Well it would seem the re-editing is going a lot smoother than expected, here is the new version of chapter 25, I hope you all enjoy, please review thankyou!

Once Belle had left, Hellboy and Liz were in their room, talking, Liz getting ready for bed as Hellboy fed his cats. 'Ya know Liz, for a guy like Abe he sure can miss the obvious at times,'

'How do you mean? Abe never misses the obvious, he's the most observant if anything' Liz replied confused.

'Well look at him and Belle, they have so much chemistry when they're around each other. Yet the moment the subject arises they walk around the obvious point.'

'Yes, but just because you were forward, and set on what you wanted, doesn't mean Abe has the same confidence. You are two very different people, and I'm sure it's as hard for Belle as it is for Abe.'

'But look at Myer's and Belle, Myers has about as much in common with her as I do with Manning, not very high odds when you think about it.'

'Maybe not, but it still doesn't mean that it's going to be easy for Abe…I mean he's probably frightened of admitting his feelings…you can't blame him for that…'

'I guess you're right babe,' he admitted in an unbelievable defeat. 'At least where Abe is concerned anyway…but still I have some stuff to do, I'll be back soon,' he promised giving Liz a kiss as she emerged from the bathroom.

'Where are you going?' she asked clearly suspicious,

'Just doing some observing,' he answered with false innocence,

'Spying on Belle and John?' she remarked folding her arms.

'Just an evening stroll,' he grinned, Liz shaking her head as she leant up to kiss him. 'Seen as stopping you isn't going to amount to much, just don't go walking through town in full view,' she requested,

'Okay babe,' he smirked; going to leave the room only calling back, 'discreet right?' Liz laughing as she got into bed, amused by her, only too predictable fiancé.

Walking down the street with John during the course of the evening, he stopped to buy himself and Belle drinks, Belle making certain to ask for a hot chocolate. 'I don't drink coffee,' she admitted John nodding and coming back a couple of minutes later with two tall cups.

'So how're you finding it? You know, working with the FBI…living with Hellboy and the others?'

'It's been okay, I'm glad that Hellboy helped me that day, otherwise I never would have met them all…though the FBI at times can be very intimidating towards us,' she remarked, 'especially Fentran.' Myers frowned at this mentioning and nodded

'Yeah he seems to be causing trouble for everyone, his way of running things are nothing compared to that of Manning. He has an iron fist and seems to be out to aggravate all of us. Manning may seem like he's not much better next to Fentran towards you four, but he really has nothing against any of you…it's stress…'

'Well all that aside, Agent Fentran is someone I find to be very easily angered just like my father. Though he never used to be like that,' she sighed.

'Do you want to talk about it?' Myers offered, Belle shaking her head in answer,

'I don't feel like talking through it all again, besides if I need anyone it would be Abe,' she smiled as they continued to walk, a trail of a black coat disappearing behind the corner of a building near them.

'You two share the same ability right?'

'Yes more or less, though Abe's is stronger than my own, and he has complete control over it, but I'm getting better,' she replied thoughtfully.

'So you and Abe is it then?' he remarked simply making Belle laugh lightly at his straightforward approach, Hellboy mumbling as he followed them,

'What an idiot…but he ain't far wrong, that's Abe's girl he's talking to…' As Belle took another sip from her drink she thought carefully over her answer before replying,

'It is a way of putting it I suppose,' she remarked a slight smile coming to her lips at the idea. 'Though it's something we've never talked over properly,' she added, the two occasions they had kissed coming to mind and playing across her eyes as if she were experiencing it again, though she shook it off.

'Well, Hellboy was always the one with more…determination in that area…he was never going to let Liz go,' he said truthfully,

'Yeah you bet I wouldn't,' Hellboy muttered in a low voice, hearing everything said. 'Would you believe he became jealous of me taking Liz out for a drink?' he added with a chuckle, Belle pondering over it for a moment before answering with a thoughtful smile,

'Actually I could, he loves Liz and their two children very much, he's not someone who would ever let them down, nor his friends for that matter.'

'Your quite defensive of them aren't you?' John enquired smiling,

'Naturally, they've given me my home, made me feel welcome and watched over me when it was needed. I owe them so much…especially Abe, he was the one who was so gentle…he was patient and kind. That's why I am so grateful to him,'

'I'm sure he knows it, not much gets past Abe,' he grinned Belle agreeing with this, and thinking of him as they continued to walk through the streets, Hellboy still following with ease.

