Hello everyone!

Mustard Lady, glad this twist excites you.

ImagineATale, he has changed drastically and who knows, maybe he'll even change his opinion about books XD

Banzi, very interesting indeed.

Chapter 25

As they neared the village, Gaston became more nervous. How would everyone react when they found out? He doubted it would be good.

"Belle, when you see LeFou could you tell me? I would like to talk to him personally about, well you know."

"Of course." Belle smiled.

"Thank you." Gaston said gratefully. Suddenly he didn't care about how the villagers would react anymore, as long as LeFou supported him he would be fine.

He heard voices in the distance and prepared himself for the rejection he would surely face if found out.

Adam looked around in amazement, he had heard nothing but bad things about the village. Seeing the lively scene in front of him was not what he had been expecting, maybe it wouldn't be so bad as he'd imagined.

Belle looked around, maybe her father was outside somewhere, she had never been this excited at seeing the village.

"Gaston! There he is and he has Belle with him!" The first shouts could be heard and it had an instantaneous effect.

Another woman shouted, "They must have gotten married somewhere!" Adam grimaced when he heard this.

All activities had seized and all eyes were on them. Whispered hushes and more shouts came as they entered the town square. They stopped and dismounted at the tavern, leaving their horses for now.

As soon as they did they were swarmed with people.

"You are so lucky Belle!"

"I knew he would set her straight."

"They look so good together!"

Adam was desperately trying to keep his temper under control. He'd rather refuse another beggar woman at his door than hearing this drone on for another second, consequences be damned. He looked at Belle who looked like she was close to exploding herself. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he started to feel a little better.

"Maybe she's with child and they returned to settle!" Came another excited voice.

Temper, temper... Adam thought. Didn't these people have anything better to do?

"It must be! That is wonderful!"

"They brought someone with them!"

"Who could that be?"

Finally someone had noticed him, not a moment to soon if you asked him. He couldn't take any more of those comments.

"They must have hired a servant! Belle is so lucky to have a husband like Gaston!"

That did it, he thought, before he could open his mouth however, Belle placed her hand on his arm holding him back.

"It's not worth it, try to keep calm."

Adam shook his head, he would not stay calm if this kept going on for much longer.

Pushing their way through the crowd they reached Belle's home.

Belle placed a trembling hand against the door, she would finally be reunited with her father. Taking a deep breath she opened the door. She stepped inside, the two men standing at the entry to give her some room.

"Papa..."

Hearing his daughters voice Maurice immediately emerged from his room, "My wonderful girl, how I've missed you." He threw his arms around her to embrace her. He never wanted to let her go again.

"I'm so proud of you, but don't ever do that again." He released her and looked at the two men. Clearing his throat he moved towards them, holding out his hand to Adam, "Thank you for taking care of her."

"You're welcome monsieur."

Maurice looked sideways to Gaston, "Captain." He turned to Belle, "Agathe said he was needed here, but she didn't elaborate on it. Frankly I'm not very comfortable with him nearby, especially near you Belle."

Gaston winced, he couldn't fault the man for sounding harsh, "Maurice, first I'd like to offer you my most sincere apology for all the trouble I have caused you. I know there is no reason for you to trust me after what happened the last time you did, but I hope that I'll be able to prove to you I have changed." He looked up uncertainly, and hoped for the best.

"The only reason I let you in at all is because Agathe said you were vital to helping the villagers regain their memories, now tell me what she meant by that."

Swallowing he began, "As you know I broke the curse. After we found out about the memories of the villagers, to help and to insure I won't fall back into my old habits...I...offered to take back the curse. Those in the village who treat me with decency and respect, even though I'm disabled, will get their memories back when I break the curse, which I can do at any point."

Maurice fell silent, "You took back the curse..." He looked more closely and noticed that although Gaston did look him directly in the eye, there was a certain vacancy in his eyes. "And you did this of your own accord?"

Gaston nodded, "It was the least I could do, I truly am sorry."

"For now I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but I'll keep an eye on you just the same." Maurice warned.

"That is all I could ask for."

"Papa, he truly has changed. I was wondering if it would be alright if we all stayed here, that includes Gaston, he can't manage on his own for now. He needs someone to help until he familiarises himself with his new surroundings." Belle said.

Sensing the discomfort Maurice had at the idea, Gaston stepped forward, "I think it would be better if I go to my own place. Perhaps the villagers could be persuaded to help me if I am on my own."

"You can't go on your own, you need help to familiarise yourself with everything. How will you find anything otherwise?" Belle reasoned.

"I'll go with him, he is right, we need to give them a reason to interact with Gaston. I'll help him settle in and when he can manage well enough on his own, I'll return here."

Gaston shook his head, "I can't ask that of you Adam. Besides I would like to tell LeFou and if he accepts me, he might want to help. You should stay with Belle and Maurice."

"What if he doesn't?"

"Then I'll manage."

