Hello everyone! I hope your all enjoying the summer holidays now that they are here, and I am so glad to say 6th form is over forever! So it's writing, writing, writing. ^_^ But now I have more chance to work on my novels too and more time for updating my fanfics and starting new ones :)

Anyway I also just want to say thankyou to "LadyAquanine73551," "AngelProtectress" and "Forever'n'Always" for their support with some stuff this week, it's been really appreciated, so Thankyou :)

Also, as it is in 3 days and I won't be updating again before then, I want to wish "LadyAquanine73551" a happy birthday, and hope she has a lovely day for her birthday :)

Right...think thats everything, I hope you enjoy and please review! Thankyou

'Why did you come here?'

'I-'

'You should know better than to come here...do you have any idea what you could have done...what damage you could have caused?'

'I'm sorry...I-'

'You break into FBI grounds, you come here...my place; of studying how that Icthyo Sapien lived and you could have ruined it.'

'I'm sorry...'

'It's too late to be sorry,' he said edging closer to her, 'when I'm done with you, you'll regret the day you ever-'

'God does this guy talk some crap or what?' Hellboy said coming into the doorway.

'Red!' Belle exclaimed in relief,

'You...' Dr. Roddel said in disgust, Hellboy looking to him with a challenging expression, when suddenly he made to dive at towards them as Belle jumped back with a startled gasp, Hellboy flinging the table over in front of her. With this giving them enough time as Hellboy grabbed Belle's arm, pulling her up from a crouched position as she took the book once again in her hands. Pulling her out of the door, they then ran quickly down the corridor, Belle sounding breathless as they stopped for a moment in the grey area, the offices still all in darkness, though one of the golden lights above them began to flicker.

'Next time I see him, remind me to knock him out,' Hellboy growled.

'Red, we have to get out of here-'

'We will we've just gotta-' he started when a red siren began to go off.

'Oh crap. That's the last thing we need.'

'Security alarms?' Belle remarked with panic lacing her voice.

'No...This is somethin' a lot bigger than a couple of security guards...' Hellboy said turning to look back where they had just run past to see a large and brutish entity appear in the hallway, with many others lurking behind, Belle stepping back in horror.

'Okay Belle, ya remember what I told ya? About doing exactly as I said?' Hellboy told her, not taking his eyes off the creature as it moved ever closer to them, its feet dragging heavily against the tiles that threatened to crack under its weight.

'Yes?' she answered, her voice barely audible with the fear shining in her eyes.

'Then listen to me now and run Belle. Don't look back, just run and get outta here. I'll be right behind ya.'

'Hellboy I-'

'Ya promised to do as I said didn't ya?'

'Yes but-'

'Then go, hurry, before this gets ugly...not that he could. Think this thing's alright hit that milestone,' he commented dryly.

Backing up slightly and with Hellboy telling her once again to go, Belle finally turned and ran, her heels echoing loudly off the marble floors when she heard a loud ground-shaking thud, followed by Hellboy's loud profanities. As she finally reached Hellboy's room however, she found that though the door was ajar, she could hear voices above her, Belle reaching up her hand to feel the many auras of agents that still remained in the building. Though with no time to spare and remembering what Hellboy had told her, Belle hopped through the door and into the room, quickly crossing it and looking up the shaft where they had fallen through into the room. Yet as she quickly scanned the walls, Belle found no easy way to get out other than climbing up, her thin hands and tipped heels making it easier to grip as she began to climb her way out. Though as she pulled herself up, Belle was met with a realisation, believing they would have little time...

Meanwhile, within the Bureau, Hellboy continued to fight off the entities that flew in his direction, threatening to bring him down, though as he knocked an entity back into its cell and slammed shut the barred door that Hellboy heard a rush of footsteps and raised voices.

'Damn it...' he cursed openly. 'The one day they actually decide to do their jobs...oh well...might as well give them somethin' to do,' he shrugged conclusively, throwing a gremlin type creature off his back that was attempting to pierce Hellboy's skin with his sharp discoloured teeth.

