Disclaimer: Gambit and the
X-Men are copyright and property of Marvel Comics. I am making no money from this. Besides
getting money out of me would be like getting blood out of turnip, it isn't gonna happen
so don't even try to sue me. Any other characters you don't recognize and the plot in this
story are owned by Tammy Zuleger. Anyone wishing to use them must get permission from me
first.
Recovery
Part Six
Tammy
Now imagine puttin up a wall,
Austin said.
Aroun de bad dreams? Remy asked, his eyes still closed.
Right and make it the strongest ya can imagine, Austin coached.
Like adamantium?
If thats the strongest ya can imagine. I usually add reinforcements myself,
just ta be sure, he smiled.
Right, bra, Remy replied concentrating again. Got it, he said
after several minutes of silence.
Now the thing is ta keep it up when youre sleepin, Austin said.
An how do I do dat? the Cajun asked.
Youve got ta learn ta make it automatic, just like you do with your
psi-shields, he answered.
An hows dat?
Here, Ill show ya, he said kneeling behind Gambit.
Whatre you gonna do? Remy asked apprehensively.
Shh, just relax, Austin said and put his hands on Remys shoulders. Then
he reached out and let his own feelings of relaxation flow into the younger man. He felt
Remys shoulders relax under his hands and he heard his breathing slow to the rhythm
of a sleeping man.
Then, ever so gently he let a partial image of the Cajuns latest nightmare slip from
himself into Gambit.
Austin waited for Remys wall to fall into place. For several very long seconds
nothing happened. Suddenly Remy tensed. Austin looked down and saw the rock that Remy was
leaning on begin to glow a bright pinkish color. Shit, he cursed and pulled
the Cajun away while empathically yelling at him to wake up.
Gambit woke up as Austin fell on top of him, shielding him from the blast. He squeezed his
eyes shut at the bright flash of the blast and hoped that nothing important was destroyed.
Damn, Austin muttered at the dust settled around them, glad that
wasnt my favrite fishin hole. Ya okay Remy?
Yeah, I tink so, he nodded opening his eyes a bit.
Guess we have ta try sumthin different, the Texan said getting up off
Remy.
Uh-huh, dat kinda back-fired on you, he agreed getting up also.
Austins eyes narrowed. He sent the image to Remy again. This time the wall flew up
immediately. So far so good, he smiled.
Yeah, but Im awake, he replied.
Are ya really? the Texan asked.
What you mean? Remy said puzzled.
Close your eyes and open them again, Austin instructed.
Remy did as he was told. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Several seconds later
he opened them again. Much to his surprise he was sitting on the couch. He glanced toward
the television and saw the end credits of High Plains Drifter playing. The
Cajun looked over at Austin and gave him a puzzled and confused look.
Ya fell asleep and I influenced your dream, he explained.
But we were out dere fr hours, he said confused.
No, ya were alseep for an hour an half. I was here watching Clint
Eastwood, Austin replied.
But how?
Im also slightly telepathic, empathy and telepathy usually go together from
what Ive read. Anyway, I can send ideas as well as emotions, he explained.
Uh-huh, Remy nodded. But you were dere, you showed me how t put up
shields.
Ya already have very strong psi-shields, I just suggested that ya build on what ya
already had, Austin continued. I was never actually in your dream, ya put me
there.
I see, so now what happens tnight? the Cajun asked.
I dont know, thats up ta ya, he said.
******
That night as he got ready for bed, Remy was very apprehensive. He wasnt sure the
shields would keep out the nightmares. Ice came up to him and laid her head on the bed,
waiting to be invited onto it. Hey girl, he smiled, reassured by the
dogs presence. Come on, get up ere. The dog leaped up and sat
waiting for Remy to make himself comfortable first. He lay down and Ice curled up next to
him.
******
Austin woke at midnight, the time when the Cajuns dreams usually started. He reached
out empathically and could detect no feelings of fear or helplessness from Remy. He
slipped on his boxers and padded down the hall to Remys room. The Texan slowly
opened the door and saw Remy and Ice sleeping peacefully. He smiled and went back to bed
himself.
******
Good morning Remy, Tammy smiled. Howd you sleep?
Like a baby chere, like a baby, he grinned and sat down at the table.
Whats fr breakfast?
Steak and eggs, Austin said from his place at the stove. How do ya like
your steak?
Medium rare. I ever tell you how much I love Montana? he asked leaning back in
his chair.
My brotherll be mortified, Austin said from the stove.
De state, not de singer. Did you say Montana was your brother? Remy asked
surprised.
Yeah, hes my baby brother, Austin said proudly.
So you talented too or did it skip you? Remy teased.
Depends on what you consider talent, he replied cryptically.
Austins being modest. Hes written most of Montanas hit songs and
quite a few for other country artists, Tammy said looking up from her appointment
book.
Like what? Remy asked pouring himself a cup of coffee.
I wrote Rodeo for Garth Brooks, Austin replied flipping an egg.
Dont forget to kill it, Tammy said making a notation in her book.
Austin rolled his eyes and hit the yolk with the spatula to brake it. I also wrote
Dream on Texas Ladies, he said. You play anything?
Tammy snorted from behind the magazine shed picked up.
Yeah, I play violin, Remy answered while giving Tammy a funny look.
Theres a few of us cowboys that get tgether and play, but we dont
have a fiddle player. You play Orange Blossom Special? the Texan asked.
Does Charlie Daniels have a gold fiddle? Remy smiled.
******
Note: 'Dream On Texas Ladies' was really written by Steve Dan Mills (John Michael
Montgomery performs it, not Montana Blake) and Rodeo was really written by Larry Bastian.
And as I said earlier I'm not making any money from their use, so please don't sue me.