Hello Everyone! Hope you're all having a great half term for those who are off for a week like I am, or for those who've finished school already for the year I definitely hope your enjoying it!

I'm sorry for the delay but it is my birthday in three days and it's my ball tonight for it so there's been a lot of preparation going on!

So here is the newest chapter and I will be uploading a special before or on my birthday I hope. But I digress...Please enjoy the new chapter and review!

Music of inspiration – greatest love of all – Whitney Houston

Two weeks on, and Belle had started the day feeling happy and above all excited...that weekend she would be going home that weekend...home to her Family...

Yet somehow as she drove to high school that morning Belle couldn't help but think that it would be strange leaving Hellboy, Abe and Liz for that weekend. Even though it hadn't been many weeks that she had stayed with them, she had become quite used to their company...and used to the fact that they all had something which made them different like she was.

However, as she arrived at school early that morning, Belle easily parked up and decided to take a walk around the grounds, enjoying the cool winter's air to begin with, though she quickly had to pull her long coat more tightly around her. Sitting down on a bench and taking out her cell phone from her bag, Belle began to look through her friends, decided to text a couple of people she hadn't spoken to in a while, this including some of the security she came to know so well at her home, to some of her other friends from high school including one of her best friends...Serena.

Serena was a girl that Belle had near enough grown up with during high school, their friendship being strong and unbreakable. Though since initial graduation, her friend had gone to college in a different state to study law, yet both stayed in contact with one another, informing each other on their lives, Belle hearing about Serena's latest boyfriend the last time she had spoken to her. A lot of Belle's friends had their fair share of relationships during high school, though she had remained single for the most part. It was true that she'd had many "admirers" whilst being at school, but Belle had grown up with boys and girls alike, so she was quite used to getting along with boys, particularly in conversation as she grew to have shared interests with them making friendships easier to make.

Through this Belle gained a lot of respect from the people that she knew, yet she didn't regard herself as popular in any aspect of the word. Many of her friends were not her own age, either ranging from a couple of years to many years older than her, Belle guessing that this was the reason she was able to get on with Hellboy as easily as she did, because she was so used to acquainting herself with people who had opposite interests to her, as most men did. Yet Abe...he was different to her.

In meeting Abe, he was the one person she had found that shared similar interests to her it seemed, from musical taste to his being an avid reader as she was...it intrigued her to think of how much knowledge he seemed to have from the years of experience. Though as Belle thought about it, she wondered how old Abe and indeed Hellboy was. They only looked young but from the way Manning sometimes spoke of them, it made them seem as if they were much older. Yet as Belle heard a loud engine's roar dying down, she turned to see Dale pulling up in the car park, beside her Mercedes and taking off his helmet as he removed the keys before turning to wave to her. Waving back with a light smile, Belle then stood up and walked to her best friend, happy to see him, and even happier to know that weekend that she would be able to spend some time with her loved ones that she had missed so dearly...

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

Meanwhile at the Lucivia's home, things had been tense, and with the length of time Belle had been away, the tension had only grown rather than relaxed. Despite Manning's assurance that their daughter was safe, Harold and Glenna both continued to worry over her, Glenna especially noticing her daughter's absence when her husband was away on business. The house was so big...so quiet...so empty. So as Belle's birthday approached Glenna had been in her element in preparing for Belle coming home, though Harold was more concerned. It had been true that whilst they didn't know everything about the danger Belle was in, they knew a great deal more than what Belle was aware of, and whilst he knew they would have to tell her eventually, as time wore on, he also knew Glenna would become more reluctant.

'Do you really think it wise she comes home?' he voiced late that Friday afternoon, the couple being in the living room as Glenna looked through Belle's presents.

'Of course! It's her birthday Harold; I won't have her being kept away from her home and family when she doesn't deserve it.'

'I know I just...never mind...' he said sitting back in the armchair with a sigh as Glenna sat up and looked at him sadly.

'I haven't seen my daughter in almost a month; I just want her to be back where she belongs.'

