uniform. Women had come and gone out of his life, but the feelings he had for Belle were surprisingly new and deeper, than anything he felt before, and he hadnât even kissed her yet. A situation he planned or rather hoped to rectify very soon.
 X
Belle sat across from Mulder in the booth, a permanent smile plastered on her face as she stared at the menu.
âYou look overly chipper this morning. Since I know we havenât had any progress with the case, I assume you had progress inâŚ.other areas. â He smirked taking a sip of coffee.
âHeâs not who I thought he was. I mean the first time I met him, he was breaking your headlights, but heâs really a good guy underneath it all. He likes to read western novels, and you should hear the stories of how he bends over backwards to help his friends, and how much he loves this town, andâŚ.â
Holding his hand up to stop her love struck ramblings, Mulder laughed. âI get it, I get it. You think the guy is wonderful, but since he gets your nights, could I just get your attention this morning.â
âRight,â Belle said blushing, as she placed down her menu, pulling out the Ancient Linguistic book that their mysterious benefactor had left them. As Mulder started to talk, she flipped open the book, as the pages fell over, revealing the inside back cover. Â Her attention focused on an old worn brownish residue on the inside cover. She traced the rectangular shaped stain, as a thought suddenly occurred to her.
âWhere is the nearest library?â
X
Warm fingers caressed his face as he leaned his cheek into the touch. Slowly opening his eyes he smiled at the vision of Belle before him. âBest dream ever.â He murmured sleepily, as her giggle danced through the air.
âAhem,â Mulder cleared his throat, startling Hamish fully awake. Rubbing his eyes, he did in fact see Belle standing before him, with Mulder behind her. Was she just touching his face, or was he dreaming that? Either way, he wasnât going to complain as he sat up on the couch in the jail.
âSorry I must have fallen asleep?â
âThatâs alright; weâve all been having active nights lately.â Mulder smirked.
Casting him a glance, Mulder took her cue. âIâŚuhâŚIâll just wait outside then.â
âSorry to wake you,â Belle blushed. âBut I needed to tell you something.â
âNo itâs fine,â Hamish stood straightening his uniform.
âI just wanted to let you know, that Mulder and I have to follow up on a lead today, so I wonât be at the lake tonight.â
The punch of disappointment he felt showed on his face, as the next words out of her mouth were, âIâm sorry.â
âNo, no you have nothing to be sorry for,â he rubbed the back of his neck. âI justâŚ.wellâŚIâŚâ He suddenly felt the end of his ears burning. Why was he so nervous to tell her that he wanted to spend more time with her? That the nights they spend together at the lake were the best moments of his life.
âI was thinkingâŚwell Iâve had such a good time getting to know you, that maybe when I get back we could go outâŚto eatâŚ.like a date?â she bit her bottom lip, looking at him through her lashes.
âAye. I would like that. Love that in fact.â
âGreat.â
âGreat,â he echoed smiling so wide his face hurt. âSo you got a lead?â
âYeah,â she nodded her head. âWe discoveredâŚ.â
Her words were cut off by the swift entry of Doc, âHamish they need you atâŚ.Oh,â he halted looking at the young couple before him. âIâm sorry, I didnât realize you had company.â
âNo, itâs okay. Iâve got to get going,â Belle smiled at Doc, turning her attention back to Hamish. âAnd it sounds like your needed elsewhere.â She turned to leave, as Hamish grabbed her hand, bringing it up to his lips. âBe careful.â
The hairs on the back of her neck rose, as his lips made contact with her hand. With a blush, she whispered, âSee you soon,â as she turned and walked out the door.
X
The hours moved as slow as molasses that day. TV John couldnât help but chuckle, as he watched Hamish walk to the window for the 10th time, peering out, looking for any trace of her return. It wasnât until well after the sunset that TV John finally convinced Hamish to head to Barneyâs Pub for a drink.
