Ladivina, you are good at predicting people's mannerisms! When I read your review, I thought, "Oh, yes. That is going to happen!" I had this chapter planned before you said it, but it blew me away how you were able to predict it so well.

In answer to Guest's question, no. Lefou is not gay. I don't write gay characters- well, at least not intentionally. But he is indeed Gaston's biggest fan and faithful pushover sidekick. I look at it as hero worship and trying to gain acceptance from the cool guy.

Well, in this story, I plan to elaborate later on Lissa and Lefou's friendship. Just so no one gets the wrong impression, they think of each other as brother and sister, not a romantic interest, though I think it would be cute. But a romantic interest for Lissa would distract me from the movie story, and I want this fic to be focused on Gaston and Lissa's sibling relationship.

In answer to Samantha's review, about Lissa going with Belle to the castle battle to fight Gaston. Don't worry, I have plans for that! But we are not that far yet. As for a happy ending for Lissa, keep reading, people. The story is not over yet!

Lissa didn't sleep well at all through the night. Before retiring to bed, when Gaston entered to change the cold poultice on her face, she started throwing up again. He cleaned her up, bandaged her face with a fresh compress, gave her some more of the pain medicine, for all the good it did. All through the night her face ached horribly and her mind was so stress-fully overloaded after the terrible things she'd seen and heard that even as she tried to sleep, her mind was conscious and running wild. She tossed and turned which agitated her face, it was better to stay still. But when she lay still, she kept picturing Maurice tied helplessly at the tree or dragged away and taken to the insane asylum, and her imagination would go dark with horrible thoughts of her friend's fate and Belle's heartache at the turn of events. Gaston, on the other hand, slept too comfortably without a hitch.

Maurice was still tied up leaning against the tree, but he was alive! A hooded figure approached him. She didn't speak, but removed her hood and stared at him. Maurice slowly opened his weary eyes, not sure where he was. He was cold and didn't feel well. He looked up at the woman. He recognized her. It was Agathe, the beggar woman. He didn't know exactly why she was here, but he was grateful that someone had come along. "Let me help you." Agathe said softly. She freed him and helped him stagger to his feet. He was shivering and started coughing. Leaning his arm over her shoulder, she carefully brought him to her hideout in the forest. She set him down on a bedding and offered him an herbal drink she'd made. "Here, drink." She said quietly, holding the cup to his mouth. He accepted it gratefully.

"Thank you, Agathe." Maurice whispered.

The sun was up when Gaston knocked on her door. Lissa had barely slept when she heard it and didn't feel much better. Her face felt the same as last night, the medicine hadn't eased the discomfort by much, and her head ached. She wasn't sure she wanted to see her brother. How was he going to act? Would he be remorseful for what he'd done? Or would he sugar coat it like he'd made such a nasty habit of the passed few years? Would he possibly actually go find Maurice and let him go? As if that's going happen, Lissa thought to herself. She wouldn't know until she saw him.

Gaston didn't bother for a response but walked right in. "Morning, Lissa!" He greeted cheerily. Lissa's heart sank. His friendliness hurt her more than cheered her up, because obviously it indicated that he had no regrets about any of the terrible events he caused last night. How could he do such dastardly things and not feel even a twinge of second-guessing his actions? Lissa slowly stirred, but didn't turn over to face him. "Hey, I need you to face me. Come on." Gaston said. Lissa gulped and slowly turned on her side then sat up. She just stared glumly at her feet. Gaston pulled open the shades on her window and she squinted hard at the bright light. She moaned, raising her arm to shade her eyes, it was making her head ache worse. Gaston pulled them mostly closed but let in a little light, that helped. "So, how are we feeling this morning?" Gaston asked lightly. Lissa closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, sighing heavily. "Oh, not so good, huh? I see." Gaston nodded.

I'm so tired, Lissa thought, leaning her head against the backboard. I just want to be alone. Gaston felt her forehead with the back of his hand, double checking for fever. He knew of people who had suffered injuries like Lissa's and had died from poor treatment, lack of nourishment, or mouth infection. Even though he knew this was mild compared to the potential problems the doctor expected, he was still being cautious.

"Well, no signs of infection. There doesn't seem to be any fever. That's good." He smiled coyly in relief. If her condition deteriorated from the blow to her face, it would be on him, and he wasn't ready to deal with that!

That's good. Humph. Yes, isn't it? Lissa thought unhappily.

"Well, it's a beautiful day." Gaston said cheerily."It's a shame you can't be outside to enjoy it. But we'll fix that soon."

Even if I could, I wouldn't be able to, Lissa wanted to say. Not after what you did to my friend!

"You hungry?" Gaston asked. Lissa shook her head. It's not like she could chew properly right now anyway, she was still tired, but most of all, she felt much too sad to think about food. "Oh. That's too bad." Gaston sighed. "Well, don't worry. I'll get you fixed up."

