Logan made his way into the kitchen, still early for most people, but he had already had enough time to do his daily workout, take a shower, and smoke one or two cigars before making his way to breakfast.
"Mornin Red" he greeted the sleepy figure seated at the end of the table. "Rough night?" he chuckled after getting a better look at the ruffled red head.
"Good Morning Logan, and yes. I didn't get much sleep last night." she grunted while rubbing her temples to try and rid herself of the growing headache.
"Troubles in paradise?" he joking asked sitting across from her with his black coffee.
"Not in my paradise, no, but Remy and Rogue were at it again last night. I understand that their relationship is going to be a mess after the trial, but it is getting ridiculous. They seem to be fighting almost every night, and her voice gets louder every time I swear." she shook her head and cringed from the movement. "I am actually getting worried to tell you the truth. It sounded like they were throwing things last night."
"Has anyone talked to either of them this morning?" he asked while before taking a sip from his mug.
"Scott is talking to Remy right now. He is going to ask him to keep the arguing to a minimum, or at least argue quietly." she smirked.
"I don't think Rogue can do anything quietly. Is he going to talk to Rogue?" he asked.
"I don't think so, I am sure telling Remy to cool it will stop most of the fighting." she answered.
"What if Rogue's startin it? Throwing things is her specialty in an argument, and ya say its her voice keeping ya up at night." he pointed out slightly raising his voice.
"Well I see who's side you are on. Why are you defending Remy?" she questioned while giving him a glare that showed she did not enjoy being barked at, especially not this early.
"I'm sorry Jeannie, I didn't mean to take it out on ya. It just pisses me off that its always Remy that seems to get the shit for what that girl does." he apologized and gulped down the rest of his coffee.
"What do you mean Logan, we are not any harder on him then we are on Rogue."
Even her look of total surprised didn't stop him from getting angry now, he didn't care who he was taking out on, he was pissed. The way Remy has been treated, especially by Rogue, since he returned made him sick. Ever since he returned to the mansion people started to use him as the scapegoat for everything from missing keys to stains on the rug, and this was the last straw. "Bullshit Jeannie. She has treated him like he is nothing since the relationship began. She left him in a coma only to come back and fuck with Joesph in front of him. Then she dumps him on the ice and tells us he died, and nothing was said or done about that, I might add. And now she drags him back in to yell and throw things at him, and what do you do, you blame him for that too!" by the end of his ranting he was growling and his face had turned red with anger.
"Logan!" she shouted. "Do not blame me for things I have nothing to do with. I understand that you are mad, I know you consider Remy a friend. But you have to admit that he has not helped the relationship any with his actions. I am not saying that what he did justifies everything she has done, but he is the one that keeps going back to her, so that must mean something." She walked over and put a hand on Logan's shoulder and sat in the chair next to him, looking Logan in the eyes she could see there was something else bothering him, so she asked "What's really wrong Logan?"
Logan sighed and ran a hand through his hair and finally poured out the thoughts he had been harbouring for months. "Jeannie, she is killing him. He is not the same spunky kid that walked onto the grounds 5 years ago. He walks around here like a ghost of himself, almost like he's broken. I hate to see him hurting like this, I don't know why, but it really bothers me. You may have to listen to them fight all the time, but my room is next to Remy's. I hear him come in sometimes after those fights, there have been times that he stays awake all night crying. This is really fucking him up and everyone blaming him for every little thing that happens is not helping."
"Logan." she began but was interrupted by the door to the kitchen quickly opening. "We will talk later." she whispered as the person they were talking about swiftly made his way through the room.
"Morning Remy" Jean said with a false smile.
Remy said nothing. He adjusted the sunglasses that were perched on his face and walked straight to the back door and exited the house to the grounds slamming the door behind him. As soon as the back door closed the kitchen door opened again as Scott slowly entered.
"I take it the talk didn't go well?" Jean asked offering Scott a mug of coffee.
"I don't know really, he didn't say anything. He just stood there and when I was done he left." he sighed taking a seat at the table and grabbed the morning paper.
"He was obviously not happy when he came through here, what did you say to him?" she asked concerned. Remy used to at least give up a fight when confronted, even if it was just playful bantering meant to annoy Scott. To hear he said nothing worried her.
"I just told him that he needed to consider everyone else's feelings for a change, and stop thinking about just himself. Just the typical "be quiet so we can sleep" speech" he shrugged.
Logan stood up swiftly, shoving his chair against the wall behind him, and walked to the back door. With a growl, that Scott knew was directed at him, he slammed the door behind him on his way out.
"What was that about?" Scott asked looking at his wife over the paper. He notice the look of concern on her face and when she didn't reply he asked again. "What's going on Jean?"
