Disclaimer: …We think the disclaimer decided to take a vacation along with us, except the tourist bus left it behind. Stan Lee, who happened to be the driver, disregarded its absence, giving us full ownership of the X-Men since we sat nearest to him! Okay, joke time's over. ;-)
A/N: melancholic: Before the whole morass of pitchforks and garden hoses comes, I'd like to claim most of the responsibility for the delay of this chapter. I mean, I brought my 'curse' in (that being my pathological lateness and laziness for everything) the moment I suggested to Ishy we write this, so… - mel grabs a hose outside and wraps it around her neck – whoops… If I killed myself, we wouldn't be able to update this all the more, right? I swear I'll make up for it (yay for summer vacation being two weeks away!) by giving away chocolate Remy dolls, or another chapter (for either this or my own fics?)! Take your pick. :P – mel brings out a Crayon Box, and stays in it for the time being -
ishandahalf: - ish hangs her head in shame - So I was rereading all the reviews we got when writing out the responses below, and so many of you told us to update soon, and I couldn't help but laugh… Hah! I don't know what to say, I really don't. Except that I'm SO sorry this took so long, and maybe you could all delay bringing out the various implements of torture until you read the chapter? It's my hope you'll like it so much that you'll forget about the 6 months this took! Heh heh… - ish runs and hides -
Review responses:
Kitsu Lebeau, Rogue14, TotallyRiddickObsessed, EreshkigalGirl, lonewolf44, enchantedlight, demiducky25, missy42: Thanks so much for dropping us reviews! You all get free candy canes with your favourite X-Men character's face emblazoned on it… if there were such things. :P
Eileen Blazer: ish – Don't worry about taking so long to review – it'd be rather hypocritical of us not to forgive you, after all, it took us longer than that to update! Will you be as merciful with us? I hope so… mel – Ish already mentioned that you're okay, and I do hope you'll spare us the horror of evil clowns and puffer fish… And as for Rogue coming, she'll be here... soon enough. Remy is still kind of in love with Belle, just for the record. ;-)
Randirogue: ish & mel – Randirogue reviewed our meagre little fic? The Randirogue? We are not worthy! – bow in humble subservience -
Calliann, Sweety8587, Freak87, & just me: ish – Okay, you four are officially the representatives of the Society for Alligator Protection. Y'all are so sweet to worry about them… So go forth, noble SAPs, and protect those gators from the likes of that evil swamp bitch! mel – While you're at it, protect the rest of the world! The alligators would just be an appetizer for "Le Belle Wench" (thanks for the idea, Ish!). We need saving!
Star-of-Chaos: ish – Of course I can harass you for writing Remy/Belle stuff, ya know why? A clever loophole, my friend, because I wasn't actually the one to write the Remy/Belle scene – mel was! Bwa ha ha. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. mel – It just goes to show how much of a glutton for punishment I am. :D
Dreamcatcher89: ish – Something more between Julien and Belle? Probably not, the ick factor is pretty high there. Kinda like on 'Passions', with Chad and Whitney… But I digress. mel – Julien is just one sick bastard. That's all there is to it, really. It just so happened that I named my computer after him. They're both evil!
SweetRevenge151: ish – Kill Belle off? I don't even think we've planned that far ahead, but don't tempt me! I'd do it, you know I would! mel – Well, inasmuch as I'd like to join in the coup against Belladonna, there wouldn't be a story without her, right? Oh come on, you all have to agree:P
Goddess Evie: ish – Could you handle the suspense for 6 months? I hope so. It builds character… Right? We may be a force to be reckoned with (which is sweet, thanks!), but so is time – and it looks like we lost that particular confrontation. mel – Hey, character takes time to build, so there's a good thing coming from that! My gosh, don't you just want to slap me and my pathetic excuses? Well, before you do, I'd like to thank you for the compliment also. :)
EE's Skysong: ish – Yet another person wanting Belle killed off? Peer pressure! Not that I could blame you or anything for wanting her dead. Believe me, so do I – and death by penguins seems like a nice, undignified way for her to go. ;-) mel – But that would also entail the… er… People for Penguin Peace Society! We don't want the poor penguins to become extinct, do we? Spare us all! There are more creative ways of killing Belle, like… through a sewing machine!
