Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Chapter 35. It's been a funny week or so since I last updated...a lot has been on my mind, but I guess I finally feel like I'm finding some clarity in my otherwise clouded mind that I've had these past few weeks.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter...

Music of Inspiration - Papa, can you hear me? - I'm not really sure why this song has been playing through my mind a lot whilst writing this but it has...

'Hey babe…' Hellboy mused thoughtfully as he came to sit in bed with her that evening.

'Yeah?' Liz responded, looking up to him as he leant over to kiss her,

'Why didn't you call for help when Ruxandra or whatever her name is attacked you…why didn't you call for me?'

'Just like the way you act sometimes Red…I guess it was a personal thing. She thinks she has one up on me, and thinks she can get away with insulting me. But she's seen nothing yet,' Liz remarked in slight frustration.

'Hey, just relax alright? You can kick her ass all you want when the twins are here…I just don't want you getting too stressed, because you being stressed always results in me on the couch.'

'Yeah, well, sometimes you just, I dunno, it's like you're trying to wrap me up in cotton wool and you were never like that before…'

'I'm not trying to smother you Liz, but is it too much to ask for you to be careful at least?' Hellboy replied, not realising how bad a move he was making towards a pregnant woman.

'Are you saying I can't handle it?'

'No, Liz-'

'You're saying I can't handle it, you're saying I'm not tough enough,' she remarked in irritation raising herself up to her knees as she balanced out the height between her and Hellboy.

'No, I'm saying that putting yourself in life threatening positions when you're pregnant isn't-'

'Because I'm pregnant, yes I get it I'm pregnant, so I can't do this, I can't do that. What the hell can I do Red? Just tell me that for a change, because I'm sick of being pregnant!' she snapped. 'All I want is my independence back is that too much to ask?'

'Is it too much to ask that I don't want you too…to- oh forget it,' Hellboy remarked, walking away,

'What Red?'

'Forget it Liz, though I was right. I always end up on the couch. I need a beer,' he mumbled irritably, slamming the door behind him and leaving Liz to sit down with flames at her hands as she shook her head in frustration. Though she soon found as she was left alone that her emotions changed quickly, leaving her tearful as she hit her pillow in frustration. 'Damn it Red…' she sighed in quiet defeat, 'why do I have to be the one that's careful when it's you who's putting yourself in danger every day…'

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

As Belle perched herself on the water's edge later that evening, her scales glistened vibrantly even in the dim light, the young woman putting her face in her hands as thoughts ran through her mind...but that was just it. They were only her thoughts. She had heard the slam earlier, and the raised voices…Abe had been awake then; he knew exactly what had gone on, though Belle had been glad to be in her mermaid form. She had never seen Liz use full command of her pyrokinetic abilities and whilst she didn't doubt her safety, Abe had forewarned her of the power of their arguments with Hellboy being fireproof. But wildfire continued to be a fear of Belle's as her tail trailed lightly in the water. It was strange though, having no insight into what anyone was saying around you…the voices in Belle's mind having never been too prominent, but still, everything seemed far too quiet now. Yet as she sat their thinking to herself, she realised Abe had awoken below her, having been asleep for a while, but coming round slightly to find she was absent.

So as Abe rose to the surface to see Belle, she looked over and smiled softly…

'I thought you were asleep…'

'I was…though I stirred a little and saw you up here…what's on your mind?'

'I just couldn't sleep…it's strange to me…not sleeping in a bed,' she remarked softly, though as she looked into Abe's eyes, he understood exactly how she was feeling.

'I know it's all new for you…but it won't be for long Belle…I just hope you don't find it too difficult. I know it frightened you that first time out of water…trying to breath.'

'Yes…but it shows me life from a different perspective, it really opens your eyes to the way different people live their lives. I think it just feels strange because beneath the water, I don't really have to do anything. The water passing through; it…'

'Almost breathes for you,' Abe offered, Belle nodding in agreement.

'Yes, breaking through the water was like a cold shock, though I guess in here it can't be so bad.' Though as Abe took one of Belle's hands, she was reminded of what had been bothering her during that afternoon. 'Abe…have you ever experienced a time…when everything was silent? Where you couldn't hear anything but your own thoughts?' she asked him, Abe looking at her, slightly stunned by her question as she continued to watch him with a sad and even gaze.

'I haven't…' he admitted honestly, Belle nodding in expectancy as she ran a hand through her damp blonde hair.

