Day Two

Present Day, Louisiana, in some diner

Josephine Anne McBride was sitting where she never thought she would sit, in a booth with a man she never met before. She had just gotten used to the fact that she was in a different time, how else could she explain the strange carriages, clothing and behavior the people had? Speaking of strange behavior of people, the man in front of her would have been imprisoned by her father if he had ever done half the flirting he did in the past. She, however, found it hilarious, the lines were silly, something from one of the funny plays that were played once a week at her home in the past. For the past half hour, he talked non-stop about his many adventures, obviously trying to calm her and gain her trust. It worked.

She was unprepared, however, for the first question the man, Remy he called himself, asked her, "Why are your eyes red? You would never tell me."

Staring blankly at him for his blunt question, she almost lost her ability to talk. She regained it and retorted with her lady-like voice, choosing to look down on him this time, "I could ask you the same. You do not see me asking impersonal questions to you, do you? How about I go to the nearest police station and have them arrest you with what you told me from you 'stories'?"

"Sorry, Josie, didn't mean to come on as impersonal." By his face, the cocky smile gone, eyes that wouldn't break contact with hers, she knew he was sincere. By way of telling him she accepted his apology and trusted him to a certain extent, she answered his question; "I became sick when I was about 12, three years ago. I originally had brown eyes, but they changed during my sickness. The doctors have never seen anything like it before, and haven't since. I'm the only one so far, until you, to have this strange abnormality. Now, my turn for a question, who was the man that I woke up in bed next to?"

"You'll have to be more specific then that, I have many cousins that live in that house."

"He had short brown hair, a cute nose, strong face muscles, unlike your angular features. When I screamed and he opened his eyes, he had eyes like the sea after a storm, you know that color? Grayish blue, but real dark. I can not describe any more, I just felt he was debonair, his looks added to it, it is hard to describe."

"That's one of my first cousins, Etienne LeBeau, the only 'gentleman' in the family, so says my Tantte Mattie. I'm surprised... well, not really, I should say it's ironic, that you thought he was handsome. He looks like our great-great-grandfather... your husband. I met him when I went back in time…"

As he talked about the man, Josephine just sat there in stunned silence.

Mid 1800's, Louisiana, McBride Mansion (later, LeBeau Mansion)

After Remy had clothes, provided by one of the servants, Josie took him to the servants' kitchen to get something to eat. Remy had to admit, the food was really, really good, for not being spicy Cajun food, that is. Since he was out of his element, he waited for her to start the conversation, she didn't keep him waiting too long, "I always forgot to ask you, are you the only one in your family to have any eye abnormality?"

"Yeah. So, you already know me? I'm gonna try to get my head around that, you went to the future, then helped me..."

"Actually, it was your family that I helped, not just you." Interrupted Josephine.

"OK. After that, you came back here, and, apparently so did I. But I don't remember anything. How do you explain that?"

"Well..."

They talked all during breakfast, and Remy still did not understand. The whole space time thing was really unnerving to one who never passed science classes or read sci-fi books or even watched sci-fi shows. "Enough of this topic! Gahh! How about something else..."

"Good idea, back to your eyes, no one else?" "No." "That must mean this skips generations, or it only appears in the mutants of our family..."

Remy almost choked on the toast he was eating. "How do you know about mutants?" He completely missed the comment about her sharing his family.

"Because... nah, you'll find out later. Anyway, almost done your breakfast? You said you would help me get away from my father."

"I did? I'm never one to back away from a promise, especially from a beautiful fille such as yourself, but, when did I promise?"

"You will promise, after you go back, knowing that your past self would..."

"You know what, forget I asked. Since you helped me after I traveled back in time, I will help you. 'Sides, gives me a chance to really thank you later on, if you know what I mean." Remy was really at a lost, though he tried to hide it. Here was this girl who was not drooling over him like most girls, and she knew stuff from his time that weren't even in existence back then, (except for Wolverine, but he was in Canada, not southern America). His musing were cut short by his choking on an egg after a comment made by Josephine.

"Oh, stop flirting with me already. You're not my type, and it would hardly do me any good to accept 'thanks' from my great- great-grandson, if you know what mean."

Present Day, still in Louisiana, LeBeau Mansion (once McBride Mansion)

The rest of breakfast was silent as was the walk back to Remy's home. He tried to attempt more talk, but Josephine was mulling over the facts that she was recently given. Upon entering the house, lunch smells were coming from the kitchen and everybody was moving around. She noticed most of the people had either brown hair or brownish-red, like Remy. Most people were ignoring her, and she was OK with that. Normally, she would have huffed and left, she was upper class after all, but she was now in a daze, and could care less.

