A/N: Based on the votes from and AO3, here is the winner! Thank you to everyone for reading and don't forget to send me any ideas you would like to see in these verses!

A Long Fatal Love Chase

Prompt: Belle leaves the sisters at St. Meissa's and finds something unexpected. (Rated K)

It was no question in Belle's mind that she had to flee the safety of St. Meissa when she realized that her dream of her husband was no dream at all. In addition, to learn that he had known all along that she had resided there… She couldn't help but feel what a fool she had been to think she could have tricked him so effectively. Of course, Tempus could see right through her! He had always said that their souls were connected and his heart would know her wherever.

The once romantic thought was now perverted and it was frightening to know how true he meant that statement. That meant Belle had to be extremely cautious and doubly clever to escape him this time.

There was no question that he probably expected her to run that very day or the following evening. After all, he knew her secret. He could just as easily waltz right through her door at any moment if he willed it. However, she did have an ace up her sleeve in that she knew Tempus. He wouldn't so much dare to enter her room again, not when he has been enjoying this "chase" as he called it. It would spoil the whole idea if he were to seek her out!

At least Belle knew she had this reprieve to plot her next move. And when.

Since she knew that Dove was also lurking somewhere, Belle had to be mindful of every person she comes into contact with lest it should be her husband's trusty valet. Unfortunately, she felt foolish for not recognizing Dove at all until her husband confessed he was watching her. Dove did have very distinct features and he was rather tall than most men of her acquaintance. That alone should have been obvious but Belle committed a grievous sin: she underestimated her husband and his ways. Clearly, Dove could disguise himself and even hide his height, which made it all the more difficult for her to discern who was friend or foe.

Eventually, Belle elected not to go to the village with her fellow sisters. She feigned a stomach illness and stayed in her room as the others left to do their holy work. Will, bless him, dared not enter her dormitory but he kept walking past her window.

He didn't stop underneath lest it should be suspicious; however, there was no question in her mind that he was concerned and he had every right to be. It grieved her not to tell him about her husband's visit and how he is a very jealous man. The truth was… she didn't want to spark Tempus' ire any more than that chaste kiss did. Will didn't deserve his wrath and she didn't want to see him hurt. He was her friend and if anything happened to him—No, she couldn't think like that. But she couldn't tell Will the truth either.

That left her with her only option: she had to plan her escape. Perhaps with her presence not in the village Dove will tell his master that she left. Then Tempus will have no choice but to follow. The thought was comforting; then again, Tempus might consider it a ruse and stay close in case his suspicions were right. That was a possibility and a risk but what other choice did Belle have? She knew she had to take extra precautions as she decided her next move.

xxXXxx

In the end, it wasn't easy, but Belle knew the longer she stayed… the closer she would have been in telling Will the truth about who she was. She knew she promised him that she would share her story and that he would help her after all that she had done for him, but she couldn't risk it. Couldn't risk his safety. As much as it killed her to do this, she had to leave him by breaking her word. She could only hope that in time he would forgive her and find the courage to find his beloved Ana. Maybe when this horrible chase was over and Tempus was gone from her life… Maybe she could find them and then reveal her woeful tale.

It was the only consolation she could give herself as her justification to leave under the shield of night.

This time she took her time and she did her research as the best possible time to take flight. She also had to bide her time and set up her intentions in case Tempus was nearby. If he took the bait… then she bought herself the needed time to make sure he never knew that she double-crossed him.

There was a mission that Mother Superior had been planning that would take a dozen sisters to Spain. Belle convinced her to let her go with them on this trip now that she was feeling well. Mother Superior welcomed her and it wasn't long for the word to spread. Now, Belle had no intentions of going, but she had to make it look like Sister May was leaving the country with her sisters. That meant she had to ask Sister Astrid a rather large favor.

Thankfully, she didn't have to do much convincing and Sister Astrid accepted before Belle could finish explaining. The kind-hearted and virtuous soul always knew that there was something troubling in Belle's past.

"I knew God sent you here for a reason. And I pray every night that whatever it is that you run from… you find the salvation you are seeking," Astrid said.

"Thank you Sister. This means the world to me," Belle replied. "Remember, no one must know of this."

"Of course. You have my most censored discretion."

When it came for the sisters to leave, Astrid left the convent dressed in Sister May's clothing. As for Belle? She remained behind in the convent, hiding. She had snuck and hidden enough food to last her a few days in her hiding spot before she could officially leave. There was a ship that would sail to Geneva and Belle was determined to get on that ship by any means necessary. She donned her disguise as a boy with the only difference that she hide any femininity that she failed to do the first time. That meant… cutting her hair as opposed to hiding it under a hat. Tempus wouldn't expect her to remove her curls and as she mourned her lovely tresses… she knew it was only momentarily.

