Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or anything associated with them…

A/N: Happy Easter, everyone! Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I really appreciate all the feedback. This chapter makes references to Remy's mother. I know in the comics and classical canon, Remy didn't know his mother. Since this is AU, I'm changing that a little. Hope you don't mind, but it'll help explain some of his hang ups.

Chapter 14: Sinister Plans

Shortly after dinner, Kurt and Meg returned to the lower village. She was anxious to introduce him to her family even though Kurt had his reservations. They approached a small, humble shack on the edge of town with a low light streaming from the windows. Built of the same black rock that decorated the nearby shoreline, it was a nearly invisible in the darkness of night.

"I'm not sure this is a gűt idea, libeling." Kurt halted a few steps from the door and squeezed Meg's small hand.

"Why not, luv? Oh, me father is nothin' ta be scared of! Come on." Meg smiled and started to pull Kurt to the door.

Before they were able to knock, the door flew open and they were greeted by a mountain of a man. He was wearing a white shirt covered in dark stains and brown breeches that didn't quite cover all of him. He leveled a steely glare at Kurt and filled the doorway with his own frame. Kurt did his best to appear unaffected the man's presence and outward hostility.

"Daddy! Stop it!" Meg playfully smacked the huge man on his arm and embraced him in a loving hug. "This is Kurt, dad."

Kurt extended his hand, but the other man just stared down at it with a frown. Kurt took his hand back and gulped.

"Well, laddie, wha' ya lookin' a'? Get yer arse inside 'fore ya freeze." He moved from the doorway and allowed the young couple inside. "So this be the bloke tha' is keepin' me Meggie away from home?"

"Be nice…"Meg warned as she led Kurt to a chair near the fireplace. "I'm goin' ta help mom in the kitchen, but I'll be back soon, luv." She leaned down to whisper Kurt's ear before she left. "Don't let me dad frighten ya. His bark is far worse than his bite."

As Meg disappeared around the corner Kurt turned his gaze to her father, who was taking a seat on the other side of the fireplace. The man filled the chair easily and Kurt found himself wondering how such a small piece of furniture could hold the weight of such a man.

"Seein' as Meggie has takin' a likin' ta ya, I should get ta know ya. What do ya do for a livin'?

Kurt cleared his throat. "Vell, Herr Kavanagh, I'm first-mate under Captain Rasputin at the moment."

"Jaysus! Ya're a bloody pirate." Meg's father covered his face with his palms and shook his head as he let out a heavy sigh. "My Meggie never was a good judge of character. Ya're daft if ya think I'll be lettin' ya drag me little Meggie off on a ship. I've heard the stories from the men who sail aboard the Devil's Lust and tha's no life for the girl."

"I have no intentions of taking Meg mit me, Herr Kavanagh." Kurt was going to continue but was cut off by her father's gruff voice.

"Wha' are yer intentions with me Meggie then, laddie?"

"I vill come back for Meg after ve find vhat ve're searching for. I vould like to learn more about her and see vhere this goes. If you vould approve, mein Herr."

Meg's father looked Kurt over and muttered something unintelligible under his breath. Meg returned at that moment saving Kurt from what would have undoubtedly been a few very awkward moments. She plopped herself down on her father's lap and smiled up at his frowning face.

"Have ya been behavin' yerself poppa?"

"Bloody hell, Meggie, did ya know the boy was a pirate?"

Meg smiled and smacked her father on his shoulder. "Of course, daddy. Ya were a pirate once, too. Or don't ya remember? I always wanted ta find me a man jus' like me ol' dad."

Throwing his arms up in the air, her father acted indignant. "Brilliant! Jus' brilliant, lass. Why don't ya go back inta the kitchen an' ask yer mother wha' she thinks 'bout tha'. Jaysus, child, if there is anyone who knows the trouble of marryin' a pirate it be her."

"Oh, poppa! Momma loves ya, an' ya very well know it! Here, let me go fetch the drinks." Meg jumped off her father's lap and ran back to the kitchen. A few short moments later, she reappeared with three flagons of Guinness. "Let's drink 'til we get bollixed an' celebrate the time we have."

Meg's father rolled his eyes at his impetuous daughter and took his flagon. He raised his cup and looked Kurt squarely in the eyes. "I be needin' a good drink anyway. Sláinte!"

