"He won't listen. Damnit, I knew I wasn't ready for this." I slammed the gate to the lift closed and pressed the down button. "No more. I just can't do it."
The lift arrived on the first floor and I exited. People were avoiding my gaze. I must be projecting my anger pretty well. Oh well, like I care at the moment. First things first. I need chocolate. I hope it's open this late at night.
Pulling my PDA from my pocket, I activated the GPS, putting in my desired destination. With a sly smile, I began my journey.
La Maison du Chocolat. A store, a huge store, with nothing but chocolate inside. Luck was with me as they were still open for yet another hour. I stepped through the door and breathed deeply. Just that whiff brightened my spirits.
Several minutes later, I sat at one of the many tables with une croissant avec chocolat, a piece of chocolate cheesecake and a bag of truffles and other candies to take back to the loft. A tall glass of cold milk sat beside my plate. I was in heaven.
On the table next to mine, I noticed a local paper. The front page caught my eye. I grabbed it and looked closely. It was a rather grainy picture of the place the "terrorist" body had been found. There was no doubt the clothes were Josh's. Even the beret lay nearby.
Slowly I ate and stared at the picture. There was something wrong, but I couldn't figure it out. Deciding I needed a break from looking, I began to thumb through the paper.
The weather was supposed to turn nice soon. The Louvre was about to start a new display of modern works. There were ads for all kinds of stores and...
One caught my eye. I waved over a waitress. "Excusez-moi. Um," I pointed at the ad. Suddenly, all of my French left me. I couldn't think of what to say. "Um."
The young girl looked down at the paper and smiled. "La Moulin Rouge. Oui. C'est manifique."
"Oui, oú il est LA Moulin Rouge?"
She blinked at me. "Mais oui."
I obviously was not conveying my meaning well. "Tu parles anglais? Mon français est très..."
She smiled. "Yes, I speak English. La Moulin is a very nice place."
"But is it the original Moulin?"
"Oui, it is the same building. They have made a section of it into a nightclub."
"Not far from its original intention, just more legal," I muttered with a smile.
The girl giggled. "I believe you would enjoy La Moulin. The atmosphere is très chic."
"Merci," I said. "I think I will go try La Moulin Rogue. That is, if I can get in."
She reached into her apron and presented me with what looked to be a business card. "Show that at the door. If they ask, tell them you are Michelle's American cousin here on holiday."
"Merci beaucoup, Michelle."
"You are very welcome, Madame. I do hope you enjoy yourself."
I stood and left a generous tip on the table. Looking down, I remembered the bag of goodies. "Do you think..."
Before I could finish my sentence, Michelle had picked up the bag. "Not at all. If you will give me the address, I will make sure it gets there."
I wrote the address of the loft on a napkin and scrawled a note on another, telling the others where I would be. "I appreciate this very much."
"Not a problem. Now go, enjoy." She waved me away.
I smiled and headed for La Moulin Rouge.
Michelle took the bag behind the counter and picked up the phone. A moment later, someone answered. "La Jedi se dérige vers La Moulin," she said softly to the person on the other end.
"Bon. Nous attendrons." [1]
I quickly (and I do mean quickly) made my way to La Moulin Rouge. My immediate reaction was "whoa" complete in Bill and Ted style. The building was awesome. The windmill was brightly lit with neon.
It wasn't hard to tell the entrance of the nightclub apart from the restaurant. The line was huge. I slipped my way to the front and smiled warmly at the huge man guarding the door. "Bonjour."
He stared down at me. His arms were as big around as my waist.
I flicked the card between my fingers and handed it to him. "Je suis une cousine d'Amérique."
He tilted his head slightly. It was then I could see the small receiver bud in his ear. He uncrossed his "tree limbs" and moved the rope to let me pass.
"Merci," I said as I passed him and moved into the foyer. Directly in front of me was my second obstacle of the night. A metal detector.
The weight of my lightsaber was suddenly very noticeable. I wasn't sure if it would set the detector off or not, but it was better to be safe than sorry. My eyes and mind searched for the right person to talk to.
"Bonne nuit," he said as I approached him.
"Bonne nuit," I replied flashing my sexiest smile. Unbeknownst to him, he was getting a little extra with that smile. "Tu parles anglais?"
"Of course, ma chère. Are you looking for someone?"
"Only someone to show me around. Perhaps you can help me past this little ol' detector here." My southern accent was thick. I ran my hand gently up his arm as I placed the suggestion in his head.
His eyes glazed for a moment. Reaching down to unhook the rope, he bowed low, gesturing for me to step through. "Of course, lovely lady. Please, allow me."
