A/N: You guys it's been far too long! Forgive me, I'm sorry! I know it's not terribly long… but here is something!

Chapter 9

~: Belle :~

Belle was running. She was. Because he did not expect to see her again.

The thought hurt her heart. He didn't expect to see her again- he was getting rid of her. He was hoping she was going to run. He wanted her to leave.

Did he?

It was such a decision- because she didn't know what to do. She should go back to her father's house, go back and live the life she had left behind, but for some reason, everything at home seemed so two dimensional she could barely stand the thought of it. There was more adventure to be had out there, in the world… but she'd never thought she'd have any adventure, any life really without him… he'd become so permanent in such a short amount of time. Maybe because she had promised him forever, and her mind had been so set on that.

Still was so set on that…

She had promised, hadn't she?

She should go back.

But he didn't want her to.

But she had promised.

She hadn't packed a single thing, not that she really owned anything other than two dresses and her cloak… but she had brought a basket to carry the straw home in.

She was still so undecided. She didn't know.

She just didn't know.

She half ran along the road, hoping for something to tell her, let her know what to do.

Because she couldn't decide…

Behind her she heard a carriage- horsemen. She stopped, turned to listen, before skipping to the side, out of the way.

It was an entourage- a fleet of black horses drawing it, moving quickly- with so many horses, they were obviously in a hurry-

So it was a surprise when the carriage stopped next to her, and a woman clad in just as much black leaned out of it.

"Did my carriage splash you?" her voice was concerned and yet she was smiling. And Belle couldn't help but feel wary of her- that was ridiculous for her to assume though. She was just in black- what if she was in mourning and here she was judging her- but the woman still set her teeth on edge.

"Oh no – I'm- I'm fine," Belle replied with a timid smile, casting her gaze down at herself to find her dress and stockings mostly mud free. She turned to leave.

"I'm tired of riding," the woman declared, catching Belle's attention again, "Why don't I stretch my legs and walk with you for a spell?" What could Belle do but accept? This woman was obviously rich, and most likely of royal blood with so many men to escort her. She couldn't refuse. Belle couldn't think of a single thing to say to her as the woman in black started to walk with her, putting up a lavish umbrella to hide her pale skin from the sun. She was very pretty, Belle thought, dark lips, beautifully featured, but there was something about her eyes… "You carry very little," the woman said blatantly, startling Belle away from her contemplation.

"Oh I –uh- don't want to be slowed down," Belle offered, focusing on the road ahead of her.

"Ah, you're running from someone," and Belle couldn't help but wince at the words. She was running from him. "The question is master or lover?" Belle looked away. How had she known-? "Ah, master AND lover," smiled the woman, and Belle couldn't help but feel a spike of anger towards this woman. She bit her lip to keep from saying anything rash.

Belle slowed to a stop, "I might take a rest you- You go on ahead."

The woman wrapped an arm around her shoulder, making her walk along. Belle was astounded, but the woman continued, "So if I'm right you love your employer, but you're leaving him."

Oh she didn't know- she didn't know if she was leaving him, "I might love him- I mean I could except, something evil has taken root in him." Saying the words aloud made it real. She could love him… except he was dark, wrong. Just like this woman-

"Sounds like a curse to me." A curse? She might have suspected, but, "And all curses can be broken. A kiss born of true love will do it." Belle paused- a kiss? "Uh child no," continued the woman, "I would never suggest a young woman to kiss a man who held her captive hm. What kind of message is that?"

Belle was still trying to process, "Right."

"Besides, if he loves you he would let you go," the woman told her languidly, "and if he doesn't love you, well then, the kiss won't even work."

"Well he- he did let me go," Belle said with a half smile- hope rising in her heart. Had it been love instead of annoyance for him to grant her freedom? He loved her? And love- love would break his curse?

"Yes, but no kiss happened," the woman reminded her, stopping.

"And a kiss? A kiss is enough? He'd be a man again?" he would no longer be- evil?

The woman bent to look her in the eye, "An ordinary man." Belle paused, looking at her amazement. She had been her answer. This woman had let her know- and now she knew what to do. She would- she was going to kiss him, and then he, and then they-

"True love's kiss will break any curse," smiled the woman.

And even though this woman had been her answer to her problems, Belle couldn't help but not like her smile, the triumphant look in her eye.