A/N:: Sorry for the wait and that this chapter is a little short. Thanks for the reviews. Hope you enjoy, and I'll make my updates as soon as possible. The reviews and traffic help inspire me to get it done faster. Chapter now fixed sorry!

Chapter 3

Belle and Beast had been getting along well since the west wing incident. Spending time together every day. Doing various things Playing games, her reading to him, listening to the enchanted instruments play. Anything that was entertaining. They even began sharing about themselves.

Belle learned that even though he was a prince that his life wasn't easy. He hardly saw his parents growing up. He was raised by a nurse maid and his tutor. Mrs Potts was his nurse maid. She also learned that his old child hood friend betrayed him. Left him high and dry when this happened to him.

Belle felt comfortable enough sharing her traumatic experience with Gaston.

"You said, the man who assaulted you, his name was Gaston? He was a hunter?" Beast asked.

"Yes, why?" Belle asked she turned in his soft furry arms to look at his face. They were enjoying a warm fire in one of the parlors.

"He was my friend. Is that part of the reason you stayed here? To escape him." Beast asked.

"I think so. Even though you were so intimidating. I felt safe with the thought of staying here with you." Belle looked mildly shocked before she answered. She slid her arms around his large neck and hugged him. She loved how comforted she felt when she hugged him. He held her a little tighter being mindful of his strength.

"How about you show me how your magic is improving." Beast tried shifting the subject to something lighter.

"Ok, I can try." Belle smiled at the thought that he wanted to see her magic. She pulled herself slowly from his arms and she thought about something she could do. She took a book from the couple she had on an end table. She laid it open between them and channeled her magic into the book. The art on the page she opened it to came to life. It pulled off the page and played out the story hovering a few inches over the book. Her magic played through the whole story. About a princess kidnapped and cursed as a swan. She couldn't leave the lake she was taken to for long. So she couldn't find her prince. He eventually found her and set her free. They defeated the evil sorcerer who cursed her and had a fairytale wedding.

"That was wonderful. I have never seen anything like that. I enjoyed watching you bring the book to life." Beast smiled and pulled her back into his arms she came willingly.

"Thank you, it's becoming easier to use my magic. I can use it for longer and more at a time." Belle explained as she cuddled into his furry chest. Then beast began to glow.

"Belle what is happening?" Beast asked her wondering if it was her.

"I do not know. It is not me." Belle said backing up and shielding her eyes. She worried for Beast of what was happening to him. Then as suddenly as it started it stopped.

The glow disappeared and Beast looked a bit shorter no longer a huge 8ft tall Beast he had the shape of a tall muscular man. About 6'7" now,still furry, and slightly animal like. He no longer had a muzzle like a dog. Just a dog like nose where his human one should be. He had lips and more hands and feet instead of paws, they still had claws though. Belle couldn't help but stare. He was so strong looking.

"Belle, what happend? Why do I feel, different?" He asked feeling his face and noticed he had a different shape now.

"I am not sure. Where is the closest full length mirror?" Belle admitted and asked staying as calm as she could which was pretty calm.

"Your room." He stated simply, Belle said nothing else. She took his newly closer to human-like hand, and lead him to her room.

In her room she pulled him to her mirror and let him see his new form.

"You, you did not do this?" Beast said in disbelief.

"Not directly, maybe it has something to do with your curse? Maybe your curse has stages to it breaking." Belle observed trying to be helpful as she shrugged her shoulders.

"I so hoped you were the one! It is working. I am sorry I can not say more about it." Beast easily lifted her lifting her with his hands about her waist. Her shorter arms only reached his elbows. She held on gently there as he spun her. They both laughed happily.

They continued to spend time together. Belle slowly began to get depressed. She began to miss her father dearly.

"Belle, what is wrong?" Beast asked her one day. He began to understand and know when she was happy and sad, any emotion she felt.

"I just did not know how much I would miss my papa." She slowly started to tear up and tears fell from her already pink eyes.

"Come with me." Beast said instead of taking her hand and leading her there. He picked her up gently bridal style and took her to his room. He set her down near the table with the magic rose. He picked up the mirror and handed it to her.

"How does it work?" Belle asked curious but still teary.

"Just ask for what you wish to see." He asked as he gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I would like to see my father, please?" Belle asked the mirror it flashed from reflecting her face to showing her father. He was in the forest being chased by wolves. "Oh no! Papa!" Belle exclaimed in fear.

"What is wrong?" Beast asked.

