AN:does a happy dance: I broke 1000 hits AND 50 reviews with last chapter. How cool is that? Ummm I'm trying to get this updated as much as possible before school starts back. I really should be doing other things like getting ready for school to start back but this is just much more fun. So yeah hopefully you guys will like this chapter.

Review Responses:

bored247 – I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the reassurance on the gloves. I promise not to make the world explode. That really would ruin my plot though that might make for a slightly entertaining one shot. I hope you enjoy this update.

BloodCalling13 – Yay for approval of the gloves. I'm glad you like the story it makes me happy to know you are enjoying it.

RG Marie – Hopefully this is soon enough for you. Thanks for reviewing.

Balabaloosa – I hope you still think I'm doing a good job after this update. Thank you for reviewing me.

sakura5tar – Glad you liked it. They are getting even closer in this chapter. I hope this is soon enough I'm not sure I can write much faster.

FluidDegree – I thought it was a good idea hence why the gloves made it into my story. I'm not quite sure what you mean about him finding Mystique but your bringing her up has put ideas in my head that I happen to like. Hopefully you like this chapter.

Pyrofan – I'm really flattered by what you said particularly since you are such a big fan of Ryro and have such a small group of favorite stories. Thank you, I hope you enjoy the update.

Chica De Los Ojos Café – Yep Anna and Remy are definitely sharing a lot at this point. He is such a sweet guy. I'm glad you liked the chapter. I hope this one lives up.

All Reviewers: YOU GUYS ROCK SOOOO MUCH. :hands out cookies to everyone who has ever reviewed: Really wish I could give you real cookies but my computer doesn't seem to like the idea of digitizing food. It's a real shame if you ask me.

AN: Once again this chapter will have Remy writing (In a journal I have decided that his keep a journal is not out of character and it would be in French but as always I don't trust my French to hold up or your ability to read it so we are going to pretend that everything written is actually in French) which will be featured in bold. Thoughts as always are in italics.

Finally for those of you keeping track the last couple of chapters (3-6) had taken place in roughly mid October.

2:09 am

Remy sits in his darkened bedroom illuminated only by a small lamp directed down at the desk. Everything beyond the small sphere of light is difficult to discern. After a few moments he begins writing on the small notebook that is lying open on the desk. The words flow out of his pen and onto the pages in an amazingly graceful script.

December 18
It's strange how easily and quickly a routine develops. I know I've written about Anna before but I don't think I've ever mentioned how much she has changed my life. Used to be that at three in the morning I would be at the very least getting ready for bed if not already there. But I don't seem to sleep at night anymore at least not past midnight. Its not that I mind really I get enough sleep spread through the day but it's just strange to no longer sleep in the early hours of the morning.

Remy looks up from his writing as a soft moan comes from the area of his bed. Instantly he rises and makes his way over to the floor next to his bed. He kneels down next to a small form curled in a ball on the floor under a thin quilt. Gently he runs his hand through her hair pushing it out of her face. He stays a while making sure she has slipped back into deep sleep. Then he rises and goes back to the desk and his writing.

I never expected to be here so long but I just can't leave her. Not like this. The girl barely sleeps, and when she does she wakes up with nightmares every hour or so. I brought her here tonight. I know it's a chance; she is so worried that He will find out. I just hoped that somehow it would be better for her. She does seem to be sleeping a little better. Well I guess at all is an improvement for this time of night. She refuses to sleep in her room at home. Not that I can blame her. Not after years of being tortured in her own bed. God she really is living in hell. It worries me so much to see what she goes through. How every night she gets a little visit from her father. As if that wasn't bad enough there are those night that he doesn't leave. Those are the ones the terrify me. Somehow it's a small comfort to be able to check her over each night. To bandage up the physical wounds even if I can't heal the mental ones. To hold her gently and show her that family can bring you something other then pain. Because she and I we are family now. I think it's a comfort for her too. Having someone check on her and care about how she is doing and treat her with care. She is no longer alone in this and never will be again.

