Note: I want to thank everyone for the wonderful comments. It's been a joy writing for you.

Chapter 10

Bae opened his eyes to the first rays of sunlight streaming through the window, blinking several times to try to wake up. He usually only woke up to his father's insistent voice to get out of bed, and he was a little puzzled that Papa was not up yet. Was it earlier than he thought? He looked over at the desk and smiled, as his mind was already formulating a plan. He sprung out of bed, and headed to the wardrobe, grabbed some clothes, and dressed quickly. He went over to the desk, and picked up the picture he had drawn for Belle, and went out his bedroom door that led to the corridor.

He made his way down the hall to stand in front of Belle's door. He stood outside of it for a minute, listening to see if he could hear any sign of her stirring. He quietly opened the door to her bedchamber, just enough for him to squeeze through. Now in the room, he closed the door behind him with just a small 'click'. He stood against the door, and let his eyes adjust to the darkness in the room. The thick curtained window let in no light, and the only illumination present came from the glowing fireplace.

He could see the outline of Belle's figure in bed. Her bedraggled hair poked out from the top of the blanket, as she lay almost diagonally across the mattress, on her stomach. He spotted the nightstand on the far side of the room. He knew that would be the perfect spot, for Belle to see his drawing, when she opened her eyes. He carefully made his way around the foot of the bed, and jumped, startled, when at that moment, the logs in the fireplace popped loudly, then give out an evil hiss. Once on the other side, he tip-toed between the chair and hassock, and made his way to the nightstand. He saw her hand casually thrown over the side of the bed, and then he paused, cocking his head to the side to study it. Was that Belle's hand?

He felt something twist in the pit of his stomach, the hairs raised up on the back of his neck, when another low hiss escaped from the hearth behind him. He realized for the first time, that he should not have come into her room. The hand was greenish-grey in color, with distended veins that ran over the top of the hand, disappearing where the fingers began, with black pointed claws where fingernails should be.

His mind reeled over her words the last few days, and her reference to the monster inside. Had the monster taken over her body? Had she lost control of it; she had said it could make her do bad things? He tried to crane his neck to see the face that was uncovered, but it was cast in shadow. On wobbly legs he moved forward, the face pressed against the bed, the view distorted by hair that had fallen over it. His hand shook as he reached out to move the hair back from the face. He pulled it aside, leaning down closer, when the eyes sprang open, black centered orbs, surrounded by redness, as a hand shot out grabbing him by the wrist.

Bae let out a blood curdling scream, as he pulled vehemently trying to free himself, stumbling backwards over the footstool, and crashing sprawled against the front of the chair. He crawled, and then scrambled to his feet, trying to run for the door. Belle flew off the other side of the bed, grabbing him around the waist, and hauling him backwards, before he made it to the door. Bae screamed out for his papa, as Belle called his name to him repeatedly, trying to calm him. He fought her with all his might, kicking and thrashing in her arms, and she knew he was scared out of his mind.

"Sileo placidus." Belle said aloud, and the boy froze in her arms.

"Bae, its Belle." She pleaded. "Bae it's me please try and calm down. I'm not going to hurt you; you just startled me. I didn't realize it was you Bea. Bae please I would not have frightened you intentionally. It's alright, Bae."

She spoke to him tenderly, and brought her hand up to stroke his hair gently, as she rocked him in her arms. She felt his rigid muscles start to relax, and then wetness fall on the arm she had wrapped around his waist, as she realized he was crying.

"Sileo placidus desino." She murmured, then turned the boy in her arms, as she pressed him against her, and held him tightly, as he continued to cry. He wrapped his arms around her, and buried his face in her neck, as she stoked his back.

"I know this is hard to accept Bae, but this is who I truly am. The Belle you have seen is what I looked like before I was cursed. It was just a spell I cast, so I would not frighten you or your father, the night I took you in. I have been so afraid to let you see who I really am, Bae, but I had decided to tell your father tonight after you went to bed, and you would have found out anyway. I am just sorry you had to find out like this, I know I scared you. I'm so sorry Bae."

Bae's tears had stopped, and he listened to her words, and knew that this was his Belle, even if she wasn't pretty anymore. He held her, as he tried to take it all in. He pulled back to look into her eyes, that were now a greenish yellow swirling together. Her hair was a different, frizzy, but she still had the same face, it was just a different color, with what looked like gold dusting across it. He reached up his hand to stroke her cheek, and the skin was still soft and warm.

"It's not that bad." He said to her kindly.

She gave him a small smile, making sure she did not show her jagged, rotting, teeth, and gave a little chuckle. She wondered at that moment if Rumpel would be as accepting.

Bae sat down on the bed next to her, and looked at the hands that now rested in her lap. He reached over, and lifted one up with interest. She spread her fingers out and gazed at it with him.

"I know." She sighed. "They are grotesque. I hate them most of all, and my teeth would take a close second."

"Let me see." Bae stated.

"They are awful Bae, but at least I can pretty much hide them if I don't smile."

"Show me." Bae stated.

Belle smiled grinning wickedly. Bae looked closely and laughed.

"You look like one of the old men from my village; it's not a pretty sight."

