Well, here we are again, I hope everyone's had a good week so far...even though it's only Monday. But I have work at 6am, which means a 5am start for me tomorrow. Hardly fun, but it does keep my days free.

Anyway, here is the new chapter, I hope you all enjoy. Please review and for those lurkers who've added this to their alerts/favourites or have just been on my traffic page in viewing these chapters please review! Otherwise you will be named and shamed ^.^ You may not think I'm that mean...or am I? :)

Enjoy! Bit of action, Romance...funny moments...what more could you want really?

During the next few days, Belle felt like she had a permanent bodyguard by her side with Dale constantly keeping by after learning of Liam's actions when she had been alone the previous Friday. But it was true to say that her best friend was also less than happy about it.

'I swear if he so much as comes near you, his life won't be worth living,' Dale had said bitterly, his anger towards Liam now so much worse than the mere dislike he used to have for him. Though as he knew to expect, Belle discouraged Dale's want to hurt Liam, knowing he could easily play the victim and push all the blame onto Dale. So, doing as Abe had requested, Belle had asked Dale if he would watch over her for a while until things quietened down, Dale not hesitating to agree to this, though he also had to promise her he would not say or do anything to Liam without reason. Yet, Belle had found that Liam was, yet again, not the only problem she had to deal with...

Going into school halfway through the week, Belle got out of her car to find Serena stood watching her with evident disgust in her expression, two or three of her friends being behind her. Though Belle quickly sensed the girl's trail of thoughts with a carefully placed hand as she locked her car and set to walk around them with little success...

'Can't face me after what you did then?' Serena called aloud, Belle turning to face her with a sigh as she inwardly wondered what Serena was getting worked up over this time.

'I didn't know I'd done anything to offend you. Though apparently it's not hard,' she commented plainly.

'You're so stuck up, thinking your better than everyone else,' Serena retorted, 'but let me make something clear to you,' she remarked approaching her. 'Liam is mine.'

'You're welcome to him,' she shrugged, 'though he doesn't seem to think you're an item,' she remarked, Serena's friends exchanging glances whilst Serena's eyes narrowed as she blushed furiously.

'Of course we're an item! It's you that's trying to ruin everything by flirting with him,' she accused, 'not that he'd ever look twice at you' she sneered, Belle finding it hard to not let Serena get to her now. Though it was following these insults that a voice spoke in defence behind her...

'Well Liam can't have good taste if he overlooks people like Belle for you.'

Looking over her shoulder, Belle saw behind her a friend of both hers and Dale's, Carl...a strong rugby player for the school team, with a naturally tanned skin tone and sheer black hair, his dark eyes cast over to Serena as he stood behind Belle, putting his hands on her shoulders.

'Whatever. Just keep away from him Belle,' Serena remarked coldly.

'I do. Just know he's not as pleasant as you think he is. But I doubt you'd listen to that,' Belle said more calmly.

'Yeah, though he must be pretty desperate to want to date you,' Carl remarked, 'I also find it funny how you only approach Belle when she's alone and you've got a group of people behind you. What is it with you? Do you just enjoy trying to get to people and giving them no chance to fight back?' he questioned, Serena glaring at him though he met her gaze evenly. 'Though you should also know this before you leave,' he added, now coming to stand in front of Belle. 'You dare try and insult her again and you'll have more people to answer to than it's worth. So back off,' he finished, the raising in his voice drawing some attention from other students in the car park, prompting Serena to finally leave with one last glance as Belle, the clairvoyant sighing in relief as the three girls walked away.

'Thankyou,' she remarked gratefully, Carl turning to grin at her.

'No worries Belle, I was just gonna let you know that Dale's over in the sports hall, but what kind of man would I be if I didn't stand up for a damsel in distress?' he grinned.

'I've had days a lot worse,' Belle returned with a weak smile.

'So what did you do to get on Serena's bad side?' Carl asked.

'Well I think it's fair to say she never liked me, but as for what she was saying today it's a long story...'