Mistress-Black: ish & mel – The gemstone Mystique stole is actually a gem, called the Momentary Princess. It's from the comics, and the Guilds have been trying to get their hands on it. See, we've done our homework! We deserve an A+ for effort! Punctuality's not a factor here. ;-)
RoguesTale: ish – Belle is quite the wench, isn't she? Wench has been my favourite insult lately, so gold stars to you for using it! mel – Belle isn't even worth using the word "wench" on! She's that evil, and… we really ought to murder her ourselves and leave the innocent penguins and alligators of the world alone. – mel unwraps the hose from her neck and aims it at Belladonna – YAAAAAAAAAAY!
Legend: unaccented thoughts or foreign words, (translations/author notes)/written words, words spoken in another language that we probably can't put here (think Mandarin or Greek):telepathy:
Chase
Chapter 2 – Mission Vision
The head of the Assassins' Guild could be a patient man. Marius Boudreaux had been forced to learn that trait years ago, during the countless missions that he had been sent on – he recalled one particular instance where he had hidden in a dark corner, silent and unmoving like a coiled snake ready to strike. He had spent hours in that position until the killing blow was made, but the final result had been well worth the wait. That instance had taught him that patience was a virtue, but he had to remind himself of that now.
Despite his ability to do so however, he despised waiting. He was accustomed to his underlings scurrying around like ants in a colony, doing his royal bidding – but he tempered his annoyance, and reminded himself that this was no simple minion he was expecting. It was his precious daughter, and he could show her lenience… After all, good things came to those who waited. He was proof of that.
The man leaned back in his large leather chair, already deciding on future plans with the Elixir he would receive, while drumming his fingers on the desk. They played a staccato beat that almost masked the sharp knock on the office door, which then opened.
A blonde beauty silently entered, and Marius could not have been prouder – had she not announced her presence by knocking, he might not have realized she was even there at all. Yes, her skills would be invaluable on this mission; all he had to do was to play his cards right, and keep his poker face on – especially with a certain young member of the LeBeau clan in the game, known for his gambling prowess. It would do no good to tip his hand just yet.
"Ya wanted t' see me, père?" Belladonna asked sweetly, taking a seat in front of the desk, crossing her legs in proper lady-like fashion.
"Oui, Belle, I did. 'M sorry t' interrupt yo' day wit' Remy," he lied, trying to force the despicable words out in a seemingly sincere manner. "But somet'in' came up."
"Quoi?" the girl queried, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Don' worry, it's not'in' bad!" Marius laughed reassuringly, waving his hands in the air. "In fact, ya might t'ink it's good news. I have a mission f'r ya."
"A mission?" she echoed, an excited expression appearing on her face, just as her father had correctly predicted. She was always eager to accept any job that came her way, wanting to prove her skills to the Guild – despite the fact that she already surpassed all of the other members in every possible way.
"Oui. All ya need t' do is take care o' somebody dat betrayed de Guild, and retrieve somt'in' dey stole," he explained, purposely vague.
Belle shrugged, unenthusiastic with that particular task. "Dat sounds like every ot'er mission. Anyone can do dat! Why not put Fifolet o' Singer on de job?"
"First o' all, I want dis kept quiet. Not even Gris-Gris knows 'bout dis, comprends (understand?)" he enlightened her, watching her eyes narrow curiously upon learning that his right-hand man was not privy to this. Then Marius chuckled, shaking his head. "An' secondly, it won' be as easy as it seems. De target is a mutant, a shape-shifter. Sly as a minx, dat one is."
"Do ya have a file on her?" his daughter asked, slipping easily into a professional front.
"Non, not yet. I have de best hackers an' researchers lookin' f'r her as we speak – as soon as dey find somet'in', ya'll get de information."
"Doesn' sound like we have a lot t' go on," Belle noted, taking to glancing at her nails in her restlessness.
"Dat's because we don'. An' dat's why I wan' t' put ya on de mission," he praised her. Flattery usually managed to get one into her good graces.
"Not a problem, Papa, I can do it," she assured him confidently. "But what was dat 'bout retrievin' somet'in'?"
"Ahh, yes," the man continued. "She stole a jewel, an' we need t' recover it. I'll get ya more details when we find dem – we don' really have much mo' information den dat," Marius lied expertly, like an actor flawlessly delivering a well-rehearsed line.