Jean sighed and rubbed her hand over her forehead feeling the headaches return. "Nothing honey, I will talk to him later." she turned and looked out the kitchen window, watching Logan make his way into the yard towards the boat house. "He is going to talk to Remy, maybe it will do them both some good, so let them be for now".
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Logan made his way through the grounds. He followed the scent he had memorized so many years ago, a scent that could only be Remy. He normally loved that smell, he always had since the day the kid stepped on the grounds, but lately that scent had been laced with a depression and need that overpowered his essence, tainting it. He knew this couldn't go on or it would destroy the Cajun, and he wasn't about to let that happen. The trail finally ended at the dock near the boathouse where the lone figure still sat at its edge. Logan stood at the entrance of the dock watching the water reflect the waking sun across Remy's body. Even though it was the beginning of summer Remy wore a long sleeved shirt and worn jeans covering almost ever inch of his thin body and the ever present sunglasses still sat on his face. Logan was awoke from his silent visual by Remy's voice.
"Come to yell at me for something too homme?" Remy asked quietly.
"Do I have a reason to?" Logan questioned back, pulling out a cigar from his pocket while making his way towards the Cajun.
"Why not, everyone else seems to lately." he whispered.
Logan took a seat next to Remy on the edge of the dock, hanging his feet over the side and lighting his cigar. Now closer he got a better look at the Cajun next to him. Remy was sitting with his legs curled up to his chest, his chin resting between his knees. His long hair, normally pulled back in a pony tail, was now loose and covering his face, shining in the sun like a curtain of flames. Again Logan's stares were interrupted by Remy.
"I'd like to be alone if y' don't have nothing to say." Remy quietly mumbled. He really didn't mean it, he didn't want to be alone. Logan's company would be an invited cure for his loneliness, but he knew Logan couldn't be here to offer support. "Probably just sent by Scott to finish the lecture." he thought to himself.
"I was just checking on ya, kid. You haven't seemed yourself lately and ya seemed upset storming through the kitchen just now." Logan raised a hand to place on Remy's back and was surprised by Remy's flinch. "Sorry kid, just thought ya might need some" Logan was cut off by what he now saw in front of him. Remy's movement had cause his hair to fall back from his face and Logan could see the bruise that was only partially covered by the young man's sunglasses. Logan reached up and slowly removed the glasses from the Cajun's face, surprised that he didn't fight him. Remy closed his eyes to fight back the glare of the sun causing him to miss the look of concern that made its way across Logan's face. "Remy, how in the hell did this happen?" Logan questioned, trying to fight back his anger. He had a good idea on how the kid got the black eye and was on the verge of running back to the mansion and killing the first white striped brunette he ran across.
Remy blindly grabbed the glasses from Logan's hand and put them back on. "It's nothin Logan, I just wasn't paying attention in the Danger Room yesterday and got wacked in the eye. I will make sure to watch what I'm doing next time." he promised. He hated to lie to Logan, but he couldn't tell Logan who gave it to him, and that he deserved it for what he did.
Logan knew the boy was lying, even if he didn't smell it, he knew it wasn't possible for Remy to get it in the Danger Room the day before. He had spent the whole day with Scott doing maintenance on the control booth and the room was closed. But he knew he wasn't going to get a straight answer before he asked the question, so he let it drop, for now. "You got plans with Rogue tonight, kid?" he asked, changing the subject.
"No, I don't think so. She said something about shoppin with the others." Remy replied.
"Well then you are mine for the night." Logan said giving Remy a feral grin.
"Huh?" is all Remy could mutter unable to hide the tinge of fear in his voice.
"I just need a partner for pool tonight" Logan chuckled. "Ya want to meet for Harry's later? Say around 6 o'clock."
"Sure, I'll go with y'" Remy chirped excitedly and smiled. "Stop it! Its not like he is asking you out on a date" he mentally chided himself. "I mean if you don't have someone better in mind" he quickly said trying to cover his state of excitement.
"Good, now come on, you look like you haven't got much sleep lately. Why don't we get you in bed and you can take a short nap. I will wake ya later and we can go to Harry's." Logan got up and offered his hand to help up the baffled Cajun.
Remy took the Canadian's hand and pulled himself up. "Now y' tucking me into bed? I don't need a baby-sitter homme." he quipped.
I ain't baby-sitting ya Gumbo, I just want to make sure ya get some sleep so I have a worthy opponent for pool tonight. You look so tired ya probably couldn't see the balls, let alone hit em." he smirked.
Remy snorted. He couldn't understand why Logan was acting this way, but he didn't want it to end. He craved these kinds of feelings, concern, understanding, and friendship. He needed these feeling more then he needed food, water, or the sleep that the Canadian insistently pulled him back into the mansion for. What he wouldn't do for Rogue to act like this, but lately all she ever showed was her anger, fear, and distrust, but he knew that was his fault.