If you only could, Lissa wanted to say.

Lissa just lay there unhappily. There wasn't much else she could do right now. She just let Gaston tend to her hurts, but the biggest and most acute one of all was invisible and apparently, he didn't care for its existence. Lissa only gave him a response if he asked about what she needed. She wanted so badly to ask him to go back and make sure Maurice was okay and to let him go, but she knew it was useless. In her mind she kept praying that Maurice was still alive, but now she would never know. Gaston interrupted her thoughts as he gave her the medicine. Even taking a tiny sip from a spoon inflicted intense discomfort in Lissa's jaw and her lip. There was a sheet of paper and a pencil on the nightstand next to her so she could communicate, but so far she had not used it with Gaston.

"You know, those woods are dangerous, especially at night!" Gaston told her as he carefully removed the not so cold now poultice from her face. "They're full of predators and robbers. You could've been attacked out there alone."

I was attacked! Lissa thought to herself, wanting to scream it at him. In case you forgot already, you hit me!

"That was a crazy thing to do, wandering off in the woods like that!" Gaston exclaimed, sounding worried at the thought. Lissa turned her face away from him. Maybe she couldn't escape his presence, but that didn't mean she had to look at him! Gaston noticed her gesture but he kept talking. "Hey, it took guts, I'll admit," he said, "but it was stupid. You might've been killed!" Lissa just stared straight ahead.

Maurice might've been killed! She thought painfully. He might be...he might be dead, thanks to you! You say it was stupid and crazy for me to come after you. I had no choice! I had to do it! If I hadn't, Maurice would've…

Gaston noticed that Lissa was ignoring him, and also how miserable she looked. He gave a sad smile as he sat beside her on the bed. "Ohh, Lissa," he sighed heavily, "when I think of what could've happened to you out there, and if I hadn't been able to stop it..." He shook his head, "I, if I lost you, I...I don't know what I would do! Lissa, my dear," Gaston put his hands on her shoulders, "I couldn't bear to lose you! It would break me in two. You know that I wouldn't do anything for you if I didn't think it was for your good. So promise me something?" Lissa didn't reply or show any signs that she'd heard him, except that she looked like she was about to cry. She wanted so badly to believe him, but he still hadn't shown any signs of remorse for his dastardly deeds last night and hadn't admitted that he had done anything wrong either, which broke her heart. Lissa still ignored him. He started to cup her chin but the touch made her wince. Realizing that was a mistake, he gently touched the other side of her face and turned her toward him. She kept her eyes down. "Lissa," Gaston spoke dramatically, leaning his face close to hers, "please promise me, that you will never up and take off into the woods like that again! If I hadn't been nearby at the time, you could've gotten lost or worse!"

Wait a minute! Are you implying that...you're...you're saying this is all MY fault?! Lissa's thoughts raced. How could he say such a thing? If she'd been able to trust him in the first place, she wouldn't have followed him! If she'd had confidence that he had noble motives for helping Maurice, she would've stayed behind at home. If Gaston hadn't lost his temper, she wouldn't be bedridden like this! She had only been trying to protect Maurice, but Gaston had tried to hinder her, then he'd struck her. That was her fault? What kind of brother are you? Lissa wanted to blurt out, but she couldn't. She stiffened under his grip and turned her face away. She gritted her teeth to control her emotions but it was very hard. Gaston tried to direct her face back to him but she kept shying away. Gaston saw that he wasn't making much headway, which made him uncomfortable. Maybe he should try a different approach.

"You know all I ever wanted is to keep you safe." He said sadly. "You know that, right?"

Lissa grimaced. Do I know that? I want to. I used to, but now I...I don't know if I'm sure anymore! She wished Gaston wouldn't use that saddened tone of voice. It made her feel like she should be apologizing. But, he was the one who should...shouldn't he? She moaned and sighed, hoping he'd see that she didn't feel like talking and would stop his pathetic sympathy act.

"I've said too much, haven't I?" Gaston sighed. "I should know better than to engage such deep conversation when you're not up to it. How thoughtless of me." He patted her shoulder and rose from the bed. He readjusted her pillows so she'd be more comfortable. Lissa drew her knees to her chest and curled up against the backboard. She still didn't look at her brother, but kept her eyes down on the bed. "I'll get you some breakfast." Gaston said and left the room.

Please just leave me alone right now! I know what I saw last night, and I know what I heard! I heard him say that we'd all be better off without Maurice, and that he de...that he deserved to die! Lissa tightened her grip on herself. He was going to leave Maurice to die! He may be dead right now! All I did was try to protect him! I have nothing to apologize for! Lissa thought defensively. But Gaston had made her feel like this whole mess was her fault! I know I got blunt with him, but he wasn't listening to anything else I said. And it's true, he doesn't deserve Belle, not after what he did. He's crazy to believe she would ever marry him now! How come I'm the one who is starting to feel guilty right now?

