Hey everyone! Hope your all okay tonight :) I had my singing exam on friday and I think it went pretty well. Now just have to start rehearsing my new monologue...so much on performance wise at the moment! Anyway here is the new chapter, I can't believe how many chapters this is up too now. This is a direct continuing from the previous chapter, which I have had ready pretty much for a while :) I really hope you all enjoy it, this chapter will contain, a lot of romance (including an unexpected and adorable moment of love part way through) :), some dangerous involvement with Fentran and a member of the BPRD. The creature you are seeing may also not be expected :)

Enjoy and Review thankyou! x

Looking into the darkened room, Abe, Belle, Hellboy and Liz walked in cautiously, seeing the silhouette in the middle of the room. Not coming in very far, Belle could already hear the creatures panting…it was struggling for breath…'don't…not again…' it said raggedly trying to move away from them, when light cast across the its body. The creature's upper half was human, his chest rising and falling heavily, though it had the front legs of a horse with the long tail of a dolphin. Believing the creature was of mythical origin, Belle had been about to voice this theory when Abe suddenly understood what they were facing, 'that's it. An Icthyocentaur, something linked to my kind as I am an Icthyo Sapien.'

'Is it dangerous?' Liz queried, her hand tightly wrapped around her guns handle,

'No, they're strong fighters though,' he responded, Belle already moving towards the injured creature, her own gun away securely as she knelt beside him, her voice soft and gentle as she spoke.

'Its okay, we're not going to hurt you…you don't have to fear us,'

'Are you sure it iz wize for ze girl to be zat close?' Johann said in a low whisper to Hellboy,

'I don't think it's that much of a threat do you?' he asked raising an eyebrow at the question,

'Another of your kind brutally attacked me…how…how can I place my trust in you…?' the creature uttered weakly, his dark hair clinging around his shoulders as he watched her with fearful eyes.

'I can only offer that we will not hurt but help you, you just need to believe in us.' Hearing his breathing continue at an uneven pace, Hellboy turned to Abe in questioning,

'So what are we gonna do then?'

'He needs medical treatment,' Abe began kneeling down now with Belle and reaching to run his hand along the wounds that cut through the dolphin's tail, when the Icthyocentaur jerked back.

'Its okay…it's okay,' Belle soothed, taking his hand and looking into his eyes with a calming gaze, 'Abe won't hurt you…'

'He…is alike my kind…you live amongst these people?' he asked directing the question toward Abe who nodded,

'Yes, they are nothing to fear, we are all equal here,' he assured him, this obviously relaxing the creature further to hear it from someone linked to his own kind.

'Well this is great, so you're telling me that we were dragged all the way out here for something that isn't even a danger to anyone? I'm gonna murder Fentran, the lousy piece of…' he said trailing off uttering

'How did you get here?'

'I do not know…I lived in a coastal area far from civilisation…free to roam without fear of being captured…yet a current dragged me in, whilst I was down by the riverside…then all I witnessed was a curtain of darkness…when I awoke…that one of your kind…beat me…threatened that my death would be met in the form of the red one behind you…' he said wincing and averting the gaze of Hellboy.

'Well I'm not gonna kill ya if that's what your getting at,' he said calmly, Liz looking at him frowning,

'Not very delicately put Red…'

'What?' he shrugged,

'Do you have a name?' Belle asked softly,

'Rainier…' the creature croaked, his eyes weakening,

'Well we're going to get you out of here and once you've been treated you'll be released back to your home.'

'No…no one must learn of my home…leave me on golden sands and I shall find my way back…'

'Certainly,' Abe nodded, 'Liz would you kindly go and see to it that the portable tank is set up so Rainier will be able to begin the healing process…in any case he needs to be submitted to water as soon as possible.'

