Beauty and the Doctor (Matt Smith Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

A/N - I promise that story gets going in the next chapter! No appearance from Matt yet, but we're flash-forwarding to the filming of Sherlock.

On her first day of dance therapy, Belle was one of the last ones there. She hadn't meant to be late, but her anxiety had acted up so bad that she didn't even want to go. After a small pep-talk from her therapist, she managed to drag herself there.

"Hello, you must be Belle", the dance instructor said.

Belle shyly nodded.

"Belle!" Madison called.

Belle walked over to her and sat down to start stretching.

"So I meant to ask earlier, but what are you in for?" Madison asked.

Belle was silent, not wanting to answer that question.

"Sorry", Madison said.

"No, it's...fine". "

"Welcome to dance therapy everyone! I'm Candice Redford, your instructor. Today we'll begin with each of you performing a routine. It can be one you know or you can make it up as you go. This is just to show me where we are in terms of abilities", the instructor said, "First up is Belle".

Belle froze on the floor until Madison touched her knee. Belle stood up and walked over to the ballet bar.

Miss Redford pressed play on the CD player and a pop song that Belle didn't recognize started playing. She listened to a few bars before she started dancing.

Dancing was an escape for Belle. When she danced, nothing else existed.

The music stopped and Belle heard clapping. Belle blushed as she rushed to sit down next to Madison.

"Belle, I'd like to see you after", Miss Redford said.

"You were amazing! I've never seen anyone dance like that!" Madison told her.

After the session was over, Belle approached Miss Redford.

"Oh Belle! I just wanted to say that I don't think you should be in this class".

Belle's heart dropped. "Oh..."

"Oh no, dear. I didn't mean it like that. What I meant was, I think you would benefit more from one on one sessions. I think you could be really great if we focused on certain aspects of dance like ballet for instance. Would you like that?"

"Oh yes. More than anything", Belle said eagerly.

"Wonderful. Then I'll see you in this room every afternoon around 3".

"Thank you so much!" Belle said. She couldn't wait to tell Ben.

Belle was in rehab for a little under a year, but in that year her dancing abilities had skyrocketed. On Belle's last day in rehab, Miss Redford found her in her room packing.

"I hate to see you go, but I'm glad you're getting out of this place", she said.

"I'll miss you", Belle told her.

"Oh I'll miss you too, darling. Before you go, there's someone I'd like you to meet".

Belle looked at her confused, but followed her to the dance room.

"Belle, this is Camilla Holiday. She's the director of the London Dance Academy", Miss Redford introduced.

"It's an honor to meet you, ma'am", Belle told her.

"Please, the pleasure's all mine", Camilla said, "I'm here because I'd like to offer you a position as one of our lead dancers".

Belle's heart sped up. "Oh my god".

"Candice has shown me videos of your performances and we would love to have you".

"Yes. Yes, I would be honored".

"As you're still quite young, we'll put you in beginner's classes and you can work your way up".

"Belle, you're quite advanced already, so it would realistically only be for a couple months", Miss Redford assured her.

Belle didn't mind. She didn't want the position given to her anyway. She wanted to work her way up and prove that she deserved to be there.

Of course the little voice in the back of her mind was telling her it was only because Ben was her brother, but she ignored it. She was going to do this without Ben's help.