The two men made there way into the house and up to the third floor silently, surprisingly not running into anyone on the way. They stopped in front of the Cajun's room.
"You gonna go in there and sleep or do I have to tuck ya in?" Logan joked while opening the door to the young man's room and pointing at the bed with a silent order.
"That's ok homme, I can manage, but if y' really want to tuck me in I won't mind" he winked and gave the older man a sly smile. Remy silently wished Logan would take the offer, stay close while he slept, make him feel safe. "Stop dreaming Lebeau, you don't deserve it and Logan is never going to like y' that way after what y' did. Rogue is the only one that could ever want y'." he reminded himself.
Logan smiled and playfully smacked Remy on the back, missing the slight flinch it caused from the Cajun. "Now thats the Gumbo I remember, now get in there and get some sleep." he chuckled.
"You'll wake me up later?" he asked, hoping that Logan wouldn't change his mind about Harry's.
"Yea kid, around 5, give ya time to get a shower before we leave. Now get some sleep." he said while closing the door behind him.
Remy made his way to the bed and sat on it edge. He was tired and he knew he needed sleep, but didn't know if he could manage to actually fall asleep. There was too much running through his head. He reached up and took off his sunglasses and sat them on the night stand. He fingered the bruise on his eye and hissed in pain from the pain that shot through his cheek and jaw. "I wonder if he knows?" he thought to himself. "Doesn't matter, even if he does, he knows I deserve it, he knows what I did." he whispered to the empty room. He dropped back on the bed and stretched out, not bothering to pull back the covers or change out of his clothes. He closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.
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Logan made his way back down the stairs. Every one of his instincts yelled at him to find Rogue and put her in her place, to protect Remy. "Stop you idiot, he is not yours to protect and this is none of your business." he tried to convince himself. He decided to take his mind of the situation by working on his bike, it needed repairs and he wanted it ready for tonight. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and headed out the door to the garage only to run into the females getting ready to leave on their shopping trip.
"Hello Logan, come to work on your bike?" Betsy smiled.
"Stay out of my head Betsy or else" Logan threatened, popping out his claws.
"Will you two stop." Jean laughed.
Logan pulled in his claws and turned his attention to Jean.
"Logan did you talk to Remy?" Jean asked, suddenly serious.
Before Logan could answer her question, Rogue entered the garage and glared at Logan. "Talk to Remy about what?" she questioned, looking from Logan to Jean.
"I think ya know girl." Logan growled, unable to hide his anger now that Rogue was in front of him. It took everything not to drop her to the ground and mess up her pretty face like she did the Cajun's.
Rogue flew straight towards Logan, covering the distance in seconds. Only inches from Logan's face she snarled "No, I don't know, why don't ya tell me sugah?" punching her finger into his chest, testing Logan's control.
Jena inturrupted them with a mental command. "Logan! Rogue! The both of you stop right now."
They both stopped their verbal threats but neither backed away from each others glare, each waiting for the other to make a move.
"Logan we will talk about this later. Rogue we are leaving are you coming?" she asked. She really didn't want Rogue's company while she was this angry, but knew she had to separate the two of them somehow. She was also curious to know what had set off the argument and hoped she would get the information from Rogue later.
"Yea, I'm comin." Rogue spat backing away from Logan. She began to turn to leave when she was abruptly stopped and spun around, being held in place by the collar of her shirt.
Logan pulled her head down bring his lips an inch from her ear. "Ya hurt him again girl and it will be me ya will have to deal with." he whispered like acid into her ear and then pushed her away.
Rogue glared at him, her hands now in fists. Jean could see Rogue's temper rising and knew that could cause a lot of damage not only to the house, but to Logan as well. She honked the horn of the car and hoped it would break Rogue's trance, it did. Rogue huffed and got in the car which quickly left the garage leaving a very pissed off Logan in the garage alone.
Logan ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Handled that one well bub" he scowled. He popped open the beer and downed it in one long gulp. With a growl he threw the empty bottle at the garage wall and it shattered, showering broken glass across the floor.
"I hope you plan on cleaning that up, Logan" came the calm voice from the still open door.
Logan looked up seeing the tall white-haired goddess standing with her arm crossed trying to give him a stern look and failing miserably.
"Yea Ro, I'll sweep it up" he grunted and grabbed the near by broom. "I figured ya would be out with the girls shopping."
"No, Jean invited me, but when I heard Rogue would be accompanying us I declined." she said while retrieving the dustpan and handing it to Logan.
"So I'm not the only one that wants to hurt the girl, huh? What your beef with her?" He asked sweeping the shards into the pan and throwing them in the bin.
"Normally I would never wish any harm to her, but between us, I probably would not stop you from taking out your anger on her at this point." she frowned and sighed. "I am just not happy with the way she has been treating my brother as of late."
"So we both have the same problem with her. I take it you have seen his face this morning?" he inquired.
