17

As the night dawned on and everyone seemed to get merrier with more to drink, Rogue ended up becoming engaged in the stories each thief took turns to tell, mostly about heists they'd been on.

She did want to ask Remy some more about her past, but every time she tried, someone always seemed to come up and interrupt them. So she dropped the subject seeing how Remy clamed up as soon as they came near.

The thieves weren't half dramatic when they told their stories. One thief climbed onto the table (taking a leap out of Merci's book). He gained everyone's attention as he told of his adventure in the Canary Islands. Rogue had to turn to Remy or Henri at times for them to explain what the thief telling the story was referring to since they were being discreet when discussing their business in public. Otherwise, Rogue caught most of the story.

"So, ya been ta the Canary's?" Rogue asked Remy seeing as he had whispered some geographical explanations into her ear.

Remy's resting smirk was threatening to grow at the edges, but his facial features still weren't back to being as relaxed to how they were when they were alone.

"Been many places chérie. Some, y' been as well," he said.

This sparked Rogue's interest.

"Really? Where?" she asked.

Remy avoided her eyes for a time as he said, "Dun't know them all I'm afraid. Only a few adventures of yours I know about."

"Tell meh one," Rogue demanded.

"Well, there was Tibet,"

"Tibet? Really?" Rogue asked, pursing her lips and raising an eyebrow at that information. She was too late to hide her expression from Remy.

Before Remy could reply to her, Emil, who was sat next to Rogue interfiered.

"Y' been t' Tibet, huh?" he asked. "Sounds like y' be a traveller at heart. We go all over de place on our jobs. If y' like travellin', then y'll fit in trés bien!"

Rogue shot a small smile at Emil, feeling like he was trying his best to be nice to her and include her in a lot of things tonight. She did wonder if he had an ulterior motive seeming as all other thieves seemed to. But, she let her suspions drop for the time being.

"Guessin' ya got many stories ta tell yaself, huh?" Rogue asked, not noticing the irritated gaze behind her.

"Oui, got plenty t' tell y'. But looks like we be movin' along now," Emil said, standing up and offering his hand out to Rogue.

Rogue, not wanting to be rude, took Emil's hand and let him help her up. Emil kept hold of her hand as he guided her through the bar. He wasn't as careful as Remy was which put her on edge. Emil didn't seem to notice and kept walking towards the next bar they were going to visit. From the sounds of it, Emil knew the manager of the next bar well.

"Do you guys know everyone on this street?" Rogue asked.

"Guess y' could say that. Dis be our territory after all." Emil said in response to her.

"By your terrorory, do ya mean the Rippers can't come here?" Rogue asked.

"They can, but they be havin' a hard time if dey do. Back when our king, Jean-Luc, and de head of de Ripper's tried makin' peace, they split up de sections of New Orleans for each guilde. De peace tready didn't last long, but the sectioned areas seemed t' stick. We've had a lot of business wit' people on des streets we call our own. Be why dey so forecomin' when we visit. Want t' keep a good relation." Emil explained.

For Rogue, knowing this information put her at ease some more. It might have been the wine she'd drank, but having the thieves tell her stories about heists and now Emil telling her more about their history between the Rippers and them, it all felt so, well, inviting. Even if there was a bloody, mesy history there.

Rogue glanced around, spotting Remy not far behind them. It was hard to see anyone properly as the streets had grown more crowded. From what she could see,he was travelling alone and didn't seem too happy. Merci was in front, a little further down the street, keeping hold of Henri. She'd had quite a few glasses of wine and Rogue was wondering how much more Merci could handle.

As Rogue was peering at Merci, a rather large man moved his elbow back and it near sent Rogue flying backwards. Before she could fall to the ground and hit her head, she felt hands catch her just by the shoulders and host her up.

Rogue glanced back to see Remy there, holding her up. She felt his hands slip around her waist quickly, pulling her in close to his side. When she glanced up at Remy, it was to see him glaring at the guy who had stumbled back into her.

"Watch it," Remy snapped at the drunk man, before moving them forwards.

Rogue didn't complain nor say anything about Remy's arm being around her. Emil had glanced back, letting a small smile show before he continued to walk on, leaving them alone.

They walked to the next bar in silence. As they did, Rogue's mind shifted onto two things. The first was what Theo said earlier, about Remy being overprotective. She was starting to wonder a bit more about that, coming around to believe it.

