Good evening ladies and gentlemen…I must apologise again for my delayed update, but unfortunately writers block has made things a bit tricky…that and I've had so much going on it's been rather difficult to sit down and sort out this new chapter.

But on a lighter note I've had a massive weight off my shoulders as of the 18th July from passing my driving test which I've been working hard towards this year :) so I'm very happy to have my license and my car all sorted.. It has also inspired me to now find the inspiration to continue with my writing and get back on track and shift this silly writer's block. So thankyou for your patience…as most of my reviewers will know I hate taking longer than a week on updates…so a month doesn't really impress me… -.-

Also a massive thankyou to everyone for the lovely birthday messages, I had a lovely day which was made even more special by my close friends and boyfriend. So it was all in all a lovely day with a few surprises.

But regardless, welcome to this newest chapter, I hope you all enjoy and as an added note this fanfic will now be "M" rated, thankyou and I'm sure a lot of my faithful reviewers will hopefully be happy with this new and very late chapter!

As Liz awakened in the early hours of the morning to the persistent cries of her new-born twins, she wearily pulled herself out of bed. Though after settling the little ones and deciding to go and make up their formula, Liz pulled on a worn but comfortable dressing gown and brushed her hair briefly before going upstairs. Though as she set the brush down on the bedside table, Liz smiled down at her sleeping partner…He provided so much for her. But the feeling of security he gave her meant so much to the pyrokinetic who spent so much of her life in fear of her own capabilities. Yet as she leant over him and kissed his forehead tenderly, she couldn't help but smile at him as she whispered, 'I love you…' in his ear before leaving their bedroom and silently closing the door.

Walking up to the landing and glancing in to see the makeshift beds of their uninvited guests in the living room, Liz breathed a sigh at the soft sounds of them sleeping, nobody else would be awake at this hour…or so she thought.

Waiting wearily in the kitchen for the kettle to boil, Liz closed her eyes for a moment and felt the longing she had to drift off to sleep interrupted by the images of the nightmares that had been plaguing her as of late. Though they had begun to occur before the horrible events the previous day, she felt a cold shiver at the memories she so wished she could forget. Yet the images soon vanished as a voice startled her. 'Making some coffee?' Harold asked calmly, Liz jumping slightly as her eyes were suddenly on him. Though in that moment, Liz dropped the mug she was holding, the fall breaking it into pieces.

'I was, though I generally prefer not being scared to death while I'm doing it,' Liz remarked with a sour tone as she knelt down to pick up the broken parts, it being scattered by her feet.

'I'm sorry,' Harold began, lowering down to her level to help her. 'I didn't mean to-'

'Look just…just stop, okay?' Liz returned, 'I don't know what you want from me. I get that you're worried about Belle and that is probably your reasoning for your behaviour last night. But you aren't the only one,' she remarked, standing up and walking away from him while she got another mug for herself.

'How do you do it?' Harold asked, looking at her inquisitively though she shrugged off his gaze as she turned her back to him.

'Do what? Put up with judgemental people like you?' Liz responded, looking at Belle's father with some frustration.

'How do you live this kind of life?' he rephrased, 'living away in secret…cut off from the freedom that so many have…'

'Sometimes being cut off isn't so bad. After all, you're not judged so much for who you are. Besides, I hardly had "freedom" before this anyway…After all…it's thanks to people like you who brand us all as freaks in the first place. You don't think we're capable of being human. Well we are…and I say that for HB and Abe as well. We've been used to it for so many years, and we've seen how people treat freaks like us,' she remarked coldly, the memories of her life before the bureau being painful to recall as she tried to block it out. Though as Harold watched her intently, he couldn't help but feel some guilt. He knew he wasn't as supportive as he should have been to Belle. He put her on other people instead of being the one to stand in front of her and protect her himself. Her own father.

'I'm sorry…I never intended to cause offence…I just want what's best for my daughter. I've seen your twins…wouldn't you want the same for them?' he offered, Liz shaking her head in exasperation as she turned to look him right in the eye.