'Yes,' she nodded, Johann about to join her Belle then held out her hand, closing her eyes as she focused, water gathering and forming in her hand as she then gently released her hold, spreading it across the tail. Hearing a sharp gasp, Belle looked up to Rainier, his eyes widening as he now looked at her in realisation. After glancing up, Abe returned to checking the injuries inflicted upon Rainier, Belle thinking how they seemed to resemble those that Abe had received upon the underwater fight not too long ago, the memory making her wince involuntarily. Looking up again, Abe understood the reasoning in the sound and squeezed her hand gently, reassuringly.

'Well looks like there was no action then,' Hellboy frowned putting the gun back in its holder,

'No, although I'm simply glad it was us who found him rather than anyone else, as I think the results may not have been so good…'

'Right, well there's nothing too bad, there's been quite a bad loss of blood however so he'll need to be in the tank for a few days before he's stable to be released,' Abe concluded looking to both Belle and Hellboy.

'Well in that case, lets get him out of this place,' Hellboy deduced going forward and carefully picking up the Icthyocentaur, putting him over his shoulder as he led the way out.

Entering the now bright day Red's golden eyes squinting; he looked away from the sunlight for a moment as he placed Rainier in the pre-prepared tank, ignoring the looks from the surrounding FBI agents. 'It's alive…' Manning said in shock,

'Yeah, apparently you're "big threat" could have waited,' Hellboy said in disgust, dissatisfied with being called out for something that hadn't done any damage.

'What I don't understand is, who found it a dangerous entity when he's badly injured and barely able to breath,' Belle said voicing her doubts on the matter.

'Belle, you're required to go and remove any traces of the BPRD's and that things presence from the building before it can be cleared,' Myers said approaching her,

'But why…?'

'Fentran's orders,' he shrugged, already leading her back towards the manor as she glanced back at the others, who watched her frowning. However it was as she was taken to the entrance again that Belle finally saw Fentran his expression sombre and grim. Being left alone by Myers, for the first few minutes of Belle walking through and checking the manor, Fentran remained quiet merely following her, the action in itself making Belle feel uncomfortable and on edge, until finally he spoke.

'So it was you who decided that the beast could live…'

'None of us had any intention of hurting the Icthyocentaur,' Belle responded quietly

'It wasn't a dangerous mission; your orders were to kill it,'

'Our orders are to stop dangerous entities, he wasn't a dangerous entity; he was an injured creature.'

'At least I would have finished off the job properly…'

'Wait…you did all that to Rainier didn't you?' Belle said horrified, realising it from his thoughts.

'Let's get one thing straight Belle…keeping these freaks alive is not an option,' he said in a calmly mocking tone, 'not that I expect you to kill so much…after all someone like you could do with a different form of treatment…' he said brushing his hand against her arm.

'With all due respect Agent Fentran, I think killing any creature when it won't do any harm is just barbaric, and not something I'll stand to do,' Belle said her tone frustrated and concerned as she attempted to step back, Fentran cutting her off.

'You underestimate the power you hold in any situation with me Belle…' he said stepping towards her, with each step Belle taking one back when she felt the wall behind her. Trying to ignore his horrific thoughts on the scenario and how he would like to treat Belle if they were alone, she attempted to move past him though he put a hand up against the wall restricting her. 'Agent Fentran…let me go,' she said her voice as calm as she could allow, though he merely took her wrists and pinned them back.

'You fight temptation so much…why don't you just give in…I won't bite…much,' he said leaning in towards her even as she jerked to free herself from his grasp, though he wasn't about to let her go so easily. 'Why do you resist me Belle…?'

'My heart is taken…' she replied, as he ran his cold hand along her neckline and up her neck, Belle shivering though Fentran mistook it for pleasure,

'But your body is not,' he said, bringing his face beside hers, 'I can silence your screams…'

'Then I apologise in advance for this,' she responded doing the only thing she thought would free her and let him off as lightly as possible though she didn't wish too. Bringing her heel down with strong force on his foot, Belle watched as he exhaled a sharp gasp of pain, his guard down for enough of a moment to allow her to push him back, letting her pass and quickly get out of the manor, knowing he would be fast behind her.

