Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Beauty and the Beast

Different Circumstances
Chapter 1: Something There

When Belle woke she was tucked beneath a number of blankets and lying in her bed in the castle. She blinked her eyes to clear the sleep from them and began to sit up, quickly slowing down when her head began to pound. "What happened to me?" she groaned.

Her head ached and upon further inspection she found it was bandaged, as was her right ankle. She tried to remember how she came to be injured and after a moments thought her attempted escape came into sharp focus. The last thing she remembered was falling under the ice…and he name being called. He'd been there and he was the one who saved her from what certainly would have been her death.

She lay back down on the bed and placed one hand over her eyes, her head was aching but she didn't want to go to sleep just yet. Just as she was contemplating what she should do Mrs. Potts came into the room.

"Ah you're awake. How are you feeling? Would you like some tea dear?"

Belle smiled at her enthusiasm, "A little sore but not too bad and yes please. Ah if you don't mind my asking what exactly happened?"

"Chip, come along and give miss her tea," the teapot called as her son come into view, they had forgone the tea tray and made their way themselves. She then turned her attention back to Belle. "I'm afraid dear that even I don't know all that occurred. After you ran away the master followed you and when he came back he was carrying you in his arms and leading your horse back. You were soaked to the bone and injured, as I'm sure you have discovered already. Other than that you'll have to ask the master."

Belle simply nodded her head deciding it would be best to think more on the matter once Chip and Mrs. Potts were gone.

Chip came up to her bedside and Belle scooped him up. "Hello there Chip," she smiled warmly at him despite how she felt.

"Hi Belle, are you alright now?"

"Yes I'm alright now Chip, but if you and your mother don't mind I'd like to get some sleep."

"Of course dear," Mrs. Potts' motherly instincts kicked in and she called her son away from Belle and they quickly exited the bedroom.

XXX

In the West Wing the Beast was pacing back and forth waiting for someone to tell him how she was.

He wasn't really worried for her; she had entered the West Wing after he told her it was forbidden. He should have been angry with her for that and for running away, but each time his temper began to take hold he kept seeing her lying limp in his arms after he had pulled her from the ice, his anger making way for concern over the girl.

"It's because she's hurt…besides, she's the only chance we've got…" he muttered to himself as he paced, trying to explain the concern he felt for the girl.

Finally he gave in to his curiosity and headed off in the direction of her room.

As he reached Belle's room Mrs. Potts and her son were leaving it. He saw her send Chip on ahead and then turn to address him.

"Mrs. Potts," he nodded to her.

"Master, she's sleeping just now though she was awake for a short while."

"Good then, I shall return later then," he felt awkward which was something he never felt, after all this was his castle and Mrs. Potts was one if his servants. He turned and stalked off without another word.

Mrs. Potts just watched him go without a word. She could already see the changes in him. He was showing concern for the well being of someone other than himself, he had rescued her from a wolf pack and a fall through the ice. She smiled to herself and nodded. "There's definitely something there, they just a need a little time."

XXX

Belle had not yet fallen asleep when the Beast came to her room and had heard the short conversation shared by the Beast and Mrs. Potts.

"He was worried about me," she smiled a little at the thought. "And he saved me, maybe he isn't entirely bad after all."

She then settled back down under the covers and let sleep claim her once more.