âCome on Romeo,â he teased. âYour Juliet obviously wonât be back till late tonight.â
Taking a swig of beer, Hamish leaned into Barney who was cleaning a glass behind the bar. âSo how did you know Agnes was the one for you Barney?â
Chuckling to himself, Barney stared at his wife standing at the opposite end of the bar. âThe moment I met her.â
âPhish posh,â a drunken regular chimed in sitting a few stools down. âThere is no such thing as love at first sight.â
âWho asked you?â Barney clipped back, turning his attention back to Hamish. âItâs a common question, people ask, how do you know when you meet the one. The truth is when youâve met the one, you just know it, itâsâŚ.â
âMagic, differentâŚ.special,â Hamish said wistfully smiling at the thought of Belle.
âThat it is,â Barney smiled at the love-struck grin on the constableâs face. Soon however Hamishâs smile faded, as two drunks started to fight. Hamish dragged the first man out, cuffing him to the railing outside the pub, while he went in for the second. As he took both men to the jail to sleep it off in the drunk tank, he shot a glance over to the inn, seeing that Mulderâs car still had not returned.
With both men in their cell, Hamish took a seat at his desk to fill out the paperwork, as the events and lack of sleep this week finally caught up to him. Closing his eyes, he fell into a deep peaceful sleep.
Jolting awake, Hamish lifted his head from his desk. Daylight streamed in the room, as he quickly headed straight to the window. A wave of comfort flushed through his body, as he saw the white ford fiesta, sitting outside the Inn. She was back.
With pep in his step, Hamish walked over to the cell, a renewed energy of getting to see Belle today, fueling his good mood. Picking up his baton, he started banging it against the bars.
âRise and shine laddies,â the continuous clinking of the bars, aroused the two hangover men.
Groaning loudly the first man sat up on his cot, rubbing his blood shot eyes.
âCould you stop that damn noise?â the man commanded, causing Hamish to stop for a moment as if pondering the question.
âOh you mean this noise?â Hamish smirked lifting the baton once again banging it against the bars. âMaybe youâll think twice before acting like fools at Barneyâs.â
Hamish heard the door open, glancing behind him to see Doc entering the jail. Â
âHey Hamish,â Doc called out, as Hamish stopped his torment, turning around to acknowledge him.
âHey Doc.â
âI heard from Agnes that these two were causing quite the ruckus last night.â Doc stated walking over the cell. âThought I would bring over these,â he pulled a bottle of aspirin from his pocket, and a couple bottles of water.â
âGive me that,â the second man mumbled squeezing his arm between the bars to get the remedy for his hangover.
âYou eat yet?â Hamish inquired to Doc.
âYeah, I just finished breakfast.â
âWell after we get these two taken care of, Iâm heading over the Inn to see if Belle wants to get a bite to eat then.â
âSheâs already there, with James Spencer.â
âWhat?â Hamish spoke his voice laced with confusion. âJust the two of âem?â
He didnât want to be jealous. Why was he jealous? Â Belle was just eating breakfast. Eating breakfast with the most eligible bachelor in town according to most of the female population.
âTake care of these two will yah?â Hamish asked Doc, as he was already half out the door, making a beeline to the restaurant. His heart raced as he neared the building, stopping in his tracks as he saw the two of them through the window.
The oaf reached over the table taking the hand she so freely offered. Hamish stumbled a moment, trying to will the power back into his legs as James stroked her knuckles and she gave him one of her most radiant smiles. Â He saw a rose lying near her, obviously given to her by him.
Through his agony, Hamish still had the forthright to move away from the window, as he flung his back against the brick wall of the alley. Trying to keep the contents of his dinner from last night down, he ran his hands over his face, his heart trying to make any type of sense of what he just saw. That looked like a date, hell who was he fooling, that was a date. She was flirting with him, he knew that smile, it was the same one she had given him.
After minutes of slouching in the alleyway, Hamish stood tall, straightening his cap. Anger and heartbreak fueled his steps as he sauntered into the restaurant, heading straight to the table with Belle and James.
âHamish,â she was clearly startled by his sudden appearance pulling her hand out of the grasp of James.
âGood morning,â he gave his most cocky grin, even though he was dying inside. âDonât let her see the hurt. Donât give her the satisfaction,â he thought to himself. âHow are you two doing this morning?â
Her mouth hung open, and he could see she was struggling with what to say.
