Author's note: I know it's later then I said it would be, but I got caught up. The good news is that the next chapter is finished, and I'm happy to report that it is a long one. If I get reviews then I will post it sooner. On that note, I only own, Cassandra. Everyone else belongs to Doyle. Reviews are wonderful, while flames will be used to make my holiday cookies.

"Reason teaches us to be silent; the heart teaches us to speak."

Jean Paul

Chapter 14

"Who is he?" I asked. "Who is the man you are after?"

It was the next afternoon with Lupin and I on our weekly walk. This time we found ourselves in a church not far away. We were sitting side by side in the back pew. A children's choir was rehashing. Lupin thought that it would be the perfect place to speak freely and I agreed full heartedly.

I believe he wanted reassurance that I would not have Holmes and Ganimard arrest him. I will admit that I also felt at peace somewhat. I did not think he would plan anything here in a public place. However, that did not mean I did not keep my pen knife close at hand. Church or not, I was trained to protect myself at all cost.

"You certainly do not like to wait long."

"No, I do not." I admitted. "Well, who is he?"

He did not answer for a moment. The sound of the choir filled the church. "Have you heard of a man by the name of Jean Dauven?" Lupin asked. I shook my head. "He is what you would call a master blackmailer."

"Why are you after him? This does not seem like something you would do Another thief, yes. An inspector, maybe. A blackmailer, it does not seem like your game."

"Ah you know me?" Lupin asked.

I snorted. "I had to know you, or at least try to understand your mind. It simply does not seem like something that you would do on a whim."

"He has crossed me one too many times. I do not like him in the least."

"You have met him before?" I asked.

"Only for a few moments." Lupin admitted.

"Yet you have such a large interest in him."

"He is in my way. Three houses, and they have had to sell their things that I want. I have work to do, and he is interfering. Normally, it makes the game better, you understand. I will find the object again and think of a new plan. It can make it more interesting. However, now it is just becoming irksome." Lupin explained crossing his leg over the other and folding his arms.

"And here I thought you were doing something right." I said. "Should have known that something was in it for you to benefit from."

"I thought you knew the way my mind worked."

"How can you justify yourself? Why would you stop a man who does evil when you yourself do evil?"

"You would rather allow a man who is destroying people's lives get away whether, then to help me? I am not a perfect man, I will admit that. However I have never done something so evil as that."

"You have killed people."

"Not intently."

I shook my head. "It does not change that they are dead."

"I know that, as I know who they were." Lupin said.

"It does not excuse you for what you did."

"Do you know, Miss Vernet their names? Do you know the way they had died?" Lupin asked.

"No, I do not. Ganimard did not tell me. Since you seem to know everything, why not tell me what you know?"

"Policemen who did not heed my warnings. They got in the way, if they had listened to me, they would have lived. I have never killed because I wanted, it has always been in self defense." Lupin said. "I may steal, Miss Vernet, but I take from those who are not worthy. You have asked me to no deceive you. I must ask that you do not judge me until you know all facts."

"I am sorry." I said after a long silence. "You are right. It is unfair of me to ask you of something without anything from you in return."

Lupin nodded his head slightly and then had the grace to change the subject. "Dauven is a friend of Duke Lescarbot."

I frowned. "By friend do you mean…"

"His latest client? Oui. I just need the Duke to admit it and to tell me where Dauven is. I will be able to handle it from there."

"Can you not learn it yourself?"

"Normally yes." He said. "However, a certain inspector is watching closely. Even sending out a spy would not end in my favor."

"Do you think you can get the duke to confess?" I asked. "If Dauven has something on him, it will be difficult for him to say anything on the matter."

"Yes, it will be difficult. However, with you, it won't be as much."

"I am not in his interest."

"No, you are not." Lupin agreed. "However, you can get him to open up."

"There is one thing you must do."

"And what is that?"

"Create a decoy." I said. "Tell me about a robbery you have planned. I can relay it to Holmes and we share be there."

"One of my men would take the fall. I shall have to pay him extra and see that his family is taken care of." Lupin said thoughtfully.

"You certainly take care of those in our employment." I commented.

Lupin turned and looked at me. "I have no choice. There are times where they must be in jail. Either it is because I need to be or it is because of their foolish mistakes. However, their families will never suffer for it."

