If Lissa thought Gaston acting normal is overbearing, that is nothing compared to when potential beaus try to call on her!
This chapter will have various age differences through the years for Lissa and Gaston.
"Whew! Am I glad to be out of there!" Gaston puffed in relief, wiping his brows with his sleeve.
"Me too!" Dick agreed. "I thought the caterwauling pastor would never shut up!"
"Ahh, fresh air. No more boring sermons for a week." Tom sighed.
"All that nonsense about going the extra mile," Stanley shook his head, "Puh. We're not horses, for goodness' sake! What does he take us for? Fools?"
"Exactly." Dick nodded. "Well, he can just go that bloody extra mile himself, since he's such a charitable soul, giving to the poor and all. I spit on the entire thing."
"Right. All that being noble stuff is not for me." Gaston said proudly.
"Do you think it's true, the pastor can call down lightning from the sky and strike down a miserable sinner dead?" Stanley asked. His companions gaped at him. "What? I'm just asking!"
"Who told you that?" Dick asked.
"Madame Clothilde." Stanley answered. "She knows all about God and His wrath."
"So she says." Gaston rolled his eyes. "She's not very pleasant for such a pious old crone. She's too prickly."
"Not to mention ugly as a bullfrog, eh?" Frances added as he appeared.
"Well, what shall we do?" Tom shrugged.
"I hate Sunday. All the shops are closed." Dick grumbled. "How did that being closed on Sunday business start anyway?"
"Resting on the Sabbath, grownups call it." Tom muttered.
"You fellas wanna see the new gelding my papa brought home the other night?" Gaston suggested.
"Who wants to see a stupid old horse?" Tom complained. "Let's go down to the pond."
Gaston didn't ask but told his parents where he was going. "I do not recall you asking for permission." Alice crossed her arms.
"I'm becoming a man, Mother. I promise I'll be home by supper." Gaston flashed a smile.
"Conduct yourself accordingly, son." Henry Legume said firmly.
"Don't worry about me." Gaston waved them off.
The ancy boys made their way toward the East gate of town, eager to get to the pond strip down to their flannels and play in the water. There wasn't much to do on Sunday afternoons, as they were required to behave quietly and speak courteously. Gaston was racing his friends until he ground to a halt, causing the other boys to bump into him from behind. "What's the hold up, Gaston?" Frances panted.
Gaston didn't answer. He saw his little sister standing outside the blacksmith's shop alongside...a boy! They were smiling together, and...talking together...and, the lad was handing her a flower!
"Gaston? Hey!" Tom poked him in the head.
"You fellas go on. I'll catch up." Gaston said menacingly. He marched straight toward the happy little pair. Who was that young whippersnapper? And what business did he think he had hanging around Gaston's sister? Why, she was only seven-years-old!
"My...my papa says that hard work is just as important as schoolwork." The boy, Rafael said shyly to Lissa.
"My mother thinks everyone should learn about things, including reading." Lissa replied. "But the grownups here disagree. You're not like the other boys. You don't bully my friend Belle like they do."
"My momma has been gone since I was an infant, but my father says a gentleman should always treat a lady with honor." Rafael added.
"Thank you for the flower." Lissa blushed. Before Rafael could reply, a tall, imposing figure stepped between them. "Gaston! How rude." Lissa glared up at him.
"Something you want, shrimp?" Gaston huffed down at Rafael with his fists on his hips. The boy was two heads shorter than him.
"Wha-nothing. I was only being nice." Rafael said timidly.
"What business do you have, thinking you can take liberties with my sister?"
"Liberties? I haven't done anything! I swear it!" Rafael sputtered.
"Gaston, leave him alone." Lissa whined, tugging on his sleeve. "You interrupted us."
"Would you shut it and let me handle this?" Gaston barked at her.
"You're not being fair!" Lissa told him.
"I believe this conversation is over." Gaston crossed his arms. "Run along now, short stuff. Oh, and I'll not have you calling on Lissa again. She's much too young to be courted, so best put that idea out of your head. Get me?"
"I only-" Rafael stuttered.
"Do I make myself clear?" Gaston bellowed.
"Y-yes. It was lovely talking to you, miss." Rafael tipped his hat.