Running down the steps that led out of the side of the mansion, the agents she passed caught her flustered expression, 'Hey Belle what's…' Myers began, Belle not paying attention as she approached the others,

'Guys come on, I-I want to get going,' she breathed, Hellboy about to speak seeing her nervous features when a hand caught her wrist, turning her forcefully as she was brought face to face with Fentran. As he ignored the fact they were surrounded by other agents along with Hellboy, Liz and Abe; Fentran slapped Belle hard across her face, the onlookers watching both shocked and disgusted. Standing motionlessly, by the time she looked at him again, she could feel the numbing pain across her cheekbones, her eyes watering a little.

'How dare you hit her,' Abe said, his tone having a sense of anger Belle had never before heard, as he walked forward Belle coming to him as he brought her behind him defensively.

'Oh, well do tell me why I should feel the slightest bit sorry about it, because I'm damned interested to know!' Fentran snapped,

'You know, I've already been pissed off once by an ugly brute in the last eight hours, but you've had it coming for too long…' Hellboy growled about to step forward when Abe stopped him,

'No Red,' he said calmly, holding a hand out in front of him, Belle watching with wide eyes as Abe turned back to Fentran. 'Striking a young lady isn't something that is ever justified and you cannot and will not touch her again, because for one Belle will always have our protection and we won't allow you to go near her if your intentions are hostile. But more importantly, I won't allow anyone to inflict harm on Belle …because…I love her.'

'Abe…' Belle breathed in awe, Fentran looking disgusted before remarking coldly,

'Beauty and the beast is it? How touching…'

'Yes the romance is there, though I think you'll find the only beast here is you,' Belle said looking at Fentran with no anger in her tone though it was ice cold.

'You talk like you think you're something of a threat Belle, but your not are you?'

'Fentran you don't know me,' Belle said turning from him as she joined Abe their hands entwining, 'these are my friends, and I'd appreciate it if you kept your snide comments to yourself or at least out of your thoughts until I'm out of range,' she remarked.

As she was about to walk away his thoughts now made her stop, tears already welling in her eyes as he put voice to the words, them sounding so much more bitter in the atmosphere. Abe could sense it before the others…the way she tensed, how Belle's expression hardened in an attempt to remain composed, though no one could ever blame her reaction. 'A freak…then again you're Father was no better, I mean come to think of it my father never tried to kill me,' but as the others went to instinctively argue, Belle was already spun on her heels fury blazing in her eyes. As she took control of her shaking hands drawing all the water from the tank which held the Icthyocentaur, turning her wrist to gather it and pushing her palm forward as the water iced over encasing Fentran's body up to his chest. After a moment of shock, taking in what had happened, Fentran's face was twisted with fury 'RELEASE ME NOW THAT'S AN ORDER!'

'No,' Belle stated, 'I'll leave you to thaw out, maybe it'll give your apparently frozen heart a chance to do the same,' she replied turning to Abe, her eyes glittering. Walking away, Belle looked as Hellboy said he'd give Fentran a hand before punching him in the nose.

'That's you getting off lightly,' he said darkly, moving away from Fentran; disgusted.

Bringing her to a stop, Abe studied Belle's expression, finding such a mixture of emotions that even she was trying to decipher them all.

'Belle; are you alright?' he asked softly, tracing his hand ever so delicately over her cheek, Belle feeling the change, the cool temperature of his hand soothing the pain across her cheek and seeing the warmth in his eyes that Fentran didn't have present.

'…yes,' she breathed later than intended still a little dazed, 'I just can't believe you did that for me…'

'What he did…was unforgivable, I would never allow anyone to treat you like that…I'm just regretful of the fact he hit you.'

'I'm alright…honestly,' she muttered kissing him on the lips tenderly, as Red and Liz rejoined them.