I nodded my head and turned back to the choir. "A Robin Hood in the making. I would watch yourself, Lupin. Someone may let it slip that you are far too caring."

He chuckled softly. "You are far too at ease with this arrangement."

"As you said, I like puzzles. No reason to create more conflict when we both know how this will end."

That night, Jess came to my room. "Do you think Lupin will find out the truth? Do you think he might know who you are?" She asked sitting beside me on the bed.

"I do not think he will." I answered putting down my book.

"There is a possibility."

"What bought this on?"

She laid down and stared at me. "I'm worried. He will hurt you if he does find out. Something would go wrong."

"Are you that worried?"

Jess sighed. "I don't know. I just have this bad feeling. Can't really explain what it is."

"I am always in a public place with him."

"It doesn't matter with him. I read the reports too, you know. I'm worried, Cassie."

I sighed and laid on the bed beside her. "To be honest I have a strange feeling about this as well. My heart jumps, my stomach flatters, even my skin tingles in some places. I can't explain this feeling either, Jess."

"That is not what I am feeling at all."

"It comes in different ways."

Jess shook her head and then sat up. "Cassie, it's not that you are having a bad feeling. I know that feeling quite well."

"And your conclusion? Please get to the point, Jess."

"I think you are falling for him."

"Don't be ridiculous." I laughed.

"I'm not. The jumping, the fluttering, and the tingling? Cassandra, that is all I felt when I fell in love with Albert."

I sat up and stared at her. "I'm not falling for him, Jess."

"He makes you laugh."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"He makes you laugh because you banter back and forth. You play off words. You only do that with people who you care about." Jess explained.

"Of course it looks like I care for him. That is the idea is it not?" I asked.

"But-

"Jess, I swear there is nothing between Lupin and I. There is nothing, there cannot be something, and there will be nothing."

"Do you promise not to far for him?"

"I won't fall for him you dolt. There is no chance that I ever will."

A few days later, Grand-mere had a group of people invited to a small garden tea party. I had talked with several other guests and had gone off in search of Lupin. I found him leaning against a tree looking out at the others.

"Are you hiding yourself away already?" I asked him lightly.

He slightly turned his head. "Are you upset you were left to the wolves?"

"Well, since you know I am not fond of any of them...which would explain why we always ran into each other wouldn't it?"

"You are far more clever than I first thought."

"For once I am inclined to agree with you."

"There is much we have in common." Lupin said.

I was looking over at Jess who was laughing with Juliet, but I faced Lupin when he spoke. "Hardly." I said.

"You do not believe me."

"I refuse to make facts that are not there."

He placed his hand over his heart with a grimace. "You wound me."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Your pride could use it. It will not do for your head to grow bigger than what is already/ "

Lupin laughed softly. "Touché."

"Though I admit your wit is your better quality."

He raised his eyebrows. "Not my good looks?"

"That would be questionable." I said hiding a gain.

"How patient has dear Ganimard been?" He asked.

My smile faded and I sighed. "I have never met a more impatient man."

"He is cross with you?"

"Very." I admitted.

"It would be best to stay clear of him."

"You sound to be genuinely concerned. What bought this on?"

"There will be a small break in tonight." Lupin mumbled.

I stared at him in shock. "I do not understand."

"If it is one thing I have learned in the years I have been trying to stay out of the grasp of Justin Ganimard it is that his impatience will be the end of him one day. He will more likely get in your way. Your Mister Holmes will not be pleased and may decide he has had enough. I cannot have you go away now can I? Therefore a break in will be staged."

"Where?" I asked.

"Haven't the foggiest yet."

I frowned. "You should have told me of this before."

"I did not think of it until now." Lupin smirked. "Even I would not have right out tell you a plan, no matter how much you have entranced me."

I snorted. "Dear Lord, enough of the flattery please."

"I would let you get used to the idea before I share anything with you."

"I see. So you trust me, but not completely."

"Never fully trust someone." He said after a comfortable silence. "Even the people you care about the most will do something to break it."

I thought of Holmes for a moment. His faked death was still somewhat a sore subject between us. The old feelings were bought back to the surface and I found myself moving away from Lupin. The comment has bought forth more memories and I was not about to let Lupin notice.

"You seem to know this feeling well enough." I said.

"So it would seem. It appears I am not the only one."

"I do not know what you mean."

"You would not have said anything of it, if you have not felt it yourself."

