Disclaimer: I do not own DEBS or any of the characters used from the movie. They belong to Angela Robinson. This disclaimer applies to all chapters in this story.

Chapter 2-edited 6/3/18

Back to present - Paris, France

Several rings from the office phone brought Lucy out of her deep thoughts.

"…yes…I didn't forget…uh huh…see you there."

Wiping a tear away from the corner of her eyes, she took a look at herself in the mirror before heading out the door.

Café de Paris

Outside the restaurant called Cafe de Paris, located in the center of Paris near the La Seine, several round tables and seats were placed along the side where customers can enjoy traditional or American meals while watching the world go by. Lucy has been here before many times with Scud and both are familiar with the staffs and owner but this young pretty waitress who is walking towards them is one they have never seen before.

"Would you like to try today's lunch special? It's Escargots à la Bourguignonne."

Slimy, squirmy slugs in a shell drowned in butter on a plate...yuck...Scud tried it once and couldn't taste anything but butter and couldn't get himself to try another. Having lived in Paris for 2 years, he still couldn't understand how people can consider them as delicacies. So he ordered himself a medium well-done steak with mushroom and a dry martini.

"I'll have the usual and a peach smoothie."

"...the usual?..."

Lucy might not have been waited on by this waitress before but she expected her to know what she was referring to because a moment ago, she noticed 2 familiar waitresses were talking to her as if they were instructing her what to do and what to expect. But it seems that she wasn't told. After giving her the order, Lucy propped her chin in the palm of her right hand while leaning her elbow on the table. Her head turned slightly to the left, her eyes stared blankly at nothing, lost in her own thoughts.

Having been Lucy's right hand man for more than a decade, Scud noticed this look and glued his eyes on her without saying a word.

It was an explosion on the plane that killed her blonde lover. That day, Amy was on the flight back to Barcelona. Last words heard from her were "I'll see you in about 2 hours. Love ya…" But her promise was never kept.

The airline stated it was an accident. They said a flock of birds had flown into the plane's engine causing the engine to malfunction and ultimately led to an explosion in the air. Two hundred passengers died along with Amy's classmates. After the incident was broadcasted around the world, Lucy and Scud took the next available flight to Paris which was the most agonizing 2 hour trip she had ever taken, just sitting, waiting, and praying.

After Amy's death, Lucy drowned her sorrows in alcohol. Each night when she came home drunk, Scud comforted her, cried with her, and pleaded with her to stop but all attempts failed until one day her continuous drinking landed her a visit to the emergency room. After that night of near-death experience, having seen Scud in tears, Lucy found the strength to live on and decided to settle in Paris, France with their new identities: Keira Holmes and Scott Watson.

"What's wrong?" Scud decided to ask after 5 minutes of silence.

"...Nothing..."

"Peach smoothie? Did the doctor say the problem is back?"

"No, Scud. My liver's fine. I haven't had alcohol since…You see. I'm in great shape." Lucy said while flexing her biceps. "I'm in better shape than you are."

Even though it's true, she does look better than him but he knew better. "Then what is it?"

Lucy had thoughts about Amy again. If she told Scud, she would get another long lecture from him. So she decided to hide the truth. She couldn't tell him what she was thinking. She couldn't tell him that she didn't believe that Amy's dead. There is something inside of her, something she can't explain, something that makes her feel that Amy is still alive. Is it all in her mind? Is she in a state of denial? If she told him about this, no doubt Scud would send her to see a shrink.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about the meetings tomorrow."

It has been about 3 years now since they quit their criminal life. With the increasing crimes in US, they were no longer on the list of America's most wanted. Scud learned that the DEBS had stopped looking for them because they didn't have enough resources. With the current deficit crisis in US, they are surprised that the D.E.B.S organization still exists. After settling in Paris, it was his idea to open a business specializing in security surveillance systems, gaming and security software. After all, these are his interests and "the God of Bingo" wants to do what he loves.

