Title: Poisoned!

Author: nicksmom3612

Rating: K+ (for now, rating will go up )

Genre: Roamnce/Angts

Summary: Rumplestiltskin has been poisoned and Belle is the only one who can help him!

Authors note: I had intended for this to be only 2 chapters, but you know the old saying "the best laid plans of mice and men." Anyway here is chapter 2. It is a little short, but I have received so many story alerts that I wanted to go ahead and post what I have finished. I will try to post another chapter Sunday if possible. THANK YOU to those who have reviewed, and to those who have added it to their story alerts. I sincerely hope that you enjoy. (Don't you just love Rumple!)

Disclaimer: I own neither the show nor the characters. I don't earn any money with this piece. I just do it for fun.

Poisoned Chapter 2

Belle sat on the bed as Rumplestiltskin related what had happened on his last trip and how he had come to be poisoned. He spoke in a quite calm voice, but Belle who had learned to read him quite well over the seven months that she had lived with him, heard the rage just under the surface.

"I had just completed a deal to rid a kingdom of an illness which has been plaguing them for some months now. Almost half of their population has succumbed to it, and the doctors were at a loss as to how to stop it. Sooo.." he drawled, rolling his eyes as a smirk twisted his lips "in a last ditch effort they decided to ask for my help."

He shifted in the bed, and reaching out took her hand in his before, continuing "Upon arriving I discovered that the illness was borne by an insect, and with very little effort I was able to rid the kingdom of the infected little buggers, and whip up a potion to cure those that were already infected, which" he paused for dramatic effect… "included the kings only son." he smiled "needless to say they were very grateful." She smiled back at him, and squeezed his hand, happy that he had used his talents to help people who were helpless to help themselves. He gently pressed her hand before continuing his tale. "The king asked me to take supper with him and his family before my departure" he sighed and shook his head "and not getting these invitations very often, I accepted." He smiled ruefully "should have left when I had the chance."

He took a deep breath and let his head fall back onto the pillow as though he lacked the strength to hold it up. Belle noticed that his eyes were starting to glaze over, and quickly feeling his forehead she gasped "you're fever is rising again" her fear evident in her expression. "Get me another cup of the tea Belle" he said calmly, and she scurried to get it for him as quickly as possible. After he drank it, he looked at her with a serious expression on his face. "Belle" he said quietly "I need you to do something for me." She looked in his eyes and saw something akin to fear in them. Without flinching she said with firm resolve "anything Rumple,…anything…. Even were it to cost me my life," she started to cry, and pulling his hand to place it on her chest over her heart, whispered "for you see,… without you there is no life for me."

Rumplestiltskin looked on her as she cried and finally realized that this beautiful, entrancing woman loved him, really loved him, and all of his doubt vanished in that moment when she declared her resolve to die for him if necessary. "Belle" he choked, and reaching out pulled her to him, kissing the tears from her face and clutching her body to him tightly. Belle clung to him as she continued to cry, and thought that she must be dreaming when she heard him whisper in her ear "I love you, Belle", his voice raspy with emotion. He pulled back to look at her, and she was astonished to see tears in his eyes. He raised his hand and gently caressed her face, wiping away her tears, "can you ever forgive me for doubting you?"

Belle drew a deep breath and caressed his face, as he had hers, saying "I feared that I would never hear those words from you." Her breath caught in her throat as she struggled to control her emotions. "You… you have made me happier than I believed possible." She finally managed to get out, and putting her arms around his neck she pulled him close, "there is nothing to forgive my love."

Rumplestiltskin vividly remembered the last time he had cried, the dark day that he had lost his son Balefire. That had been decades ago, and he had shut himself off from love or even friendship, convincing himself that it was better that way, and living a life so lonely that it would have killed him if he were still entirely human. Now all the pain of those empty, lonely years came pouring out of him, and he wept openly in the arms of the only person he trusted, his Belle.

Belle held him tightly, and stroked his hair, feeling her heart break for him, and vowing to herself that, were it in her power, she would give him the happiness that this life had so far denied him.

After a few minutes he pulled away and looked into her eyes. He looked embarrassed, and in a voice which was so weak that it frightened her, he murmured "I'm sorry." Smiling she wiped away his tears, "don't be love" she whispered.

Suddenly he winced as a sharp pain lanced through his head causing him to gasp. Belle felt her heart start to pound with fear, and she said urgently "are you alright?" He grasped her hand squeezing it tight "yes love, but we must hurry."