'True, though I almost wish I was the same,' Belle said, involuntarily sparking off questions,

'In what way…? I thought your ability was limitless…'

'Not everything is so simple,' Belle replied calmly before checking at the time, 'I'd better get back. There are a few things I need to do, after all I haven't had a chance to unpack any of my belongings yet.'

'Oh no problem, we can head back,' John began when Hellboy's deep voice sounded behind them.

'It's alright Myer's I can take it from here,' Belle smiling as he now stepped out into the light of the streetlamp.

'Hellboy…are you sure you should be out?' Myers questioned, shocked to see him there

'I can do as I please, the FBI doesn't have a tab on me anymore,' he pointed out, John nodding almost expecting that kind of remark.

'Well…if you're happy to go with Hellboy, Belle?'

'Yes if you don't mind,' Belle replied, John unable to make any objections to the idea.

'Well see ya later John,' Hellboy said cheerfully going forwards a few steps before turning to wait for Belle.

'Thank you,' she said the gratitude in her voice enough for John to return the smile.

'No problem Belle, but if you should ever need me ask for me.'

'She'll be fine, she's got me, Abe and Liz,' Hellboy cut in behind her, resting his normal hand on Belle's shoulder.

'Goodnight,' she concluded now leaving with Hellboy, John standing to watch them leave with a dazed expression on his face, her influence clearly overpowering to him. 'So I'm guessing it wasn't coincidence that you were out for a walk tonight?'

'Nope,' he grinned Belle laughing, feeling happy to see him, and knowing the atmosphere wasn't quite as tense.

'Liz said you might be the silhouette in the shadows tonight, but I wasn't certain whether she was joking or not.'

'Expect the unexpected Belle,' he truthfully told her, 'makes life more interesting,' he added with a grin, Belle continuing to smile as they walked home.

'Was Abe still up when you left?'

'Yeah, he was setting up some books so he'll be awake no doubt, I think he's missed you tonight' he replied, clearly pleased that she asked after him, Belle thinking about it as he continued. 'Me and Abe brought in the last of the luggage from your car by the way, it's a nice car that,' he smirked looking over to Belle.

'Yes I had missed it,' she answered

'Well to go from that to a van it's hardly a comparison is it?' Hellboy remarked, 'I know which one I'd go for.'

'I'll bear it in mind for your birthday,' she laughed, Hellboy making a low chuckle to the suggestion.

'I wouldn't say no,' he smirked. 'So was Myer's as boring as that all evening? Or was it just when I started following?'

'He was just trying to make conversation,' Belle replied, 'he just seems to try his best to get on with everyone.'

'Yeah, he's just irritating,' Hellboy replied 'I mean as well, first Liz then you, who next?'

'Oh but you know that Liz wouldn't have let John come between you,'

'Yeah and neither would I for that matter,' Hellboy remarked seriously, 'well I hope he still has all of his stuff from his last trip…'

'You're not sending him to the Antarctic again are you?' Belle said looking at Hellboy who met her steady gaze.

'I'll let him stay for the engagement party,' he said thinking it was a good deal, but Belle merely rolled her eyes as they got nearer to home. 'It's good to be back,' she remarked after a few minutes, Hellboy looking upon her with a smile.

Once they got in, Belle hung up her coat and after thanking Hellboy for walking her home, she went to her room, the cases she had packed with Dale being placed by her bed. That was when Belle remembered she needed to ring Dale, knowing he would want to know she had gotten back okay, and sure enough as she took out her phone she had two texts from Dale, both asking her to ring him. Calling the number from her phone book, Belle sat on her windowsill looking out into the night as the phone picked up. 'Hello,' she greeted cheerfully,

'Hi Belle, how are you? Did everything go alright?'

'Yes, everything's fine, I'm just so happy to be home…' she said softly, 'how have things been back at the manor though?' she now asked seriously.

'Hmm they've been…heated, Richard filed to quit, but he was fired the moment your father realised you had escaped. So far we're all under suspicion, but don't worry, we're all fine…'

'Are you sure? I don't want any of you getting into serious trouble for helping me get out…'

'Belle, I would have got you out regardless of the consequences, what matters is your safe. We can deal with your father,' Dale assured her confidently, though the grim tone in his voice didn't make Belle feel much easier.

'How did my father react?'

'Furiously, he smashed up a lot of glass, and the maids have been clearing up after his last row, he's been taking a lot of anger out on Glenna, having arguments, but she's okay. She's answered back for the most part, but we have been keeping watch, just in case.'