'Would you like some ice Belle?' Myers offered her, Belle shaking her head with a smile,

'I have my own means of providing it if need be…'

'Ah,' he responded sheepishly.

'Abe, that was really sweet you know,' Liz said, Red putting a hand on his best friends shoulder.

'Yeah you handled it well buddy, though I think he got off too lightly…'

'Don't worry about it too much Red,' Belle said, 'but they're right Blue, what you did back there was truly remarkable…' she breathed, 'I just wish it hadn't been under those exact circumstances…'

'Things can be announced differently…not everyone will have heard,' he reminded her gently, Belle still holding onto his hand, his other wrapped around her shoulders.

'You're powers are very remarkable agent Lucivia,' Johann remarked, finally managing to join them, 'you showed much fluency, though freezing him may have been a wrong move do you not zink?'

'Belle,' she corrected, partly glad she wouldn't have his questioning during the drive home.

'What does it matter? He had it coming;' Hellboy said impatiently, 'Speaking of which what exactly got Fentran so worked up?' Hellboy questioned, Belle's expression becoming downcast.

'Belle…' Liz breathed tilting her head slightly, Belle not looking up at them for a moment.

'He…was trying to be overpowering…to corner me, which he succeeded in partly. I was cut off against a wall...I managed to get away from him before he could make the situation any worse though,' she explained.

'Oh he is so dead,' Hellboy growled about to go back when Belle stopped him,

'Red, I'd rather you didn't, he's had enough for one day, and I don't want to spark anything worse. Besides I don't want everyone worked up, especially considering I'll be going to see Dale today provided everything is alright.'

'It will be,' Abe assured her, 'I can accompany you again if you wish,' he added squeezing her hand, seeing the question on the surface of her thoughts.

'Thankyou,' she said gratefully, the group finally getting into their cars, ready to abandon the scene. Meanwhile as Fentran bellowed orders, his fellow agents reluctant to free him, Fentran was then approached by a man who had worked beside him for a long time. 'The girl is stronger than she appears,'

'It's called hard to get, though in my world she doesn't have a choice,'

'I thought you weren't bothered about her life…' he muttered in an undertone,

'Heh. I'm not, the girl is nothing to me and her death is not something I would be at all concerned by, though don't doubt me…if I want her I will have her…regardless of whether she is willing or not. That just makes it more interesting for me…'

As the following day came, Belle found Abe was up early, just emerging from the medical rooms as she came upstairs. 'I'd wondered where you were,' she smiled,

'I was just seeing to Rainier, he seems to be coping well…though he'd like to see you. From what I can see he wishes to thank you for your help.'

'Alright,' she nodded,

'We can go to see Dale after that if you're alright to go,'

'Of course, I rang up the doctor caring for both him and mother and he said Dale will be alright for visitors today as no tests are being run. But…listen Abe, really… thankyou for what you did yesterday' she remarked, Abe smiling at her gently.

'Whatever you need…and whenever you need me, you know that I will always be there…'

'I love you,' she said, her voice perfectly soft

'I love you too,' he responded, Belle now thinking over something and turning before she got to the medical observations room.

'Abe…'

'Yes?'

'Do you ever think we'll find the truth…about what happened to my father?'

'Yes, as long as it takes, I will help you find the answers you are looking for,' he promised her genuinely, 'we all will help you.'

'Thankyou…you truly are perfect,' she whispered, Abe coming over and resting his forehead against hers,

'As are you,' he breathed, now running a hand through her hair before entwining it in hers, their moment of romance not being disturbed even as they were watched by a figure stood in the shadows…

So whos watching them? What does Rainier have to say to Belle? and how will it go at the hospital? Just some of the things coming up in the next chapter, with a hopeful mentioning of Red and Liz's Children Aurora and Cedric as they have been growing up quite a bit in the past few chapters.

Please review, as always thankyou to my amazing and supporting reviewers!

I shall update very soon...Goodnight!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x