Gaston returned all too soon. Lissa didn't move. "Here, I brought you some broth. It should make it easier for you to get some nourishment." Gaston said. Lissa still didn't move. She had absolutely not appetite at all. Gaston set the tray down and touched her shoulder. "Hey, you need to eat. You'll feel better." Lissa turned her face away from his direction and stayed the way she was. She shook her head.

How can I eat when Maurice may be a corpse out there right now, knowing it could've been stopped, and now you're making me feel like I did something wrong?

"Come on, just try a little." Gaston prodded. Lissa grunted in refusal. Gaston sighed. He was trying to help her-in his mind-, but she was rejecting his efforts. "All right." He said in resignation. "I see, you're not up to it. Well, your broth is going to get cold, so don't blame me."

I don't care. Lissa tightened her hold on herself.

"I don't want the nurse to think I'm neglecting you." Gaston said. Lissa's chest heaved. She was so tempted to reach over and throw a book at him, but she refrained herself. She squeezed her eyes shut though. "Well, I have some things to do in town. You'll be all right?"

Lissa nodded. Yes, please go! Let me be alone.

"The nurse should be here in a few minutes. She'll take care of you. I'll be back in a few hours." Gaston said, heading for the door. "Be sure to get some rest. If you need me, have the nurse send for Lefou." Then he closed the door.

Lissa leaned her head back on the pillows and she was finally left alone with her thoughts. It was quiet! It was peaceful, she didn't have to listen to Gaston patronizing her. How could he act so calloused? How could he be so cold-hearted to do what he had done last night? What in the name of common sense would make him think Belle would marry him after what happened? Oh, Belle! What had happened to Belle anyway? Had she been locked up, by a beast like Maurice had said? That had to be impossible, yet Maurice had acted so sure about it, and he'd seemed in perfect health the day before when he'd headed to the market. What if, in reality, Belle had actually been attacked by wolves, and becoming horribly traumatized from finding her that way, Maurice had run back for help but being in such shock, he'd called the wolves one huge beast? Either, either someone hurt him badly on the road and managed to play with his mind, Lissa tried to rationalize, or he ate something that is effecting his judgement, or...or he's telling the truth! But beasts only exist in fairy tales and stories, don't they? Then she thought again about how murderously, and irrationally violent her brother had acted last night.

Well, if that wasn't beastly, what is? I hope Belle is all right! I hope she's not in a dungeon like Maurice told us! Lissa's thoughts went back to the last time she had seen her best friend. It had been yesterday, in this house, and poor Belle had fled for her life when Gaston had tried to get too friendly with her, against her wishes! Lissa felt more ashamed every time she thought of that. Belle had trusted her, and now? Belle, I'm so sorry! I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am about that. I didn't in any way plan for it to happen, I just hope you know that. I wouldn't ever deliberately try to put you in such a position. I will never, ever again invite you over to my house! If that's what it takes for you to believe me, then all right. I hope you can forgive me and that we can still be friends!

I hope Maurice is...At this point, Lissa shed tears as she remembered much too vividly what her brother had done last night. She couldn't bear to think of Maurice dead, his body withering away from the cold or starvation, or helplessly being bound as savage wolves surrounded him and tore him to pieces with no way to defend himself! At that thought, Lissa shrieked out loud-which acutely darted her mouth with a dash of fire- wagging her head, trying to shake off the dreadful imagination. No! No, no, no, no...She told herself. Maurice! Belle! Are you still alive? Will you come back? Just then, she heard footsteps approaching, then the door opened. She saw Gaston enter with the nurse behind him.

"Everything all right?" Gaston asked, sounding concerned. Lissa turned her face away from him. He was the reason all this distress was happening! The nurse came to the bed.

"It's all right, Miss. I'm here to see that you're taken care of." She said calmly. "Did something frighten you?" Lissa glanced toward Gaston's direction out of the corner of her eyes then turned away again.

"It's all right, Lissa. I'm here." Gaston smiled. "If something frightened you, I'll make sure it doesn't come back. I won't let anything hurt you." Lissa's face grew hot and she clenched her covers.

Get out of my room! Lissa wanted to screech. I don't even want to see you.

"It's all right, Sir." The nurse told Gaston. "It would probably be best if you leave now. I'll look after her."

Yes! Please just get out of here! Lissa thought.

"If you say so." Gaston shrugged. "Oh, she is not allowed to have visitors, except Monsieur Lefou. I don't want her to be disturbed."

