Belle felt the presence in her room again. She froze slightly. How long was this going to go on? she wondered. It had been 3 nights since she came to the Beast's castle. She still had not actually seen him, only a few glimpses of a large shadowy figure. He came at night, when it was dark, only a dim light from the lamp on her dresser and the fireplace. She started again brushing her long, brunette hair, holding the ends up as the brush went through and twisting the curl around with her finger before moving on to the next tress. She sighed and lightly tapped the back of the sliver brush on the palm of her other hand. Clearing her throat slightly, she broke the silence.

"You can come in further, if you'd like." She stayed still on her bed, but turned her head to look behind her. She was just able to see the movement of a dark coat going out her door. Disappointed, she turned back to look down at her brush.

The next day she spent mostly as she had previous three, exploring the grounds, the extensive library, reading. The servants were very solicitous and amiable. She ate her meals in a grand dining room alone. She had still not seen the Beast who has bought her at the wife auction. Whatever stories she'd heard in her village about him were vague and contradictory. The servants were complimentary, but vague about him whenever she asked. Deciding this was turning out to be better than being the tortured wife and slave of any of the other men in the village, particularly Gaston, she resigned herself to the strange uncertainty and happenings in this castle she'd been brought to. Her curiosity about him increased with each day he kept himself hidden, watching her from the shadows.

That night she was dressed down to her nightgown, a simple garment and worn. The clothes she had brought with her were functional and limited. She'd learnt to make do with the little she and her father had. She looked down and tied the frayed ribbon on the front and as she gathered her hair in her hands, she felt the presence behind her once again. She looked forward and placed her hands down on the bed in front of her and stood still, and waited. She didn't speak this time, hoping to draw him out.

She heard a slight noise, a few steps, and felt him closer behind her. She resisted the urge to turn, and stayed still, her heart beating in her chest more rapidly – fear, excitement? She wasn't sure how much of a mix.

Finally he spoke, "I'm sorry." His voice was deep, rich, but different.

She shook her head slightly back and forth, "It's okay." She tried to sound encouraging, still facing forward.

"I – " his deep baritone wavered, "May I touch you – just on your arm?"

She couldn't help but smile a little at the strange request, "Yes, of course." The long thin sleeve of her linen nightgown was gently dented towards her skin by his pressure. She could barely feel it. After a minute of this, she said a little louder, "I won't bite, I promise."

She was rewarded with a low chuckle, "I am trying to be careful," he said.

"I understand," she said. She took a low deep breath, wondering how far he would go. She had no experience with anything physical with any man, let alone a beast. He pushed a little farther, running his thick finger down her arm, as if tracing the outline through her clothing. He brushed against the top of her hand just for a moment, but it was enough for her to feel the soft fur, the warmth. She then felt his hand on her back – just the one finger tracing down from her shoulder to stop at the indent of her waist. She drew in a sharp breath, and immediately he withdrew.

"I apologize, I should not have." He backed away.

"No, it just tickled a bit, I wasn't prepared." She pulled her hands together and clasped them.

She heard him start to walk away.

"No – wait." She turned, "Please, I – I would like to talk to you."

He turned, still hidden in darkness. "Why?"

She faced his shadowy figure. "I am living here now, I would like to know who I'm living with." She didn't know how to put her thoughts into words without scaring him off.

"You are living with a beast."

She nodded. "What is your name? I guess you know I'm Belle."

He started to pace slowly back and forth by her door, about 6 feet away. "My name is Beast."

"That's what you want me to call you? Don't you have a name? You must have had one before."

He said more emphatically, "My name is Beast."

"Okay. Um, do you eat?"

He stopped pacing, "What?"

"Well, what do you eat?"

"The same food as you." She could hear the confusion in his voice.

"Why don't you eat with me?"

"Why would you want me to?"

She let out a little frustrated grunt and leaned her back against the edge of the bed. "I, I don't like eating alone," she looked down and became emotional, "Sorry," she whispered as her voice caught in her throat.