'You don't get it do you? You criticised the very people that are trying to keep Belle not just safe. But alive; and for the record, I wouldn't treat anyone that was trying to keep my children safe from harm like they were the same as the dirt on the ground. No matter how different they are. Being unique…it doesn't make you a bad person. But hey; maybe I'm just bias,' she commented dryly, Harold only noticing as she moved into the light, the bruising down the side of her face…

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

'Do you ever consider yourself?' James remarked, amethyst eyes gaining focus as they redirected to meet his gaze. Belle hadn't long since awoken, and upon trying to sit up, she found her body still felt weak, but she was determined not to let it stop her as she propped herself up regardless. Though it hadn't slipped her notice that Abe was no longer beside her, but it was in that moment that she heard a movement and saw James getting up from the sofa and walking over to sit on the edge of the bed that she lay in. Her cousin had watched her for a while, asking her how she felt before breaching the question to her which left Belle somewhat thoughtful as she took a pause before answering.

'I suppose I don't…' she responded finally, James frowning at the response as he took one of her hands in both of his.

'Why? Belle don't you think that we care about you? You are more loved by your family than you seem to realise...your friends... Do you have any idea how worried Dale was? I've never seen him so stressed...'

'I'm not denying it, but you have to remember I love you all too and any danger you're in by being close to me is exactly that...it's my fault. It worries me in ways that you can't imagine...it terrifies me,' Belle admitted honestly, looking into her cousin's blue eyes with as much concern as he showed for her. 'Yesterday I saw firsthand how dangerous my situation is...I'm not just wanted for what I can do...it's who I am. It puts the very essence of everything my life is about in danger and these people will not stop until they find me or have once again lured me into another trap...' she remarked quietly glancing down at her hands. 'I'm just scared for you all when I know that potentially everyone is at risk from simply allowing themselves to be close to me...' Belle offered, looking into James's eyes as he witnessed the fear she felt. But also...the determination.

'I have to fight this with everything I have; no matter the cost. I must do that much.'

'You also have to be willing to let us in,' James countered honestly, 'how can you expect to simply shoulder the weight of all this on your own? I know you Belle...you try and do what's best for everyone, but you have to accept that this time that may not be as easy to accomplish as you thought like it or not, no one will let you go it alone. I don't know what the stakes are...but I'm not letting you do this without any help. I don't expect you to tell me everything...you've had a hard time adjusting to all of this I'm sure...just please don't shut us out.'

It was something Belle longed to hear, but at the same time it was something that frightened her undoubtedly. It was like a nightmare that she couldn't wake up from, the memories she had of the previous day haunting her as she simply yearned to sleep again, simply to escape from it. Yet the one person she craved to hold her in that moment was no longer at her side. As Belle glanced over towards the tank where Abe was seemingly asleep, Belle inwardly sighed…she knew he had undoubtedly needed it, especially in light of his injuries, but he seemed to hold a fear of getting closer too Belle. Something which she failed to understand…and whilst she knew it was something she shouldn't take offence to, she couldn't help but feel just that way. A sense of dejection she failed to hide in her expression though James mistook it.

'It will be okay…' he assured her in a soothing voice, 'I promise…' he offered reassuringly, running the pad of his thumb over Belle's hand. Sighing softly as Belle leant forward into his open arms, he then continued with an honest question. 'You're really fond of the people here…aren't you?' he breathed, Belle smiling softly as she nodded.

'They are like a second family to me, they're kind, protective…and they deserve nothing but gratitude for all they have done,' she responded, her self-assurance in all that she said making him smile as she closed her eyes.

'You always were more independent than your parents liked,' he remarked, 'just don't lose sight of your own safety. For my sake…promise me that much,' he asked. Being slightly surprised at what he asked of her, Belle did not hesitate regardless, offering him both the truth and more so, what he needed to hear.

'Of course, I promise…' she whispered, though as Belle had hoped, sleep came of swift wings to the newly discovered angel, though as Abe had listened silently nearby, his mind awhirl in countless thoughts which continued to run through his mind as he floated quietly, but restlessly.