"Well," she said as she nudged him with her shoulder, "at least you're honest. Bae, we are going to be together for quite some time, and I hope you feel that you can always be honest with me. I promise to do the same, from here on out.

I have nothing else to hide from you. You may not always like my answer, but it will be an honest one."

Bae considered thoughtfully what she had said.

"What about Papa?"

"I will tell him tonight, when we have some time alone together. Bae, I need to be the one to tell him. You have my word that I will."

"He will be hurt. He thinks you are beautiful." Bae said with remorse.

"I know Bae, but better now than later. I can't perpetuate this for much longer, it is deceitful, and he deserves better than that. I think you already know I care for him."

'I'm not blind Belle, and he cares for you too."

"I know." She whispered. "I hope in time, he will be able to do so again, but it has to be for who I really am."

"I almost forgot something." He said, as he got up, and went back around to the other side of the bed. He picked the picture up off of the floor, and brought it back to Belle.

"I drew this for you last night." He handed Belle the picture, and watched her eyes widen, and her smile softly.

"This is beautiful Bae. I had no idea you were so talented. You will have to let me show Tacey, he will be so impressed."

Bae just beamed at the praise. He was so happy that she really liked it.

"I better get back. Papa will wonder where I have been." He gave her a quick hug and then left the room.

Belle sat there for the longest time, thinking about how attached she had become to the boy. He had welcomed her easily enough, even after their intense encounter, but he was just a trusting child. He had been without a motherly figure in his life for far too long, and she sensed that he craved that from her. She could see his fascination with the magic she held, and thought to herself, that he would make a fine apprentice. She doubted that Rumpel would be keen on that idea, and as she looked down at the incredible drawing in her hand, she could see where the boy's talents lied. She decided that she would do her best to nurture his artistic endeavors. Help him to explore other facets of his creativity. She smiled as she thought of a birthday present for Bae, and knew Tacey could get what she needed.

She went on about her routine, and washed and dressed for the day, and then headed for the door of her bedchamber.

Bea went back to his room, and then through the bathroom, to his Papa's room.

Bae stood confused by the bed looking at his father. He was still asleep, which scared Bae a little, and he was sprawled out on his stomach, with his right knee drawn up. Bae knew he never slept on his stomach, and always with his leg propped up slightly. Bae reached over and shook his shoulder.

"Papa?"

"Papa?"

Rumpel lifted his head from the bed slightly, and realized the awkward position he was in. He dreaded even moving. At first he couldn't feel his right leg, and then he realized it was the pain he couldn't feel. What had she done to him? He waited in agonizing torment, as he straightened his knee, for the unbearable sharp stabbing pain to hit him, but it never came. He could feel the stiffness, his leg not wanting to cooperate, and he could feel the muscles stretching, but just a twinge of discomfort accompanied the movement. He turned over, and saw Bae's concerned face, as the boy sat down next to him on the bed.

"Are you alright?" Bae asked.

"I don't think 'alright' is quite the right word. I am amazed, astounded, dumbfounded, and filled with wonder and gratitude." He happily replied.

Bae looked at him as if he had grown two heads. Rumpel laughed and smiled brightly.

"Last night, Belle used her magic, to see what she could do to help my leg. She gave me some strong pain medicine, and it must have knocked me out."

"How's your leg, Papa?"

"It's not hurting Bae. Can you believe that, I don't feel any pain at all from my leg?"

Rumpel bounced up and down a few times in bed, as if he were a small, excited child, anxious with anticipation. Bae watched him, and couldn't help but laugh at his father's happiness, and unusual enthusiasm. Rumpel turned beaming at Bae, his dimples indenting deeply into his face. Bae was glad to see his father so happy.

"What she did for me Bae, how can I ever thank her enough, for what she has done for me? This changes everything for me, for the rest of my life. I have been given a second chance to be the man I want to be, stronger, braver, and for once, looking forward to the life ahead. Do you understand what I mean, Bae?"

Bae leaned over and kissed his father's cheek.

"I know Papa. I am so happy for you."

"Grab my staff, and come around to this side of the bed, and help me, I want to get up and try to stand on it." Rumpel said.

Bae scooted off the bed, and brought him his staff, as Rumpel pulled back the covers, and threw his legs over the side of the bed. He put his feet to the floor and stood up. He just stood there a moment. He had felt the stiffness in his knee when he had straightened his leg, but relief washed over him, as he still felt no pain. He paused, not sure what to do next, he usually walked with his left leg, and dragged the other behind, leaning on the staff for support. Did he even remember how to walk upright?

Bae could see the fret on his papa's face, and he urged him on as he hesitated.

"Go on," Bae pushed, "take a step. The worst that will happen is that you'll fall, and I'm here to catch you."

"It's crazy Bae, I feel like I don't remember how to walk."

Bae laughed heartily at that. "Why don't you try one foot in front of the other?"

Rumpel gave him an incredulous expression, "smartass."

This just made Bae laugh harder, goading Rumpel, sighing ponderously in frustration, he took a step forward with his left foot, then the right, and then again and again. Rumpel pulled himself up proudly, and then walked through the room to the bathroom, and then came back out again, opened his bedroom door, and walked out into the corridor, headed for Belle's bedchamber. Bae went after him, thinking his papa had lost his mind.