"You too." Lissa curtsied. Gaston started shoving her away. "Stop pushing me!" She complained. "Uhh, goodbye." She tried to tell Rafael. Gaston walked her back to the village square. "You are so mean!" Lissa scolded him.
"What did you think you were doing?" Gaston retorted. "Have you lost your senses, Sis? He's no good for you, at least until you come of age."
"For crying out loud, we were just talking! It's not like we are going to get married." Lissa shook her head.
"Don't get any ideas." Gaston said quickly. "You're so young, Lissie. Too young to be distracted by love. Especially puppy love! Forget the little upstart."
"He's just a friend." Lissa said defensively.
"Not in my book. Dismiss him from your mind." Gaston ordered. Tears filled Lissa's eyes.
"Why do you always have to be so bossy?" She asked.
"It's my job. You should be at Mother's side like a good little girl, not carrying on with a stranger who makes your heart flutter." Gaston said firmly.
"He's not a stranger. Are you blind, big brother? He lives right here in Villeneuve!"
"This is the first time I've noticed."
"I'm telling Mother!" Lissa snapped.
"Tell her what you want. Papa will be glad I was there to rescue you."
"I didn't need rescuing." Lissa argued. Gaston plucked the flower from her small hand.
"You won't be needing this." He scowled, and tossed it into the street to be trampled on.
"Ugh! You...you...you big...you big oaf!" Lissa shrieked with tears and protectively rescued the innocent blossom and clutched it to herself.
"Lissa! What is the matter, love?" Alice gasped when her daughter came running to her.
"Gaston was being mean!" Lissa blubbered. Gaston rolled his eyes.
"Son, were you knotting up her hair again?" Henry Legume inquired, exasperated.
"Papa...really? I cut that kid stuff out two years ago." Gaston replied sarcastically. "As a matter of fact, I found her gallivanting, with a young man!"
"We weren't gallivanting, Mother!" Lissa protested. "We were talking. Rafael was kind to me, and he's not mean to Belle like the other boys are. He gave me this flower, and Gaston took it from me and threw it away!"
"Gaston," Alice gave him the look.
"You made the right call, son. I am relieved to hear that you handled yourself like a man." Henry clapped Gaston's shoulder. Gaston stared up at him with wide eyes. It wasn't very often that he got such high praise from his father. "However...the boy is not bruised, is he?"
"No." Gaston shook his head.
"He's still up and walking, I take it?"
"I didn't clomp him, Papa. I didn't have to. He's scared of me now!" Gaston threw out his chest. "You should've seen the look on his face…"
"That's enough, Gaston." Alice interrupted his victorious bragging. "Lissa, darling, dry your eyes. We'll go home and talk about this." Lissa glared at Gaston who stuck his tongue out at her.
"Run along, son. And have a good time." Henry beamed. Gaston rarely saw his father so pleased with him.
"Yes, Sir!" Gaston skipped off to find his friends.
"You really need to speak with that son of yours." Alice told her husband once they reached home and they'd put Lissa's flower in a jar of water in her room.
"Alice, he is right." Henry spoke calmly to his wife. "Lissa is only seven, too young for romance. And I'll not have any sneaky lads here filling her head with ideas to the contrary."
"I'm sure Rafael meant no harm, Henry. He's only eight! I believe he was only being considerate. All of his brothers are much older than him, remember? He probably just wanted to make a new friend."
"Well, I don't like it. You should be thankful, Alice, that we have such an alert boy looking after the two of you when I am absent on my travels."
"I am. But sometimes Gaston can become a little too rough. I still think he was wrong to just snatch Lissa's flower from her. After all, it was a gift." Alice crossed her arms.
"I suppose." Henry reluctantly agreed. "That wasn't very chivalrous, was it?"
"No. I do not mind my son being firm if necessary, but if he is to be a true gentleman, he must learn to apply understanding too." Alice said solemnly.
"I shall have to try to smooth out the edges about that with him. I am only thankful he did not beat the boy to a pulp! Then Rafael's father would have my hide, and spreading tales around town that my son is a brutal coward."
"I'd be more concerned about Rafael enduring Gaston's sentiments!"
