*I don't own A Monster in Paris or its characters

The longest chapter yet, hope it's worth it. If there's anything you want to happen or you have any ideas then describe it in a review or pm me. And don't forget to review since it feeds my muse

Chapter 4: 74 days left

The water on his exoskeleton from his bath felt wonderful, warming him up beautifully. The weather outside was finally beginning to warm up and he had plans to go out, perhaps even accompany Lucille to buy that dress she wanted. It was early so he had a quick breakfast of wine and sausage and went to his office. He figured he could work on his new song before Lucille popped in with their plans for the day. It was a set to be a quiet morning, that is until Carlotta popped in. "Francoeur dear, it is so nice that I found you. Could you tell Lucille to come down and eat her breakfast? Poor thing was up half the night writing who knows what"

Looking at the clock, it was nine in the morning, unusually late for Lucille. He went down stairs, knocked on her door but heard no answer. He was told before not enter a room without knocking, but she would have told him not to enter if she didn't want to enter right? Upon entering her room, he detected hints of her perfume like invisible footprints leading him to her. He found Lucille fast asleep at desk, red lipstick smudged all over her right cheek. The color red was a weakness of his, reminding him of the blood he could not have.

Dipping a clean cloth in the nearby water basin, he began to clean off her cheek, but he only managed to smudge it even more. The color was hypnotic, making him hungry. He knew he could not have blood or bite Lucille, but he could enjoy the color. Licking her cheek, he thought it tasted good, so he continued until most of it was was gone.

She dreamed of a cute puppy licking her face, but it purred like a cat. The purring puppy turned into a face, and the face looked like Francoeur's. He was licking her face, and she thought it shameless that she was enjoying it, but she was. When she opened her eyes it was no dream, he was actually licking her face. Her eyes were in a daze, his eyes looking directly into hers, her eyes full of confusion. She wondered if her mind was playing tricks or if she was awake, but she would not have minded if it was a dream. One look in the mirror said it all, and she would have reprimanded him if not for her aunt walking in."Sorry to interrupt, but-"

She paused at the sight of faces, looking back and forth, seeing the two with their faces full of lipstick. Blushing slightly, she giggled "After you're all cleaned up, come down to eat your breakfast. Okay?"

Letting out a gleeful laugh, she left, still high from misunderstanding..

Francoeur had no idea what he did, but Lucille felt her heart flutter and confused. It did not take long for Lucille to fix her makeup, but now Francoeur was a mess. Taking a cloth, she returned the favor cleaned him off as well, her face burning scarlet. "I appreciate the help Francoeur, but I can apply my own makeup. Now, stay still, and thank you for waking me up"

Lucille was very talented he thought, to even have the ability to change color. Those eyes of his just stared back, so naive, so attentive. The cloth fell to the floor like her confidence. He had a tranquil affect on her, it was refreshing in its own right. She dared to reach up and touch his face, but took her hand back and gave him a hug instead. Her heart felt full when he was near, like a warm compress. She relished in it, feeling herself relieved that perhaps he would not know and she could pretend to live in a dream. She was falling for his charm, but he could not know, not yet, perhaps not ever. Her eyes were downcast, feeling somewhat gloomy. "You're a good boy Francoeur, a very good boy"

He said nothing, but he simply basked in her warmth, purring happily.

Breakfast was nerve wrecking for Lucille as her aunt asked question after question about the details of the earlier events. She tried to tell her it was misunderstanding, but Carlotta would not budge. At the counter she was preparing cafe au lait, while Lucille looked quizzically at her toast, wondering if she was even hungry. Placing her coffee before her, she sat down, giggling. "Do not pretend to play it coyly, I know what I saw. I always said there was someone for everyone. Perhaps a giant flea is just your type"

"He does not understand"

"Of course he does, he is male right? Of course he is. He knows you are precious dear, I can see it on the way he follows you with his bug eyes"

Nibbling on her honey toast, she sighed. "He is too naive to know what he is doing"

Giving her hand a light squeeze, she smiled. "Give him a few days and he will learn"

"Please do not talk like that, it is too early"

"Drink your coffee dear, we have a big day today"

"We do?"

"Today I got a phone call from commissioner Paté and we are all invited for dinner at Maxim's bistro, isn't that just fantastic?"

Maxim's was legendary for its interior design and naturally Lucille wanted to go. "I have heard of it, yes I would love to go"

"Good, well I have to run. There is a dress in that one glass window that I must have. So be good, and see you tonight. Oh, and make sure you and Francoeur wear something nice"

Cleaning up the dishes, she went out to the stage to find Francoeur practicing his footsteps for the new routine. She watched in secret, and it only took him a few tries before he had it mastered. A genius he really was, but a man? That was an even bigger mystery.

Coming toward the stage, she pushed away the chairs, disregarded the empty space, and headed straight for him. He watched her with curious eyes, that red lipstick still on his mind.

A smile spread across her face as she took his hands and made him sit. "I was going to tell you yesterday, but you were sleeping so I waited. The good news is that Emile and Maud are getting married. Even better is that I agreed that you and me would perform. Do not forget, it is on the last week of May"

A chill ran down his back, but he chirped in acknowledgment.

Picking up the sheet music, she looked it over, humming the melody to herself. It was not completed yet, but she figured it might come to her when it came to that part. "Should we go over your new song?"

Shaking his head, he took her hands and started teaching her the new dance routine. "Just follow my lead" he sang

With a smile, her eyes softened and began to sing.