Over the next few hours, Kurt was acquainted with Meg's mother and eventually learned that he enjoyed her father's quips and manner. He was a man who knew what he liked and wasn't afraid to voice his opinions. It wasn't hard to see where Meg got her fiery spirit and he realized that he would miss that same spirit over the next few weeks, but her father was right. A ship is no place for Meg. She wasn't like Rogue or Wanda.


Back at the manor…

Rogue sat up quickly in her bed with perspiration pouring off her body and her heart thundering in her chest. It was still dark and the harvest moon was shining brightly out her window while the sounds of exotic creatures called out in the night. It was a dream. It had to be. No…a nightmare.

She had been on a strange plain atop a steep cliff with white sand beaches below. She had been chasing after something…something she couldn't quite hold onto. It fell over the edge of the cliff and her heart jumped into her throat. Before she could reach the cliff's side and peer down into the void below, a black cloth fluttered up overhead and fell to her feet. Then she woke. What was it she was after? What had she lost?

There was no point in trying to sleep more this night. Rogue climbed out of bed, dressed and stepped out onto her balcony. From this vantage point she could clearly see the two great galleons in the harbor below. They looked so well matched side-by-side in the moonlight, as if they were fashioned for one another. Tomorrow they would set out and continue their trek to Orcadia and Remy would captain the Devil's Lust again. It would be strange to be away from him after having him so close over the past few days. How would the separation affect their relationship? Would everything go back to as it had been before Bella's attack?

"Ah'm goin' ta miss him." Rogue whispered to herself.

A slight movement in the garden below caught Rogue's attention. It was Sinaesta, the Indian princess. Rogue watched as the young girl slipped through the garden and back into the terrace doors below carrying a small pouch in her hand. After a short time, Rogue heard the gentle foot falls of someone in the hall, walking past her door toward the end of the corridor. She cracked the door and looked down the hall just as Sinaesta slipped into Remy's room. Rogue saw red. What does she think she's doin'!

Rogue moved out into the hall and slowly crept down to Remy's door. Nothing could be heard from the room, not even the squeak of a floorboard.

Inside the room, a flickering light from a candle guided Sinaesta to Remy's bed. She pulled aside the mosquito netting and gently slid under the soft covers. He was sleeping and dreaming a pleasant dream judging by the small smile on his lips. She had loved Remy from the first moment he arrived at her father's village. At first it was merely a childish infatuation with a handsome face, but now she knew the man. Her father had trusted Remy with her well being and she would trust him with her life. He was the only man she wanted.

He lay on his back, one arm bent upward over his head. Moonlight cascaded over his shoulders and glinted through his hair. He looked so peaceful, and younger than she had thought possible. Peaceful nights were not common for her poor Remy. She had heard some of the stories of his childhood before Jean Luc. How could such a wonderful man come from such a black past? Her gaze was drawn to the smooth, curved arch of his brow, the elegant line of his nose, and the soft smile on his lips. Those lips called to her and the need to fulfill her youthful fantasies. Her heart racing, she lowered her head ever so slightly to place her lips to his.

Remy seemed to respond to the chaste kiss even in his sleep. Sinaesta sank her small hand into his hair and stroked him with a gentle, caring touch. She groaned at the wicked feel of kissing Remy. He tasted so good and felt even better than she had imagined. Without opening his eyes and lost in his own dream, Remy deepened the kiss. It was hungry and devouring, and it stole the very breath from her. She'd never had a man hold her like this. If she didn't know better, she might even think that he had feelings for her. But that was foolish. He knew nothing of what he was doing.

Even so, Sinaesta trembled as she imagined the feel of his love.

Suddenly his kisses stopped and his body stilled. Sinaesta opened her eyes to see his eyes flashing red in the dark. "Remy…"

"Sinaesta? What in de hell are y' doin' here?"

She sat up in the bed allowing the covers to pool around her lap. She was naked, her satin skin shining like antique gold in the candlelight. "Remy…please…"

"Remy's not de man y' need, chere." He said as he sat up in the bed and propped himself up on the headboard.

"I could be all the woman you want if you'd let me." She scooted closer to Remy and tried to reach out to him, but Remy stopped her by placing his hands on her shoulders. "I'm sixteen," she informed him haughtily. "I can wait until you tire of Rogue."