Paris may be known as "The City of Love", but like any large city, it has its fair share of crimes: petty theft, kidnapping, burglaries, etc. Opening a company that sells security surveillance systems is definitely one of Scud's best ideas. Their company may be small but is doing well and with other investments on the side, they're living in a "carefree" life.

"Take it easy. I'm going to be there."

Without Scud, she's not sure if she would still be here.

"How about a blind date?" Scud asked out of the blue and noticed Lucy didn't like what he said by the glare she is giving him. "Come on, Luce. It's been 2 years. You have to get out there." He paused, his eyes rolled up as a brief moment of deja vu crossed his mind.

"I am out there and you know what happened to my last blind date."

"She's gorgeous, Luce...and you're not going to know if you don't give it another try."

"Yes, Scud. She is gorgeous. But there were no 'sparks'. I felt like..like she's my sister."

"you don't have a sister. So how would you know what having a sister would be like?"

"I have you. You're like my brother and I don't want to kiss you. That's how I felt with her. I don't want to kiss her. Comprendre." Lucy said calmly while shivering at the thought and leaned back with her arms crossed. Kissing the gorgeous woman definitely would not be worse than kissing Scud but she had to make it sound like it is so he would stop lecturing her about dating.

"Excuses, excuses." Scud rolled his eyes again, letting Lucy know that he didn't buy it but decided not to continue with the topic. There will be other opportunities. Besides, with other guests being seated at the table behind them, this isn't the right time.

About 15 minutes later, their orders were brought to them and 2 drinks were placed on the table.

"...and an extra napkin for you. If you need anything, please let me know. My name is Alexis."

Lucy didn't need anything else nor did Scud who wore the same expression as hers; confused. After the waitress left, their eyes, at the same time changed direction towards the extra napkin that was placed in front of her. Lucy flipped it and showed it to Scud who instantly dropped his jaws, wider than hers.

"Next time, I'm going to order a peach smoothie." Scud smiled while wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

Scud didn't want to talk about business nor did Lucy. What he wants to talk about is the waitress whom he noticed has been looking their way every chance she gets.

"What do you think?"

He found the waitress attractive but wasn't sure if Lucy did. Finding a phone# on the napkin could only mean one thing. When each question he asked was ignored, he knew what to do to get her to respond. As he was about to raise his hand to request service, he was a bit startled when Lucy suddenly sprang to her feet.

"Stay here, I'll be right back."

"Wha-what, wait, where are you going?" His question was unanswered as his eyes followed her to the other side of the street. Not just him, his voice and Lucy's actions also caught the attention of a few people nearby until she disappeared from view.

Lucy turned left around the corner, ran several more yards and made a sudden stop. Her eyes searched and scanned everywhere. The streets were filled with cars, scooters, and people. She turned herself around, looked everywhere but could not find what she was looking for. To refocus, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths before opening them again.

After waiting for a few minutes, Scud was relieved to see Lucy walking back to the table. Leaving to avoid talking with the waitress never crossed his mind. Although Lucy once did made excuses to get out of a blind date.

"What happened?"

"...pickpocket..."

"Did you get him?"

"...gave him some money and let him go."

"You did what?"

"He's only 7 years old. What am I supposed to do?" Maybe 14 years would be more believable, but 7 year old is not impossible. After Lucy took a seat, the voice of a man caught their attention. She's not expecting him but isn't surprised to see the owner of the restaurant here either. "Bonjour, Michel."

"This is not about business."

Whether it was for business or not, they were happy to see him because they found him to be a likeable guy. For one thing, they found him easy to talk to, unlike other clients who liked to use words with 4 syllables just to show how intelligent they are. Secondly, Lucy found him to have respect for women. At least, she didn't sense any negativity towards her as Scud's boss. They met Michel Couric, a man with dark hair in his early 40's with the looks of a 35 year old, when he bought security surveillance systems from them for his multiple properties, investment firms and restaurants. They always enjoyed talking with this entrepreneur because not only does he seem to be a down to earth kind of a guy, his vast knowledge on real estate, securities, asset management and investments made every conversation interesting. With the information that they learned from him, they were able to make good judgments on their own investments.