Deceit and dishonesty were part of the job description, but nonetheless, he didn't enjoy lying to his daughter. Unfortunately, it had to be done. As much faith as Marius had in her and her abilities, he was apprehensive about revealing too many of the particulars – after all, Remy was a convincing and conniving lad. He might learn of them and be suspicious, and the plan would be for nought. So far it seemed to be coming along, he just needed to ensure the final element: LeBeau's unwitting participation.
"Dat's fine," Belle told him, moving to stand up. "Is dat all, den?"
"…Oh, oui, oui, dat's it…" the Guild patriarch trailed off thoughtfully after a purposely long pause. Just as he had anticipated, his daughter picked up on it.
"Non, ya were gonna say somet'in'! What is it?" she demanded, pouting.
"Well… Ma belle (my beautiful), dis is a vital job," he began.
"I know dat! What, ya don' t'ink I can do it?" she exclaimed indignantly, voice becoming shrill. "Ya know I can!"
"Oui, I know!" Marius placated her. "Dere's no question dat ya can do it, mais (but), I was wonderin' if ya really wanted t' do it."
The stage was set, the cue was given, and Belladonna tentatively took it, stepping out to play her part. "What d'ya mean? Why wouldn' I want t' do it?" she questioned curiously.
"'M just wonderin' if ya thought it through, dat's all," he replied, delivering his next line under the pretence of fatherly concern. "It could take months."
As if her response was scripted, her face dropped, a worried expression marring her pretty features. Marius knew she wouldn't like the idea of being apart from LeBeau for so long, and so continued to pull her strings, like a puppeteer directing a marionette. Only now, he focused on the heartstrings…
"I'd understand if ya decided t' decline de mission, Belle," he continued sympathetically. "Ya'd be leavin' yo' fiancé f'r a long time, an' wit' de weddin' comin' up… Dat's not fair f'r me t' ask o' ya. I wouldn' t'ink any less o' ya if ya didn' want t' accept. Could always give de job t' Julien…"
The girl's head snapped up sharply after hearing those words, and the Guild leader had to both suppress a smirk and smother a frown at how easily his daughter could be manipulated – all it took was to target her competitive nature. At least he could be satisfied at the fact that her ambition seemed to be more powerful than her feelings for that damned thief…
"Non!" Belle insisted, her eyes narrowing. "Don' give de job t' Julien, I want it! I accept de mission."
Belladonna was angry at Julien's not-too-polite intrusion upon her time with Remy, but maybe her older brother finally did something other than waste her time, for once. When she went with him back to their home, she was convinced that he used their father as an excuse to take her away from Remy – she had pointed that out numerous times, still unbelieving of the possibility that her brother was telling the truth.
Now, with the event likely ending up in her favour, she realized that she actually was glad that she was here, sitting in front of her father in his office. Too long had Julien and his would-be accomplishments overshadowed her. She itched to apply her talents and all the skills she worked hard to learn in an actual, challenging task! Imagine, a mission that she would head! As she saw it, there would be no Julien, no more 'senior' Assassins, and no father to boss her around. Remy would definitely be ecstatic when he heard the news. The thought of making her boyfriend proud only made Belladonna more anxious to go on the assignment.
Then, the ideas that Marius mentioned about Remy began to nag her, as soon as she thought of seeing him after this meeting. She blinked rapidly, trying to figure out a way that would balance the situation out. She finally had the chance of a lifetime, the chance that could show her full capabilities as a Guild leader. She could prove to Julien and everyone else exactly what she was made of – she had never lived a moment without wishing that the same compliments that Julien received would be showered upon her, anyway. It was finally her turn to shine.
