WOW! Who'd have ever thought that summer would be more pressed for time than the school semester! Hope you all enjoy this chapter! I promise.. more exciting things are coming soon! Oh, and as we all already know...I do not own Beauty and the Beast nor any of it's characters. The story I have written is a completely original idea that simply borrows the characters created by Disney.

**you might have realized I am reposting this chapter... I should learn to never post before proofreading after being tired haha. Hopefully this version is much better than the first!**

Chapter 12 – A Lovely Evening Out

Gaston strolled up to the front door, full of confidence. Giving a few quick taps, the door opened, Maurice beckoning him inside.

"Gaston! Pleasure to see you son!"

"Hello Maurice." Gaston sent a friendly smile to the old man he had grown to actually like, against his former opinions of the inventor.

"Belle should be down in just a moment...she's been primping practically all afternoon." Maurice chuckled, walking to the bottom of the stairs to yell up to Belle that her "date" for the dance had arrived. It wasn't long before Belle appeared at the top of the stairs, practically gliding down them. Gaston let out a long whistle as she descended, giving a spin at his obvious approval.

"Do I look alright?"

"Alright? You'll only be the prettiest girl there!" Gaston felt the pride in his chest swell, knowing that Belle was finally his, and that he could dish out such compliments without worry of her turning him down like she had months ago. He suddenly remembered the small white box in his hands, moving to hand it to her. "Here, I got this for you." He smiled one of his most debonair smiles, watching as Belle lifted the lid, revealing a delicate mask, the same gold as her dress, adorned with lace and jewels. Her gasp caught in her throat as she looked to Gaston, turning her gaze from him to her father and back again.

"How did you- You were in on this!" she looked at them accusingly, failing as her smile spread wider across her face.

"It was your father's idea. He told me about your gown, and I just found the mask. I figured you'd need one for the masquerade... so why not have the best?"

"Thank you… that was really very sweet."

"You two had better get going, you don't want to miss all the fun! And Gaston…I'm sure I don't need to lecture you about being a proper gentleman with my daughter?" Maurice smiled towards Gaston, unable to hold back his chuckle. Gaston assured him just the same, before guiding Belle out of the house, her hand folding into his arm as they made their way into town towards the dance.

As the couple entered the tavern Belle felt instantly self-conscious. It seemed everyone near-by had stopped to stare and whisper their surprise. She felt Gaston puff up next to her and felt her face heat up in a blush. For once the stares were not those of disapproval at her reading, but approval of how she looked, that she was with Gaston…and if Belle were to admit it, she would say she were feeling quite proud as well.

The night went about joyfully, dancing and music, and Belle even found herself getting along with the few of Gaston's bar mates. Some point during the middle of the evening, Gaston left Belle to herself, going in search of drinks for the two of them. Belle stood off to the side, admiring the room when she saw a timid blonde making her way over. Belle would have sworn it was the same one she had gotten into that argument with not too long ago, before quickly realizing the different color of dress and the lack of bruise stretching from nose to eye, uncovered even with the mask. Belle would admit that she felt pretty proud at that one too. This girl however made her way over to Belle slowly, as if afraid she were intruding on something.

"Belle?...You probably don't know me..I'm Hannah. I-I don't mean to bother you it's just well.." she snuck a look over her shoulder, making sure no one else was within ear shot of what she was preparing herself to say. "I think the way Joelle treated you the other day was just horrid, and I am so proud you gave her what she deserved." She let out a huff of air, smiling at herself for stating the truth. Belle could only give a confused smile back, unsure of exactly how to respond.

"Oh…thank you?"

"No really Belle, she deserved it. I'm sorry for how she acted. I'll never forget the way her feet popped up over her head like that." She giggled, hiding her laugh behind her hand. Belle found herself laughing along, before it died off.

"I'm sorry, I really don't mean to be rude it's just, we've never really spoken before, and after the way Joelle spoke to me, I suppose that I assumed you all felt the same way about me." the name of the blonde felt foreign on Belle's tongue... never having been on a personal basis with really anyone from the town.

"Oh nonsense! I will admit, I used to go right along with them, but once it became obviously something between you and Gaston, I stopped. They never did. You might not have noticed Belle, but I don't exactly fit in with my sisters." Her gaze dropped, and Belle was embarrassed at the fact that no, she had never noticed. Hannah sighed, looking back to Belle. "Bit pathetic, isn't it? Noel, Joelle, and Hannah. My parents never expected a third. And my sisters expected me to act just like them; completely air-headed around men, flashing about like it's some sort of parade. It sickens me." Belle smiled back to the girl, nodding her head. "Oh, but look at me! Taking up all your time! You're here with Gaston. It was lovely talking to you… I do hope we can become friends." And with that, she turned, bouncing off towards whoever her date was, leaving a very bewildered Belle behind to watch her go. Gaston finally returned, handing her her glass of punch. He caught on to her expression quickly, giving her arm a nudge.