Alice managed to calm Lissa down and explain to her that Gaston was only trying to protect her, though he could've handled it differently. Lissa didn't believe that was his motive, but talking with her mother made her feel mostly better. And she was pleased that she'd saved her flower.
But that night at supper, she didn't speak to Gaston unless she had to. She helped her mother put away the food and clear the table and do the dishes. While they were doing that, Henry commended Gaston for being so authoritative. Yet, he did mildly scold him about the flower. Gaston thought his parents were overreacting about that silly flower, but his father stressed to him that he'd really hurt Lissa's feelings by doing that and that he should try to smooth things over.
"Fine." Gaston muttered.
Alice had tucked Lissa into bed. As soon as she made her way downstairs, Gaston quietly strode into Lissa's room without knocking. "Hi, Sis." He said nonchalantly.
"I wish you'd go away." Lissa mumbled, looking away from him. Gaston walked over to the bed.
"Look, I'm sorry about the flower, okay?" He sighed. "I see you managed to salvage it from my carelessness."
"Yes, I did!" Lissa answered triumphantly. She sat up and glanced at it. "Do you think it will survive, Gaston?"
"Only for a while. Flowers don't last forever." Gaston said simply.
"Oh." Lissa hung her head.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"A little." Lissa crossed her arms.
"Aww, come on now." Gaston smirked. "I'm not that bad." Lissa quirked her little eyebrows incredulously. "Look, Papa depends on me to look after you and Mother when he's not around. I only want to please him."
"You don't have to be so mean about it." Lissa said.
"How else will I know if I did it right?" Gaston shrugged.
"Ohh." Lissa turned on her side, ignoring him.
"Aww, Sis. Don't be that way. You know you forgive me." Gaston said slyly.
"Do I?"
"I know how to change your mind." Gaston sneered.
"Good luck," Lissa shrugged, in a challenging tone. Gaston sat on the bed and started running his fingers up and down her sides. Lissa shrieked in surprise. "Ahh! Gaston, stop!" She punched at his wrists with her hands.
"Nuh uh. Not til you say your forgive me." Gaston boasted.
"I'll never forgive you!" Lissa said stubbornly, giggling.
"Oh. Gonna be that way about it, huh? Well, I've got the upper hand now, little sister. I can make you talk." Gaston grinned evilly.
"No you won-ahaha! Gas-stop!" Lissa laughed as Gaston tickled harder, brushing his fingers over her most ticklish spots. She tried to hug herself to escape him, but it was no use. "Sto-oh, please! No more! Alright, alright!" She panted, squirming around.
"I didn't hear you say it." Gaston bragged in a sing-song voice.
"I forg-"
"How's that?" Gaston acted confused.
"I…"
"What? Can't you hear you, Sis. You need to speak louder!" He growled playfully, tickling her little stomach.
"Alright! I forgive you! I forgive you!" Lissa squealed. "Stop! I yielded! I forgive you!"
"You're just saying that so I'll go easy on you." Gaston said skeptically.
"I forgive you! Now stop tickling me!"
"Well…" Gaston sighed, cocking his head. He held his hands up and Lissa scrunched back down under the covers. "Next time you'd better be nicer to me sooner."
"Only if you promise to do the same." Lissa said in her best grownup voice.
"Where would be the fun in that?" Gaston pouted. "You're not playing fair, Sis."
"I'll be nice to you if you're nicer to me."
"No promises." Gaston warned her. "Goodnight, Sis. And no dreaming about what's-his-name! You hear me?"
"Go away, Gaston." Lissa grumbled. Gaston slipped out of the room. "That's the last time you interfere with my personal life, big brother." Lissa smirked to herself.
10 Years Later
"A new book?" Lissa asked Belle excitedly.
"Yes! Pere Robert has had three new volumes come in this passed week," Belle happily explained, "and he has kindly offered to let me borrow each of them to read."
"You must let me do the same once you're through."
"Oh, well, you shall have to ask Pere Robert about that." Belle chuckled.
"You're not fair. How come you always get first dibs on them anyway?" Lissa grumbled playfully.
"I suppose I'm just the churchman's favorite bookworm." Belle smirked.