âGood, Constable,â James spoke. âA breakfast date with a beautiful woman is a wonderful way to start your day.â
Laughing, Hamish shook his head. He clapped his hand on Jamesâs back, a tad too hard. âYes, I believe that. Well donât let me interrupt your date here.â He nodded at her, âBelle.â
Turning he closed his eyes, as he walked away from their table, his heart shattering in a thousand pieces.
X
Doc jumped at the slamming of the door. He was still in the cell attending to the men, as Hamish huffed into the room, throwing his cap, then undoing his tie, and throwing that to the floor as well.
âI take it things didnât go well?â
If looks could kill, Doc would have been dead on the floor. Just as Doc opened his mouth to speak, Belle came rushing through the door.
âHamish!â
âOh great,â Hamish kicked the side of his desk. âYour date already over?â
âNo listen you donât understandâŚI was...â
âNo I donât need to understand,â he barked out. âI thoughtâŚ.I thought weâŚâ he gestured his hand pointing between he and her. âForget it.â
âIf you would just let me speak,â Belle countered.
âYou should hear the lady out,â one of the drunks in the cell chimed in his two cents.
âStay the hell outta this!â Hamish pointed towards the cell. Turning he plastered on a phony grin.
âIts fine, Belle. It was a fun distraction, but itâs time you left here.â
âWhat?â he saw the stab of pain in her eyes, and for a moment he wanted to kick himself, but yet his broken heart kept talking.
âI was just trying to get close to you, so that I could get you to convince Mulder to leave. Youâve both outstayed your welcome here.â
Her bottom lip wobbled as her eyes started to water. âI donât believe you.â
âYou mean nothing to me.â
âYouâre lying,â her voice was hoarse with emotion.
âGood day Ms. French,â he gestured for her to leave.
Walking to the door, she turned to him, one hand on the knob.
âWell you mean something to me,â she lifted her chin, her eyes still watering, as she walked out of the jail, possibly his life for good.
âYou are going to regret that, Mate,â the other drunk called out of his cell.
âWho asked you?â Hamish countered.
âThat girl has feelings for you, even a blind man can see that,â the other drunk spoke.
Hamish sat down in his chair running his hands through his hair. The look of hurt in her eyes would haunt his every night. She didnât seem like the type of girl who played games. Why would she lead him on? So many questions swarmed his mind. Â She wanted to talk to him. Why hadnât he let her speak, at least find out why she wanted James now, and not him.
âIn my day, a man fought for the ones he loves,â the drunk said to the other.
âAye. His pride outweighed his heart on that one. Shame cause she was a real looker, nice too.â
Overhearing the drunkards, Hamish realized that they were right. Belle was special, he had never had these feelings before in his life, and doubted he ever would again. He needed to fight for love, fight for her.
He quickly stood up, casting the three men a glance of determination.
âGo get err, Hamish,â Doc smiled at him.
After going to the Inn, he was informed that Belle was not there. He searched every building, asked every person he saw, but it seemed no one knew where she was. âDamnit, the town wasnât that big, where the hell could she have gone, he thought to himself.â Then it hit him.
Jumping in his car he made the short trek, and found her sitting by the lake. Willing his courage, he got out of the car, walking towards her with his heart in his hand. He would plead his case, beg her to give them a chance, and if she still wanted to be with James in the end, he would walk away if that is what her heart truly desired.
She was startled as she looked up and saw him standing a few feet away, he could see that.
âWhat are you doing here?â she asked, her eyes puffy, and he could see she had been crying for a while. Even with swollen eyes, and puffy nose, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life, and every word, every plan he had went out the window, as his heart spoke.
âYou mean something to me too. Actually, you pretty much mean everything to me.â Her eyes started to water again, and he pressed forward.
âI was wrong. I saw you and him there, and jealousy and anger took over, but I should never have spoken to you that way, or said the things I said. Even though I canât change that, I am here now, and want to talk this out, because I love you, and what we have is worth fighting for.
He waited with baited breath, as she moved to her feet. When she lifted her hands, half of him expected her to slap him, but she grabbed the lapels of his coat, crashing her lips to his.
The taste of her lips, made his head spin, and with that one kiss every other kiss in his life faded from his memory. This was his forever; this was the only woman he would kiss again in his life. His lips followed her, as she moved to pull away.