"As you wish, Sir. Now go. I have work to do." The nurse tried to shoo him away. "Now don't go fretting about your sister. She'll be fine. I assure you she's in good hands."

Gaston nodded and headed to the door. "Be a good girl, Lissa." He gave a cold smile then closed the door. Lissa groaned without opening her mouth.

Just stay away and leave me alone! She thought. Just leave me in peace.

"Why, you're crying." The nurse said. "Don't worry. He'll be back. I don't bite. Does your face hurt, you poor dear?"

I don't want him to come back! Lissa thought sadly. At least, not yet. I feel so confused. What is happening to us? What has gotten into him? I don't understand it! I don't know if I want to understand it!

After doing a couple errands, Gaston strode toward the tavern. Lefou met him on the street. "Ah, Lefou. There you are!" Gaston greeted happily. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"I suppose." Lefou shrugged. Gaston furrowed his eyebrows.

"Hey, cheer up. What's got you so glum?" He asked. Lefou gave him a long look.

"I...I didn't sleep very good last night." He mumbled.

Gaston cocked his head and put his arm around him. "I know. Let's go have a drink and a bite before we begin our journey. That'll perk you up. Come." He led his forlorn sidekick into the tavern.

"How is Lissa?" Lefou asked lowly. He wanted to know how Maurice was, but the answer to that question could only be clarified in their imaginations.

"I don't really know." Gaston shook his head. "She hasn't spoken to me since last night. Every time I enter the room she acts as if I've put salt in her pudding. Women are funny creatures, but I suppose I shouldn't expect her to be chipper right now, having to stay in bed."

Mmm-hmm, Lefou groaned in thought. You hurt her badly, and her friend. Do you really expect a room full of big thank you hugs?

"Gaston?" The tavern keeper greeted the pair as they sat down in their usual spots. "The usual?"

"Yes, but lightly." Gaston nodded. "The day is just breaking."

"How did it go last night with Maurice?" The tavern keeper asked. Lefou bit his lip and glanced at his friend, wondering what he would do. Gaston just sat there for a moment, contemplating how to answer. "Are you going to continue the search?"

"I'm afraid Maurice is out of sorts. We were riding together searching last night, when he just left us and wandered off." Gaston lied. "I tried to stop him, and asked where he was going, but he just kept crying out that he had to save Belle from that beast. I couldn't keep up with him. I'm not sure where he is now. I searched and searched, but he was gone. For an old man, he sure can move fast!" Lefou glared at Gaston and hung his head. Suddenly the room felt very stuffy to him.

"I don't understand what's come over Maurice." The tavern keeper shook his head. "He seemed okay to me the other day. It sounds to me like he needs to go to bed or see a doctor. I only hope he hasn't gotten into trouble." At this, Lefou coughed on the first sip he'd taken of his drink. Gaston patted him on the back.

"Easy there, Lefou." He smiled. "You really shouldn't drink so fast."

"Have you seen any sign of Belle?" The tavern keeper asked. Some of the other customers leaned in, curious to find out.

"No, I'm afraid not." Gaston sighed, shaking his head. "And without a trace of her, I have no idea where to look for her. It pains me to say that I do not know where she could be. But we must take heart. I'm sure she will turn up. After all, Belle is a big girl and can take care of herself." Some of the ladies pffted their lips at that remark and turned away. Gaston grunted loudly with a heavy sigh and sorrowfully rubbed his face, looking pained.

"Gaston, you all right?" One of the men asked with concern.

"Yes, I'll be all right." Gaston said sadly. "I just wasn't able to sleep well last night. Not after what happened to my poor sister."

"Has something happened to Lissa?" One of the ladies asked.

"Yes." Gaston mumbled with a disheartened face. "She's not well I'm afraid. I suppose the news about Belle in trouble hit her hard." Gaston shook his head. At this, Lefou got up from his seat and headed for the stairs. "She had some foolish notion to wander in the woods last night and try to find Belle!"

"That was real dumb." Stanley muttered.

"She went into the woods last night, alone?" One of the ladies asked in frightened astonishment. Lefou stopped on the steps and listened to see what Gaston would tell the people about last night.

"Yes." Gaston nodded dismally, hanging his head. "She was so worried, I guess she couldn't help herself. It was pretty cold last night. On our way back from searching for Maurice, I found her and her horse on the side of the road! I don't know how long she'd been there, but she was in pretty bad shape." At this, Lefou hurried away and made his way outside in the fresh air where he could breathe properly.

"Was she attacked?" The tavern keeper asked with worry.

"No, no." Gaston sighed heavily. "Thank heavens that didn't happen! I suppose she gave up and decided to rest. But when I reached her, I knew something was wrong." Gaston went on, dramatizing his tale. "I picked her up and put her in the carriage. The poor thing was shaking so badly I honestly thought her bones were going to crack!" Gaston 'shuddered' at the memory, looking forlorn and rubbing his chin. One of the men gripped his shoulder for encouragement. "By the time we got her home, she was burning up with fever! She's pretty sick right now." He covered his face with his hand, trying to hide his real countenance.