"Ha, ha." Lissa rolled her eyes. Monsieur Pierre cautiously approached her. Belle arched her eyebrows.
"May I speak to you alone, Mademoiselle?" Pierre asked Lissa.
"I suppose…" Lissa shrugged.
"Enjoy yourself, mon ami." Belle threw her a coy smile.
"How may I help you, Monsieur?" Lissa asked Pierre, smoothing her skirts.
"I...uh, might I say, Mademoiselle Legume, that I find you ravishing." Pierre said nervously.
"Really?" Lissa looked down at her feet, blushing.
"Aye. Uhm...here, these are for you. I hope they suit your liking." Pierre shoved a bouquet of pretty flowers into her hands.
"Oh! Well, thank you." Lissa grinned. "They're lovely."
"You like them?" Pierre smiled.
"I do. Merci, Monsieur." Lissa nodded. Pierre chuckled giddily.
"I wanted…" But the young man did not have a chance to finish his sentence. Next thing he knew, he was hoisted into the air and then dumped not too gracefully into the village washing well, causing the ladies doing their laundry to fuss and yell.
"Stay away from her!" Gaston growled loudly at Pierre, who spat and blinked in shock as he shook his soaked head. He stood up and hurried out of the water as quickly as he could and took off running as far away as he could get from Gaston. The ladies were shouting at Gaston for disrupting their work but he ignored him in annoyance.
Unbelievable! Lissa thought, smacking her head. Here we go again. "Now was that truly necessary?" She groaned.
"Yes, it was." Gaston replied gruffly.
"He was only being polite, Gaston." Lissa said.
"He smiled at you." Gaston huffed down at her, with his fists on his hips, his handsome face dark and stormy.
"Oh, how dare he! That was a courtesy." Lissa corrected him.
"He gave you flowers." Gaston argued.
"Good grief, what an unforgivable crime." Lissa quipped dryly. Gaston bristled.
"If anyone is going to give you flowers, it will be me!" He said loudly.
"We barely spoke a word."
"He was going to ask you out." Gaston grumbled. "If you go out with anyone, it will be me."
Lissa stared up at him, gritting her teeth. "Are you trying to scare me, Gaston?"
"No, merely trying to discourage you from giving your sweet, innocent heart to the wrong man."
"I will never get to know any man with you hounding me like a rabid watchdog!" Lissa groaned.
"Don't be flippant about this, Lissa." Gaston said firmly. "I am your brother. It's my job to look out for you. I'm sorry you are having such a tragic time accepting that." He said scornfully.
"Don't put words in my mouth, Gaston!" Lissa told him sharply. "You complained when you were younger about trying to get away from Mother's apron strings. Have you forgotten that?"
"Not at all." Gaston answered.
Lissa shook her head. "If you think Mother was overprotective with you, well...that is nothing when compared to you! You are worse than any Mother Hen I have ever seen."
"Why, thank you, Sis. Means I am doing my job properly." Gaston smirked.
"How will I ever find the right man if you scare every potential caller away before we get to know him?" Lissa asked, her eyes starting to well up. Her annoyance was melting away and giving into hurt feelings. Gaston never let anyone even try to call on her...EVER! He always either scared them away or pulverized them.
Gaston braced himself. This was not good. She was starting to cry! Oh, he'd had to be firm before, but everything threatened to fall apart when she began to cry. Now what to do? "Lissie, do you not understand?" He moaned. "I'm doing all of this for your own good."
"Ohh," Lissa grimaced and walked away. Gaston looked up helplessly at the sky.
"Look, one day you meet the right man and I won't throttle him."
"Oh, really? And how are we ever supposed to find out who that is? I'm serious, Gaston! Ever since you came back from the war, you threaten to shoot any potential young men around here if they even smile at me! Has it not occurred to you, through that hard head of yours, that you may be taking this just a bit too far?"
"No. Lissa, darling," Gaston smiled sweetly, touching her face, "You are young, and innocent, and sweet, and beautiful. A bit feisty, yes, but nevertheless altogether lovely. It would blow my blood vessels to kingdom come if some no good b- ever tried to hurt you or break your heart!"