The amount of thought his daughter was putting into this annoyed and pleased Marius simultaneously. While it was the mark that he brought her up well, weighing her choices, it was also allowing the much-needed time to speed past them. Perhaps he was wrong in thinking that she would bite this hook right away… No matter, he reassured himself. Just a little more provocation…
"Belle," he began gently, "I really need t' know if ya are sure o' dis. See, we can't be wastin' time an' money like dis, if ya don' give me a response. I mean, ya père understands ya need t' be close t' Remy…" He paused, hoping his words achieved desired effects. "If ya jus' left, den de distance ya'll inevitably suffer might affect ya relationship. I t'ink he isn't de type f'r long-distance commitments. It'll also affect de peace pact we've been workin' so hard t' arrange, an' de progress ya bot' have made in bein' closer t' one anot'er…"
Belladonna remained silent, her sapphire eyes showing her thoughtful state. Remy was a very important point to consider. Her father said the mission would take an indefinite period of time, and even if she was the best Assassin around, she knew that time was like a serpent that slipped and slithered out of the holes in their plans – her expertise couldn't fix that fact. Making adjustments to whatever her father was plotting, in order to favour her, might make him think twice about letting her spearhead the task – she was Belladonna, not a prima donna. Yet, she knew what her beau could do in her absence. Belle wasn't ready to let Remy add every other girl in New Orleans to his 'to-do-list" just yet.
So, in light of all this, what did her father expect her to do? What was she supposed to do? Either way, the time she had spent in getting Remy wrapped around her pinkie and her father around her thumb would be thrown away. Belladonna was not a woman who let 'give-and-take' options be available in her list of choices.
So she remained silent, trying to reach a compromise, to find a way that would benefit all parties…
"I got it!" she exclaimed suddenly, surprising even her father who already anticipated this response.
Marius sighed patiently, eyes feigning alarm as he glanced at his eager daughter. "I take it ya finally decided?"
"Oui! I t'ought o' a way t' solve everyt'in'. I'm goin' on de mission, o' course – an' I'm bringin' Remy wit' me!" Belladonna jumped up and paced around the room excitedly, her blonde locks fanning about behind her. Marius cheered internally while the grudging look that he'd been practising appeared on his features. He gripped the table in false anger and resolution, giving Belle a steely look.
"Ya can't be serious!" Marius cried, eyebrows knit and mouth set in a line. "We can't have dat rat jeopardising de mission! Ya may be engaged t' him, Belle, but de Guilds aren't unified yet – until de marriage occurs, he'll still be lookin' out f'r de T'ieves, so he can't be trusted!"
Belladonna was furious. How could her father offer her such a great opportunity, and not let her have Remy along! He was practically taking back everything he said, which could've discouraged her earlier! The whole argument was pointless then, because Belle knew she was going to get what she wanted. It always worked like that.
"Papa, don't ya see de benefits o' dis? We'll be gettin' a master T'ief on our side – ya can't disagree wit' me dere – an' our bond will be strengthened in time fo' de weddin'! I'll be able t' prove m'self t' ya, an' ya'll see dat my choice in men will make an invaluable asset t' de Guild, especially when we become unified! He'll be partial t' our side – I'm sure I can convince him sufficiently, if I had de time!" Belladonna's tirade was accompanied by watery eyes, a tremulous pitch in her higher-than-usual voice, and clutching her father's arm in despair.
Marius fought to keep from smiling satisfactorily to himself. He, of course, still wasn't too comfortable with Remy going with his daughter, but he knew the gains outweighed the losses. Heck, Belladonna even came up with points that he hadn't thought of! Though he could easily counter them by sending someone to hurt Remy, Marius knew better. A lot better. He was so close to receiving that Elixir now! He rubbed his chin, pretending to contemplate Belle's suggestion. He saw how crazy she was going with impatience, and he grinned. This was definitely working out.
"I'll have t' give ya a tentative 'yes' because I can't see any ot'er way t' reach a compromise. Plus, ya know ya are my li'l ange (angel), so ya get what makes ya happy." Marius pulled a sour face at the last statement, and went on. "Get him here as fast as ya can, an' we'll discuss dis more."
Belle, instead of tightening her grip on Marius, screamed with glee and hugged him. Marius was touched by this gesture, no matter how unbelievable it was, and returned her embrace. Both were smiling for reasons vague to the other.
"Merci, Papa! We won't disappoint ya, I promise! Je t'aime (I love you)!" Belle gave him a wide, megawatt smile, turned on her stilettos, and rushed out of the office.
In her ecstasy, she nearly bumped into Remy, who had just finished sneaking past the manor's 'security system'. Remy sighed, kind of wishing she had tripped so he had an excuse to catch her in his arms without some fool Assassin strutting by and making a scene. Belle, upon seeing him, grinned salaciously. She pulled him to her by his trench coat, and began talking happily.
