Oops I haven't posted in a while. I meant to update a week or so ago, but it just kept slipping my mind and I'm having a difficult time writing the next couple of chapters. But anyway, the chapter is here now, so all is well again.

Edited: sep 8, 2014

The next day, Remy was up especially early—like six in the morning kind of early. When he exited his room, the living area was empty; Ansa must have still been in bed. Just to make sure, the Cajun crept to her room and opened the door slowly to peek inside. He grinned slightly—actually seeing someone's sleeping place could tell you a lot about a person, he discovered in all his years as a thief. Ansa had the drapes completely drawn, leaving the room almost pitch black. Remy almost didn't see her in the mess of the thick comforter, blanket, and pillows—he could just barely see her auburn hair peeking out. It made him grin widely.

Remy left the room quietly. Once he was back in the living room, he looked around to find some of Ansa's papers scattered across the coffee table and a pen lying on the floor nearby. The woman was definitely neat and organized, but this was one of her little slips, it seemed. Remy enjoyed seeing that, however—he actually quite liked the fact that she was comfortable enough to leave things sitting out without worry.

He considered how strange it was that the kiss didn't change anything. He honestly thought it would make things even more uncomfortable between the two, especially since the kiss was much more than a simple peck. It had been aggressive and needy, but nonetheless fantastic. And somehow, nothing felt strange. If anything, things felt better.

Eventually, Remy came down from his thoughts of the woman just in the other room to focus back on their mission. He knew where to find the files, but the safe was like nothing he had seen before. He didn't know how he'd possibly break into it. And he didn't know when, either. He needed to figure out Boudreaux's schedule and work around it, all the while trying to find a way to open the damned safe. And on top of all this, both the Guilds were on alert, just waiting for him to slip up and get caught. It left him especially uneasy.

After another minute, Remy hurried to his room to get dressed and head out for the day—he'd try to figure out what kind of a safe he was dealing with, and pay Benoit one last visit.

When Remy went back to One Eyed Jack's this time, he chose to ignore the front door, instead opting to climb up the fire escape and enter Benoit's office through his window—this would give him the element of surprise, and show the other man that Remy was being a lot more serious than it first seemed.

Once Remy was at the window, he saw Benoit sitting at his desk, back to the window as he worked. The thief watched him carefully for a few moments before forcing the window open not so gracefully. The other man jumped in his seat and spun around to see what had caused the commotion. Immediately, Remy was on him, staff pressed against Benoit's neck and one foot raised up to sit dangerously close to the businessman's crotch.

"Now, yer gonna cooperate, or I won' hesitate to kill ya." Benoit was glaring, but his fear was completely evident. Remy moved a little closer, "I got a few questions dat you'll be answerin'."

"Ya thin' I got da answers?" Benoit asked.

"If ya don', ya know someone who does." Remy slowly pulled his staff back, eyes carefully watching the other man, "So, wha' Boudreaux's schedule look like fo' the next few days?"

Benoit was glaring again, but eventually he let out a sigh, "He gon' be doin' negotiations wit' da Thieves Guild—dunno when, but he gon' be doin' dat."

Remy continued to watch the man with harsh eyes, "Wha' days?"

"Prolly the resta the week." Benoit shifted in his seat and Remy immediately rose the end of his staff to the man's face, "I shouldn' be givin' you any o' this information—they gon' kill me if they find out."

"Bu' they won' unless ya tell 'em…" Remy replied menacingly, "Wha' kinda safe he use?"

"Ya think I know!?" Benoit began to chuckle mockingly, "Is not my job ta know dat." He let out another laugh, "Whateva it is you tryin' ta get back will prolly be in someone else's hands any day now. Ya not gonna succeed."

Remy glared at the man and took a step closer. Benoit sunk into his seat, but continued to wear a harsh expression, "Look, Benoit, I thought I coul' trust ya when I firs' came back—wha' they do ta put ya 'gainst me?"

"Is my job ta be 'gainst someone whose 'gainst the Guilds, ya know tha'."

"So now ya wan' destroy me jus' like they do—how kind o' ya."

"Look, Gambit, I think it'd be best if ya jus' dropped this befo' somethin' bad happens to ya or yer girl."