"And just what was that exhibition a moment ago? If that was not an explosion of your overprotective temper…"
"That was merely a warning." Gaston corrected her. Trust me, Sis. You have not seen my angry side yet!"
"I pity any man who crosses hairs with you!"
"Don't waste it on scumbags, Lissa. Many of them do not deserve pity."
"Gaston, I don't want to be 'tethered to your gun belt', my whole life! I'd like a family of my own someday, you know."
"And you shall have it, little sister. But not until I say so!" Gaston told her firmly.
"You have got to be the most conceited, bull-headed, unreasonable, untameable man in all of France!" Lissa exclaimed.
"You forgot about dashing and irresistible, little sister." Gaston smiled proudly.
"Ugh. I give up! You are hopeless." Lissa sighed in defeat and walked away, gripping the flowers. Gaston was tempted to throw them away, but decided it would be better to head to the tavern instead.
"What do I do?" Gaston asked in exasperation, lounging in his favorite chair. As usual, he was pouring out his problems to his good friend Lefou.
"Oh, really?" Lefou huffed. "If you want her to respect your authority, Gaston, then you need to explain the real reason you're being such a scary ogre."
"I am not a scary ogre, Lefou." Gaston held his head high.
"No? I happen to know that the Forte boys are truly afraid of you. They're spreading word all over town that you are going to literally skin them alive and mount them up as one of your trophies!"
"Do they now?" Gaston chuckled.
"I wouldn't laugh about it, Gaston, not where their mother is concerned! She is quite convinced that you are in earnest regarding her sons. You'd might like to ease their minds, for your own reputation's sake."
"Are you trying to spoil my fun, Lefou?"
"No. I'd never! But, on the other hand, you have been known to be rather...rough. Sometimes perhaps, a bit unnecessarily?"
"Those boys got exactly what they deserved." Gaston hissed. "The Forte twins don't even have beards yet. They're only children. They wouldn't be suitable for my sister. So I thought I'd save them the trouble."
"By sending them home with black, swollen eyes and bloody noses?"
"They had no business preying on my sister. And behind my back! Waiting until the coast was clear, while I hunt, and then they move in to court Lissa. All under my nose, no less!"
"They weren't."
"What would you know about it, Lefou? It is not easy being head of the house, having to provide for all the meals, having to play Mother and Father to a vulnerable younger sister who is only a child herself." Gaston sighed dramatically.
"She's seventeen, Gaston. Of marriageable age."
Gaston glared at his friend. "Now you've gone too far."
"How about another beer?" Lefou offered.
"Ahh, yes. I could use one. All of this protective hero business is giving me a headache."
"I'm sure you're not the only one." Lefou giggled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Gaston frowned when he entered the house that night and saw the flowers from Pierre safely placed in a vase, on the center of the dining table. He scowled and began to reach out his hand to ditch them outside. "Don't even think about it." Lissa spoke before he even touched them.
"I didn't do anything." Gaston said innocently.
"You were seriously considering it." Lissa sighed, crossing her arms as she entered the dining room.
"Look, Sis, maybe I do get a bit riled when-"
"A bit?" Lissa cut him off. "You act like a jealous schoolboy and bare your teeth as viciously as the king's own guard dogs!"
"So I do." Gaston said softly. "Lissie,"
"What?" Lissa sighed.
"Will you sit down?" Gaston pulled out a chair for her. She reluctantly obeyed, still with her arms folded. "Listen, I...I know I have a frightful temper. And have a tendency to lose my head when it comes to suitors." Gaston paced around.
"You've got that right!" Lissa agreed.
"Yes. It's just...you're the only family I have left. You're all I've got. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, like it did to our mother and father."
"Gaston," Lissa spoke more gently," both of those were completely out of your control. Mother took sick. There was absolutely nothing you or I could've done to prevent that." Tears filled Lissa's eyes as she remembered that horrible time when her mother had been dying before her eyes while Gaston fought in the war. "I tried! But it was out of my hands. And Father...even if you had been with him that night, you most likely would've been hurt or...or killed as he was!"
"I wouldn't have! I would've been able to get him some help." Gaston argued. Lissa was surprised at his serious manner. Gaston rarely spoke from the heart like this, and so tenderly! He must be feeling absolutely serious about this subject to nearly break down like this in front of her! He almost never told her his true feelings, made him look weak. At least, that's what he thought.
