So I think this story is actually drawing to its close, AND NOBODY HAS DIED YET! Holy crap. Don't worry. SOMEBODY will die. I have to kill off at least one. (And no, I don't actually know when a story is going to end. It does that itself. I just pick a beginning and ending and it leads the way.)

Thanks to those of you who've asked me questions on my Formspring! I was just about to turn the anon. option off because that's what my stalker girl uses to harass me with her so painfully obvious questions… but then I got five random ones like rapid fire and so I got excited. In the future (if it isn't too much trouble and it isn't a big deal if you forget to) could you guys maybe put "FF:" in front of your questions so I at least know you're somebody from FF? I'm going to ask my devArt questioners to do the same. It would be interesting to see how many people I get from FF vs. dA vs. Real Life. Again, you don't have to do it if it seems like too much trouble or if you forget, its no biggie. PLEASE HARASS ME SOME MOAR!

Alright, now back to the story. There's not a WHOLE lot of stuff going on. Just plot development. But it is all culminating to the peek of the story. So I hope you enjoy. I may or may not be posting a second chapter this weekend. Depends on my SUPER BUSY SCHEDULE (sarcasm).

Anyhow, enjoy!

"Good morning, Mrs. Gabbiani. You look lovely today." Saïx smiled and pressed Larxene's hand to his lips. He then turned his gaze to the man standing behind her, his face swollen and bruised. "And you…"

Demyx groaned and crossed his arms. "I was mugged. I suppose that's what I get for lurking around in unsavory parts of town looking for a cheep thrill."

Saïx nodded with a grin. "I see. Well, thrills aren't cheap my friend. They'll often cost you sooner or later, one way or another." He peered behind the two into the mansion. "Is Mr. Gabbiani going to be joining us this morning?"

"Oh, no." Larxene forced a smile and shook her head. "He was feeling a bit under the weather this morning. He regretfully had to decline. However, Demyx and I would still love to accompany you if you'll have us."

"Of course." Saïx motioned for the two to exit the mansion. "I have a car waiting. Are you ready?"

"Yes." Larxene smiled sweetly and took the man's arm. She let him lead her to the car where they all climbed into the back seat. He had a driver, which she took note of. Marluxia told her that she needed to pay attention to everything about this man. If he didn't have a driver, it was huge red flag that he was not who he said he was. However everything seemed in order. A driver, a nice car, and even the manners of a man with money. They arrived quickly at a restaurant and exited the car. This was the first time Larxene had been to the city since they'd arrived that night on the train. It was entirely different in the daylight. It was breathtaking. But she had little time to take it all in as she was escorted into the restaurant. They were seated near the back which she found strange but she paid it no mind. She picked up the menu and began searching for the cheapest thing. Marluxia hadn't given her much money to work with.

Saïx smiled at Larxene as she stared down at the menu. "Order whatever you like. It is entirely on me."

"Alright, thank you." Larxene smiled gratefully at Saïx before turning her attention back to the menu. "I don't know. It all sounds so good. I can't decide."

"I'll order for you then. Hmm… Let's see. I wonder if they have Johnnycakes." Saïx looked up at Larxene and smirked. "What is it they're called in the South, again?"

"Hoecakes, but they're…" Larxene froze and turned her gaze up slowly to Demyx who stared at her with wide eyes. She then looked to the man across from them with a smile. "A-at least, that's what I've heard but I've never…"

Saïx chuckled and shook his head. "Relax, Miss Even. I'm not here to cause you distress." He pulled out a small badge and flashed it to her quickly. "I am Agent Isa of the Prohibition Unit of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. I know all about your situation and I'd like to help."

Larxene's face paled as Saïx spoke. "Y-you know? How?"

"I have an informant amongst your gangster friends. But that isn't important. What's important is that I can help you." Saïx narrowed his gaze on the blonde woman seriously. "I've been informed of the precarious situation in which you find yourself. I can help."

Larxene felt sick. This was it. She was going to jail if she didn't make a deal with this man right now. If she made a deal, she was as good as dead. "How can you help me?"

