Hello everyone! So glad I was able to get this finished tonight...it's been a busy week as I've now gotten a new laptop, which is pretty amazing, though first I had a rather bad experience with a macbook...ugh. Never again. Not good for writing to me, so I've got a different one now, lovely new laptop ready for this new chapter :)

Been a long week, filled with feeling slightly unwell and exhausted but at least Friday is nearly here and the weekend with it!

Anyway, please enjoy, thankyou!

Music of Inspiration "Still holding out" ~ Can't remember the artist I'm afraid...doesn't say on my iTunes...but this song just seemed to fit the mood while I wrote this chapter :)

As the week quickly went by, Belle found herself under stress again from the impending show that was happening that Tuesday...and due to the Romanian mission that had left her unable to rehearse; she had now been left with two days and was starting to feel the pressure.

'I can't do this...' she sighed into her hands that Monday afternoon, Dale having watched her rehearsals during the day, the way he had seen her dance being more intensive than ever…considering he had only been watching for two hours of it…

It had been early that morning when Belle had come in to begin rehearsals for the show the next day, meaning she had to get up at six am in order to be ready and at the school for seven, most of her fellow performers joining her and their teacher over the next hour in order to practise. Though considering the amount of routines in the show, Belle felt that the rehearsals had gone well so far, with their being a number of up to thirty acts and just over half of them being dance routines. Though being in twelve of them and helping to teach the others that needed some inspiration or the neatening up of ideas, Belle felt physically and mentally unprepared for it, with the over exhaustion of her jetlag still being present in her body. Yet they had worked solidly for five hours, only having a thirty minute break in between when Dale had come in, bringing her something to drink to help keep her going and staying to watch a full run through of the show, without any solo acts. The idea behind it was to see what needed more work from the view of an audience (namely their teacher), so they could work on it further in order to allow the following day for the solo acts and then another two planned run-throughs before the night.

'I feel tired, I'm aching…I just don't think I can do it,' Belle sighed admittedly as she literally sank into the seat beside him, Dale handing her his large hoodie, Belle being grateful of the comforting warmth as she sat back, running a hand through her silky tresses.

'You can do it Belle and you know it. You've done these shows before…'

'Yes…but I've never choreographed half the dances myself and taught them as well as learning my own routines,' she responded wearily. Truth be told, what bothered Belle was not the dances she taught, or the pace the dancers learnt, her patience being an exceptional one. Though with two dance solos where she was required to sing, combined with a lack of time to rehearse alone and the jetlag which had followed her trip to Romania, Belle was visibly exhausted.

Though as Dale went to respond the bell for lunch rang loudly over them, Dale insisting on taking her out for something to eat, picking up on her fatigue as an excuse. 'You're not fainting just because of these rehearsals, so come on, I'll take you to Starbucks for lunch,' he offered, Belle smiling softly as she stood up with him just as the other dancers were being dismissed…

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

Meanwhile, back at Hellboy, Liz and Abe's home, the team were having a quiet morning, Hellboy working out in the gym on a floor beneath Abe's level, while Liz sat with the merman in the library, talking to him about various things including her pregnancy, Belle and the FBI.

'Well I gotta go for another scan soon…should get a picture this time…though I'm sure you could tell me more than any FBI approved doctors.'

'Quite,' Abe nodded, taking a book from one of the many shelves with a slender hand. 'Though I cannot give you a picture like they can…' he noted.

'Yeah…no one seems to know how long my pregnancy will be though cause of how Red grew so quickly…' she remarked, Abe having thought of this previously, and offering her the simplest conclusion.

'It is quite a difficult thing to know, though I would advise you simply let nature take its course,' Abe advised carefully, 'are you feeling well?'

'Yeah, the morning sickness has stopped at least,' Liz noted, 'I'm just getting huge instead,' she added, glancing to the firm bump she hid with a large jumper. 'So what about you Abe? Have you ever thought about kids?' she asked, Abe smiling a little as he sat beside her.

'I suppose, seeing two people go through the stages of becoming parents does make you somewhat thoughtful of the idea, though I believe it may only ever be a thought for myself,' he remarked with a hint of wistfulness in his tone.

'You'll find someone Abe,' Liz said kindly, putting a hand on his. 'You know that right?' she asked, Abe averting her gaze slightly.