"You alright there?"

"I…I'm fine. People just always surprise me is all."

It was nearing the end of the night when Gaston left to grab a last drink, Belle resting her feet as she sat down. She was surprised by a tap on her shoulder, the touch coming from the small man she had always seen following Gaston around.

"Lefou?"

"Belle. I saw you sitting alone, and I was thinking why don't you dance with me?"

"I'd rather not Lefou..I'm here with Gaston." Belle turned her face away, hoping that throughout the night Lefou hadn't realized she had also traded off with a couple of Gaston's other friends during the large group dances.

"Oh come on! It's just one!"

"Oh…fine." Belle slowly stood, not wanting to be rude, but all the same wearily dreaming of a tub of hot water that she would soak her feet in once she got home. Lefou clumsily led her out to the floor, squeezing in among the other couples. All too soon however, Belle was uncomfortable and ready to detach herself from the man. He held her too close, his hand on her back sliding far too low.

"I think I should go find Gaston now...it's getting late." She squirmed, attempting to get out of his grip, but had clearly underestimated his strength from his size.

"You don't have to keep yourself just to Gaston ya know… he's not one to share, but he wouldn't have to know either." He waggled his eyebrows at her, instantly rushing the bile to her throat. She struggled again to detach herself from his grip, but he only held on all the same. Belle was readying to kick him when a voice from behind boomed across the room, silencing all.

"Lefou! Let..her..go"

"Gaston! We were just h-having some fun!" Lefou had jumped back about a mile from Belle, trying to smile up to Gaston through his fear. Belle was completely red-faced, smoothing down the front of her dress in an attempt to avert her eyes from everywhere else in the room.

"And she asked for you to let her go. And when a lady asks, you respect that request." Gaston rounded on Lefou, staring him down.

"Hah! As if you actually care what she wants. She's just a stupid girl! All the better for breeding perfect children, right?" Lefou guffawed, slapping Gaston's arm. The collective group gasped, hushed murmurs spotting about the crowd. Gaston let out a low growl, clenching his fists at his side.

"You…will never speak of her like that again. Let's go Belle." Gaston turned, placing a hand on the small of her back with all intentions of leaving.

"Yay! Go and read your sissy little books! Lot good that will do ya!"

"I'd rather read books all day with a beautiful girl than be a lonely creep like you!" Belle blushed furiously at Gaston's remark, knowing full well her mask wouldn't come close to covering it. The crowd burst out into fits of laughter, pointing and jeering at Lefou, a few of them rooting on Gaston as he led Belle outside, heading towards her house. "Don't let him get to you…there is something very wrong with him." his face was set in a deep sneer, anger at both Lefou's actions and the feeling of embarrassment for himself and especially for Belle at the way Lefou had acted.

The cool night air soon calmed Gaston down, and the two walked in companionable silence the rest of the way, stopping just at Belle's doorstep.

"Thank you, Gaston. I had a wonderful night."

"I'm just sorry it was ruined by that fool. I'll be sure to deal with him later."

Belle smirked, "It was worth it you know… got you to call me beautiful. And you admitted to liking books." She couldn't stifle her giggle as she practically saw the gears turn in Gaston's head as he realized that that was exactly what he had done.

"Well, if they don't like it, then to Hell with them all!" the laughter between the two died down, silence stretching out. Gaston was just about to turn when Belle stepped up on her toes, placing a soft kiss upon his lips, leaving him gaping in surprise.

"Thank you, Gaston. For a wonderful night." She smiled at him, before opening her door and walking inside. She watched through her window as Gaston walked down the path leading away, whistling jovially as he did.

"Did you have a good time?"

"Papa!" Belle turned to the source of the voice, hand clutching her heart. Her father chuckled, standing from the armchair he had been lounging in.

"I'll take that as a yes then."

"It was a…lovely night." She bent down, placing a kiss upon the top of his head. "Good night Papa." She made her way up the stairs and towards her room.

"With any luck I'll have grandchildren soon!"

"Good night Papa."

Maurice laughed once more, shaking his head as he made his way to his own room. Call it father's intuition but he always knew he had been right about that boy.

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