Hello ladies and gentlemen! I apologise for the late update, but the past couple of weeks have been very busy.

I hope you all enjoy this new chapter though :) it has come together quite nicely in the past few days, and now is ready for your viewing!

Please review, thankyou!

Sinking back as Belle tried to take in what was said to her; she found herself denying it to be true…

'No…no; that's not possible…I, I can't be an angel…I'm just not…'

'You might not think you hold the qualities my dear, but Belle, the pendant will only shine in that light for you…let me tell you a little about the previous Angel of life…No one ever spoke of her true name, she was simply known as the "Pure Angel." She was kind, powerful and fair with the use of her gifts. But, as the legend goes, if the Angel of Life or Death should vanish or perish, then their powers get passed on. For the Angel of Life…this would have been imprinted on a child of pure soul and aura. Namely you Belle Lucivia...'

'But this is just…I mean…I'm a-'

'Normal girl…?' King Nereus offered. 'Far from it...You are the chosen one…it is you who is destined to make these powers your own…it is what you are meant to be. You harness so much power and it is right at your fingertips…the Angel of Life was a remarkable creature and person. A pure figure that was respected and benevolent in her ways. I see all of who she was in you…I know you're afraid but please…consider what fate has always had planned for you.'

'But…I…I can't. I'm sorry…I'm not who you think I am,' she remarked regretfully, going to leave when the King made her stop.

'I know that you are the only one who can possibly save this world from the demons that this man intends to unleash,' King Nereus remarked, Belle looking back as he continued. 'The world needs balance, if there is no Angel of Life to balance the Angel of Death…then we are already fighting a grave battle…Trust me at least when I say that you have every capability to be the Angel of Life. You just need to have the faith in yourself to accept it. It will not change you like you might think.'

Though as Belle looked up to him, she found herself unable to listen anymore as she apologised and swam from the room, King Nereus making no attempt to follow her as he looked out to the depths of the ocean with a sigh. Trying to change Belle's mind he knew, may not be an easy task.

As Abe awaited her however, he was surprised to see Belle looked so unnerved as she joined him and Kyle. Though her attention was instantly drawn to the merman beside Abe.

'Did you know?' she questioned, with a look in her eyes that made Kyle feel a guilt he didn't expect as he sighed.

'I knew that you were very…intriguing Belle. But I'm afraid I was not permitted to speak under the circumstances as we did not know for sure…'

'Well I suppose you do now…' she remarked softly, though sadness was present in her eyes. 'I shall see you again when the time comes for my form to change back…until then tell King Nereus…that I apologise…'

Watching after her and Abe as they swam for the surface, Kyle sighed openly, and knowing it had not gone well, but he still couldn't help but feel mesmerised by the girl that swam away, her amethyst eyes so striking with so much hidden within their depths…

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

'Belle has been very quiet since she got back,' Liz noted as she sat with Abe in the living room, Hellboy being stood in the door-frame. After her audience with the King, Belle had remained virtually silent upon reaching the surface, the temporary mermaid barely swimming around the tank she was transported in as they returned home, her gaze as distant as her mind. Though this only worried Abe further as he watched her through the journey home. Yet even then; she was barely responsive to Hellboy and Liz, allowing herself to be taken back into the library where, once alone, she finally allowed the tears to flow freely as she took in all that she had been told.

'I know…something was said to her in there with King Nereus but she doesn't want to talk about it,' Abe sighed, 'I do worry for her…I am aware Kyle seemed to know something…but as the King's confidante he couldn't speak without the King's approval.'

'So what happened?' Hellboy asked with slight frustration in his tone, Abe shaking his head as he leant forwards.

'They knew something about Belle we didn't…it's what they've told her that I don't quite know…'

'Quite know?' Liz repeated with a slight frown.

'I think Belle is more…gifted, than we've known…' Abe remarked honestly.

'Well they want Belle for something and I wasn't convinced her mind reading is it…' Hellboy added, Abe looking up to his best friend as he was reminded of Belle's other situation.

'While she is a mermaid, she isn't a clairvoyant, the one thing Belle did say was that her clairvoyance is like a borrowed gift, so by becoming a mermaid which is also in effect a borrowed gift, it was like it reversed with her telepathic powers. Though as it appears, those powers were sealed within a jar which King Nereus gave back to Belle, to open and restore her ability once she regains her human form,' he remarked. Though as Liz and Hellboy exchanged glances, Liz suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen…Her reaction however, thought she tried to cover it got Hellboy's attention in a heartbeat as he was instantly at her side.