"Petite, Remy's not goin' t' tire of Rogue. Remy loves her." Remy saw the tears forming in her eyes. "Chere, Remy loves y' too, mais he can't love y' de way y' want him to. Desole. While Remy was out today, he went t' de Calusa village. Y' remember Teyo, non? De young warrior expressed his desire t' take y' as a wife."

"I don't want Teyo," Sinaesta said sulkily. "I want you."

"Teyo is a fine young warrior, petite. He's comin' t' de house tomorrow. Remy promised y'r pere dat he'd find y' a husband, an' it's time. Remy may not come back one day an' he needs t' know y'r taken care of, chere." Remy reached out and stroked her cheek with his hand. Sinaesta tilted her head into his touch, savoring the moment.

When she felt him pulling away, the tears began to freely fall and she jumped from the bed. Grabbing her clothes as she ran, she threw the door open and darted down the hall back to her room, crying as she went.

Rogue was shocked as Remy's door opened quickly and Sinaesta flew from the room, naked and clutching her clothes with tears falling from her eyes. She watched as the young girl ran to her room and slammed the door behind her. Rogue heard the heavy sigh from Remy's room and slowly moved inside.

He was sitting up on his bead with his head in his hands. His chest was bare as the soft covers pooled around his waist and his long auburn hair fell over his forehead. He was without a doubt the most handsome man she'd ever beheld. The fading moonlight danced in the darkest waves of his hair and caressed the planes of his face. He was quite inviting like this.

Remy heard the slight squeak of a floorboard as Rogue took a small step toward the bed. He looked up to the doorway and cocked his head. "Rogue?"

"Is everything alright, sugah?" She asked, moving closer to the bed.

"Oui, chere. Sinaesta jus' wanted somethin' Remy couldn't give. She'll be fine. It's jus' an infatuation." He took her hand into his.

Her heart quickening, she stared into those dark, ruby eyes and offered him a tender smile. "Ah'm sorry, darlin'."

One corner of his mouth quirked up into a smile. "What do y' want, mon chere?"

"Ah don't want ta spend the last night near ya alone, sugah." She sat down on the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a possessive kiss. He pulled back to give her a look so tender that it brought an ache to her chest.

"Remy knows y' can't say it back, chere, mais je t'aime." His eyes flared brighter an instant before he kissed her deeply. Rogue knew how limited their time together was and it sweetened the moment all the more. For now, they would find their own piece of paradise.


When morning finally came, Remy woke alone in his bed. He felt the covers where Rogue had slept and they were cold. He dressed and opened the large doors that led to his balcony over the garden. He saw Christian sitting at a table on the terrace below painting his small wooden soldiers and pirates. Rogue approached the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What are ya doin', Chris?"

He shrugged his thin shoulders and dragged one foot in a pretend line under the table.

"Are ya makin' a soldier?"

"You can tell?" he asked, his face a study of amazement as he immediately perked up.

Before she could say anything, Chris stood up and moved to a small box not far away and brought it over to her. Meticulously, he pulled out tiny wooden soldiers and lined them up into two groups.

"I made all of these." He pointed to one group. "They're the soldiers." His voice spoke his thoughts loudly.

"The bad guys?" she asked, hiding the humor in her voice.

"Always." Then he handed her five soldiers. "These are the pirates. I did this one to look like John."

Rogue studied the one he referred to. It was probably five and one-half inches tall and so intricately carved that it was breathtaking. She could even see the individual hairs of John's head. It was a stunning likeness.

She looked at the others. "This one must be your captain," she said, indicating the pirate that looked most like Remy.

"Exactly!" he beamed.

"Ya know," Rogue said, as she put four of them down and kept the Remy pirate in her hand. "Ah could help ya paint them."

"Really?"

"Yeah, sugah. Let's have fun, shall we?"

Remy watched as they sat together and painted several of Chris' new figures. He finished dressing and made his way to the terrace when he caught the sound of her laughter.

"If ya do that, ya might kill one of 'em," she said.

Remy frowned. What the devil was she talking about?

"We'll just use a little powder in the lock," Chris said. "It should just be enough to blow it open."

"But ya would blow off a leg, sugah."

"Naw. It'll just leave a bit of a scar. The captain did it when Nathaniel Essex captured him in Port-au-Prince and he's still got his arms."

