Hey everyone! Thanks for bearing with that boring chapter where literally nothing happened, but now something you've probably been waiting for a while. Please also see my A/N at the end about updating. So without further ado...

Chapter 15

Caleb and Maggie came with us to our room at the end of the evening- apparently they had something to discuss with us. That didn't sound ominous at all...

"So, what's wrong?" I asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed since the middle was occupied by Maggie and Caleb.

"Well, it's about the Council. We were going to go early to prepare the ground, but the attacks became a priority, especially when you nearly died," Maggie frowned at the memory- it must have been hard for her.

"And...?"

"And they didn't believe us," Maggie sighed.
"What do you mean? What's there not to believe?" I was apprehensive- this could not be good.
"As in, they didn't believe your story. They think there's no way Marcus and Sikes are back, they think you're imagining things and they think we're crazy for believing you."

"What?!" No, that couldn't be right; the Council were changing, that's what Maggie said.

"Gran and Philippe believe us, but everyone else is just so stubborn. It's like they've gone backwards since last year! I thought we were finally getting somewhere," Maggie cried, blinking back tears and looking devastated.

"Baby, it's alright, we can work this out," Caleb soothed, rubbing Maggie's back. Luc was looking at me with mixed emotions. I could see the anger, but it was mixed with frustration, concern and worry.

"Shit." I did not often swear, so this was a seriously bad moment. I put my head in my hands and tried to think of what to do. Luc's hand was already in mine, but I felt his other hand rubbing my back in the same way Caleb's was.

"Why don't they believe us?" I finally asked, lifting my head.

"They are so certain Marcus and Sikes are dead, they won't even consider the possibility that they could be alive," Caleb answered, looking up from Maggie for a moment.

"I don't know how they could have survived either but I've seen Marcus with my own eyes, so he has to be alive, along with Sikes, who, as well as being alive, has his ability back," Maggie said, shaking her head.

An idea presented itself, but I didn't know whether we were clutching at straws. "Maybe we need to do some digging ourselves," I suggested slowly.

"What do you mean?" Caleb lifted his head sharply.

"I mean that if we try and find out how they could be alive, we can prove it to them and maybe they'll help us find and stop them," I explained.

"That could work," Caleb nodded slowly.

"But how do we do that?" Maggie asked.

"I don't know," I sighed.

"What about the Visionary's records?" Luc asked, glancing between Maggie and Luc.

"I don't know why there would be anything there, but it's worth a look," said Caleb. Everyone looked at Maggie.

"Fine, we can try," she sighed. "But it's nearly lights out so we'll have to start tomorrow."
"Night," I told them as they slipped out together.

Once they were gone, Luc shuffled so his back was against the headboard and pulled me into a closer embrace. Once again, I marvelled at how well we worked together; how we both didn't like public displays of affection or using nicknames like 'baby'- not that I had anything against other people using them, I just didn't want to be called that personally. Luc had always called me 'Anna'- simple and just the way I liked it.

"Not to mention the fact that we both pretend to be cynics but we're really just hopeless romantics," Luc murmured against my hair, having listened in on my inner monologue.

I smiled and kissed his jaw. "And that as well," I said, pulling back to smile at him cheekily.

Except that didn't happen; instead, Luc's hand behind my head prevented my escape and he brought his lips to mine so we were kissing properly.

"You're mine," Luc whispered as he kissed behind my ear. I had always wondered what that felt like and I was not disappointed.

I giggled as he made a small growly sound in the back of his throat when I pulled away to get ready for bed.

"I'll be back in five minutes," I objected when his hand around my waist prevented my escape to the bathroom.

"Fine," he sighed, relinquishing his hold.

True to my word, I was done shortly. I was sure I would never get used to the simple intimacy of getting ready to go to bed together; the unspoken conversations with the eyes in the mirror, the companionable silence during the teeth brushing; except Luc's laughing at my foamy mouth. I was not amused. Much.

"So where were we?" Luc breathed when we were both changed and ready.

"Hmm, I can't remember- do remind me," I teased. In reply, Luc began kissing down my jaw with soft kisses. I couldn't stop the noises of pleasure rising up my throat and, for the first time, I wasn't embarrassed by them, not even for a moment.

