Hi everyone, here is a re-write of chapter 10, with some romance starting to blossom and Christmas Day :) Enjoy and Review, thankyou! x

'Are you sure I'll be alright, out in public I mean?' Abe said nervously as Belle picked up her car keys,

'You'll be fine Abe, you can't hide away forever, and I never thought I'd say this but take a leaf out of H.B's book. If he could have a night out…' Liz began

'Yeah those guys would never know what hit them' smirked Hellboy Liz adding with a partly amused expression.

'Yes and neither would you when you got home.' Agreeing that he would enjoy the time out, it was then that they went out and got into the car, Belle starting up the ignition before Abe could change his mind.

'So which part of town, are we going?' Abe questioned as Belle drove them out of the front gates and onto the main road,

'I thought we could walk all the way through, the lights are beautiful at night' Belle said smiling to herself as they sat talking in the car.

'Are you buying any presents tonight?' Abe asked, doubting she would after seeing the amount that had already been wrapped, however Belle nodded replying,

'I still have a few to get and I haven't finished buying yours yet.'

Abe looked at Belle in genuine surprise.

'You've bought me a present already?' Belle laughing at his remark,

'Of course I have you're a very good friend to me Blue I had to spend some time on your Christmas presents' she told him continuing to grin.

'Presents? That's plural…'

'I'm aware of it,' she laughed, 'I mean it when I say you're a close friend,' she breathed honestly, as Abe sat back thinking of her with the fondness that he seemed to hold for her.

Pulling up in the car park and getting out Belle felt the cold instantly, as her breath became visible from the icy atmosphere, Abe too getting out though through his thickly layered outfit, he did not notice the same chilliness that Belle experienced. Becoming tentative at what people would say if they discovered who he truly was; Belle had to convince him to trust in himself. 'You'll be fine, I wanted you to come, please don't turn back now' she added with a wistful gaze, her eyes becoming wider, something that Abe quite easily gave in to.

'I wouldn't leave you Belle, but I just don't want people to judge you wrongly…'

'No one's going to when they have nothing to judge either of us for,' Belle remarked confidently as she led them round the corner and down the street of many shops.

Looking around with curiosity and interest, Abe lost sight of his nerves and began to really enjoy himself, Belle making him smile and laugh as they went in the many different shops. The young lady felt so comfortable around the merman, that she found it hard to believe that she could ever come to any harm with him around her. 'What would you like for Christmas?' Abe questioned Belle looking at him as she answered thoughtfully,

'There's nothing I need, just spending Christmas with you, Liz, Hellboy and the God children makes me happy enough' her assurance of this to Abe was not convincing however, and when she finally suggested a book he didn't take it as an option.

'I would like to get you something of special meaning, and I'm sure there is something that you would like…' however Belle would not give in, so Blue paid close attention to anything that Belle may point out. However an hour into their evening out, Blue hadn't had any luck and was on the brink of questioning his friend again when glancing around a small gift shop, Belle seemed to catch sight of something outside.

'I'll be right back,' she assured him swiftly leaving the store as Abe looked after her. Coming to the glass door entrance to the shop, Blue saw Belle go into a small jeweller's across the street and so bidding the shop keeper goodbye, who looked at Abe with some confusion at the thick clothing he wore, Abe too left the shop. Entering the spotlight lit jewellers, Abe immediately saw the back of his friend, her long blonde hair running straight down her back and over her shoulders. Though she pushed it back behind her ear as she leant over slightly, looking down into one of the numerous transparent cases that were lined with silver. 'What are you looking at?' Abe asked coming behind her and watching Belle jump slightly,

'Oh Abe, I didn't see you…it's a gold necklace set with a Ceylon Sapphire,' seeing the fondness in Belle's eyes as she brought herself to look away from the droplet necklace, Abe questioning,

'Why didn't you ask me to come over with you?'