"No. Father was caught unawares. Had you been there...you probably would be dead too. And now...if you had...I would be all alone right now." Lissa sniffed, trying to brush away her tears.
"Exactly my point." Gaston nodded. He reached across the table and gripped her hand. "Lissie, I must keep you safe. That is all I truly want for you, that you be looked after. And who will do that if I don't?"
"Gaston, God is there even when you're not."
"Where was He when out parents died?" Gaston asked seriously. Lissa hung her head. She didn't have a satisfactory answer for that question. "No one can ever protect you like I do, Lissa. And no one will ever care for you as much as I do. Remember that, will you?"
"You can have a very strange, unpleasant way of showing it sometimes." Lissa said lowly.
"I know." Gaston nodded. "But I know how the male species thinks. I know what men want from women, and I'll not have any man even thinking that way of you. If anything ever happened to you, Lissa, I would never forgive myself! I wouldn't be able to live with myself."
"Me living with you is not exactly a bed of roses, brother." Lissa remarked.
"Oh, you shall see one day. One day you will be grateful for my volcanic brutality." Gaston promised.
"Well, in the mean time, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't be that helpful." Lissa said, shaking her head. "One day you are going to have to let me go."
"Over my dead body!" Gaston gasped, kissing her head.
5 Months Later
One of the nearby villages was having a bazaar, and Gaston had brought Lefou and Lissa there as a treat. Although Lissa suspected what he really wanted was to challenge the town's strongest men to a wrestling match, just to show off. Well, if he was, there wasn't really anything she or Lefou could do to stop him. Belle had wanted to go to the bazaar but Maurice had insisted she stay in Villeneuve where she'd be safe. Belle was disappointed, but Lissa promised to bring her back something nice.
Gaston was inspecting the weapons, Lefou enjoyed taking a tumbler full of any rum or whiskey offered him at the stands-for taste testing, he claimed-. Lissa enjoyed looking at the newest dresses, but also kept an eye out for books. She bought herself a new hair ribbon, of deep royal purple, then found a set of beautiful paintbrushes that made her think of Maurice. So she purchased those too, then set out to find the perfect souvenir for Belle. She spotted Lefou playing some of the games the carnival callers yelled out. He seemed to be amused with what he'd found to spend his money on. As usual, Gaston was primping his hair in the mirror. Lissa rolled her eyes.
"He's worse than a girl." She muttered.
Lefou had bought himself a new black jacket, which Lissa liked, then he invited her to have some treats with him. Lissa enjoyed the many different sweets they tried and got some fancy delicacies to bring home. "Gaston's missing out on all the good stuff." Lefou mentioned.
"I know. But who cares? Means more for us." Lissa grinned.
"The beer back in Villeneuve really leaves something to be desired." Lefou sighed.
"So, you were serious about testing out the drinks in this place?" Lissa sputtered.
"Of course! What did you think? I'm not a court jester, Lissa. Sure, I know how to have a good time, but I keep an eye out for proper business too. I have a good mind to tell the tavern keeper back home to up his game." Lefou explained. "He's been saving the same old liquor for eight years. No disrespect intended, but if I was running the tavern, I'd try to keep my stock up to date, and fresh and lively."
"Who knows, my friend, perhaps you will be running the tavern someday." Lissa shrugged. "You would surely be good at it."
"You think so?" Lefou asked hopefully.
"Well, it would be worth a try."
Naturally, Gaston did challenge the town's strongest men to wrestle him. It caused a great deal of excitement, but Lissa had seen it all before and didn't care to observe. She'd finally found a new book she'd never heard of before that she thought Belle would like and had placed it safely in the carriage.
She was heading back to the square, hoping to encourage Lefou to join her for dinner. A few men who were singing vulgar songs and laughing boisterously were staggering nearby. Lissa quickened her pace and marched toward the crowd gathered around Gaston.
Suddenly, she felt a rough tug on her arm and someone pulled her back into the shadows. "Hey!" She yelped. A large, burly man hovered over her. His breath smelled hideous and he had an eye patch over his left eye. "Would you kindly let go?" Lissa asked angrily.