Remy smiled at the pride in Christian's voice…the hint of laughter in the youthful tone. He loved that boy dearly. How could he not? Christian was everything he had ever wanted to be as a child- innocent, kind, and most of all loving. Fate had denied him those luxuries and he'd be damned before he let anything tarnish Christian's smile.

"Ah think your captain was merely makin' up stories ta amuse ya, Chris," Rogue said as she finished painting a wooden pirate that looked like Wanda.

Chris lifted his chin, his eyes snapping fire. "It's the truth. John was there, you can ask him."

"Don't be angry with meh," she said in the kind of loving, indulgent tone a mother would use-the kind of tone his own mother had never used with him. "Ah know for a fact that your captain is brave and honest."

"An' terribly handsome, non," Remy added.

Rogue turned around with a gasp. Closing her mouth, her gaze narrowed. "Terribly conceited. That one Ah'll grant."

"I was telling her about how you escaped Nathaniel Essex," Chris piped in as he absently laid aside a brush of blue paint on the table. "She doesn't believe that you blew up your irons." He rushed to Remy and pushed back the cuff of his shirt. "Show her your scar."

Remy dutifully rolled back his shirt sleeve to reveal the burn mark on his left hand.

Her brows furrowed, Rogue sat back in her chair, then reached out. Remy steeled his body for the tingling shock he'd receive the moment she touched him. As if sensing his thoughts, she froze her hand just above the scar. So close to him, but not quite touching.

"It looks like it must've hurt," she said, quickly dropping her hand back to her lap.

Remy dropped his arm, "Remy has certainly had more pleasurable experiences," he said.

"Were ya scared when he caught ya?" she asked.

Remy fastened his cuff back around his wrist. "Not really. Dere's nothin' in life Remy fears."

"Nothing?" She asked with an arched brow.

He shook his head.

Christian gave a superior look. "I told you the captain is perfect. Cunning and …"

"An' y' wonder why Remy has a big head," Remy said, giving Chris a light hug. "With dis one 'round t' always tout his abilities, be impossible t' be humble."

"Practice," Rogue said, arching a haughty brow, "Ah'm told, makes perfect."

Remy laughed. How he loved matching wits with her. He'd never before met a woman so quick.

"Ah, chere, Remy hates t' break dis up, but we need t' start packin' up. Chris, go get y'r bags and tell Lapin and Mattie good-bye."

"Aye, captain!" Chris ran back into the house, leaving Remy and Rogue on the terrace.

"He loves ya, Remy. Do y' know that?" Rogue stood from her chair and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Oui…Remy knows and he loves de boy. Christian is like mon fils. Remy'd go t' Hell an' back t' keep Christian from de horrors he's seen." Remy looked past the garden enclosure down to the sea. "Rogue…Promise Remy one thing."

"Aye?" Rogue answered, but was concerned at the whispered tone in his voice.

"Promise Remy y' will bring Christian back t' Tante Mattie if somethin' happens to him. Chris would want t' stay with John, but Tante can take care of de boy." Remy turned his gaze back to Rogue.

"Remy…"

"Please, Rogue," he said.

"Ah will, Ah promise, sugah. But nothin'…nothin' is goin' ta happen."

"Merci, chere." Remy turned in her arms and captured her lips with his in a chaste kiss. "Now, what was dis 'bout Remy bein' honest an' brave?" He teased her.

She looked to her right while she squirmed. "Ya heard that, did ya?"

"Hmmm."

Her gaze shifted back to his for an instant before she looked somewhere else. "It was for Chris' benefit, sugah. Ah couldn't very well tell him what Ah really thought of ya, now could Ah?"

How he loved teasing her, especially when it brought out the provocative blush that was creeping over her face as she looked anywhere but at him.

"An' what is it dat y' really think of Remy?"

Clasping her hands behind her back, she squinted her eyes toward the house. "That ya're arrogant."

He smiled. "Remy'll grant y' dat."

Her gaze drifted to his before she looked away again. Rogue appeared to be giving the matter much thought. "Irritatin'," she said plainly.

"Remy can be."

A twinge of anger darkened her eyes. He could tell she didn't care for his ready acquiescence to her insults. "Infuriatin'."

His smile widened. "Remy tries t' be."

This time, she met his gaze levelly. "Why are ya bein' so accommodatin'?"