"Oh, the poor thing!" Paulette cried. She and her sisters could care less about that odd girl Belle, but they'd always kept a soft spot for Lissa because she was Gaston's sister and hoped that by being nice to her, they could earn his attention.

"That's awful!" Claudette added. Gaston 'sadly' bit his lip.

"That's how it started with my mother." He gulped. "It was the same way. I...I can't lose Lissa too!" He cried, burying his face in his hands. Several of his friends encircled him at the table.

"Aww, come on, Gaston. You've got to pull yourself together!" One of the guys told him.

"Yes. You must be strong." Another said.

"Yes." The tavern keeper added. "Fighters run in your blood. Lissa is a strong girl. She should make it through this!"

"I hope so!" Gaston shook his head, sounding so distraught.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Laurrette asked hopefully.

"No." Gaston replied dryly. "She isn't allowed to have visitors. The doctor says she needs absolute quiet and rest. I'm the only one who can see her."

"Then you should be with her." One of the ladies said tenderly.

"I was up with her all night." Gaston sighed, rubbing his eyes as if to prove his point. "The nurse insisted I get some fresh air so I can be strong and help my sister get through this. She's got to pull through this. She's just got to!"

"Now, now, calm yourself, Gaston." One of the older ladies said reassuringly, patting his shoulders. "It won't do either of you any good to fret like this. You must be strong. And don't forget to take care of yourself! If there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to call!"

"Right now the best thing you can all do is see that you don't disobey the doctor's orders and leave Lissa be." Gaston said. "And pray that we'll have the strength to endure this trial. And please, just...be here for me! I'm afraid I haven't held my own very well, considering. I can use the encouragement to keep being strong. Your encouragement is a tremendous support!"

"Of course."

"Anything for you, Gaston." The triplets said.

"Well, I think I'm feeling better already!" Gaston smiled widely, relieved that they'd all fallen so easily for his pathetic sob story. Now they wouldn't doubt him or find out the truth from Lissa. He gulped down his drink and then departed. He found Lefou outside. "Well, where did you disappear to?" He asked.

"I...needed some air." Lefou sighed. "It was getting a bit stuffy in there." Gaston patted his shoulder.

"Yep. For me too." He sighed. "Well, we have a lot of ground to cover." He walked toward Magnifique, Lefou in tow.

"Where are we going?" Lefou asked.

"I do not for one moment believe that nonsense and fiddle-faddle about a beast and talking teacups." Gaston stated. "But, it appears that Belle is not home and no one in the village has seen her since the other afternoon. I thought we'd cover more territory, check out a few of the villages down the road, see if anyone has seen her." Lefou was a little surprised, but then, not so surprised. Gaston was a hunter after all, and hated to lose his prey, especially his favorite prey.

"What if we can't find her?" Lefou suggested.

"Well then, I guess I'll just have to pine away until she comes running to me in destitution." Gaston remarked cooly. Lefou pursed his lips. He felt that answer was a bit callous.

"Hey, that might take a while." He said. "What about Lissa?"

"She's in good hands, Lefou. No worries." Gaston said casually, tightening the girth on his horse. "I told the doctor to send his best nurse."

"Gaston, she's the only nurse in the village." Lefou snickered.

"Well, then we don't have anything to worry about, do we?"

"But, I'm sure she has other patients to help out with." Lefou pointed out.

"And she'll be compensated handsomely for her trouble." Gaston said, indicating they should end the conversation. He was in control, and had everything mapped out. They mounted their horses. "And I set out early this morning to insure there will be plenty of ice for them." Man, Gaston was smart. He thought of everything.

"But, won't your absence seem a little cold to everyone else? I mean, with that whopper of a story you told them..." Lefou mumbled.

"Ha, ha. Fool I am." Gaston chuckled. "Thank you, Lefou. You're a good reminder. I suppose I probably should stick around here a little more, shouldn't I? After all, it would look like I wasn't a very devoted brother, now would it?" Gaston smiled.

"Yeah." Lefou said and they trotted away.

The nurse was very efficient, making sure Lissa was as comfortable as possible, trying to get her to eat as much as she could, and changing the compress when necessary. Since Lissa couldn't talk, she mostly just lay in bed and listened to the nurse talk about the events in town. "Can I get you anything?" The nurse asked. Lissa picked up the writing paper and pencil. She handed the nurse a note, requesting her diary. She wrote that it was in the small chest next to the bureau. The nurse looked in and picked up a worn, blue booklet. "Is this it?" She asked. Lissa nodded. The nurse handed it to her, then went back to close the chest lid when her eyes fell on something sitting in the sunlight on a small table. "Oh, this is exquisite." She stated in awe. "What is it?" Lissa's face fell when she saw it: it was her mother's beloved music box, the one made especially and lovingly by Maurice!