I still can't watch it happen not without being sickened. I try not to watch at all, she shouldn't have her privacy invaded anymore then it already is. But sometimes I look in hoping that she might somehow see my eyes and take some sort of comfort from it. We never talk about it not really. Nothing more is said well beyond that first day when she told me the truth of what was happening to her. So I don't really know if she even sees me or if it is any sort of comfort. But I like to hope that she takes comfort in knowing that if she called out I would be there. If she called for me I would be there in a heartbeat. Doing anything and everything I needed to protect her.

Of course as soon as he leaves I'm in there looking over the new ways he's found to hurt her body. She's such a strong girl. She rarely cries, though when she does it breaks my heart. Her body shakes like a leaf caught in a summer storm. The tears soak my shirt to the point that I feel like I've been caught in that same storm. I keep racking my brain to find a way to fix it, to get her out of that house and safe. Really safe not placed with some other foster family that might hurt her in a new worse way without me even there to protect her. I want to talk to someone about it. Maybe Tante Mattie, she always knows what to do. Problem is I don't know how to ask without breaking Anna confidence. There are so many things I would ask Tante Mattie better ways to heal the bruises and broken bones, how to get her away from it all, or what to tell Belle.

Oh Belle my beautiful Belle. I miss her so much. I was supposed to be back with her by now. She is insanely annoyed with me I know. I still write to her every night but I suspect that my emails are getting sparse in anything new. I feel like I'm just writing the same thing over and over every night. I can't tell her about Anna she would be so jealous that I am spending every waking moment with or watching over her. Practically the only time I'm not with her is when I'm getting ready for school in the morning and while I'm eating dinner and catching a few hours of sleep at home in the evening. To make things worse I've just gone and done something I know she will hate. I asked my father and brother to come here for Christmas instead of bringing me home for the break.

I just have to. I can't leave Anna alone. I worry each weekend when I can only check on her at night. I'm scared that some night I am going to come to her room and she will be hurt so bad that I can't help or worse. But two weeks that would be too much, I wouldn't be able to take the strain. I haven't told Anna about this yet or Belle for that matter. I've just said I'm not sure what I'm doing for the Holiday. We will see what happens but for now I think I'm going to try and get some sleep. We are both going to be loosing our afternoon naps when break begins. Only three more days.

Remy puts down his pen and closes the notebook in front of him. Placing the book in the top drawer of his desk Remy flicks off the desk lamp. He rises from his chair and moves over to the bed. He kneels next to her sleeping form and shakes her gently.

"Anna will ya come lay on de bed?"

Groggily she opens her eyes to look at him with pleading in her eyes she asks, "Can Ah just stay here? Please Remy?"

Remy sighs softly to himself sadness filling his eyes before he replies, "Oui cher, but move over so dat dere is room enough for Remy."

Anna scoots over slightly and curls back up into a small ball. With another sigh Remy grabs a pillow off of his bed and lies down next to her. After a minute of settling himself he lies on his side and pulls her body to him wrapping an arm around her waist.

She tenses at the contact; however, after feeling his warmth seep into her body without a violation she uncurls and rolls in to lay her head on his chest. This causes a small smile to grace his lips. He begins to sing softly to her a lullaby before drifting off to sleep himself.

5:30 am

"Remy wake up. Please wake up. Ah have ta get home."

Anna is kneeling over Remy's body shaking his shoulder as fear starts to cloud her voice. Remy murmurs to himself before opening his eyes. Seeing the fear in her eyes he comes to full wakefulness quickly.

"What's wrong Anna?"

"Remy we're at ya house and Ah have ta get home. Its five thirty and mah poppa gonna be checking on meh soon. Please we have ta hurry."

Springing into action Remy gets up and throws the pillows and blankets onto the bed. Grabbing her hand he leads her over to the window. Jumping down he lands on the soft ground, he looks up and signals that she should jump down. She leaps out and lands lightly next to him. She smiles in response to his questioning look.

