Author's Notes:

I don't own Beauty and the Beast or its characters. It's the property of Walt Disney and all other versions of the story belong to their respective owners.

Rated M for the usual: language, adult themes, and other good stuff.

Hey guys!

As you guys know (and are currently experiencing) Hurricane Sandy is making her presence known. All of you that are braving the hurricane, stay safe! I'm dealing with the storm myself, so trust me, I know. Remain indoors, eat comfort food, and of course, read fanfiction! I used the free day that I got and dedicated my time to writing another chapter! The next chapter should follow fairly quickly after this one. Keep your fingers crossed.

Thank you to everyone that took the time to review. If this story has any silent readers, I thank you as well! The feedback I get for this story makes me extremely happy.

Enjoy:

Chapter 5:

Nestled against Adam's chest, Belle teetered back and forth between consciousness and unconsciousness. Her dark lashes fluttered against her cheeks as she fought off the impending oblivion that crept behind her eyelids. Her matted hair hung down over Adam's arm, stray locks leisurely tickling his collarbone. He shifted her weight in his arms as she worried her bottom lip. Her eyebrows furrowed in struggle and Adam struggled himself also. He was enraged at Belle's actions, but found himself increasingly endeared by her candor. As much as her bitingly sarcastic tongue infuriated him, it only served to fascinate him even more – which bothered him even further. He hadn't understood why she chose to degrade herself and belittle her worth. He hadn't known her for long, but her attitude thoroughly irked him. Despite his own condition, he tried to conserve his morals and keep his dignity intact.

Adam strode into his house quickly, seeking any one of his servants. As he climbed the stairs, he caught sight of Mrs. Potts' apron and called out for her.

Mrs. Potts turned around to greet him, but her cheerful expression melted into one of horror. "Good grief! Young master, what happened to the young miss?" Mrs. Potts worked herself into a frenzy, hurriedly climbing the stairs.

Adam followed the distraught maid into Belle's new room. He laid her down gently, not bothering to pull back the covers.

"An unfortunate accident with a forest animal. Call the doctor immediately."

Mrs. Potts stared at the young brunette in horror before snapping into action, leaving the room hastily.

Adam glanced down at Belle's form. His eyes lingered on the wound on her shoulder. The fabric covering her shoulder was drenched in blood and he decided to tear it off her arm so it didn't stick painfully to her flesh. He grasped onto the fabric and tore it slightly, leaving the wound exposed.

Belle's eyes fluttered momentarily before she blinked them open groggily. Adam sat in a chair close to her bed, appraising her. Although she had infuriated him, he was drawn to her - partly from biological attraction and partly from irritation. She parted her lips for a moment, holding his heavy gaze.

His eyes flickered down to her lips as she moistened them with her tongue. Never before had someone stirred his ire so much, but at the same time… intrigued him so.

"You should have let him finish what he started." She stated softly, her eyes remaining trained on his.

Adam's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Finish what? The murder or the carnal pillaging?"

Belle's eyes hardened at his words as she tried to prop herself up, wincing at the jab of pain the movement sent through her arm. "Both."

Adam stood up abruptly, gaping at her in wonder. "Let me understand this…." He started while he paced before her bed. "You would have chosen being violated and killed instead of staying with me?" He asked incredulously.

Belle pursed her lips and only stared at Adam's back as he moved restlessly about the room.

"What on Earth is the matter with you? I would have thought that removing you from that shameful life would've changed your attitude. Not once have you attempted thanking me or showing your appreciation."

The outraged brunette sat up straighter despite the stabs of discomfort shooting through her. Her eyes were seemingly emotionless, but her voice held all the frustration and anger she held in.

"You think I should thank you? How very humble of you, sir. I'll let you know that I hadn't deemed my life shameful. Men like you, arrogant, self-assured bastards that you are, think you know the best for everyone. I was perfectly fine where I was. Had I needed someone's help, I would've asked for it."

"You think I should believe that you were happy servicing men? Servicing Gaston?" Adam pressed, determined to hit some nerve and get a different emotion out of her.

Belle's back straightened stubbornly, "you don't know anything about me. What does it matter if I hated or enjoyed my job? Why don't you just release me? Let me go home and I won't tell anyone about this."