'I would have done, but I didn't expect to see anything, I only intended to look briefly in the window, and then I saw it…' she answered honestly taking Abe's hand as they left the shop, Abe feeling the truth and gentle innocence which emitted from Belle. Some time later as Belle and Abe approached a café for a drink, Blue slipped his gloved hand from hers assuring her 'I'll follow you in.' Not giving her a chance to question him, Abe quickly set off around the corner and back to the jewellers. 'May I help you sir?' asked a sales assistant politely, Abe then making the costly purchase, which he knew Belle would love. 'Is this for the young lady who accompanied you earlier?' the assistant questioned Abe nodding with a smile, also noting how he was being treated with some normality considering what he was. 'She must be a very special person to you,' smiled the assistant handing Abe the gift wrapped case as he turned to leave the store, only stopping to turn back and say

'Yes she is.'

Sitting down in the café with Belle and taking his drink of hot chocolate Belle quizzed her blue friend on where he had been. 'Just to do a last bit of Christmas shopping,' he answered lightly sitting back in his chair, with the warm mug of hot chocolate in his hands.

'Can I ask you something?' Belle requested, Abe looking at her in questioning as he answered

'You know that you can ask me anything,'

'How did you come to be at the BPRD?'

'My past is a clouded one in all honesty. I was raised by humans in secret, and as I grew I was hidden away in a tank deep down in a hospital in Washington…there I was found while I was still at a young age by Professor Broom. He brought me to his home in the bureau where he taught me many things and introduced me to Hellboy. It was he who became my first real friend other than the Professor, and anything that was said against me, Hellboy retaliated too. It seemed to make it that our partnership was equally shared as he bore the strength and I held the intelligence to aid him. It was then that the FBI decided my abilities would prove helpful after Professor Broom learned of my psychic talents. So I began to work with them as I have done for years…and that's where it all began.' Belle listened intently to Abe's recollection of how he had come to be where he was today, a thought making her ask without thinking

'Have you ever been in love?' realising the highly personal side of the question and instantly withdrawing it.

'It's okay I did say you can ask me anything,' he told her seeing Belle relax a little at Abe's reaction to the question until he answered distantly.

'My heart has experienced a single time when I fell in quickly and deeply, however it wasn't meant to be.' Seeing the sadness Belle put a hand on Abe's feeling a strong rush of emotion as Abe wrapped her hand in his.

'It's okay,' she soothed… 'You don't have to say anymore.'

'I will tell you…because then you shall know. Her name was Nuala, she was an elf princess…and she had a brother called Nuada, who hated humans, and tried to stop Red from helping them. He tried numerously…but failed in each attempt. I found the Princess down in the Troll Market, she had just lost her father after her brother killed him for a piece of the crown that would awaken the golden army. Nuala had the remaining piece which she left with me…hidden in a book, when she was taken by her brother and I found it, I thought he'd let her go if I took it to him. But he didn't. I should have known better…I put everyone in danger because I didn't think things through…'

'No Abe,' Belle breathed, bringing him to look at her. 'You tried to do your best to help someone who needed you, that's not wrong at all.'

Smiling weakly at her and looking down at their joined hands, Belle wondered as they sat there whether to allow him to see into her own past and tell him everything. Yet she did not have a chance to do so, as Blue tried to make light of the conversation again, and after a little while longer of sitting in the café, the two made their way back out onto the high street.

Returning home some time later, Hellboy and Liz had already gone to bed, so sneaking quietly through the house, careful to avoid making a sound until they got to Abe's room, Belle thanked him for the evening. 'I'm glad I stayed, spending tonight with you…it opened my eyes to some of the beautiful things out there…'

'As I said to you before Abe, no one could ever judge you badly,' she replied in a soothing voice, Abe smiling at her softly.

'Well…I suppose we'd better get some rest…it is late,' Belle remarked,

'Yes,' Abe agreed,

'Well goodnight,' she said a slight blush tinting her cheeks as she went into her room. Yet sitting down to go to sleep that night, Belle was left with a lot to think about…Abe had been so fond of this Princess Nuala…and though she was happy that he could be so fond of someone, it saddened her to think that she may have truly been mistaking his feelings for affection after all…

Christmas Eve, and as the tree was having the final touches made to it, Liz and Red had begun to prepare the meals for Christmas day, whilst the children lay in their playpen, watching the dazzling colours of the lights. Walking into the living room Belle wore a festive red, velvet dress edged in white, with her hair brought up in a silver clip. Balancing some parcels unsuccessfully Hellboy quickly came forward to catch those which fell from her grip, and sharing the weight as she came farther into the room. 'Where's Liz?'