"You will not like my appearance. I have not wanted to subject you to it."

Her eyes were starting to get used to the dim corner he was talking to her from, she could vaguely make out his features, his movements. She had imagined for days what he might look like, prepared herself for it as much as she thought she could. He was definitely a hulking figure, but he was dressed in fine clothing as a man, talking and walking around as a man. She saw him look down as he talked. She knew he was protecting himself more than her.

"I think you underestimate me, Beast. You don't know how I will react."

He let out a grunt, "I have seen it before." He hesitated, then slowly walked towards her, "Very well, then."

She couldn't help but let out an audible gasp as he walked towards her into the light of the room. She took a step back around the end of the bed. He looked self-satisfied with her reaction, and held his large arms out, bowing slightly to her. He crossed his massive arms back on his chest, and smirked, looking down at her.

"I - you are very tall." She said, moving back around the side of the bed towards him.

"Tall? Is that all you have to say?" he was taken aback.

"Well, yes. That, and, of course you have the build of a beast, as I expected. She frowned, "And covered in fur. But, your features are not so displeasing." She smiled.

He shook his head and put his paw up to his eyes. This woman was not to be believed. "I don't know what to say," he peered out at her, frowning.

"Well then, say you will have breakfast with me in the morning."

"Why is that so important to you?"

She reached her hands back and pulled herself up on the bed, her legs dangling down. "Your servants are very nice and accommodating, but I am feeling very lonely. I am not used to it."

"I see. I am here as your amusement, am I?"

She felt anger bubbling up, wanting to retort that was actually what she was doing there, apparently. Her intent softened when she looked in his eyes and saw a flicker of his humanity, his fear, and tried to imagine what he must be living with every day with this curse. "No, I don't mean that. You will do what you please, of course. It is just a request, that is all. Like I said, I would like to learn more about you. I don't mean any offense."

He slowly nodded, "I will think about it."

"That's wonderful."

"I have disturbed you enough tonight, I bid you my leave." He bowed his head slightly towards her.

"Good night," she called after him, and shivered, jumping down to stoke the fire in the fireplace.

He walked back to his room in a daze. He'd rehearsed in his mind a hundred times having a conversation with her, and it went nothing like he'd anticipated. She would be trembling with fear, attempting to cover it up, but unable to completely hide her anguish, her horror at her fate and his appearance. "But she didn't do that," he mumbled to himself. Other women had recoiled in horror at him, but she, though surprised, had done the opposite. She'd even said his features were pleasing. "Pleasing," he snorted in disgust. Pushing the door to his bedroom aside, he wiped the dust off the small mirror he used to check his clothes, and forced himself to look at what she had so intently studied. His eyes roved over his brown fur, the large dark horns curving up from his head. His mouth and eyes, his nose were still somewhat human in form, but still half beast. He turned away quickly.

The next morning he nervously strode in the large dining room, the servants scurrying with pleased surprise at his presence. Belle looked up from her plate half-eaten and took in his appearance in the full light of day. To her relief, he was not nearly as intimidating and angry looking as he had been at night. "I apologize, I should not have started eating if I had known for sure you would be coming." She smiled widely.

He sat down at the head of the long table next to her, "No, it is I who should apologize to you for not being here first to hold your chair out for you." He pulled a napkin off the table and placed it in his lap, "I assure you, it won't happen again." He had actually been up for hours, fussing with his clothes, his fur, building up courage to come down and see her in the light of day. They ate together quietly, making a few comments on the food. She was impressed at how delicately he was able to eat. She finished first, and waited until he was done, hoping she could spend some time with him that morning, but he held her chair for her as she got up, and bowed, saying he would be out most of the day.

Later he was back, talking to Lumiere, and asked where she was.

"She's in the yard, she's been out there for a while." He pointed.