"Cher, guess what? Papa's given me a very important mission t' take on! I'll tell ya de details in a while, as he wants us t' go t' his office an' discuss de mission dere. Firstly, what do ya t'ink?" All those tumbled out of her quickly; she didn't really care if he couldn't understand a word she said. As a form of greeting and to convince him, she snaked her arms around his waist, nibbling on his ear to get a remark out of him in her favour.
"Wait, wait – slow down, amour (love)!" Remy chuckled, letting his own arms travel around Belladonna. The smile remained on his features because he was again with her; though he didn't get what she was babbling on about, as the kisses she was planting on his neck were a little too distracting.
They stood like that for a while, their reunion appearing like they hadn't seen each other in three decades (when in fact, it had only been thirty minutes). When the sight of him groping an Assassin inside their headquarters became too obvious to ignore, Remy paused in his activities and drew back from Belladonna. Expectedly, she whined and showed signs of being a dog in heat; Remy's curiosity, for once, prevailed over his lustful tendencies.
"Cherie, what's dis 'bout a mission an' me?" He inquired, arching an eyebrow. "Are ya sure ya have de right guy?"
Belle's excitement set off again as she spoke. "Oh, I don't know what happened, but Papa finally picked me t' go on an assignment! I don' know all de details yet, as he sent me t' get ya. It was just supposed t' be me, but I just couldn't bear de t'ought o' bein' away from ya f'r months! T' make a long story short, I managed t' convince him t' let ya go wit' me! I can't t'ink o' a better person t' share dese moments wit'…"
"Eh? How did dis happen?" Remy was more confused now. Wasn't it just a while ago that Julien was being a prick and poking them in the wrong places?
"Rems, he just wants t' prove his trust t' ya an' me. We bot' t'ink dat it works best dis way – ya an' I, as future leaders o' de Guild, get t' show everyone just how deservin' we are o' de positions, plus we get t' kill, steal, an' spy on someone who dares t' cross our turf! It'll be fun, an' we'll be alone t'get'er most o' de time…" Belle didn't like explanations, so to convey her point, she tauntingly ran her fingers across the thin fabric of his shirt as she waited for his answer.
Remy's interest was now piqued. He'd be insane to not jump in on a chance to be with his girl for an undisclosed time period – there would be, as he understood it, no Assassins or Thieves running around like idiots, being as if their underwear were on top of their heads! Well, he and Belle would speak of 'underwear' in another context, though…
"Count me in, ange." He kissed her mouth briefly, smiling as he did so. Right now, because all the blood in his brain had gone somewhere below, he couldn't think of anything wrong with participating in this mission. He ignored the fact that the Assassins sponsored it – Remy could slip in and out of anything they planned unscathed, anyhow. He tried to pay no mind to the feeling his gut was giving him, trying to tell him that this wasn't the right thing to do. Shrugging it off, he realized he could confirm their love – on his part, particularly – through this job. Besides, anything that involved Belladonna Boudreaux certainly was right.
Belladonna cherished this moment. She swore that this would be the first of many times, like these, when the world would be at her feet and Remy at her side. Once she set her mind to something, the universe really favoured her – this was solid evidence of that fact.
"Darlin', I have t' get in touch wit' de ot'ers 'bout de mission. Papa will be glad t' know I'm takin' de initiative. Will ya come wit' me?"
When she asked that, Remy was thinking of how to fit the mission in his schedule. It would be an easy thing, persuading his father… He didn't have anything left to do, and whatever errands that needed to be accomplished, Jean-Luc had Henri to do them. Glancing at Belle, he kissed her cheek and replied, "I'll come back in a few. I need t' make sure I can go. Don't worry, I'm still on board – just need t' take care o' some t'ings, is all." Remy took care of her worries, gave her a last squeeze, and stealthily exited the mansion in the same way he came.
Much like the room of his Assassin counterpart, Jean-Luc LeBeau's office was swathed in shadows. They enshrouded the plush leather chairs, the glossy mahogany furniture, and the numerous trinkets and treasures that had been appropriated by the Guild Master himself.
