Hello everyone, whoever everyone is. I've been working on this story for a long time and I have it finished enough that I'm going to post the first couple parts. This story will mainly focus on Cogsworth and my OC Jane, but it will also feature all the character's you love from this franchise. Just to give a heads up the other pairings will be Lumiere and Babette, Mrs. Potts and Maurice, and of course Belle and her prince. Furthermore, the story will be sort of a dramedy with plenty of humor, but it will get pretty dark at times. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it.

Rated: T

Disclaimer: I do not own Beauty and the Beast.

Beauty and the Butler

Prologue

The Doctor entered through the doors to the asylum, following the guard that led him. Even though he had been here on several occasions he still felt his stomach twist in a sickening way as they passed by several cells, the arms of patients reaching out toward him from their cages. The hall was dark, only illuminated by the torches that hung mounted on the wall. He tried to ignore the distant screaming that echoed in his ears.

The guard led him into a room and pointed to the chair that sat facing a large desk. "Sit. Monsieur D'Arque will be in momentarily." The door shut and he stood in the nearly empty room. He walked slowly to the desk that was cleared off aside from a human skull that sat upon it, seemingly staring at him. He had seen it before, but it never ceased to upset him. He knew D'Arque kept it there for that purpose. Despite his repulsion, he found his hand landing on top of the smooth skull, his fingers finding the hole that had been drilled into the poor fellows head.

"Hello Doctor." He jumped and turned to face the master of the Maison De Lunes. "You came alone? How very unfortunate. I was hoping your wife could have joined us. She is a pretty little thing." The doctor felt his hair stand on end and his fists clenched at his side. He forced his voice to remain calm.

"She had a previous engagement…" He didn't mention that he had asked her to stay home. He hated the way D'Arque slid his eyes over her.

"Pity."

"Please sir. I didn't come here to discuss my wife with you."

"Then what brings you to my asylum."

"You know as well as I do." The tall man made his way behind his desk and sat slowly, folding his bony hands together.

"You wish for me to reconsider your offer… Well, I've read over your research and once more I find it lacking sufficient data." The doctor felt his pulse race.

"Insufficient data?! The last patient I rescued…" He stopped abruptly at the look he received "that you so graciously leant us…" He corrected. "Has shown massive improvement. If you'd only let us show you. There is no need for the barbaric treatments that you practice here." Monsieur D'Arque leaned back in his chair, grunting.

"Doctor, I am a patient man. I've listened to you spout the same argument over and over again and I see nothing here worth my time. Leave me before I have you thrown out." The doctor's fist landed on the desk.

"Mark my words D'Arque. I will have this place shut down." He was about to turn to leave but was stopped.

"Wait doctor. I can see you need some persuasion. You can have your pick of my patients to continue your research."

"And what if I refuse your offer and report you to the prince?"

"You really think that will work? People don't care about those kept here. They are dropped off and never visited. They are forgotten because people wish to forget them. Your idealistic values are not shared by your fellow man." The doctor closed his eyes. He had him cornered once more.

"Any patient I choose?" He asked reluctantly.

"Any patient."

She sat on her hard cot, rocking back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. When she heard the gate to her cell open her body twitched and she ran to the corner as if to hide. It was him. She fell to her knees and put her hands over her ears, humming to herself so she could not hear. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder, but it didn't feel as cold as usual. She opened her eyes and looked up. It was a different man. She looked passed him to see Monsieur D'Arque standing in the doorway, his dark eyes on her. She shrank back even further.

"It's alright Mademoiselle. I'm here to help." Said the man with kind eyes, now kneeling beside her. She looked at him, but didn't answer. "What is your name?" Her mouth remained closed. He turned to address the master. "What is her name?"

"Jane" Answered D'Arque. "She's no good doctor. She'll never be rehabilitated."

"She is malnourished. Perhaps if she was given a proper meal she would improve."

"I'm afraid she refuses to eat. Come, there are other patients more suited. She is beyond all help." The doctor stood abruptly.

"I wonder if you say that to keep her here for yourself?! I can see the way she cowers in your presence. You agreed that I could take any patient and this is the one I choose." Jane sat in confused silence. The master of the asylum stood rigidly and she feared he would lose his temper. She braced herself.

"Very well. Take her and get out of my sight." He left abruptly, leaving her alone with the other man.

"Come. Can you stand mademoiselle?" He held out an open hand to her. She stared at it. Was she imagining this? "It's okay. You're safe now."

"Safe?" She finally spoke.

"That's right. Safe. Come on now, let's leave." Jane took his hand, half expecting for him to disappear as she did, but she found it quite real. He pulled her to her feet and led her from the asylum into the outside world, full of light and warmth.

I hope you all enjoyed the Prologue. I promise your favorite characters will appear in the next chapter. This was just to set premise of the story.