"What were you doing when you realized you were not alone?" Hamish asked calmly.

"Unpacking my bedroom," Belle said lowly, folding her hands in her lap. "Cleaning and straightening. I had no idea I was no longer alone until I heard crashing. I came down with a cricket bat and swung at one. I got a few in before he managed to rip it from my hands."

Suddenly there was a rattling from a window which caused Belle to jump and release a small gasp. When she realized it was nothing, she clinched her fists. She hated feeling scared! Nothing used to scare her and this situation had her so shaken.

"Belle?" Hamish said gently with concern. He delicately placed his hand on her shoulder. Jock whined sadly as he sat on Hamish's side, opposite Belle. Belle took a deep breath through her nose as she pressed her lips. She then sighed it out sadly because she knew there was no use. There would be no peace of mind for her until they were caught. "You weren't able to sleep were you?" He asked lowly and seriously.

"No." She muttered rubbing her forehead, anxiously.

"An' I assume you've been hard at work all of yesterday?" Hamish continued worried about her health. He had read reports from previous posts before he came to Lochdubh; assault, attempted rape, and rape damage people severely and some can never move beyond it. Some people never feel safe again, not even in their own skin. He didn't want to see that happen to Belle. She had a beautiful smile, and he could only imagine how much more beautiful it would be without fear weighing her heart down. He could see heavy bags under her eyes. Belle said nothing and just looked at her hands. Then he slapped his hands down on his knees, causing Belle to flinched, as he stood up. "Pack a bag for over night." Hamish said confidently with a warm smile.

Belle was dumbstruck with her jaw gaping. "No. I couldn't possibly! It's your home too. No!" Belle replied, flustered, and unable to meet his eyes.

"Belle, please, it's not safe here. They know you live here alone, and it's too far out for me to be of any use if they come back." Hamish urged, squatting down to make her look at him. "Your safety is what matters most."

"But," she whispered uncertainly.

"Belle, don't make me beg." He pleaded as she pressed her lips thin again. "Or throw you over my shoulder." He said with a cheeky grin.

"You wouldn't."

"Oh I wouldn't?" He countered with a raised brow. Belle raked her teeth across her bottom lip. Suddenly Hamish ducked down to go lift her over his shoulder.

"Alright! Alright." Belle yelped quickly. She couldn't catch her giggles as he sat her back. Hamish squatted back down, smiling. "I'll pack my bag! I knew I should have brought Cordelia and Montague." Belle said standing up and heading to the stairs.

"Cordelia and Montague?" Hamish said curiously, as he sat back beside Jock. Belle stopped and looked back.

"My babies," she said with a smile. Hamish's eyes went wide with shock.

"Babies?!" Hamish yelled with his jaw gaping. Belle smiled and chuckled lowly. He stared at her for a moment, speechless.

"My westie and corgi." Belle said with lips curled. Hamish shook his head and smiled. "Scared you huh?" Hamish said nothing and just looked at her. "Anyway, Papa said I should leave them home until the house was settled here. 'Nothing more annoying than having two dogs running around while moving.'" She quoted her father with a wave of her index finger at the stairwell post.

"You have a westie too, huh?" Hamish said with a sigh. He was still calming down from her scare. "No wonder you are so comfortable with Jock." Hamish muttered with a soft smile.

"Feel free to do as you like. Not much harm it could do, Mr. Macbeth." Belle said kindly.

"Hamish," he said sternly with a frown.

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that just yet." Belle said softly, looking down at her hands.

"You'll find we're all friends in Lochdubh, Princess." Hamish said mocking her high society manners. Belle immediately glared at him, obviously displeased.

"Very well, Hamish," she said and then headed upstairs.

Hamish examined the damage some more. Furniture was tipped and broken. There was glass from a vase, water and flowers smashed on the floor. Dumped out boxes were all over. The kitchen cabinets and drawers were all open. There was no silver.

From what he could deduce, they made their way in and started tearing through the boxes. They had tracked mud from the outside, due to some fresh rain, so only one went and stole from the kitchen. Somehow he tellie was smashed, so it wasn't taken. Also, he could see where Belle was attacked. Hamish could see where he slammed her wrists into the wall, enough to make a small dent. The blood in his veins began to boil. No one does this in his town. He was going to get them and get them good!

Jock started barking, wanting to be off the couch. Hamish went and picked him up. His little westie was as sharp as a tack and knew what was dangerous. He and Jock then casually walked upstairs to check on Belle.

When he arrived at the lit room, Belle was packing her underclothes. Hamish rapped on the open door. Belle jumped and immediately hid her panties behind her back, blush running to fill her cheeks. He couldn't stop the grin from forming as he thought of how innocent and precious she was. Catching himself staring, he cleared his throat a little. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"I was curious if they up here at all?" He asked as Jock jumped from his arms.

"It's okay." Belle said softly. She snatched her bag, turned her back to him, shoved her panties in, and closed it. "Did you need something?" She said sitting the bag on bed I front the pillow. She then sat beside it and patted the mattress on the other side of her, closet to him. Jock jumped up, walked around her, and sniffed her duffle bag. "You too," she said giving him a weak smile. Hamish could see how defeated she felt because of the situation. He sat down beside her and placed a gentle hand on her upper back.

"It's okay." He said because she looked like she was holding her breath. "Let it out and then take a deep breath again. I'm here. You're safe, and we are going to take care of them."

"I'm sorry." Belle said lowly after she let out her breath. Hamish was rubbing her back soothingly. He could tell she was holding a lot back and was well on the verge of tears.

"Many people that have been victimized similarly never recover. We will find them. Lochdubh is a close-knit community." Hamish said gently and lowly. "I'll help you through." He said holding his hand out in front of her. That was is it for Belle, she could no longer hold it back, and tears streamed down her face. Her left hand shot to her mouth to try and cover a sob. She gently put her right hand in his. "It's okay. Let it all out." He said as he pulled her to cry into him. They sat there for about ten minutes, and all the while Hamish sat patiently rubbing his thumb over her hand.

"They weren't in here." Belle sniffled suddenly, and he leaned away a little. "When I was attacking the one with the bat I heard things falling in the pantry. I imagine that a thief wouldn't normally look there, but the bastard's mate was thorough for the most part. The other one came out when I started screaming." She said completely pulling away. Belle wiped her eyes with her left hand but continued to hold his hand.

"It's a miracle he didn't break your wrists. We'll have Doc Brown look at you tomorrow. They could have sprained or fractured them." He said seriously but gently. "Do you have all you need?"

"Yes," she answered taking a deep breath to regain her composure.

"Come on. Let's go home." He said grabbing her bag from around her. Belle remained for a moment. "Everything will turn out alright." He said as she remained for another moment before standing up. She knelt down to the floor beside the bed. In front of her was a plank with rings and she poked the center of the rings out. With a tug it pulled up and out. There was a book underneath, which she quickly collected.

"Okay. I'm ready." She said as she stood and then turned to face him.