Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the plots I come up with. Everything else belongs to somebody else and I can't be held responsible for any ill effects you might experience from reading my work. Thanks to those who do read and please review.

Questions To Voice

They made a striking trio as they walked down the cobblestone street, a brilliant blue sky above them as they wandered the streets of Rome. The tallest and oldest of the group was a French aristocrat named Florian who hadn't a dime to his name and was currently the "pet" of the infamous phantom thief Noir. Basically he was kept for Noir to torment whenever he pleased as Florian thought of it. The woman of the group was obviously foreign with the look of the middle east in both her face and clothing. Laila was Noir's assistant and though he didn't return her feelings she loved her master more then anything or anyone. Rounding off the unusual group was a small boy, well dressed and with similar coloring to Florian though there was no relation by blood. Florian was simply looking after him until Noel's father returned to take him. Plenty stared at them as they walked along, the two adults weighed down by books while the boy walked between them, a teddy bear tightly in his grasp.

Of all the eyes that passed over them one set stopped and stayed on the group, the sea green eyes going wide with delight as a delighted exclamation passed through her lips. Forgetting all about the person she'd been talking to the young woman turned her back to the person talking to her and picking up her skirts began weaving through the crowd, her eyes never leaving the trio. Once she was close enough to be heard even with the street noises she cupped a hand to her mouth and called out. "Florian!"

Hearing his name Florian turned his head, his companions also looking around to see who had called their friend's name. From the crowd burst out a young woman about Florian's age who rushed forward and straight into Florian's already open arms, the bags of books on the ground. "Christina!" Florian exclaimed in delight, hugging her tight against him as he breathed in the familiar scent of her jasmine perfume. He hadn't seen her in years but he'd know those eyes of hers anywhere. The color of the sea and just as storm when she was mad or excited about something. He hadn't seen her in three years and it felt like decades. Finally drawing back he stared into her familiar face, his eyes taking in the familiar elfin like face, surrounded by chestnut curls that threatened to and were coming out of the pinned bun. She was elegantly dressed but that was to be expected from the daughter of a world famous painter. "What are you doing here?" Florian asked, smiling at her happily, more happily then Noel or Laila had ever seen him which had Laila frowning slightly.

"I should ask you the same question. I'm here to paint, what's your excuse?" Christina shot back, teasingly elbowing him in the side, her grin slowly fading as she reached out to lay a comforting hand on his cheek. "I heard about your mother and your house. I'm so sorry, Florian. I know how close you were, especially after your father died. I asked around but no one seemed to know where exactly you were. I'm glad to see that you're okay."

"I've been everywhere but Paris in the last year." Florian said with a sad smile, the touch comforting and familiar. A memory of another time and place before his life had gone to hell in what still seemed like the blink of an eye. "I'm here with...my employer of sorts. He's researching something he won't tell us about and sent us book hunting." He explained, motioning to the books around him ruefully.

"You've gotten a job then? I guess that's to be expected." Christina said with a look of kind understanding. Florian's mother wouldn't have allowed her son to work while she lived but now that she was dead. Well there was no one but Florian to be appalled at the idea now. "Well I'm just glad to see you looking happy and healthy. Now that we've both been thoroughly rude beyond reproach why don't you introduce me to your friends here." Christina said with a laugh, finally remembering that Florian had been walking with people when she'd practically pounced on him.

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry you two." Florian said as he let Christina go, a sheepish look on his face. "Christina DeChamplaine, this is Laila and Noel."

"Please to meet you both." Christina said with a smile, nodding her head when Laila returned the greeting while Noel simply watched the pretty girl with a shy smile. Bending down so that she was more at the boy's level. "Actually you're in a lot of luck, Noel. I happen to know of the most wonderful chocolate store just a couple of blocks from here. What's say you and I talk these two into going there for some sweets? My treat."

"Oh could we, Florian?" Noel asked as he gazed up at his favorite person after his father. He'd been suffering through Laila's cooking recently before they'd arrived this morning in the city. He was desperate for something tasty for a change.