'I don't know Liz…I never really thought much about love when I first came to be at the BPRD…I even recall asking Professor Broom how people could understand such feelings of emotion. But all he told me was that love is the one thing we can't understand, he said it just happens when we least expect it. Though I don't think I could find anyone to look at me with love and affection,' he admitted, Liz watching him with a furrowed brow as she made him look at her.

'Listen to me Abe,' she said firmly, 'you will find love and sometimes, yeah, it's hard. Look at me and Red. It took so long for me to understand my feelings, but in the end you realise you can't live your life without them…' she remarked, 'I know you think there's no one out there for you…but did you ever think Nuala may not have been the one…?' she remarked, Abe exhaling deeply, when Liz considered telling him what she had thought for a while. Though as she went to speak again Hellboy came into the room…

'Hey babe, we got any pancake mix in?' he questioned, Liz saying she'd go and check when she turned back to Abe.

'Think about what I said Abe,' she remarked finally, before following Hellboy out and leaving the merman to consider their conversation.

'What was that about?' Hellboy asked, Liz glancing up to him with a smile,

'I'll tell you later, though actually I want to know what you think about something…' she began, Hellboy looking at her with some interest as they went upstairs…

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

Meanwhile back at the school, as Dale dropped Belle off, he then excused himself quickly, saying he'd join her later, leaving Belle to walk back to the music department, her eyes catching sight of a black Aston Martin pulling up opposite the school grounds that she recognised, knowing the FBI had followed them whilst she went for lunch. Though it was as she got into the large performance hall where the other performers were beginning to rehearse some of their chosen pieces, Belle was called aside by her teacher.

'There's someone here to see you,' she told Belle, her teacher pointing toward the back of the hall where Belle recognised a familiar face.

'Adam,' Belle smiled, walking swiftly up to the man that stood watching her with a light smile. Adam had been Belle's former modern dance teacher, his form being tall and lean with darkened hair that was styled back, with his striking eyes observing her as he approached her.

'Hello Belle,' he smiled lightly as Belle hugged him in surprise,

'What are you doing here?'

'Well one, I have a dance class here at four and also I heard that you were here so I thought I'd come and see what one of my favourite old students was up too,' he remarked with a smile. 'Sounds like you've been busy from what your theatre teacher told me…'

'Ah, you know, always busy, we have a show tomorrow night. But right now I'm terrified and convinced something will go wrong,' Belle returned, confiding in the one she knew would understand her nerves.

'Well of all of my students Belle, I know you shouldn't be worrying because I know you learn any routine without problems…you've always been like that. What concerns me is quite plainly that you're exhausted…'

'Well I…'

'Belle, I know you well enough to know what you're like…you strive to do well but you don't want to let others down. Though if you're overtired you'll stress more easily and that could affect your performance.'

'I know,' Belle sighed, 'so much has been going on, I've had no chance to rest and before I knew it, it was Sunday and I realised we had only two days left.'

'Listen to me Belle,' Adam said seriously, 'I want you to go home now and rest today. If you want to sleep that's fine, or if not then just rest and take a break from your routines.'

'But the other dancers-'

'They'll manage. I did speak to your theatre teacher for a short while and she said you led the choreography and pulled it together which isn't easy by any standards. But in the end Belle, all you can do is teach them what you know and unless they need help, give time for your own performances. Are you doing a solo?'

'Two, one of them is "Once Upon a December,"' Belle smiled, seeing the recognition in his blue eyes.

'Well you certainly picked one of your best routines,' Adam noted with a light smile,

'Yeah…the dancing I'm fine with…it's the singing that worries me…'

'Then get yourself home and focus on that for a while, I'm willing to bet you know the dances like the back of your hand…but you're scared to try what you aren't familiar with,' he remarked, 'just have faith.'

So hugging him once more before bidding him goodbye, Belle called after that she expected to see him the following night, Adam making sure to promise her before she left. Though going out into the car park, Belle found something that truly made her cry with surprise and happiness…a beautiful white dog standing with Dale and looking around with his ears pricked when he caught sight of his owner and ran toward her.

