This is it. The final chapter. I want to thank everyone who has read this and left reviews, especially Twyla Mercedes, Rabraham7898, and VyeLoyomBrightwarrior who have reviewed on nearly every chapter. You guys rock and are what keep me writing. 3 I hope you all enjoy this final installment.

Belle could hear whispering above her as she woke up. Grace and Henry must have decided to come wake her up. Which probably meant they were about 30 seconds from jumping on her, as much as she loved those kids that's not how she wanted to be woke up. She tried to sit up but the sudden movement sent pain radiating through her shoulder and she let out a cry of pain.

"Belle? Papa! I think she's awake!"

"Miss French can you hear me?"

The voices didn't belong to Grace or Henry. Slowly opening her eyes, letting them adjust to the bright light, Belle found Bae and Rum staring down at her concern. What were they doing at Hattier Manor? "What happened?" Her voice was gravely and thick from sleep and disuse and she had to repeat herself several times before anyone could understand her. When they did a look was shared between father and son before Bae answered. "You were shot Belle."

The night came rushing back to her. Trying to free Bae and Rum. Cora finding them, getting shot, Bae rushing to her side, and then the sound of two more shots. Looking at them she couldn't see any damage or wounds, besides a few superficial scrapes and cuts, but that didn't mean they were okay. "You guys are safe? You're not hurt."

"We're fine. We're safe thanks to you." Bae was smiling at her looking happier than she had ever seen him. Ruffling his hair with her uninjured arm she gave him a small smile. "It was no problem kid."

"Bae why don't you got tell Mr. Hattier she's awake?" A look was shared between father and son again before Bae nodded. The teen gave her the gentlest hug and whispered his thanks in her ear before running out of the room yelling for Jefferson leaving her and Rum alone.

The silence was awkward, neither of them knowing what to say at first. They had spent plenty of time together in the past few weeks but had been on two different sides of a fence. They knew nothing about each other and she wouldn't blame him if he still didn't trust her. Finally Belle asked the question that had been pressing on her mind. "What happened after I lost consciousness? I swore I heard gunshots."

"Aye you did. That was your friends Jefferson and Miss Swan. They showed up just moments after you were shot. They came in from the forest, Cora and Regina never saw them coming. When Cora shot you they broke their cover, it seems that they are both rather fond of you. As it is Cora is dead. Regina will live but has been arrested as was Hook and the majority of the rest of The Heart. A few people escaped but your Director Nolan is hopeful you guys will track them down."

"How did they find us?"

"Apparently the knockout gas Cora had used on them wasn't very strong. They woke up about ten minutes later and quickly started the search. For all Cora's boasting they were apparently just as easy to track as they claimed you were. I guess Jefferson remembered you mentioning the cabin so it didn't take them long to find us."

"Ah." She was going to have to thank Jefferson and Emma for saving her ass. She knew she was going to have to listen to a very long, but rightfully earned, lecture from Jefferson and probably Director Nolan too. She'd be lucky if they didn't kick her out of the agency. She had broken just about every rule in the handbook, it didn't matter that her intentions were noble. No matter what happened though, she couldn't say she regretted a single action.

She glanced over at Rum who was studiously staring at her bedspread. It was quiet again. Belle didn't know what to say to him. "Sorry I almost got you and your son killed but I'm glad you're alive" didn't exactly roll off tongue.

"Miss French-"

"Belle, please call me Belle." They had been through a lot in such a short amount of time, it seemed ridiculous to remain formal.

"Belle, I really don't know how to thank you."

"Well I wouldn't be thanking me if I were you." She had almost gotten them killed, it wasn't really worthy of thanks.

Rum stared at her, looking bewildered. "Why wouldn't I?" he asked, the question laced with confusion.

"I did almost get you and your son killed."

"No! You saved Bae and me."

"But-"

"No, I won't hear it any other way. My son and I would still be held prisoners by those psychopaths if it weren't for you. Nothing could ever make up for that. Thank you so much. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you."

Belle smiled. Very slowly she sat up, brushing away his pleas for her to stay still and his fluttering hands trying to get her to stay down. Carefully, as to not hurt her shoulder any more Belle leaned over and brushed her lips over his in the lightest of kisses. When she pulled away he followed after her, kissing her back. It was chaste and sweet, and the best thanks she could have gotten. When they broke apart Rum was staring at her in shock as if he couldn't believe what just happened. "If you want to thank me, have dinner with me."

A smile broke across Rums face and it took her breath away. "It's a deal." And he leaned forward and kissed her once more.

That's it! The end of The Gold War. Well not completely the end, you can always head over to my tumblr, my url is the same as my pen name, and prompt more. There you can find any little tidbits that I haven't included here, such as a little insight into their life after this, and ask me any questions you want about their future. I want to thank everyone again for being so supportive, you guys rock.