I stepped through and turned back to place a kiss on his cheek. "I was never here," I whispered into his ear. He stood like a zombie as I backed away and blended into the crowd.
"There she is."
"She's very strong."
"Terrans are weak minded."
"Not all are." *glare*
"But you are right, she is strong."
*nod* "Shall I send him in?"
*nod*
The place was packed. I made my way towards the bar. After all that chocolate, I needed a drink. And besides, I still wasn't over the argument with Josh yet. I waved the bartender over. "Stolis on the rocks."
He nodded and fixed my drink. A moment later, he set the highball glass on the counter. I handed him a fifty. He nodded and held up 3 fingers. Understanding, I turned and bumped into someone. "Oh geez, I'm sorry."
"Pardon me," came a distinct accent.
I looked up into the eyes of... "Obi-wan?"
"Star Wars fan, I take it," he said with a smile.
"Um, yes, I..." My mind drew a complete blank. I was stuttering like an idiot.
"Look, I spilled your drink. Please allow me to buy you another." He motioned to the bartender who quickly poured another.
I finally regained my dignity. "Ewan McGregor," I said finally. "What are you doing here?"
He pointed up to the blinking neon above the dance floor. "I was in this little movie last year with the same name."
I blushed profusely. "I remember. You have a beautiful singing voice."
It was his turn to blush. "G'on. Hey, would you like to join us at our table? We've got room."
Us? "Your wife is here?"
"No, she's home with our daughters. I'm here with my uncle and aunt."
My heart stopped. "Uncle and aunt?"
"Oh yes, Denis and Sheila would love to meet you."
It refused to restart. "Denis... as in Denis 'Wedge Antilles' Lawson?"
Ewan laughed. "The one and the same."
Finally, it did. "I'd love to join you."
He led me to where the others were seated and introduced me. "Denis, Sheila, this is..." he paused and looked at me. "You know, I haven't even asked your name."
I set my glass on the table and reached to take Denis's proffered hand. "Vickie. It's an honor to meet you." Looking into his eyes was almost like looking into the real Wedge's. It was simply incredible.
"A pleasure, lass. Have a seat." Denis flashed that cute smile of his.
Sheila smiled as we shook hands. "You're an American?"
"Yes ma'am," I replied out of habit. "I'm from North Carolina on the east coast."
"Oh dear, please just call me Sheila. Ma'am sounds so formal."
"I apologize," I said as I blushed. "I'm not used to meeting such famous people outside of a convention. Especially people who have portrayed characters I look up to."
"She's a Star Wars fan," Ewan said as if the others would know what he meant.
That admission broke the ice. We sat chatting late into the night. I was amazed at their knowledge of the expanded universe books and comics.
"Report."
"They're still talking. She hasn't given away anything."
"Good. Stay with her."
"Yes. Wait. They're getting ready to leave."
"Get to your post."
"Yes sir."
I looked at the clock and noticed it was nearly 0430. "Goodness, the time has flown by. I really must get back."
Ewan and Denis flashed identical smiles. "Let us take you home. We have a limo waiting outside."
"Oh, I couldn't. It would be out of your way."
"Pish posh," Sheila said with her own smile. "It will be much safer. The roads around here are not that hospitable to young ladies at this time of night."
"How can I refuse."
We went out to the waiting limousine. Ewan gave the driver the address of where to drop me off. The drive seemed short, or else I just didn't want to leave.
When the limo stopped, I pocketed the napkins and scrap papers the trio had signed for me and stepped out the door. "Thanks so much for your time and bringing me home."
"It was our pleasure, lass," Denis said. "Perhaps we can do it again soon."
"I'd really enjoy that. Next time let's go somewhere quieter and have Ewan's wife and daughter join us."
"Sounds like a plan." He shook my hand. "Take care."
"Thanks. I'll write soon." The door closed and I waved as the limo drove away.
When it was out of sight, I sighed and made my way into the building. Quietly, I opened the door to the loft and slipped inside. I expected Josh to be waiting, arms crossed and angry.
He was on the couch, asleep. Men are so cute when they sleep, I mused as I took a blanket and covered him. I know I'm going to get a tongue lashing in the morning, but perhaps this will soften the blow somewhat. Besides, Denis and Ewan were right. A case of overreaction by both parties is no reason to get angry.
Pulling the napkins and papers from my pocket, I began to distribute them amongst the three remaining Terra Group members. The six I had left I took to my room and put them in a drawer. Brad would be back soon and Crispy... he would be back too.
I changed into my sleeping clothes and climbed into bed. "Tomorrow is going to get here too soon. Best to get some rest." Within a short time, I was asleep.
[1]
The Jedi is on her way to La Moulin.
Good. We will be waiting.