'Chance!' she gasped kneeling down and taking the large white Samoyed into her arms as much as she could, Belle receiving a wash from the large dog that threatened to knock her backwards as she ruffled his fur and saw his tail wagging brightly. 'Dale how did you-?'

'I called round to your parents, explained you were feeling down and that I thought a visit from Chance would cheer you up,' he answered, Belle standing up as she threw her arms around him.

'You have no idea how much this means to me,' she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as Chance jumped up at her, still wanting attention from his dearly missed mistress, Belle giving him all the affection he could possibly desire, though she found it much harder to say goodbye when it was time to leave, Belle knowing she couldn't really return to her parent's home...not yet.

'Will you tell them...to bring Chance tomorrow night?' Belle asked finally as she came to leave reluctantly,

'Of course I will,' he nodded, Belle not finding it easy to leave, asking Dale to take Chance first so that she didn't have to look back, though she still found herself upset, it taking a moment, before she gathered herself enough to be escorted home by the FBI...

Though getting home at midday, Belle still found herself worrying over the impending performance, though as she walked down towards her room, finding no one upstairs, Belle could hear the familiar classic music that came from Abe's room, it making her smile as she opened the door.

'Hi,' she called lightly, looking in on Abe and Liz who appeared somewhat surprised to see her.

'I thought you weren't finishing until four?' Liz said in surprise,

'Well that was what I thought but I had instruction to come home and rest as I'm apparently over-worked,' she remarked with a soft smile.

'You look tired,' Liz noted, her deep eyes studying Belle's expression. 'Are you going to lie down?'

'No…I don't sleep all too well in the day, so I'm just going to rest for a couple of hours, then I need to rehearse a little,' she replied, Abe offering for her to join them though it was clear when she sat down with them in the library just how tired she was.

Sitting down on the sofa, Belle quickly curled up, her body seeming to ache with tiredness as she looked through her music and checked her email.

'Want some lunch?' Liz offered, belle looking up with some gratitude,

'Please…' she nodded gratefully. Yet as they were left alone, Belle found her thoughts straying from the lyrics of the songs she had learnt, being captivated by the calm atmosphere that was always present within Abe's room, the library providing her with a feeling of safety and comfort.

'You seem distracted…' a voice noted softly, Belle looking up with a smile to see Abe glancing over at her carefully from the higher level of the library.

'I am I suppose,' she said reflectively, 'I think things have just gotten to me lately…I got to see Chance today and it hurt to leave him again,' she sighed looking down at her laptop with an absent-minded gaze, Abe's head tilting slightly, as he wondered who she meant, though knowing it was a male sent a strange feeling through him.

'Chance?' he repeated, coming down the stairs,

'He's my dog…' she sighed, 'I got him for my eighteenth birthday when he was just a puppy, and I've never spent so long without him…it's just strange,' she admitted sadly, 'I guess that's why I love Hellboy having so many cats…it just takes my mind off the fact I can't have Chance here…' she said though she was feeling herself well up slightly at the thought of her beautiful white dog.

Watching her as she spoke, Abe could feel the emotion radiating from Belle in waves, Abe came to be in front of her, not knowing how exactly to comfort her, it still feeling somewhat awkward as he tried to help her in the way he knew best.

'Don't ever think you'll lose the bond you have Belle, and don't feel like you've done wrong by him, he'll be well looked after at your home…I know your parents wouldn't let him be anything other than happy while you're not there,' he told her in assurance, Belle smiling weakly at him

'Thankyou,' she remarked, Abe looking at her kindly, though she still looked as if she may cry at any moment…

'Maybe you should take a break from things,' Abe offered, coming to sit beside her,

'I can't…I need to get in as much practise as I can,' Belle sighed, 'plus I've been told I have an English essay to write…Sometimes I wonder whether it was a bad idea staying there…' she remarked,

'I think everyone has reasons for the things they do…though if you wanted help with your essay…perhaps…I could help?' he suggested, Belle shaking her head quickly,

'No I couldn't expect you to…'

'I wouldn't mind,' he returned, 'honestly…it's just you seem so tired and if I can be of help…then I will be,' he told her calmly, Belle looking into his eyes and back to her laptop screen as she finally asked,

'What do you know about Of Mice and Men?' Abe smiling as he began to explain his knowledge of the book…

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

As the evening came around Belle had found herself exhausted to the point that by the time she sat down in Abe's room with Liz and Hellboy, she knew she was quite desperate to sleep. So as she curled her legs up on the sofa, sitting beside Abe, with Liz and Hellboy sat in two of the arm chairs, they could tell how weary the clairvoyant was.