âThat breakfast with James was justâŚâ her words were cut off, as Hamish pulled her in this time for another kiss. That second kiss led to a third, then fourth, and soon the two found themselves wrapped around each other on the ground. Things may have gone further, if Hamish didnât believe that Belle deserved better than their first time being a quickie on the cold hard ground. She deserved time, and comfort, and roses, and wine. He lay on his back, with her in his arms, and he stroked her hair.
âSo why were you there with him this morning?â
Smiling she lifted her head from his chest, leaning on her elbow. âRemember when I told you we had a lead?â
X
She couldnât help glancing at her watch, anticipation and nerves building, as Belle waited for James to show up to her hotel room. She opened the door on his second knock, and tried not to let her disgust show as she watched him, look her up and down like a piece of meat.
âCome in,â she gestured for him to enter, watching as he zoned in on the freshly made bed in her room. âJerk,â she thought to herself.
âI must say I am in no way complaining, but I am flattered at the attention I am getting from you today. First breakfast this morning, and now dinner tonight.â He chuckled.
âWell I just couldnât wait to see you again,â Belle said a slight grin on her face.
He glanced over at the small desk against the wall, picking up the ancient languages book, quickly flipping through it.
âSo have you and Mulder made any progress on those crop circles?â He asked interest piqued.
âOh yes, all thanks to this book. We were able to decipher the meaning of the patterns in the field.â
âWow! Thatâs great. So itâs real then. You know I never really believed that whole hoax theory.â
âOh, the patterns are very real, but it is most definitely a hoax. But then again, you already know that donât you James?â
He looked at her with confusion.
âI have to say, leaving Mulder that book, it definitely helped your cause, but you left too big of a clue in it.â
âReally? And what exactly was that?â
Taking the book from his hand, Belle pulled the pages revealing the inside back cover. âThis residue on the back of the book. Â There was something familiar about the shape of it, and then it hit me. Thatâs where the library checkout card and pocket use to be.â
Stone faced he looked at the page, not revealing what was going on in his head.
âMost libraries they have switched to a more electronic form, but one of the charms of these little country towns, is that they still use this paper form.â
âSo itâs a library book, I donât see how that ties to me?â
âWell it doesnât, not exactly. See I called a few of the local towns libraries to see if anyone had checked out this book, and the thing is that it really isnât that much in demand. Not a real page turner I guess. All the libraries I called didnât carry it, all for one that is, the library in Elgin.
âR...ReallyâŚâ James stammered. Â
âYes, isnât that a coincidence, as I recall you told me you use to live there. And funny enough the one copy that the library had was actually stolen from the stacks. I mean can you believe that. Someone actually stole this book, removed the card and pocket holder, and possibly used it as inspiration to form the patterns in the field, and then it somehow ended up at the doorstep of Mulder and I. The only two people in this town determined to prove it wasnât a hoax.â
âI have never seen that book before,â James retorted.
âYou werenât expecting someone to confess to it being a hoax did you, James. The media, the attention was dying down, and you couldnât allow that to happen, could you? So you left this book for me and Mulder so we would verify these crop circles. Bring attention back to Lochdubh; scream to the heavens, that it wasnât a hoax but that the crop circles were still a mystery.â
âSo if I am somehow causing these crop circles, have you forgotten the lights the people have seen over the lake, let me guess Iâm somehow magically causing those as well?â
âActually yes, you are. When Mulder and I went to the library, we were able to pull your library account, and imagine my surprise, when I saw that over the last 6 months, you had checked out quite a few books on drones.â As Belle continued to talk, the bathroom door opened, as Mulder and Hamish emerged into the room, both men holding drones in their hands.
âWhere in the hellâŚ.how in the hell did you get those?â James blared out, seeing the familiar machines.
âUnofficially,â Mulder spoke. âWhile Belle here was so kind as to agree to take you to breakfast this morning, and keep youâŚoccupiedâŚI happened to break into your apartment, and find them in your guest closet, but officiallyâŚ.â
âOfficially...â Hamish smirked, âI happened to be walking by your apartment, and could have sworn I heard a baby in distress in your apartment. So I had no choice but to break down the door, and found these drones, as well as theseâŚâ Hamish threw down a folder full of pictures and research on crop circles onto the bed, âin plain sight.â
âYou wonât get away this, you canât get away this.â James barked.