The second was how she fit into Remy's side. She wasn't the perfect height, but her shorter height made it easier for her to curl into Remy's side under his arm. They had begun walking side by side with each foot step in harmony as they did. To Remy, it didn't seem like this was anything, Rogue noticed. But for her, she felt a little heat in her belly raising up into the rest of her body. She wondered if that was the wine.

It was only when they were sat down at the next bar in their own private booth again that Rogue realised what the second thing on her mind had been. It was after Remy let her go to sit down beside her that she realised it. She had liked Remy's arm around her. It felt safer than Emil's. To Rogue, the thought felt strange. It had passed her mind that, maybe, she had a crush on Remy. It also passed her mind that that might be the wine talking. She tried not to think about that heated feeling, seeing as questions about their relationship hurt her head. When Remy put another glass of wine in front of her, she pushed it away, deciding it was best she tried to keep a straight head.

Emil began to tell his thieving adventures as promised. He spoke a lot about Berlin and Rogue wondered if she'd ever visited Berlin. She decided against asking Remy, seeing how asking if she'd been was not the same as actually remembering the experience of being there. Plus, she might not get an answer out of him.

Not remembering things was beginning to become much more frustrating and she wondered if she'd ever get those memories back.

At the depressing though, Rogue went back to listening to Emil. His comment about her fitting in well if she liked to travel came to her mind along with Theo's offer to join him on a heist. From what she'd heard, being a thief was a rush and extremely exciting. If she lived as a thief, her life would be packed full of fun and exciting memories just like the thieves were. That seemed pretty amazing to her.

But there was still the issue of Remy and, in some ways, Henri and Merci too. None of them wanted her to be a thief because they wanted to prevent Jean-Luc from getting what he wanted. If she wanted to be a thief, that would mean she'd be working against them all and she might lose them all. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if she could change their minds if she did want to become a thief. Henri and Merci seemed easiest to convince. Remy, however, was a whole different ball game. She doubted he'd move at all on his agreement with her. She wondered what he would do if she backed out of their deal. She guessed the worse that could happen was he'd keep trying to find ways to send her off to Bayville.

Rogue wondered about her life there too. She'd only heard parts of it from Remy and it felt as if there was still so much more Remy needed to explain about her old life. Was it as exiting as this one being offered to her? Should she throw her whole unknown past away just for this new life? She, honestly, wasn't sure.

When Emil sat down, Rogue expected them to move onto another bar. She thought the walk would help clear her buzzuling mind but not everyone had finished their drinks.

"Y' alright chérie? Y' bein' pretty quiet," Remy asked her, getting close to her ear as he did.

Rogue jumped a little, feeling him so near.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, ah'm finah. Just listenin' ta Emil," Rogue said.

Remy raised an eyebrow at her, as if, not believing her. Rogue guessed that, if she did ever want to become a thief, she was really going to have to work on her poker face.

Jacques, the thief who had been in the front seat of the car Rogue had taken with Remy, Etienne and Theo, stood up, ready to tell his story. He talked about a large mission where they stole the La Peregrina Pearl. It turned out Remy had a large part in that outing.

"So we had t' figure out how t' get de lady t' move outta de public eye for un temps. An' who better t' turn t' than de Prince of Thieves himself," Jacques' said.

"Jac!" he was warned by Theo. The pair began to bicker about discussing guild business in public.

As they argued, Rogue glanced at Remy out of the corner of her eye. He didn't seem too pleased at having his name meantioned on this heist.

Again, Etienne's words came into Rogue's mind about Remy being popular with women. For some reason, hearing Jacques' story seemed to help confirm what Etienne had been saying. Jacques explained how Remy had took the lady off to the side and they disappeared for most of the night. Something unplesent bubbled up inside of Rogue. All she knew was, not knowing what hers and Remy's relationship was, was becoming a real pain.

"So, y' quite a lady's man, huh?" Rogue asked Remy who turned on her with a look of annoyance.

Rogue was regretting what she said instantly at that look, but bitterness got the better of her. Remy must have noticed the instant regret she felt after she spoke the words by the way he sat back in his seat and the harshness in his face seemed to smooth over.

