AN: I know it's been ages and I apologize so much. I know how shitty it is to wait and wait for a friggin' update and never get one. I won't make excuses, but know that I am back in the game. I hope you all like this one. I actually had fun writing this chapter, which hasn't happened for me in a good long while. Thanks again for sticking with me!

Three months went by before I realized I was no longer crashing at Remy's; I was living there. I'm not sure when the change happened or even how it happened. I don't think I would have realized it had I not forgotten the key had had made for me. I suppose the key should have been my first clue that something was different between us.

Anyway, I was coming back from a run when I realized I didn't have a way into the apartment, so I went to hit the buzzer and that's when I saw it. Right next to R. LeBeau was printed N. Logan. Sometimes I think I must have been the dumbest person on the planet, because my first thought was who the fuck is N. Logan. After a moment's hesitation, I froze. It was me…I had never told Remy my last name, so he had given me the name of someone he knew I considered family.

I blinked a few times and tried to slow my ragged breathing. He couldn't have known the effect seeing Logan's name would have on me. If he did, he was just an asshole then. As I stared the sight before me, I couldn't help but wonder what it meant. Not Logan's name, but what having me listed did for my living situation. I hadn't been paying rent or buying food, and until recently had been content to lay in bed like some pathetic shell of a human being.

What would I say to Remy? Did I go in guns blazing and accuse him of some nefarious scheme? Did I thank him? Did I drop everything and run? That third option was looking mighty appealing. After all, the last time I called a place home, my life feel to shit around me…

Eventually, I didn't make a decision at all. If Remy wasn't going to bring it up, neither would I. I jumped back as I heard the door's lock click open. Confused, I wondered who was letting me in when I had yet to buzz. I shook my head and began my trek up to the third floor, letting myself into Remy's – our – apartment. Unable to stop myself, I rolled my eyes at the sight of him leaning against the counter, not a care in the world, holding my key.

"Forgetting something cheri?" he asked with a smirk.

"Yeah, I forgot to tell my asshole roommate I was stepping out for a bit," I replied, hands on my hips. "Hey did you let me in? I didn't buzz."

I watched him bring his hands to his heart as his face contorted in overzealous agony. I rolled my eyes once more and knew exactly what was coming. "Your words cut me to the quick! How can one so lovely, with an even lovelier pair of lips, allow such cruelty to pass? I fear one day that you will cut too strongly and leave me alone in misery…"

I stood in silence as Remy fell further onto the countertop.

"Wow…you done?"

He peaked his head up. "Nearly…Oh my dearest one! Never forget the love I, Remy LeBeau and lover extraordinaire, have borne you. Though I die hopeless and alone without your arms around me, nor your ample –"

"Careful…"

"– heart to cherish me. Knowing you have moved on to a far greater, though far more boring, love than I can provide will bring me some small joy at the end."

"Well then –"

"And worry not!" I groaned as Remy continued his declarations. I might have tried to stop him, but he was in the zone with his "wooing," and I already knew from experience that he would stop only when he was good and ready.

"Your cruelty in this moment and every moment past and future will not only be forgiven, but cherished! For they were moments you deemed fitting to bestow upon my unworthy soul and even less worthy love." After a few moments' silence, I decided he was probably finished for the time being. I clapped slowly as Remy stood and gave an elaborate bow.

"About goddamn time," I muttered. "Anyway…you going out tonight?"

"Why?" he asked curiously as he turned his back to be to grab a beer from the fridge. "Missing me?"

"Don't be stupid," I replied with a small smile. "I just thought, if you're not doing anything too important, I might – I might come with or something." I immediately became entranced by my hands, refusing to look at Remy. He was probably getting ready to tease me with another declaration of love worthy of Shakespeare. But at the continued silence, I looked up with a sigh to meet Remy's gaze.

"That would be wonderful cheri. We'll do dinner."

"Now this isn't a –"

"I know, I know," he laughed, throwing his hands up. "We'll get a bite, and go out on the town yes? Maybe start a fight in an alley using you as bait?"

I gave him a shove as I walked by. "You're hilarious…"

"Where are you going cheri?"

"It's August in New Orleans, and I've been running. I smell like a locker room…where do you think I'm going?" Before I had the chance to enter the bathroom, I heard Remy laugh once more.

"Need company?"

"Like a root canal!"

"So what made today the day for you to come crawling out of your stupor?" I glared at Remy as he took another sip of beer.

"I have not been in a stupor," I muttered, gulping down my own drink with a cringe. He raised his eyebrows at me and smirked.

"Fine ma cheri, what made today the day for you to join me for dinner…for the first time in three months?" I shrugged as yet another waitress approached our table, eager to assist my companion in any way she could. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as once again, I was ignored. When she finally left, leaving Remy with his third phone number of the evening, I shook my head.

"Does that get old?" I asked, pointing at the waitress. "I mean not being left alone."

"Don't change the subject, though it was a very good try…asking to talk about me." He chuckled and leaned closer. "Tell me though, what makes today special?"

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. "It's nothing…it's just I – never mind…" I could feel myself go red at the idea of confiding in Remy despite the new knowledge we were living together.

"Oh come on ma cheri," he goaded while throwing me a dazzling smile. "If you don't tell me, I'll go start singing karaoke. And you know I will."

"Jesus, you absolutely would, wouldn't you?" I groaned. Remy only shrugged noncommittally and took another deep drink of his beer. I followed suit and finished off my own.

"Don't laugh, okay?" He nodded, and I couldn't help but appreciate the change in his demeanor. He obviously sensed I was preparing to open up, which was not something I was known for…especially with him.

"It's my birthday." I expected a laugh, but only got a look of confusion.

"I thought –"

"I mean it's kind of my birthday…at least that's what Logan called it. John, Bradley…Wade even said it once." I looked out the nearest window and focused on the crowds rushing by. "It's the day they took me," I explained softly. Once more I waited for some sort of response but received only silence.

"I know it's the dumbest fucking thing ever, right?" I laughed grimly. "Celebrating the day you were kidnapped by a bunch of militant mercenaries led by a sociopath bent on his own type of ethnic cleansing…who would do that? God…sorry."

I ran both hands through my hair and pushed it away from my face before placing my head in own hand. Biting my lip, I closed my eyes and waited for any sort of reaction from Remy. Suddenly, I felt the smallest pressure on my right hand, and I opened my eyes. He seemed to be asking permission for something, so I nodded.

The moment I felt Remy take my hand in his own, I couldn't help but feel as though the greatest weight in the world had been lifted from my shoulder, like a breath I had been holding for twelve years had finally been released. My eyes moved from our hands to his face, and I met his gaze. For the first time since I had known him, I didn't feel like he expected something from me…or even wanted something. It was as if he only wanted to be there with me.

With a gentle squeeze of my hand, Remy leaned across the table and kissed my forehead.

"Happy birthday Nadya."