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

As the hours wore on into the morning, a shadow of grey skies loomed overheard, creating an atmosphere that wasn't welcomed within the BPRD funded home. Yet following the request of Harold Lucivia, the FBI agents remained absent from the house, so that the family could talk with those who assumed responsibility for Belle. Though amidst the tired faces in the room that morning, Belle finally bore witness to the tension between her family, her childhood friend and those she deemed as a second family.

'I just want to know how it came to be that our daughter came to be in such danger…'

'Ya wouldn't believe us even if we told ya,' Hellboy remarked plainly, 'though I'd be careful who ya put the blame on here buddy. We're the good guys. Not that your kind would believe that…'

'Our kind? That has nothing to do with this…and is that a beer?'

'Hey I got a headache alright? Which happened to be from working my ass off to ensure Belle didn't' get killed. So sorry for needing a pick me up, but this is my house, and see as you're in here and ya insisted on bringing that mutt with ya, leave me in peace to drink my beer. I got fifty odd cats shut away cause of that thing,' Hellboy said with a less than humorous tone at having to associate with such irritating people in his mind. Though as Harold went to speak a voice spoke over him;

'Dad please…don't…'

As Belle appeared in the doorway, looking both tired and weary, she quickly glanced from her father to Hellboy before going to stand by the latter. 'This has to stop…'

'Good to see your awake Tinkerbelle,' Hellboy grinned affectionately, putting one arm around Belle's shoulders as she smiled. Though her attention was drawn back to her family as her mother stifled a noise of here at seeing Hellboy raise his arm towards her…

'It's okay,' she soothed, 'I'm fine…really…' she remarked, going to her family as she was embraced in Glenna's waiting arms. Though as her mother cried with relief over her daughter's safety, Abe looked on, resisting his longing to approach her and pull her in his arms. Yet he couldn't bring himself to disturb the moment.

As Belle finally sat down uneasily on the sofa...she purposefully sat in the center and leant her head back, watching with careful eyes as she saw Abe lingering nearby, his eyes catching hers as she made a silent gesture with her eyes for him to sit beside her. Though as he noted, her clairvoyance was something which she seemed to refuse to use. So in finally taking the hint, Abe sat beside Belle, his unconscious movement to lightly brush her hand as he did so showing a secretive touch of affection that Belle found difficult at best. Though she quickly brought her attention to the conversation at hand...

'All I'm saying is, how did our daughter come to be in so much danger?' Harold implored, Liz sighing as she leant back into the sofa, being tired of hearing the same lines over.

'Well it was a long story that I doubt you'd believe if I told ya. But if ya didn't want ya daughter mixing with "freaks," then maybe ya should have read the fine print when you hand over a mind reader to the FBI…' he said plainly, Harold being about to argue back when Abe smoothly intervened.

'Please, for your daughter's sake, let us keep this peaceful…everyone is tired and aggravated this morning…perhaps it would be wise to talk more calmly.'

'But he-'

'Red will remain just as calm, though you may not believe it, he treats Belle like she was a younger sibling to him, and has always protected her with that in mind, I can assure you that,' he returned calmly, holding a hand in a gentle gesture, Glenna looking at him with some curiosity as she seemed to study the way he then leant back beside Belle, his eyes flitting to her face at every slight movement, reassuring himself that she wasn't in any more pain than she let on.

'Anyway, regardless of what ya think of us, I think you'll find Belle will be safer here than anywhere else,' Hellboy continued airily, crushing the now empty beer can simply in his fist, Dale looking up to Hellboy with some disdain.

'You're not the only ones capable of looking after her,' he muttered, Belle sitting up and stopping any further disagreements as she approached them with her own views.

'I can't stay here Red,' Belle remarked, looking to Hellboy who returned it with an expression of confusion.