He shrugged. "Y're speakin' de truth an' Remy never argues with truth."

Remy leaned forward and placed his hands against the table behind her, trapping her between his arms. The scent of lavender rose up from her skin and idle strands of her hair tickled his face and neck as the wind blew them about. "Do y' wish t' know what Remy thinks of y'?"

"Definitely not," she said primly.

Remy leaned forward a tad to take in more of her intoxicating perfume. When he spoke, his voice was a hoarse whisper. "Remy finds y' delectable."

"Excuse meh?" She quickly diverted her gaze.

"Beautiful. Exquisite." Remy breathed the words in her ear as he brushed the back of his fingers over the softness of her neck.

She quivered. Beneath his fingertips, he could feel her pulse quicken. How he wanted to kiss her, to feel her nails dig into his back again.

He pulled away. "Now we need t' get movin', non? Orcadia is waitin'."


At the harbor…

The harbor was bustling with activity as the crews of the two galleons restocked their supplies and prepared for departure. Some of Piotr's men decided to remain on the island until he returned with his own vessel, since the ships were crowded by their extra numbers but they were helping for the moment. Kurt was standing on the stone jetty with Meg as they said their good-byes.

"Ve haven't much time," Kurt said to Meg as he cupped her face in his hands.

"Ya'll be careful?" she asked, tilting her head into his touch.

"Ja, I vill be careful, libeling."

"Promise?"

Kurt looked Meg straight in the eyes and smiled. "I promise."

Meg took a moment to study the features of her pirate. His eyes were soft amber, his hair dark, and a bit of shadow on his cheeks. Her pirate was the most handsome man to ever live.

"I'll be waitin' for ya, luv."

A dark sadness fell over Kurt's eyes. "I vill, too."

Meg pulled Kurt into her arms. He held her in a gentle embrace that warmed her through and through. Then he tightened his arms and pulled away. "I have to go now, Meg."

But she didn't want him to. She never wanted to let go of this man. Reluctantly, she started to pull away, only to have Kurt capture her lips in a stinging kiss. She moaned at the taste of him, at the way he held onto her as if he never wanted to release her.

Groaning, he pulled away again, the wrapped her in his arms and leaned his cheek against her head. His arms tightened an instant before he stepped away. "I'll see you again, libeling." Even as he spoke the words, he held her hand tightly in his.

Her heart pounded at the thought of being without him for even a moment. She handed him her necklace, which was given to her by her grandmother years before. "I want ya to keep this safe. It has always brought me luck, luv."

"Take care. Ich liebe dich." Kurt kissed her again before releasing her hand and boarding the Anna Marie.

Down by the Devil's Lust, Remy and Christian were saying their good-byes to Tante Mattie and Lapin. Christian ran down from the gangplank of the ship and launched himself at Tante Mattie who caught the child in her arms.

"Bye, Tante! We'll be back 'fore you know it. I love you!" Christian said as Tante squeezed the small boy in a tight hug. He kissed her on her cheek and squirmed out of her arms.

Lapin reached over and ruffled the boy's hair. Christian bristled under his attention and stepped away from him. "Bye, Uncle Lapin!"

"À tout, petite! Take care of y'r captain. Y' know de trouble he can find, non?"

"Aye, Aye Uncle Lapin!" Chris shouted over his shoulder as he ran back aboard the ship to help secure the rigging and fasten the new supplies.

"Now Remy, child, y' watch dat boy good an' bring 'im home t' his Tante! Y' hear!" Tante said as she waved her finger at Remy.

"Oui, Tante, Remy'll be careful. Watch over Sinaesta, s'il vous plait." He looked over Tante's shoulder to the Calusa couple. Sinaesta and Teyo were standing along the village's edge watching as the crews readied the ships. Teyo had arrived at the house earlier that morning and Remy introduced the young warrior to Sinaesta. He was a handsome young man and the two seemed to connect well.

"She'll be jus' fine. Y' did de right t'ing, child." Tante reached out and captured Remy in a fierce hug and patted him on his back. As she pulled away from Remy, she narrowed her eyes. "Now y' take good care of Rogue an' treat dat girl right! She's not like den other filles y' bring back t' Tante."

Remy rolled his eyes and smirked. "Oui, Tante. Remy'll be good t' chere."