"If I met a man who was just my type

Then let tell you something that you just might like

Like an effervescent memory

I know you might be the one for me"

Smiling back, he joined her. "I saw you run across poppies

And I wish I had a bunch of copies of you

And to tell you the truth

That is the pleasure of youth"

With a little spin, she got a little mischievous with the lyrics "If you cannot give me a diamond ring

Then let me tell you something inspiring

Like why you spent all your money

On anyone who was not me

So let me tell you something you might not like

You just aren't my type.

I might take it back if your really kind

And do precious things that I will not mind

But have you ever heard of security

Or to honest and to be clean

I do not need a child you see

I need a man just for me"

The missing part of the song being filled with her spicy words was enchanting. Taking a flower from a vase, he placed it in her hair, adding to her flavor.

"A flower is nothing without smell

And let me tell you something, just don't yell

That I don't care about honey words

Or why your dressed up like the birds

But in truth and honesty, I know I am an oddity

But oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

You're the one I know"

Francoeur was not sure how to feel about her lyrics. Was it how she really felt about men in general or was it just a song?

"I need a good woman who would treat me right

Someone to tuck me in at night

It does not matter what she looks like

As long as she will hold me tight

Oh, oh, I need to tell you so, oh oh oh oh,

I will let you know"

Do fleas have hearts she wondered, but she went on with it placing a hand where his heart should be.

"Loyalty and truth can be all it is that sets my heart a frizz

You never know what is the cure for old fashioned sweet amour

I like the flowers, I like the gifts

But I'll tell you something curious

You know, I can never let you go

Because I know, know, know, know, know

I never knew love before

I never loved before

I never loved before"

Something about the look in her gave him a funny thought, it was what humans called a kiss, but that would be wrong, wouldn't it?

Before he could try, Lucille moved away, her cheeks that lovely color. "I really liked the song, but I have to go-"

Looking all around, she tried to think of an excuse. Spotting an empty wine glass, she had it. "I need to make some coffee, do you like coffee? Unless you want wine, but then-"

Seeing a quizzical look on his face, she backed away, flashing a pretentious smile. "I'll go make coffee then"

Pouring him a cup coffee with extra milk, they rested for a while. Nibbling on a tea biscuit, she asked. "Have you ever had anyone special? Like another flea?"

There was no answer, but he left and came back with some photographs. The group photo of her and the guys. She smiled but shook her head no and took away the photo. "No, I meant someone who is your mate"

He shook his head no. It was only recently that he had been old enough to mate, though in his form it seemed it would not possibly happen. It did not seem all that bad considering the great time he was having.

"But you are happy aren't you? You would have let us know if you wanted to return to your old life I suppose. If there is anything wrong just let me know and we will handle it somehow. Anyway, why don't we go and get you a new suit? Something for tonight's dinner."

He chirped, ready to go.

In the evening they all ate at Maxim's, the whole experience a night to remember, but a question threw Lucille off. "Where is your boyfriend Raoul?" asked Commissioner Paté

"He is not my boyfriend, we are just old classmates"

"Then is Francoeur your..."

"He is my partner, in show business that is. As far as friendships go, nothing could be better"

Sharing an all knowing smile with Carlotta, dinner went off without a hiccup or any further questions about Lucille's love life.

When they got home, Carlotta was bubbly like champagne and went straight to bed. Francoeur carried Lucille to her room since she complained her feet hurt though it was really the absinthe talking. Dropping her off in the dressing room, he laid her on the loveseat. He was ready to leave, but she grabbed his scarf pulling him in for a kiss. Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed him again, much more deeply until even he felt a little drunk. Releasing him, she giggled "That is a kiss, people do that only when they like each other. Can you guess why I did that?"

It was warm and soft like a souffle. He felt a new sort of emotion, something wonderful, something new. It inspired a new melody in his head. With Lucille giggling, he tried to calm her down, but she only tried to place more kisses on his mouth. To to ease her, he began singing in her ear.

"My lovely firefly

You illuminate music in the night

Like angry sparks tickling my heart

Your stare is like a compliment

Warming up my inward parts

Knowing that this beating was in my heart

Breaking like glass

into tiny shards

All over the yard of my tiny brain

I'm going insane

You tiny torturess

Your stare is dangerous

I will follow your command

Let me press upon a kiss on your white hand

Then in turn you'd brush upon my lips another sweet kiss

Like caresses while wearing white dresses to be seen only with my eyes

Am I insane to think perhaps that what I feel for you might be love?

Sometimes I feel alive when I am with you

And my mind cannot decide what it is I want to do

Do I want to live with you, or protect my dying heart?

It is tearing me apart to think it might be true

Perhaps you love me too

Your eyes are like dazzling little stars

Dancing in my veins causing me to hunger more then just kindness

What if I go mad and do something I might regret?

Am I just pet who met with a tiny net of dreams that come alive in your eyes?

The feelings of surprise overwhelming me

Am I the key that unlocks your heart?

It is tearing me apart to think it might be true

Perhaps you love me too"

His heart felt like a clock that was running in reverse, throwing words out of his mouth and he was ready for a verse. He liked the feeling of a kiss, it was warm and kind.

Giving him a another kiss, Lucille whispered "Just promise to be my friend first Francoeur, because romance can be so complicated. The rest we can worry about later, but for now just be my sweet companion and give me candy kisses"

He wanted to obey, but he knew her mind was altered by the alcohol. Pulling her arms away, he covered her with a blanket and left. Going to his office, he began to write all his new inspired words that popped into his head. She awoken something new in him, it was frightening, but all he could do was write.