"I'll go check on her." As Beast went through the orchards and past the livery stable, he heard some thumping noises. Following the sound, he rounded behind the barn and stopped short, watching as she held an axe over her head and slammed it down on a large piece of wood. As she bent down to pick it up, she noticed Beast watching her.

"Oh, hello. I didn't see you there." She used the back of her hand to brush loose hair off her face.

"Why are you doing this?"

She shrugged, "It needed to be done, you see the pile over there," she put her hand on her hip and took a deep breath, "I was taking a walk around, and just came across it. I figured, why not." She walked the pieces over to the pile. "Am I not allowed to do that or something?" she squinted at him in the light from the setting sun.

"No, I was just surprised."

"Well," she put another large block up on the stump and held the axe up and brought it down with a strong swing, breaking it into three pieces. "I do this at home. My father is very old, and I'm his only family, so I have to take care of a lot of things." She took the pieces and added them to the pile. She walked closer up to him, "I'm pretty much done for now," she was slightly out of breath from the excursion, but with pink cheeks and a smile. They walked together past the barn, where she opened the door and put the axe inside. He watched her, suddenly aware that she could use that as a weapon, that and any of the other tools inside. It concerned him, he had seen her in town before, yes, and so far she had been very pleasant, but she was a total stranger. How much trust could he put in her? As they strolled through the garden towards the castle, he looked at her critically, trying to ascertain more about her character. After all, she could wait until he was asleep and at the very least, wound him, and more seriously injure the servants and make her escape.

For now, she was telling him about how beautiful his gardens and grounds were, asking him questions about the types of fruit trees he had. She held her arms close to her and shivered as they walked.

"You are cold, here, take this," and he quickly unbuttoned his jacket and handed it to her. As she pulled her arms in the sleeves, she said, "I forgot to bring my coat. I hadn't planned on being out here this late." She held her arms down, her hands disappearing in the long sleeves. She pulled the blue velvet around her waist and smiled, "Look at me," and she knelt down slightly, the bottom of his coat on her touching the ground. She laughed, "I'm just a head sticking out of a coat." He chuckled at her and shook his head as she stood up and ran up to catch up to him. "Thanks, this is warm." She looked down at the expensive fabric and exquisite embroidery. She furrowed her brows, like most the furniture in the castle, it was much older, old-fashioned in style. She started to ask him about it, but changed her mind. It felt too soon to try and question him too much about anything. Whatever the particulars of the curse, his life, it would have to unfold in time as he was willing to let happen.

Back inside the castle, she gave him his coat back and went to the kitchen for something to eat. Beast sought out Lumiere in the main drawing room. "Ask Mrs. Potts to delay her, and meet me in Belle's quarters." A few minutes later, Lumiere came in her room to find Beast standing in the middle of it. He gestured around, "Did you search her things when she arrived?"

"No, Sire, honestly I did not think of it."

"We need to do that now."

Lumiere raised his eyebrows, but agreed, and looked through the bureau. "Just clothes, sir. Not many, and very worn."

Beast nodded, "Keep looking, search her bag."

"What are we looking for?" Lumiere pulled it out from under the bed.

"Hopefully nothing. I want to be safe, take precautions. We don't know her, what she may be capable of."

Lumiere started to dump the contents of her cloth sack out on the floor when Beast stopped him, "Please, try not to disturb anything. I prefer she not know we have been in here."

Lumiere put it down on the floor and moved items inside. "A few old books, some drawings, looks like of an older man, maybe her father?" he rummaged through it down to the bottom, "An extra pair of shoes, a purse," he felt around it, "A small amount of coins." He closed it and put in back under her bed. "Nothing else." He looked around the room.

Beast pointed to the small table by her bed, "Did you look in there?"

Lumiere went over and pulled the drawer out, looking through some papers when they heard a voice from the door, "What's going on?"

Lumiere sprung up as Beast turned to see Belle wide-eyed walking slowly in the room. "Is there something wrong?" she asked.

"Lumiere, please leave us." Beast commanded.

