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 Ten
Tammy

"Am I late?" asked the man as he sat down next to Tammy.

"No, you're just in time. They haven't been introduced yet. Beer?" she asked.

"Already got one," he replied taking off his hat.

The lights on the little stage dimmed and the manager of the Stagger Inn stepped into the spotlight. "An' now ladies and cowboys is the moment ya'll been waitin' for . . . "

"Get on with it," a voice yelled from the crowd.

*****

Remy nervously watched the manager introduce them.

"Don't worry kid, you'll be great," Pete said patting his shoulder reassuringly.

Remy nodded, still watching the manager.

"Hey Remy," Austin said coming up to him. "Relax, it's gonna be fine. Just pretend you're playin' at a party back home."

"I try," he said.

"By the way, that jacket would make Porter Wagner green with envy," the Texan grinned.

*****
"And now without further delay here's The Fire Mountain Band with their special guest Remy LeBeau, the Ragin' Cajun," the manager said and stepped off the stage as the barroom went dark.

*****

Remy and the others filed out onto the stage and took their places. They took up their instruments and as the stage lights went on began to play.

"Hey lookee yonder comin',
comin' down that railroad track.
Lookee yonder comin' honey,
she's a comin' down that railroad track.
It's that Orange Blossom Special
bringin' my baby back," Austin sang.

*****

"Who's the new fiddle player?" the man seated next to Tammy asked. "He sure is good."

"Remy's an old friend of mine," she replied. "He's had some things happen to him and he's here trying to get over it."

"Can he sing?"

"Just wait and see," she smiled knowingly.

*****

"Sittin' at a tiny table in a ritzy restaurant
She was starin' at her coffee cup
He was tryin' to keep his courage up
By applying booze." Remy began.

"Talk was small when they talked at all
They both knew what they wanted
There was no need to talk about it
They were old enough to scope it out
And keep it loose.

"She said, 'You don't look like my type
But I'll guess you'll do'
Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous
And he said, 'I'll even tell you that I love you
If you want me to'
Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous.

"When they left the bar
They got in his car
And they drove away
He drove to the family inn
She didn't even have to pretend
She didn't know what for.

"And he went to the desk
And made his request
While she waited outside
And he came back with the key
And she said, 'Give it to me
And I'll unlock the door.'

"She kept saying
'I've never done this kind of thing before, have you?'
Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous
And he said, 'Yes I have
But only a time or two'
Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous..."
Remy finished waiting for the boos and hisses that were sure to follow. He was shocked when the audience cheered. Cowboys, cowgirls, local businessmen, and tourists were whistling and shouting for more from him.

The cajun glanced over at Austin and the rest of the band. They were all smiling and grinning back at him. Austin nodded at him and mouthed the words 'Don't Go Near the Water'. Remy smiled and brought his violin up again. The rest of the group took his cue and started playing.

"Your mama used to worry 'bout that big muddy river
Honey, do you remember?
You let the screen door slam when you stepped off the front porch
Hear your mama callin' 'Don't be late.'
And I'd hear your daddy holler 'Son, she's my only daughter'," he sang.

Remy played a chord on his violin and continued,
"You'd stick your nose in the honeysuckle down by the gate
I can still hear your mama callin' "Don't go near the water," and he played the intro to the chorus.

"We fell right in way over our heads,
But we didn't go near the water.
In love in deep so young and sweet
And the nights got hotter and hotter
We were sure enough gettin' our feet we mama,
But we didn't go near the water," he sang and played the intro for the next verse.

"You'd hear the rockin' chair squeakin'
As you sneaked up the back stair.
Mama waitin' like a grizzley bear.
We had to get the honeysuckle out of your hair.
But in the morning light you looked her right in the eye,
It wasn't a lie, we didn't go near the water.

"We fell right in way over our heads,
But we didn't go near the water.
In love in deep so young and sweet
And the nights got hotter and hotter
We were sure enough gettin' our feet we mama,
But we didn't go near the water," Remy sang and played the intro for the finale.

"Your mama used to worry 'bout that big muddy river,
She should have worried 'bout me," he sang with a big grin.

"Cause we were sure enough gettin' our feet we mama,
But we didn't go near the water.
Didn't go near the water
Didn't go near the water," he finished with a big smile.

*****

"Damn, he's good," the man next to her breathed. "I sure hope he doesn't want ta get a recording contract or I'm in for some serious competition. By the way, did Austin write that song?"

"Nope, Remy did. It was one of those spur of the moment things, kinda the way Austin writes songs. Remy did all the lyrics and Austin helped him with the music," Tammy smiled as she loudly applauded her friend's performance. "He was so nervous about this, I'm glad everyone liked the song."

"Is he gonna try and get it published?" he asked.

"I don't know, Austin and I have been trying to talk him into it though," she replied.

"Ya know, I know a guy who's jus' startin' out in the business. That song would be perfect for him, that is if Remy ain' gonna use it himself," he continued.

"Why don't you ask him yourself? They've gotta take a break at the end of this set anyway," Tammy suggested.

"I think I will," he said leaning back in his chair.

*****

Note: 'Third Rate Romance' is performed by Sammy Kershaw. 'Don't Go Near the Water' was really written by Chapin Hartford and Jim Foster (Sammy Kershaw performs it). And as I said earlier I'm not making any money from their use, so please don't sue me.