'I should have known something was wrong…I can't hear anything…it's just silence…'

'Belle…'

'It's okay…really…you should get some rest…I'll be fine,' Belle deduced finally, Abe looking at her with little to show that he was convinced, Abe still able to read her mind clearly. Though he did as she suggested, deciding it may be best to allow her a little time to herself that she seemed to need. Though as Belle knew, it wasn't to be long before she would also have to return to the depths of the tank…

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

'Well Manning's gone and it's about bloody time. He's been driving me nuts since we got back.'

'Is he going to tell my parents?' Belle questioned the following day. Since they had returned, Manning had been making regular checks, with Hellboy also requesting that Abe check Liz over again to ensure she was still doing okay.

'Nah, your Dad seems to be the only one Manning's afraid of…except the superiors,' he smirked. 'I need to meet that guy sometime,' he mused, Belle laughing as she rested her arms over the edge of the tank.

'I think it would be an interesting introduction,' she smiled. Though as Abe left the room, Belle wondered if he felt she had treated him coldly the previous evening. Yet as Belle found; a similar topic was on Hellboy's mind.

'Ya seem a little distant Tinkerbelle…'

'Hmm? Oh it's nothing…just a few things on my mind I guess…' she responded, Hellboy looking unconvinced when he realised her expression gave away more than he thought. 'Okay purple eyes, I know something's been going on with you and Abe,' Hellboy remarked,

'I…well, what? No, I mean…what makes you say that?' Belle tried to argue lamely, Hellboy knowing he had the advantage as he leant against the tank.

'You can't hide from me Tinks,' he grinned, 'and I got all day, so come on tell me,'

'There's nothing to tell…'

'Tell me,'

'No,'

'Tell me,'

'No,'

'Tell me,'

'No,'

'Tell me…'

'Red!' Belle exclaimed in exasperation,

'Come on! I know something is going on, I saw the way he handled you when he was trying to get you out of the water the other day…'

'I didn't realise you were observing,' Belle responded, still refusing to give anything away at that moment.

'I'm not, that damn octopus or whatever the hell it was started following you. So I was trying to buy you some time, and it's pretty hard to ignore you when you have a fifty foot sea monster trying to grab you,' he remarked.

'Thankyou Red…for your help with that,' Belle offered softly, Hellboy pausing for a moment before smiling at her.

'Anytime Tinks, you did the same for me and like I said to ya before…you're family. Don't go forgetting that.'

'I won't,' she replied with a soft smile. Though as Hellboy watched Belle and looked into her caring eyes, he thought back to when Abe had seemed so lost, just floating lazily in the tank that served as his home, with little regards to what was happening around him. Yet somehow this one girl had changed his whole outlook on life and made him realise, not every walk of life takes you where you previously expect it too.

'You do realise Abe thinks the world of you, right?' Hellboy remarked finally, belle looking into his golden eyes as she put a hand to the glass.

'Yes…because he means the same to me,' she responded softly, seeing Hellboy's eyes show some sign of understanding as she blushed lightly, thinking only of Abe…

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

'Red needs to stop fussing so much…I can't believe he's having you check me over again,' Liz sighed as Abe patiently examined her, being mindful to watch her hands as flames lingered towards the surface, though she quickly tamed them. 'Sorry,' she added, Abe dismissing it lightly as he responded.

'After his father, you are the most precious thin to him,' Abe offered gently. 'Though he won't admit to it, I think he does worry about you a lot more than you realise…'

'I'm not weak though,' Liz protested, running a hand through her ebony hair.

'No…but you're loved,' Abe responded, 'and that from Red…I can understand.' Watching as Liz fell silent for a moment she finally said something that made him smile.

'Why do you always have to be right without even trying?'

'No one is perfect Liz,' he smiled, 'I just do what I can and I know you also worry about the pregnancy. But I promise you, it will be okay…'

Hovering a hand over the firm bump Liz now had, Abe could feel the strength and auras of two heartbeats. It was such a rare thing to feel…a baby's heartbeat…the soft rhythmic sound comforting and hopeful as Abe withdrew his hand.

'They're fine,' he confirmed, the relief present in Liz's expression as she lay back.

'Thankyou Abe,' she said, Hellboy joining them as Liz reached out for her partner with an apology on mind that Abe picked up on. So as Abe left them alone and returning to his own room, where he found Belle, he had an instinct in mind as he went to join her.

'Abe…' she began, watching as he reached the next level up and broke the surface. Though as she reached the edge, beginning to say sorry, Abe brought her up and enveloped her in his arms.