'Well we've got the walk to the sports hall, feel like giving me a brief outline?' he suggested, Belle smiling as she began to walk with him.

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

Later that same evening, Belle had been sat in with Hellboy, Liz and Abe, all of them being in the library of Abe's room, Belle casually reading through the book in her lap whilst Hellboy and Liz sat in open discussion about the arrival of the two little ones.

'Look I'm just saying, what would be wrong with them being taught how to use a gun? I got my first gun when I was a kid...'

'Hellboy, I'm not letting my baby have a gun in the crib,' Liz said, 'and that's final.'

'Come on, at least consider it,'

'No.'

'Please,'

'No.'

'Well they ain't bein' brought up without knowing how to fight. Now that's a necessity.'

'Alright, maybe self defence is an important thing, but you can't expect them to learn how to use a gun...' Liz said in exasperation, her hand resting lightly over the bump that was fast becoming larger and more rounded. Though as Belle glanced up from her book to look at Abe who glanced at her with a calming expression, she couldn't help but smile softly at him as she forced her attention back to her book, listening to Hellboy and Liz talking more heatedly.

'Look why can't you just teach them how to ride a bike or something normal,' she emphasised.

'They will learn normal things Liz, but come on. Why can't they learn some of the things I did growing up?'

'Because...oh never mind. We'll talk about it again...'

'Seriously babe, I didn't turn out that bad. Father did a good job bringing me up.'

'I know he did,' Liz said softly putting her hand on his, 'I just don't want them to have to grow up in the hostile world we did...' she sighed.

Looking up from her book, Belle's gaze became somewhat unfocused as she thought about what they were saying. Belle hadn't often heard Hellboy mention his Father though she knew that he must have been a loving man from the way they talked of him. Even Liz's past was something Belle knew nothing of, and it wasn't something she liked to pry into, even though she could clearly recognise the difficulties they had all experienced through having the unusual appearances and abilities that they did.

Yet it was then that one of Hellboy's cats walked slowly in, cautiously watching his owners movements as she rubbed up against his legs before seeing Belle's vacant lap and moving back slightly to gain a better position as she leapt up on to the sofa.

'Come for attention have ya?' Hellboy grinned, gently tickling the cats ears with the tips of his stone fingers, the cat purring contently as she moved to walk on Belle's lap, carefully circling round before settling down to sleep.

'Hello Willow,' Belle smiled fondly, tickling the tummy of the black cat that now stretched out across hers legs, the soft purr rumbling against her hand as she idly stroked the cats soft fur.

'Well you certainly managed to get the cats approval,' Liz smiled. 'They all seem to enjoy your company, drive me mad though having fifty in the room at once,' she said shaking her head, Belle laughing lightly.

'Ah, I'm used to having pets, and this one's considerably lighter than the one at home which usually tries to occupy my lap,' she laughed.

'Got a fat cat eh?' Hellboy smirked, Belle watching as Willow caught sight of Abe and sat up more, her tail beginning to move slightly as she cautiously watched the merman that chuckled a little.

'I've never been certain whether the interest from these cats are genuine or whether they see me more as food,' Abe remarked, though Belle could see the slight smile on his lips as he watched the cat, another two having followed Willow in and settling down in front of the sofa.

'Looks like ya got an audience eh Brother Blue?' Hellboy grinned,

'It would seem so,' Abe agreed with a light chuckle, though he felt somewhat glad to be in his tank at that moment.

'Well I don't have a cat,' Belle continued. 'I have a dog actually,' she said thoughtfully, her tone becoming a little wistful as she scratched Willow's ears, gaining a louder purring as the cat closed her eyes contently.

'A dog,' Hellboy scoffed, 'most of 'em seem like mongrels to me. I prefer cats. Not so sloppy,' he said, Belle smiling at him as she shook her head.

'No, Chance is just beautiful. He's a white Samoyed...'

'Samoy-what?'