'Liz?' he uttered, worry plain in his expression as he watched her face for any sign of pain there. It was so clear when he worried about her, anything that had been said before didn't matter when she needed him. That was all that was needed to erase any rifts or previous disagreements. In the end their love was stronger than most and dealt with both petty arguments and the difficulties faced in their everyday lives. But of course, in seeing his concern and trying to settle herself, Liz tried to convince herself it was nothing.

'Its fine…probably just a cramp or something…' she began, though as Abe knelt easily before her, he rested a hand carefully on her stomach and listened for a moment for the auras within. Feeling their energy and understanding what the sudden pain had meant.

'You're not going into labour…but their movement suggests it may not be long before you do,' Abe remarked carefully. 'Perhaps you should continue to rest? It would be unwise to allow yourself any stress, especially as you seem tired…'

'I was restless last night,' Liz nodded, not disagreeing with Abe in trusting his knowledge and experience with health and the well-being of his friends and colleagues in the FBI.

Though as Liz went to stand, Hellboy stopped her, putting his stone hand carefully beneath her back and using the other to support her legs as he stood up…

'Red there's no need to-'

'Oh I think there is every need woman and you know it, so don't argue with me. You heard Abe; no stress and that's what you're gonna get.'

'Red just put me down…'

'Nah; I don't think I will…Tell Belle we'll be in to see her later,'

'Of course,' Abe nodded, Hellboy going to leave when he suddenly looked back and added.

'Make her smile…okay buddy?' he remarked, Abe looked at him for a moment, words failing him as he finally nodded, Hellboy smiling lightly as he then walked down the corridor with a now subdued Liz in his arms. Though this spoke more than anything she could have said to him, if she'd have fought and acted with her usual feistiness towards him, he wouldn't have known any different, but the silence and her willingness to simply accept it told him just how weary she was.

So as he handled her with care, Abe also left the living room after a few minutes, going to join Belle in his room, though as he found when he entered, Belle was anything but focused.

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

Floating up on the top of the surface, Belle had lay quietly for a while; looking at the necklace that had revealed a secret about herself she had never known. In some ways she looked at it with resentment and in other ways she couldn't bring herself to do so. She just didn't understand it. Why had she been chosen for such a thing? What had happened to the previous Angel of Life for the gifts she had to be passed onto Belle? It just made no sense. Not to her.

Though as Abe came to join Belle, the gentle merman noticed how Belle didn't stir as he entered the library. Looking up to the surface of the tank where Belle floated quietly, Abe took a moment to remove his jacket before coming and sitting at the top of the stairwell.

'Abe…' she breathed softly, finally acknowledging his presence as she was brought out of her reverie.

'You've been so quiet since your meeting with King Nereus…' he offered softly. 'What did he say to you? Did he offend you in some way?'

'No…of course not…but you haven't searched my thoughts for what he said?' Belle asked in mild surprise, Abe shaking his head as he met her gaze evenly.

'Of course I wouldn't have Belle…not to you…' he remarked, Belle looking into his deep blue eyes with sincerity in her own amethyst orbs.

'I'm sorry Abe,' she sighed softly, Abe shaking his head as he came to sit beside her.

'Don't apologise…you have no need to be sorry…I have read people's thoughts before without question or permission. It was often just habit. But with you Belle I find myself not wanting to do that because…I guess it makes me smile to feel that you hold such trust in me to confide anything that you have done…and that I have found it out because you have wanted me to know it.'

Looking at him with surprise in her features, Belle then smiled endearingly as she took Abe's hand in both of hers, her elbows leaning against the edge of the tank. 'Abe…I had no idea…but…King Nereus…what he said…he told me why I'm wanted. It's about who I am…But I can't be what they think I am. I just can't…' she sighed.

'Belle…please…I need to know,' Abe remarked, Belle looking at him as she breathed.

'Can you not feel it from me?'

'It is a difficult thing to ignore…as are you…' he offered in return, a blush appearing quickly in his features at this small burst of confidence, it becoming apparent before it had even started within Belle's rose coloured cheeks. Though as she looked up at him, it was with a weak smile as she finally brought up the courage to tell him what she had been told, her hands unintentionally holding his more tightly for fear he would let go as she finally said,

'Abe…they think that I'm an Angel…the reincarnate of the Angel of Life…'

As Abe fell silent, Belle sat there watching him with baited breath, waiting for him to say something was like torture as she felt a lump becoming present in her throat.