'So do I darling...you know that I'd do anything to bring her home. I have found it so hard coming home from work at night and not finding her there to talk to like we used to. All I want is for her to be here, but she can't because we both know it is not safe for her.'

'...and what can we say to her...Belle's bound to have so many questions for us. But if she knows then surely it will put her in more danger knowing everything.'

'She has to know Glenna, the longer don't tell her, the more difficult she will find it to accept knowing how long we have kept it from her.'

'I don't want Belle to hate us Harold. I can't lose my daughter, I simply can't,' she said, her voice pleading as the emotion shone in her ocean blue eyes.

Lowering himself to the carpet and the same level as his wife, Harold took Glenna in his arms and held her carefully, taking in the soft floral scent of her beautiful blonde hair that her daughter had inherited. Ever since Belle was born they knew she had a gift, a special gift that would quietly blossom over the years as it became more and more a part of her. Though Harold and Glenna both remained uncertain over whether their daughter knew anything of it or now, Glenna was certain that Belle would find it difficult to accept though this as the one time of year she didn't want to tell her daughter.

'I promise you my darling she won't hate us. Belle would never think that way of anyone...she hasn't ever treated anyone with hatred,' he said soothingly. 'But she knows how to look after herself,

It was true that neither of them had ever known what they would tell Belle when the time came, but they knew it would change her life...forever.

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

With Hellboy, Liz and Abe on the other hand, things were more positive with Belle's birthday approaching, as the team quickly warmed up to the gentle hearted addition to their home.

So with the knowledge of Belle going away for the weekend, the three of them planned to have a small celebration for Belle before she left, Liz going to pick up some groceries for a meal, and a few presents as a token of their friendship with the young clairvoyant...

'I gotta admit, this was a great idea of yours babe,' Hellboy grinned as he lifted all the shopping Liz had bought into the house.

'You think so?'

'Yeah, any reason for a party,' he smirked, Abe taking in some of the other parcels that Liz had with her.

'Well I think it has been a long time since we have had something to celebrate,' Abe remarked thoughtfully, which was something they could all solemnly agree with. 'But I'm sure Belle will be very surprised...'

'Yeah if she doesn't figure it out through reading our minds first,' Hellboy reminded him.

'I dunno, she just doesn't seem the type to read minds without real need,' Liz said as she sat down briefly. The pregnancy she was finding was draining more of her energy with each passing day which was something Liz found quite irritating.

'Tired babe?' Hellboy asked, Liz nodding with a sigh.

'As usual...'

'Well you go and lie down babe, me and Abe got it covered.'

'Are you sure?' she asked uncertainly, Hellboy offering her a hand to support his girlfriend up as he grinned.

'Of course. We handle ugly brutes nearly every day of the week. So I don't think groceries will be that much of a challenge...besides it ain't a suggestion,' he smirked.

'...and what if I don't want to lie down?' Liz asked with a smile tugging at her lips.

'Then I'm just gonna have to make you,' Hellboy growled in her ear, Abe looking on with a slight smile at his two friends, though whenever he watched them both, Abe felt some pain emotionally. A yearning to have someone to hold...someone to love in the way that Hellboy and Liz had found each other.

But as always he remained quiet, waiting patiently for his friends to part, though the thoughts stayed on his mind...

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

Arriving home late that afternoon, Belle came in the house brightly, looking into the living room to find Abe reading, his apparatus fitted around his gills as it bubbled with his soft breathing.

'Hello,' she smiled,

'Hello Belle, I thought I heard you driving in. Is it nice to be driving yourself around?'

'Like you wouldn't believe,' Belle responded cheerfully. 'Do you know where Hellboy is?'

'Downstairs in the gym I believe,' he replied thoughtfully, now turning to look at her and smiling slightly. 'I'm sure Liz would be in there with him if it weren't for her condition, though she's sleeping at the moment.'

'She definitely does need to rest, it is important. But I was hoping I'd see you...I know you have many books and I was wondering if I may borrow one to read?' she asked politely, Abe looking at her with pleasant surprise in his features.

