A/N: Hadn't planned to do this, but I'm throwing in a second chapter with Belle's POV on the Beast. I hope this helps explain her impression of the Beast and why she chose to stay. Let me know what you think!

When she laid eyes upon him for the first time, it was not his animalistic appearance that had caused Belle to gasp.

It was his human eyes.

Yes, he was beastly — covered in a thick mane of hair with ghastly fangs and large horns atop his head. It was enough to frighten anyone, and had no doubt terrified her father. But beneath that, his shocking blue eyes were wretched with immense pain, desperation, and self-loathing. His intense gaze caused Belle's heart to ache in her chest, and suddenly, she was no longer afraid. Somehow, those raw human emotions radiating out of him eased her fears. They gave her the strength to be brave.

It broke her heart to leave her father. He was the only home she had ever known. But she knew that she could not let him suffer whatever harsh punishment the Beast had planned. Maurice was old, and sick, and frail. He needed to go back to the village where he was safe. Belle thought about the stories she had read, about heroes embarking on great adventures. Was this the beginning of her own adventure? Was this what it was to be a hero?

Before she could lose her nerve, Belle took his place, allowing her father to be set free.

She remained for hours locked in her new bedroom, crying until her tears had gone dry. As she tried to sleep, those blue eyes haunted her. The Beast was predatory and intimidating; he was cold and heartless and angry. But those human eyes were afraid. They seemed to scream for help, calling to her, begging her to save him.

She was the one being held captive — why would her captor be the one in need of saving?

Belle tried to stay brave. She met the enchanted servants of the castle, who were friendly and welcoming. She was in awe of the humanized objects that served and entertained her, and was immensely grateful for their kindness. Her curiosity grew the more she learned about the mysterious castle. They all seemed to care about the Master of the house, and encouraged her to give him a chance. If this human Beast really did want her help, then she needed to find out as much as she could in order to help him. Besides, her prison sentence was forever — best she learn everything there was to know about her new home.

So she went straight to the forbidden West Wing, to figure out just what secrets this magical place was hiding.

But then he appeared out of nowhere; the Beast, raging angrily, his voice roaring monstrously. Whatever humanity Belle had thought she'd seen in those blue eyes seemed to disappear, and she lost her courage.

She ran.

Belle could have given up on him. She could have left him among the wolves, and run home to her father. The Beast was in no condition to chase after her now, or prevent her from escaping. She could have been selfish, and left him to his misery.

But he had saved her life, and his actions had given Belle hope. His blue eyes looked human again, full of sadness and heartache. They called to her, desperately, begging for forgiveness. There was something so raw and open about him, a kind of honesty that she had never seen from any man. And Belle knew that she had to stay. Not because he had imprisoned her, but because whoever this human Beast was, he needed her. He was afraid, and he was alone, and he needed her.

Belle knew all about loneliness. She had been a misfit her whole life, never able to find a true friend in the world. Aside from her father, no one had ever needed her.

She chose to stay. After he saved her from the wolves, she owed it to him to give him a second chance. Oddly, though, a part of her wanted to stay. More than ever, she wanted to know what had happened that caused this person to suffer so deeply. For the first time in her life, she did not feel like a misfit at all. She did not feel so alone.

Maybe Belle had been brought to this castle for a reason. Maybe, just maybe, she had needed him, too.

A/N: Please remember to review if you liked it!