Hair could always grow back. Freedom was less easy to obtain.

When the appointed time came, Belle stole away under the concealment of night. It was God's will that there was no moon and very few stars to light the way, which meant Belle could move about freely without being captured.

As she reached the wall where she had first met Will, Belle felt the first lickings of remorse and regret that she never told him about her plan or the supposed mission to Spain. She purposely ignored him in case he figured out what she was doing. It came to a point where he did stop walking past her window in the hopes of getting her attention, and it was a friendship that she had once cherished that she now mourned. Again, she prayed God will send him wisdom and understanding so they might meet again with the former tenderness that their friendship was forged.

With a soft "amen," Belle began to climb the wall. She never looked back.

xxXXxx

Looking back, Belle was afraid that she would have been discovered that night and the sequential days that followed once she made it on the ship Pearl of Hope. She worked as a cabin boy and kept a low profile from the other sailors. It was God's will that no one bothered her as He safely led them to their destination.

From Genova, Belle shed her disguise and became a girl again as she quickly found occupation with a family who sympathized with her. They took her in to be their child's governess (which wasn't difficult for her to do), and it was Fortune that when she met them… they were preparing to leave for Nice. Belle leapt at the opportunity and soon after they were on their way to the southeast coast of France.

The previous darkness that hung over Belle's head began to subside. She no longer felt the shadows of Tempus lurking at every corner. She felt truly and utterly safe and free. Her plan had worked! If Tempus discovered her deceit in Spain, then by the time he realized she sailed to Genova, there would be no word or sight of the cabin boy. He would be searching for a ghost and it pleased Belle that she was able to outsmart her clever and cunning husband.

Upon arriving in Nice, Belle settled in her new lifestyle. Now and then she would get the sudden urge to up and leave, but she was safe. The Jefferson's had been too kind with their generosity and kindness that Belle could not repay them with her absence. Furthermore, she was quite fond of their daughter—her charge—Grace. Not to mention, she did reveal the truth of her circumstances to Mrs. Jefferson.

She hadn't planned on telling them the truth, but Mrs. Jefferson had this quality about her and Belle was so desperate to find a confidante. It all came gushing out one afternoon and Belle had been so frightened that her mistress would turn her out as a liar. Instead, the woman embraced her as if she was her child, and vowed that she would be protected under this family. She assured Belle that her husband would keep an eye out if Tempus or Dove or any of his spies should enter Nice.

With that consoling measure, Belle felt at peace. Tempus would never discover her and she could continue living in harmony with this wonderful family.

Unfortunately, despite the ghosts and demons keeping away at bay, Belle would find herself now and then thinking about poor Ignatius and the cruelty of his fate that he suffered at his father's hands. He was denied the opportunity to grow up into a fine young man, to find a loving wife, and to raise a family. She wished she had known Tempus' dark past before all this and maybe she could have spared the boy's death. Now, she was enjoying the pleasures that life could bring while he rotted away underground. It wasn't fair. Ignatius should be with her under the same safety and protection that she was granted.

Wiping away the hot tears, Belle did her best to maintain a happy façade as she and Grace were in the market. The child was too innocent to learn about the world's cruelties and she would not mar that purity if she could help it with thoughts of poor Ignatius. At night she will mourn him properly and not during the day for Grace to see.

Forcing a smile was coming too naturally to her, but she did as she and her charge conducted their errands.

"Catherine! Look!" Grace exclaimed, tugging on Belle's hand.

Even after her submission, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson insisted on using Belle's nom de plume. It would have been difficult for Grace to remember the secrecy, and this was Belle's second chance. It was better for her to start anew with a brand new identity.

As Belle looked up in the direction that Grace was pointing, she saw two boys playing a harp and pipe while singing. Both appeared haggard and hungry yet one looked strangely familiar…

Grace pulled away from her and began walking in their direction before Belle could realize what had happened. Immediately, she ran after the child and caught her as Grace dropped a couple coins into the hat at the boys' feet. The one playing the pipe grinned cheekily at her while the harp player blessed her for her charity.

It was at that moment that Belle's breath seized in her throat as she looked into the eyes of the harp player. There was no mistaken that carefree dark brown hair and those wide, soft brown eyes growing larger by each passing second.

"Ignatius!" Belle gasped. He's alive!