'Whats wrong with him? I don't get what it is that's making him do this…'

'Belle, try and forget it, listen to me, Harold can't hurt you anymore, you are safe and that's what matters. Things haven't been like this since you left, your parents have been on a rocky stage for a long time,' he assured her, Belle certain he was frowning as he referred to it. 'Were your friends happy to see you?' he questioned obviously wanting to get onto a lighter subject.

'Yes, they were, and I was happy to see them, I cried as soon as I saw them,' she admitted, Dale chuckling softly. 'You've missed them haven't you?'

'Immensely, I just know that I'm home,' she breathed smiling, 'the moment it was in view, I could feel my heart racing, the happiness was just welling up inside me. I'm happy and I know that my friends had missed me too. Seeing Abe, that just was it for me, to be with him and the others again, was all I needed.' Dale had listened intently and was pleased to know she was happy, though his next comment surprised her,

'I'm going to miss you, you know Belle…'

'I won't lose contact Dale…'

'But I won't see you will I?' he said knowing it, Belle faltering on her answer, 'Dale…of course you'll see me again, what makes you think you wouldn't?'

'Because I went so long without seeing you before…'

'That was under different circumstances, I don't know when it'll be before we meet again, but it won't be too long, I promise you that,' she replied trying to encourage him.

'Do you work for the FBI? After all I'm presuming that's how you know of Hellboy,'

'It's complicated but I have provided help when it was needed, and I'd prefer it if you kept that small piece of information to yourself,' she asked, Dale promised he would say nothing. 'Listen I should get some rest, and I'm sure you've had a long day too, especially if my father has been causing trouble…'

'Yes, well I'd better let you go to sleep then,'

'Goodnight Dale,' she said softly into the receiver.

'Belle,' he suddenly spoke out as she was about to end the call, Belle listening for him to continue,

'Yes?'

'Whatever happens, I'll always be here waiting for you, no matter what.'

'Dale…' she began

'Please Belle; just believe that,' he sighed, Belle feeling awkward by his words and finding herself unable to answer his statement.

'Goodnight Dale.'

Putting the phone down Belle looked over to her cases and wondered whether it best to leave them for another night, but alas she knew if it took her mind off the recent conversation she'd had with Dale, it would help. First though, Belle opened the side door and looked into the room where Abe lay asleep in his tank, the automatic page turners still switched on and as usual the classical music drifted in the background softly. Though it was then she realised that the music which played was something she recognised…her CD she had given Abe…the beautiful tranquil melodies playing ones which she had heard so many times. Looking to Abe in the tank she quietly walked over and turned off the page turners, looking in the tank and brushing her hand lightly across the surface. Going back into her room, Belle was surprised to hear Abe's voice sound behind her, 'I wouldn't have fallen asleep without knowing you were home alright,'

'Abe,' she said turning to him with a smile,

'Did you have a good evening?' he asked calmly as she walked over to him,

'I suppose so, though I would have rather stayed here,' she said honestly. 'I hope I hadn't kept you up…'

'Not at all,' he replied calmly, Belle feeling glad he had stayed awake to speak to her.

'You look tired,' he pointed out, Belle nodding, noting it properly for the first time that evening.

'I guess the first day back has just been so eventful,' she said thoughtfully.

'Go and get some rest,' he suggested kindly, 'if you can't sleep, you can always wake me, I'm quite happy to talk,'

'Thank you, and if you want to talk you can come and wake me too,' she replied, when she decided on something with a smile and ascended the spiral staircase leading to the top of his tank, Abe watching her surprised as he rose to the surface, following her. As Belle held her arms out to him, Abe gestured the fact his skin was wet through, but she didn't bother to pass him a towel as she put her arms around him, Abe holding her as she whispered 'I've missed you.'

'I've missed you too,' he replied Belle smiling as all doubtful thoughts left her mind. 'Belle, would you like to join me tomorrow, I thought you might like to go out somewhere nice?' he offered Belle raising her head from his shoulder to look at him. 'I'd like that, but where to?'

'I'll keep it a surprise,' he replied with a smile, Belle sitting up, not taking notice of her dampened top.

'Well goodnight Abe, and I guess it's a date then,' she said softly, finally standing and going down the stairs again and over to the side door. Abe watching her go in her room as he muttered to himself

'A date…'

So Belle and Abe are going on a date, but how will it go? a dramatic and gripping chapter to follow, I hope you all enjoyed and I shall update soon

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x