Remy took her up to a spare room. More or less thinking straight, she noticed it was the room her best friend/servant slept in. She now took in the fact the LeBeau house was her house, just many years later. Remy spoke to her, "You just rest here for now. I'll come back when lunch is ready. I'm gonna talk to my family, tell them what's happening, OK?"

"Sure." With that he left. Josephine sat there on the bed for a few minutes, thinking about her father, how she was spared from his whippings for now. She thought about her servants, were they being beaten? She wanted to know more, and she wasn't going to be kept our of the dark any more then she already was, so she tiptoed out of the room and back down the stairs, hiding on the bottom, listening to the conversation in the living room.

"This in no way postpones the wedding."

"Didn't think it would, pa. I was just thinking that I would help her get adjusted to the whole situation. Time traveling does make one confused, you know. She is your grandma, after all, didn't you recognize her when we walked in?"

"No, there are no pictures of her or her husband from then, for all I know, this is some trick by you to get out of your duty."

"It's not, pa."

"Just be sure to remember that. She can stay here as long as she wants, and she can come to the party after the wedding rehearsal tonight, but don't you start getting ideas, there's Belladonna to consider, OK?"

"For the last time! Why would I consider flirting with a relative? I get sick thinkin' of that! Eww. I'm gonna get something to eat."

"What about the girl? She gonna eat?"

"Yeah, I'll go get her."

Josephine went to her room before he saw her listening. He came to get her and they left to get lunch downstairs.

Mid 1800's

Sometime after Remy was done choking on his breakfast, he and Josephine were sitting in the back porch of the mansion, avoiding her father. "So, what did I promise to help you with?"

"To help me get out of a marriage. My father arranged a marriage for me with an older man I never met. Also, to get a life. All I ever do is sit and look beautiful, and listen to gossip too. It is getting old. All I have are the sunsets at the park and my servants, who are my friends."

"You must do a lot of thinking, non?"

"Yes. I thought of writing some of my ideas down and make some stories. Father would never approve of such a thing, 'it is not proper for a woman'."

"That sounds stupid. But, how am I supposed to help you? I could help you run away, start a new life, but you wouldn't like it. It wouldn't be as glamorous as what you are used to."

"I would be willing to go through that. I told you that I am one of your ancestors. Do you not know who my husband is? Can you not help me find him? I do not think it is some older man from Tennessee, I would hope not."

"I don't know. I know very little about the guild history. I know we inherited this mansion, but I don't even know my grandmother's name, she died before me. There are no pictures of the family from this era, don't ask me why. I didn't even know there was Irish blood in me; I thought I was all French. But that's not so bad, the Irish, they cool. I don't know where the guild lived before here, and I have no idea if the codes I go by are the same here, in this time. I also have no idea how to look for them. Give me time to look for them, then I can introduce you to them, OK?"

"I am sure it will be worth the wait."

"I'm sorry, Josie. I'm a little out of it when it comes to my past..."

"It is alright. I am sorry for pushing you; it was inconsiderate of me... How about we get to know each other?"

"Sure, maybe I'll have something other then your eyes to speak of."

"Do you like to read? How about watching plays?"

"Never had the chance to see if I would enjoy it. Do you like to play cards? Have you ever drunk before?"

"I am Irish! Of course I have drunk before! But cards are another thing, pa does not like me gambling..."

"Then I'll have to teach you..."

They talked for a while, as Remy taught his ancestor to play cards.

Present Day

It was almost nighttime, and the post-rehearsal party was in full swing. Josephine was sitting by herself on the swing under the spruce tree. The tree was in the corner of the back yard, (more like a football field, but since she didn't know what a football field was, let's just say it was a huge back yard.) She did not know anyone and was totally out her element. She was used to high society balls, being invited at least two weeks before hand. And here she was, on the spur of the moment, surrounded by people that looked like they could loose the house any moment. 'If it is true that these are my descendants, what ever happened to the rich life?'

She rose from the swing and walked towards the table with food, selecting some of the less questionable food. After she walked from the table she went to sit down on a bench, cussing silently and lady-like when a splinter imbedded itself in her thigh. She headed towards the house, going to the bathroom to fix the problem. After suffering modern technology in the bathroom, she came out. She heard voices, and stopped. She was not known for being nosy, but she knew nothing in this world, and decided to make use of over-hearing others talk.