He began to move down my neck towards my shoulder and my collar bone, planting light kisses as he went. My hands wrapped themselves in his dark hair and my fingers sifted through the thick locks. Lifting his head for a moment, he looked deep into my eyes with his hazel ones and I could see the love in them- and he didn't even have to say a thing. I leaned forwards and pressed my lips to his again. Our mouths moved in synch and his fingers caressed my cheek for the briefest moment. I placed one of my hands on his chest to feel his heart wildly beating against his ribcage, since he felt mine anyway. As my hand trailed over his toned torso, I felt his heart speed up even more.

Joining his mind to see what was happening in there, I saw that Luc was just as affected, if not more, by my touch. I guess because he was a guy it was worse for him and his mind confirmed that. As I went deeper into his mind I noticed everything was becoming... the only way to describe it was shivery. Bursts of light entered my peripheral and shudders ran down my spine as well as the tingles than ran over where our lips were connected.

Luc abruptly pulled away from me, breathing heavily and running his hands through his hair. Since I was connected with his mind, I saw that he was worried about going too fast and too far again.

Luc, I thought we went over this; I trust you. You need to trust yourself around-

It's not like that this time, Luc cut me off and pulled back his mind slightly, frowning. It's a little different. I guess with everything going on it must have slipped my mind...

Yes? I asked, worried when his mind disentangled from my own completely. It felt like a douse of cold water after a hot bath, but I knew Luc wouldn't intentionally hurt me- I trusted that he needed to do that, for whatever reason.

"I didn't want you to find out from my head, all in a rush, you know? I wanted to explain it slowly," he said, running his hands through his hair again. He did that when he was embarrassed or uncomfortable, I noticed.

"What is it?" I asked again.

"Well..." he began slowly. "Once you ascend, apart from getting abilities and the physical differences, plus the fact that you're not human any more, there are other things that change."
"Like being more in synch, being able to read minds more easily, you mean?"
"Well, yes, but more than that. You see, there is a thing we call- I think in English, it's called mutualising. It's something only ascended couples can do..." he paused, cheeks reddening slightly. Luc was embarrassed?

"Come on, out with it, Renou," I teased.

"It's difficult... I don't want you to freak out or anything," Luc said, which made me feel much less apprehensive... not.

"When the Significants' minds are entwined as closely as ours were," Luc continued, "and if we're... physically involved," he added, blushing even further, "then mutualising happens. It's like our minds are so involved, so deep within each other's that we become almost like the same person, and... well..." The worst was to come, I knew it. "It's very..." Luc cleared his throat. "It's very intimate," he finished.

"Oh."

"Yeah." Luc grabbed the glass of water on the bedside table.

"So, you mean it's a bit like..." I grimaced- I could not believe the words I was about to say. "Like mind sex?"

Luc gasped and began to choke on the water he had just inhaled. Eventually, he gained enough composure to give me an incredulous look. I scowled playfully at him and hit his shoulder, but he only laughed. "I guess you could call it that," he eventually managed to say, carefully setting the glass back down.

"So you were worried that I might not be ready," I said.

"Yes and no. I didn't want to start it when I hadn't even explained it yet, but I also wasn't sure if we were ready. When you mutualise, you see everything about them; and I have some dark corners in my mind that, well..." he trailed off.
"That you didn't want me to see?" I asked gently.

"No! I would share anything with you," Luc said firmly, looking solemnly into my eyes. "I wasn't sure if you would want to see it- it's not exactly pretty," he winced.

He was concerned that I wouldn't want to see into his mind because of how dark it was? I could not believe this man. Every time, every single time, he was thinking of me above himself- he put me before everything. Sometimes it wasn't good- sometimes he should have thought about himself a bit more, but as flaws go, it wasn't the worst he could have had. I shook my head, I staring into his eyes and wondering, not for the first time, how I got so lucky.

My hands reached up to hold either side of his face as I looked intently into his open eyes, a gold tint shining beneath the green today. My fingers traced his cheekbones and my thumb brushed lightly over his lips. Both my hands then moved to the back of his head; one held his neck and one was woven in his thick hair. Luc's hands automatically held me too; one at the base of my spine, one at the back of my neck, beneath my own hair. He leaned in and rested his forehead against mine, closing his eyes as he read my open mind as I poured out my feelings.

You know, you often hear people say 'I love you because you're smart, pretty, funny, kind, caring, understanding' and so on. Not that these qualities aren't bad things to have, but I don't think people should say it. Saying 'because' puts you first instead of them. It qualifies love. It puts a price tag on it. It makes it about what they have, not who they are.