"I'm having a party tonight at the Hotel Ritz Paris. I was wondering if you would be interested."

After hearing the word party, Scud immediately accepted the invitation without hesitation and regretted for doing so because Lucy kicked him in the shin which caused Michel to wonder what was wrong when he yelped.

"Is this a formal party?" Lucy took the hint that he understood why she asked by the way he immediately laughed. It's because she disliked formal gatherings and Michel most likely noticed her absence in many events that she was invited to. After learning that it's a surprise birthday party for his daughter, Lucy saw no reason not to accept the invitation.

Hotel Ritz Paris

Dressed in black flare pants with black v-neck tight top, Lucy stepped out of her black BMW M5. Accompanied by his loyal henchman who wore a black khaki slacks and dark blue shirt, Lucy walked to the entrance of the famous Hôtel Ritz Paris. She has been here before but not inside the banquet hall with the high cathedral ceilings which reminded her of the first time she saw her girlfriend gliding down at the Les Deau Amours.

"All this for a birthday party."

Scud also wasn't expecting this. Guests weren't dressed in tuxedos but some wore suits and others could be seen wearing casual clothing. If not for the numerous kids, balloons and birthday decorations, this room looked more like it's set up for a formal event.

"I'll make sure she gets this." Michel thanked them for the gift before politely excusing himself to meet other guests.

Being early has its advantages. Scud took a seat with a view towards the dance floor. "Well, we can't just sit here. Let's mingle." There are a few familiar faces but Lucy chose not to mingle while Scud walked over to someone he recognized. As the seats in her round table begins to fill up, Lucy decided to head to the open bar and ordered herself a drink to avoid a small talk with the woman sitting next to her since she's not in the mood for small talk or talk about business especially with someone she's not fond of.

On the dance floor are old and young folks dancing to soft rock. The music isn't too loud, so people could have a conversation without yelling over each other. Kids are gathered in another side of the room to be entertained by a magician. What captured a lot of peoples' attention is a little girl about 6 years old dancing with a young pretty woman in a blushed color ruched strapless cationic chiffon dress. Guests gathered around them and clapped as the little girl did her own silly moves. After the music stopped, she clapped along with everyone else for a short moment before spinning herself around and focused on her drink.

A short moment later, hearing someone saying 'Hi', Lucy turned to her right towards the young woman with the medium length auburn brown hair, big dark brown eyes, a dazzling smile with beige lipstick, and a look as confident as Dominique and as beautiful as her lover. Lucy replied with the same.

"You don't recognize me."

Lucy does and acknowledged that she saw her dancing with the little girl just a moment ago.

"Yessss, but that's not what I meant." Seeing those dimples, gorgeous smile with sparkling white teeth, and hypnotizing eyes looking at her, she would've continued looking without moving if those dimples didn't disappear and if the bartender didn't come over at this very moment. "I'll have…what she's having."

Leaving to avoid small talk isn't what Lucy's thinking of. Besides, she would rather talk to her than the woman who is sitting on her table. "I don't think you want what I'm drinking." It's too late since the bartender already left to prepare the drink.

"And why not? You don't think I'm old enough or you don't think I can hold the liquor?"

"No…that's not what I meant." Lucy wasn't expecting that as a response nor was she expecting the young woman to step into her private space and lean her face closer to hers, so close she could smell the perfume.

"I may look young but I can assure you, I am old enough to do a lot of things." She noticed her words succeeded in sending the message because it got those mesmerizing dark brown eyes looking at her and not just her face. If the bartender didn't come at this very moment with her drink, she would've done something else to see if she's right. "There's no vodka in this." She said to the bartender after taking a sip.

"That's right, it's a virgin sea breeze."

With a smile, Lucy shrugged her shoulders towards the young woman who gave her a look of confusion with one eyebrow cocked.