"It's a music box," Lissa wrote in big letters on a sheet of paper.

"A music box, it's beautiful!" The nurse exclaimed, gently reaching her hand out to touch it. "May I?" Lissa nodded. The nurse softly ran her thin fingers over the intricate features, her eyes taking note of the tiny detailed paint pictures and the amazing carvings woven all over it. "This is...astounding. It had to be made by a true artist." Lissa hung her head as she heard that. "I certainly would like to meet the person who created this beautiful piece! He must take great pride in his work."

"He does," Lissa wrote on a note, but the words became blurry as tears filled her eyes. She hunched over and wept. Here was a woman praising Maurice's unique, caring artistry who didn't even know him that well, but she could see and feel the kind of person he was just by looking at his talented work. Hearing the kind words broke Lissa's heart. She had known his beautiful work and his gentle nature her whole life, since she was a little girl and had often envied Belle for having such a loving father. Now? Now she, they, might never see him again! Maurice may be dead right at this moment. But, even if he wasn't, if he was still alive, what were the chances that he'd even have a decent life? After the horrible lie Gaston had told the doctor last night, and a very convincing one too, how could Lissa know if Maurice would be treated with kindness and decency if he returned? What were the chances that Gaston would not convince everyone else of what Maurice had supposedly done and he'd be hauled off to the insane asylum? Lissa shuddered and cried more the more realistic that scenario felt. And if that happened, what would become of Belle? Maybe Maurice was better off dead! Lissa hated thinking that way, and murdered no less! But still, would it not be better than returning home to his 'friends' who would come after him like some criminal?

The nurse heard sniffling and turned to look. Her patient was weeping. The nurse quickly came to her side. "Are you all right?" She asked gently. Lissa only covered her face. The crying hurt her mouth, but the hurt of Maurice and Belle being put through so much hurt even more. "I didn't mean to upset you." The nurse warmly rubbed her wrist. "Should I send for your brother?" Lissa moaned loudly and shook her head adamantly. Gaston was the last person she wanted to see. The nurse let her cry a bit then helped her lay back. "You need to try and get some sleep. Here, I'll get this out of your way." She started to remove Lissa's diary, but Lissa gripped it and shoved it under her pillow. "I'm sorry." The nurse said. "Now I want you to get a good rest. I'm going to give you something to help you sleep, all right?" Lissa nodded, but even with the most powerful rest-inducing remedy around, she was sure she would not sleep.

Gaston and Lefou returned to the village in the late afternoon with evening approaching. They had had no luck in finding Belle or any clues as to where she might have gone. Gaston wasn't happy about that. He was determined to have Belle for his wife, even after all the trouble he'd caused her. Gaston was not a loser, he always got what he wanted! Always! That's why he had pursued Belle all this time, all these years. She'd been the first person outside of his family who didn't fall at his feet and had also told him no for the first time in his life, so he'd looked on her as a handsome challenge and was convinced that he'd change her mind. Lefou didn't want to encourage Gaston in this pursuit anymore, not if it meant more hushed, dark deeds to accomplish it. Nevertheless, Gaston was grumpy as they reached Villeneuve again and tried to cheer him up. Anything was better than being around Gaston when he was in a cranky mood! "Well, I guess it's like you said," Lefou spoke up, "if we don't find Belle, I guess you'll just have to hang around here and wait for her."

"I did say that, didn't I?" Gaston rolled his eyes. "I just didn't think it would be so soon!"

"Like you said, Belle's smart. She can take care of herself." Lefou remarked. He truly meant that. Any girl who could freely, willingly turn down Gaston's advances from her own personal preferences was unique and must be pretty self-sufficient to come to such a conclusion.

"Yes, but that butts out my chance to be her conquering hero." Gaston pouted.

"All in good time," Lefou said cheerfully. Though he truly doubted Belle would ever run to Gaston for help, he was trying to keep Gaston in a good mood. They spent some leisure time at the tavern then headed back home. Lefou stopped at the flower vendor.

"What are you doing, Lefou?" Gaston asked curiously. "I don't usually find you in a place like this."

"If it's all the same to you, I was just going to bring these for Lissa." Lefou answered, picking out a pretty bouquet of bright blossoms. "Just a little 'get well' reminder."

"Oh. Right!" Gaston smiled. That idea had not occurred to him, until now.

"You don't mind, do you?" Lefou asked.

"Not at all, my friend!" Gaston clapped him on the back, though he wished he'd thought of it first!