'Cooking at the moment and getting some bottled milk for Cedric and Aurora,' Hellboy answered simply setting the boxes down, opening the cardboard out and beginning to take some baubles from the box. The now finished living room looked more cosy and warm, despite the rush of people coming in and out during the day; its traditional fire place crackling as the fire slowly burnt through the wooden logs. 'Hey what's this?' Hellboy queried removing some white berries, which were held in place by their richly green leaves.

'Mistletoe,' Belle answered with a sweet smile and laughing as she realised H.B had no idea what she was talking about. 'Mistletoe is something very traditional at Christmas, you hang it up, usually over a doorway or doorframe and then when a couple comes underneath it they are meant to kiss,' Belle explained. Hellboy looked at the mistletoe in his hand and was surprised at how a few berries could possibly have so much meaning behind it.

'Red, I need you to come and bottle feed the twins!' called Liz sounding rather flustered as she emerged carrying two bottles.

'No problem babe,' he answered, however his response had come to late, with Liz already going back into the kitchen. Pushing some presents underneath the tree as the finishing touch, Belle stood back smiling as she looked the tree over which was almost finished. Reaching into the final box Belle pulled out a golden star and setting out the ladder, Belle lifted the front of her dress up over her feet so she could climb it with ease. Setting the star upon the tree often completed the look of a Christmas tree and now as she stepped back down onto the soft carpet; Belle felt the Christmas season was really here. Folding the ladder up and resting it in the hallway, Belle continued to smile as she gazed upon the tree, Abe and Hellboy joining her.

'It looks so perfect,' he breathed, Belle nodding.

'Yes, I love it,' she beamed, Hellboy remarking with a smirk,

'I think the star looks lop-sided.' Scowling at him half amused, Belle was pulled into a tight hug that didn't allow her to breath. 'Ya know I'm only kidding, it looks great!'

'Breathing Red, Belle needs to breath,' Abe reminded him chuckling as HB released her.

'Thankyou,' she said clearing her throat, the men continuing to smile at her.

By the time it had reached eleven o'clock everyone was resting in the living room, with Cedric and Aurora sound asleep in their crib, everything was quiet. With only an hour before their first Christmas began, the four friends sat feeling tired as they talked about the day ahead. 'Well I think it will certainly be memorable,' Liz smiled glancing over her two children with a gentle smile.

'Yes, it will all be worth it tomorrow,' Belle agreed a yawn escaping her lips.

'I think perhaps we should get some rest,' Abe suggested as he felt the air of weariness in the room with Belle also beginning to fall asleep and he couldn't blame her. Belle had worked hard over the passing weeks to get things ready for Christmas, and it had naturally exhausted her.

'You gonna be alright?' Red asked, Belle nodding as they stood up, Abe and Liz turning off the lights as they went out into the hallway.

'Well goodnight you two,' Hellboy remarked, Belle and Abe returning it as they walked to their rooms, Belle more distantly as she thought of her cosy duvet, that she longed to wrap up in.

'You look tired,' Abe commented softly, Belle nodding sleepily.

'Yes…well tomorrow will be an early start I'm sure…so…goodnight,' she finished smiling. Merry Christmas Blue she said telepathically, meeting the striking blue eyes of Abe's once more as he smiled, sharing an embrace as his gills expanded slightly Merry Christmas Belle…

Christmas morning and as the frosty light shone into the bureau, Liz and Hellboy were awoken by the crying of their two children and sitting up sleepily in bed, it took a few minutes for the thought of it being Christmas day to set in. 'Merry Christmas Red,' she smiled kissing him passionately.