"Just charm, chérie," he said, as if it explained everything. When Remy realised that it didn't from Rogue's peculiar look, he went on. "I'm good at convincin' people t' do as I ask. Mostly women, but men too,"

"Huh," Rogue said, her look disbelieving as he said that. "Not all people," she said, not believing for one moment she had been charmed by Remy LeBeau. Well, maybe he had been charming at dinner, but he hadn't charmed her into doing anything he wanted her to. Not yet. That kind of irritated her. Why hadn't he tried charming her into leaving if he could, apparently, charm anyone into doing anything?

Remy snorted and one edge of his lips curved upwards.

"There be some challenges," he said.

Rogue raised her eyebrow, wondering what that meant. When Remy, clearly, wasn't going to say anything more, her eyes darted around behind him as she thought of something.

"So, if ya wanted to, ya could convince that guy to hand over his wallet' or somethin'?" Rogue asked, nodding towards the man who had just paid for a drink and was putting his wallet away.

Remy turned his head to see the target Rogue was referring to.

"Be easier t' just take it. He leavin' himself wide open by placin' it in a loose pocket," Remy explained.

"But ya said you could charm em," Rogue smirked, not quite sure where she was heading with this.

When Remy's eyes came back to meet hers, she was taken back by the glittering interest that sparked them. She found her smirk change into a soft smile at seeing Remy looking so intrigued and happy.

"Never said I couldn't," Remy replied.

The strained edge to his features had left him now too. It only made Rogue happier to see Remy seeming so relaxed and in his element.

"Then prove it," she said, smirking as she saw Remy's own mischievious smirk grew.

"Y' tellin' moi t' steal, chérie ? Last time I did dat, y' didn't much approve," Remy said.

"Ah-huh, an' ah'm guessin' for good reason. Now why ya stallin'?" Rogue asked.

"What is it I be gettin' in return?" he asked.

Rogue snorted at this, folding her arms over her chest as she said, "You an' your family be really in ta makin' deals an' stuff, huh?"

Remy shrugged his shoulder, "Everythin' comes at a price. So what y' offerin'?"

"Well, offering t' leaves out since we already discussed that," Rogue said, her eyes faulting as she did.

"If it be as simple as dat, dun't y' t'ink it woulda been one'a de first things I tried?"

"Guess so," Rogue said, lifting her eyes. "An' if this charm'a yours be real, then ah'm guessin' that woulda been one'a the first things ya tried. But ah'm still here."

It felt like Remy dodge her intended question as he pushed his chair back.

"I'll getcha dat wallet chérie, just you watch," he said, as he stood up and made his way over to the man Rogue had marked.

"Y' do realise he gonna be cocky as hell once he comes back wit' dat wallet?" Henri said from across the table, having heard Remy's statement.

Rogue felt her cheeks turn white as she glanced at Henri. She didn't realise he had been there while she had been talking to Remy. She was glad that she didn't extend upon her deal with Remy when it came to leaving. Otherwise, she would have been caught out in her own lie.

"Ah mean, if it's as easy for him as he's sayin' it is then a bit of cockiness ain't that bad," Rogue said, turning away from Henri to regain her cool.

"If y' say so, but just know, y' be handlin' him de rest of de night," Henri said.

"Ah think ah can manage that," Rogue said, focusing on what Remy was doing.

After the words left Rogue's mouth, it fell open. Rogue watched as this stanger began to hand over his watch, wallet and house keys to Remy without a thought in the world. Rogue couldn't believe it. Especially not when Remy walked away, smug grin on his face and took his seat back beside Rogue.

"One wallet, as you requested," Remy said, holding it up in his hand truimpantly.

"How'd the hell did ya do that? Did ya threaten him or somethin'?" Rogue asked.

"Weren't y' listenin'?" Remy asked, sitting back in his chair. "Didn't need t' use no threats. Just a bit'a charm."

Rogue shuck her head at this and then took the wallet, house keys and watch out of Remy's hand. She stood up and headed over to the man who was sat there, seeming to be in a bit of a daze.

"Excuse meh," Rogue said, getting the strangers attention. "Thank ya for your help earlier. Here, ah think these are yours," Rogue said, placing the man's stuff down in front of him.

The man began to thank Rogue, but she left and returned to her table.

"Why'd y' do dat?" Henri asked her, seeming utterly surprised at Rogue's actions.

