-Belle's House-

Spare Bedroom

Bruce stirs as he slowly wakes up in the bed, looking around in confusion. The cottage-like house he was in was unlike any building he had ever woken up in before. As he sits up, he spots Belle, who was sleeping in a chair, a book laying open in her lap. Bruce smiles to himself as he quietly gets out of bed and covers Belle with the blanket that was covering him as he slept. "Wow..." Bruce says inside his mind as he looks at the sleeping Belle. "She's really beautiful." He then decides to investigate his new lodgings, heading into Maurice's workshop, where his prized invention sat, partially covered by a tablecloth, which Bruce removes and begins to inspect the odd contraption. "I wonder what this is gonna be used for..." Bruce says to himself, unaware that Belle was standing behind him.

"My father made that." Belle says, startling Bruce, who yells out.

"Ahh!" Bruce screams as he looks behind himself, spotting Belle.

"Sorry!" Belle says, startled by Bruce's scream. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Bruce exhales as he collects himself. "N-No, it's okay. I, uh...didn't know you were there."

"Heh. Again, I'm sorry. Are you feeling better?" Belle asks, wanting to know if his condition has improved after his fall from the sky.

Bruce nods. "Yes, I am feeling much better. Thank you, Miss...?" He says, not knowing Belle's name yet.

"Oh. Heh. My name is Belle." She says sweetly, an innocent smile appearing on her face.

"Belle. That's a beautiful name." Bruce says as he smiles back. "Uh..." He stutters. "I'm Bruce."

Belle smiles upon hearing his name. "Bruce. I like that name."

"Heh. Thanks, Belle." Bruce blushes.

"Are you hungry, Bruce?" Belle asks. "I can only imagine falling from the sky would work up an appetite."

Bruce chuckles as he nods his head slightly. "Yes. I am feeling a bit hungry."

-Kitchen-

Belle leads Bruce to the kitchen and starts making some warm soup for him. "You mind if I ask you some questions, Bruce?" She asks as she sets the table.

Bruce shakes his head. "Not at all. Ask away." He says with a light smile.

"Okay. Um...where are you from?" Belle asks. "I mean, I know you fell out of the sky, but...are you from a village or someplace?"

"Well...I'm from a place very far away, but I can't really remember how I got here." Bruce says, though he was actually lying. While lying was something he was against doing, especially to Belle, he figured it would be best if he didn't bring up the Avengers or his monstrous alter ego; it might not go well if Belle saw his other self.

"Oh. Okay. Well, hopefully you'll remember everything later." Belle says as she sets two bowls of soup on the table. As she sits across from Bruce, Maurice walks in.

"Ah...look who's awake." The old man says as he walks into the kitchen and sits with Belle and Bruce. He looks at Bruce and holds his hand out. "I'm Maurice. And you are?"

Bruce smiles as he shakes Maurice's hand. "Bruce." After introducing each other, the two men enjoy their breakfast. As they continue eating, Bruce starts getting all intellectual on Maurice. "Maurice?"

"Yes, Bruce?" The elderly man inquires.

"That machine you're working on...it's very impressive." Bruce says.

"Oh. Why, thank you. A-Are you a man of science?"

Bruce nods. "I sure am, Maurice. I-If you want, I can take a look at your machine sometime to see if it'll work perfectly."

Maurice is genuinely surprised by Bruce's offer. "Oh-ho-ho! Absolutely! I would be honored!" The old man says with glee. As this happens, Belle giggles at her father's glee, happy to see someone who shares her father's love of science.

After finishing their breakfast, Bruce's eyes lock onto a nearby bookshelf. "Do you...like books, Belle?" Bruce asks. "I like to read as well."

Belle silently gasps with joy. It seems that Bruce might have a love of literature like her. "Yes. I love to read. Reading is my deepest passion. Stories about knights fighting dragons, beautiful damsels in distress..." Belle says as she lists her favorite subjects in literature.

"Wow..." Bruce says, amazed by Belle's amazing love of books. "You really love books." He says, to which Belle giggles.

"I know..." Belle says, blushing at Bruce's remark. She couldn't even express how happy she was, knowing now she was not the only person in the entire village that loves books.

-Later-

Belle leads Bruce to the room he slept in and opens a dresser, giving him a shirt, a pair of pants, and some shoes, obviously to make up for the torn up clothes he had upon arriving in her world. "I figure you need these, Bruce." Belle chuckles.

Bruce chuckles back as he puts the shirt on, asking Belle to avert her eyes as he puts on the fresh pair of trousers, which he preferred over wearing the shredded shorts he wore in Hulk form. "Thank you, Belle."

Belle smiles as she nods her head. "You're welcome. Well, while you're here, would you like a trip around the village? I want you to feel welcome here."

Bruce smiles at how kind and sweet Belle is being to him. "Sure. I'd like a tour. Thanks again, Belle."

As Bruce and Belle exit the house, a short, plump-faced man watches the two depart. He runs off in a panic as he approaches the still groveling Gaston, sho is sitting by the village fountain. "Gaston! Gaston! We have a problem!" The tiny man says hyperactively.

"What is it, Lefou?" The muscular man asks with a saddened tone. "I am not in the mood..."

"Belle...I saw her leaving her home...with a man. It seems she's found someone else." Lefou says slowly, knowing full well that Gaston wouldn't take it well.

"No! No!" Gaston says with great distress as he gets up and stomps around in a huff. "Belle is to be mine, and mine alone! This man...he will not stand in my way!"