Hello everyone! I hope your all alright, we've had snow this week :) which is so rare for us here, but we've had three snow days which has been so much fun! Anyway I hope that you enjoy this new chapter following Belle and Abe's first encounter and the aftermath...

Please enjoy and review thankyou :)

With the rain streaming down the window pane the following day, Belle sat inside, looking out over the front of the grounds and thinking about what had happened to her the previous morning. It had been so frightening and yet she had been saved by someone who had left a lasting impression on her ever since she had gotten out of the building and fallen into the arms of Dale who with the rest of the school anxiously waited to see what was happening inside. Though following her emerging from the English block, Belle had found herself surrounded by friends and staff asking her if she was alright and what had happened. Though Belle was saved from answering by her music teacher who suggested that she should be given a chance to calm down a little when two men came from the back of the building, suggesting that whoever had gone inside and tried to sabotage the building had succeeded in that. 'Though we do believe we have the culprit.'

'Is everyone alright?' the other then went on to ask.

'Yes, just shaken,' one of the teachers remarked, the officer's nodding to him, before informing the staff it may be wise to close the school whilst they investigated.

'Of course,' the Headmaster agreed, leaving the officers to their work and turning to the vast amount of students that stood watching with intent curiosity.

'School is dismissed!' he announced loudly, the Belle remembering looking over Dale's shoulder as he helped her up from where she was sat, glancing to the building for one last moment before catching sight of a garbage truck with two cars that seemed to lead and follow it, as it passed by on the road beside their school...

Though now as she sat watching a black car drive through the gates she was curious to see a man get out of the car that she didn't recognise, though from his suit and briefcase, it seemed that he wasn't here for any light matter...

'Come in Agent Manning,' Harold greeted calmly, standing aside to permit the FBI agent into his home after opening the door to him. Harold was a clear business man, his attire being a black suit. His hair was silver in colour with his eyes being a darker blue than his wife's, though he was slightly shorter in height than she was, and as such he was also shorter than his daughter. Though it was easy to tell the difference in his personality when it came to business compared to when he was with his family. But if there was one thing that most saw when it came to Harold it was that the man was fair.

'I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner Harold,

'The reason I called you here is because I don't believe anyone else can provide help to my problem.'

'You think that I can?'

'I should think so. Please come and sit down while I explain,'

'Sure I'll tell you what Mr. Lucivia, sometimes I swear that bureau's going to drive me into early retirement and fast...'

'Tom...my daughter...is in danger.' As the Agent paused and looked at him, Manning wasn't quite sure what was going on though from Harold's look he knew he was very serious.

'How do you know she's in danger?' he questioned, Harold drawing a deep breath before beginning to explain,

'You have known me for a few years now Tom, and as you know our family have met many people over the years, but there are some who wish to cause trouble for us. Not because of something we have done...but because of what fate has decided for us.'

'I don't follow...'

'Belle, she's a very gentle young lady, she's growing up...and I don't want to see her hurt because of something she isn't even aware of.'

'Are you saying that someone is trying to hurt your daughter to get at you?'

'Yes. We are not currently aware of whom it is, but we know why they are doing it. You have to understand though Manning that Belle has no idea of what's going on.'

'Can't you go to the police with this; I mean maybe they can provide you with some extra protection?'

'It's not good enough Manning, you've seen this house, the guards that surround it. But I know even they can't stop it. These people are trying to hurt my daughter and the police won't see it…you have to understand that these aren't normal law-breakers, they're deadly and I'm worried of what they may do next. You've once told me that you've dealt with creatures that are...unnatural,' Harold then suggested, Manning paling a little at this mentioning. 'Don't say otherwise Manning, I know what I've seen when I've been travelling to conferences. I haven't forgotten what many saw in the city of New York.'

'Harold. Be honest with me, what are you dealing with?'

'Something that I believe isn't completely human...and I think that they believe that in taking Belle – who is the youngest of our family, that they will benefit the most from it. They want something from us that will be priceless to us as well as them, and if they take Belle...they know they will get it.'

'You said you don't believe it's completely human?'

'I don't,' he agreed, Manning considering something for a moment, as he had sat listening. It was true that Manning had known Harold Lucivia for many years, which he took pride in, knowing how influential the family was, but he wasn't sure that he was willing to put his job on the line without knowing exactly what was going on. Though it was clear that if Harold hadn't even confided in his daughter it was unlikely that he would tell all to him...

'Listen Harold...I don't know about this I mean I can try and do something for you but it may take some time...' he began when Harold stood up and took an envelope off the table in the centre of the room and handed it to him. 'What's this?'

