They roared along the river in Lupin's Roadster, leaving the museum -- and the police -- far behind. When the car finally slowed, they were near Jackson Square. Lupin parked under a tree, turned around in the driver's seat, and grinned at Alexis.

"Never a dull moment, eh?" he said.

Jigen snorted softly and lit a cigarette. Smoke curled around his hat.

Alexis smiled at Lupin and brushed the snow from her hair. "Indeed." She touched a hand to the satchel at her hip where the three Fabergé eggs nestled quietly in matched velvet bags. "You know you can't have these," she said.

Lupin waved his hand dismissively. "Like I said in the museum, we don't need them." He peered at Alexis. "D'you mind if I ask what you're planning to do with them, though?" he said. "It's just... they're not really your style."

Alexis shrugged one shoulder. "It's political," she said. "I have a client who wants all the Fabergé eggs to be in Russia, where they belong."

Lupin whistled softly, and Jigen tilted his head to glance at Alexis from under the brim of his hat.

"That's very altruistic of you," Lupin said, raising one eyebrow.

Alexis laughed abruptly. "Hardly," she said. She reached for the door handle. "My client is willing to pay a great deal of money to realise this particular dream." She stepped out of car, then leaned down and smiled at Lupin. "I hope you're not expecting Fujiko to be wherever you'd planned to meet her," she added. Mischief sparkled in her eyes.

Lupin looked heavenward. Jigen snorted again and got out of the car, slamming the door behind him. Alexis felt her heart jump into her throat, and her stomach twisted into knots.

"I guess I'll head back to the hotel," Lupin said, shifting into gear. "Meet you there later?"

Jigen nodded, dropping his cigarette to the ground as the yellow car sped off into the French Quarter. He moved to stand behind Alexis, who was trembling.

"We should get you inside," Jigen said. He looked up at the sky. Delicate snowflakes settled on the brim of his hat. When he looked down again, Alexis was facing him. Her eyes flashed with something that might have been anger. Or pain.

"I didn't expect to see you again," she said. Her voice was hard.

"That sounds familiar," Jigen replied. He lifted a hand to touch her face, but she jerked her head away. He stepped back in surprise as Alexis turned her back to him.

"I mean, I was hoping I wouldn't see you again," Alexis said bitterly. She stepped out from under the tree and lifted her face, letting the snow fall onto her cheeks. "I'd just come to terms with the fact that you were gone," she said. "I'd just managed to stop thinking about you every night, wishing you were in my arms." She glanced over her shoulder at him. There were bright tears in her eyes.

Jigen took a step towards her, but she turned away again, angrily rubbing her eyes on her sleeve. "And now you're here in New Orleans," Alexis continued, taking a deep breath. "You're exactly as I remember you; and once again, I won't be able to stop thinking about you." Her voice grew quiet. "You still hold my heart, Daisuke, and..." Her breath plumed in the freezing night air as she exhaled slowly.

Jigen reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders. "And?" he said, turning her to face him.

Alexis looked up at him, her eyes wide. "...and did you really remember the sound of my breathing?"

Jigen pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply as the snow fell silently around them.

-fin-