Then Somebody Bends

Deal With the Devil

The horses move for the exit to the village but Belle pulls up right in front of the other horses. "Stop!" she climbs off the horse and heads to the back of the carriage. "Papa!"

"Oh, Belle!" he smiles. "I thought I'd lost you!"

"Let him out!" Belle pleads with the horse driver. "He's hurt!"

"We can't do that, Miss, but we'll take very good care of him," the man replies.

"My father's not crazy!" Belle insists. "Gaston, tell him!"

Gaston looks at her. "You know how loyal I am to your family, but your father's been making some unbelievable claims."

"It's true, Belle," Monsieur Jean says, stepping forward. "He's been raging about a beast in a castle!"

"I've just come from the castle and there is a beast!" Belle explains.

Gaston shrugs it off. "You'd say anything to set him free," Gaston starts. "Your word is hardly proof!"

Belle thinks for a moment. She knows that if she tells him anything, he'll go and kill him. "You- you can't send your future father-in-law to an asylum, now can you?" She asks.

Everyone seems shocked. "Belle, no!" Maurice pleads.

"What would it say about you if you're too scared to take care of your own father-in-law?" Belle asks.

Gaston smirks. "Are you saying that you'll marry me? And all I have to do is keep your father around?"

Belle looks at her father before glancing back at Gaston. "One more condition. I get one month- one whole month where I can do as I please before I become your wife. And you can never send my father away."

Gaston smiles and turns to the carriage driver. "Sir, release this man. You heard my fiancé."

Gaston helps Maurice from the cart but Maurice rushes forward to Belle. "Belle, please don't do this. I know you. I know you won't be happy with him."

"But if it is what I must do to keep my father, then so be it," Belle tells him. He gently helps her father to their house and Gaston follows her. Before he can get in, she pushes the door shut so just her father is inside. "We made a deal, Gaston. I get one month of freedom left before you take me as your wife. Until that time, you are not welcome in my house if I do not invite you. And you can't try to go back on our deal. Everyone in the village heard what I said and heard you accept me as your fiancé after I said it."

Gaston sighs and looks at her. "One month. We will be wed exactly a month from today."

Gaston walks off and Belle enters her house, kneeling by her father's side. "Don't worry, Papa. I'll have you feeling better in no time." The door opens and closes as someone walks in. "Gaston, leave this house, immediately!" Belle turns to see Pere Robert standing there with a basket. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Pere Robert. I meant no disrespect. I thought-"

He holds up a hand and smiles. "Do not worry, my dear. I'm here to help your father as much as I can. And may I offer you my condolences on your engagement."

Belle smiles and laughs. "Thank you, Pere Robert. And thank you for trying to help my father."

Pere Robert looks at her. "Belle, I won't judge you for your answers, but is there any truth to what he's been saying about a beast?"

Belle nods. "Yes. I actually came from the castle. The beast locked Papa away for taking a rose. I took his place. I came back today because he showed me my father in a mirror and I saw that he was being hurt. He let me go."

Pere Robert nods. "I believe you," he says. "But you mustn't tell anyone about this or they may think you mad." He gently pulls out a rag and sets it on Maurice's head. "Why don't you go get that bag you brought with you. It's still on Phillippe."

She gets up, retrieving the bag quickly and gently spilling the contents onto a nearby table. The mirror and a small teacup come out. "Chip?" she whispers. He looks up at her and is about to speak when she silences him. "Give me a moment. I'm so sorry." Belle stands with Pere Robert as he heads for the door.

"I will be back to check on him in the morning. If he's not any better, I'll send for a doctor," Pere Robert explains.

Belle nods and smiles. "Thank you." Pere Robert nods and takes his leave. Belle turns to Chip. "What are you doing here?" Belle asks, shocked.

"I thought you were just going around the grounds. I don't get to see them much. I'm sorry, Belle. Please don't be mad," Chip explains.

Belle sighs and picks him up. "I'm not mad, but how are you going to get home? I can't take you back."

Maurice startles awake as they talk. "Belle?" he asks.

Belle turns to him, kneeling by his side. "Papa, how are you feeling?"

"Much better now that you are home and safe," Maurice replies. "I just wish you didn't have to give yourself away like that."

"We protect each other," Belle tells her.

"Me too, Belle?" Chip asks. Maurice looks at the cup, startled.

Belle smiles. "Of course, Chip. And I'll find a way to get you home, I promise." She turns to her father and holds Chip up. "Papa, I'd like you to meet Chip. He's a friend that stowed away from the castle. Chip, this is my father, Maurice."

"Nice to meet you, sir," Chip says. He hops over onto Maurice's chest.

"Chip, do you think you could ride in a bag again?" Belle asks. "I could send you on Phillippe, with a letter explaining why I can't come back."

"Why can't you?" Chip asks.

Belle picks him up, hugging him. "If I come back, Gaston will know where you are. I can't put you all in danger just because I want to see you," Belle explains. "Gaston is a hunter, he'll try to kill your master. I can't risk you all like that."

Chip sighs. "Let's do it. I can get the master to send your horse back," Chip says. "I promise."

Belle nods and grabs a piece of paper. She writes and writes until her hand hurts, using page after page to describe what she feels. Finally, she finishes it, tying it up in the and tucking it in a bag. She gently takes Chip and tucks him in the bag as well. "Please be safe," Belle says. She steps outside and ties the bag to the horse before setting Phillippe off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Belle sits in the housetaking care of her father, looking out the window in the direction of thecastle. "I love you, my beast. I'll miss you."