Only a Fool Defends Her Enemies (Domijeanne Pirate Au)

Chapter 6

Jeanne shoved Vanitas aside and stumbled forward to meet Chloé. They immediately threw their arms around each other in a tight hug, Jeanne leaning down significantly to rest her head on Chloe's shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" Chloé clung even tighter to Jeanne. "I had never hoped to see you again."

"I could ask you the same thing!" Jeanne's voice was muffled by the fabric of Chloe's dress. "I didn't even know if you were still alive! You disappeared so suddenly."

"Sorry to interrupt," Dominique coughed, "But, ah, you two know each other?"

Chloé slowly extricated herself from Jeanne, smoothing her clothes and doing her best to blink back the tears that were clearly threatening to escape. "I knew Jeanne when she was a child and, grateful as I am to see her, I am a little dubious about these circumstances. Do I have you to thank for her turning up on my doorstep covered in blood, Dominique?"

"In a broad sense, yes," Dominique confessed. "Not to worry though, the blood isn't hers. Or it mostly isn't."

Chloé's eyebrows shot up, "That does not make it better, child! Come with me and then explain what exactly is going on."

The three of them trailed behind Chloé as she led them through a locked door at the back of the bar. It opened into a short hallway with a flight of stairs at the end. They avoided the stairs, instead stepping through another door off to the side. Inside was a neat bedroom.

"The injured can sit there," Chloé indicated the large bed taking up most of the space before scurrying out into another adjoining room. She returned quickly, carrying meagre medical supplies, "This is all I have to help you. We aren't exactly used to dealing with this sort of thing. I'd have left you to fend for yourselves if Jeanne weren't here. Do what you need to, I have to inform Jean-Jacques about the situation. When I get back make sure you have your story straight. And, Dominique, you are going to pay me for the medicine and lodging I'm agreeing to provide you tonight."

"Of course," Dominique agreed and Chloé left them to their own devices.

Vanitas quickly sorted through the supplies that Chloé had brought for them, pulling a few extra things from the pouches on his belt. He made the decision to start with Jeanne's injury first, making her roll up her pants much the same way she had a few days prior when Dominique had shot her. The wound had reopened while she was fighting and was blistering red and bleeding. The extra strain she had put on it had forced the wound wider than it had been before. Vanitas scowled as he worked but made no comment, taking his time to clean and dress it with practiced care. When he was finished, he moved on to Dominique. Hers was in her shoulder so she had to remove her jacket and shirt to give Vanitas access. It was also different to Jeanne's because it had both an entry and exit wound, the bullet having passed clean through.

Regardless, Vanitas dealt with the damage swiftly and professionally. Dominique withstood his ministrations without complaint, like Jeanne had, although she did find herself squeezing her eyes shut and forcing back tears of pain when Vanitas touched particularly sensitive spots.

"Now," Dominique said as he completed his work, "What were you doing in town with Jeanne, Vanitas?"

"Before that, why did Gano come after us?"

"He wouldn't have if you'd just stayed at the ship! He was after Jeanne and he only made a move because you presented a perfect opportunity to him. Apparently, he and his crew knew what she looked like."

"Why was he after me?" Jeanne interjected.

Dominique's screwed up her face in irritation. "He's working with Ruthven."