'Merry Christmas babe…' he responded as they parted, before their crying children got them up with a smile. While Hellboy dressed in his usual attire of black leather trousers and a black top, Liz dressed in a pair of dark jeans with a red top that tied up the back. Once ready, Liz then took the babies upstairs to put them in their playpen whilst Red went to Blue's room, the merman floating in a peaceful slumber until Red tapped sharply on the glass tank wishing him Merry Christmas in an over-enthusiastic voice. It was upon hearing this that Belle entered Abe's room yawning as she asked what all the noise was when it struck her. 'Christmas! Merry Christmas!' she exclaimed, hugging Hellboy tightly when she went back into her room, re-emerging in what seemed like moments later fully dressed as Abe got out of the tank.

'Alright, you wanna tell me how you managed that one?' he grinned, Belle laughing as Abe got a towel drying off his body before pulling on a black jumper.

'It's amazing what you can do when it's the festive season,' she smiled.

'Merry Christmas,' Abe remarked, descending the stairs as Belle met him halfway, pulling him into a hug before they all moved the celebration's upstairs.

'You know, I think I'm actually going to enjoy this,' Hellboy smirked as they went into the living room, Belle sitting by the tree as she withdrew some of the presents from underneath. The thought that had gone into every present that day reflected on the gifts themselves as they were opened. 'What are the two big presents stood up there?' Hellboy asked, noting them stood up by the side of the tree.

'Oh,' Belle remarked getting up, 'do you mind giving me a hand with these Abe?'

'Not at all,' he smiled, taking one for her as she carried them over and then looked at Blue expectantly.

'Well you can open them,' she laughed, Abe tilting his head with a slight smile.

'These…are for me?'

'Of course,' she replied softly, watching as he began to open out the wrapping paper, to find the golden stands packed carefully within.

'Belle…'

'They have automated page turners…' Belle explained, 'there are two of them so you will be able to read some of your books without needing one of us there…'

'It's so thoughtful, where did you find these?'

'Oh, I was just drawn to this little shop, I guess I was just supposed to find them,' she smiled, as he held her in his arms, Red and Liz smiling when a sound from just outside the room interrupted them. 'Ah, Red you might want to go and see to your present,' Belle finished, Abe continuing to have his arm around her shoulders as he handed Belle a long case.

'This is my gift to you,' he remarked, Belle opening it as Red came in carrying the tiny black kitten that wound around his stone hand.

'What is this?' he beamed,

'I think it's a kitten,' Belle smirked, Red pulling her into a one armed hug as she then opened the case, finding the Ceylon Sapphire necklace she had admired so much.

'Oh Blue…you didn't,' she gasped, as he took it from the case, Belle lifting her hair allowing him to put it around her neck, sealing the clasp carefully.

'You like it?'

'I love it, thankyou so much,' she beamed throwing her arms around his neck.

'Well seen as we're giving main presents here you go babe,' Hellboy grinned handing Liz a square gift box. Opening it, Liz then found a beautiful golden bracelet engraved with the message, "love is never ending." The chain also bought for Hellboy had been a pleasing present to Liz's boyfriend who put it on instantly and kissed his girlfriend tenderly when his new kitten jumped up into his lap. It was as the family enjoyed their day together that Abe had brought Belle to a stop, complimenting her dress, and thanking her again for the presents she had gotten him.

'That's alright Abe, thankyou so much for mine too, it was very sweet of you,' she breathed, when it occurred to them both that they were stood under the mistletoe.

Looking up into Abe's eyes with a gentle smile and a faint blush, Abe didn't back away from the moment. 'Merry Christmas,' she said softly leaning up and kissing Abe on the cheek, one hand on his right shoulder, as the merman returned the same, leaving him with an irreplaceable smile that was to last all day long. However, this was not the only surprise received that day, as the post was opened, a card from the FBI wishing them the best for the holidays. 'They say it like they think we're stupid…' Hellboy merely remarked coldly, yet Belle also received some post which had been forwarded from the FBI and seeing the recognisable writing of her mother, Belle hesitated in opening the envelope. But bringing herself to do so, she was surprised at the simplistic "Merry Christmas darling" written within the card. With that message, Belle for the first time since her departure thought of hr family…But she did not let it spoil her day feeling that amongst Abe, Liz and Hellboy she was where she truly belonged…

I hope you all enjoyed, I will still continue for a few more chapters to do some edits...

I will be updating soon

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x