Belle fiddled with the skirt of her light green dress, as she went out into the hallway, closing the bedroom door behind her. She looked up, and her mouth fell open, as Rumpel strode purposefully down the hall towards her. Was this her Rumpel? He looked like a god, confident, with an air of power and authority noted in his strut, and a look of sheer determination on his face. He walked right up to her, placing his arm against the door by her head, and lifting her chin with his other hand, as he pressed a hard kiss against her lips.

Belle let a little 'squeak' escape, and froze, as she clutched the doorknob behind her. She felt him press his body into hers, and his wet tongue touch her lips, insistent to gain entrance. She opened her mouth to him, and felt her knees go weak, when he slipped his tongue inside of her mouth, stroking against hers. He dropped his hand from her chin, and wrapped it around her waist pulling her tightly against him. Belle felt like the floor was moving, as a wave of dizziness hit her, and was unable to breathe. He explored her mouth, deepening the kiss, and she felt that most private part of her, begin to throb, as heat spread through her lower body.

He had only intended on planting a hard kiss on her lips, but once there, he couldn't stop himself, reliving how badly he had wanted to kiss her last night. She tasted sweet like honey, and he was hungry for her. He felt as if he couldn't get close enough, crushing her against him. Her tongue so soft, dancing with his lazily. He felt her hand move up his chest as she pushed, realizing he needed to let her breath, he broke their kiss. He watched as she took in a few short, quick, breaths, and he could feel it against his mouth. He touched his forehead to hers, catching his own breath, and gazing into her eyes.

"Thank you, thank you Belle. How can I ever thank you enough, for what you have done for me?" He whispered to her, his eyes never leaving hers.

She chuckled, "I think that was a good start, but perhaps, you should get dressed, before you give me any more thanks."

He suddenly looked down, and realized he was standing there in only his underpants. He flushed deep scarlet. Had he lost his mind, he thought to himself.

Quite embarrassed he said, "I think your right, I'll go change."

He pushed off of the door with his hand, turned, and headed back to his room. She cocked her head, attentive to the whole package on display for her.

She bit her bottom lip, as she watched him walk back to his room.

Bae had made it out into the hallway, just as Rumpel had reached Belle, and then kissed her. Bae had ducked quickly back into his father's room, eyes wide, and he then laughed. He doubted that his father realized he was not dressed.

He sat on the side of the bed, waiting patiently, for Rumpel to come back to the room.

Rumpel returned his face red, and flustered. He closed the door behind him, and leaned against it, closing his eyes. He opened them to find Bae smirking and staring at him.

Rumpel looked down at himself, and asked Bae, "Why didn't you try to stop me?"

Bae giggled, "I didn't know what you were doing. You just walked right out of the room."

Rumpel shook his head. "I was so excited about being able to walk, all I thought about was thanking her."

"You thanked her alright." Bae said, and he couldn't remember laughing so much at his father's expense.

"Caught that, did you. I'm sure she was more surprised than you were Bae. Why don't you go on down to the kitchen, while I dust off what's left of my pride, and get dressed. I'll be down in a few minutes."

"Was she a good kisser?" Bae asked.

Rumpel blushed again, and opened the bedroom door, pointing for Bae to leave.

"Go, that's none of your business." Rumpel tried to sound firm, but it wasn't working.

Bae got up and headed out the door. "I'll take that as a 'yes'." Rumpel smacked him on the rear, as he went through the door laughing.

She was incredible, at kissing, and everything else she decided to take on. She had made him cum so hard last night; that it had drained him completely. He found himself smiling deviously at the image, and realized something else was stirring.

He went into the bathroom, and easily decided, he was not going to walk around half-cocked all day.

He took off his underpants, and using his arm, braced himself over the chamber pot. He closed his eyes as he began to stroke himself, images of kissing Belle braced against the door, her hot, wet, tongue, sliding across the roof of his mouth. He reached up with his other hand, pulling her hair back, reigning kisses down her neck, sucking the delicate flesh, and nibbling at her soft skin. He could hear her moaning in his ear, as he slid his hand down her neck, to move down to her breast.

He began to pull harder, and faster, on his swollen prick, as he kneaded her breast in his hand, rubbing his thumb across the nipple, back and forth until it was a hard peak, straining against the fabric of her dress. Kissing her deeply, she moaned into his mouth, and called his name 'Rumpel', as he pinched the delicate bud. He gave himself over to his body, as he felt his orgasm hit. He grunted out, sweat across his brow, as he pumped into the chamber pot.

He stood for a moment catching his breath, and letting his heart return to a regular rhythm. He moved over to the basin, and filled it with water. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. He said aloud to the image he saw there, 'Oh yeah, wipe that smug look off of your face.' He retrieved a washcloth, towel, razor, and soap, from the cabinet, and cleaned himself up. He washed the evidence down the drain with his bathwater, and left the bathroom to get dressed. He chose a blue silk shirt, with soft brown leather pants, and high-necked vest. Ready to face Belle and Bae, now fully clothed, he left his room.