I went off in search of Holmes. Having relayed the information to him, he grasped my shoulders lightly. "Stay with him, do not lose him for a moment. I will see Ganimard."

"But-

"This is not the time nor the place. Stay here until the party ends. Stay at Lupin's side for as long as you can."

"Yes, sir."

I watched him go and then found Lupin. He looked at me in surprise. "I thought you would have left with him given the opportunity."

"Someone needs to keep an eye on you." I said.

"You are disappointed in being left behind?" Lupin asked.

"What makes you say that?"

"In five minutes met me at the front door."

"What?" I asked in shock.

"You will thank me later for this."

I watched as he retreated inside and stood where I was. What was Lupin planning? I did not understand his reasoning for this. However, Holmes did tell me to stay with him. I made my way to the main hallway and found Lupin waiting near the door. He led me outside and had a cab waiting.

"You know this is kidnapping." I said folding my arms over my chest once we were on our way.

"Ah, but you came willingly." Lupin pointed out.

"You bribed me."

He chuckled and leaned against the seat. "It is not my fault you are such a cat."

We were silent for the rest of the trip until the cab stopped. Lupin helped me out as I looked around. "What are we doing in Rue Scribe?"

"You shall see."

He led me to an alley and stared at the wall for a moment. Then he pushed against a stone and an entrance opened. My eyes widened. "How did you know where the secret entrance was? I have searched for it, I was beginning to believe that it really was only rumors."

He took my hand and pulled me along gently. I followed him. "It was an accident when I found it. Ganimard was pursing after me and I leaned against the mechanism."

It was dark, but Lupin knew where he was going. I found myself clutching his hand tightly as it took me some time until my eyes were used to the darkness. He led us some some stairs and through more tunnels. Finally we stopped and I listened as he used another mechanism. A moment later a door swung open and light shined in.

We walked out and found ourselves in one of the boxes looking out at the stage. The musicians were rehashing. I sat down in one of the chairs and shook my head. "Amazing."

Lupin seated himself next to me. "I have come here on more than one occasion. The orchestra practices at this time before the actors and actresses arrives."

"Another thing for me to add on your list of crimes."

"Which is?"

I turned to him and smiled. "Not paying for a ticket. It's crime, more so in the Paris Garner."

He threw his head back and laughed quietly. "The only law breaking thing I would ever do my time for gladly." He said. "After listening to this talent nothing else really matters."

"Were you ever done there?" I asked. "Were you ever on stage?"

"A short time, there is nothing else that is quite like it." Lupin admitted. "What of you? What do you know of the arts?"

"I have always known the arts. I did not see much of the theatre until I was older. I do play the violin however."

"I would like to hear you play."

I shook my head. "That will not happen. I do not see a reason for it in my role. Speaking of which, when will we see our man?"

"At the end of the week at the dinner Madame Ricco is holding." Lupin answered.

I turned my attention back to the orchestra. I was captured by the music and did not want to stop listening to them. We sat for some time and listened.

"What is your reasoning for this?" I asked as the musicians packed up their things, making room for the actors. "Why did you bring me here?"

"When one has such thoughts I find that the best thing to do is to find a distraction."

"And it works?"

Lupin nodded. "It does. I always find that a place that offers distractions is the best when faced with something difficult.

"As the life you and your mother had after your father left?"

He stood so suddenly the chair knocked over. His eyes burned with anger and then he stormed out of the box. I rushed out after him. "Lupin, wait." I called out. "Lupin."

A moment later, I was slammed against the wall. Lupin grasped my upper arms tightly. I struggled for a moment, before I lifted my knee. He saw this and positioned his body so that the area I was about to attack was replaced with his knee.

"Do not even, Miss Vernet." He threatened softly.

"Get off of me." I ordered.

"Not until you answer my question. How did you know about what happened to my mother?"

"Ganimard give us your file. I found some things there about her."

"Then you know of the way her family treated her when she left my father? You know of her cruel cousins and the way they were slowly destroying her? They had to take everything away from her."

"I did not know."

"How could you know? Tell me was this a part of this little plan you have? Do you think talking about her will make me suddenly fall for you? What game do you think you are playing?"

"I did not mean it like that. It was something that was not in your file completely. I only wanted to know. I am not playing any game with you. I was curious." I admitted softly.