'Didn't know vampires started creating vermin half breeds,' he grumbled, the gremlin being about to swipe when Hellboy sent him flying down the corridor with a single punch of the infamous "right hand of doom."

'Ya still haven't learnt since the last time we played this have ya?' he said openly gesturing out as if he expected a reply. 'Heh. Maybe this time he'll get the idea...rock beats gremlin.'

Yet it was as Hellboy followed Belle's path and pulled himself easily out of the shaft behind his old room that he found Belle sat waiting somewhat nervously in her Mercedes. 'I was worried you weren't coming,' she said throwing the passenger door open.

'Yeah, sorry, was getting reacquainted with a few old case subjects who decided they still don't like me after I beat them up the first time. Anyway how the hell did ya manage to get the car here without-'

'It wasn't easy but if alarms are going off it won't be long before they call in back up or something,' Belle remarked, still visibly tense. 'So fasten your seatbelt and hold on,' she told him, Hellboy being about to ask if she was alright when suddenly the engine came to life and Belle quickly sped round and out of the entrance, unseen.

'Did ya get the book by the way?'

'On the back seat,' she answered, the otherwise darkened road becoming illuminated by her headlights.

'See then, it wasn't so hard was it?' Hellboy grinned, Belle stealing a sideward glance at Hellboy before looking back at the road ahead and saying in the same tone as she had earlier

'Again...please don't make me answer that...'

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

The following morning, it was quite expected that Hellboy and Belle slept in for most of the early hours, it being more unusual for Belle, though Liz and Abe didn't honestly question it too much. It was only when two black drove smoothly onto the drive after everyone was up that Liz questioned why the FBI would be here. Though Belle immediately awoke from her somewhat tired frame of mind, upon realising the FBI's presence. Yet she had no time to prepare herself as Hellboy came in with Abe, followed by Agent Manning.

'Hello Belle,' he greeted wearily coming into the living room, Belle feeling the colour drain slightly from her features as she felt, with dread, his reasons for being there. 'I hope you will forgive me for what I'm about to say...but you were accused of being involved in a break in at the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence last night. Now while I'm sure this is all ludicrous, I must follow correct procedure...' he explained, Belle fully prepared to admit to everything when Hellboy cut in.

'She didn't do anythin' it was me that broke in,' he said plainly, Belle looking to him in sheer surprise. He was protecting her...

'I should have known. The hold in the wall was a large giveaway,' Manning said rounding on the demon.

'No kidding...' Hellboy said rolling his eyes, 'ya ain't honestly saying ya thought Belle could manage something like that?'

'Red!' Liz exclaimed coming behind him. 'Why would you do that?' she half demanded, 'the whole idea of deciding to stay here was to keep the FBI out of our lives, and in doing this you've just completely ruined that. I just don't believe you-'

'Wait! Please...' Belle interrupted standing in front of Hellboy in exasperation. 'It wasn't Hellboy's fault. It was me. I asked Red to help me find a way into the bureau because I knew he would know how to get in and out safely.'

'So Dr. Roddel was right,' Manning said in disapproval.

'Yes. He found me while I was in the library and threatened me just as he did before. That's why I didn't want to return while I thought he would be there,' she said.

'Why would he threaten you?' Manning asked with a frown, 'I'm sure he only did what any Agent would have done in finding a trespasser?'

'He held a knife to me yesterday Agent Manning when I had permission to be there. Does that sound normal to you?' Belle challenged. 'I know I was wrong and I apologise for that. I'll pay for any damages, just don't blame Hellboy. He was only helping me because the reason I wanted to go back into the library was for Abe. Because I know what it's like to be without what you care so much about, to the point where you want to hold onto whatever remains...just to give you a shred of hope that things might be okay. So if you still want to blame anyone. Then blame me. I accept it was wrong and I take full responsibility.'

'Hey, now hold on a-'

'Quiet Hellboy,' Manning ordered, the demon looking taken aback, though they listened to what the middle aged Agent had to say, his gaze flickering to Abe for a moment as he breathed a sigh.