'It doesn't matter whether you have your gift or not Belle…because you're still you…and I'd never want that to change.' Feeling as if her breath at that moment was taken, Belle held onto Abe with tearful eyes before taking his hands and pulling him into the water with her. Though Abe had little chance to say a word as Belle kissed him, her arms being loose around his neck as they came to settle beneath the water, Abe holding her close as nothing presented itself to ruin their moment…

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

However, over the next few days, Belle was returned to the oceans water…but not at Stony Point. The merman who had brought her to safety explaining that she was required for an audience with their tribe's ruler; but as he suggested, it would be in her best interests to come to them through more open waters…

So bringing Belle to the seaside that was so close to her home with Hellboy, Abe and Liz, she awaited the chance to be brought to the water. Yet in wanting to ensure Belle's safety, Abe requested permission to join her.

'You may; but once she is with our lord, you must wait with a distance…'

'Of course,' he nodded, though as Belle watched them lift the lid on the travelling tank she was in, a burst of energy swept through her as she leapt into the water with no assistance.

'I see you've found your tail then,' the merman grinned in approval as she steadied herself beside him.

'Hold up…what is he saying?' Manning remarked, surprising Belle as she looked up.

'You can't understand him?' Belle questioned, the merman shaking his head.

'They can't understand a word I speak, our language is not native to them, just you now…and your friend there,' he remarked, Belle smiling at him as they three of them dived under and into the depths.

'You never told me your name previously…' Belle remarked as she swam downwards.

'Kyle,' he responded, 'I'm the confidante to his highness, King Nereus…he is the one who transformed you into our form…though I have to admit, you have a taken to it well. You swim with such grace…like you were born that way…'

'Might I ask why we were requested to come here as opposed to Stony Point?' Abe questioned softly.

'King Nereus will explain everything to you both, until then though, would you perhaps just like to go for a swim around…? You look like you have a lot of energy to get out,' Kyle offered with a slight grin, Belle smiling as she nodded.

Though as she swam away, Kyle watched her with curiosity, finding her intriguing as he floated in the water, his deep blue eyes being a reflection of his tail colour…

Feeling like her energy was limitless as she swam, Abe watched her with an endearing smile as he then followed her, picking up the pace himself. Abe had always been a very accomplished swimmer and though some had tried to outrun him, he was a tough competitor to beat where water was concerned. It was his advantage…

Watching as Abe passed her however, Belle realised just how strong a swimmer he was, though the challenge she made was quite an effort, Belle soon found he was one that she could not possibly beat. But it didn't matter to her, just watching him made her smile fondly…I suppose it explains how toned and muscled he is… she noted in her thoughts; though this didn't seem to go unnoticed by Abe to her surprise as he paused in mid-flow and turned to glance back.

As Belle blushed lightly, watching Abe approach as she initially reached out her hand to him, Belle then couldn't resist the chance of a chase.

Yet as she took off towards the surface, Belle realised soon enough she couldn't possibly escape him, though she wasn't going to give in. But before she could reach the top, Belle was nearly caught, only managing to cause a splash above the water as Abe's arms suddenly reached around Belle's waist.

'Got me…' she murmured, Abe holding her against his chest for a moment before finally letting her go.

As they re-joined Kyle into the depths however, they found a forgotten kingdom, inhabited by numerous mermaids, not all the same, but still, for the most part, their form was alike Kyle's.

'You must go now alone into the court room, you will find his highness there…' Kyle remarked as they entered the underwater palace that shone an array of colours. The structure itself was completely formed from shells, it creating a beautiful glowing atmosphere as Belle swam down the corridor and hesitantly passed under an old stone archway, covered in underwater foliage that led to the royal court room.

'Ah, so you are here,' the King noted, turning to look at Belle as she entered the dome shaped room that welcomed light in from a large crystal shard up in the centre of the ceiling. The King was an older figure of clear respect as he rose above her. His hair was long and silver in colour, his eyes a kind shade of blue with his tail being a rich red; evidently meaning his hair had once been the same colour.

'Your highness,' Belle nodding,

'Please…you do not need to show such formality with me, my dear, as it stands it may be me that should be showing it to you…' he remarked softly, though as Belle tilted her head slightly in silent confusion he beckoned her to perch herself on one of the seats before him.

'I am sure you are wondering why I sent my loyal servant Kyle to you and why indeed I transformed you into a mermaid like us…'

'I know that you saved my life in doing it,' Belle offered graciously,

'I would not have let one as innocent as yourself perish under those circumstances, though it would seem you are being targeted from what I am aware. So as such I preferred you to come to me through a safer channel. Many of the aquatic animals here such as the dolphins have been watching you as you swam openly for a while.'

