Chapter 1

Evermore

"NO!" Belle cried out as she stood in the doorway of the Beast's lair. He turned his head, unable to believe what he'd just heard. He hopped to another tower roof and hid on the other side so Gaston couldn't see; so he could get a better view. There she was…her lovely hair and dress blowing in the wind!

"Belle!" The Beast called out in joy, "you came back!" Belle smiled at him.

"Hang on, I'm coming!"

"No, it's too far!" Belle protested, but the Beast wouldn't hear of it. He hopped from tower to tower; anxious to reach the woman he loved. Neither of them noticed Gaston lurking nearby on another ledge close to Belle, watching and waiting. The Beast took a giant leap and grabbed the edge but slipped.

Belle shrieked, afraid he was going to fall to his death. But then he hopped up, stood there, tall, out of breath, but relieved and proud. Belle's chest swelled with warmth. He'd made it and he was okay. They smiled at each other, gazing into each other's eyes.

There was another loud blast. The Beast fell to his knees gripping his arm where the pain was. Belle jumped in surprise. He'd been shot...again! He stumbled back and Belle rushed to his side trying to help him to his feet getting him to safety.

Gaston sneered, aimed his blunderbuss once more, and happily preparing to release the final kill shot. Belle looked back and her heart lurched as she saw that horrid, greedy, maniacal gleam in his eyes. She had to do something!

"Gaston, no!" She yelled and threw herself onto the back of her dear Beast, clutching him...just as Gaston pulled the trigger!

It all happened so fast, yet at the same time, it was in slow motion. The Beast heard an ear-splitting explosion behind him, another gunshot, and yet this one was different. It was louder than any of the others he had heard when Gaston had fired at him. It made his ears ring and made him feel dizzy. But the hot pain from a new bullet didn't come. The Beast turned on his side and looked. That's when the weight of the world tumbled onto him.

'It couldn't be! It couldn't! No!' The Beast was mortified and all his insides felt as if he was being sliced with a thousand sharp knives! Belle was on the ground, lying on her side. Her whole bodice was...no! No! Not Belle! Her whole front and back was bathed in blood!

"Belle!" The Beast cried out in agony; his blue eyes pained with terror. He quickly crouched over to his beloved one's side. This couldn't be real! It had to be a nightmare; one that he just couldn't shake himself awake from. The Beast leaned down with his face close to Belle's. She was ghost white. The Beast's heart tightened and touched her shoulder with his large paw.

"B-Belle?" He whimpered; she moaned. The Beast ever so gently pulled her close to him and cradled her in his strong arms. Her whole front was a mess. The Beast's throat felt like it was closing up. He sniffled and tenderly stroked Belle's hair.

"Belle..." he tried to speak. "Belle, it's all right. I'm right here!" She didn't respond. "Belle, speak to me!" The Beast wailed painfully. Belle slowly opened her beautiful eyes and the Beast sighed heavily.

"It's all right, I'm here with you. I've got you." He smiled. Belle faintly smiled back and reached up to run her hand over his beard. He clutched her hand and warmly kissed it. Belle gazed at him lovingly. "Y-you came back." The Beast murmured.

"Of...of course I came back," Belle managed to say between a sharp breath. "If...if only I'd..." She drew in a sharp breath.

"Shh...shh, don't strain yourself." The Beast whispered, stroking her face. She clutched his loving paw. "We're together now, and I'll take care of you. I'll keep you safe, I promise." He said hopefully. Belle's quivering body slowly began to slump, which filled the Beast's heart with fear. "Belle?" He asked, letting the unashamed tears fill his eyes as he watched the one he cared about more than anything in the world suffering so.

"I'm so glad you're safe." Belle said wistfully. The Beast cringed in shame: if only he could say the same for her! If there was anything, anything he could do to take back the bullet that had been meant for him, anything to cleanse away the blood that marred his love's fair appearance, any way that he could pull the pain out of her and bear it in himself, he would!