He nodded and quickly walked past her. Belle turned back to Beast, looking over at her open drawer. She looked back up at him, "Why are you two in here? Are you looking for something?" she felt heat start to rise up her face and put her hand on a table for support. "Do you think I'm stealing from you?"

Beast shook his head no vigorously. "No, not at all. Please understand, you are unknown to us. I am responsible for the safety of the servants here. I had to check your belongings for anything that may be of risk. We were planning on doing this before you came back to your room, I apologize you saw what we were doing."

She walked past him to her drawer and closed it. She glanced under her bed and saw her bag in a different place than she had left it. "What do you think I would have?"

"Weapons, poison, anything."

She raised her eyebrows. Looking around the room, she tensed and slowly let out a breath. "I don't like that you did that, but I understand."

Her reaction surprised him. He expected anger and hysterics.

She continued, "Your mistrust makes sense until you know me better. I am at more of a disadvantage of trust as I am not in charge here. I am forced to trust you sooner, unless you do something to change that. I hope that doesn't happen."

He thought over what she said. She was so different from any woman he'd ever known, thoughtful, quiet, and unexpected. He walked over to her wardrobe and opened it. She stepped closer to him, "Look in all the pockets, anything you need to." She crossed her arms.

The irritation in her voice was not lost on him. He moved the clothes back and forth, feeling the thin fabric between the pads on his fingers. He turned to look down at her, "Is this your coat?"

She nodded.

He pulled the cord for the bell, and Lumiere appeared shortly. "Yes?" he looked between the two of them, not sure what had transpired after he left.

"Tomorrow I'd like you to go to town and have some new clothes made for her. The weather will be turning cold soon, and I want to make sure she has everything she needs. Please make a list. Dresses, nightgowns, petticoats, a dressing robe, several coats, under things, shoes, stockings," he looked at Belle, "Have I forgotten anything?"

"Well, no, I don't think so."

Lumiere had sat down at her desk and pulled some paper and was frantically writing with a quill. "Some outside dresses as well? I have noticed, Miss, that you like to do outdoor activities."

"Um, yes."

Beast picked up her hairbrush and studied it, "Also hats and gloves, a new bag for her things," he gestured towards her, "Whatever colors and fabrics are to your liking, let him know." he put the brush down and turned to leave.

She turned to Lumiere, "That's – very nice of him."

"Yes Miss." He wrote down her preferences, and as he stood to leave, he hesitated, "I'm sorry we searched through your things, we had to."

"Have you actually had people bring in weapons and poison before?"

"Yes, we have." He said matter of factly.

"Wow, that's pretty awful."

"Yes, Miss," he held up his list, "Anything else? Anything you need from the shops?"

"Would it be alright to have some drawing paper and pencils and some embroidery supplies?"

He brightened and bowed, "It would be my pleasure. It would make the Master very happy." He left.

She stood for a moment, thinking over the events that had just taken place in her room. Beast was at the same time confoundingly puzzling and completely understandable. She felt drawn to him, comfortable with him, and it made no sense to her. She left her room for his, knowing it was down the hall past a number of empty, dusty bedrooms. One room at the end of the hall by a staircase had light coming from under the door, piercing the darkness in the hall. She knocked on the door.

"Enter," his deep voice boomed out.

She turned the latch and walked in. The heavy furniture had dark wood with ornate carvings. It was a larger room, with larger furniture, as would be expected for his stature. He had a roaring fire in his expansive fireplace that drew her attention.

"You may leave it on the table." He said, turned away from her writing at his desk.

"What?" she asked.

His head snapped up and he looked at her with shock. "Belle!"

She smiled, "I'm sorry, you were expecting Lumiere?"

He stood up quickly, "Yes, I was, but please – come in." he gestured to a seating area by the fireplace. She sat in a large wing chair and he sat across from her. He cleared his throat, "Did Lumiere make all the arrangements with you?"

She brightened, "Yes, thank you so much. You didn't have to do so much."