Adam continued to pace in front of the bed, collecting his thoughts. He had contemplated letting her go and forgetting about her. Why had he taken her away from the brothel? Gaston's brothel, no less. His condition had been bearable before, but ever since he had crossed paths with this woman, his slowly hardening heart had surged excruciatingly. Before he had kidnapped the brunette, he felt the meticulous toughening of his heart occur day by day. Since she'd been in his home and continuously around him, the process seemed to have sporadically changed; one moment his heart would harden, but then at another moment it seemed fine. The rough stirring in his chest, often times, caused tears to prick his eyes, but despite his uncomfortable state, his mind was riddled with thoughts of her.

It would be insulting had he said that he was magically drawn to her in the brothel. His interest for her had been caused by his attraction, but also from the memories that had been dredged up when he first caught sight of her. She had been one of the only children to show him kindness. Although they were foolish, distant memories, they comforted Adam and often revived his faith. It was this kindness that eluded him and that he fought to understand and cling on to. Recently, the curse had come into effect and the notion of compassion became more alien–like to him. Perhaps there was a chance of obtaining this characteristic that escaped him if he surrounded himself with it.

Adam hung his head a bit as he forced himself to still his movements, "I cannot let you go."

Belle bristled with indignation as she shouted, "Why? Why am I so significant? Any brothel worker could have sufficed! Go back and claim a different whore for your twisted fantasies!"

"I did not bring you here to act out fantasies of mine." Adam defended, somewhat injured by her claim.

"Nonsense! I know men like you; they stalk, prey, and lure. Don't you have any morals? What type of sick man would go to such lengths to procure a lay? Were you some lonesome, pathetic child that couldn't manage bending other children to your perverted ways? Or were you a spoiled brat that didn't know how to fend for themselves and lived under their mother's skirt? Either way, use me, scoundrel. I'm wounded and weak. Force yourself upon me and take what you seek."

The expression on Adam's face changed into one of disgust as he looked back at her. He couldn't believe the accusations that poured from her mouth. He was taken aback by the fury that cascaded off of her in such large waves. Even though he was shocked, he couldn't hold back his initial reaction of hurting her as well. He loomed over the bed wearing a cold, cautionary expression.

"Watch your mouth, wench. I would never-"

"Never act unlike a gentleman? Yet you stand there, call me a wench, and try to intimidate me. You don't frighten me. You sicken me." She interrupted.

A frustrated noise rumbled in Adam's throat. He took a few steps towards Belle with a raised hand, but stopped sharply and turned away once he realized what he had intended to do.

"How fitting. You beat women as well. Go on then, strike me! Hit me! Do what you want to, you brute!"

"Shut your mouth!" Adam hollered, spinning to face her. "Shut your ungrateful mouth!" Adam stalked over to her, leaning down to speak directly in her face. He hissed coldly, "Had I been a clear-minded man, I would have tossed you to the wolves. You've decided your rank in this household then, whore? So be it. Once that wound heals, you'll be treated as such."

Belle's breath had accelerated in fear as Adam spoke so closely to her. She had wanted to push his buttons, hoping he'd let her go once he realized she was too much trouble. She didn't know what to make of his outburst except that his eyes had changed again. Like before, the color and light seemed to drain straight out of them, leaving blank, unforgiving, dark stones in their place. She always had a habit of making her situations much worse than they needed to be, thanks to her opinionated mouth. She thought she had Adam figured out from the short amount of time she had been forced to spend with him. She was sure of his fatal flaw – the kindness that lurked inside of him. He was quick to anger, but the humanity he harbored rarely emptied out of him like it did this moment.

Adam let his eyes wander over her face and linger on her figure before he straightened himself up and walked toward the door. Before he exited, he looked back over at Belle, several emotions warring in the boundless depths that were his eyes.

Belle settled against the pillows that cushioned her back. She noticed the trembling that had started to take over her limbs and drew a blanket around herself. She wrapped herself in the blanket snugly, completely aware that it wasn't the cold that chilled her, but the absence of the man who had kidnapped her.

A/N:

We got to see a little more of Adam's thoughts concerning Belle. In the words of Lumiere, it's getting interesting, no?

Let me know what you thought; I'd love to hear it.

-NightmarishEscape