Hello Everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in twenty days...yeesh that's bad for me and I'm not at all impressed with myself. But I have had a Performing Arts performance/exam which was last Thursday night, so I've been busy with rehearsals for it, and as such it's meant I've been very tired. I've also gotten a throat infection which I've now had for four days which has been really painful, so I haven't been feeling too great, especially when I got a headache that lasted 7 hours the night before last, but I'm here now after working effortlessly to get this finished, and I hope that you all enjoy it :)

Please Review, thankyou!

'Hello?' Belle had sat waiting with baited breath for someone to answer the call she was making to her family home, which though it had only been ringing a few seconds, to Belle it was like an eternity until she finally heard a soft voice that she recognised so well. 'Hello?'

'Hi,' she responded quietly, overwhelmed and happy to hear her mother.

'Belle! Oh darling, I'm so glad to finally have heard from you. Is everything alright?'

'Yes,' Belle answered, 'everything is okay, what about at home? Is Father okay? And Chance?'

'Oh your Father's fine dear, worried about you, but he's alright...and Chance is certainly missing you, he hasn't stopped waiting by the front door for you since you left.'

'Really?' she responded, trying to keep her voice even though she could feel the tears sparkling in her eyes.

'Yes, I wish you could come home darling...'

'So do I...but everyone will be okay won't they?' she asked, seeking some reassurance for the first time...wanting to hear that she had nothing to worry about, though she did regardless.

'Yes of course we will; are you being treated well though? You are being looked after?' Glenna responded, Belle smiling slightly.

'I am. It wasn't quite what I expected coming here, but they're all so nice to me. I'm just missing home and you, Father, Chance, my friends...everybody.'

'You'll be home again in two weeks Belle, it's not long, and you'll be able to celebrate your birthday and forget about all this for a couple of days,'

'Oh yes,' Belle responded with a slight smile, having forgotten her birthday was so close. She loved holidays such as birthday's and Christmas, but in light of everything that had been going on during the past two weeks or so she had found herself a little distracted.

'Have you spoken with the FBI at all since I arrived?' she then continued to ask, it occurring to her that Glenna hadn't said much of the people that Belle was staying with.

'Agent Manning called round the other day and assured us you were alright, but it's just good to hear from you,' Glenna answered calmly. They hadn't told her. Though as Belle heard another voce on the phone line and Glenna's answer, she knew their conversation was soon to be over. 'Darling I...'

'I understand,' Belle said softly. 'It was nice to speak to you, I do miss you all, tell Father I send my love.'

'I will Belle, please keep in touch as much as you can,'

'I promise,' she assured her mother, when Glenna said something which took her by surprise.

'I hope that you'll allow us time to explain when the time comes, I know you must be wanting answers to a lot of questions, and I promise they will be answered...' Leaving her with this, Belle then regretfully let her mother go, looking out of the window as she exhaled a long breath, looking at her faded reflection in the glass and bringing herself to try and smile a little.

As Abe stood with a hand against the door of Belle's room, only just being able to hear what she was saying, it wasn't the conversation that had made him pause, but the emotions he could feel from her, the restraint she had on them clearly tight, though he could tell she just wanted to pour her heart out to her mother there and then. But she didn't allow herself. She was so strong willed...more so than Abe had understood, but yet he knew there was something different in the way she acted at times, though he wasn't quite sure what it was. She intrigued him so much and yet whenever he saw her he found it impossible to bring himself to even speak to her...

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

As the week steadily progressed, Belle found herself becoming a lot more adjusted to her new life with Hellboy, Abe and Liz. Though it occurred to her even in those first few days that Abe seemed to be the most tentative around her...Belle trying to remember what Hellboy had told her, and understanding that he would possibly take a little longer to get used to her being there, Belle also noting how modest he seemed over saving her life, like he hadn't been of any help at all, when she knew that wasn't the case...

During that week however, Belle had been faced with more difficulties in school, with Dale curious as to why she was away from home, Liam consistently trying to gain her attention and the constant stream of school work, it seemed endless. Though as Belle had been taught, composure was important in many situations or problems, though she often felt emotion was just as strong as composure.

'You're very quiet,' Liz commented on that Friday morning, Belle being drawn from her thoughts, only just hearing Liz's remark.

'I'm sorry,' she responded softly, 'I'm just feeling a little tired I guess.' As she had a late start for her lessons, that morning, everyone was already awake and up. Though looking over at Abe she noticed how he seemed to be lost in thought himself.