'The Angel of Life…but that's…are they certain?' he finally asked of her, Belle nodding as Abe suddenly got to his feet, Belle reaching out for him when she saw him take an old withered book from its shelf. The spine of it was weak and the cover barely legible from age, though Abe set it down carefully and began to leaf through it.

'Over the years there have been many books that speak of the various angels and archangels. But none go into any form of detail that I have ever found other than this one,' he muttered, Belle not being sure if it were more to himself or her that he was speaking to when he stopped at a page in the very centre of the book.

Turning it around slowly and allowing Belle to look at the pages, she found that most of the written ink had faded with age. Yet the illustration depicted the Angels of Life and Death, both being within the air, a sphere of white light being at the Angel of Life's fingertips whilst the Angel of Death adorned a darker power at his command. Though it was above them that Belle noticed a distinctive symbol, her hand unconsciously reaching out for her necklace as she placed it beside the picture…

'So it is true…' she uttered in disbelief.

'Belle, what is this power wanted for? Did King Nereus tell you?'

'No…he just said that without an Angel of Life there would be no balance in the world…and without balance…we would be fighting a losing battle in effect…'

Watching her expressions as she tried to think, Belle found it hard to believe in what she had been told, though upon reading some of the written detailing of the subject, she found that, if the Angel of Life or Death came to pass…another had to take their place. Though never in history had it been known to happen, meaning that the Angel's had stood the test of time. So what had happened...what happened before her birth that made her susceptible to the powers that the Angel of Life had harnessed?

'Belle…I can tell you that…I know the Angel of Death does exist. Hellboy and Liz have seen the Angel…'

'…and there can be no Angel of Death without an Angel of Life…so it's all true…' she breathed, 'I can't believe it.'

'Don't be afraid…' he offered, Belle looking into his eyes with a need for comfort as he came forward and held her softly in his arms.

'I can't help feeling so scared Abe…I don't know what these people want to do to me…what if I'm not strong enough to handle it?'

It was the first time Abe had ever heard Belle with so much fear in her voice, she had previously been a calm voice of reason, a solid figure who still smiled in light of her situation…and yet…here she was…trembling for fear of what could happen. Though Abe knew she couldn't be gotten to easily…they wouldn't allow it.

'You don't have to be…' he soothed softly, his voice comforting and gentle, 'you know that I will protect you…as will Hellboy and Liz…we're all here…and you're family…your friends…they may not know everything, but they will be there to keep you safe. They will show you just how much you're loved when the time comes. I promise you…I never realised how much I was appreciated by Red and Liz until I lost someone I cared for. They brought me through it and supported me in whatever way they could. Even the members of the BPRD did that…Manning…even though he may not readily admit it, I saw in his mind, the pity. I cannot resent them for that. Everything in life happens to teach us something we needed to learn. But never feel alone or afraid…because you will never be alone. Not as long as I can prevent it.'

Settling back with a sigh, Belle finally sank back in the water, needing the coolness of the element on her neck. Though as she rose back to the surface, Abe offered to do some research on the Angel of Life, Belle only asking that he not tell Liz or Hellboy about what King Nereus had said whilst Liz entered the final trimester of her pregnancy. But as it turned out, there was something else waiting to surprise them…

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

It has been late that afternoon when it had happened, Belle having been swimming lightly around the tank, it being a good exercise for her whilst Abe flicked through endless books, making notes here and there. Though upstairs the door had rang a few times, Abe looking up from his books as Belle paused. Even for Hellboy and Liz who had been sat enjoying some privacy noticed how it continued to ring, but with Belle being caught up within the tank, only Liz was available to answer it. Though the man she found there was no Agent.

'I'm here to see Belle, is she here?' he asked with a frown, Liz looking at him with a puzzled expression when he indicated his head slightly to the Mercedes on the drive. 'That's Belle's car…'

'…and you are?'

'A friend of hers…Dale Blake…'

'Heh. It's alright Liz, this kid has seen me before,' Hellboy remarked, appearing in the doorway beside his girlfriend, Dale flinching slightly at the site of the demon as he looked up to his sanded down horns. 'Got a problem kiddo?'

'I'm not a kid…' he returned finally, meeting Hellboy's gaze who grinned as he leant against the door frame. 'I just want to see Belle…'

'Oh you're welcome too. If you can handle it,' he smirked, Liz looking between Hellboy and Dale when her partner rested a hand on her shoulder.