"À plus, Rems." Lapin embraced his cousin and smiled. "Next time y' come back, bring y'r cousin a belle femme of his own, non? Or if Rogue comes t' her senses, y' could jus' send her my way."

"Keep dreamin', mon ami." Remy smacked Lapin on his shoulder and turned to the Devil's Lust. "Remy's missed y' mon chere."

Rogue watched as Remy walked to the ship and sighed. She turned to make her way over to the Anna Marie where Piotr and Kurt were already loading the last of the supplies. Suddenly strong arms wrapped around her waist and she felt warm breath fall on her neck.

"Ahh, chere, y' not leavin' Remy without a good-bye kiss are y'?"

Rogue turned in his arms to face her pirate captain. She trembled as Remy claimed her lips. His scent invaded every part of her while he explored her mouth with his. Their breaths mingled as she ran her hands over his back. The taste of her mouth nourished him in a way that defied description. She pressed her body closer to his as her tongue swept against his.

"Yuck!"

The sound of Christian's voice pulled the two back into reality. Remy lowered his head, looking contrite while Rogue swallowed, trying to regain her composure. "Remy'll see y' in Orcadia, chere. God speed."

"Be careful, Remy." Rogue said as she continued on to her ship.

"Like her, don't you?" Christian asked.

Remy shrugged and ruffled Chris' hair. "She's not bad f'r a femme, non?"

Christian looked up at him. "Are you going to marry Captain Darkholme?"

"What?" he asked, momentarily stunned by the unexpected question.

"I overheard Tante Mattie telling Kitty you're in love with her. Are you?"

Remy didn't know how to answer the question. "Love is a strong emotion, petite."

"So, you're just bedding her."

Remy scowled at the boy. What the devil had gotten into him? "Keep y'r voice down, pup. An' non, Remy's not jus' sleepin' with her."

"That's what it looked like back at the house." Christian said.

"Well, we're not at de house an' Remy doesn't want t' hear y' talkin' like dat. Dieu! Y' been 'round Lapin too much!"

"Oh," Chris said. "That's too bad then."

"Why?"

"'Cause I think she loves you."


Port-au-Prince…

Joseph stood outside an intricately carved wooden door that led into an office belonging to one of the most insidious men he had ever known. If there is a man who would want Captain LeBeau as much as he did, Essex would be the man. Remy had managed to escape from his prison and Essex had never forgotten the blemish to his record.

An officer dressed in his finest uniform stepped into the room. "He'll see you now."

Joseph walked around the officer and stepped inside the spacious room. It was dimly lit, but a large window behind a massive oak desk provided enough light and offered an unobstructed view to the harbor of the city. Joseph could see his own vessel in a direct line of sight.

"My men have told me that you have information concerning a certain escaped prisoner. Is this true? And I would advise you to not waste my time, sir. I'm not a patient man." The large chair behind the desk turned to reveal the form of a formidable man. Nathaniel Essex was well known throughout the Caribbean. He was a fierce soldier and harsh enforcer. As a man, he stood over 6'5" tall towering over most he encountered and had hair as dark as ebony.

"I hear you would like to get your hands on a certain thief…Remy LeBeau." Joseph took a seat.

"Ahhh…Captain LeBeau. Yes, I would most certainly enjoy a reunion with my young captain. How can you help me with this endeavor?" Essex crossed his arms over his chest and the corners of his mouth turned upward into a sinister grin.

"An…associate of mine knows where LeBeau is stopping next. She has a reliable source from his own crew."

Essex leaned forward and locked eyes with Joseph. "And what would you like in return for this information?"

"Nothing…just make sure Captain LeBeau stays out of my hair for a long while. Do we have an agreement?"

Essex's eyes seemed to gleam in the dark room for an instant, and Joseph felt a cold chill run down his spine as he watched the man stroke his chin. "We have a bargain, Captain. You will disclose the location of the Devil's Lust and I will handle LeBeau. Just leave the particulars to me."

Joseph suddenly felt uneasy, but couldn't back down now. "Orcadia."

"It's settled, then," Essex said. "I'll take care of LeBeau. With him out of the picture, you will be free to pursue whatever you wish to pursue. The only way LeBeau will leave my prison this time will be in a wooden box."


A/N: The next chapter may take a while for me to post. I have a job interview that will take me away from my computer for most of the coming weekend. Sorry in advance for the delay!