The first was a male's voice, "Are you sure you want to go through with it, Bella?"

The second voice was female, "Of course, Julien, it is the perfect opportunity to take out the thieves' guild."

"I know, but this is a guy you were 'in love' with for a long time. Not to mention you still have feelings for the man."

"Nonsense, time to get over the looser. 'Sides, I love my assassin work and you much, much more then I 'like' Remy LeBeau."

"Good, just as long as you are prepared. Let's get some more food. After all, it is your party."

The two left. Josephine stayed still for a while, processing what she had heard. "What are the 'thieves' and 'assassins' guild? Are they plotting something against Remy? That woman is not a faithful woman, that much I understand. I must warn Remy he's committing to a woman who would not be good for him." With that, she left her hiding place and walked purposefully towards Remy. She was stopped mid-way. "May I have this dance?"

It was not customary for there to be dancing at the post-rehearsal party, but it would be uncharacteristic for the LeBeau family, and for that, Etienne was very happy. Here, he would have the chance to dance with this wonderfully beautiful woman, from the past apparently. After he asked his question, it looked like she would decline, but when she saw who it was that asked the question, she instead smiled and said, "Yes. I would be honored."

"No, it would be me would be honored." Smooth. They waltzed in each other's arms, completely lost in each other's eyes. "Can I ask why you were in my bed this morning?"

"It was my room in the past. I can only assume that I traveled back in time to the exact spot I was at the moment. I happened to be in my room at the time."

"I know you are my great-great-grandmother, but you are tres belle." He was pleased to see her blush.

"You, yourself, are handsome. And nice, I am very pleased to have met you." She was surprised to see surprise in his face. "What?"

"It is not very often that I get that kind of compliment. I usually get lame 'hot', 'sexy' and 'funny' comments. It's nice to get something so honest and different." He was awed by her blush, which complemented her red hair. "Did my father invite you to the wedding tomorrow? If not, I would like you to come." Seeing her downcast face, he wondered why that was such a wrong question to ask. "What's wrong?"

"Remy should not marry that woman."

"Why?"

"I overheard her talking with a man named Julien, and she said that she was going to go through something, I can only assume dump him at the alter. She spoke of loving the Assassin's guild, whoever they are, and Julien more then Remy." Etienne's face took a serious and dark look. "What is it?"

"I have no time to explain. Thanks for telling me this." As the song ended, he kissed her lightly, leaving yet another stunningly glorious blush, and left her to talk to someone else.

Mid 1800's

It was now almost five o-clock, and dinner smells were wafting through the mansion, even to the back porch. "Josie, why is dinner so early?"

"Because the men will be done working soon and will be hungry. We should leave, and you will hide with the servants in the kitchen, they'll give you something to eat. By the way, thanks for teaching me poker."

They headed, discreetly, towards the kitchen. "No problem. It is the best game there is after all."

In the kitchen, he was surprised he could hear everything that was happening in the dining room. One of the servants explained that it was easier for them to hear their master's command for them to bring food or for other complaints. He wasn't really paying attention when…

"Father, I decided that I do not want to marry the man from Tennessee. He sounds boring and I want to pursue a career in writing."

Silence. Remy looked around and noticed that the faces of the servants were full of apprehension. After about 15 seconds, he heard movement from the dining room. It sounded like somebody knocked over his or her chair, followed by heavy footsteps, and another chair knocking over. "Father, no! Please, consider it! I wouldn't be happy, I …"

Josephine's complaints were silenced as Remy heard a slap, and the other dining room door, the one leading to the living room, opened and closed. He was surprised to feel that he was breathing hard and was feeling…anger? He saw that the servants were doing nothing, "Why are you just standing there! He's going to beat her! We should do something about it!"

One of the black servants replied, "Senior McBride would shoot us, or one of his fellow men would, were we to do something'."

Dumbfounded for a few seconds, Remy stood there with contempt on his face. 'What horrible times these are. Why am I even that bothered? I would normally never get into the affairs of a woman. But she is not just any woman, she is a relative, and she has been nothing but good to me. And this jerk and his cronies have done nothing to impress me.' Coming to a conclusion, he ran out of the kitchen, through the dinning room, through the living room, towards the sounds of a whip, servants and men following in his wake.

MJK Thanks for your review; I got an idea for the story from your question. The answer is in the story hope you understand better. Sorry for the ridiculously long wait for an update.