"If I can arrest your friends for the illegal production and distribution of alcohol, I can help close a case that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been working on for the past year. The disappearance of one Mr. and Mrs. Gabbiani, as well as other less severe criminal acts they've been involved in." Saïx looked to Demyx and then back to Larxene. "For being so helpful in bringing them down, you would both receive government pardons for your role in the illegal production and distribution of alcohol. Should you choose not to help us, well…" He grinned and folded his arms over his chest. "You'll all be arrested."

"Well I'm so glad we've been given a choice." Demyx scoffed and mimicked Saïx's pose. "It isn't our fault you know. They're forcing us into this. Either that or they kill us. We're hostages."

Saïx leaned forward and narrowed his eyes on the man across from him. "That's not what I heard. Not about you anyway. The lady, yes. But not you. And if you don't deliver, you'll be going to prison."

Larxene furrowed her brow. "Who is this informant of yours?"

"I'm afraid that is classified information. But, I have a feeling this person will tell you when they feel the time is appropriate." Saïx smiled and motioned to the menu. "Still hungry?"

"No." Larxene scoffed and growled. "Not at all."

Saïx stood slowly. "Well then, we're wasting space here. I'll return you to your home. You must not speak a word of this outside of this restaurant. There is no discussing this amongst each other. And no telling that man parading around as your husband."

"He is my husband. And he's a hostage too." Larxene crossed her arms and started toward the car. "Not that he'd listen to me about this anyhow." She climbed into the back seat and rode in furious silence back to the mansion. Once they were safely inside she locked the front door and glared at Demyx. "You just had to accept his invitation to breakfast, didn't you?"

"As though I knew that was going to happen!" Demyx shook his head and sighed. "Besides, it is a good thing, don't you think?"

"A good thing? No! Its a mess!" Larxene groaned and grabbed her head in her hands. "Everything is falling apart. And now Marluxia is going to kill us when we tell him about S. M. Laurent or whatever that guy's name was."

"Whoa, now! We can't tell him! Are you insane? Think about it. If we tell him he'll either kill us or we'll go to jail and then they'll kill us. But if we work this out right, we could be off completely free. They're all arrested and they can't hurt us."

"Only the ones who're arrested! But Marluxia was going to be a lawyer before all this. Don't you think he'll be able to keep himself out of trouble? I think we need to tell him about that guy and tell him that they've got an informant amongst us! Ooh… I bet anything its Zexion!" Larxene clenched her fists in anger. "I could strangle that little hypocrite. Just wait till I tell Marluxia!"

"Don't be stupid Larxene! Think about this for a second. That informant is our only fail safe we've got. Marluxia isn't going to think it is one of his own guys. He'll think it is one of us. And to be safe, he'll probably kill all three of us! But if that informant is on our side, they won't let anything bad happen to us. They'll turn Marluxia over no matter what. We don't even really have to worry about doing that. Do you know why?" Demyx smiled widely as Larxene blinked up at him in disinterest. "Because we are going to steal the money that Marluxia has been making off of our hard efforts and run away!"

Larxene stared up at Demyx in irritation. "Demyx, are you a moron?"

"How is that moronic? That plan is genius! We'll be gone before they realize it and by the time they do realize it, that agent will have them arrested with all his fed friends. You and I will be long gone with thousands!" Demyx grabbed Larxene's hands and nodded eagerly. "It sounds perfect, doesn't it?"

Larxene shook her head. "My father…"

"Who gives a shit about your father? He got you into this mess in the first place! He forced you to marry Luxord. And look at you now. Broken hearted, defeated." Demyx caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "You deserve a happy life far away from here and that's what I can give you. Let's do this. We can go anywhere in the world. Anywhere."

Larxene looked up at Demyx sadly. There was so much sincerity and hope in his eyes. "Demyx…" She shook her head and sighed. "Did Luxord not knock some sense into you last night? I'm married to him. I love him, not you."

