Hello everyone! I hope you've all had a good easter :) I've certainly had a relaxing two weeks off, and I'm still not back until Monday :D which then begins the start of my last main term! Yay lol.. Anyway here is the new chapter, which for those of you who love the romance and such in my stories should enjoy this chapter. It's mainly just sweet little caring moments, but you get the idea. I hope you all enjoy the chapter regardless and please review! 51 already and we're only on chapter 14 :) it's a good start hehe..

Following Belle's collapse, it had been a quiet ride home once Abe had carefully checked her over, concluding she was alright, though her passing out was more than likely due to shock sinking in.

'Just what I need...' Manning complained openly, 'someone get me an aspirin, and you three,' he continued in an incredulous manner, 'watch the girl and make sure she doesn't do anything she's not supposed too.'

'Yeah, so what was it you were doing then? Giving an example of how "not to do it"?' Hellboy questioned folding his arms expectantly, Manning muttering something incoherent as he turned to Abe.

'You are certain she's fine?'

'She is, just unconscious,' he responded, 'though if I may go back to the van in case she awakens?'

'Yeah, all of you go, I have paperwork to do and I want to know the minute she wakes up! After all she's safe, so her Father doesn't really need to know, but I would like to talk to her first,' he remarked, talking more to himself as he walked off, Hellboy rolling his eyes.

'Now he worries about the consequences? Idiot...' he muttered, the three of them returning to the van.

During the ride home, Abe had been attentive towards Belle, ensuring she was comfortable, and carrying her inside himself, ensuring she was safe and well looked after. 'So are you gonna stay with her till she wakes up?' Hellboy remarked as he joined his best friend.

'It may be best too, I just want to make sure she is alright when she wakes up,' he replied, Hellboy clapping his friend on the shoulder.

'You're doing good Brother Blue,' he said approvingly, 'though how ya missed her having the same ability as you...you must really have been unfocused to not pick up on it...'

'There is much someone can hide when they know how to control their powers...'

'Yeah...I guess...though this is you were talking about,' Hellboy grinned, 'anyway...I need a cigar before I go to bed, Liz has already gone for a lie down. I think tonight took it out of her, though she won't admit it. She's too stubborn,' he remarked Abe smiling slightly when he was left alone with just him and Belle in the room...

Sitting in Belle's room during the course of the evening, Abe had sat watching and waiting for Belle to awaken, the time not mattering to Abe. As he looked over her, he soon began to gaze around the room, having not been inside since she had come to stay with them. Looking around him, it became clear to Abe that her taste was alike her personality, elegant and bright. From the various items around the room, Abe saw the many pictures that were around her, some of family and others of friends, it painting a picture of her life over the years as she had grown up. Though the thing which spoke to Abe were the books and CD's which –though kept neatly- had not yet found their place in her room. Gazing over the book titles however Abe learnt a lot from them, with the spines and conditions of the covers showing her favourites which had undoubtedly been read numerous times. There were so many there...almost all fiction with genre's that mainly consisted of adventure and romance, her music on the other hand reflecting a wide selection of taste, from classical to the most recently released music, it became apparent to him that they shared some things in common, though with her given abilities, it was more than he had realised in the beginning.

Being aware of Belle the entire time, Abe didn't miss the moment she began to stir and awaken, his pace swift yet light as he moved around the side of Belle's bed, reseating himself as Belle's eyes began to flicker open.

'Mm...where...' she began when she felt Abe's hand and carefully turned to look at him. 'I'm home?' she breathed slowly.

'Your home with us...yes,' Abe responded.

'The fire it was so close...it felt so real...'

'It's alright, you're safe now. There's no fire here,' he assured her, Belle finding comfort in his gentle tone as he told her they had all gotten out safely. Though she was soon reminded of her confessional actions back at the hotel...

'Did you tell them...The FBI...?'

'No,' he promised her softly, 'we wouldn't have done without your consent,' Belle visibly relaxing at this.

'Thankyou...' she said gratefully, 'I know I owe you an explanation...'

'Let's wait until you're feeling more rested, then we can talk, without the FBI if you'd prefer,' he responded, Belle nodding as she eased back into her pillows.

'You helped me didn't you?' Belle smiled weakly, 'I heard you telling me it wasn't real...'

'You knew that it was me?'

'Yes your aura…it's very pure…'

'You were brave in coming to help us Belle,' Abe said with gratitude present in his voice.

'I wasn't brave…but you saved my life and you let me go, because you trusted me…I'm just pleased I was able to return the favour.' Feeling the leather of his gloves brushing in a gentle motion over her hand, Belle lay back, relaxed and calm as she took his hand weakly in hers. 'Will you stay with me?'

'Yes,' he nodded softly, his blue eyes watching her carefully,

'Thank you,' she whispered, giving in to the overwhelming exhaustion she felt and falling into a deep sleep her grip loosening but her hand never moving out of his.