"Come on, Sweetie." The man's deep voice slurred. "The festival's meant for folks to have fun. You gonna leave me alone without taking my pleasures?"
"You're drunk!" Lissa snapped at him, trying to pull her arm back. "Release me."
"Well, that ain't very sweet of ya, sugar." The man leaned forward, half falling, trying to kiss her cheek.
"Stop it!" Lissa shoved at him, and stomped down hard on his boot with her heel. "Get your hands off me!"
"Oh ho ho, feisty one, are you? I like that." The man leered and dragged her back, thrashing, behind the stands away from the citizens. Lissa called out but the crowd observing Gaston let out cheers, drowning out her voice. "Easy, lassie. No need to spoil the mood." The fool purred, barely walking straight himself.
"Let go of me!" Lissa yelled, struggling against him. He grabbed both of her arms. For a drunk, his grip was impenetrable.
"Aww, don't be that way, darling." He smiled creepily.
"Let me go!" Lissa screeched. She kicked at his legs and yanked and thrashed with all her might. He tugged her forward against himself. She tried to elbow him in the chest. "I said...let go...of me!" She bit down on his hand as hard as she could. The man hollered and slapped her hard across the face, making her stagger backward. She kicked out as he lunged toward her. She punched at his chest, screaming.
"Help me!"
"Shut up!" He bellowed, slapping her again, this time smacking her ear. Lissa clawed and struggled, shrieking. She scratched frantically at his gnarly face. Lissa screamed as the man attempted to pin her arms down. "I'll teach you to fight me, you little slut!" He howled in drunken rage as she tried kneeing him in his lower waist, but she could barely move her legs.
Next thing she knew, she heard a gunshot and the man screamed. He rolled off of her, gasping in pain. Lissa glanced to her right, where he lay on his side, cradling his bloody arm. She saw an enormous shadow jerk the hooligan to his feet and then punched him directly in the face, causing him to spit out blood. Another punch to the face, then another, and another. Then the other figure punched him right in the gut, four times, then back-fisted him under the jaw, and her attacker dropped to the ground, silent.
Lissa sat there, shaking and whimpering. She saw Lefou standing by with a torch, his eyes wide with worry. The large man who'd rescued her knelt next to her. She shrank back as he reached for her. "Stay away from me!" She cried.
"Lissie," Gaston whispered.
"G-Gaston?" She stammered.
"Are you hurt, love?" Gaston asked, gripping her shoulders.
"I...I...I don't think so." She could barely speak. He pulled her to her feet. "Did you kill him?"
"I hope so." Gaston snarled.
"Lissa, you alright?" Lefou asked. Lissa was still panting and trembling. She merely nodded.
"Let's get you away from that swine." Gaston said, leading her back towards the festivities. She hid her face in his chest as the constables tried to keep the crowd back. They'd heard the gunshot and wanted to see what was going on. Gaston kept his arms tightly around her.
"I wanna go home!" Lissa begged him.
"Lissa, your nose is bleeding!" Lefou gasped. In her fright, Lissa had barely noticed. She reached into her skirt pocket for a handkerchief but Gaston handed her his. She tenderly dabbed her nose with it. "Good l-, he roughed you up." Lefou said sadly. Gaston gripped her chin between his fingers and studied her face. Her lip was cut, her nose was trickling blood, and she had a bruise on her cheek, not to mention a red welt on her ear.
"Where's the physician in this town?" Gaston barked.
"It's nothing," Lissa shook her head.
"Where is he?!" Gaston yelled.
"I will find him, sir." One of the constables answered.
"Gaston, I just want to go home! Please take me home." Lissa pleaded. She just wanted to get out of this place and away from that wretched man as far as she could.
"Not yet. Not 'til the doctor looks you over." Gaston answered gruffly. Lissa tried to stop her tears. A pleasant day hard turned into an awful night. "Hey, you're safe now. No need to cry." He shushed her.
"Thank you…" She said in a muffled voice, clutching his vest.