Lupin released me from his hold. My arms were sore where he held me and I had no doubt that there would be bruising. His eyes were cold and he wore a furious look. "Let me guess, you had it all. A family, a nice big house, maybe you were to be married. Yet you gave it all up for adventure. You decided to work for Mister Holmes. Worse comes to worse, you can always go back to it. Shed some tears, get down on your pretty knees and beg your father to forgive you."

"You know nothing of me."

"Don't I?"

"No, you do not." I said coldly. "I was abandoned as a child, no one wanted me."

His eyes softened for a moment. "Your parents?"

"I do not know even their name. There were moments of hardship in my life, not as bad as what you faced. The little comfort you have is at least having a mother and a father. I never knew my own."

"The subject of my mother is very...difficult to speak of. I would prefer if it was never bought to topic again." Lupin said.

I nodded my head and stepped away from him. "Agreed."

"I will take you home."

"No, I will be fine on my own." I said firmly.

"At least let me get you a cab." Lupin offered. "You did not bring any money with you."

I sighed knowing Lupin was right. "Very well."

When I arrived home, Jess ran down to met me. "Holmes is furious with you. Where have you been?"

"I was-

"Cassandra." Holmes greeted cooly opening the door to the study. "We are waiting for you."

I nodded stiffly and walked inside. I explained to Ganimard and Watson what Lupin had told me while at the garden party. Holmes stayed in the back, I knew he was not pleased with me. No doubt I would be talked with later.

"Are you certain he did not give a name or an address?" Ganimard asked.

I sighed. "For the third time, Inspector, no. He gave neither name nor address."

"Did he say anything else that may help?" Watson asked.

"No nothing. I believe that he is more guarded of what I hear. It was an accident of what I heard."

"Are you certain he meant tonight?" The inspector asked.

"He told me that one of the people in the crowd would face that tonight."

"He's playing a game with you." Holmes said. "He is forcing you to face the idea of who he really is."

"I don't like it." Watson admitted. "This could become dangerous."

"By all means it already is."

"Either way he is not willing to give out information." Ganimard said as he leaned against his desk. "Is there nothing else can be done to prove that your loyalty to him?"

Holmes shook his head. "Not without placing herself in a unneeded solution which would endanger her further."

"She knows the risks."

"Which can be avoided. Something that she knows well."

"She-

I stood up. "She can speak for herself. If the time calls for it then I will, not a moment before. When it does, I will be the judge of what needs to be done. Either way it is my choice to make."

Holmes sighed and then nodded his head. "Very well."

"Ganimard, I need you to get me the file on Henriette d'Andresy."

"d'Andresy?" He asked. "Whatever for?"

I shook my head. "I don't know, but I would like it as soon as possible."

"I will get to it as soon as I return to the office." Ganimard said as he stood and left.

"Where did you go off to this afternoon?" Holmes asked. "Have you any idea how worried Grand-mere was?"

"I thought it would be for the best if I kept an eye over Lupin."

"His reason for leaving was what exactly?"

"He wanted to go somewhere for tea."

Holmes snorted. "Did the tea party run out?"

"That was the excuse he gave me." I said.

"And the real reason?"

"He wanted to speak to me of some things." I sighed tiredly. "Holmes, I talked to him about his mother. That is all I will say on the matter."

Later that evening, I was in the library with Lupin's file. I knew he did not what to speak of her, but yet I needed to know. If I was about to place trust in him, I needed to know as much as I was able about it.

I had only skimmed over the things on Henriette before and I see the error I had. Maybe If I had, I would have been more successful. No wonder Lupin had become emotional over what I said. His mother did give up everything for her husband to only leave him and have nothing. Theohpraste Lupin had became a thief and then emigrated to the states. He was not heard from again. He was arrested and then died in jail.

The matter with the cousins were not better. they had hired Henriette as a servant. They did strip her of everything. She died of consumption. I knew that sickness could have been cured early, but her family did not see it. They did not care enough to send for a doctor. Lupin was only twelve when she died.

I leaned my head against the back of the settee and closed my eyes. I was able to picture it. A little boy whose father had left, whom he never heard of again. His mother having to work under a family who despises her. Then to slowly watch as she wasted away unable to do anything. It made sense, it mad sense why he was going after those with so much when he lost everything because of them. I was finding it harder to see Arsene Lupin in such a bad light.

"Cass?"

