Zack tore down the stairs and through the hallways as fast as he could. He slammed open the kitchen door and skidded to a halt.

"Caroline! Lance! Come quick!" he yelled frantically.

The housekeeper, who was cleaning up from dinner dropped the dishes and made towards the younger man with Lance following behind.

"What is it boy? Why are you hollering like that?"

"She…Mademoiselle Temperance…the Master…she…" he panted.

"Slow down Zack, take a deep breath…" Lance tried.

"She left! Mademoiselle Temperance left the castle! The Master, he let her go!"

"No!" gasped Lance, "He let her go?"

"Wait just a minute!" Caroline commanded them both, "Zack, what happened, tell me everything."

"I overheard Temperance saying she missed her father and then the Master, he showed her his mirror. Her father, he's in trouble and the Master, he told her to go, told her to take his stallion and return home. She nearly ran me down as she went to the stables. Now she's gone and we're doomed, all of us!"

Lance had grown very pale and Caroline's face was etched with worry. She took a deep breath.

"Zack, did the Master ask Temperance to return?"

He shook his head, "She said something to him before she left, but I didn't catch it. Does it matter now anyways? She's gone!"

"You said she ran, this doesn't sound good," Lance said quietly.

"Now, now, we have to think about this rationally boys. It could be that Temperance intends to return. Lance, go talk to the Master, hear what he has to say."

Lance nodded and made off to the beast's wing of the castle. Slowly, Zack turned to Caroline and whispered, "What if she doesn't come back? We don't have much time left."

The housekeeper patted him gently on the back, "We hope that she comes back, that's all we can do."

________________________________________________________________________

A light knocking broke the silence in the dark chambers.

"Go away!" the beast bellowed from deep within.

Ignoring the demand, Lance opened the door quietly and walked in. The large room was sparsely furnished. A king size bed sat at one end and in the middle a small table. Next to the table, looking out to the open balcony doors sat the beast, slumped in a chair.

Lance's attention went from the beast to the table. Upon it was a glass casement, within, a single rose in an ornate vase. The rose, which had begun life a brilliant, glowing red, full in bloom, now withered away with one petal left on it. The beast, seated next to the rose seemed to mirror the flower's ways.

"Master?"

"I said go away," came a low growl.

"Did something happen with Mademoiselle Temperance tonight? Zack said she left the castle."

His voice was harsh, "She's gone and I wish not to speak of it."

"Will she return?"

"I don't know," this time the beast sounded dejected, his voice small and weak, "Please, just leave me."

A terrified Lance left the room and ran back to the kitchen.

Caroline and Zack met him again in the warm room looking anxious for news.

"What did he say?" Caroline demanded.

Lance shook his head, his face drawn and full of sorrow, "Its worse than I thought. The Master, I don't think he thinks she'll return."

"And the rose?" Caroline sounded scared now.

"The rose is on its final petal. If the Master loses all hope, there is nothing we can do."

________________________________________________________________________

The great stallion reared to a halt outside the tavern and Temperance hopped off, quickly tying it up and then bursting through the door. The pub was crowded but her entrance had not gone unnoticed. People gasped and pointed at her as she stalked through, scanning for one person in particular. Her eyes fell upon him. He had not seen her yet; he was preoccupied with a group of men, probably boasting to them.

"Sullivan Gaston!" she marched right up to him and stuck a finger in his face accusingly.

Taken off guard his mouth dropped open at the sight of her.

"Belle! You're back! How…when?" he stammered.

"Where is my father?"

"He said you were taken by a great beast, we thought he was making up stories for your disappearance. The whole town has been worried sick about you."

"I said, where is my father? Did you not hear me through that thick skull of yours?"

"Why he's in the jail. We locked him up because we thought he had done something to you. His trial is tomorrow."

Furious, Temperance shoved Gaston as hard as she could in the chest and shouted, "You release him this instant! He did nothing to me! I am safe and I went willingly!"

The push had not moved the strong man an inch and he laughed at Temperance.

"Surely we're not to believe a story about you living with a beast! What did your father really do to you Belle? You can tell me, I'll keep you safe."

This time she hauled off and smacked Gaston as hard as she could across the face.

"You will not accuse my father of anything! I said release him!"

Sullivan Gaston rubbed at his cheek and eyed Temperance, "Then maybe you can explain where you were," his voice was even but still slightly mocking.

She glared at him and through gritted teeth said, "There is a beast and I traded a month of my life to him in exchange for my father's life. The beast is a kind, gentle creature and did not harm me at all. He let me come here to see my father and I find that you've locked him up. Release him now Sullivan Gaston or you will regret it."