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

'Well you gotta hand it to her, that lady's got strength,' Hellboy remarked thoughtfully as he and Liz sat talking late that night.

'I can imagine how difficult it must be for her, if she didn't tell anyone that is...' Liz responded, it having played on her mind since the recent fight that evening.

'Mm…well we can question her when she wakes up, I'm sure that it will be interesting considering the FBI seem to have no idea.'

'We can't say anything Red…' Liz began looking deep into his golden eyes,

'We're not going to Liz,' he soothed, 'Belle doesn't deserve to be roped in like we are.'

'…and if they find out?'

'Well we can either handle it in one of two ways if they find out…one we can just deny knowing anything about it, or just knock out Manning and when he wakes up, then we deny it.'

'Not you're most intelligent suggestion…' Liz remarked standing up. 'I'm going to see Abe…I want to know how Belle's doing,'

'Yeah alright babe,' Hellboy replied, watching his girlfriend leave the room as he turned and looked at his cats thoughtfully for a moment, wondering what his father would do if he were there...

Abe's POV

Sitting and watching Belle's sleeping form, I felt racked with guilt at not being able to help her more than I had…perhaps if I'd been able to get to her, she wouldn't be so weak…so physically drained…I'd spent her first few weeks here uncertain whether bonding with her was an option. But looking at her now, I could imagine how she must have felt…she seemed to blame herself for my inexcusable behaviour, I knew that much from the quiet thoughts she had whilst around me…I just had to make it up to her.

X-x-x-x-x-x

Coming into Belle's room very quietly, Liz smiled at Abe in a way of greeting as she walked over to him, careful to not wake Belle.

'How is she?' she whispered in a low tone.

'She's alright…she woke up a few minutes ago, though I think Belle is still feeling very exhausted…'

'Did you know she could do that?'

'Not exactly, I was aware Belle had something different about her…but I never delved that far into her thoughts…'

'What was that thing in the end...did you find out?'

'Belle left the book open on the page; it was a creature of illusion, one which fabricated numerous forms based on people's fears. I can only presume that Belle's is fire...because she was surrounded,' Abe uttered thoughtfully. 'Though I can understand that, I would have felt afraid myself to have been in her position, it didn't surprise me though...like I knew it was something she would do if she could help...but I don't know how I can feel like that...'

'You've been able to see people's thoughts, experience what they're feeling and know their personal histories without speaking to them in the past Abe...I wouldn't be surprised if you gained that knowledge without even realising it.'

'Subconsciously...' Abe nodded, 'though this feels different...perhaps it is because she is clairvoyant as I am...'

'Only you and Belle can work that out, I'm not very good with mind-reading...I just hope Belle is alright when she wakes up...' Liz remarked, seemingly worried about something, though Abe didn't question her as Liz continued. 'Do you think it will have affected her tonight?'

'I think she'll be okay, she's strong willed, even though she appears to be very unnerved, but seeing these entities is something which she has been pushed into for these past few weeks, and it has been many more than just one. But I think the most important thing for now is to assure her she is safe,' he said honestly, Liz agreeing though her own thoughts continued to play on her mind whilst she stayed with Abe and even when she went to bed, it showing in her quiet mood the following morning...

'You're quiet today Liz,' Hellboy noted as they sat on the bed the following day, 'if ya worried about Belle she's gonna be fine...she's got Abe watching over her.'

'I just don't know whether she'll be afraid of me now, like near enough everyone else is when they know what I can do,' Liz responded quietly.

'She's not gonna be afraid of ya Liz...' Hellboy began, sitting beside her and resting his arm on her shoulder though she turned slightly away from him.

'She's afraid of fire Red, and I can command it at will! Of course she's going to be scared of me now...'

Looking at her for a moment, Hellboy stood up and came around to face Liz, bringing her to look at him. 'Listen to me, that girl has seen some horrible things in the past few weeks, and yet look at who she's trusting here...'

'Red...'

'Abe saved her life yeah, but it was still a shock to her...I hadn't even done that much, she was just thrown into this with everyone hoping she'd just be able to accept us. I know fear when I see it and for one when she looked at me for the first time, I didn't get the reaction I expected. Belle was uncertain...yet she didn't scream...she didn't run...and like with Abe, she gave me a chance...and if she can do that for us, she will it for you.'

'...Okay...' she said weakly, offering him a slight smile as he brushed her cheek with his hand.

'Tell me something though...why were you never afraid?'

'When I met you, the look in your eyes gave me a feeling of a need to protect you from harm...and that never changed...besides, there's nothing to be afraid of,' he added with a grin, Liz shaking her head slightly as she stood up and embraced Hellboy, who in turn enfolded her in his arms...