You see, I don't love you because of any of those things. In fact, I don't love you 'because' anything at all... I just love you. You see, if I loved you 'because' and you suddenly weren't handsome any more, if you weren't smart, or weren't funny, I wouldn't love you any less. I don't love just some of you; I love all of you. And that includes the parts that are hard to look at, the parts that aren't nice and aren't beautiful.

So I don't say I love you 'because'; I say I love you 'therefore'. Therefore what? I love you therefore; I will always endeavour to put you before myself, I will always care for you, I will always be there for you. You see? 'Therefore' isn't about what you do for me; it's about I do for you. And that's infinitely better. 'Because' is about attributes, and if you don't look past that, how can you move on?

After my long monologue, I cautiously opened my eyes, pulling back slightly so I didn't go cross-eyed, and watched Luc. I wondered what he thought of my little life observation/rant. I had no idea what to expect, although it certainly wasn't what happened next.

Luc kissed me. But it wasn't like the kisses we'd had before- they had all started sweet and become more passionate as we'd got more into it. No, this one was explosive, fervent, urgent. His lips moved against mine feverishly, our tongues danced together in harmony. Fireworks went off in every single part of me; my skin tingled everywhere, even in all the extremities, my insides were tying themselves in knots, my body felt so alive that it was bursting; my head was bursting with Luc. And my lips were on fire- it was like touching the sun without getting burnt, it was like a really hot curry that didn't leave you gasping for water, I couldn't even describe it.

The whole time, Luc kept his mind from wandering in too far to mine, but I knew I was ready. I couldn't imagine how the tingles I had felt earlier could be better, but I wanted that intimacy. Gone were my earlier fears of being rejected once Luc saw my imperfections, all my insecurities were gone. I wanted to have this intimacy with my Significant, whom I loved more than I could say. So I moved deeper into his mind, dropping any barriers I had in my own head.

You're sure?

I'm sure.

Luc laid me down and hovered over me, breaking the kiss. He studied me thoughtfully for a few seconds, his face unreadable, before he gave me a small smile, his eyes saying it all- how much it meant to him that I had accepted him, just as he was. How could I not? The bad things that had happened to him were a part of him- and I loved all of him-I couldn't disregard them.

Luc pulled back so that he was only holding my face and I realised he was still worried about losing control and going too far.

I trust you, I reminded him.

He merely smiled and pulled me into his arms.

Ready?

Always.

His mind slipped into my own, just as mine had to him, deeper than we'd ever gone before. The shivers began and I closed my eyes at the sensation. It was like I was swimming in an endless sea of Luc.

I saw memories from his mind- days and events like they were my own. I saw his grandfather, looking handsome and much nicer than I had imagined him, giving Luc a guitar with a smile. I saw his grandmother, looking sick and tired in her bed, telling Luc that he deserved to be the first. And so many memories of me. When I looked up from breakfast and gave him a smile, his heart felt like it stopped. Me as the first thing he saw in the morning made waking up worth it. When he opened his eyes to see me staring at him on that first morning, he already knew he was in love with me. A hundred times when I had no idea he was watching me, a hundred touches, a thousand looks.

One moment I was me, feeling Luc above me, his arms around me, then I was Luc, holding me, then I was both of us at the same time. It was like Luc was an extension of me and vice versa.

I felt his hand move up my back so that it was tangled in my hair, but strangely enough, it felt... different. It was as if the effect of his touch was amplified by a hundred. I opened my eyes to see his arms still around me. What?

We're so in tune that we see everything- memories, feelings. And we can do anything without even moving a muscle.

Well in that case...

I closed my eyes again and moved my hand in my mind so that it rested on his chest, over his heart and smiled when I felt Luc shudder at my touch. Since it was only in our heads, I decided to take it to the next step by pulling at Luc's top, which he shrugged it over his head once he realised what I was doing. I rested my hands on his well-formed chest, before moving my hands down his abs and on to his stomach. His muscles tensed under my hands and he gave a small gasp. We moved even deeper into each other's minds and I saw so many things about Luc that I had never known or never thought to ask.

His favourite colour was forest green. He had loved Maddie like a sister. His family had been the only thing that had made him keep going after watching his cousin die. He hadn't told me about a tattoo of a lock he had done to remind him of what he had lost. He loved grapes, especially red ones. Cooking was one of his favourite things to do. He had always loved the idea of an English girlfriend. He knew all the words to every single one of Billy Joel's songs.