âCan and have,â Hamish quipped.
Bristling James sat down on the bed, bringing his hands to his face. âHow can you stand to live here?â
His question was met with silence, and soon James walls came crashing down, as he confessed to the three of them. He spoke about learning of his fatherâs illness a year ago, and the stipulation his father was putting in his will about how James would receive the house, and storefront in Lochdubh, on the condition that he live there.
âEven in death, he tried to control my life. He couldnât stand the fact, that I left this town when I was 18 and never looked back. So he forced me to come back here, leave Elgin, and live here, in this pathetic town where nothing happens! Do you have any idea how many people visit Stonehenge in a year? How much money that town makes on tourists?â
âSo you wanted to make Lochdubh a tourist trap?â Hamish asked appalled.
âThe entire town would have benefited from it. Millions of people coming in spending money on lodging, food, and souvenirs; busses coming to the townâŚit would beâŚâ
âAwful,â Hamish piped in.
âBeautiful,â James countered. âWe could all be rich.â
âSo you cooked up this crop circle scheme just to get Lochdubh on the map?â Mulder inquired.
âI used the drones to make the patterns in the field. I copied the symbols I found in that book.â
âSo the lights that the town people saw wereâŚâ
âThe drones flying over the lake, as I positioned them.â James confessed. âThe mist and moisture over the lake caused a distortion of the lights making them seem grander then what it really was.â
âSounds like the mystery has been solved,â Mulder turned to Belle.
Sneering at Belle, James spoke. âSo I take it our dinner date is off?â
Hamish moved next to Belle, placing his arm around her waist.
âSorry mate, sheâs already got plans.â
X
Mulder placed his last bag in the boot of his car. Turning he smiled, as Belle wrapped her arms around his neck.
âHave a safe flight back.â
âI will.â
Letting go, Mulder couldnât help notice the natural glow of love surrounding her.
âSo I hear the bureau already contacted you about another case.â
Nodding Belle smiled. âYeah, I told them I was taking an extended vacation, but when they doubled my price, I was amendable to work on itâŚremotely of course. For being such a small town, this place has an amazing Wi-Fi connection.â
Turning his attention to Hamish, Mulder gave him a stern look.
âYou better take care of her.â
âAye, I promise.â Hamish smiled a toothy grin, bringing his arm around Belle shoulder.
Circling the car, Mulder smiled as he passed the two new headlights. As he pulled out of Lochdubh, the last glance he saw in his rearview mirror was Hamish and Belle kissing.
X
One Year Later
âOkay we can leave the 18th and return on the 25th,â Scully spoke looking at the airlines website. Hearing no response she looked up over the computer to see Mulder smiling, as he twirled Belle and Hamishâs wedding invitation in his hand.
âItâs amazing to think this happened because of me.â
âIâm pretty sure the court records show that everything happened because of James Spencer,â Scully scoffed.
âYou know what I mean, she would never have been there, and met him, if I didnât decide to go there.â
âWell as I recall, it was my phone call and my favor that had Belle heading for Lochdubh.â Scully raised her eyebrows in a challenge.
Raising his hands, Mulder smirked conceding to his partner. âAlright, alright, we both had something to do with the two of them getting together.â
âNext thing you know youâll be asking them to name their first born after you,â Scully scoffed.
âWell now that you mention itâŚâ
âYouâre unbelievable, Mulder.â
âWhat? Having another Fox Mulder in the world wouldnât be so bad.â
âWell, I did hear that they are thinking of getting a dog,â Scully smirked.
With Rumplestiltskin gone, Belle can't face going back to the Enchanted Forest without him. She leaves Storybrooke forever, travels the world, and ends up in a small village in Scotland, where she meets a constable with a very familiar face.
I never really liked anyelles in which Rumple existed at some point... until I read this fic by @smartgirlsaremean. And once I started reading it I couldnât stop, and finished it in one sit (It was already 18 chapters long.) And then it inspired me to make a moodboard, and things got out of hand, and I ended up making 9 (the remaining 8 under the cut. Yes, I was prolific. Yes, I feel terrible about killing my creations, even if some looked similar between them *shrugs*).