Belle had been in the castle a few days, but had begun to feel a bit better. She followed the objects around the winding hallways and enjoyed exploring. It seemed that she never stopped finding new rooms. The footstool would bark and chase after her as she sprinted down the corridor. Outside she fed the birds out in the snow. Though her lack of freedom was still painful, she wasn't as miserable as she has first imagined.

The Beast watched her from the windows and shadows of the halls. He never came forward. Belle didn't see him again at all until late one evening. The objects brought her books to read, though she never seemed to find the library. A fire was burning in the front room and she curled up in the chair with a blanket over her legs. Reaching down, she scratched the footstools head every so often while she dreamed of far away adventures in her stories.

Suddenly there was a pounding on the large front doors of the castle. She jumped, marking her place and sticking her head out into the entrance hall to look. None came forward to answer the door. Belle could hear muffled yelling on the other side.

The pounding didn't cease, and she took a step forward to see who it was.

"Milady, don't!" Cogsworth ran in front of her and grabbed the bottom of her skirt. "It's the man from before!"

Furrowing her brow she asked, "Gaston?"

She charged forward and pulled the door open. More objects emerged to protest, but she ignored them. Though she hated the man, Belle couldn't help but wonder why he was here. He was the first glimpse of the outside world she would have since she promised not to leave.

Cracking open the door she took a step back when he bulled through the entrance.

"Belle! There you are. Wait here." he snapped, charging in with a crossbow in hand.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, grabbing his arm. His hair was ruffled and he looked almost wild.

"Takings you back, but first I want the beasts head."

Though he frightened her, the Prince had not harmed her since she entered the castle. Killing him wasn't right, and she knew it.

"No! It's okay. He hasn't hurt me at all. I haven't seen him really since that day."

"Come on Belle. Your bleeding heart is getting ridiculous!"

Glaring at him she stepped forward and snapped, "Aren't you the one who offered me up on a silver platter?!"

"He was going to kill me!"

She smirked, "And you thought he would be any different to me?"

"You're still alive aren't you? I was the only one in town who even believed you were in danger! You should be thanking me!"

When his words sunk in Belle laughed in amazement. "They all think you're crazy don't they?"

Gaston stiffed indignantly, "What are you talking about?"

"You're not here to save me. You're here to prove to the town that the beast is real!"

"What difference does it make?!"

Her mouth fell open in amazement, "You would kill someone else just to prove a point?"

Gaston laughed and grabbed her by the throat, "This monster hardly counts as 'someone'."

From the shadows the beast watched what was happening in amazement. Was she defending him?

Clawing at her throat he loosened his grip and she stumbled back, coughing, "He's no monster Gaston," Belle glared and held her throat, "you are!"

He took a threatening step forward when a howl rattled the walls. Jumping in front of her the Beast hovered protectively and glared at Gaston. Eyes wide, he stepped back from the Prince and Belle.

Growling low the Beast warned, "Get out."

He looked down to see the red marks on Belles neck. Reaching down a hand his paw almost covered her, but he gently moved her hair away from her eyes as she searched his face. Snapping his head up furiously, he screamed at Gaston, "GET OUT!"

Despite what she had just seen, watching the large creature turn so violent frightened Belle tremendously. She backed away against the wall and trembled. Gaston stepped toward her and she jumped away further.

Swiping a hand at him the Prince knocked him to the ground. Loading the crossbow Gaston took aim and Belle gasped, "No!"

Jumping up Belle shoved the Beast out of the way, though the arrow still buried deep in his arm. He cried out and flew at him, grabbing his shirt and literally throwing him through the door. Yelling and arms swinging Gaston landed in the snow. He looked back to see the Beast begin to come toward him and ran to his horse. Galloping away he kept looking back in fear knowing he needed help to defeat him.

Once he was out of sight Belle ran forward to grab the Prince's good arm. Like a wounded animal, he growled at her when she approached and she backed against the door with her hands held up in surrender. When he seemed to soften, Belle walked forward slowly and grabbed his hand. Tugging him inside she showed him to the sitting room and set him in the chair.

Mrs. Pots appeared with warm water and filled a basin. Looking down at his arm, Belle said apologetically, "The arrow will have to come out."

Hugging it to him he growled at her, "Its fine."

"No it's not." she scolded, "Now hold still a moment."

He glared, but didn't argue when she braced herself to pull the object out. Before she could truly grab a hold he moved and then yelled, "That hurts!"

Frustrated Belle swept her hair out of her eyes and snapped, "If you'd hold still it wouldn't hurt as much!"

Pouting he grit his teeth and let her snap the arrow in half before pulling it out cleanly. A roar of pain echoed through the castle and she shook with nerves until it was finished.

"There," she said gently, "it's done."

He took deep breaths and stared at the wound on his arm. Dipping a cloth in the warm water she looked at him apologetically and said, "Hold still. This might sting a little."

Sucking in a breath he complained, "If you hadn't opened the door this wouldn't have happened."

Rolling her eyes she retorted, "If someone else had bothered I wouldn't have opened it!"

"Why was he back here anyways!"

"Why do you think?!" she asked annoyed, "To save me from the monster."

She waved her hands dramatically and he snickered despite himself. Remembering that he was angry he cleared his throat and said, "Well, you promised you wouldn't leave!"

"I wasn't trying to!"

Both stopped bickering long enough to realize neither would win this argument. With a sigh Belle decided to let it go and gently patted his wound with the cloth. When he closed his eyes against the sting she breathed, "By the way… thank you, for protecting me from him."

Swallowing nervously he tried to shake off her gratitude, "He wanted to kill me as well."

"Not the first time."

He looked at her in surprise and she locked eyes with him.

"The day of the ball… I know you were trying to save me from him."

His voice was deep when he replied, "You're thanking to one who imprisoned you?"

She continued to clean his arm as she said, "I was already a prisoner. If you hadn't come along I'd probably be married to that monster by now."

He watched her quietly as she continued to patch his arm.

"So thank you," Belle continued, "for saving my life."

"You're welcome," he breathed, "But I noticed- you did the same for me."

A long moment passed where the two simply stared at one another until finally The Beast cleared his throat and she wrapped his arm. Standing she started to return to her room, but paused in the doorway.

"Beast?"

"Hmm?"

Glancing back she asked, "Will you eat dinner with me?"