'Long day…?'

'Mm…' Belle nodded,

'I told you rehearsing in the gym when you were tired wasn't gonna help,' Hellboy remarked, Belle scowling slightly as she felt Liz's and Abe's eyes on her.

'You said you wouldn't push yourself this afternoon,'

'Well the way I'm feeling right now, I appreciate that I should have listened,' she replied, taking a sip of her drink as she sat back. Though her tired eyes quickly caught sight of what was in a bowl beside Liz, Belle being puzzled by it.

'Is that a Baby Ruth bar in toffee ice-cream?'

'Coffee actually…' Liz answered plainly, '…cravings,' she added at the look on Belle's face,

'Ah…' she nodded, still finding it rather bizarre.

'Interesting that it should be the same candy Red enjoys,' Abe remarked calmly leafing through his book.

'Yeah well, it would be Baby Ruth bars wouldn't it, they'll probably grow up adoring it like HB does,' Liz returned, Belle smiling lightly as she felt her eyes starting to go heavy again whilst the others talked in light conversation.

'You know, you could learn something from Belle…like maybe how to dance?' Liz suggested, Abe chuckling at the idea, Belle also smiling lightly.

'I don't dance babe…'

'Well it's a good job you do some things right,' Liz returned, Hellboy grinning at her as he cupped her face slightly and kissed her. Though as Belle watched them, she had to admit, she felt quite sentimental in seeing the bond and love that they shared. It was very true to say that they had been made for one another, though with this in mind, Belle began to question her own love life, it being something that remained on her mind whilst Hellboy and Liz continued their light hearted banter.

'Abe…' Hellboy said in warning, seeing Belle as she threatened to fall asleep as the others spoke, Abe swiftly leaning forward and catching Belle's glass before it fell from her hand, this bringing her back to semi-consciousness as she looked at Abe.

'Mm…Sorry,' she said sleepily, rubbing an eye slightly, Abe having to admit she looked quite sweet when tired, Belle continuing to apologise quietly though Abe assured her it was okay as she lay her head against the arm rest. Yet as they watched her fall into a deep slumber, it seemed to remind the others of just how late it was getting. Though Abe considered that it would be a shame to disturb her, knowing just how tired she was. Yet he didn't realise that he was the only one with this thought as Hellboy and Liz stood up.

'Well I think Belle's probably right in falling asleep…I could do with a good night's sleep,' Liz noted calmly,

'Yeah…' Hellboy agreed yawning, 'ya might wanna get a duvet for Belle if you're intending to leave her there…or you'll have to carry her,' he remarked, Abe nodding, as he bade them goodnight quietly, still unsure of what to do about the sleeping young lady.

Though as he finally decided it was best to let her sleep, Abe carefully moved the book that was settled on her lap, Belle shifting slightly as she stretched out more over the length of the sofa, her attire still being her daytime clothes of a knee length skirts, with tights and a long sleeved purple jumper. Though as Abe looked over to the unused bed in the corner of his room, another thought came to mind as he went and removed the large duvet off it and carefully draped it over her. Though without dwelling too long, Abe returned to the room his decision in leaving her in his room partly being in his awareness of the nightmares she seemed to experience lately, Hellboy having told him previously. So with this in mind and knowing he could easily comfort her, Abe was about to mount the stairs toward his tank when he heard Belle utter his name in her sleep. 'Abe…' she muttered quietly, the merman turning and expecting her to have awoken, though to his surprise…she was asleep...dreaming of him…the thought making heat rise in his cheeks as he proceeded to go to sleep himself, though the curiosity never left his mind as to what she may be dreaming…

Hmm...so feelings are starting to come through, Belle is very stressed and missing her dog. For those of you who are animal lovers and pet owners like me will know how that feels, I couldn't bear to be without my gorgeous puppy for as long as that...But thats me lol, and of course Hellboy had his moments ;)

Well, please review, I hope you enjoyed, and I look forward to seeing the feedback, it's always so appreciated...

Goodnight!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x