"If only I could do the same for you!" The Beast whimpered.

"You are." Belle said. Gentle tears filled her eyes as she saw the deep anguish in his face, which hurt more than the intense pain in her side. "We're together, that's all that matters." The Beast didn't want to believe it, but he could see and feel that Belle's shallow breathing was becoming slower and slower. He pulled her tighter to himself, hoping against hope, wishing to the heavens and back that he could delay, no…stop, what he knew was coming. This wasn't supposed to happen, but it was; faster than anything he could control, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

His bones felt as if they were going to crack. The only thing he could possibly do was to hold his dear girl close and not lose a moment of the few remaining he had with her. He hated seeing her like this, and half-wished it would be over with so that she wouldn't suffer anymore. But deep in his heart, he dreaded every passing second drawing closer to the end of her slipping away then she'd be gone...forever!

"You saved my life, Belle." He said in a broken voice. "I don't just mean this. I mean...everything." Belle caressed his arm. "And I...I just want you to know that...I...I...I love you!" He said passionately. Belle closed her eyes as more tears slipped down her cheeks. She lay like that in his arms for a moment.

'No! No! Don't go, Belle! Not yet...please! Wait! Just hang on a little longer!' The Beast's mind raced as he felt paralyzed with terror. He didn't care anymore about that wretched, enchanted torment that sat on the table only a couple yards behind him. If Belle were to live, he would no longer care about what would happen to him!

If Belle was with him and could love him…he would remain a beast forever. He wouldn't give it a second thought...as long as they were together! His heart screeched that she would be all right, but his brain told him it wouldn't be so.

"Belle, did you hear me?" The Beast sobbed. "I love you!" Belle gazed up at him sadly. She tried to reach up and wipe the tears running down his face.

"I'm very sorry...my love..." Belle murmured sadly. "I hate to leave you...but..." The Beast felt sick, and like he'd been thrown into an icy river. He stiffened and his heart felt as if someone was slicing it in two.

"No don't talk like that!" He exclaimed. "We're together, Belle. Everything will be all right. I'll...I'll take care of you...I'll..." He was choking on the words. Belle gripped his paw.

"No, my love." She said quietly. It pained her so to see the heartache in his blue eyes. If only she could do something to remove it. "This is for the best, really. I'm grateful for the time we had together."

"Belle...don't go!" The Beast pleaded, even though he knew nothing could change it. "Please...who, who am I going to read books with? Who will I..." He gulped hard and gazed deeply into her eyes. 'Who will I pick roses for?' She was going to leave him and there was nothing he could do to bring her back. "If only I had been able to...oh, Belle." The Beast wept. "I...I can't live without you!"

"Sh." Belle shushed gently and stroked his furry face with her free hand. The Beast clasped her tighter to himself. "Don't be afraid." Belle said. "You won't be without me. You'll always have this place, and the wonderful memories we've made here. It wasn't all for nothing." Belle had to stop and find her breath and the Beast cried harder. It was very near the end, he could tell. He firmly hugged her tighter and his own heartbeat pounded in his ears. He could feel Belle's against his chest, but it was quiet and very slow-paced which made his stomach lurch.

"I'm so sorry." Belle continued, but her voice was much quieter now, and slower. "I just wanted you to be safe." The Beast let out a sob, he couldn't hold it in any longer.

"But...you won't be here, with me anymore!" He wailed.

"Yes, I will." Belle nodded. "I'll always be with you. Remember that..." then she sighed contentedly and the Beast shivered, thinking it was the end. Belle clung to him for a moment, looking lovingly into his tear-glistened eyes. "And remember that...I...I love you!" Belle smiled sweetly. And with that, she nestled her head into his chest and slowly closed her eyes. And within a few seconds, everything inside her body closed down.