'Why not? Don't make them feel like ya not welcome…'

'No. That's not it…not at all…it's just…If they have any idea where I am, this will be the first place that they come too. I can't risk that when you have new born twins here. The same goes for returning home…' she said honestly, 'you can argue that I'm wrong and that I should stay…but at least for a few weeks, I'd prefer it if I just stayed clear and ensured that its safe here, especially for the little ones before I return. I know that Liz would be grateful of it if I did…I think we can all agree on one thing, no children should be harmed amidst all of this…and it's not a problem that will be easily resolved. These people are dangerous, malicious and they have an array of their own abilities at hand. We can't just go charging in and hope for the best…We wouldn't even know where to start…' she sighed, the others looking amongst themselves as Belle sat forward glancing down at her hands. 'I know what I am…and I also know that I have to figure everything out about it…I need to know my strengths, my weaknesses…I need to limit them and also keep you all safe. As much as you thought that it was about me. It isn't…the real issue is understanding who of us is at risk.'

Though as Belle was talking; Hellboy leant back against the doorframe, and thought about the fire that coursed through his body when he saw Rasputin again…Kroenen…the man that had murdered his father. Still alive. Still breathing. The hate that he felt angering him as he continued to crush the can in his hand until it was only a fragment of scrap metal. Yet as his fists shook a little, a sound of beads hitting the belt on his leather trousers took his attention, his eyes falling upon his Father's rosary beads as he reached to hold the cross that hung from them in the palm of his hand, its place being almost identical to the remnant of the scar from where it had burned his bare skin four years ago.

'Then what do you propose?' James offered finally, Hellboy focusing once again on the conversation as Belle put her idea across.

'I think it would be best if I stayed with someone I know that can both help me, and where I should be safe for at least a few weeks to rest and get myself more prepared for whatever happens next…' Belle answered, 'namely, I think it's best if I go and stay with my Uncle…Adam…'

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

After a long day of discussing their options and concluding at best that Belle was right, at least for the time being, the clairvoyant returned to her room, requesting a little privacy following her exhaustion. It had been a hard couple of days and at best she was feeling run down, but also vulnerable in her emotions. Looking outside of her window as she entered her room, Belle could see the darkness that came early that night and with it, the heavy rain that fell against the windows in a steady downpour. Though as Belle leant back against her bedroom door, she couldn't help but feel

As Belle glanced down to her bedside table, her eyes fell upon something that had been lay there since Christmas…untouched…and more importantly unopened. Picking the letter up nimbly with her hands, Belle was startled by a harsh lightning strike outside, the newly discovered angel stifling a gasp. With the impending storm beating heavily outside with the sound of rain and hail, Belle felt less than comforted by it. Though as she knelt to the floor to pick up the letter, she didn't move to get up again but stayed just there, her head leaning against the side of the bed as her tired eyes studied it. The way she had poured her heart into every word that she read making her feel so much worse than she had to begin with. She felt like Abe didn't truly understand how she felt; let alone what she craved from him. Love and affection…

It was a difficult time for Belle, the clairvoyant feeling that she were already fighting a losing battle that had barely started, the mere thought unnerving her as she remembered the eyes of the man who wanted her gone. Soulless and empty, with only darkness in their depths…they were void of all mercy…of all pity…the thought of him scaring her, the mere thought of it all bringing her to tears. The thought of going it alone…it was all too much, tears hitting the letter that she held in a shaky hand while the other was gently pressed against her lips as she tried to remain quiet, not wanting anyone to hear her.

Though as Belle soon found, being left alone, was something that wouldn't stay that way for long…

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

As Abe went down to his room that night, he had paused for a moment, looking to the door beside his and breathed more slowly, his heart rate faster than normal, though as he went to continue into his own room, he couldn't help but feel compelled to see if Belle was alright. Though all was silent from within her room… Deciding that it may be best to leave her for a little while, he went into the library, glancing around at the books idly, wondering which he might set up to read for the next day. Though as he came to place them on the stands, the bed in the corner caught his eye…

Walking over and sitting down on the edge of it, his mind went back to carrying Belle in there the previous night, how he had fretted so much over her and the way that she showed her need for him to be with her the moment he woke up. The way she had reached out for him, it prompted an involuntary movement as his hand reached up, Abe feeling for Belle's aura, the very essence of her, something seeming off as he stood up. He knew something wasn't right with Belle; she'd been so quiet all day, choosing to say very little other than about what she thought should be done next. But what he didn't realise, was just how wistful she felt.