'Its fine Liz…he's who he says he is. I'll explain later…but I get that he wants to see Belle…after all, his friend hasn't been around for a while…'

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

'I wonder who that was at the door,' Belle mused, coming to the surface and leaning over it as Abe looked up to her with a smile.

'Well considering I didn't hear any swearing or yelling on the big monkey's part I doubt it was Manning,' he offered, Belle laughing, though at that moment Hellboy and Liz walked in.

'Hey Tinkerbelle, ya got a keen visitor here. Wouldn't leave as a matter of fact and well…I thought ya might appreciate his company.'

'Dale…' she breathed in shock as she saw her tall and lean best friend walk in, his dark eyes watching her and being surprised at her form.

'Belle…? What…I mean…'

'It's a long story,' Belle amended quickly, when Dale looked at Abe, his expression saying a few things but none comparing to that in his mind as Abe politely went to excuse himself.

'Wait!' Belle exclaimed, the four of them looking up at her when Belle lowered herself again. 'Dale…this is my friend Abraham Sapien, or Abe, Abe this is Dale…a childhood friend of mine…'

'It is a pleasure to meet you,' Abe nodded courteously, Belle seeing that Dale was finding the situation anything but one that made sense as she called him up to her.

'I've missed you,' she sighed as Dale pulled her up easily into a hug, his strength more so than she thought as she clung to him, Dale not caring how wet she got him. She was safe.

'Belle, what on earth is going on? I haven't heard from you for days and I haven't seen you in weeks…'

'Dale I'm sorry…' she breathed, 'so much has gone on and I was wrong to keep it all from you, but if you have the time now then…I'll explain everything.'

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

'Ya know…you didn't need to leave them alone to talk,' Hellboy commented as he and Abe took a walk outside in the gardens.

'Of course I did…Dale was clearly unnerved by me and whilst he seemed more settled around you it just seemed inappropriate.'

'You need more confidence Abe…ya know that? So what? If they're Belle's friends they should be alright…look how level headed she's been and she's lived with us for nearly half a year.'

'I know Red I just…I don't want to…oh I don't know. Red…can I ask you something?' he remarked, Hellboy turning to look at him as they stood overlooking the atmospheric views.

'Sure?'

'When you began to have feelings for Liz…did you never worry that she may become interested in someone else?'

'Well, yeah Abe, I mean, she could have had someone normal, but…she deserved better than that…and I had to make her see that what she wanted was already right there in front of her. But you're not me Abe…you're who you are…anyway, what's brought all this on? Have you been listening to love CD's again?'

'No Red…'

'Because I told ya, you need to get out more if that's all you're gonna do when you're down-'

'I kissed Belle.'

As Hellboy looked at Abe in disbelief, he went to speak, raising a hand but dropping it slightly.

'What?'

'I…We kissed Red,' he admitted, Hellboy looking speechless for a moment when he clapped his best friend on the back.

'Good on ya buddy,' he grinned. 'Why didn't ya tell me sooner?'

'We had a few things to settle first…' he remarked, 'but we've admitted our feelings for each other…in a sense…'

'"In a sense?" What the hell does that mean?'

'Red she's given me feelings that I can't even begin to describe…there is so much for us…but at the same time, I'm afraid that I'll end up being something she doesn't want. Look at her friend…the way he held her.'

'Abe…I don't think you get this whole relationship concept. You admitted feelings for each other yes?'

'Yes…'

'You have kissed? More than once or just once?'

'More than once…' he admitted, Hellboy nodding in approval before continuing.

'Right. That's not just friends Abe. You have a relationship…Belle is yours and you have to remember that. She is not that kids in there…she doesn't belong to him. She is yours. Belle wouldn't do that to you…and god, I was talking to her yesterday about ya, and ya can see it in her eyes. She thinks the world of ya. Like you do of her...Just trust me on this one buddy…okay?'

Thinking it through quietly, Abe had nodded finally, Hellboy then pressing him for more details, though it was only as they returned into the library that the words really spoke to him. Seeing Belle as she sat with Dale, she turned from the conversation and looked down to them, but her eyes were only focused on Abe's and for that single moment, she just smiled. A smile for him…and it was then he realised that she was not just his…they were each other's…

I couldn't resist a nice ending like that...but of course, what will Belle have to say to Dale and will he find out about her relationship? and just what will Hellboy and Liz make of Belle's dormant gift?

Lots more yet to come! I promise I will update sooner with the next chapter, thankyou again to my ever lovely reviewers who give me constant support and positive reviews. It's always a pleasure to see :)

Thankyou and Goodnight!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x