This was supposed to have ended when Belle felt someone kissing her back. But my mind just continued to type so it came up with this. Not very well written as compared to the first chapter and the other ending version.

I'll probably write the continuation using the other ending as 5b continues (trying to make it as canon as possible).

If any of you are reading my fic "Atonement" the death scene might be a bit familiar and the hints about Merlin and Rumple are of course a bit spoiler-ish. Anyway, here is your Happy Ending!

"Can't we heal him?" pleaded Emma with Regina as the former Evil Queen shook her head.

"You remember what Merlin said," began Regina, her voice cracking with emotion. "A wound from Excalibur cannot be healed."

"Unless it chooses to be."

They all turned towards the lake and saw Merlin standing near them. He walked over to where Rumple and Belle were. Merlin gave Belle a reassuring smile and Belle gently placed Rumple back on the ground.

"I killed you," whispered Killian.

"I'm glad you're showing a little regret over that mate," said Merlin, looking up at the pirate.

"Can you help him?" asked Belle, her eyes pleading and Merlin sighed.

"Excalibur chooses its own miracles," said Merlin, as he placed a hand over the wound on Rumple's chest. It glowed white. Emma and Regina shared a look and both kneeled down beside Rumple and stretched out their own hands. The wound was healing, slowly, but it was healing.

"It needs a push," said Merlin all of a sudden as he turned his attention from Rumple towards Belle. "You need to help us with that, clever one."

"How-" began Belle but suddenly knew what he had wanted her to do. She looked at Rumple and gathered up her courage. This had to work. She leaned forward and kissed him, putting all her faith and love for Rumplestiltskin in the kiss and those healing Rumple felt the surge of power and with their combined effort, managed to heal the wound. And then Belle felt him kissing back. She ended the kiss to look at him and found a pair of confused brown eyes looking back at her.

"Belle…"

"I'm here," whispered Belle, leaning her forehead against his. "I'm here Rumple. I'm not leaving."

Rumple brought his hand to touch her hair and it must have reassured him that she was really there because the next moment they were kissing again and Belle felt the surge of power stronger this time as True Love's Kiss eased both of their pains.

They parted and Belle smiled brightly as Rumple sat up slowly. His eyes then landed on the new person of their group. "You're…"

"Yes," came the quick reply as Merlin smiled at him from his kneeling position. "And I promise more answers later. You need to rest."

The other heroes all exchanged looks. What was that about but held their tongues as Merlin looked up at them. "I should go. There are things in motion that will have you face another threat in due time."

"What should we do?" asked Emma.

"For now? Celebrate. You've earned it. You just ended the reign of Darkness," said Merlin with a smile. "And to you, Killian and Rumple, you are free."

"Free…" whispered Rumple and Belle placed a hand on his shoulder. "I never thought I could be that again."

"Gold," said Emma kneeling down beside him. "I…I'm sorry. I guess I understand you a bit more now, after…"

"No need, Ms. Swan," said Rumple with a hesitant smile. "I'm just it's all over."

"You're not nothing," said Killian all of a sudden and everyone turned to him, Rumple suddenly afraid to meet his gaze. "You fought that thing for 300 years and you never really went down the deep end." He went and offered Rumple a hand. "You are a strong man, Rumplestiltskin. Not the coward I've mocked you to be."

Rumple eyed the pirate but knew that he meant well and took the offered hand and with Belle's help managed to stand. He leaned on her for support but he was no longer embarrassed to admit that he needed help.

He did almost fall over again as Henry ran up and hugged him. "You almost died…for me."

"You're my grandson Henry," whispered Rumple as the boy let him go. "I would do anything for you." He then turned to Merlin who smiled at him. "My grandfather would have done the same thing."

"You'd best get some rest," said Merlin.

"You're not going to tell us how you're here aren't you?" asked Regina.

"All in due time," replied Merlin with a grin. "I'm pretty much dead but let's just say a part of my soul is pretty much alive somewhere. But enough of that, think of this as your breath of fresh air. You never know when the next crisis will come."

With that he disappeared and Rumple wanted to get some answers but he knew Merlin would be back and he would have the opportunity again. Their group slowly made their way back to town. David and Robin both offering to help Rumple walk but Belle told them that Rumple could lean on her for support and that they won't be far behind.

"You came back," said Rumple as they kept the rear end of their little group back to Storybrooke.

"Henry called and told me what was going on," said Belle.

"I'm sor—"

"Don't apologize Rumple," said Belle with a serious expression on her face. "You did it to protect me and I was too blind to see that you are the man that I fell in love with. I don't need to see the world to know what I want. What I want is to be with you. Nothing more."

"You mean that?" asked Rumple, his voice slightly doubtful and Belle couldn't really blame him.

"I mean it," said Belle as she wrapped her other arm around his waist. "I guess at the well I wasn't ready to forgive and forget everything that has happened with us."

"And you shouldn't," added Rumple.

"But that doesn't mean we can't learn from it," said Belle. "Everything that has happened between us had made us stronger. I for one am not going to stop fighting for you even if I've told myself I have. And you are not allowed to die on me."

"I'll try," said Rumple with a small smile. "People tend to try and kill me for no apparent reason."

Belle laughed, it was true laughter that she hasn't done so since the time she had banished him from Storybrooke. "I've noticed. But I promised you forever Rumplestiltskin and no one breaks deals with you."

"Forever it is."