'They were a type of sled dog, Samoyed's are quite well natured animals,' Abe remarked thoughtfully, Belle smiling at him as she nodded in agreement.

'So is he like a family dog?' Hellboy asked,

'No, he was bought for me for my sixteenth birthday. I do miss him a lot, I guess that's why I love your cats being around...they're such wonderful companions,' she said fondly, Hellboy, Liz and Abe exchanging glances as they mused over this, though the subject soon changed back to the children, Belle asking what names may be used for the twins, though that soon started up a new debate on what names Hellboy and Liz decided, Belle finding herself enjoying the company of Hellboy, Liz and Abe more and more, to the point when she wondered whether it would seem strange returning home once more for Christmas Day...

That night however, after everyone had gone to bed, Belle found herself tossing and turning in her sleep, her brow furrowed as something clearly bothered her in her dreams. For a long while, Belle had experience nightmares occasionally, though there were sometimes particular dreams that constantly haunted her in her sleep, to the point of frightening Belle terribly...and this night was no different from those times. It was only after she suddenly sat up wide awake, breathless and clearly startled that she realised her dreams were starting again, the relief at realising it was a dream being enough for her to settle back into her pillows, though she was now positioned upright as she tried to steady the fast beating of her heart. The nightmare as usual was one she could not remember, though something told her that it was always the same...and as she looked at the wall ahead of her, Belle could only hope she hadn't disturbed Abe, knowing that very few were aware of the bad nightmares she experienced. Yet as she lay down again in an attempt to fall asleep, Belle had no idea of the events that were about to follow...

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

The following day Dale sat in on the rehearsals for the show while he waited for Belle to finish, it amazing him just how strong and lithe she was as a dancer. She gave so much energy into the routines and never tired in having to repeat anything to the other performers. But he supposed that was how a lot of people saw Belle. A rich girl with a wealthy background...but she was so much more than that. Though what Dale didn't realise was how much he really didn't know about his best friend...

'Alright everyone, that's it for today!' called out the groups drama teacher. 'Everything is coming on very well and with the next week of rehearsals we should be completely fine for the Christmas show. So you're all dismissed, though may I see Belle for a moment?' she asked, the blonde haired girl glancing up after removing her jazz trainers and jumping lightly down from the stage as she approached the teacher to speak with her on the rehearsals.

'Long day?' Dale grinned as Belle finally came over and zipped up her knee high black boots, the skirt she wore with it being a deep purple and black plaid pattern, with a purple turtle neck of the same colour.

'Definitely,' she answered wearily, releasing her hair from the bun she wore it in, her hair falling around her shoulders lightly as she picked up her bag.

'Ready to go?' she suggested, Dale getting up and walking outside with her into the cold afternoon, though as she went to on to say he didn't need to stay as long as he did, they walked right into the one person Belle had been dreading to see. Liam.

'Well, look who it is,' he began, Dale's hands clenching tightly together in anger.

'Heh. Trying to keep an eye on her I take it? I had noticed you seemed to be constantly hanging around her, but you always were annoying like that weren't you?' Liam said, a clear test of dominance coming between them as he sneered

'Is he the reason then Belle? This pathetic guy that's always breathing down your neck...?'

'Just leave us alone Liam. It's not doing anyone any favours. I've told you I don't want anything to do with you so please leave.'

'You know something...I don't think you understand who you're trying to piss off,' he growled,

'You want to watch your mouth,' Dale started, Liam looking at him for a moment when he suddenly lunged forward, Dale pushing Belle to the side as Liam punched Dale across the face, Belle looking back in horror as he stumbled back. Though Liam quickly rounded on Belle as he grabbed her arms, Belle being barely steady on her feet as she tried to get to Dale, but she couldn't pry herself free. Though it was before she could scream for help that a large red figure leapt from the roof muttering "show-time" as he grabbed Liam by the back of his shirt, Belle's breathing hitching as she watched Hellboy punch him, leaving him there on the ground for a moment and picking him up only when Liam tried to scramble to his feet and hurling him across the stretch of the field.