'You were watching?' Belle remarked in some surprise…

'Yes,' he nodded, showing her the windows of the royal court room that gave such a beautiful view amidst the blue glistening waters. 'Do you know…why it is you are in danger?' he questioned, Belle shaking her head as she perched herself on the window ledge.

'No one seems to know what or who is doing this and why…they just believe I am in danger because of my gift quite possibly…'

'I see,' he nodded. 'There is something that I must ask of you my dear…what do you know of your heritage?'

'My heritage…?' Belle replied in some confusion, 'I know a lot about my family but nothing out of the ordinary I suppose…with the exception of my mother's gift.'

'Your mother…?'

'Yes, Glenna, she had the ability to hear the thoughts and learn from the minds of others from the touch and with those she was particularly close too, without any physical contact at all. But the day I was born, she lost her gift and I seemed to have gained it. Though it would seem as a mermaid I do not hold that ability…'

'Ah, it did not vanish into the depths, it is here,' he remarked, showing her a jar that was aglow with golden spheres. 'In order for your transformation to be successful; this borrowed gift was transferred to my hands. It explains why it did so…I was surprised when it was caught within my staff…' he remarked smoothly. Though as Belle looked at the jar, she debated something as the King then continued.

'This is not what I was referring to however, as it was not the only thing left behind...' he offered, raising a hand as a necklace came to float beneath his palm, Belle recognising the pendant in an instant.

'I thought I had lost it,' she returned in disbelief.

'Not at all…it is a very precious item, though if I may ask you to take it?' he asked, Belle looking into his crystal blue eyes and nodding slowly as she reached out for it…and just as he expected, the moment it met her fingertips, the pendant glowed, the pearl in the centre of the feathers went from being solid white to an array of beautiful colours. Yet as she gazed upon it, her own eyes took a silvery white sheen, Nereus watching with a calm and composed expression when suddenly a white light bathed her completely, it lasting for a split second before the room returned to a normal light.

'As I thought…' he breathed, Belle seeming to become lost in its bright gaze for a moment before her eyes regained their clarity and clear amethyst colour.

'What just happened?' she remarked nervously, 'I just saw so many things…memories perhaps…but they weren't my own. I've…I've never experienced anything like this before…' she breathed.

'Might I ask…what do you know of this pendant?' he questioned,

'Not a lot, it was a gift from my Mother, but it is something she bought for me years ago…'

'I don't think this was bought for you…it is no coincidence that this fell into your hands…and while I do not think your mother knew it, this had a great purpose to you…'

'How so?' Belle responded, looking into his eyes with confusion and some fear, though her heart felt like it was beating a little faster.

'Have you ever heard of the Angels of Life and Death?' King Nereus asked of her, Belle thinking over the subject, knowing she had heard of it before.

'I have heard of myths about them, and well, Abraham, the companion who is here with me, he spoke once of the Angel of Death, he never saw him, but our friends, Hellboy and Liz have encountered him.'

'The Angel of Death can be a fearful creature, and not one to be completely trusted, he does exist though, as does the Angel of Life, though the previous Angel of Life disappeared many years ago. It is rare to happen amongst the Angels of heaven and the Archangels. But in this case…she disappeared…that pendant was something she had once worn, as a symbol between the light and darkness of this world. She tried to hold balance with the Angel of Death, though it was a difficult task. But the Angel was a rare creature, beautiful, delicate and benevolent.'

'So why is this all happening to me? What is it I'm wanted for?' Belle asked in desperation, not expecting the answer as the King looked to her with a gentle gaze.

'I cannot say what they wish to use you for…though the man who seeks you and his accomplice are not ones of natural forms…they have been reborn through forbidden ways that are unnatural to the balance of this world and the next. But what they want Belle can only be achieved through you, because of what you are…what you were born to be…you are the Angel of Life…'

Quite possibly one of my biggest cliffhangers yet and I'm saying no more on the matter..keeping everything quiet now...

But I did quite adore writing the love scenes in this chapter, and even Hellboy and Liz's argument was an interesting one, since usually they've only bickered before. But they do love each other of course, I don't think they could be without each other...so beautiful really :)

Thankyou once again to all my reviewers, your so lovely and supportive and have really helped me get back into my natural writing flow. So thankyou for that...I will also be definitely starting a blog on my deviant art account, so I will put more details about that as it happens...

I shall update soon!

Thankyou and Goodnight!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x