Chapter Twelve: Sacrifice and Revelation

The frightening sense of doom did not ease within Babette, and she was certain that it never would as long as she was in this room. Dealing with either Fifi or D'Araignée was one matter; facing the both of them at the same time was an entirely different, and dangerous situation. Now she knew how a condemned criminal felt awaiting the dreaded sentence.

"You had better start explaining yourself," D'Araignée warned, sitting tall behind her desk. "Where were you last night?"

Babette swallowed nervously, shaking her head. "I do not know what you are talking about."

D'Araignée snorted a mocking laugh. "Surely you can do better than that."

Babette thought quickly. How much did D'Araignée know exactly?

"Brielle was not feeling well – "

"I am aware of that, but I did not ask about her," D'Araignée interrupted sharply.

Babette breathed a subtle sigh of relief; at least Fifi had kept that much secret.

"But I was only taking care of her, keeping her company," she replied.

D'Araignée rubbed her temple, as though on the verge of a headache. "That was your second chance," she growled, her patience dropping rapidly. "Now tell me the truth."

"She will not admit to it, Madame!" Fifi cried accusingly. "I told you she wouldn't!"

Babette stared at her furiously. She was trapped, and she knew it too well. Trusting Fifi had been a mistake since the very beginning, and one look into her vicious eyes, seeing her loving every minute of this despite the righteous act she was putting on for D'Araignée, only made Babette feel worse.

"She told me to cover for her last night so she could sneak off with a man, just as I said," Fifi added, staring her rival straight in the eyes, daring her to disagree and risk Brielle's safety for her own. Babette only remained silent.

"That's enough from you!" D'Araignée shouted, her temper officially lost. "Babette, is this the truth or not?"

Babette closed her eyes tightly, thinking only of Brielle. "Oui, Madame," she muttered quietly. "Every word."

D'Araignée rose from her chair, glaring at Babette angrily, yet with an air of calculation as well.

"You have always caused more trouble than you are worth," she said. "This is inexcusable, too much so to get away with your usual slap on the wrist. You know that your first duty is to this dance hall, to me, above all else, the one that took you in, gave you a home when no one else wanted you, not even your own father. You decided to ignore that duty and respect, because your own personal affair was much more important.

"While you were out on your little fling with a fool who would not remember your name in the morning, many more men were here to see you, and were growing rather angry when we could not find you. The very men who pay money to keep you alive were not nearly as worthy of your time apparently. If Fifi was not here to take your place, the majority of them would have left, taking their money with them. As far as I am concerned, that is more than enough reason to throw you out here and now."

Babette nodded solemnly. "Understandably so, Madame; I was wrong and I deserve to be dismissed."

"However," D'Araignée continued, "despite yesterday's mishap, they still want you. If I were to get rid of you, we would lose many of our patrons, including the Vicomte de Bontecou."

Fifi hastily came forward at the sound of her plan possibly backfiring. "Madame, surely one or two men leaving would not make too much of a difference!"

"Hold your tongue!" D'Araignée shouted, and for the first time, Babette saw Fifi cower and back away from a fight. "One man with as much money as the Vicomte can greatly hurt us if we lose him, not to mention all of the others combined. You are no longer enough on your own; therefore, for the sake of Le Fleur Noir, my hands are tied. It is too risky to get rid of her altogether, and far too easy a punishment as well." Turning to Babette, she concluded, "You have disgraced me and this hall, and I will gladly return such a favor. For two months, you will go on first in the evening, then work on serving duties with no pay. You will work to earn your keep. No work means no reason to keep you here. Defy me again, and I will not be so generous. Is that understood?"

Babette nodded, wounded. The greatest insult to any high standing Fleurette was to perform first in the evening. There were hardly any patrons in the dance hall then. It was normally the time that D'Araignée had the newest girls go on to let them grow accustomed to the atmosphere, leaving the experienced girls to perform later when there were more paying customers to be entertained. Babette had worked long and hard to get the coveted final slot of the evening: she was the star performance, the main attraction. A Fleurette would give her right arm and leg to be on the floor during that time, her time. But if that is what it would take for both Brielle and herself to stay at the dance hall, it was worth it.