"The wolves in the forest are chasing him." Belle cried more.

"Bring the mirror." He said picking her up and putting her on his back. Even though he was more human shaped now he could still run like a beast.

With Belle on his back, he took off into the forest. He ran to the place she described to him as he ran. It wasn't far from the castle. He was in this glen a mile or so from the castle. Beast ran as fast as he could.

Reaching poor Maurice in time to see a wolf bite into his leg and another scratch his arm. Beast roared and chased them away from Maurice. They hadn't run away just yet. Beast let Belle down next to Maurice. Belle tended to Maurice. Tearing her skirt and making makeshift bandages.

Beast fought of the wolves. They snapped swiped and growled at each other. One wolf was brave enough to jump on Beast's back as two others attacked and snapped at him from both left and right. After Belle bandaged her father she saw the results of the fight still playing out in front of her and her father.

"No, Beast!" Belle was angry, worried, she couldn't let him get hurt because of her. Her magic swelled and whipping her arm out she flung the wolf off Beast's back. It hit a tree and was knocked out. He was left with the other 2, he lashed out at both slicing both with his claws. They had enough and limped away. Beast slowly walked to Belle she brushed a hand down his cheek before giving him a gentle hug.

"Ugh! Those wild bastards got me real good." Beast tried joking to hide his pain.

"Belle?" Maurice was very confused by what he saw. The pain didn't help any.

"Maurice sir!" Belle heard a familiar voice.

"Papa, you brought Luke? I will explain everything." Belle asked.

"Of course, I did?" Maurice huffed in annoyance.

"Luke, over here!" Belle called out towards the voice.

"Belle?!" His voice drew closer and he appeared from the tree line leading Philippe behind him.

"Luke! I missed you."Belle ran to him and gave him a quick hug.

"How have you been? I am glad you are safe." Luke smiled at her hug.

"Am I chopped liver?" Maurice asked.

"I missed you to, papa." Belle smiled moving to hug Maurice too. "Beast, thank you for saving my papa." Belle ran over to the slightly worried looking Beast.

"It is closer to the castle then village. Why do you not come to the castle, to rest and recover." Beast stated eloquently and politely.

"Yes papa, you need to rest. I also need to bandage you properly." Belle insisted.

"Alright." Maurice said defeated, he wasn't thrilled about going back to the castle. He wanted to save Belle and take her home.

Back at the castle, Beast set Maurice and Luke up in a couple of guestrooms near Belle. The castle doctor told Belle how to properly bandage her father and clean Beast's wounds.

"Belle, do you even wish to leave here?" Luke asked after he watched Belle while they were at the castle.

"No, I do not. I love being here. Beast takes such good care of me." Belle smiled more happily then she had even before her mother passed away.

"You are really happy here?" Maurice asked.

"Yes." Belle sighed happy and sad at the same time.

,

"Belle, what is wrong?"Beast felt her sadness from down the hall.

"I wish to see my papa and Luke sometimes." Belle stated her feelings strongly as she held her papa in a loving hug.

"How would you like them to visit anytime? I am giving you both permission to come visit anytime you wish." Beast said only wishing for Belle's happiness.

"Oh that is a wonderful idea! Thank you, Beast." Belle ran over and leapt into Beast's arms. His head glowed brightly for a moment and his horns disappeared. Belle pulled back and looked up. "They are gone.." She stated curiously.

"What is?" Beast asked wondering what happened.

"The horns, that were on your head." Luke spoke up.

Beast turned to look in Maurice's guestroom mirror. His horns were gone?! He turned and scooped Belle up and spun he was so happy. He never thought he would feel love. Never knowing what it really was. The Enchantress told him the curse would break when he found true love. So, if it is breaking and he was becoming human again. That is what he was betting he was feeling.

Maurice had to stay and recover for at least a week. Otherwise the trip back would risk the stitches on his leg.

They all spent time together. Maurice learned the Beast wasn't as bad as he first seemed. Luke enjoyed chatting with the Beast about guy stuff. It had been awhile since he talked to a guy his age. He enjoyed the Beast's company like hanging out with a favorite sibling.

The castle was becoming happier and livelier once again. Everyone was happy.

In the village at the tavern Gaston was plotting. He found it odd that the old merchant, his daughter, and vassal just seem to have vanished. Then it hit him.

"The Beast has them!" His annoying sidekick explained after he explained his thoughts.

"And we're going to get them. No one turns me down!" Gaston was still pissed Belle got away from him that day. He still wasn't sure how though.