"You know, she didn't have it so easy last night," Lefou said lowly, wanting to say, she had it really rough, but he didn't want to create more problems.

"Yes, it's a shame." Gaston sighed dutifully.

"I heard that flowers work wonders with girls. I just thought these might cheer her up, till she's back on her feet." Lefou said.

"You're absolutely right, my friend!" Gaston exclaimed, taking the bouquet out of Lefou's hands. "This just may be what I've needed to get her to speak to me again. Thank you!"

"You're...welcome? I guess." Lefou shrugged with creased eyebrows. He sighed and picked a new bouquet.

The two friends entered the Legume's home. "Oh, right." Gaston muttered. "Well, I guess we'll have to fend for ourselves for supper."

"You know, you could've saved this trouble, if..." Lefou began but bit his lip. He wanted to say, if you hadn't punched her.

"Well, I suppose I better tell the nurse she can go." Gaston said. The two men headed upstairs. Gaston opened Lissa's door and noisily stepped inside. "Hello..."

"Shh!" The nurse shushed him. "Please be quiet. I just got her to finally go to sleep!"

"Oops." Gaston whispered. The nurse pushed him out as they left the room. "Any signs of improvement?" Gaston asked.

"Hard to tell." The nurse replied. "This is only my first day here. She obeyed my instructions, but getting her to sleep was a different story. I had to give her an extra dose of the tonic before she even started to feel drowsy. I think something is troubling her mind a great deal, sir."

"Oh? What makes you say that?" Gaston asked casually.

As if you didn't know, Lefou rolled his eyes.

"Well, for one thing, she really fought going to sleep." The nurse answered. "And when she asked for her diary and I gave it to her, a strange thing happened. I was remarking on her beautiful music box and she just burst into tears."

"Oh. Well, I'm sure you didn't intentionally say anything to produce that." Gaston said. "You see, it was our mother's music box. Lissa gets emotional when she sees it. She's been that way lately."

"Oh," The nurse nodded. Gaston paid her for her troubles and she left for the day with the promise to return tomorrow morning. Gaston came to Lissa's bed and kissed her cheek. But even in her sleep, she moaned and pushed him away, turning her face. Gaston shrugged and left.

It was dark when Lissa woke up. Gaston and Lefou feasted on cold cutlets and sandwiches for dinner. Lissa slowly got out of bed and lit the candle on her nightstand, then climbed back under the covers. What day was it? Had the whole ordeal with Maurice been only a bad dream, she hoped? But then she felt the dull stiffness and bruising ache in her jaw again and her face fell. No, it wasn't a dream. She reached under her pillow and pulled out her diary. She was beginning to write when the door opened. Gaston stepped in. Lissa sighed and tucked her diary under her arm. She didn't want him to be a snoop and read her deepest thoughts, especially right now! "Ah, you're awake." Gaston said. "Here you go." He showed her a vase full of flowers. Lissa looked at them and tried to smile but she couldn't.

"Who are those from?" She wrote down on a sheet of paper. It was the first bit of real communication she had given him at all.

"Me of course!" Gaston said proudly. Lissa rolled her eyes. "Well, Lefou chipped in a little bit. You hungry?"

"No. I am not!" Lissa wrote back.

"Still not eating?" Gaston sputtered. "That's not good. How do you expect to get better if you don't take care of yourself?"

Why do you think I'm not hungry? You're killing my appetite, Lissa thought.

"I don't want you skin and bones when you show yourself in public again. People might get the wrong impression." Gaston rambled on. Lissa flopped back on the pillows in exasperation, rubbing her head. Gaston felt her cheek. "Still no fever. Good sign! But really, you need to eat something! People might think I'm starving you to death. Now, we don't want that, do we?"

Gosh, Gaston. You sure know how to make a person feel better! Lefou rolled his eyes.

Lissa reached over for the notepad and pencil. She quickly wrote a small note and handed it to her brother without looking at him. The note read, "Is Lefou still here?"

"Yes. He is." Gaston nodded. "Why?" Taking the pad again, Lissa jotted another note.

"Can I see him, please?"

"I suppose." Gaston stated. "You just lie back down. I'll get him." As he closed the door, Lissa groaned. Lefou was waiting outside the room.

"She asked to see you." Gaston said.

"M-me?" Lefou raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah. Not sure why." Gaston shrugged. "But I'd go in now if I were you. Make it quick. She needs her rest."