Since a few nights earlier, Belle found herself questioning what it was that seemed to concern Abe so much, though she didn't like to ask, nor did she want to use her telepathy to find out. Yet something else which had sparked Belle's curiosity was the relationship between Hellboy and Liz. She had realised quite quickly that they were an item, but it did intrigue her as to how they came to fall in love.

'So have you got any arrangements for the weekend?' Liz asked, Belle glancing from her book she was reading and shaking her head slightly.

'I didn't think it would be a good idea, though I would have liked to go out,' she answered thoughtfully.

'You're not confined here...I know you're under protection, but you should have to be reduced to school as your only chance of going out.'

'I know but I mean with the FBI escorts and...'

'Don't worry about that, it's what we promised we'd do. We're the ones who are looking after you and none of us are going to force you to stay in. Listen, as I'm the only girl here and considerably more inconspicuous than those two; what if I go shopping with you this weekend? You'll be perfectly safe and you can drive,' Liz suggested, Belle's eyes lighting up.

'Really? That would be wonderful! Thankyou so much,' she beamed, Liz quite surprised about the happiness that this brought out in Belle, it was clear to her, Hellboy and Abe that she seemed quite shy and reserved, but slowly she was beginning to relax a little, though she still had a lot yet to learn.

Though as Liz and Hellboy went through into the kitchen to do some breakfast for Red, Abe noticed a book resting on the arm of the chair he was sat in, at first thinking it was one of his until his gloved hand brushed delicately against the cover. 'Is this your book?' Abe asked standing up and offering it to her, Belle showing signs of recognition in her features.

'Oh...yes, it is,' she replied, Abe handing her the novel politely,

'I apologise, I saw it here and didn't realise until I picked it up that it was yours.'

'I must have left it here the other night, thankyou,' she responded gratefully.

'You like Shakespeare?'

'Yes I do,' she smiled looking down at the cover for a moment, 'this is one of my favourites by him...not his most well known but still a wonderful story.'

'The Two Gentlemen of Verona...yes it is one which I have read,' he said with a slight smile, Belle returning it softly, when she turned her head slightly, becoming aware of the approaching car before hearing it, Abe looking to her for a moment curiously though she didn't notice initially.

'I'd best go, I'll see you this afternoon,' she said lightly, bidding him goodbye and the others as she walked out into the hallway.

Though Belle felt fairly cheerful as she walked out at being able to go out and take her car with her, it was so exciting for her, this bright mood continuing even as she arrived at school. With Belle coming up to her nineteenth birthday it was a surprise to a lot of people who didn't know her reasons, yet she felt she had good reason in doing it even though she was completely up to date as everyone else had been in her graduating year. Yet for one year of her school life when she was fifteen going on sixteen, Belle had taken the year out at her parents request to study with a tutor and do all her work from home, and though she had enjoyed it, Belle found herself missing her music lessons and practical dance lessons with her friends. But even though this year out hadn't affected her learning, now that she was a graduate from her school, Belle had gone back to take a course she had initially been unable to do, and this therefore enabled her to continue with her music lessons that she'd had at school. But as she was already doing two more courses, she decided to take a third in performance studies, hoping it may help to build her confidence in the area of performing...

Truth be known Belle wasn't sure what career she wanted to pursue, and whilst she had a lot of money behind her which meant that upon choice she didn't need to work, Belle was still hoping to find something that she would like to go into.

'Belle...? Hey Bell's?'

'Mm...Oh, sorry,' Belle amended quickly, finally looking properly at Dale who she hadn't realised had joined her.

'That's alright,' he said with a light grin, 'what lesson are you supposed to be in? Music?'

'No performance studies, I was just in a bit of a daze...'

'Well if that's all you came in for then you have no lessons today, your teachers off,'

'Really?' Belle answered looking a little put out. 'I was supposed to have a two hour lesson with her today...not that I mind having the free time, it's just typical I don't have my car,' she laughed.

'My lessons have just finished...training's ended, so I can take you for a drink,' he offered, Belle smiling at this,

'Where did you have in mind?' she began before both said in unison

'Starbucks.'

'Good guess, it's like you can read minds,' he smirked, Belle for the first time in a while feeling that familiar sense of wonder at how Dale would react if her knew of her clairvoyance. It was something which she had considered telling him for a long time, but had yet to find the courage, fearing it may strain their friendship.

'Come on then; daydreamer,' he grinned, extending an arm to Belle who smiled lightly as she took it.

Once in the cafe, Belle sat at a table near the window, looking out onto the busy street before back to Dale who was ordering their drinks. Dale was also doing as she did in returning to Fairfield Warde High School as he felt helping the teams with their training would be beneficial in his work, and helping him to build on his exercise whilst passing on his knowledge to the students that studied there.