'Given your clear history and evidently genuine intentions...with the repairs paid...' he trailed off more to himself; before looking back to Belle 'I'll let you off with a warning. Not about your actions but the reason you are here. Your Father expects you to be looked after with the highest level of security and protection. That is why you are here and I would greatly prefer it if you remember that. I have given you my best team...'

'Yes Agent Manning,' Belle nodded,

'I trust you from what I've seen of you, to know that you're a good kid. Well woman, should I say. But do not forget that you are in exceptional danger to be here...'

'Yeah, not to scare her or anything,' Hellboy muttered with a frown, Manning ignoring him when Belle remarked,

'I understand what your saying...I'm not trying to worry anyone. I just...it was something I had to do,' she said honestly, Agent Manning seeming to accept her response.

Though as he began to walk away, he turned back to face Abe.

'Make sure you watch her, and ensure she's safe,' he said in slight desperation. 'Hellboy's untrustworthy as it is, so please keep an eye on her...'

'Yes sir,' Abe answered, not looking at Belle who glanced up to him, searching for any trace of a reaction though she found none.

'Right well, we shall go. Got problems with those damn containment cells...Somehow nearly every entity got free. It's been a nightmare, and one got locked in my damn office,' he grumbled, continuing to rant to himself as he left the front doors.

'A misunderstanding then sir?' an agent said as he joined his superior.

'Yeah, let's go, I need to get back to the base and get some coffee,' Manning groaned, 'I have paperwork to see to...' he said, Hellboy closing the door at this point and turning back to Liz.

'Okay I know you're mad but...'

'I'm not mad Red...I didn't realise you were helping Belle out. I dislike Manning as much as you do. I just didn't want you doing anything stupid without reason...'

'I'm sorry Liz,' Belle said apologetically, 'I didn't want to cause any trouble.'

'I'm not angry with you,' Liz said with a smile, 'I'm glad you asked Red to help and didn't go on your own at least, though it does explain where he disappeared to last night,' she remarked looking to Hellboy who put an arm around her shoulders, evidently trying to get back on her good side.

'Lunch anyone?'

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

Going to Abe's room later that evening, Belle hadn't been sure exactly what she was going to say to him. She had now taken off her cotton cardigan that she wore, leaving her just wearing a thin woven top that carefully folded over her shoulders, the fabric widening before thinning back into the top itself. With a trailing pattern of soft blossoms embroidered onto the material and a pair of dark jeans on, Belle felt she was still quite warm despite the minus degree temperatures outside. Though as she walked in, Belle found Hellboy sat with the merman. Yet as she went to quietly excuse herself, Abe called her back, the young clairvoyant waiting as asked, the book in her hands wrapped in thin brown paper. Though she found that she was nervous about speaking to him that evening, uncertain on how he was with her over Belle's breaking into the BPRD only the night before.

'You alright Tinkerbell? Ya seem a bit lost tonight,'

'Sorry,' she apologised quickly, coming from her reverie. 'I'm just a little tired,'

'Yeah...I know the feeling...is Liz still upstairs/'

'No she went to bed, I think she was intending to wait for you before going to sleep though...' Belle began thoughtfully, Hellboy brushing past her side in an instant.

'Well wouldn't wanna keep her waiting ya know, in her condition and such. Always good to have an early night,' he grinned, 'night Abe, Belle,' he remarked, the pair looking after him for a moment. Though as Belle went to ask why he would be so keen to get to bed, she found the answer was in her question.

Ah... she mused inwardly, feeling glad she hadn't suggested her thought to Abe first when his calming voice startled her a little.

'Are you alright?'

'Mm? Oh...yes,' she answered, shaking her head slightly. 'I just...I wanted to say sorry...for all this trouble with the FBI. It was reckless I know...'

'I wouldn't call it reckless, that doesn't suit you...I know you would have thought this through carefully,' Abe said in his smooth tone that Belle couldn't help but feel drawn too. 'But why would you do such a thing? Even with Red to help you it was still dangerous,' he added, concern present in his voice.

'Because I couldn't get it out of my mind...Dr. Roddel was so vile to you...and all you wanted was the last reminder of something you lost...that's why I went back...' she said softly, handing Abe the wrapped package and quietly suggesting he open it.

'Belle this is...'