Gaston searched her face and realized she was telling the truth, except he did not like it one bit.

"The beast is real you say? And he forced you to trade your life for your fathers?" he raised an eyebrow, challenging the story. He then faced the attentive crowd.

"Then we shall rally together, hunt and kill the beast!" he raised his arm and riled the mass of people.

"No!" Temperance cried, "You will not harm him!"

"She's under the beast's spell to protect it! We shall free Belle and kill the beast before it comes after us!" Gaston yelled.

The crowd cheered in support, some began to chant 'kill the beast!'

"Gaston no!" she grabbed onto his arm, holding him back. He shoved her off roughly and grabbed her arm in return.

"If you'll not help us Belle, then we'll lock you up for safe keeping with your old man!"

She struggled but he was too powerful and he dragged her kicking and screaming to the jail. Once there she was thrown into the cell as the mob collected torches and weapons to search out and kill the beast.

As the door slammed closed Temperance grabbed the bars, screaming desperately for someone to believe her.

"Temperance, honey, is that you?" a soft voice came from deeper in the cell.

She turned suddenly to find her father standing in the dim light.

"Father!" she ran into his embrace and the tears fell freely down her face, "Oh father, they're going to kill him! I have to get to him, I have to warn him!"

The older man brushed at the tears on his daughter's face, "The beast, he didn't hurt you?"

"No, not at all, never. He's kind and caring, he saved my life, and he would never hurt me."

She began to sob again and her father hugged her, "He's also strong and the castle looks secure. He may be able to hold them off."

"Gaston is determined to get him. He'll not stop till he kills the beast."

Temperance tore away from her father and searched the cell. She pulled at the bars on the windows and doors, trying to find some way out. In vain her father helped too, knowing it was useless.

All of a sudden footsteps could be heard in the corridor and Temperance rushed for the door.

"Help! Someone please let us out!"

"We're coming!" came a familiar voice.

Angela rounded the corner and Temperance's face burst into a smile, "Angela! I'm so glad to see you! Quick, get us out!"

"Sweetie! I'm glad to see you too! Jack is coming, he's getting the key. I'm so happy you're alright, especially after what your father told us."

"I'm fine but I need to get to the beast, I need to stop Gaston. Where is Jack?!"

"I'm right here," replied the man with the curly brown hair. He dangled the keys from his hands, "Angela and I heard everything in the tavern and we quickly hid. We figured Gaston would do this."

He fumbled with the keys and then found the right one. The jail door swung open and Temperance ran out calling, "Quickly, I have a stallion tied up outside."

She made it to the street and stopped in her tracks. The beast's prized horse was gone.

"I'll kill Gaston myself!" she bellowed as the others came up behind her.

Angela laid a hand on her friend's shoulder, "Is the beast worth all this? Do you really care for him?"

The truth was in Temperance's eyes, "Yes, I must get back to him."

"Then I can help you," said Jack, "My best horse is around the corner. He's faster than any other in the land; you'll be there in no time. Take it."

Temperance launched herself at Jack and hugged him. She turned to her friend and then father doing the same.

"Thank you," she said over and over as she made for the stallion.

"Be careful!" Angela cried as Temperance mounted.

She was then gone in a cloud of dust as she urged the horse into a run.

________________________________________________________________________

The mob rode through the forest, brandishing torches and weapons, crying out for blood. Their chants echoed through the trees and it wasn't long before the wind brought the noise through the beast's balcony doors.

A frantic Lance scurried into the Master's chambers only to find the great beast still in the same chair.

"Master, what shall we do? They're coming for you, for us! They mean to harm us."

"They'll not harm you. Let them come."

"But Master…"

"I said let them come."

_______________________________________________________________________

The wind rushed past her, her hair flying loose as she rode faster than she had in her life. The sound of the horses galloping hooves almost kept time with her heart as she hoped she wasn't too late. She then caught site of the torches not far up ahead and veered sharply around, deciding to approach the castle from behind so as not to be seen. She might make it; she hoped the horse would not fail her.

________________________________________________________________________

"Beast! Show yourself!" came the call from Gaston as he stood at the gates to the castle.

The mob roared around him as they echoed the demand. There was no answer from the dark castle.

"Break down the gates!"

The crowd parted and a large, crudely made battering ram emerged. The men on either side of it gave a loud yell as they ran towards the gates, smashing the wood ram into the metal.

"Again!"

The ram struck the gates over and over, the mob cheered as they became weaker. As they came looser Gaston realized he could fit through. Climbing the bars high enough to address the crowd he held up his hand for attention.

"I'm going in to slay the beast myself!"

Roars of approval washed over him as he drew his bow and arrow and thrust it in the air. Sullivan Gaston then slipped through the gates and approached the castle.