'Red?' Belle breathed in surprise, Dale yelling at her to run though she didn't move, the demon briefly turning to her.

'You okay Tinkerbell?'

'I'm fine...' she answered rather breathlessly, 'what are you doing here?' she started when Liam managed to pick himself up, staring at Hellboy for a moment in evident terror.

'Now let's get something straight. You touch that lady again, or any girl like that and you'll wish you'd never been born...now get outta here,' he growled lowly, Liam backing up a little, glancing to Belle for a moment before running off.

Sighing in considerable relief, Belle went forward and took Dale's hand, helping him up though he quickly tried to pull her away with him.

'Dale...'

'Belle, you need to get away from here!'

'Dale,'

'Seriously Belle that things dangerous!'

'Dale!' Belle exclaimed going to stand firmly beside Hellboy to silence her friend long enough to speak. 'It's alright...he's my friend,' she remarked, Dale looking between them in utter shock.

'Friend?' he choked out. 'You and...'

'Yeah kid, relax, I ain't gonna hurt ya. Though a little tip, next time someone punch ya, use the opposite hand to the one their throwin' a punch with an' grab their wrist. Work's every time,' he grinned.

'I don't believe this,' Dale said looking to Belle again for some explanation. 'I mean how did...'

'I'll explain everything later, but right now if Hellboy gets seen it will only cause more trouble and Liam's certainly not going to keep quiet.'

'Heh, yeah not that anyone's gonna believe him. They'll just think he's been hitting the drink too early. Though he had it coming...' Hellboy remarked, Belle suggesting they go somewhere to talk, it taking them to the music rooms where everyone had gone for the day so that Belle could finally tell Dale everything she had been forced to keep from him.

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

'So that's everything,' Belle concluded finally, Dale looking at her wordlessly with everything she had just told him not sinking in. 'But how did you know about this?' Belle then continued to ask Hellboy who was perched on a windowsill where the blinds had been dropped down so he couldn't be seen.

'Abe,' Hellboy answered plainly, everything suddenly making sense to her. Though it still surprised her that he would leave Red to handle the situation, but when she thought about it there was really no one better to scare off someone than Hellboy.

'So let me get this straight, you can hear my thoughts?'

'Yes...' she nodded, 'well anyone's...it's not really limited-'

'What am I thinking?' he cut across her, Belle looking at him with slight caution for a moment, as she considered his request.

'Don't ya believe her?' Hellboy questioned with a raised eyebrow. 'The ladies just gone against everythin' she promised to tell ya all this.'

'It's not like that. I just want to understand why you never told me before,' Dale said looking into Belle amethyst eyes and silently wondering if her gift was what gave her the rare eye colour she had.

'Because I was afraid! I was afraid to tell anyone. It's only because of all this that I had to admit my secret,' she remarked, her voice then calming as she looked into his dark eyes and asking him in a straightforward manner, 'do you believe me?'

Though it was as the two friends watched one another that Hellboy's locator began to flash red...

'I think we're gonna have to make an exit Belle, so ya might wanna wrap this up,' Hellboy suggested standing straight, Belle nodding as she looked back to Dale.

'We have to go. This is something important,' Belle remarked, getting up to follow Hellboy from the darkened room when Dale stopped her.

'I believe you,' he said quite suddenly, Belle breathing in deeply as she stared into his eyes, finding only truth there as she then quickly took his hand, Dale's grip on it tightening slightly when she broke the hold, joining Hellboy at the door when she turned back and smiled slightly.

'You're thinking you always knew there was something different about me,' she remarked, leaving Dale stunned by her accuracy, and even more so by what he had just learnt of his childhood friend. Though as he came to leave, they had already disappeared...

'So the kid won't say anything?' Hellboy questioned as they drove from the now empty car park, Belle shaking her head confidently.