"Yeah," Lefou rolled his eyes at Gaston's sudden concern as he peeked inside the door. "Hey, Lissa." He smiled. "You wanted to see me?" Lissa's face relaxed more though she still looked pained and disheartened. She nodded eagerly and Lefou slowly walked to the bed. He tried not to wince. In the candle and lantern light of the room, her usually youthful, soft face looked so much worse than he remembered seeing out in the woods. She looked almost just as unrecognizable as Maurice had last night when he rushed into the tavern begging for help. And to top it off, she was pale too. "Lissa, I...I..." Lefou bit his lip, trying to find the right words. "I'm so sorry this happened to you. Everything, I mean. And Maurice too." He hung his head. Lissa slightly shook her head and patted his arm, as if to encourage him. She gazed at him sympathetically. She was trying to tell him that she knew he'd tried. She was trying to say thank you. "I...I didn't want it to!" Lefou exclaimed. "I didn't want any of it to happen, but..."

"It's all right, Lefou." Gaston interrupted, coming up behind him, startling both of them. Lissa's face fell and she slouched back down into her pillows and her countenance clouded over. Lefou stiffened as Gaston put his arm on his shoulder. "You mustn't feel too badly, my friend." Gaston smiled. "Sometimes ugliness happens and there's nothing you can do to stop it." Lissa's face grew hot.

"I...I think I'd better leave." Lefou mumbled. "Get some rest," he said quietly to Lissa. She held a halting hand and scribbled a note for him. Being illiterate, he had no idea what it said and handed it to Gaston.

"She said thank you for the flowers." Gaston said slowly. He furrowed his brows at his sister. She'd thanked Lefou for the flowers, but not him! What was up with that?

"Oh," Lefou smiled nervously. "You're welcome. I'm glad you liked them. Well, I'll see you later." Lissa gazed at him softly then looked away again as Gaston closed the door.

"Well, at least you're speaking to me now!" Gaston exclaimed.

Don't press your luck, Lissa thought. Gaston came to her and sat on the bed, not that she'd asked him to.

"Hey, no need to worry. Belle will turn up, you'll see." Gaston said. "I shall find her and marry her just like we planned! Eventually." Lissa felt her blood boil. After all the garbage he'd created, he still believed that he could convince Belle to marry him?

We planned? Lissa thought, flabbergasted. How stupid can you be? How low can you sink?! You've more or less murdered her father! Do you really think she would actually want you, when you've been nothing close to a real gentleman? She vigorously wrote a note for him to read. It said, "Do not speak to me about Belle!" She really, really wanted to add, Not after what you did, but she didn't want to rouse his anger again. Gaston cocked his head and stared at her with his too well practiced 'hurt' look.

"What's the matter with you?" He asked dryly. "You act as if I were a cockroach instead of a grand hero."

You ARE a cockroach! Lissa was close to screeching. She grimaced hard, too furious to cry and crossed her arms.

"Hey, now take it easy." Gaston said, patting her arm. "Lissa, my dear, you sure are one feisty little thing."

I'm 21-years-old. I'm not a little girl anymore, Lissa said to herself.

"There's no need to get yourself so worked up." Gaston shook his head. "But it does seems pretty ungrateful of you to give me the cold shoulder after the way I've taken care of you since your accident. After all, you should be glad I was there to bring you safely back home, instead of leaving you there for the wolves!" Lissa gasped and stared at him in disbelief. He wouldn't! Would he? Was he just trying to make her feel bad again, or was he serious? "With the way you jumped all over my business last night, I could have if I chose to!" He gave her 'the look', the same look he'd given Lefou before they'd left the tavern to help Maurice look for Belle. "But, you know I wouldn't do something as vulgar as that, right?" He asked smoothly.

Lissa shuddered in horror. Even if he was just doing empty spouting, no decent brother would say something like that to his sister, would he? "I'm not that kind of person. I'm not a black-hearted monster like some men." Gaston said. Lissa was trying not to cry. Now she really wanted him to go away! "Oh, I know I have to get firm with you sometimes, but it's only because I love you so much that I don't want anything to happen to you. But my firmness trips me up sometimes." Lissa wouldn't face him and winced to keep tears from falling. Gripping her by her shoulders, Gaston pulled her close to himself and engulfed her in a hug. But it wasn't strong and reassuring, it was awkward and stifling. Lissa just sat there. "Oh, Lissa, promise me you'll never drive me to that point again!" Gaston sighed dramatically. "I would hate to think how it might end."

Lissa released her tears on his shoulder. She wished that by doing so, she could bring out and bring back the big brother she'd once had, that she kept hoping was still in there somewhere! But right now, she felt confused, hurt, and scared. The more she thought of what he'd just said, the more she was glad that Belle had had the sense to look beyond Gaston's all too handsome features and see the signs of the true person her really was! She was thankful to have such a strong-minded friend as Belle who stood up for what she wanted or didn't want. She wished she had that courage, because she would never want Belle to live this kind of life!

I'm planning to do a scene with Agathe in the next chapter. Gaston is making up another lie? Why? Hasn't he told enough of those? What is he up to now? You'll find out later!