As he made to knock the doors down, they eerily slid open on their own, inviting him inside. The large man hesitated for half a second, and then plunged into the darkness beyond.

"Beast, show yourself!" he called out yet again, trying to gain a sense of his surroundings. A large dark figure lurked at the top of the staircase and Sullivan Gaston followed it.

At the top of the stairs he paused, but the flash of lightning at the end of the hall caught his attention. The entrance to the beast's rooms stood wide open, the storm brewing outside visible past the balcony.

"I'm coming for you beast!"

He strode confidently along the corridor and into the room, "Don't be a coward beast! Where are you?"

"Out here."

Another flash of lightning illuminated the beast on the balcony his fur whipping in the wind. His back was turned to the intruder. Gaston did not hesitate; he took his shot at the beast.

The arrow pierced the great shoulder and the beast cried out in pain. Gaston advanced on him and using all his strength hoisted the beast over the balcony and onto the roof of the castle. The man jumped over himself and stood over the beast who looked up at him with sad eyes.

Sullivan Gaston and the beast stared each other down as the rain began to fall.

"So you're the monstrosity that stole Belle from her father," Gaston spit at the beast.

"She came to me willingly."

"Under threat of death! What did you do to her?"

"Nothing, I swear I never hurt her, I never would," the beast answered from where he lay.

"Get up! Get up beast!" Gaston demanded.

"I will not fight you."

Sullivan kicked the beast hard, yet the large mass did not react.

"Get up!" Gaston screamed as he drew his knife and raised it high above the beast.

"Gaston no!"

Her cry came from the balcony and both sets of eyes whipped up to her.

"Temperance," the beast breathed, hardly believing that she was back.

Sullivan Gaston took the moment to swing his knife down, but the beast was faster. Strong fists collided as the beast finally engaged in the fight. The beast rose to his full height, pushing the knife and his enemy back. Seeing the beast in his full glory Gaston gasped.

The beast gave a hard shove and forced Gaston to jump away to a lower part of the roof. Stunned, Gaston did not see the beast follow him and land in the shadows.

"Come out and fight beast!" bellowed Gaston.

No answer came.

"What happened beast? Did you fall in love with her? Did you honestly think she'd want you when she could have someone like me?" taunted Gaston.

A shadow suddenly loomed over the man and he swung around quickly. The beast struck at him but Gaston ducked. He then tried to stab the beast again but missed. They continued to take blows at each other, backing away from the safety of the wall, towards the edge of the roof. The beast's back was to the edge and Gaston saw his advantage. He raised the knife high above his head.

"It's over beast! She is mine!"

Backing into a crouch, the beast lunged at Gaston, bearing his teeth and letting out a fierce growl. Gaston instantly fell backwards but the beast caught him by the shirt and thrust him out over the edge.

Sullivan Gaston clawed at the beast's arms, his face struck with terror.

"Please, please just let me go, please, don't drop me," he pleaded, "I'll do anything, please!"

The beast's angry expression suddenly softened as he realized he could not kill this man, even after all he had done. If he killed Gaston, he would be the terrible beast that was his exterior. If he let Gaston go, then maybe, maybe he would find redemption.

Slowly, he swung Sullivan back onto the wet cement, placing him on his knees. The beast held his grip as he growled low in the man's face;

"Get out."

The beast then tossed Gaston aside with disgust, turning away from his foe.

"Beast!"

Temperance stood above him, smiling down and reaching her hand towards him. He reached out, calling her name. He climbed up the wall, closer and closer to her. Finally her small hand touched his paw and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Temperance, you came back," he gently brushed his other paw against her face.

She closed her eyes, leaning into the caress, but as she did the beast lunged backwards, his eyes filling with pain.

Temperance screamed as Sullivan Gaston pulled his bloody knife from the beast's side.

As the beast's grip on the wet balcony slipped, Temperance grabbed his shirt and paw, pulling him back towards her.

Sullivan Gaston gave a shout of victory as the beast cried out again in pain. But as he basked in his glory, he too lost his handle on the wet tiles. He plunged backwards, crying out in terror as he fell away from the castle.

Temperance helped the beast over the balcony and he collapsed on the cold stone.

"Beast," she stroked his face, willing him to wake up. She removed her riding cape

and placed it against the stab wound.

He opened his brown eyes and gazed at her, "You came back," he smiled.

"I promised I would," she replied, "This is all my fault…"

"No," he stopped her and took her hand, "No, maybe this is for the better."

"Stay with me beast, you'll be alright," her voice was thick with worry. She pressed harder against her cape, the blood starting to seep out beneath it.