"Well I don't see why we couldn't make a short stop. What do you think, Laila?" Florian asked, looking over at the girl questioningly since she was the most likely to disagree with the idea. Laila never liked to be away from Noir for very long.

"If it's a quick one." Laila said with a considering look, discretely studying this Christina person. Obviously a woman of means but just how much means? Enough to pay off Florian's debt? As much as she liked Florian...she would like it just as much if he were out of their lives, especially out of Noir's. She'd just have to find out.

"Well then that's settled." Christina said as she reached down and grabbed one of Florian's bags so that she could take his arm. "I can't wait to hear all about your job. You said he's researching something? Are you a clerk of some sort."

"That...is a very long story." Florian said ruefully as they took off walking and as they went Florian gave her some idea of what he'd been through since the last time he'd seen her, trying to make it as appropriate for Noel's ears as possible. Which wasn't an easy task since little about the last year in particular was fit for the ears of a child, even one who'd been exposed to the things Noel had been.

Sitting in a comfy, overstuffed chair Rei Balzac Courland, otherwise known as Noir, sat and tried not to look at the clock. Where the hell were they, he wondered crossly, itching to light up a cigar. Unfortunately that was one of the items he'd sent them out to get. Damn it but he needed those books and he really needed that cigar. Probably window shopping or Florian was just dragging his feet, not wanting to get back before he had to, Noir thought bitterly, his emerald eyes flashing slightly. Since he'd acquired the man a year ago Florian had been nothing but one never ending headache disguised as a beautiful pair of amethyst eyes. It had been those eyes that had caught him and still held him no matter what he tried to tell himself. He loved those eyes as well as the man that possessed them, not that he ever had any intention of telling Florian that. Not that the twit would believe him anyway. Hearing the sound of footsteps in the hallway he gave a grunt of approval when there was a knock on the door. "Enter!" Watching Florian and Laila troop in with his books he noticed that Florian seemed very happy about something while Laila looked out of sorts. The boy Noel was standing in the doorway and he looked really happy as well, probably because he had a bag of chocolates in one hand. "Stopped for some chocolate? Which I no doubt paid for?" Noir said nastily though he really couldn't have cared less.

"Nuh uh. Miss Christina bought them for me." Noel informed him, well aware that Noir was usually all bark and no bite. At least when it came to him.

"And who is Miss Christina?" Noir asked silkily, raising an eyebrow at the boy. Probably some shop keeper who'd taken one look at Noel's cherub good looks and dimples and had to give him candy.

"She's a friend of Florian's." Laila said, sending a look in Florian's direction, who stopped stacking the purchased books on the table to look at Laila questioningly. There was something about the way she'd said friend that made it sound like that hadn't been what she'd meant at all.

"A friend of yours?" Noir repeated, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Florian's face which looked so much more relaxed and happy then usual. Those amethyst eyes were bright and some woman was responsible for it. Barely able to keep his hands from fisting Noir's eyes locked with Florian's with a searching look to them.

"Yes, she and I knew each other three years ago. My grandmama hired Christina's father to paint a family portrait of the Rochefort family. She came along as his assistant." Florian explained, not liking the vibes he was getting from Noir at all. What was going on? Were they really that late getting back?

"So she's as poor as you are?" Noir surmised, a slightly pleased smile crossing his lips.

"On the contrary, she's very well off." Florian corrected, wiping away Noir's grin without even knowing why. "Her father was the second son and so he dedicated himself to his paintings as a way of supporting himself and his family. Unfortunately his older brother was killed in a riding accident a decade ago and her father became a duke who managed to hold onto most of his holdings despite the problems in Paris since he owned estates elsewhere in Europe. He simply painted the portrait as a favor to our family; we've always been close. Christina has her father's skill with the brushes, that's why she's here at the moment. She's traveling around Europe at the moment with her cousin and aunt."