'Yes...of course you may,' he answered softly, Belle coming into the room farther to thank him before going to leave the room when Abe thought to call after her, 'why is it you want to see Red?'

'Ah, I got him a small present,' Belle smiled, holding something up that made Abe chuckle.

'How did you know-?'

'Clairvoyance has its advantages...that and I heard him say it myself,' she answered laughing before disappearing from the doorway, Abe looking after her with a slight smile, her light-hearted nature remaining in the atmosphere as he returned somewhat distantly to his book.

Walking downstairs however to the lower level of the house, Belle had heard Red before seeing him, his yell reaching her perfectly clearly as she walked somewhat cautiously into the gym to see him throw a cell phone against the wall. Without his shirt, Belle was able to see for the first time his strongly defined chest and abs, the lining deep and prominent in the light of the room with his muscles reflecting the dark red colour of his skin.

'Alright Belle,' he grinned, Belle looking at him for a moment when he glanced to the now broken phone, realising she had overheard. 'Yeah...it was Manning...enough said.'

'You really don't get along do you?'

'Not at all...He's arrogant and couldn't care less about the Agents assigned to work for him, and I'm the guy that chose to answer back,' he responded.

'You know, I hadn't met Tom Manning much before I was told about all this...I don't even know how my Father met him. Though he doesn't seem the type to willingly attend any events or dinner parties my parents host sometimes. He just doesn't seem that sociable.'

'No...Unless he's having an argument, he's very matter of fact about everything. He needs to live a little,'

'Apparently so. Though I have something that might cheer you up,' Belle smiled, throwing him two Baby Ruth bars.

'Oh you're a goddess woman,' he grinned, 'though you do realise the idea of it being your birthday in two days is that you're the one who gets presents?'

'Come on...it's two candy bars and after all you, Abe and Liz have done for me, it's the very least I can do.'

Looking at Belle thoughtfully, Hellboy seemed to consider something as he took a bite from his chocolate before saying to her, 'ya know somethin' Belle? I reckon you're the best mission the FBI's thrown at us.'

'Why?' Belle asked in genuine confusion, 'if I weren't here, you'd all have fewer worries...'

'To be honest Belle, the difference is that you're worth fighting for...we all think that...and instead of being afraid of me and Abe...you gave us a chance.' Watching Hellboy with gleaming eyes, she lowered her head slightly before looking up with a soft smile.

'Thankyou...it means a lot to know that...but I won't trouble you any longer than necessary...that I promise.'

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

Later that afternoon, Belle had been sat in her room packing her things for the short couple of days she would be spending with her family, the thought of her birthday making her smile as she looked over at pictures of her friends and family. Though she had to admit one thing that excited her more than anything would be seeing her dog Chance...her companion that she had missed so much since being without him, and yet, Willow had seemed ever so fond of Belle, treating her like it's mistress in the way she sat with her every evening in her room. But as she looked out of her window that looked over the gardens she thought about how she wasn't alone with her secret anymore...the fact that someone knew taking a great weight off her shoulders.

'Belle?'

Glancing up at hearing a soft knock at her door, Belle turned and smiled as she got up to open it and finding Abe in the doorway, 'hello Abe,' she greeted, walking away to her cases again as Abe joined her in the room.

'I wondered if you'd perhaps like any help?' he offered softly, Belle glancing around her room before back at him.

'I think I've got everything actually,' she responded, 'I just need them taken up to be put in the car tomorrow.'

'Then I can at least assist in that,' he offered, going towards two of the sealed cases and lifting the weight with some ease as he went to put them in the doorway ready to be carried out.

'Thankyou,' Belle responded graciously sitting down on the edge of her bed with a sigh of relief. 'It's good to have things ready though it will be strange going back tomorrow. I'm not sure whether it will be good or bad,' she admitted running a hand through her soft blonde hair as her amethyst eyes reflected some concern. Turning to look at her with his blue eyes searching her expression, he approached Belle and stood before her.