His paw caressed her face again, "Temperance…" he said her name weakly as his vision began to blur.

"No! Stay with me beast, come on, stay with me!" the tears fell down her cheeks, mixing with the rain. His eyes closed.

"Beast! Don't leave me, please, stay with me…" she pleaded.

His great chest stopped rising and falling and she collapsed on it, "Please beast, stay with me…I love you…"

From the doorway to the balcony three sets of eyes turned from the heart breaking scene in front of them to the rose in the glass casement. The final petal slowly fell onto the table.

Tears slid down Caroline's face as she cradled Zack to her shoulder. Lance turned away.

Out in the rain, Temperance sobbed as she hugged the beast's body.

It started slowly, but a glow began to appear on the beast's body. As it reached Temperance, she pulled away as the light and warmth spread over her. She backed away as the beast's entire body seemed to be engulfed in a halo of light.

The light grew brighter till it was a blinding white, shimmering with flecks of silver and gold.

She shielded her eyes as the light burst.

As soon as it had begun it was over. Yet when Temperance looked back, the beast's body was gone. Lying in its place was a man. She would have thought him dead, but his chest rose and fell and then he rolled over, his face to the wall.

She watched, dumbstruck as he sat up, gazed at his own hands, and then pounced to his feet. He was tall, with dark brown hair and a muscular back and when he turned to face her, her mouth hung open.

He was gorgeous. His strong back matched the sculpted chest and his chiseled jaw broke out into a smile. She studied him but did not go any closer.

"Temperance, it's me."

His voice was so familiar, the way he said her name, but it couldn't be. The emotions flashed across her face. Her eyes met his, the warm, caring, soft brown eyes that she knew so well and she knew it was true.

She closed the distance between them and fell into his embrace.

"It's you, it's really you," she whispered into his chest, "My beast."

He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. He then held her in front of him.

"My name is Seeley," he told her, brushing an errant strand of hair from her face, "Prince Seeley Booth."

Behind them the grey sky broke out into blue and the castle seemed to light up in the sudden glow of the sun.

"Prince Seeley Booth? But you've been missing for years now. This is impossible! How did you become the beast?"

"Years ago my brother, young and selfish as he was, turned away an old woman who asked for nothing more than shelter from a storm. He said there was no place for an old maid in the castle. I heard the commotion and arrived as the old woman changed into a beautiful sorceress. She wanted to curse my brother for his actions, but I stepped in. I told her I would take his punishment if she spared his life. She agreed and I sent my brother far away for his own safety. The sorceress transformed me into the beast you knew. I had until my thirtieth birthday to break the curse, or I would remain a beast forever."

Temperance searched his eyes, "But how was the curse broken? Were you supposed to die?"

"The sorceress knew that my brother and I entertained beautiful women and that my brother sent her away because she was not. She thought us both to be shallow and ignorant so she made me a beast. She told me I had to find a woman who would love me as a beast, for whom I really was, in order for the curse to be broken. If I could not, then I would remain a beast forever."

"But you are the least shallow and ignorant man that I know," Temperance protested, "In fact, you are gallant and noble, caring and kind."

He took her hand, "And you saw that within me Temperance, you broke the spell."

"But you showed me those traits, I did nothing."

Prince Booth laughed, "You did more than you'll ever know. You pushed me to my limits, angering me to no end, but you did give me a chance."

"Well you can be stubborn," she replied, "But you are free now," her eyes fell to the ground, "which means you are prince again. I should go," she mumbled, slowly backing away.

"Go where?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"Home, to my father, to the village. I am sure your family would like to celebrate your own homecoming."

She turned so he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.

"Temperance," he grabbed her wrist, "Why are you going?"

She wouldn't look at him, "Because I am a simple peasant girl, you are a prince, you and I cannot…"

Prince Seeley stepped in front of her, "You are not beneath me," he said, lifting her chin, "You, Temperance, are the most wonderful, intelligent, beautiful woman I've ever met, if not the most challenging. I owe you everything and I wish to share my world with you, forever. You promised if there was a way, then you would come back to me. I know there is a way, and I ask you to please, stay with me."

The tears dropped down her cheeks and he brushed them away.

"There is no where else I'd rather be," she whispered.

Prince Seeley gently lifted her chin, "I love you Temperance," he replied, pressing his lips softly to hers.

And they lived, despite the bickering, happily ever after.

The End

Alright, I lied about how long it would take to post this, I couldn't come up with a suitable Bones ending. I knew he couldn't ask her to marry him, but I didn't want it to just be "and they lived happily ever after," I came up with this compromise. Hope you liked it.

Thank again to everyone who stuck with this story and reviewed/added it to their favourites, or added me.