Suddenly, a shock went through my body, almost like an electric shock, but hot and cold. The closest thing I could compare it to was how it felt imprinting and ascending. It was gone in a second, but it sent shivers that rocked my whole body. Luc shivered against me and I knew he had felt it too.

It was amazing how much I found out about Luc, and I could feel him seeing the same sort of things in my head. In my mind, I brought his head down to mine and kissed him slowly and softly. The normal tingle I got from his touch was magnified so it was almost unbearable and it intensified even more when Luc deepened our mind kiss, bringing his hands up to my face and brushing a few strands from my cheek.

The next jolt that came was even bigger than the first. It felt like it bounced around between us and rebounded from me to Luc and back to me. Every nerve ending in my body was tingling and even the obscure places in my body felt alive. I felt hot and cold like I had when we imprinted and Luc was the opposite, cooling my hot skin and warming it up the next second. As the zinging shivers increased in frequency, I couldn't stop the gentle moans and I noticed he was groaning softly as well. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before; it was like how imagined sex to be, except without the physical part. I had been right when I asked if it was mind sex- that was the closest thing to describe it.

Luc's hands slipped under my top and gripped my bare waist. He didn't try to go any further, but his hands moved to my back, where they ran lightly against my spine. I arched my back at the double feeling of his light touch and the tingles that accompanied it.

The tingly jolts were even more intense and they were occurring faster and faster. We both held each other tightly as they reached and went beyond the point where neither of us could stop nor control them. It was almost over and all I could do was clutch at Luc, just as he was clutching me, and let them consume us. The last shock filled my veins with fire and ice and I felt more alive than I had ever been. We were together in the most intimate way- I felt Luc, I saw Luc, I heard Luc; my every thought, my whole being, was Luc.

We were both gripping each other tightly and my heart was pounding so hard I thought it might fall out of my chest. My eyes were still tightly shut and my whole body was trembling. Neither of us moved for a few seconds; all I could hear was the sounds of both of our heavy breathing and the thundering of our hearts. I took a deep breath and let it out in a shaky laugh, opening my eyes to see Luc staring at me, wide-eyed.

"That was..." I couldn't even begin to describe what just happened.

"Yeah..." Luc breathed, similarly lacking in words.

"Wow. Let's do that again," I teased, but it was only really a half-joke.

"Yeah. But maybe not tonight," Luc replied, sounding a little disappointed, but I agreed. I wasn't sure how the next time could top that one, so I was willing to wait. Plus, I was really tired.

Just then, I felt a burning sensation on my wrist. I yelped in pain and grabbed it, to see Luc do the same thing next to me. Once the feeling faded after a few seconds, I gingerly let go of my hand to see my own tattoo. I gasped in surprise; I couldn't believe I got a tattoo -the only tattoo that I would ever want- for free. There were the branches to the weeping willow, curled over in an elegant 'c' shape, and around the outside in beautiful calligraphy, was Luc's name. Luc held his up next to me and I saw my own name around the outside of Luc's tattoo. Inside both of the willow branches was a figure of eight shape, except no... it was an infinity symbol. I wondered what that meant. It was probably something to do with the rebuilding of their race and the new start with Maggie leading them.

Now we match. Luc kissed my wrist and I gave a little giggle.

You know, I didn't know it was possible, but I love you even more now, I told him, playing with our entwined fingers.

What, now that we had mind sex?

Yep. I smiled. I liked that term- it was weird, but it really was the best way of describing it.

So even though you saw- Luc began.

Yes. I cut Luc off, knowing what he was going to say. I remembered seeing the deepest recesses of Luc's mind. His days on the streets had flashed by, where I saw him smoking and just watching as a guy walked into a warehouse. It was a gang, and the guy was joining it. Luc had managed to keep away from them, just about, but had been unable to prevent many from being sucked into the vicious cycle.

I've seen some of the things that make you you, and I still love you- no, I don't love you despite those things but because they're just part of who you are. Without them, you're not you. You see?

I see. How can you be so perfect?

I laughed a little at that. Trust me, I'm not perfect.

No, but you're as close to it as I've ever seen.

Sweet, but not true.

It's true to me.

Whatever you want to believe, Luc.

...

The next morning, whilst we were walking down to breakfast, I realised I was going to have to try really hard not to think about last night, or Maggie was going to get an eyeful of our very private moments last night.

Try Maths in your head? Luc teased, squeezing my hand.