The Beast was mortified as he felt her life slip away right under his fingers. She slumped and then came the worst of all...her little heart stopped beating. It was small intervals at first, but then it stopped completely, never to return. The Beast looked down at her lifeless form, gazing at her beautiful but now listless face. She was still smiling that sweet smile. The Beast pulled her face close to his and kissed her. She was gone…forever. They would never take a stroll through the gardens together again, never tease the household staff, make jokes, look out at the stars, or...they would never read books together again. That life was over.

The Beast broke into violent sobbing. The light of his life was gone...forever. He'd never get to hear her voice or hold her hand in his paw again. He'd never get to fondly stroke her hair and make her laugh anymore. He was so different for the better, from knowing her, but how could he possibly...how could he carry on...how could he possibly even think of carrying on, without her?

"Ad...adieu, my beautiful Belle..." He wept hard. "Adieu, my beloved one." At that moment behind his back, the last petal on the enchanted rose fell. The Beast took no notice. And on that high tower, he let out a deafening, devastating roar that echoed for miles around.

Agathe, or the Enchantress as she was also known, used her hands to lift up the petals of the rose to which came back to full bloom. The Beast felt the warmth of rays surround him and lift him into the air but he didn't want it to. His body was changing. He could feel it, and within moments, he no longer had claws or paws but hands and feet. His face was no longer filled with fur, but was smooth skin. When the transformation ended, he stared at himself wide-eyed, but with tears.

He knew it couldn't be, but he thought if he just waited a moment, she would be there. The Beast...prince turned and looked, but no...Belle was not standing there, smiling at him and waiting for him. In his mind's eye she was, and he could see her coming to him. But in reality, he sadly looked down at the floor where his loved one's still form lay lifeless. More tears filled his eyes as he slowly approached her. He dropped to his knees and picked Belle up in his arms, cradling her head and stroking her hair. He still couldn't get over how fair and vibrant she still was, even in death, which made it even more painful.

"Belle, it's...it's me." He whispered, and hugged her close.

The light of day now blanketed the castle and all around it. The old and original structures that had been crumbling with every fallen petal of the rose were back in their former sturdy and magnificent glory. The servants, each one of them were transformed into human, each the exact way they had been before the curse had been placed on them. They were overcome with joy and wonder then embraced each other. The villagers slowly approached, memories of this place and its people returning to them, and they fondly greeted these people who had almost been gone for eternity. Mrs. Potts and Chip were reunited with their husband and father. It was a time of unbelievable happiness. Everybody was rejoicing...everybody, except the prince up on the tower.

"We should go and greet our master!" Lumiere announced, taking Plumette's hand. Together, they led the parade of cheering into the castle and up the many flights of stairs. Everybody hurried quickly to the Beast's former lair and rushed in, anxious to see him back as one of them. The terrible and unexpected sight that awaited them stopped everyone in their tracks. They had been expecting a prince standing tall and proud, sharing love with his new princess. What they did find tore at their hearts; the prince was leaning back on his knees on the ground, hovering over Belle, clutching her body to himself…sobbing.

Everyone could see Belle's blood-stained garment, and how unresponsive she was. She was not returning his embrace, but rather just lay in his arms like a limp rag doll. Everyone gaped in horror and the servants rushed to the prince and surrounded him. Mrs. Potts, Plumette, and Madame Garderobe all gasped and cupped their faces with their hands. They had grown to love the dear girl who'd brought so much life back to the castle in such dismal circumstances. What in the world had happened? How could this be? Belle shouldn't be dead. She should've been alive, rejoicing with everyone. How could she possibly be gone?

Cogsworth and Maestro Cadenza stood there, unable to speak. And little Chip clung to his father, hiding his face in his shoulder. Mr. Potts patted his little one's back and felt a lump rise in his throat: he had been one of the very few friends Belle had back in the village. He couldn't imagine what this was going to do to his friend Maurice. What had happened to the poor girl?