Satisfied with her decision, D'Araignée returned to her desk again before she said to Fifi, "Find suitable attire; you will be taking her place."

Fifi, who had begun sulking, immediately perked up at D'Araignée's words. "Of course, Madame, merci."

D'Araignée nodded. "Telling me the truth deserves to be rewarded. But hurry, you do not have much time before you go on. Both of you, leave me!"

Once both girls had left, the door closed securely behind them, Fifi began to make her way to the dressing rooms, but Babette gripped her arm, forcing her to stop. Fifi hardly flinched, smirking victoriously.

"There is nothing for you to say anymore," she sneered. "I warned you long ago: you steal from me, you will pay the price. You chose to ignore me."

"But Brielle did nothing to you," Babette snapped quietly.

Fifi shrugged. "No, but would you rather not have ended it all, and let Madame know what really happened? I could go in there now and tell her while you go wish Brielle farewell if that is what you want."

Babette gritted her teeth, trying desperately not to say something that she would regret. One wrong word, and she did not doubt that it would be the end of Brielle. "Damn you," she growled. "Damn you to hell."

Fifi laughed haughtily. "Such daring words from a serving wench to a Fleurette." Tauntingly, she patted Babette on the head as though she were a child. "I believe you have some customers to wait on, and Madame will not be happy if you keep them waiting for their drinks, will she? Best to not upset her more."

And with those parting shots, she continued on her way to the dressing room, leaving Babette to begin the horrible two months of sacrificial punishment.

ooo

As Babette expected, word of her demotion spread like a wild fire. Fifi must have made sure of that, she thought angrily as she walked around the room on serving duty, avoiding the stares of the girls and patrons alike when they whispered and laughed amongst themselves. Worse than that was having no one to turn to for comfort. Aubrey still would not give her a second glance, and Odette would not make the first move to talk. Life was officially even more miserable than it was in the very beginning.

Thankfully, Babette was able to find every good reason and excuse to see Brielle, the highlight of her day. With the girl still recovering, Babette was able to bring her everything she needed, using the time to rest and visit with her friend.

"Well, you certainly look better," Babette said one afternoon, kicking the door shut as she carried a bowl of soup over and placed it on a side table. "The question is do you feel better?"

Brielle winced at the sight of yet more soup.

"I will when I see less of that," she said with a weak smile.

Babette laughed, pulling a chair close and sitting down. "Prove that your strength is back and I will stop bringing it for you altogether," she replied. "It would be nice to see you downstairs again and have some company full time."

Brielle's smile faded. The news had not remained a secret kept only by those in the main room. "You have no idea how sorry I am," she murmured guiltily. "I never should have trusted her; the last thing I wanted was for you to get in trouble."

"I know, it is not your fault," Babette reassured her, gently yet firmly. "It is only for a little while, and more importantly, you are safe and sound with nothing to worry about."

Brielle nodded, but Babette could tell that the answer did not mollify her.

"Trust me, petite," she added. "Every moment for the next two months will be well worth it if it means you can stay here. I would rather die than watch my best friend be thrown out."

Before they could say anymore, D'Araignée began shouting for Babette from the stairwell.

"I think she is catching onto our visits," she said, rolling her eyes as she rose from the chair and patting Brielle's hand. "I will be back later to bring you dinner, I promise."

When Babette reached for the doorknob, Brielle called to her.

"Babette? May I ask you a question?"

"But of course, what is it?"

Brielle hesitated before she answered. "Do…do you think the baby is all right? I mean, like in heaven or something?"

Babette smiled warmly. "I think so."

Brielle shook her head. "Ridiculous, childish question, I know."

"Non, not at all," Babette emphasized. "In fact, if I know my maman…she is taking care of him – or her – until you get there."

Brielle beamed as though Babette had given her the world.

"Merci, mon amie," she said, happier than Babette had seen in a long time.

"C'est de rien."

ooo

Two weeks was all the time that Trouble needed to rear its head. Thankfully, however, it chose the girls' day of freedom from D'Araignée's tyranny – the ever-glorious Saturday when D'Araignée went out to do her weekly errands – to make an appearance among them.

"Babette deserves everything she got for trusting Fifi," Aubrey grumbled stubbornly, taking a swig of wine she had snuck from the kitchen. "We warned her that Fifi would turn on her, she ignored us, and now she has to deal with it."

Across from her, Odette smacked the table in frustration. She understood in the beginning of this mess, considering the disdain between Aubrey and Fifi, but this was getting ridiculous.

"Can you just tell me when this is going to end?" Odette hissed quietly. "Or are you so blind to the fact that Babette was clearly not comfortable through it all by your hatred towards Fifi? Something is not right, I know it, but how are we ever going to find out if you don't stop this?"

"Babette knows that she could always come to us for anything; she knows that," Aubrey replied, unaffected. "Instead she turned on us and went to the enemy."

"Only you would be so stubborn and pigheaded to see it that way," Odette retaliated, although regretting her words moments later. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean – "

But it was too late for apologies. Aubrey merely glared at her before shoving herself away from the table and moving to sit in a nearby corner with only her wine for company. Odette said nothing to stop her, knowing better than that. When Aubrey forced herself away from a provocation, it was best to leave her alone, or else risk angering her to the point of viciousness.

It was best to just focus on Babette and finding the truth, and when the girl passed by the table moments later, Odette had no qualms about reaching out to pull her to a stop.

"Sit down, we need to talk."

Babette shook her head. "Not now, I have to get my work done before Madame – "

"Now," Odette interrupted sharply. Once Babette flopped into the vacant chair, crossing her arms and not making eye contact, Odette continued, "This has to stop."

"I do not know what you mean."

"The hell you don't. This has gone on for long enough, and now I want your honest word. What really happened between you and Fifi?"

Babette bit her lip. Part of her wanted desperately to just tell someone at long last. She knew she could trust Odette with her life, but…a promise was still a promise. Brielle did not get this far without trouble to have someone possibly overhear their conversation and rat her out.

"I…can not tell you," Babette replied, her voice pained.

Odette sighed, exasperated. "Why not? You have always told me things, no matter how bad they were; why is this so different?" When Babette did not answer, Odette asked persistently, "It is not about the Vicomte is it? Did she try to take him from you?"

Babette shook her head.

"Then what is going on?"

Babette swallowed nervously. "Y-you must promise me that Madame will never know. Swear it."

"You have my word."

Taking a deep breath, Babette leaned in closely and explained the entire story from start to finish.

"…Fifi told us that if D'Araignée found out, Brielle would have been thrown out, and I could not let that happen," Babette said, on the verge of tears, feeling both a sense of relief and betrayal. "And since Fifi was her only chance, I did what had to be done…"

Only at that moment did Babette see an odd expression in Odette's eyes, a mix of understanding, pity, and anger.

"What?" Babette asked cautiously.

Odette took her turn at breathing deeply. "Babette…what made you think that was what would happen?"

Babette shrugged. "Well no one ever knows it seems; no one ever talks about it. And was there not a girl a while ago who was dismissed for the same reason? That is the only time I ever heard anyone bring up the idea, but we never saw her again…right?"

Odette looked at her in confusion before realization struck. "You mean when you first came here? Danielle?"

Babette nodded.

"Mon Dieu," Odette whispered under her breath, hiding her face in her hands.

"Odette, what is it?" Babette asked, confused and urgent.

"Babette, Danielle…ran off with the child's father, her patron," Odette replied slowly after a brief pause. "After D'Araignée gave her the choice."

"Choice? I do not understand."

"And I prayed you would never have to; it isn't a pleasant thought," Odette said gently. "A baby, chérie, is quite a common thing around here, but we really just don't talk about it openly. It's not exactly the 'bundle of joy' news as it is for other women. But what Fifi told you…sweetie, she was wrong."

Babette looked at her, stunned upon feeling a sense of dread consume her. "What?"

"When one of the girls finds out she is expecting, Madame always gives them what we call 'the choice.' Either a visit to the angel maker like Brielle, which Madame encourages, or…otherwise, if the mother chooses to continue through to the end. She works until she begins to show, and then gets the same consequences that you have now, work to earn her keep for as long as Madame sees fit. When the mother has the baby, Madame sees to it that a family takes it in, for a fee." As a sarcastic afterthought, Odette added, "Anything to make a bit of money, as usual."

"So you mean…Brielle could have avoided all of this?" Babette asked, dangerously quiet. "None of this would have had to happen?"

Odette nodded, but immediately jumped from her chair after Babette did the same.

"Where are you going?" she asked hastily. "Babette, don't do anything that you – "

But as Babette made her way towards Fifi, who was seated cozily amongst her group of hang-ons, and tore the blond menace away, Odette realized the rest of the warning was in vain.

Fifi, on the other hand, glared daggers at her rival. "What do you think you are doing?"

"What I should have done long ago," Babette snarled, hurling her fist to strike the older girl.

Sure enough, this simple reaction immediately turned what was a floor of pleasure and passion into a fighters' ring, and the other girls gathered around, encouraging the combatants. Fists with fingers curled into claws scratched and pulled at whatever Babette or Fifi could get their hands on, be it limb or hair. When they were both close to bruising black and blue, Odette shoved her way through the mass of spectators, trying to be the force of reason, but it was only when Aubrey shockingly joined her that they were able to pry the two apart.

"Let me go!" Fifi cried, struggling roughly in Aubrey's hold, grimacing all the while across at Babette, who was being restrained by Odette. "She is out of her mind!"

"You lied to me, and you know it!" Babette screeched in accusation, fighting to free herself. "You could have killed her!"

Fifi's face went pale, but keeping the story in her favor, she only stared at Babette blankly. "Jealousy, that is all she knows! She has truly gone mad from it!"

"Liar!"

Before Fifi could respond again, however, Aubrey gave her a good shove, quickly dragging her into another room.

"What the hell are you trying to pull?" Aubrey snarled, shutting the door before holding Fifi tightly by the throat against a wall.

"How can I answer…?" Fifi gasped angrily, trailing off as her breath was giving out.

Aubrey unwillingly released her. "Brielle did nothing to you, and yet you walked her right into LaCharde's hands? Just to even your score with Babette? That is low even for you!"

"If you and Odette had taught Babette where she belonged from her first day, away from my place in the lights…!"

"Don't you get it?" Aubrey interrupted her. "Not everyone is like your pathetic little lackeys who cater to your every whim! You should have just left Babette and the kid alone!"

"They both had it coming to them," Fifi countered without a trace of remorse. "This will teach them who are the Fleurettes and who is nothing."

Aubrey's hand shot right back to Fifi's throat.

"Say another word, and I will snap your neck slowly and painfully," she warned. In a low whisper she continued, "I have put up with you long enough, simply because of what I promised our mother before she died."

"You said you'd never hurt family, oui, and look at what you are doing now," Fifi growled, struggling a bit, but stopped when Aubrey gave her another shove.

"I stopped calling you family long ago," Aubrey retorted. "No one would betray her sister the way you did to me."

"So that is what this is about? The fact that I did this very same thing to you?"

"Tais toi!" Aubrey shouted. "That is not important anymore! The fact is, you got what you wanted; you have your spotlight back!" Leaning in closer, she added dangerously, "And if I were you, I would enjoy it while I could. We both know that Odette is taking over this place one day, and when she does…well, I will leave you to ponder that. In the meantime, those girls are my family, and if you lay one hand on them, or use them in your little schemes ever again, I will hunt you down like the bitch you are."

Nothing further was said after that, and Aubrey made her way to the main room again, looking for Odette and Babette. Sure enough, there they were in the corner, alone; Odette must have told everyone to leave them.

When Aubrey reached them, Babette pulled herself away from Odette's comforting embrace and wiped her eyes.

"I did not mean to hurt you," she whispered. "I am so sorry."

Aubrey shook her head before sitting next to her friend and pulling her close. "So am I. I should have listened to you, but I guess I'm just too stubborn and pigheaded," she replied with a grin to Odette.

Babette took a deep breath to calm down, but her stomach was still turning at the thought of such a betrayal. Looking both of the girls directly in the eyes, she said, "Brielle can not know; she must not. She did not want to get rid of the baby in the end, and knowing that she really did not have to would destroy her. Agreed?"

The girls nodded in unison, at last reaching an understanding in every way they needed.

"Agreed."