I looked up and saw Holmes. I held out the file to him. "It seems we may have overlooked some things."

Holmes sat beside me and I leaned into his side. I closed my eyes as I breathed in his scent. The smell of pipe tobacco and tea was calming. Discovering Lupin's past had opened a whirlpool of emotions I was not prepared to handle. As a child, whenever I was upset seeking the comfort of my guardian always helped.

After some minutes, I spoke. "He was innocent. If someone had been there...It is not fair, Holmes."

"It never is, child."

"He turned for a reason. No one helped her and he wants them to pay."

Holmes pulled me away and lifted my chin. I opened my eyes and stared at him. "Is is Cassandra the detective or Cassandra the character who feels this way? Pitying him will not put him away, Cass. You know that."

"He did not know what he was going. he went trough so much."

"Everyone goes through something. It does not excuse them."

"You have let people go away before." I said.

"This is not one of those times."

"How do you know?"

"You simply do, Cassandra."

I sighed and nodded. "I said something that upset Lupin somewhat. It did not damage the relationship we have by much. I did not realize what it was until I looked over information on his mother. How did we not see this before?"

"It was irreverent at the time. Dismissing something that seems so simple does happen. You caught it in time." Holmes said.

Pulling my knees to my chest, I rested my chin in thought. "Ganimard will not understand this. I know it does not excuse Lupin, but someone must at least understand. He watched his mother suffer, Holmes. Anyone would have been corrupted because of that."

"Have you told him that?"

"I doubt he will believe me, Holmes." I said.

"He has thus far."

"How?"

"By making him fall for you. I know this is not always easy for you, but you are doing well."

"This is not easy. I knew it wouldn't be...I did not expect it to be this complicated."

It was more complicated then I had thought. Not only was I lying to Holmes, but there was something else. I could not explain this feeling I had even I was near Lupin. It was unknown, and unusual. At the same time it was not, however, unwelcome.

Holmes pulled something out from his pocket. "Yet you are overcoming it." He gently placed his sister's music box into my hand.

I looked down at the little box. Holmes had tried to give it to me before, but circumstances had changed his mind. The box meant I was gaining his trust. What choice did I have? I knew if I was not careful someone would get hurt in this dangerous game I was playing. I was uncertain to how Lupin would react if I were to suddenly leave. My word would not mean anything to him at that time. I knew what Holmes' reaction would be if I told him the truth. Neither of options were acceptable.

"I have everything handled, Holmes." I promised.

The next morning I woke to Jess pounding on the door. "Cassie, wake up." She called. "There is something you need to see."

I was exhausted from the night before. I had not slept well. Thoughts had been swimming in my mind. I was still uncertain if lying to Holmes about this was the right thing. There was something about Lupin that I still did not understand. If he knew who I was and wanted my help, when why was he acting the way he was?

"Cassie, yeh still can't be sleeping."

I pulled my pillow over my head. "Go away, Jess. It's my one day off."

The door opened and she walked inside. "Believe me you must come and see this." She said opening the window curtains.

"I'm not a vampire. No need for light."

Jess huffed and yanked my blanket and pillow away. "You need to come downstairs."

"Whatever for?"

"A certain French man sent you a forest."

I sat up. "He what?" I exclaimed.

"See it for your self."

I stood up and grabbed my robe. I rushed downstairs. Sure enough a large bouquet of yellow roses were at my place.

"You have quite the admirer in him." Grand-mere said.

"See told yeh it was a forest." Jess said coming up behind me.

"It is something." I admitted.

"Seems Lupin is sorry for what happened." Holmes said from over the newspaper.

I picked up the bouquet and smelled the roses. I looked in and saw a note neatly folded hidden inside. I carefully picked it out without anyone's notice.

"What do yellow roses mean, Grand-mere?" I asked.

"I see you have not kept with your flower study, child." She lightly scolded. "He sends his sorrow for the pain he has caused you."

"What did happen?" Jess asked.

Anne walked past and I handed her the flowers. "A misunderstanding of sorts." I answered.

"Must have been some misunderstanding."

I shot her a look as I sat down. "I misspoke over something. Lupin must be using flattery in order for me to forgive him."

"And will you?" Holmes asked.

"Not yet. I will at Madame Rocco's dinner. Until then he shall wait."

As I laid my napkin over my lap I opened the note.

He will be at the dinner on Friday. We attack then.