"Is that so." Noir said quietly, a bitter taste rising in the back of his mouth. This Christina, it would appear, was in a position to pay off Florian's debts if she wanted to. The question was, would she? After all it was no small amount that Florian owed him but if she was the daughter of a duke...it was possible.

"Yes, she said she'd drop by tomorrow. She wants to meet you." Florian continued, completely clueless to how churned up and worried Noir was getting. In truth it had never occurred to him to ask Christina for the money to free him from Noir's clutches. For one he knew she didn't have the money herself to do it or if she did it would be a sizable chunk of her assets. No, he couldn't do that to her, to his friend. The second was that the debt really only annoyed him when Noir used it to justify mistreating him. He'd grown to like working with Noir, not that he'd ever admit to it. If you ignored the constant danger and Noir's habit of occasionally making his life a living hell Florian might have even said he enjoyed his present life.

"So you mentioned you situation?"

"Well she wanted to know what I'd been up to since I'd last seen her and I wasn't about to lie to her. She would have known if I was lying anyway. Not a lot gets past her." Florian informed Noir, an affectionate smile crossing his lips. "I think you'll find each other quite interesting."

"And just how close were you and your young lady?" Noir wanted to know, watching Florian intently for any sign that Florian was hiding anything from him.

"How close?" Florian repeated, a look of confusion crossing his features before the light dawned. Scowling at Noir now Florian was not at all amused. "That is none of your business, Noir."

"Oh but it is. After all you're mine now. If she's interested in becoming intimately reacquainted with you then I'm afraid I'll have to object." Was his cool response, his hard eyes hiding the fact that inside he felt like he'd taken a blow to the stomach. If Florian refused to say then that meant there was something there he didn't want to admit to.

Eyes flashing violently Florian set the last pile of books done with a great deal more force then was necessary. "I'm not going to dignify that with an answer. But when she comes you better treat her like the lady she is or so help me I'll show you just how vicious your pet can be." Florian snarled, his eyes going a deep purple as rage flashed in shimmered there before he turned on his heels and taking a confused Noel's hand marched the both of them out of the room. The door slamming behind them Laila remained silent, pretending to sort the books as an excuse to remain behind.

"Damn." Noir cursed under his breath, closing his eyes for a moment as he got ahold of himself. Turning his head to look at Laila he wasn't surprised to see her fiddling with the books, looking for an excuse not to leave. Telling her that her feelings for him could never be returned was pointless since she wouldn't give up on him. "Tell me about this woman." He ordered her, leaning back in his chair, feeling exhausted now.

"Her name is Christina DeChamplaine and she's a year older then Florian. She's a painter and apparently they're quite close, I can't say how close though. She's quite beautiful and she does look to be well off if her purse and clothing is anything to go by." Laila said, trying not to think about why Noir cared who this girl was. He cared because of Florian. Because he was afraid this woman would take Florian away from him. It hurt too much to think about. "She's from France and apparently their families shared neighboring villas in Italy for a time, before the trouble in Paris. She kissed him good bye." She'd kissed him on the cheek but Laila couldn't bring herself to admit that. "She said she'd drop by around two o'clock tomorrow."

Still steaming hours later Florian headed for Noir's study, determined to have it out with the man. Everyone else was in bed but he had no doubt that thief was still awake and plotting lord only knows what. Well whatever Noir was up to he was going to behave like a gentleman in front of Christina and that was that. Standing in front of the door he took a deep, calming breath then quietly opened the door, not bothering to knock. Sensing Noir's location rather then seeing him Florian marched over to the large chair in front of the fireplace, his speech already thoroughly planned out and memorized. Coming to a stop beside the chair he opened his mouth to begin speaking only to close it quickly at the sight in front of him. He was asleep. Breath deep and even the infamous thief sat with his head rested against one side of the chair, his hair drawn back at his neck with a thong, leaving his face unframed for the eyes to roam. He looks so different when he sleeps, Florian thought, bowled over by how young and almost angelic Noir looked when he was fast asleep. A fallen angel anyway, Florian thought with a faint smile as his eyes soaked in the picture Noir made. He'd changed since dinner and was now wearing a pair of white, baggy, silk pants with a black silk, short sleeved top with white embroidery on it. Very Middle East and it suited him to a T. Watching for a moment Florian noticed that the fire wasn't exactly producing enough heat for what Noir was wearing. Frowning slightly Florian turned away and moving over to the fire soon had it blazing brighter with some more wood and kindling that would keep it going for a while. Not all night though, Florian thought, thinking that soon enough it would start dying down again and Noir was a real bastard when he was sick. Chewing absently on his bottom lip Florian scanned the room, his gaze finally landing on an afghan Laila had probably left for Noir who'd been too manly to bother with it. Smirking at the thought Florian walked over to grab it, shaking it out as he went. Standing in front of the chair Florian gave it one last good shake then leaned forward, spreading it out so that it covered Noir from shoulders to just past his knees. It would have to do, Florian thought as he straightened up, only to have Noir shift a moment later, the blanket falling to pool in his lap.