However, unlike the room of his rival, Jean-Luc's sanctuary was not usually so dark and dim. It was only so because the royal blue velvet curtains were shut, sealing him off from the bright, cheerful, outside world. He wanted his office gloomy, to accompany his myriad of brooding thoughts - thoughts that consumed his mind, captivating it very much like the seductive subjects he obsessed about: jewels, power, and women. He was un couillon (an idiot) to think the three could have fit together flawlessly…
Jean-Luc had been greedy – a fatal flaw for a thief. Not only he, but his Guild as well, would pay the price. It was a small bit of luck that nobody else had knowledge of his bungled affairs; perhaps there would be a way to mend it? Or at least, keep it under wraps…
It had been unwise to hire Mystique, he knew that now – although it hadn't been at the time. It had seemed so convenient; to employ Raven's services to obtain Candra's gem, and to reacquaint himself with his friend again… He had been a sentimental fool and she had taken advantage of that, of what they had once had. Of what he thought they still might have had…
Clutching the crystal glass of bourbon tighter in his hand, Jean-Luc heaved a hefty sigh. Then he downed the rest of the liquor, enjoying the burning of his throat. It would do no good to dwell now, not when there was work to be done. Reaching for the files on his desk, the man began to plan – he would need to be prepared for the Benefactress' displeasure. There were already numerous thieves working on lifting extra tributes for her, and –
"Père?" A voice interrupted his planning, and he glanced up to see his son standing in the doorway.
"Come in, Remy," he waved, bidding the boy to enter.
"Nahh, ya seem busy," the young mutant declined. "Just wanted t' tell ya dat I'll be goin' away f'r a while."
"Excusez-moi?" his father blinked. He should have been accustomed to the boy's rashness by now, but this was a particularly bad time for him to rush off. "Care t' explain, mon fils (my son)?"
Remy shrugged carelessly, ambling beside a bookcase. "Not much t' say, really. Belle has a mission t' go on dat might take a while, an' she asked me t' come."
"What kind o' mission?" the older thief asked suspiciously, borne from the distrustful instinct instilled in him due to being raised amongst warring Guilds.
"Well, de girl is an Assassin," came a smirk. "I'd have t' guess it involves some killin', henh?"
Jean-Luc rolled his eyes. "I'd like a bit mo' detail den dat."
"Don' really know anyt'in' mo', neit'er does Belle. I jus' know she's been sent t' find someone, an' 'm goin' wit' her."
"Oh really?" the man queried with a raised brow.
"Really," replied the boy with a confident grin. "Not a lot o' reasons f'r ya not t' let me, père. No big jobs comin' up, an' it'll jus' bring Belle an' me closer t'get'er, dat's good f'r de peace pact…"
Him being needed to steal more trophies for Candra was a reason; not that he would divulge the truth behind it, though. Henri and Emil could always do those jobs, however. The patriarch had to agree – there were really no grounds for not letting his boy go. Unless he counted the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach…
"Well?"
"Fine," groaned Jean-Luc. "But jus' do dis befo' ya go," he ordered, handing Remy a file folder.
Skimming over the contents, Gambit smiled. "No problem. I'll have dis t' ya by t'night!"
"Dat cocky attitude will get ya in trouble one o' dese days, y' know."
"I know. But I'll manage a way out o' it," Remy grinned, and headed out the door while his father simply shook his head exasperatedly.
Attempting to return to his work, the man couldn't stop his mind from drifting off. Raising his head to stare emptily at where his son had exited, he tried to reason through his edgy feeling. A thief's instincts were invaluable; he always listened to them, and now was no exception.
Something bothered Jean-Luc about the situation – but what? And then suddenly he recognized the manner in which his son carried himself, with a confidence and a carefree attitude about him… He had been that same way – only to have it shattered.
He had consorted with a dangerous woman; it appeared his son had the same tastes. Jean-Luc only hoped that Remy's feelings would not be toyed with so easily as his own had been.
There you have it! The plot is thickening, what with the plot being all about various plots being plotted… Yup yup. The point is, another chapter bites the dust. Hopefully it was good enough to dissuade you all from our torture! We'd tell you another one will be posted soon, but after how long this took, we just don't want to do that. However, we CAN promise you that it'll take less than 6 months this time! We hope… But you know, reviews would surely motivate us – so click that little button down there and write us a blurb! It's all about the reciprocity – balance out the cosmic forces of the universe and all that… Plus, it'd just make us happy. ;-)
melancholic & ishandahalf -