He waved a paw at her, "It had nothing to do with guilt over the room search. I was planning on providing for what you need."

"I appreciate your candor," she pulled her feet under her. "I know I didn't bring much with me, it was all I had." She looked at him thoughtfully. "Why did you buy me at the auction?"

"Why did you put yourself up for auction?" he countered.

"I suppose that's fair." She went on to tell him of her father's debts and her decision to sell herself off to pay them. "As much as I know he will miss me, he will be better able to take care of himself without having to provide for me as well. He did not know of my plan, I left him a letter." She looked down, tears forming in her eyes. She cleared her throat and shifted in the chair. "So, your turn. Why did you buy me?"

Beast leaned back, "I was in my carriage, stopped waiting for Lumiere in one of the shops. I go to town sometimes, always staying inside. I looked out and saw the auction block in the distance. I was surprised to see you up there. I've seen you in town before. When Lumiere came back, I had him take us closer. I could hear the men talking about how they were going to take you down a peg, teach you a lesson."

She raised her eyebrows.

"I saw the desperation in your eyes, and I didn't think you deserved that fate." He looked up at her. "Honestly, I didn't think much past that, as you can probably tell."

She smiled. "I thank you so, so much. I appreciate what you've done for me, you can never know how much." Tears started spilling down her face.

He was startled by the intensity of her reaction, and gratified that it proved he made the correct choice. He leaned towards her, wanting to comfort her, but holding back. "Belle, I will do my best to make you comfortable here."

She nodded, "Thank you. I'm glad you brought me here." She wiped her face. "I –" she chuckled, "I don't like to get so emotional. I actually came in here to try and learn more about you." She saw him tense up. She changed tactics. "I mean, what are you interested in, what do you like to do? You have an amazing library, which I love by the way. You have lovely horses. You were writing – do you like to do that?"

He smiled softly, "I do like to read as well. It takes me into another world, someone else's life. I also like to study – architecture, agriculture. We are constantly working on the castle, the grounds and gardens. I am unable to ride horses anymore, unfortunately, I used to enjoy that very much." He said wistfully.

She was quiet, watching his eyes go back to another time. He looked back at her, "Do you play piano?"

She shook her head, "I enjoy music, but sadly, no, I have never learnt to play. We did not have an instrument in our house."

"Singing?" he asked.

She smiled and shook her head again, "My voice would send you running into the woods."

He laughed, and she laughed with him. "I don't believe that," he said.

"Oh, it's true. I'm not one for false modesty. I say what I mean. It's a trait that's gotten me in a lot of trouble, unfortunately."

"I disagree, I believe it is an admirable quality. Makes you unusual, and interesting, particularly in a woman."

"Your appreciation of that makes you unusual as well." she replied.

He held his hands out, "You can't get much more unusual than me."

She turned pink, "Yes, I suppose so."

There was a knock at the door, and he bid Lumiere to enter.

"Oh, I didn't know you were in here, Miss. Could I bring you something to drink as well?" he put a glass down on the small table between the chairs.

She shook her head no, "I need to get back to my room. It's getting late."

Lumiere bowed and left.

She turned to Beast. "I'll see you in the morning." She reached up and untied the ribbon holding her hair, handing it to him. She turned to go, and as he examined the smooth pink satin in his large, hairy fingers, he said, "Why did you give me this?"

She stopped, her hand on the door, "I just felt like it had probably been a long time since someone had given you something like that."

He furrowed his brows and said bitterly, "I don't need your pity."

She shook her head, "It's not pity. It's – understanding. There's a difference." She started to go out, then stopped and looked back in the room, "and I wanted to give you something that was mine." She quickly turned and left his room, closing his door.

He turned his eyes from the specter of her patterned dress and messy brown curls flying behind her and looked down at the pink ribbon. He held it up and sniffed it, his eyes closed. A flurry of emotions washed over him, and he leaned his elbows on his knees and sighed heavily.