Cursing lightly under his breath Florian reached out and tucked the blanket around Noir's shoulders, hoping that would help it stay put. About to straighten again Florian paused to consider Noir's hair tie. It was probably uncomfortable, especially if Noir shifted his head towards the fire. Reaching out he carefully pulled the leather thong from Noir's hair, the dark brown strands silkily sliding against his fingers. Absently rubbing the strands against his fingers Florian bit back a gasp when Noir's head suddenly shifted to face him though the eyes remained closed. "Noir?" Florian whispered, wondering if he'd been caught in the act.

At the sound of his name on Florian's lips a ghost of a smile crossed Noir's still fast asleep features. "Florian." Noir sighed in sleep, recognizing that voice even in deep slumber. Lifting his head slightly the blanket once again pooled in his lap as he leaned forward to brush his lips against a startled Florian's. Sighing Florian's name once more Noir deepened the kiss, his hands coming up to gently cradled Florian's head as he gently sampled the mouth he'd hungered for for over a year.

Gasping against Noir's lips Florian froze for a moment, unable to process what was happening. It was plain that Noir was still asleep but it was just as obvious that Noir knew exactly who he was kissing. His words of denial died on his lips however as Noir further deepened the kiss, Florian's words of protest turning to encouragement as his senses were enveloped by the sleeping thief. Hands going to brace on Noir's shoulders Florian's eyes drifted close, leaning against Noir as his mouth and body was gently assaulted by the most amazing feelings and sensations. Somewhere in his mind he knew that this was wrong. Socially, politically, religiously, you name it, this was wrong in pretty much every society's books. But at the moment he couldn't think why that was or even that he should care what anymore thought. All that was important now was to feel. Returning the kiss Florian could only think that he didn't want this to ever end. Who had known that Noir, the man responsible for the many lash marks gracing his back could be so very gently. Or give him such pleasure when before it had been pain.

Eyelids slowly fluttering open Noir came out of his catnap slowly, rich, warm sensations flooding through him to a degree he'd never known. Vaguely he was aware of a presence, one he knew to be Florian before his mind acknowledged what his body had known instinctively. Eyes opening his heart leapt as his mind processed the reason his whole body felt on fire and alive in a way it hadn't been in a long time. Feeling Florian's fingers digging into her shoulders, those sweet lips against his was the most heavenly feeling he could remember. Groaning his pleasure Noir deepened the kiss, his eyes still open when Florian's own eyes slowly opened, sensing Noir's penetrating gaze.

Passion filled eyes meeting the two stared at each other, the kiss breaking off as the room filled with the sounds of their harsh breathing. In a daze Florian removed his hands, stumbling back a couple steps as he stared at Noir, his chest heaving as his deep violet eyes tried to figure out what to do. What to say to him. How to explain what he himself couldn't begin to justify or reason out. Not coming up with anything that made even the slightest of sense Florian turned and walked out, not looking back as he quietly shut the door behind him without a word. Rising to his feet Noir watched him go, his emerald green eyes full of passion and questions that would need to be voiced.