A/N: Just wanted to give a quick shout out to Melstrife and ReginaQueenofHogwarts, thank you guys for the awesome reviews, it means a lot! Also, thanks to all the readers who've made it to through 10 chapters with me, thanks for reading! Enjoy!

The next morning, Belle made her way to the library, a brilliant smile on her face. She had to keep herself from running, and continuously reminded herself to slow down and walk normally. She could hardly contain her excitement.

How did I never know there was a library in this town? She wondered. And why has it been closed for so long? While these questions confused her, Belle found that she couldn't bring herself to worry about them too much. The prospect of seeing the library, and seeing Adam, was just too exciting.

As she walked, Belle imagined herself as the town's next librarian. She imagined reopening the library, and running it herself, and sharing her love of reading with everyone in the town.

Of course, Adam was there too. Every time she pictured herself in the library, reading a book to a group of fascinated children, he was always in the back, watching her with a smile. And after she was done reading, the kids would leave, and she'd go up to him…

Stop it, she told herself. You're making up silly fantasies. And with a guy you've only known for a few days!

Somehow, though, her logical side couldn't quite banish the images from her head.

Soon enough, Belle arrived at the front door to the library. "Good morning Belle," she heard a voice say from behind her. She turned around, seeing Adam approach from a bench across the street.

"You're here early," was all she could think to say. She glanced at her watch; it was only 9:47.

Adam chuckled. "So are you," he said, causing Belle to blush and look down. After a moment of silence, he said, "Shall we?" and gestured toward the library door.

Belle smiled, then fetched the library key from her purse. She turned to the door, and with a quick smile back at Adam, put the key in the door and slowly pushed it open.

The lighting was dim in the library; most of the windows were covered in newspapers and the lights didn't appear to work. Nonetheless, Belle gasped as she saw how many books there were in the library. "There are more books in here than I could read in a lifetime!" She said, and Adam smiled, watching her as she slowly turned around, taking in the entire library.

Belle walked up to the circulation desk in the front of the library, and ran her finger across the surface. It came away covered in dust, and she held it up for Adam to see. "Doesn't look like anyone's been in here for quite a while," she commented.

He nodded. "No one knows why it was closed, but you're probably the first person to set foot in here in years."

Belle nodded, frowning, and brushed the dust off her finger. Then, she walked over to the nearest shelf, inspecting the books. They didn't appear to be in any kind of order, at least as far as she could tell. "Well," Belle sighed, "whoever closed it didn't leave it in the greatest shape."

Adam nodded his consent, still watching her with a smile. He watched as she gently pulled a book off the shelf, holding it reverently and dusting off its cover.

She's looking at that book like it's the greatest thing she's ever seen, he thought. I wish she'd look at me like that.

"Look," Belle said, and Adam realized she was holding the book out to him. He quickly shook his head, trying to clear his embarrassingly traitorous thoughts. He took the book, then looked at her questioningly.

"That book was written by someone with the last name French," she said excitedly.

She was looking at him like that meant something important, but Adam wasn't sure what she meant by it.

"Oh, right," Belle laughed, almost to herself. Then, louder, she explained. "That's my last name."

"Oh," Adam said, his confused expression turning in to a grin. "A relative of yours I presume?" he said teasingly.

Belle laughed, and took the book back from him, placing it gently back on the shelf. "Perhaps," she said, then giggled. Belle turned around and leaned on the shelf, crossing her arms and giving Adam an interrogative look. "So," she said, "how did you get the key to this place anyway?"

Adam shrugged. "Someone sold it to me, a long time ago," he explained.

"And you never came over here?" Belle asked, and he shook his head. "You weren't even curious?" she asked.

He shrugged. "It's a library Belle," he said, "I knew what I'd find here." She didn't look satisfied, so he added, "besides, I never really had a reason to come over here."

Belle grinned. "Well," she said, "now you do."

He grinned back. "I do?" He asked, and she nodded emphatically. "And what, may I ask, is my reason?"

"Me," Belle said simply, then laughed. "You're going to help me put this place back in order."

"Oh, I am, am I?" He asked with a smirk.

"Yes you are," Belle said.

"And what would Granny say if you started spending all your time here at the library instead of working at the diner?" He laughed.

He'd meant it as a joke, but Belle's face fell. "Oh," she said. "I didn't really think about that."

Adam immediately regretted what he had said. He hadn't meant to disappoint her. She looked so dejected, and he wished he hadn't said anything. He already missed her happy smile.

"Belle," he said quietly, putting his hands on her shoulders. "I was only joking. You can come down here whenever you like. In the evenings, on the weekends, and whenever you get some time off." She didn't look convinced, so he went on. "The place is yours now Belle," he said gently. "I'm sure you'll get it back into working order in no time."

Belle looked at him warily, her smile returning slowly. "So…" she said, "You'll help me?"

He smiled at her. "Of course I will."

"Thank you," Belle said, and then she kissed him.

Adam was surprised at first, but when Belle wrapped her arms around his neck, he felt himself returning her kiss. It was not nearly as awkward as their first kiss, and something about it just felt right.

It was over too soon, and Belle pulled away, still resting her forehead against his. "You'd better come to the diner for coffee tomorrow morning," Belle whispered against his lips. As soon as she said it, she realized how dumb that sounded, but thankfully Adam just smiled.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," he whispered back.