'Open it,' Harold instructed, Manning doing so and finding inside pictures of something that had been caught on the security camera's in the grounds...and it looked anything but human...and more worryingly, it looked exactly like what had been described as lurking around at the high school the previous day...Manning finally understanding that Harold may have a point.

'Listen…I work with a team who may be able to help you…but would you be in consent to her staying with them? It would better her safety and ensure full protection. They've dealt with problems such as this before, and if she is with them, it will make it much easier for whoever's doing this to be caught.'

'Where would she be?'

'I cannot reveal the location; it is a segment of the FBI that has been constantly under high security surveillance. Though the original agents that worked for it have since resigned, I think it may be possible to persuade them to help in this particular case.'

'Are you sure Manning?'

'Yes I am...I would need to speak with them as I said, but I can assure she would be well looked after.'

'Well I will pay any amount for her protection,' Harold assured him, Manning clearly happy with the thought, the idea of extra funding being a highlight to him. Though as he agreed to go and speak with the team mentioned that Harold saw him out again, speaking to him one last time at the door.

'I will have to speak with Belle...she still has no idea. Myself and Glenna will attend to that. But Manning, please understand I need to know that this is going to work. Because if anything happens to her under the care of your team then I will hold you solely responsible...' he remarked, Manning looking at him with some confidence.

'Trust me...this team won't fail.'

'It was no accident that I was locked in was it?' came a soft voice, as Harold then closed the door, Harold looking up to see Belle stood on the stairway, an understanding gaze in her eyes.

'Belle...' Harold began walking to his daughter, as she sat down on the stairs.

'I know that you will not tell me why I am in danger...or everything that is going on...' she began, trying to offer her Father a slight smile which broke his heart. She knew something was wrong...how long for he didn't know...but it hurt him to know that it was clearly affecting her. 'Father...if there is something I can do to ensure everyone I love is safe...then I shall do it...' she remarked,

'Belle listen to me...I don't want to do this...you are my pride and joy. I just fear so much for your safety...and when the time is right

'...and I don't blame you,' Belle said softly 'I just want to do what I can for you and Mother...'

'It would just be until things calm down here...I wasn't going to tell you until I knew for certain whether you would have the option of this.'

'I know,' she said gently, 'but may I ask...why you won't tell me what's wrong?' she asked, already seeing the answer in her mind.

'I'm sorry darling, when you need to know we will tell you...I promise,' he said taking his daughters hand.

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Meanwhile at the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence, Manning had swiftly called a meeting with the former team, to which he was waiting for a response, though he knew it would be a difficult one. Yet whilst he prepared some paperwork in his office, Manning looking up to see Agent Krauss at his door, 'Johann,' he said lightly, 'I thought you'd left to rejoin the Ectoplasmic Research Division,'

'I shall be vithin ze next few days, though I am curious az to vhy you vanted Agent Hellboy, Agent Sherman and Agent Sapien to report here?'

'I need to discuss an important matter with them, and as I remember rightly you're not the head of their team anymore Johann, now if you will excuse me...' he said walking past the Agent, who said without turning around,

'Neither are you Agent Manning, it may be vise for you to also remember zat.' Though Manning clearly chose to ignore the comment as he walked down the corridor, Johann pondering thoughtfully about it before going in the opposite direction to attend to his own work...

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

'Good afternoon,' Manning said simply walking into the meeting room where Hellboy, Liz and Abe sat, it clearly being a difficult moment for Hellboy having to return. Though Manning took little notice of that thought. 'I have called you here alone because your services are required.'

'Now you see, this is what gets me, we quit...then do one favour and somehow you still come to annoy us,' Hellboy began testily, Abe merely sitting quietly as Manning began to argue back, Liz bringing their disagreements to an end with her threat of the golden flames that began to surround her hands.

'Right…' Manning continued, adjusting his collar with clear unease. 'As I was saying, your services are required, but this is not an ordinary mission by far, and I think you may find it is long term.'

'Go on,' Liz replied frowning,

'There is a young lady who requires protection…'

'Since when did we become bodyguards?' Hellboy said in irritation,

'Look, she is in grave danger we believe, and those who are after her will not be stopped by normal agents, so you guys will need to do this…' Manning replied, fast losing patience.

'...If...we agreed to do this, it's on one condition,' Hellboy replied, Manning looking at him with a raised eye-brow before sighing in defeat.

'Go on,'

'You stop watching our every move. We quit remember, and it's time you got that into your head,'

'Fine...But only if she is well protected...'

'Sure, sure...'

'Please ensure you do, this means a lot. She isn't fully aware of just how much danger she is in. These people want her dead, and she is innocent.'