Lumiere's face was filled with utter heartache. He slowly approached his master. He felt horrible for him. "Sir...my prince?" Lumiere gulped as tears filled his eyes. "Oh, Master..." he couldn't say anymore as the prince looked up hopelessly at his old friend. He shook his head and nuzzled his lost Belle's soft face.

Holding his beloved's lifeless body protectively in his arms, the heartbroken new prince lifted his shattered blue eyes upward. There he found himself looking into the face of...the enchantress!

"Please for the love of God bring her back!"

Something changed in the Enchantress's face and for a moment, Adam had hoped the she would bring Belle back.

"I am sorry your highness, but I cannot bring back those who have already crossed over."

Trembling, a loud agonized sound passed through his lips. He continued to scream, sob, and defy every deity he'd ever considered existing because no God would ever take Belle away when they had been so close to having it all. No God would snuff out the light of such a wonderful individual. Adam pressed his forehead to Belle's. His tears falling onto her cold cheeks as he pressed kisses to her eyelids, her nose, her mouth. She'd been so warm when they dance together mere hours ago. He let this happen. She'd risked so much for him and he'd let her die.

"Was this your plan Enchantress? To give me the love of my life only to tear her away from me? Somewhere I cannot go!" Adam sobbed.

"No, your highness this was never my plan. My mother was your mother's lady in waiting, and your mother knew my mother had powers. As your mother had lain dying, she begged my mother to save you from your father. So, my mother made a cure that would turn your father into a beast and everyone would forget about your father and you would be safe your highness."

"But my mother died before she could place the curse. When I was grown up, I found the curse. So, I went to the castle to test you, your highness. But by that time, it was too late and I knew that you needed to become the beast and Belle was the only one to break it. But this was never my plan." The Enchantress whispered as she looked at Belle's body for the first time. "But I can give you a second chance with Belle."

"How!" Adam asked miserably.

"By sending you back in time before the curse. You will have until the night I came to the castle to make Belle fall in love with you."

Adam cast his eyes over Belle. Taking as much time as possible; memorizing everything about her.

"How will I know where to find Belle?"

"She was always in Villeneuve. Belle and I grew up together and she was always kind to me. That's how I knew Belle was the one to fall in love with you. She would have seen past your beastly from."

"She did," Adam wished he felt a knife strapped his heart because the love of his life was right within arm's reach, but he had been too selfish to go out and find her.

"I accept, but I must ask one thing of you Enchantress. If I can't get Belle to fall in love with me please do not send Belle to me. Let her be happy and see the world and I will remain a beast forever. And if it does not happen, please leave my staff out of this as they had done nothing wrong."

"As you wish your highness."

The Enchantress raised her hands toward him. Swirls of light came out of her palm and danced around her until they made their own way to him. It was like a warm and comforting embrace he didn't want to let go of. Yet it was a hard tug on his body; he had the sensation of falling.

The love of his life disappeared from his sight. When he landed, he was still in his room, but he saw his former self laying in bed asleep with a woman next to him. Adam knew the woman was maid; but for the life of him, he could not remember her name. He felt sick over how many women he had used for sex.

Adam was so lost in thought that he had not noticed the Enchantress until she was standing next to him. She once more raised her hand and light danced upon his former self and the woman. Suddenly the woman disappeared and his past self's brain floated toward the Enchantress.

"What are you doing? What happen to the woman?" Adam asked terrified.

"She's fine. I sent her back to her room. She will not remember anything that happened tonight. Now as for your past self, I am taking him with me. He will remain under a spell that ensures he will have no idea what is happening. Remember, your highness, you have until the night I appeared at the castle to get Belle to fall in love with you."

With that, the Enchantress disappeared.

Adam was left alone with his thoughts as the sun was rising; his heart was broken as he still felt Belle's lifeless body in his arms. Belle…his Belle…How could he get her to fall in love with him when his former self had caused so much pain? He just hoped apologizing and winning over his people would be a start.