"What ya think Ah've never had ta jump from a second floor window before? Ah used ta try ta get away afta' he left."

They make there way through the early morning streets to her house. At the foot of the tree he kisses her forehead.

"Remy see you at school?"

"Ya can count on it."

With that she climbs up the tree and into her room.

5:37 pm

Remy is sleeping on the couch in Anna's living room she is sleeping on his chest. Their breathing is matched both slow and deep. One of his arms is wrapped around her while the other hangs off the couch grazing the floor. Her hands are held together cradled against her chest as her hair falls across her face.

The peace of the room is interrupted as Remy's pocket begins to play an annoying tune. Both are awakened by this loud repetitive sound. Remy fumbles in his pocket pulling out his cell phone. After glancing at the screen he answers the phone and places it to his ear.

"Salut pere"

"Remy how are ya doin' fil"

"Remy doin' ok did ya get da message Ah sent?"

"Oui, are ya sure dat is what ya want? Ya know da whole guild misses ya. Dey were lookin' forward ta seein' ya for Christmas."

"Ah know but Ah got my reasons. Do ya think ya and Henri could come here instead?"

"Oui, dat should be possible. Ah will ask Mattie if she wants ta come aussi. She don't get ta visit her daughter enough if ya ask moi."

"Dat sounds great. When ya think ya gonna be able ta come up?"

"In a couple a days should be dere by Samedi. Got ta settle some things here first."

"Bon."

"Be good Remy. Ah'll see ya soon."

"A bientot pere."

With a click Remy hangs up his phone. He drops it back into his pocket before looking down at Anna's face where she is resting it on his chest.

"So ya aren't leavin' this time?"

He smiles softly before responding, "Looks like Remy be stayin'. Thought ya would like dat. Remy was just too worried about ya ova' Thanksgivin'. Spent most of da time shufflin' cards just to burn off some of da nervous energy Remy got from worrin' 'bout ya. And dat was only a 4 day vacation. Dis would beh deux week. Remy wouldn't be able ta handle dat kinda worry. Might pick up some worse habits den shufflin' cards and ya wouldn't want dat would ya?" By the end of his words his smiles has changed to a smirk. Instead her face has traveled from joy to sadness.

"but wha' 'bout Belle? She was so upset when ya came back afta' Thanksgivin', Ah hated seein' ya torn up like that."

Shaking his head he reaches to stroke her hair softly brushing it back behind her ears, "Remy don' care he made a promise and dat is more important. Belle loves Remy just like he loves her. We will make it work. Ya be ma seour now. Dat means dat Remy takes care of ya and will sort out da stuff with Belle later. Like Remy told ya he not leavin' 'til ya in a safe place. Nothin' gonna change that."

"Remy ya know Ah would release ya from that promise in a heartbeat. Ah'm much more worried about messin' up ya life. Ah've lived this for years Ah will live it for more and it will be fine." She looks away as she finishes this statement afraid that her eyes will show her disappointment.

Gently he lifts up her chin redirecting her face so that he can look into her eyes, "Anna, Remy don't want ya ta be just fine. Remy want ya ta be happy and healthy and so much more. Ya deserve da world."

"Ya too sweet ta meh Remy. Ah don' deserve anythin' but what Ah've got. Hell Ah don't even deserve ya friendship," is her reply as a few tears make their way down her cheeks.

"Yes ya do," replies Remy putting extra emphasis and emotion into each word. Pulling her into his chest he repeats himself "Yes ya do."

After a few moments of silence Anna moves to get up. Remy wraps his arm around her stopping her movement.

"Where ya goin' cher?" is his question as he looks at her smirking.

"It's late Ah was gonna get up. Ah doubt Ah'm gonna get anymore sleep this afta'noon."

Remy lets go of her but continues to lie on the couch as he responds taking a more serious note to his voice. "Ok, do ya want ta come ta Remy's house again tonight?"