"I can't do tha', I've got a contract." Remy took a step back, "Now, I betta be goin'…" the man began to turn around, but swiftly rounded back, his staff colliding with a loud 'crack' against Benoit's skull. He slumped in his seat, unconscious, "Is best ta be cautious…"

Once Remy was back out on the street, he began to consider his options—he needed to get those files, but this safe would prove to be a challenge. And without knowing Boudreaux's exact schedule, the Cajun wasn't sure how easy the mission would be anymore.

After a couple minutes of walking amongst the crowd near Bourbon, Remy began to recall exactly what the safe in Boudreaux's home was like—quite large, a dark metal, and a digital passcode. It was also obvious that there was more than one safety to get past with this one, it wouldn't be so easy.

It was then Remy considered all the locations in New Orleans that had, made, or sold safes. Where would Boudreaux go to get something this high tech? And who else would know how to work them?

Now, it was time to stop by a couple stores and warehouses he knew all too well.

When Ansa awoke to find the hotel suite empty, she had a brief moment of panic—she honest to God hoped Remy didn't go and do something stupid. If he got caught or moved forward without her, then they were both completely screwed.

But then she reasoned with herself; he may have been impulsive, but he was also a quick learning. He wouldn't have gone back to Boudreaux's alone after what had happened two days ago. So, he couldn't be anywhere too significant. Granted, she would have preferred they stayed together since people are searching for Remy, but he wouldn't have gone to continue the mission alone. Right?

Ansa decided it was best for her to stay put—he'd show up again soon enough. She would leave if she knew something was wrong, but she strongly hoped she wouldn't be put in that situation.

About an hour later, Remy returned. He wasn't in any kind of panic, which was a good sign, but it still seemed that he was deep in thought. Ansa watched him carefully as he entered the room and walked through as if he didn't noticed her right away. He paced for a few brief moments before finally settling opposite of her on the couch, though his eyebrows were still knit in consideration.

"Hi to you, too." Ansa said after another minute of silence. Remy looked up at her, allowing his face to drop its confusion, "Where were you?"

"Had a few mo' questions fo' Benoit." He replied as Ansa pulled her legs up onto the couch. She turned so her back was leaning against the armrest and she was facing him, "He wasn' all that 'elpful."

"I would think not." She responded, "Did you get anything else, though?"

"No' much," Remy started. He set his staff to the side so he could remove his coat, "He say Boudreaux is meetin' wit' the Thieves Guild throughout the week, bu' that all I got."

Ansa gave a nod, "So, what are we gonna do?"

"We'll 'ave ta get back in 'is home."

"And what about that safe—didn't you say it was one of the most advanced you've seen?" She raised an eyebrow as she watched Remy carefully.

"I also stopped by a couple o' shops, places I knew quite well when I was in the Guild. I asked 'em 'bout the safe, see if they knew anything 'bout it. They said they'd get back ta me." Remy shuffled around in his seat to relax in a more comfortable position.

"Can we trust 'em?" Ansa asked.

"I 'ope so. They in a similar boat as Benoit, so is difficult to say."

"Let's hope they pull through."

The pair was silent then, staring at each other thoughtfully. It was obvious both were worried about this mission, but what else could be said? There was only so much to be discussed before they said it all.

After a moment, Remy gave a slight grin, "We gon' be waiting 'round for a while—what ya like ta do?"

Again, Ansa rose an eyebrow, "You got something in mind?"

"No' really…" he took a moment to think of options, "I coul' show ya 'round Nawlins a lil mo'—haven't done that since day one."

Ansa considered this before letting out a sigh, "Is that safe? The Guilds are still looking for you."

"Then we be extra cautious." He received a doubtful look from his partner, "We'll stay in dis area and keep our 'eads low. You know ya wanna check the city out."

The agent continued to doubt, but this time she considered the offer. They would be cautious, or so Remy said. And they would most definitely carry weapons. It would be good to fill the empty time, after all.

"Fine, we'll do that." Remy smiled widely and stood, offering his hand to Ansa. Once she set her smaller hand in his, the Cajun nearly tugged her right out of her seat, "Someone's excited…" she muttered.

Before Ansa could stop him, Remy pulled her toward him, planting a brief but firm kiss against her lips. It surprised the agent just a little, though she wouldn't deny she enjoyed the affection. Sure, neither was certain how they would label this relationship, but it seemed that didn't really matter.

When Remy pulled back, he gave her a large grin, "Now go get ready." He took another step back from her.

As Ansa walked away, she kept a calm composure, even gave Remy a flirty smile, but she would never admit that her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest.