His reflection gazed back at him from the luxuriously carved wall mirror. Looking deeply into his own dark, mahogany eyes he was consumed by melancholic thoughts, unconsciously psyching himself up for what he was sure would be the beginning of the end. Even his stag night hadn't been all that enjoyable, though admittedly he could barely remember the first hour let alone the entire evening after the amount of alcohol he had consumed.
Remy sighed and went to run a hand through his hair but stopped before it came into contact, his Tante Mattie would go nuts if he messed up his hair again. He settled instead for playing with his cuff links that hadn't yet been fastened. Taking a step back, he looked the top half of his body over, 'Considerin' dis is de worst day o' y' life, y' don't scrub up t' bad LeBeau' he thought indolently to himself, noticing his Tante appear in the reflection behind him.
"Oh Remy, y' do look handsome. Belle is a very lucky woman" Complimented Mattie as she stood in the doorway. Remy turned to face her as she spoke and smiled the best he could. She walked up to him with the proudest grin and Remy couldn't help but feel ashamed that he wasn't as happy as he should be on this momentous day. Taking the cuff links out of his hand, Mattie began to fasten them as Remy watched her silently.
It was as though the time was ticking by slowly, but also much too fast. Finished with the cuff links, Mattie straightened his tux and brushed off the invisible dust from his arms and shoulders that only she could see. Stepping back, she held her hands together and smiled proudly, Remy stood up straight ready for inspection. No matter how old he was, his Tante always managed to have his complete respect.
"Y' look wonderful Remy" She praised him once more.
"Merci. Y' don't look too bad y'self" He replied, knowing he would probably end up with a smack over the head for his impudence. As he predicted, Mattie went to do so but stopped herself as he cowered a little and gave him a knowing smile.
"Well, well, well. Doesn't m' younger brot'er look all grown up" Said Henry LeBeau as he sauntered into the room with a satisfied smirk.
"Y' ready to go?" Henry asked putting a hand on his brother's shoulder and clasping it in tight reassurance. Remy nodded and took a deep breath.
"As ready as I'll ev'r be" He replied, faking yet another smile. Henry squeezed his shoulder once more before leaving. Mattie leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek and then also retreated leaving Remy alone once more. Looking into the mirror again, Remy tried to clear his mind of all sense. What was he so worried about, he was getting married to one of the most beautiful women on the planet and he was at the center of a peace treaty that would bring the end to a centuries-old war.
He was doing what he had been destined to do nearly his entire life. Sighing loudly and standing tall, Remy quietly nodded to himself and turned away from the mirror. If he thought about it anymore, he was likely to run and he didn't want to let his family down - it was time to do what needed to be done.
It was a flawlessly, sunny day with not a cloud in the sky and a just a slight breeze in the air to keep the humidity from feeling oppressing, 'Perfect day fo' a weddin' Rogue thought absent-mindlessly as she walked slowly up to the open church doors, adjusting the dress she had borrowed from Tabitha.
She had not planned on wearing a dress at all but after making the big mistake of telling Tabby about the occasion, the insanely, vivacious girl had pestered her constantly about wearing a dress she owned that would suit Rogue perfectly. Eventually she had grown tired of Tabby's non-stop twittering and had given into borrowing the admittedly, very flattering emerald green dress that had earned her a few wolf whistles on the way to the venue 'Gahd ah hate dresses' she thought obtusely as she neared the entrance.
Walking through the stone archway she was unexpectedly greeted by the familiar face of Henry LeBeau.
"Bonjour Rogue. I didn't know y'd be here?" He acknowledged with a smile, which Rogue returned.
"Remy asked meh. Thought ah'd bettah come fo' moral support," She replied lightly. Henry smirked at her but eyed her warily before gesturing for her to follow him to her seat. Rogue ignored his look and walked behind him slowly, trying to avoid bumping into people the best she could - Remy certainly had a lot of family, the building was quite full. Then she saw him up at the alter and Rogue softly smiled at the sight of him looking so good in a tux 'Then again, he could probably wear leopard print Speedo and still look hot' the thought causing her to laugh silently.
Taking her seat, she observed Remy as he stood in anticipation. He looked calm enough, no more anxious than any normal man about to be married, to the unseeing eye. But Rogue noticed the slight edginess in the way he stood, the silent nervousness as he glanced around the room watching the growing audience. Not scared, just vexed she concluded - it had to be.
Fifteen minutes later and most of the guests had taken their seats. Remy took a deep breath as they began to silence, 'Dis is it homme, no backin' out now' - but he forced that thought to the back of his head and tried to think of something, anything else. Remy closed his eyes a little and tried to think of anything but the wedding - the sunrise he witnessed the other morning came to mind, the soft glow of the early light as it filtered through the balcony doors, feeling the light breeze as it blew in and cooled his skin, hearing the wind-chimes from across the street moving back and forth, lying next to Rogue . . . Rogue.
He opened his eyes immediately as her face filtered into his mind. She was supposed to be here - looking across the endless rows of pews, his eyes sweeping the enormous amount of guests searching for that one face. The sound of the organ and the tune of the traditional wedding march failed to deter him, as did the shake of his arm as his brother called his name, trying to tell him it was time - she had to be here.
There she was, a small face amongst a sea of people. She looked different, breathtaking compared to what he usually was used to seeing - her hair tousled, the darkness of it making it gleam more distinctly. The accustomed heavy make-up had been lightened for the occasion and for the first time; he noticed she was wearing what looked like a dress - emerald green, flattering her naturally dark looks and eyes wonderfully.
He caught her eye and she smiled at him making him gulp, unable to remove the freeze-frame look from his face. A sharp pain in his side made him wince and he looked sourly at his brother. Henry glared at him and moved his own eyes over to the aisle. Remy followed his gaze and saw what most would perceive as a vision in white. Following the slow movement of the procession as Belle approached him gradually, walking to the tune of the march. Remy suddenly felt everything blur, as though he had finally realized what was happening.
Pulling himself back to his senses, he found Belle standing beside him - glancing over to her without moving his head, he noticed the thin white veil hiding her flawless face, her golden hair pushed back a little in tumbling curls. He closed his eyes briefly, reminding himself as to why he was doing this and looked up silently to the priest as he began to speak. His entire life at that moment seem to flash before his eyes as the priests voice continued - he was listening, trying to concentrate but he didn't hear the words, the sound was fading from his ears as he stared indomitably at the cross on the back wall.
"Do you Remy LeBeau take Belladonna Boudreaux to be your wife? To live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her for as long you both shall live?" The priest delivered his lines unfalteringly as his words entered Remy's ears.
For the first time in his life he felt dumbfounded, his mouth opened as though to speak but no sound came out. He felt a jab in his side and he heard Belle telling him to answer, but he couldn't move - he was frozen to the spot. This was wrong, he shouldn't be here - this shouldn't be happening. Panic flowed through his veins like it never had before - he waited silently for the adrenaline to kick in. Exhaling loudly he turned his body swiftly to his should-be-bride, noting her violet eyes glaring at him dangerously through the delicate veil over her face.
"Je suis désolé Belle. I can't do dis" He tried to sound as strongly as he could before walking briskly away from the alter towards the church doors at the back of the building. Hearing the distinct mumbles and shuffles of bodies in their seats as the numerous guests began to grow restless and then heard what he had been dreading most.
"I'll kill y' LeBeau! I swear I'll kill y'. Y' worthless piece o' scum!" the increasing volume of the shouting and the sound of heavy footsteps told him someone was coming for him, but he just carried on walking towards the church doors. Suddenly he felt himself being crushed under the weight of another body as someone attacked him from behind, wrestling him to the floor and grabbing him around the neck - seconds later the weight was lifted off him by several others and he got his first look at his attacker.
Pulling himself of the stone floor and adjusting the collar of his shirt with one hand he observed as the person struggled to break free, but was held back by his brother and several cousins.
"Dis doesn't concern y' Julien" Remy warned seriously watching as the young man grappled with his captors. The hereditary, violet eyes of the Boudreaux family bore into his own as Julian fought furiously to break free.
"O' course it does y' son o' a bitch, that m' sœury' jus left up dere. I'm gonna fuckin' kill y' when I get m' hands on y'. Y' gonna wish y' were never born!" Julien bellowed angrily as some of his own family began to try and calm him down. Remy turned abruptly and stormed out of the doors, leaving before anything else could happen.
Rogue watched earnestly as Remy hurried back down the aisle, followed by a fair-haired man who looked remarkably like Belle -yelling at the top of his voice in a way that would make small animals keel over and die in an instant. She saw the man tackle Remy from behind, throwing him to the floor causing nearly everyone in the church to gasp and rise to their feet in an attempt to catch a better view of the action. Rogue stood helplessly trying to also see what was going on as more shouting ensued.
The scuffling of shoes could be heard on the stone floor and then the creak of the hefty, wooden doors could be heard being pushed open. Realizing she had no idea what was going on, she took re-took her seat as some of the guests began to leave, others simply moving around unsure of what to do. Rogue went over in her head the drama that had just ensued - Remy had lost his nerve after all.
Two men appeared to be arguing heatedly near the alter before one of them stalked down the aisle flanked by four or five other men - one of whom was Henry, catching Rogue's eye and what could only be described as pure worry was evident in that look, the bride stood off to the side screaming at the priest - if this wasn't complete chaos, Rogue didn't know what would be a better definition of the word.
The door banged sharply against the wall and slammed shut again, causing a noticeable dent in the plaster as Remy stomped into the apartment heavily. Cursing himself and running a hand through his hair, he tried desperately to go through what had just happened. 'Merde! Y're in deep now" he thought furiously.'Damn it! All y' had t' do was marry de femme!" he wanted to roar at himself.
Seizing a glass ashtray from the side table, he launched the object at the wall and walked away into his room as the sound of shattering glass, skidding across the laminate floor reached his ears, doing little to cease his anger. Reaching his room he walked over to the balcony doors and opened them, stepping out onto it he watched as the light of the day began to fade and the usual, rambunctious New Orleans night creatures began to emerge.
Steadily he began to breathe more easily and he raised a hand tentatively to his head, trying to clear his mind of the bedlam. The sound of the buzzer at the front door disturbed him from his temporary, composed state and he walked back through the apartment and opened the door, being pushed roughly aside as the invader came storming in.
"What do y' t'ink y' were doin' Remy, hein? What is up wit' y?" Henry roared at him as he followed Remy further into the apartment. Receiving no answer, the older LeBeau gripped his brother's shoulder and twisted him around roughly to face him.
"Y' let everyone down Remy, Père, me, de entire family! What de hell is wrong wit' y'? He shouted angrily at Remy.
"I know Henry! But I couldn't go t'rough wit' it - I t'ought I could but I couldn't!" Remy tried to reason with him. They both fell into silence and stared at each other. Henry's furious glare never letting up, still clutching his brothers shoulder firmly.
"It's dat fille isn't it?" Henry concluded harshly, his eyes still fixed.
"Non, it had not'ing t' do wit' her" Remy answered, brushing his brothers hand from his shoulder and stalking away.
"Remy . . ." Henry warned dangerously, stopping him in his tracks.
"I told y' before, Rogue has not'ing t' do wit' dis" Remy replied heatedly, facing his sibling once again. Henry approached Remy determinedly and lowered his voice to a harsh whisper.
"Well she better hadn't or she will be in as much deep shit as y' are Remy. If I were y', I would get out o' town fo' a while. Julien is after y're blood an' it don't look like he gonna be lettin' up anytime soon" Henry warned him before leaving brusquely, slamming the door behind him. He was right, the entire Boudreaux family would be hunting him down before too long - he had too leave or his life was very likely to come to an abrupt and certainly violent end.
Racing into his room, he began throwing some clothes and other things he would need into a small holdall, there was no time for planning. The sound of the front door being closed again made him look up from his task - a substantial pang of worry hit his stomach as he waited in anticipation.
"Remy? Ya heah?" A distinctly female voice reached his ears. Knowing instantly who it was, Remy continued to pack.
"Remy . . . what ar' ya doin?" Rogue asked confusedly as she stood in the doorway watching him move swiftly about the room, chucking odd bits and pieces into a bag, bemused at what she was witnessing. He didn't answer her or look at her, just carried on packing - Rogue felt a stab of panic in her chest. Just how deep exactly was he? Whatever it was, he obviously wasn't sticking around to find out, that was for sure.
In a second he had adorned his much-loved trench coat and was brushing past her briskly, bag in hand and out of the room. Rogue followed him, almost having to run to catch him.
"What th' hell is goin' on Remy?" She shouted sternly making him pause before he reached the front door. His eyes seemingly transfixed before him, daring not to look around at her. Henry's words echoed in his head - if his brother thought Rogue had something to do with him jilting Belle at the alter, then it wouldn't take long for the assassins to catch onto that notion either.
Turning around he saw her quietly standing a few feet from him, watching him intently, wanting answers. She was in perilous danger and she didn't have a clue - it was like sending a lamb to the slaughter.
"Rogue, chére . . . dere's somet'in' I need t' tell . . ." He was cut short by the distant noise of car-tires screeching on tarmac, making both himself and Rogue look pointlessly towards the front of the apartment. Without having to try, he instantly thought 'Assassins' and rushed the few feet towards Rogue, taking hold of her arm firmly to bring her attention back to him. Rogue looked up at him wide-eyed, 'What th' fuck is goin' on?' She thought anxiously.
"Do y' trust me?" He asked her hastily. She looked at him puzzled by the question, his eyes boring into her own intensely. What was she supposed to say to that? What the hell was going on to make him ask such a question? All this rammed through her mind as she tried to work out what to say. Another loud screech of tires, closer this time - made her look out in the direction of the street again but she was pulled roughly to face Remy once more.
She seethed silently, how could she trust someone when she hadn't the faintest idea over who they really were? He knew that look in her eyes, she was beginning to get annoyed - hell, he would be too but he didn't have time to explain what was going on, he needed to get out of here and fast.
"Rogue?" He probed strongly. Rogue looked at him intently; there was nothing in his eyes to suggest anything but complete sincerity. Nodding her head slowly, not once removing her gaze. Remy took this as a yes and holding her arm more securely, opened the door and pulled her out after him. Leading her down the stairs silently, Rogue taking this as a sign that she should do the same - they reached the corner of the building and Remy cautiously peered around the old brick.
Darkness had already fallen; the street lamps already alight making Rogue even more irresolute over the situation. Deciding that they could carry on, Remy tugged on her arm for her to follow but she didn't budge. Looking back at her and seeing she was about to protest, he held up a hand to her lips to quieten her down.
"Please chére?" He whispered as quietly as he could. If they were going to get out of here, he needed her to let him do it without being disturbed and questioned. Rogue remained silent, though he could tell by the look on her face that he was going to have a hell of a lot of questions later - but right now that didn't matter, as long they got out of New Orleans alive. The sound of a wailing police siren made them both jump and swiftly, Remy pulled her along after him, walking the short distance as inconspicuously as possible to a black motorcycle parked on the other side of the street.
Putting the holdall into the compartment under the back seat, Remy climbed onto the bike and waited for Rogue to get on behind him. Doing so as elegantly as she could manage in the dress and heels she was still wearing, Rogue was silently thankful that it wasn't a very short dress or she would have had big problems retaining her dignity. Remy started the engine and revved the bike, feeling Rogue's arms wrap around his stomach securely, he made one last check behind them and then sped off into the night.