While the doctor tended Lissa's hurts, Gaston went after her assailant again. He hit the guy again and again until the constables had to pull him off. The man was completely unconscious at this point but Gaston wasn't satisfied that he was punished enough. He wanted to murder him. The police had to threaten to throw Gaston in the clinker for the night if he hit him again. Gaston strode away, barely, still outraged.
When he returned to the doctor's tent, Lissa's face had stopped bleeding. "Doctor, will she be alright?" He asked.
"I believe so." The doctor nodded. "She's lucky not to have any worse injuries, though her wrists are bruised. I would advise though that you have your own town physician check her ear when you return to Villeneuve. It's a bit swollen." Gaston clenched his fists.
"What do I owe you?" He asked, reaching into his purse.
"Seven bits." The doctor answered. Gaston handed him his money.
"Can I go home now?" Lissa asked sadly, holding a cold compress to her ear.
"Yes, lass. I am sorry this happened." The doctor said kindly. "Take it easy the next couple days. Safe journey." Lissa stood up and followed Gaston and Lefou out.
"Thank you, doctor." Gaston told him.
It felt like a long ride back home, but Lissa was relieved when they finally reached Villeneuve. Gaston woke up poor Dr. Tanner and demanded he come check Lissa's ear. The doctor knew better than to argue with Gaston. He prescribed lots of cool poultices and rest. Lefou brought in some hot cocoa. "Here." He said, offering Lissa some.
"Thank you." She said timidly. "I'm really sorry that I ruined your good time."
"No. I enjoyed myself today. I'm just glad you're alright!"
"Thank God you and Gaston arrived when you did!"
"Yeah. Hey, are you hungry? You didn't have any dinner."
"No thank you. I don't want any food. But help yourself to what you can find, Lefou. No sense in us both starving." Lissa said. Her face felt stiff and her ear throbbed. "I...think I'd better stop talking."
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I'll shut up." Lefou apologized.
"No need."
"Come on, Lissa. You need to go to bed." Gaston patted her arms. Lissa slowly stood up.
"Goodnight, Lefou. And...thank you!"
"Glad I was there. Get a good sleep." Lefou smiled sadly.
"Come now." Gaston told her. When she reached the stairs, she felt dizzy. Gaston carried her up to her room. She barely undressed herself and just stretched out on the bed. Gaston draped the covers over her.
"Gaston?"
"What is it?"
"How…" She winced, "how did you know I was in trouble?"
"I heard you scream." Gaston answered.
"You did?"
"Yeah. I knew something was wrong, and when I saw that scum on top of you…"
"I...I didn't think anyone would hear me!" Lissa shivered.
"Well, I heard you."
Lissa nodded. "Gaston, if you hadn't been there...he would've…" She trembled remembering.
"Shh. Go to sleep, Lissie. You need rest. It's over. Now sleep." Gaston stroked her face. Lissa nodded. She reached over and turned on the music box Maurice had made for her Mother. Gaston leaned down and tenderly kissed her head. "Thank you, Gaston." Lissa wept.
"Hey, you're safe. That's my most important job." He whispered. "Goodnight, Lissie."
"Goodnight." Lissa murmured quietly.
"If you need me, just call out." Gaston told her, slightly closing the door. Lissa nodded.
She had never been so scared in her life than when that horrible hooligan had had her on the ground like that. If her brother hadn't saved her...It was too awful to even mention! But, Gaston had been there! And this once, she had needed his rescuing. And he'd come just in time. Perhaps he had been right about men. He'd said he knew how they thought about women. While she didn't consider her brother a pervert, he was a man and had masculine intuitions. Perhaps she shouldn't have underestimated his instincts just because he'd overdone it with some of the young scamps in town.
She tried to get comfortable and pulled the covers closer around her shoulders. She didn't think she'd ever get to sleep, not after tonight! But as she listened to the sweet chimes of the music box, the familiar tune warmed her heart and lulled her to sleep.
Gaston checked on her periodically. When he felt that the compress was no longer cold, he removed it from her hand. By the dim candlelight, he could see that the swelling on her ear had considerably minimized. He brushed her hair back and blew out the candle.
"Maybe sometimes you actually do know what you're doing." Lissa mumbled in her sleep. Gaston was taken aback at first then he shook his head.
"Careful, Sis." Gaston warned her.