'Why would they want her dead…?' Liz queried perplexed

'She has a unique…talent…or so I reckon, they want something from her family, and she seems to be the easiest target. Her family believe that if the people who hold a grudge against the family have hold of her, they can get at something "priceless."' he added in way of explanation.

'Well they'd have a hard time getting through us,' Hellboy said gruffly,

'Yes, though we are uncertain of their true intentions currently, but this is the reason we called you to this one,' he said throwing copies of pictures onto the table for them to look at.

'An entity?' Liz remarked.

'Right, and it's been hanging around the home as well as other areas that the family go to regularly.' Considering it for a few minutes, the three of them exchanged glances, clearly wondering whether they could trust the FBI's judgement.

'So why did you come to us?'

'Because you're the only team that can handle something like this...I know the family well and they are very concerned for their daughter.'

'Alright,' Hellboy agreed finally, unable to deny someone who needed their help...especially when they're troubles with the FBI didn't concern the girl involved...she just needed protection, Liz also committing to help when all three sets of eyes fell to Abe.

'Please Abe…she's going to need a calming influence while here. I know you can help her,' Manning encouraged, his tone pleading with who he believed to be the only fairly rational one of the team. Sitting and listening to the conversation, Abe was left uncertain of how to act upon the news of this new arrival, it brought back memories of -in his mind- his failure in taking care of Princess Nuala…something he vowed that he would never allow to happen again…and yet something made him falter…there was something which drew him to accept. Wondering whether or not it was to do with his saving of that girl in their latest mission, -an occurrence which refused to leave his mind- Abe did not know, though his decision was made…'very well,' he said finally, consenting to be of service to this new arrival.

'Speaking of which, who is she?' Hellboy queried now turning back to Manning,

'You shall see when you meet her, she is a lovely young lady from what I have seen of her, and I should hope you will treat her with some normality. It's hard enough as it is, and she hasn't even met you yet…'

'She doesn't know that she's staying with us exactly?' Hellboy queried raising an eyebrow, Manning frowning as he answered sarcastically,

'the idea is to keep her safe and make it easy on her, and you think the idea of telling her she'll be staying with you will make her feel comforted?' Hellboy going to retort when Liz stopped him,

'Enough. But can she honestly be prepared for it?'

'We won't be the ones to tell her, I shall leave it to you three to decide how you are introduced to her, though we will assure her that she will be completely safe.'

'Looks like I'll be the one doing most of the explaining then,' Liz remarked with a sigh, still not sure that this was really a good idea with her pregnancy, something she then commented on. 'Do you think it's really a good idea? Isolating her from everything when she could be living a normal life, and bringing her in to our way of life? Things aren't exactly relaxed with Agents breathing down our necks constantly...'

'She has said that she wants to do this if it ensures her family's safety, and we think it will. Besides she'll still be going to school daily, and I know that family...she's not going to be trouble. As for our involvement...we will be keeping check...but we will limit it.'

'Hold on...school? How old is she?'

'Nearly nineteen...she's a very mature young lady though, more mature than you were at that age,' Manning remarked sarcastically, glancing at Red.

'Do you want us to do this or not?' Hellboy countered, Manning shrinking back slightly at his tone of voice when he cleared his voice.

'So are we in agreement or not?'

'Fine, provided if something goes wrong we also have the choice to pull out,'

'Fine,' Manning replied irritably, 'she'll be joining you on Saturday,' he concluded before walking out considering taking something for the headache he felt building, Hellboy turning to Liz and Abe as he remarked with a simple tone.

'Well didn't expect that one.'

'Do you really think we're doing the right thing?' Liz responded, looking to Abe for an answer, knowing his observance of any situation.

'I believe so...Manning is clearly very trustworthy of this family, though I am certain he is searching for his own benefits in us agreeing to it,' he replied, though his thoughts were on the girl that he had saved only the day before, remembering only just seeing her amongst a large group of people...friends who clearly had been worried about her. Though he was simply glad that she was safe...yet now he was slightly anxious about their new guest...wondering just what she would be like in meeting them...the people that she had unknowingly permitted to watch over her in this danger which none were yet aware of...

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Though back at home as Harold and Glenna sat talking with their daughter that she too wondered what to expect in where she would be going, feeling sadness at the thought of leaving her home as Chance came and rested his head against her knees clearly also sensing the air of difference in the atmosphere. Yet the hardest part for her, she knew would be to try and keep smiling now it was confirmed that something was very wrong...

So Belle has agreed to be protected, but just what from? And how will she react to meeting Abe again? As well as Liz and Hellboy?

All to come in the next chapter :)

I will be updating soon! and thankyou to all my reviewers so far, I've had some lovely reviews and I'm glad your enjoying it :)

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x