'It's the right one isn't it?' she asked tentatively, 'The Poetical works of Alfred Tennyson,'

'Yes the very same...' he nodded in utter surprise. 'But how did you come to do all this?'

'I went to Hellboy because I knew he'd be confident in getting us there and that he would also be able to direct me from any entrance,' Belle explained, 'I was just worried I wouldn't be able to find it. But it was like I was almost drawn to it...it's strange really...' she mused thoughtfully.

'But Dr. Roddel...he-'

'Caught me? Yes,' she nodded more solemnly.

'Belle you really shouldn't have done all that,' Abe said in concern, 'the BPRD can be a dangerous place...some of the secrets contained within that building are ones you wouldn't be able to believe...'

'I know,' Belle answered, remembering the gruesome entities she saw only the night before. 'But this was something I wanted to do...'

'...I know...I can see it in your eyes...' he breathed, when he seemed to realise what he said as he quickly glanced to her before looking back to the book, Belle looking at him in questioning.

'My eyes...?'

'Yes...they're very expressive,' he said admittedly, 'but this was very kind of you. Though I still don't understand why you'd go to such trouble just for me.'

'Everyone deserves happiness Abe...this book meant something to you...and that was enough for me. It's hard when we lost the people we love, but happiness is forever, and you deserve to find it,' Belle smiled.

Looking into her delicate gaze, Abe found himself surprised by her actions. She had genuinely wanted to do something for him, simply because she knew what it meant to him. Yet as he held the book in his hands once again, he was able to feel and see its last memories, Abe believing Belle had some insight herself in merely handling the cover. Yet she never spoke of it.

'I hope you can be happier with this much at least,'

'Thankyou Belle.'

'You don't need to thank me...you saved my life twice and you have been kind to me since my arrival. So if this makes you happy. It was worth it,' she remarked.

Though as Abe continued to watch her, he saw the edge of bandaging on her shoulder and asked her about it.

'Oh...it was just...I caught myself on one of the shelves as I fled the library last night with Red...' she admitted.

'May I see it? It mustn't get infected...' Abe remarked, putting the book down on the side table and going to her as she lifted the sleeve of her top to show the uneven wrappings around her shoulder.

'It was difficult to dress in such a place,' she said somewhat sheepishly, though as his hand brushed over her skin softly, the smooth warmth that passed from his hand to her making her blush slightly as she reacted to the cooling sensation that followed from his naturally moist hands.

'I'm sorry, does it hurt?' he asked, looking into her eyes, their depths pouring into hers as she found it hard to regain volume in her voice.

'No...it just stings a little,' she answered, averting her gaze slightly to her shoulder, Abe nodding after a moment and carefully unravelling the bandage to reveal the jagged cut on her shoulder.

'I think it could do with some antiseptic...that should take out any dirt which may have gotten in, and will numb the pain,' he muttered, being delicate as he held her arm in his hands, Belle agreeing as he asked her if she was willing to let him treat it.

'It may hurt a little, but it won't be for long,' he said softly, Belle sitting back into the sofa as she waited for him, being aware her heart seemed to be beating a little faster...

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

Long after Belle had gone to bed that evening; Abe was awake in deep thought, the single book in front of his tank being all that he wanted to read that night. Yet as his mind wandered, Abe began to drift back into past memories, his eyes gazing absent-mindedly out into the night time sky, questioning whether as Belle had said, he could possibly find happiness. Yet it was as he glanced down at his hand and then up at the wall that separated his room from Belle's that he couldn't help but wonder what she saw when she looked at him...

So could there be a bit of a spark? and will that be Hellboy and Belle's only time to be teamed up? ;) I woulnd't count on it...certainly much more to come...

I hope you all enjoyed, please review, and I will be updating soon.

Also, as a final note this fanfic will be definitely changing from "T" to "M" rating later on down the line as I think it will be better for some of the more darker elements that will be coming out later in this story and some more sensuous scenes that might happen as well later on. Please do let me know if you have a particular opinion on this, I don't mind hearing thoughts and suggestions, but I do think "M" will be a safer rating later on.

Thankyou!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x