He might have been joking, but I was actually serious. It would be totally embarrassing for her to see that, not to mention the secrets of Luc's that I had in my head. I was sure Luc was disciplined enough that Maggie hadn't seen everything that went on during that time. Only two people would know about it, of that I was determined.

Eugh, not maths, I replied. Maybe the words to 'Bohemian Rhapsody'? Those words last about seven minutes so I should be okay for a while.

Luc did one of his rare laughs out loud. Sure, he chuckled and smiled a fair amount, but not often was he heard properly laughing. I smiled softly before realising he was actually laughing at me.

Hey, this is not a laughing matter! I hope you have some means of not thinking about it in front of Maggie?
Yes. I just don't think about it, Luc shrugged.

You can't just not think about something you're trying really hard not to think about, it never works! I protested.

Of course it does, you'll see, Luc replied simply.

Hmm, was my sceptical reply.

Eventually, we managed to find the dining room in the huge palace, having mostly followed the smell, my tummy rumbling like crazy all the way down. We grabbed a plate each and worked our way around the buffet that was prepared by the English Ainsworth clan. I wondered if I'd ever seen any of them, since they were in London, but I doubted it- there were lots of people in London, after all.

The large hall was filled with benches and long tables, where people were chatting and laughing. I spotted Maggie laughing at her brother, who was smearing cream on his Significant's face. What were their names again? Oh yes, Jen and Bish, I think.

I saw the table for the Council as well. For some reason, seeing them put me on edge.

What is it? Luc squeezed my hand, giving me a concerned glance.

I don't know... I replied uncertainly. Something just seems... off about some of them. I mean, look at Winifred. She's got that serious expression on her face, and your uncle Philippe looks really worried, but the other council members look like they're plotting a conspiracy, or maybe having a private party, one that they aren't invited to. I thought Maggie said the Council were changing.

Well, you can't expect them to be perfect overnight, Luc pointed out, but you're right. There is something wrong with all this. Why would they refuse to believe Maggie and Caleb- their Visionary, no less- about an attack? It just doesn't make sense.

Let's worry about it after breakfast, and in the meantime keep an eye out on them, I suggested.

We moved to another table, where Luc's family were sitting. All the kids were laughing at Damien and another cousin who I didn't know, who were throwing croissants at each other.

"Enfants! Ça suffit! Vous êtes un mauvais exemple pour les autres," (children! That's enough! You're setting a bad example for the others,) Emily told off the two boys, raising an eyebrow at them.

"Désolé maman," (sorry mum,) the younger boy muttered, before grabbing Damien's croissant that he had been carefully spreading with jam and shoving it in his mouth before Damien could do anything about it.

"Tante Emily, Max a volé mon croissante!" (Aunt Emily, Max stole my croissant!) Damien shrieked like a girl.

"Il y a beaucoup pour tout le monde, aller chercher un autre," (there are lots to go around, go get another one), Emily smiled.

"Mais il a volé ma croissant. J'ai passé des siècles faisant ça chef-d'œuvre!" (but he stole my croissant. I spent centuries making that masterpiece!) Damien complained.

I laughed a little- he was more immature than a six year old.

Grumbling, Damien began making another one whilst Max looked on with a satisfied smile and a bulging mouth.

"Hé copains," (Hey guys,) Damien said, finally noticing us sitting there.

"T'es tellement immature, tu sais ça, non?" (You're really immature, you know that, right?) Luc rolled his eyes at him.

"Oui. Je sais," (yes. I know,) Damien shrugged, putting the finishing touches on his croissant with a flourish of his knife and tucking in it. I got why he said it was a masterpiece- it was huge and was full to bursting with jam and butter.

"Alors... quoi de neuf dans le pays de Lanna?" (So... what's up in the land of Lanna?)

"Lanna?" I asked, confused.

"C'est mon nom de couple pour vous deux. Luc et Anna égale Lanna," (It's my couple name for you two. Luc and Anna equals Lanna,) Damien explained with a grin.

"Eugh, rien beaucoup," (um, nothing much,) Luc shrugged, taking a bite out of his own rather large croissant, but not quite as large as the one Damien was devouring.