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Later that morning, Belle had awoken in her room again, this time to find Hellboy having a quiet conversation with Abe, when both turned their attention to her upon hearing Belle shift slightly, Abe being just a second ahead of his best friend.

'Afternoon Sleeping Beauty,' Hellboy grinned, Belle asking what the time was.

'One in the afternoon, you've been asleep for a long time,' Abe offered softly, Belle looking over to Hellboy who nodded

'He's serious,' he confirmed with a smirk, Belle now turning to glance out of the window where the rain fell heavily, the sound of tapping being repetitive as it bounced off the unclear window panes.

'I didn't realise...I remember everything before I blacked out...I remember being terrified of the fire...but getting free. Then I fell...' she continued looking at Abe in recollection, a slight blush coming to her features upon realising she had fallen into his arms. 'The last thing I heard before it all went black was the windows smashing...'

'Yeah, you didn't miss much then, that was a mess though. Glad I didn't have to clean it up,' Hellboy remarked. 'But I've seen worse, remember that last elemental thing in New York?'

'Yes, though it may be best to leave any conversation on other entities just for now,' Abe gently encouraged, Hellboy picking up on it in an instant.

'Well, you've gotta be starving, I know I would be. So how about something to eat...?'

'It's alright, I'll get up and-'

'Oh no ya don't. Your staying right there, I'll go and cook. I'll even bring it here for you myself. Just keep an eye on her Abe,' he added, Belle unable to suppress a smile at Hellboy's efforts as he then left the room.

'So how are you feeling?'

'I'm fine, I just felt a little light-headed when I sat up,' Belle responded, Abe standing and resting his hand carefully on her forehead, Belle going perfectly still, her breathing seeming to do the same when he moved away again.

'You're alright, you may feel like that at first, I'd be careful when you stand to not do so too quickly,' Abe advised. 'Have you ever blacked out before?'

'No,' she answered shaking her head slightly, 'I've been light-headed before, but I've never passed out,' she admitted the thought seeming to worry her slightly.

'It's alright, sometimes fear can get the better of us all,' he said, Belle nodding slightly as she looked to the window again, about to stand up, though Abe saw what she was going to do and stood up himself, going to open the window for her.

'Thankyou, I just think some fresh air may help me a little while I wake up,' she said, sitting back as the cool breeze brushed softly against her features, Belle closing her eyes for a moment as a content sigh escaped her lips. For the first half an hour or so, the conversation was relatively quiet, though as they both discovered, the silence was comfortable...and for the first time, both seemed to feel a slight ease in the tensions they had both been faced with.

'You seem calmer now,' Abe voiced softly, Belle looking to him thoughtfully.

'I am...I suppose I haven't found any time to relax or just to sit down and take everything in. Everything has been so intense; I guess I've found it difficult to relax at all...' As Abe watched her intently, he didn't see the way she now observed him.

'You feel sadness and guilt…why?' she asked softly, looking into his eyes, not expecting him to answer her fully, though Abe was honest...even in looking into her curious amethyst eyes he could see something that he felt he could trust, as she had found in him.

'I have been very ungracious since you're arrival, and I feel like it has resulted in your inability to trust in us,' he replied, Belle sitting up completely, understanding what he meant through his words as she breathed in slightly, before she looked into his eyes with a genuine gaze.

'I promise you that I had wanted to tell you all...my reasons for not doing so is because...well I've never had anyone to confide in before, since I was little I've had this ability I've never understood, that no one has ever experienced but me...none of my family seemed to be aware, my friends certainly aren't and...I was afraid, of what they'd think of me. When I was then brought here to you all, I was so overwhelmed that I wasn't the only one who could do something so unnatural. But I was still scared to say anything...because I've never known what it's like to confide something like what I can do...I just didn't know how to say it...'

'I still blame myself for that...'

'But why...? You had no idea...'

'I may not have done, but I know what it's like to be scared of being brought into something you've never known...I've been through it too.'

Looking into his eyes, Belle found there an understanding she had never seen before, it feeling somewhat overwhelming to her though she smiled softly as she responded, 'it's simply nice to know that I'm not alone...'

'Not at all...' Abe replied, his words as genuine as his intentions...

Aww so Abe wants to make it up to Belle, and now he knows that she has the same ability as him. Now for my original readers, some of you have probably noticed the absence of Belle's water/ice ability. Though I can assure you there is still a lot more to come for Belle's character than meets the eye.

Anyway I hope you all enjoyed, please review, oh! and if you are interested, I recently did an interview with a writer on Fanfiction based on my family guy fanfic "Lust, Affairs and Love," though it also talks about my other fanfics and has a mentioning of a few of my reviewers and fellow writers :) so if you'd like to read it here is the link ".net/s/5002366/8/This_is_not_another_review_Fic"

I shall be updating soon, please review as usual and thankyou to my ever fantastic reviewers who review frequently and leave me such good feedback. Thankyou!

Goodnight!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x