AN: Hope you like this chapter.

Guilt is a powerful emotion. It makes a person feel unworthy, as if they can never find redemption for whatever they had done.

Adam was no stranger to remorse. He had done too many things in his life that he felt he could never be forgiven. And if he was, he would feel as if he didn't deserve it.

Just like he didn't deserve Belle.

...

One evening, Adam and Belle laid near the brook in the garden beneath the stars.

Every few seconds, they would glance at the other, wondering what they were thinking.

Belle shivered slightly and the Beast wrapped his warm body around her.

"What are you thinking about?' he whispered in her ear.

"I was thinking about the first night we met. When you saved me for the first time of many."

Adam frowned slightly at the thought of Belle's bruised face.

He shook his head, dispelling the memory.

"Why would you want to think about that?"

Belle thought for a moment, then answered, "I was thinking about how I immediately wanted to know you. You ordered a hot chocolate and I thought that was so strange because most men who went to that bar only wanted sex or beer."

"I remember. I was worried you would run when my hood fell off... but you only seemed curious, not at all frightened."

Belle smiled at him, reaching a hand to stroke the fur on his face.

"Now who would be afraid of you," she joked.

Adam shook his head, smiling slightly. "You were the first person who looked at me without running or screaming. You confused me, and I wondered how a woman who had such a rotten experience with men could possibly not be afraid of me."

"That's because I saw past your exterior. Your eyes... they show all of your emotions. They are proof that you are human on the inside."

They sat in silence for a moment, when Belle said, "Hey Adam? Thank you, by the way, for having me as your waitress out of all the others. And for letting me come with you on that first night."

"Even if I hadn't met you then, I still would have found you."

...

Belle fell asleep in the powerful arms of her lover, and Adam scooped her up and carried her to her bed.

Gently, he stroked her hair out of her face and pulled the covers up over her.

He thought about how much he cared for this woman. His immense feelings for her suddenly frightened him.

What was he doing? He couldn't have her; he didn't deserve her. She deserved a man who was polite and handsome and who could provide her with a family and friends, not a life in isolation.

He was so conflicted. His feelings ran so deeply in his heart for he but he worried he would never be enough. That he could never be enough.

He felt so incredibly guilty.

...

Belle awoke, for the first time in weeks, alone.

Adam was not an early riser and normally, Belle awoke before him.

She reached a hand over to his side of the bed, wondering if he had gone to breakfast early, but the mattress was cold where he usually slept, and Belle immediately knew he hadn't slept in their bed.

Yet he had taken her to her bed? She couldn't remember walking after their supper under the stars, so he must have carried her. Then why did he leave?

...

At the breakfast table, the Beast and Belle at in silence for many minutes.

Finally, Belle broke the quiet, asking, "Why didn't you sleep with me last night?" Her tone was conversational, but it held a hint of worry in it.

Adam, looking down at his unfinished porridge, cleared his throat nervously.

"I... Belle, I think we should talk."

Belle was concerned now. The Beast still refused to look her in the eyes, and Belle could tell he was worried about something.

"Adam? What's wrong?"

The Beast briefly looked at Belle's face, her eyes searching his, and he worried she would be able to stare right into his soul, so he quickly looked down again.

"Belle... I think we need to stop this before it starts," he said in a voice that was barely above a whisper. "I know I'm going to end up hurting you, and I can't bare to do that again. I don't deserve you... you are a beautiful woman and you deserve a beautiful life. I can't give you-" he started to continue, but Belle sharply cut him off.

By now, Belle was standing right over him, looking down on him with sympathy.

"Adam," she said, but the Beast kept his head down, unable to meet her eyes for he knew if he did, he would be too selfish to go through with his selfless plan. He was much too greedy. "Adam look at me," she demanded sharply, and the Beast swiftly looked up, peering into her loving eyes. "When are you going to realize that being with you... that's my choice. You can't make that decision for me. And if I want to put my heart out on the line and trust you with it, that's what I'm going to do and you can't stop me."

Adam gazed longingly into he light brown eyes, patterned with flecks of gold.

She was so strong, and so brave. And she trusted him.

The Beast stood up, no gazing down at her.

"Adam, you saw what my life was like before I met you. You say you can't give me the life I deserve. But you're the life I need. With you, I have everything I could ever want."

Belle reached both of her hands out and grasped his, squeezing them tightly.

"I'm afraid, Belle."

Belle embraced him tightly, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close.

Adam placed his huge hands on her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"What are you afraid of?"

Adam paused, enjoying the feeling of her arms around him.

"I'm afraid I'm falling for you."

...

AN: Super short, I know I'm sorry. I will try to update again maybe tonight, we'll see. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it and I'll post again soon.

-Hope