'Is it because you feel it will be even more difficult in leaving your family again after such a short stay?' he asked, Belle looking into his eyes with some surprise in her features when she nodded.

'Yes...'

'If I may...offer my thoughts,' Abe asked carefully, Belle waiting for him to continue as he seemed to think over what exactly to say to her. 'Even though I'm sure you'll miss your family, I would take the chances that you have to see them whilst you are in your present situation. Because being able to see them and miss them, is something better than missing them without being able to share any time with them at all.'

'I know...I just miss my home so much already, I just think that if I go back...I'll be afraid to leave again because I don't know when the next time will be that I will see them. Or when it will be that I'm going home...'

'For good?' Abe said softly, Belle looking into his eyes, noting something alter in his voice at that, though he didn't say any more of it, Belle going to reply when Liz knocked on the door.

'Belle dinners just...Oh' she said in surprise as she opened the door, Abe turning to Liz with a polite smile.

'Hi Liz,' Belle greeted lightly.

'Sorry I didn't realise you were talking in here,'

'No don't be,' Belle said standing up 'is dinner ready?'

'Yeah,' she replied, Abe gesturing for Belle to go first and following the two girls out as he picked up the cases from her room before being the last to leave it.

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

'Abe...can I ask you something?' Belle started with a smile, Abe tilting his head from the tank he floated delicately in. Following Belle's surprise meal with the gifts she had been given, Abe had offered for her to join him in his room and library, which she had graciously thanked him for.

'Yes?'

'Why don't they get along...Hellboy and Agent Manning?' she questioned, Abe seeming to need no time to consider this as he responded thoughtfully.

'Manning's by the book, Hellboy isn't...that's the basis of it. They don't get along because they don't agree with each other's theories and methods.'

'Ah, I did wonder,' she answered with a light expression. 'Though with everything there is balance. Like with you and Hellboy, you balance one another because you're the opposite of each other, but when together you even the differences...' she said reflectively.

'You're very mature for your age,' Abe remarked, Belle laughing lightly as she nodded,

'I've been that way ever since I was young I suppose, though I get told quite a lot,'

'You're quite thoughtful...it's simply pleasant to see. At the bureau there were many people who came in and out of my room – it being the room of the Bureau's founder at the time, Professor Broom. So I suppose now it's so much quieter...'

'Well any time you would like some company...I'm here,' she said softly, the gaze that they held for that moment making Abe feel a slight flutter in his stomach.

'Thankyou...'

Though as Abe watched Belle for a moment as continued reading her book, her long hair falling over her shoulders as she did so, Abe couldn't help but smile softly at this new girl for reasons he felt unsure of. Though it was as the night sky darkened into its darkest shade of obsidian black that Abe glanced up once again, now with tired eyes to see something that truly surprised him...Belle had fallen asleep. With her eyes closed, her upper body had come to lean against the side of the sofa she sat on, her expression being content and peaceful.

To begin with, Abe wasn't sure whether to awaken her, or carry her into her room perhaps. Yet in the end he decided to let her sleep, seeing no harm in it, though as he slowly dimmed the lights around the room, Abe found himself looking at her blonde hair and somewhat warmer toned complexion in the low light. In some ways Belle reminded Abe of Princess Nuala...he couldn't deny it. But they were two worlds apart and, at best, completely different people. Though Abe found himself wanting to know more about her...to learn what her family and friends saw in her that made her who she was. Belle...

So there's the end of the chapter, a bit of hinted romance throughout though the special will see a lot more detail. Also this Fanfic will be changed in its rating to "M" I think because it will be somewhat darker than my original Hellboy Fanfic in a couple of scenes and there will be more intimacy shown as well as there has been a lot of interest in that particular aspect which hasn't been done in my work before. So this may become my first long fanfiction that is an "M" rating.

Anyway I hope you all enjoyed, please review and I hope you enjoy your weekend, whilst I will be enjoying the ball tonight for my birthday! :)

Goodnight!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x