Demyx avoided Larxene's gaze and swallowed hard. "Yeah, I heard you plenty of times when you said that. But he hates you now. But I'll always love you and I feel like eventually you could grow to love me too."

Larxene sucked in a quick breath. "G-give me a week to decide. A full week."

Demyx smiled brightly and grabbed Larxene's face in his hands. "Alright! Alright…" He pressed his lips to her forehead happily. "A week. I'll wait patiently this time. I promise."

"Alright. Now get out of here. And if Marluxia asks, we agree to tell him that S. M. Laurent was just exactly as he said he was, a business man. He took us to breakfast and was very kind and completely legitimate. That's it." Larxene motioned for Demyx to leave. Once he was gone out the front door she groaned and started up the stairs. She was far too tired to try and survive the rest of the day without napping. But as she reached the top of the stairs she noticed Luxord standing outside her door with arms crossed and eyes closed. "L-Luxord…"

"So…" Luxord opened his eyes slowly and stared at a spot on the wall across from him. "You're running away with him?"

"Luxord, that's not…" Larxene stepped toward him slowly. "There's more involved. The feds…"

"I heard." Luxord turned to face Larxene. "I just laugh that Demyx thinks he'll actually be able to steal money from Marluxia."

Larxene bit her bottom lip. "You're going to rat him out, aren't you?"

Luxord scoffed. "If that idiot wants to get himself killed trying to rip off the gangsters, he certainly doesn't need my help. He'll manage himself. I don't have to say a word."

"Luxord, we can do this together." Larxene reached out and put a hand on Luxord's arm. "You can come too."

"As though I would want to." Luxord tugged away from Larxene. "You're so spoilt. Do you really think you can have us both?"

"I don't want you both! I don't want him!" Larxene felt tears begin to swell up in her eyes. "If you really were listening then you heard me tell him that I love you and not him. You heard that, Luxord! I know you did."

Luxord turned away from Larxene. "You knew I was listening."

"If I thought you were listening, I would've spoke a lot louder. You're being ridiculous and I'm about damn tired of your selective hearing in the past twelve hours!" Larxene grabbed Luxord by his wrist and tried her best to spin him around but to no avail. Instead, she stepped in front of him and crossed her arms. "Listen to me, damn it! Listen well! The times that Demyx and I slept together were few and far between! Not to mention, I hadn't even begun to realize how I felt for you at any of those times!"

Luxord rolled his eyes. "That makes it alright?"

Larxene growled. "No, damn it! It doesn't! But it isn't nearly as bad! I didn't love you at the time and I sure as hell didn't love him! It just happened and it only happened twice and it was a stupid mistake! He never made me feel the way you do."

Luxord looked down at Larxene with a sense of pride welling up. "Really?" He felt a small smile crawl onto his face before shaking it off. "That doesn't matter though! You still disregarded the sacred oath you took when you accepted my mother's ring!"

"I didn't know how much it really meant! I didn't know anything until it was too late! And don't you think in a small way, that's your fault? You kept closed and told me nothing about how special I truly was to you! Nothing! I thought you were as miserable as I was and after I found out you lied to me about the money I figured you were really forced into this like me! How was I supposed to know that you really cared?" Larxene huffed angrily and turned away from Luxord. "I screwed up, but so did you. At least I realize it! At least I'm trying to fix it! I love you Luxord and now that I realize I do, that isn't just going to go away no matter how much I wish it would. I wish I could just walk away and have that be the end but I can't and I won't. The question is, how long are you going to brood over something that was so entirely meaningless?"

Luxord looked at the back of Larxene's head calmly. "Meaningless?" He sighed. Demyx was meaningless to Larxene. That didn't make the betrayal hurt less, but it did make it slightly easier to get over. It wasn't an emotional affair. It was a meaningless physical one. He inhaled slowly. "It'll take some time."

Larxene whirled around, those words were nearly the most beautiful she'd ever heard. She couldn't fight the bright smile blooming onto her face. "How long?"

Luxord smiled softly. "Give me a week. A full week."