'Dale is the only friend I could trust enough with this,' she responded. 'He promised he would say nothing and he won't,' she assured Hellboy, 'but does Agent Manning know you're here?'

'No. He doesn't trust me walking out the front door, let alone in public,' he replied. 'He thinks Liz came to check on you, but I come here a fair bit anyway while you're in school. You just don't see me,' he grinned.

'...So the FBI are tightening security?'

'Yeah...You're house is being guarded more heavily by the day considering that anything could happen and well, it's our job to watch over you, so they can't complain at me for doing my job. Besides people like your family seem to be dealing with strike when the chance of help for you is low...It probably shocked them when we gate-crashed their stunt at your school. Abe did well to find ya when he did...'

'Abe...he told you about all this didn't he?' Belle said glancing to him, Hellboy nodding as he flicked off his locator.

'Yeah, Abe told me. Think he knew some proper warning needed to be given to that jerk,' he said with an edge in his tone. 'Bastard had it coming anyway. Nobody treats a lady like that. An' Abe was worrying about you...'

'He was?' Belle returned, finding herself curious by what Hellboy was telling her.

'Yeah, well when ya think about it, Abe's a proper gentleman. Acts like my Father in that respect. He'd never treat a woman badly and I don't think he'd like to see it happen. So it got to him to think that someone would even think to hurt you. Abe might be quiet sometimes, but that guys got a lot of emotion and really he pulls through pretty well after the stuff he's been through in the past year or so...'

Thinking about this as Belle drove swiftly; she saw Liz and Abe stood outside their home anxiously awaiting Belle's return.

'Are they here?' Hellboy questioned getting out of the car.

'No, but they will be any minute,' Liz said evidently stressed by the close timing they had managed in their sudden alert from the BPRD.

'Whats this even about anyway?'

'We don't know,' Abe said admittedly. 'I believe it is something big though,'

'Yeah well it ain't met the Samaritan yet,' Hellboy commented, the conversation being interrupted as three cars drove round with the garbage van disguised truck behind as they pulled up before them all...

'You three had better get inside. We don't have long,' Manning said getting out of the car,

'What's going on?' Belle queried,

'There is a large problem that's been reported and we have been called out as a matter of importance.'

'Yeah so what's the problem there? We get the guns and go,' Hellboy shrugged.

'This isn't going to be that simple,' Manning said shaking his head as he handed Abe a large file, watching the merman frown as he skimmed through the dates of each entry.

'These records go back six months, and the reports are from Romania' he said looking up to Manning in questioning.

'Exactly. It's been going on for a long time but it's only just been brought to our attention.'

'Why?' Liz asked, 'surely something big wouldn't be missed, especially with this much evidence behind it.'

'Yeah well, you can ask them about that when we get there,' Manning said, a couple of Agents handing them their BPRD uniform. 'We're heading out now.'

'To Romania?' Hellboy repeated. 'Oh brilliant...'

'What do you expect me to do?' Liz said in exasperation 'I'm pregnant.'

'You'll be fine on the flight, and you will be able to help on the radios whilst we're over there. We'll need everyone possible on this job. It's December and the quicker we get this done the better.'

'But what about Belle?' Abe asked, 'surely she won't stay here alone?'

'She'll have to come with us. With most of the BPRD being consumed time-wise with paperwork and incomplete assignments we're too stretched for her to go home when none of you are readily available to help her.'

'Oh no, you idiots rely on us too much. We quit and if I say we're not going then we are not going,' Hellboy said firmly, him and Manning glaring at one another, neither willing to back down...

So who's gonna win that argument? and just what would the team face if they went to Romania?

Please do review, it's so appreciated and I would like to beat my previous review record...so that would be rather amazing :)

I shall be updating soon, as I know there's a couple of reviewers who shall no doubt shout at me for the cliffhanger that I am leaving them with once again :P Always worth the wait though! Not that it's much consolation right now..but it will be worth it :)

Goodnight! and Review!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x