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

Getting out of the shower, Belle had wrapped herself in a dressing gown, her hair having just been dried, though as she put a hand across the mirror to clear it from the mist, she saw in the reflection Abe behind her.

'Belle…' he breathed softly, the clairvoyant turning to look at the merman with some surprise.

'Abe…you startled me, I didn't expect you to come in,' she remarked, Abe going to indicate towards the door as he quickly explained that it was slightly ajar, though his eyes quickly caught sight of hers, even in the dim light of her room, the darkening of their colour with a slightly red hue remained noticeable.

'You've been crying…' he said, concern sweeping over his expression, though Belle brushing it off as nothing, going to walk past him to get something from her wardrobe when Abe stopped her, coming behind her and putting his hands on her shoulders as he gently drew her back towards him. 'Please don't tell me it's nothing…it worries me to see you like this…'

'Does it?' she asked in a quiet voice, Abe being surprised by the way Belle was with him when she turned to look at him. 'I don't know what it is you want from me,' she remarked, dropping her gaze as he looked at her in confusion.

'What do you mean…what I want from you?'

'You just…you act like I'm what you want sometimes, and others it's like you're afraid to be near me,' she said, expressing how she felt and what had been playing on her mind. 'I just don't know what it is that I do wrong.'

'No…please forgive me Belle, it's just not been easy as of late and I'm afraid I am rather, inexperienced,' he began, trying to explain himself, 'I suppose I just sometimes don't know if the way I am with you is right or wrong, it just seems so silly to ask I-'

'I just worry that I'm not good enough to you…that I don't compare…'

'Compare? Belle…what I feel for you…it's so different from what I felt for the Princess…' he remarked, Belle initially seeming to have taken it in a way that his feelings were deeper for the Princess Nuala, though he pulled her in closer to him. 'What I feel for you…I can't describe it, it's like I have a constant want to be near to you, and yet every time that I am I want to be closer to you. It's all so new to me, and it worries me because the more I'm with you…the more I'm afraid of losing you…' he breathed, Belle looking into his eyes when he suddenly pulled her close to him, her head being against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

Listening for a moment Belle put her arms around Abe's torso as she; his breathing was rhythmic and strong as she sighed. 'I'm sorry…'

'Don't be…' he uttered, 'I'm just trying to make sense of it all, everything that I feel, it's like I'm holding you now…but it doesn't feel like your close enough to me,' he remarked, Belle looking up at him wordlessly as her eyes fell upon his lips, Belle's eyelids dropping as she leant up and met his lips with her own in a soft but meaningful kiss that took Abe by surprise. Though as his hands quickly got lost in her length of hair, Belle found herself grasping onto him more tightly, not wanting him to let her go…though for the time being she knew that this was perhaps all that would happen, as he invited her to sleep back in his room, she doubted she would ever properly return to her own, Abe having the same thought in mind, as he considered the possibility that their relationship would take on a much bigger meaning than he had ever known, his desire to hold her so near to him only intensifying with each passing day…

So things are getting more intense, but who else survived the wreckage of the underwater cabin? Lots more to come yet and I promise they will be in a much quicker update.

Thankyou all so much for your patience with me, it has been a hectic couple of months and a lack of inspiration to write has been horrible for me to say the least as the first proper bout of writers block in a good couple of years. But again, thankyou to all my reviewers 212 is just amazing and I can't thankyou enough, I always enjoy reading each and every one of them, so thankyou to those who take the time to review and those who add me to your story alerts, favourite stories, favourite author and author alert. Its so incredible, so thankyou!

Goodnight!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x