'You really are lost in thought today aren't you?' Dale smiled coming over and setting their drinks down, 'so what's it like then? Staying at this new place?'

'It's...different,' Belle answered honestly,

'Missing home?' Dale offered, Belle nodding, 'I saw Chance when I called round the other morning...did he not go with you?'

'No, I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to bring him with me, and as it turns out they have quite a few cats...'

'Ah,' Dale responded in understanding, 'probably wouldn't be the best idea then,'

'Well Chance doesn't mind cats, he's very soft as you know, but I just don't know how the cats might react to such a big dog,' Belle smiled, Dale laughing,

'Yeah I definitely see your point there...but you'll be home soon won't you?' he remarked.

As Belle's smile fell at that she only had to look into his eyes for him to tell it wasn't quite as simple as that. 'I don't know how long it will be before I can come home,' she admitted.

'What is it that's happening Belle?' Dale asked, with a slight frown across his features.

'I don't know fully myself,' she said with a sigh,

'But you must have some idea?' he said,

'I do yes, but I have no idea whether I'm right or not...' she remarked, though looking at Dale, Belle knew he wouldn't pressure the subject, yet he would find out eventually, it was something she knew already and had done since the start.

'Well if you want to talk, you know you can ring me anytime,' he then concluded, Belle brushing her hand lightly over his,

'Thankyou,' she smiled genuinely,

'It's not a problem, but now I do believe as it's your birthday soon that presents are in order and I wondered if you had any idea on what you want this year.' However it was after much consideration and thought during those two hours that Belle and Dale had sat talking that she finally came to the decision 'surprise me...'

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

Once she had left Dale after coming out of Starbucks, Belle returned to the school grounds where there were very few students around, and no car at first until fifteen minutes after her lesson would have ended when it finally came into the car park. 'Hello,' Belle smiled getting into the car...the agent this time was not the one who usually drove her, but a different young man with black hair and stone grey eyes, his business like expression and tone telling her quite a lot without even touching on the surface of his thoughts.

'Good afternoon Miss. Lucivia, I must apologise for being late but we're overrun with work, and as one of the Agent's that oversees your protection during the day I'm filling in for your usual driver.'

'Don't worry its fine,' Belle responded, 'I know what it's like when things are very busy, our household is always busy usually.'

'Well HB, Abe and Liz are at the Bureau currently so I'll be taking you there, at Agent Manning's request; it is after all our priority to keep you safe.'

'That's alright,' Belle answered softly, sitting back and watching as she was driven towards the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence. Belle had been chauffeured before now, when she couldn't drive and her parents were dealing with any business mainly, though she did wish she could drive again. It almost felt like she was quickly losing her freedom through the FBI's protection. Yet as she looked down to her locket, running a hand over it with a faint smile, she then followed the road, the Agent looking to her but never saying another word unless necessary.

As they turned off the main road close to the outskirts of Connecticut – and near the place they were heading – it occurred to Belle that the Bureau's base was closer to her home than the other large house she was residing in which was on the opposite side of the city. Though as she felt the speed pick up a little, it quickly slowed again as they rounded a tight corner and drove down a straight road that approached a dead end in the form of a large building. With a tall pillar in the centre of the grounds that supported a bowl of burning flames, behind it stood the Bureau, its main body being made up of three conjoined buildings with a rounded one at the front. Pulling up just outside of the black iron gates, they did not open, the agent merely telling Belle to remain seated and getting out of the car as he walked around the front and to the side of the gate where he appeared to key in a code. With a small flash that followed, it caught Belle's attention though as a creak then sounded the gates slowly began to swing open. Looking up the path as they drove up, Belle noticed an array of black cars parked before the entrance.

Though as her driver got out of the car again, he proceeded to open Belle's door for her, watching as she got out and brushed her hair over her shoulders...

'Please stay close and remember, all that you are about to see is completely classified.'

'I understand,' she answered calmly, the Agent looking into her eyes for a moment as if about to say something which she knew were about the colouring in her eyes when instead he walked up to the large doorway.

So I hope you all enjoyed it, I do intend to update in the next few days seen as this was so delayed, and I am working on the next chapter already as this was about 2-3 pages too longer than needed really, but the next chapter will see Belle's first impressions of the BPRD :)

Also before I go, there was a quote one of my good friends mentioned to me earlier which I found to be very inspirational. So that is what I think I shall close with tonight...

Please review & Goodnight!

~When you first write, you write with your heart and later when you edit different drafts, you write with your head. ~ Sean Connery from the film Finding Forrester.

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x