"Tu es sûr?" (You're sure?) Damien asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Ew, Damien, ne parle pas comme ça devant moi! Mes pauvres oreilles!" (Ew, Damien, don't talk like that in front of me! My poor ears!) Max shrieked, sounding a lot like Damien had a few minutes ago.
"Tu? Max, tu as 16 ans. Je doute que j'enlève pas beaucoup de ta innocence" (You? Max, you're 16. I doubt I'm taking much of your innocence) Damien scoffed. I laughed gain- he was literally like a kid, and absolutely hilarious. I decided I liked Damien.

How old is he?
20.

He's older than you?
Yep. I know he doesn't act like it, but yes, he's actually not a teenager.

Weird. Well, I guess you stole all the maturity.

And what did he get?

I don't know- whatever you left him?

Maggie came over and sat with us, greeting everyone around us by name. It must be useful if you forgot what their name was- just dig in their heads a few seconds and you've got it.

"So, you guys ready for today?" Maggie grinned.

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Beside me, Luc was struggling to keep a straight face. "Yes, I think we're going to be very good at it," he replied.

Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.

Maggie gave me a funny look, but carried on. "Did Luc tell you what we've got for today?" she asked me.
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see..."Um, no he didn't, we didn't really, um, talk about that..." I trailed off. We had been otherwise occupied last night... Oops.

Ahem, I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy... this isn't working is it?

"Nope. Sorry," Maggie grinned. "You did fairly well, I must admit, but it's hard when you're speaking to keep focus." She smiled over at Caleb, obviously remembering a time she tried to keep him out, then turned back to me.

"Alright, let's have a look," she said.

"Look at what?" I asked, confused.

"Your tattoo. You did get one, right?"

"Oh, that. Yeah, I did." I pulled up the sleeve of my pale blue blouse to show her.

"Ah, it's beautiful," she commented, taking a closer look at my wrist. "And that infinity symbol as well."

"What does it mean?" Luc asked.
"I don't know yet. It might just be a sign of the new start. Caleb has a theory that the infinity means it will last forever- that our imprints won't be taken away from us again."
"And what's your theory?"
"Me? I just hope he's right..."

"Alright everybody, games start in 10 minutes in the gold room, so finish up here and let's go!" a man called over the noise.

"Games?"
"Ah, oui, je suppose que tu a été trop occupé de lui dire..." (Oh, yeah, I guess you were too busy to tell her...) Damien hinted, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Ferme ta bouche, imbécile!" (shut up, idiot!) Luc punched him playfully on the shoulder, before we all stacked our plates for the Ainsworth clan to clean and made our way to the Golden Room. On the way, Maggie told us, well, me, about the activities which went on. It sounded like a summer camp, except for adults and inside a giant underground palace.

Whilst they organised everyone, Maggie explained all the activities we were to do, but I wasn't really paying attention.

"You're in this lane for the three-legged race," one of the organisers indicated where to stand.

"You know, I think you two will be good at it," Maggie predicted as Luc tied our ankles together with a shimmery rope.

"What do you say uncle?" Caleb joked with a Jacobson.
"Oh, couldn't possibly say," he replied, winking at us as he tied his own ankle to his wife's and mouthing 'first' at us.

"He predicts the future- about 50 seconds, or so he says," Maggie explained, finishing the knot on her and Caleb's ankle. "Ready?"
Let's win this.

Competitive, are we? Luc teased.
No, just want to fulfil Caleb's uncle's predictions...

Sure, he replied, rolling his eyes.

Concentrate.

I am, he protested.

No you're not, you're thinking about last night.

Okay, you got me, I was a little distracted...

I hit his shoulder as the guy starting the race called for silence.

Together?

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. Of course.

"Three, two, one, go!"

Okay, so this chapter ends at a slightly weird place, because I had to split the chapter otherwise it would have been far too long. Anyway, sorry about the long wait, this chapter is long to make up for it. I've been using the extra time to get slightly ahead so hopefully you won't have to wait as long for the next chapter. My aim is two weeks at the moment, but no promises!

I haven't decided what I'll be doing over Christmas, but I have a vague plan to give you a bonus chapter on Christmas Day, probably of something from Luc and Anna's time in Paris, because I love Paris! But that might mean you don't get a proper one over Christmas because I know I'll be really busy. We'll see...

I know I promised you the actor/actress I'd cast for Luc and Anna... so, for Anna, I would definitely cast Holly Earl, but as for Luc, I did have someone but I'm not too sure now. I will reveal it next time. But please do tell me your thoughts, it's always interesting to see who you visualise as the characters.

The action is coming...

Sorry about the long A/N. See you next time! :)