"Either way," Belle started. "We won't know until Gaston tells him, why don't we try to find him. He's probably at the tavern."

For once everyone was in agreement and they left for the tavern.

Music was playing in the tavern when they arrived. Belle looked through the crowd if she could see LeFou.

"I see LeFou." Belle suddenly said. "He's sitting in your usual seat."

While he was being guided through the busy tavern Gaston was starting to worry. They had managed to keep his condition a secret for now, he wanted to tell LeFou personally before the rest found out.

"Hello LeFou, how have you been?"

"Belle! Gaston! And the other guy, whatever his name is!" LeFou cheerfully greeted.

"Adam." He said introducing himself.

Belle squeezed Gaston's arm, indicating he could sit down safely. "We'll be at the bar, to give you two some privacy."

"Will you join us later? I would hate to tear you away from your husband." LeFou winked.

Shaking her head Belle walked away.

"Gaston! I was surprised when I heard the news! I guess congratulations are in order." He cheerfully said.

"We didn't get married, she's with the other guy, Adam." Gaston flatly stated.

LeFou winced, "I'm sorry, how did this happen? I mean you were away for a long time."

Now or never Gaston thought, "I had an unfortunate...accident. Belle and Adam found me and took care of me afterwards." That was one way to describe it.

"By the looks of it you've made a full recovery, nothing keeps you down, does it." LeFou tried to cheer him up.

"I didn't recover, I just learned to live with it." It was harder than he thought to say.

Growing LeFou glanced over Gaston seeing nothing wrong. "You look the same, what happened?"

"I...can't..." Just say it, he thought. "I can't see."

Though Gaston couldn't see it, LeFou sat there gaping, moving his head in front of Gaston looking into his eyes. When no reaction was forthcoming, he stopped. "W-Well euh, how long has this been..."

"A little over seven months."

"I don't know what to say, I mean are you sure?"

Gaston gave an incredulous look, "How... could I not be sure!"

"But how do you do things then, I mean how do you hunt?"

Well, if LeFou was going to continue asking dumb questions, "Well that is easy LeFou! No problem at all!" He smirked.

Perking up LeFou smiled, "Really?"

"Of course it was easy, I quit." He deadpanned.

"Yes of course, sorry. How did it happen?"

"I'd rather not talk about it." He couldn't tell the truth to LeFou, it would raise too many questions.

He took a few deep breaths, "I wanted you to be the first to know, before everyone else does. Because when they do, I doubt I'll have much in the way of support from the villagers. You were my only friend that really cared about me, and I want to thank you for trying to keep me from doing the things I now regret."

"Of course I tried, you are my friend." LeFou laughed nervously, "Besides it won't be that bad, everyone likes you."

"You paid them, I just chose to ignore it."

"I might have paid some..." LeFou slowly admitted.

Gaston shook his head, "Most, you mean."

"Well...I...I didn't pay the girls. They love you! You see it will be fine, what's not to love?"

"It doesn't matter either way, when it gets out they will all shun me. I only hope you will stay and help me, even though I haven't been a good friend to you." Gaston added, this was the moment of truth.

"I am with you all the way, you are my friend." He clapped Gaston on the back for support.

This meant a lot to Gaston, "Thank you..."

A little to the side a few of the men were playing darts, one had overheard their conversation and was shocked by what he had just heard. Gaston blind? He motioned to his friends and whispered what he had just learned into their ears.

The group started to grin, the man who had humiliated them on multiple occasions had fallen on hard times it seemed, the group scattered to pass the news along.

It wasn't long until everyone in the back of the tavern had heard the latest gossip and they all kept an eye on their town hero.

A group of five men stepped forward, "Good day Gaston, welcome back. How about a game of darts? It has been too long."

Gaston looked up, "Not now, can't you see I'm talking.

Unlike Gaston, LeFou could see the faces of the men and something told him they were trouble. "Yes, he has been gone for a long time and we're catching up. I'm sure any of your other friends would like to play."

"Come on LeFou you kept him long enough." Three man dragged Gaston from his seat, taking him along to play darts, while two more held LeFou in his seat. "It is our turn now."

"I'm not in the mood for a game right now." Gaston tried.

Laughing the men just ignored him, putting the darts in his hand.

Gaston tried to give them back but the men had stepped away, and he had no idea where the nearest table was. He realised he wasn't going to get out of this, he couldn't throw or he could seriously harm someone. "I can't!"

"Sure you can, you ARE the best after all!"

On the other side of the tavern Belle and Adam saw what was happening and rushed to the back.

"Let us through!" The tried to push themselves through the crowd, but knew they wouldn't reach Gaston in time.

"Come on just one dart, show us how good you are."

Gaston was thinking, this was not how he wanted everyone to find out, but he knew they would have to eventually.

"I can't because I'm blind!" Gaston shouted, not knowing everyone in the tavern had been listening.

Having the news confirmed the entire tavern fell silent.