Remy just sat there, seeming unphased.

Rogue shrugged her shoulders and said, "Why would we need em."

Remy stood up just before Rogue could sit down.

"We best be goin'," he said, moving to Rogue's side and wrapping his arm around her back. It was starting to become a natural habit for the pair of them. Rogue didn't argue with him when he placed his hand on her side, but she did look back to see some of the other thieves hadn't finished their drinks.

"We're leavin'? But people are still drinkin'," Rogue said, turning her attention back to Remy.

"They'll move soon. Dey'll be 'ware of what just happened an'll know it's time t' go. Why'd y' t'ink we change 'round so much? All it takes is an itchy finger an' we be movin'," Remy explained.

"Oh," Rogue muttered out. "So, it happens a lot?" she asked.

Remy got closer to her ear as he said: "Put a load of drunk thieves in a busy area t'gether, what'd y' t'ink?"

"Mmm," slipped from Rogue's lips as she continued to let Remy lead her.

That warm tingling in her belly was back; the one that she liked. Henri and Merci weren't far behind them, but Henri did find himself struggling with Merci a bit. She had been falling asleep on him back when they were still sat down in the bar and now he was struggling to keep her moving.

When they were out on the streets, Remy paused them and made them turned to face the pair.

"I t'ink it be time t' get dis one home. Enjoy la nuit mon frére, Rogue. An' try t' stay outta trouble," Henri said, his warning stare coming to land on Remy.

Rogue's smile grew, finding Henri cute when he was trying to look out for her. Remy snorted, then turned himself and Rogue around so they were heading in the opposite direction.

"Shouldn't we go wit' em?" Rogue asked Remy.

Remy glanced down at her, his face unreadable, "Y' wanna go wit' em?"

It took Rogue a moment to take in that Remy was giving her the choice. As she glanced up at him, it came to mind what it was she wanted out of him. She was slowly making progress with him. But, only when they were alone like this. Any other time they were around people, he shut up. Rogue reckoned that, if they were to return to the mansion now, then there would be less quiet time like this together. Less time to hear things about her past that she wanted to know. She wasn't ready to call it quits on that just yet.

"No, ah was just wonderin'," Rogue said, focusing on the path a head of them.

She was trying to think of what it was she wanted to know about her past since she had him alone again, but her mind just kept going back to what she had been thinking of in the last bar.

"So, y' really can charm people, huh?" she asked.

"Y' saw it y'self. We gonna have t' nogoishate de terms later," Remy said.

"Excuse meh?" Rogue asked, her voice raising in warning.

"Told y' chérie, nothin' comes for free," he said.

"An' ah told y' ah ain't agreein' ta go back t' Bayville for that!" she said.

"Which is why I said we figure out payment later, non?" Remy said, his teeth showing through his smirk.

Rogue wondered about that. Wondered what being in debt to Remy would really be like. Would he demand something horrible from her she didn't want to go through with, or the opposite? Well, she knew he wasn't going to ask her to leave, so that was off the table. But what else could he want from her if the thing he wanted most from her was already out of the way? She guessed there was only one way to find out and if she didn't like it, she could just refuse.

"Ha," Rogue said. "Henri was right. Ya are a pain once you're cocky. But finah. What'd ah owe ya?"

"I'll let y' know once I t'ink of it," Remy said.

The suspence was irritating her, but Rogue let the subject drop. At least, slightly. There was still something nagging at her.

"If y' can just charm people in ta doin' what ya want, then why ain't y' used y' charm on meh ta make meh go back?" Rogue asked.

Remy's face was unreadable.

"How'd y' know I haven't?" Remy asked.

"Ah don't think makin' deals would be charmin' someone," Rogue said.

"Depends. If someone be reluctant t' make a deal, charm can come in handly," Remy said.

"But ah wasn't," Rogue said, certain she never felt charmed into making a deal. Although, she was second guessing that now. "Wait, so have ya used your charm on meh or not?"

"Chérie, when I be charmin' y', y'll know 'bout it," he said.

xxxxx

French Translations

Cherie - Darling
Trés bien - Very Good
Un temp - A Time
Oui - Yes
Moi - Me
Mon Frére - My Brother
La Nuit - The Night
Non - No

Spanish Translation

La Peregrina Pearl - The Pilgrim Pearl