"Ah don' know we do have a lot of homework ta get done." She laughs as she looks at Remy pouting. "Ya may not care 'bout school but Ah do and if nothin' else this life has let me get good grades. So ya can do what ya wan' tonight but Ah'm gonna do mah homework."

Remy puts his hands up in surrender. "We can stay here if dat be what ya want. Remy will even do his homework. Tante Mattie would love ya if for no other reason den dat ya get Remy ta do his work in a way no one else ever could. Only thing Remy was ever good about practicin' was stuff for da guild. Still do when Remy get the free time, but dat was only 'cause it was easy and fun. Not like Remy has started learnin' da hard stuff yet."

Anna laughs at this "Ya think bein' able ta sneak round mah house without anyone knowin' is easy? Ah don't think Ah even want ta know what is hard."

In the background they hear her alarm going off. Anna's face immediately falls, the spark emptying out of her eyes. Remy's face mirrors her look of sadness as he looks at his watch. He walks over to her and gives her a hug. "Guess it's time for Remy ta go. Remy'll be back tonight."

He then makes his way out of the house with his backpack slung over his shoulder.

8:53 pm

I should really be writing to Belle. She is going to be so pissed to find out that I'm not coming home for Christmas. I just can't go home. It is good that Henri and Dad are coming. It will be fun to show then around this one horse town. I should introduce Anna if I can find a way. Maybe if they saw what I do they would find a way to help. The guild has the sort of resources that could take her away from all this. They could protect her. Just got to get Jean-Luc to see why it needs to happen. But then we get into the iffy area of not breaking Anna's confidence. But that will all have to wait right now I need to write to Belle.

Mon Amore,

I am sure that you are more beautiful then the last time I saw you. I miss you dearly everyday. I know that you were looking forward to Christmas break and that I might be staying home afterwards. And I hate to disappoint you but it has been decided that I am to stay here with my father and brother coming to visit. I know how this must sadden you but what's done is done and we cannot fight it. Please be patient with me. I can't bring myself to argue with it since it is allowing Tante Mattie to see her daughter for the first time in years. Could you deny the sweet old woman who raised me that joy? Even if it is at the expense of our own.

Tante Mattie. She will help me she could never turn down a person in need. If nothing else she would be able to heal Anna in ways I never learned. Maybe we could just happen to go in my room when it is given over to her. Then I wont be breaking Anna's confidence and she will still get the help that I can't give.

Remy smiles at this thought. After a moment he turns back to writing his email with renewed vigor.

Anyway my love I suspect that my father will be bringing me home to stay soon so I may not have to disobey his orders. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I can't help wanting to avoid unneeded punishments. I need to go my love but I will write to you soon.

All my love,

Remy

I just know that if father sees Anna he will help her and if I play my cards write I can convince him that I have gotten over Belle by falling for Anna. I hate having to use her but it would kill so many birds with one stone. If father thought that Anna was my love then he would surely do anything to protect her and keep my interest off of Belle. That would get Anna safe and me home to Belle. Hopefully he would even bring her to live with us and then I could watch over her all of the time. This is great. And all I have to do is make sure father meats Anna in the right circumstances. That shouldn't be too hard.

Smiling once again Remy clicks send on his email before closing his laptop. He gets up from the desk and moves over to the bed. Laying down he checks the alarm is set for midnight before drifting off into sleep with a smirk on his face.

AN: feels shorter then usual to me but oh well. This chapter started out with a different plan heck the entire interlude of this chapter and the next weren't supposed to happen but ummm my cat told me too? Hopefully I'm not loosing momentum with this. Part of the point of this chapter is to give a look into the life they have created for themselves. I know a lot of you wanted me to get her out of that house immediately and this may seem cruel but I really am doing it for a purpose. This is all a part of my plot and it will be ok I promise.

French:
Salut - hey/Bye
A bientot – see ya soon
Pere – father
Moi – me
Aussi - also
Seour – sister
Bon – good
Samedi - Saturday
Mon Amour – my love