"No I have not, but I have seen the other bruise before, so I can imagine."
"What! Other bruises? What are you talking about Ro?" Logan growled.
"This has been going on for some time, Logan. In the beginning Remy would come to me after the arguments and I would see the bruises and wounds. He would never tell me exactly what happened, make excuses, but I put the pieces together after a while. I confronted Rogue about it, she denied everything, and Remy has not been up to see me since that day. I have tried to talk to Remy and convince him he needs to leave the relationship but he refuses to hear me out. I know my brother, Logan, he is misrable in this relationship, but he is so afraid of being alone that he has convinced himself he still loves her and deserves the abuse."
"Why didn't ya tell me what was going on before, Ro, instead of letting that bitch mess him up like this?" he snarled.
"Logan, please calm down, I understand you are angry, as am I. He asked me not to tell anyone and I had to obey his wishes. Like I said, I was not sure exactly what the situation was, he would never confirm it. I could not accuse Rogue of abusing Remy unless I was absolutely sure." Ororo made her way across the room and placed a hand on Logan's shoulder. "We will get him through this, he just needs time to understand that this is not what he wants and needs."
"Time? Ro, if he spends anymore time with her she is going to do something permanent or worse, kill him." The last of his statement hit him hard. What if she did kill him, she could easily do it, even without meaning to. He couldn't even imagine what he would do, all he knew is that it wouldn't be pretty.
"He needs someone to convince him of that. To show him that love is not suppose to be painful, that what he has with Rogue is wrong. And most important, make him believe he will not be alone if he leaves her. He considers you a very close friend Logan you know that don't you?" she smiled at Logan hoping he would get the hint that Remy needs him.
"What Ro?" Logan muttered confused. He always liked the kid, alot more then he should, but he didn't think the Remy considered him anything more then a teammate that he occasionally went out drinking with.
"When Remy returned we talked a lot about the trial. Remy told me one night that the only thing that scared him about coming back to us was the fear of losing three people. Me, Rogue, and You, Logan. He said everyone else could shun and hate him as long as he had the three of us. He likes you more then he will admit, and I believe you feel the same way, you are both just too stubborn to admit it. I am not asking you to do anything drastic, but please show him that you will be there for him, even if nothing more then a friend." she begged.
"I get it Ro. I will do what I can to get him out of this thing with Rogue. I don't think I can stand to see him get hurt any more anyway." he frowned.
"I feel the same way my friend. He doesn't deserve this, we just have to convince him of that." She pulled Logan into a friendly embrace, more for herself then him. It felt like a huge burden had been removed from her shoulders. She now knew she wasn't alone in this mission to save her brother. And if anyone could convince Remy of his worth it would be Logan, she knew that, she just had to hope it wasn't too late to bring him back.
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Later that night Logan finished his shower and threw on some jeans, a t-shirt, and boots. He had finished all the repairs on his bike earlier and even had time to wash and polish it to showroom beauty. In the process of the task he had managed to cover himself in varies greases, fluids, and waxes that he was happy to rid himself of in the warm shower. He glanced over to the clock on the night stand, 4:45 blinked over to 4:46. He figured it was close enough and headed across the hall to Remy's room to wake him. Logan stood in front of Remy's door ready to knock when he heard a strangled moan followed by a loud mumbling. Logan forgot about knocking and turned the nob, unlocked. Logan rolled his eyes and cracked the door and stuck his head inside. "Remy? You awake, kid?" Logan didn't get a answer, but the strange moaning continued. "Kid?" he said again as he walked inside. He walked over to the bed where Remy was obviously caught in some kind of nightmare. Remy was thrashing and fighting some unknown force and Logan wasn't sure how to wake the Cajun. He knew from experience of his own nightmares that touching him would probably be the wrong thing to do, so he sat on the edge of the bed and calmly began coaxing the cajun to reality with his voice "Remy? Remy? Come on kid you have to wake up now, you are safe, you are in your room."
"Non! Don't leave me! Don't leave me alone!" came the startled cry as Remy jerked to a seated position and reached out to nothing.
Logan could not help but grab the kid and take him into his arms. Remy quickly responded by wrapping his arms around Logan's waist and burying his face in Logan's chest. "Remy its ok, you are not alone, you are home, you are ok, your safe." Logan continued to tell the kid while holding him tightly to his chest and petting his hair. After several minutes the sobs stopped and the trembling started to lessen as he felt Remy pull away.
"You ok kid?" he questioned while running his thumb across Remy's right eye pushing away the tears avoiding the bruise on his left.
Remy leaned into the caress almost by instinct. Waking up in Logan's arms and being told he was not alone after one of his nightmares felt so good. He felt so much concern and affection from Logan at that moment in his embrace that he never wanted to leave. He knew he shouldn't think this way, he belonged to Rogue, but she never made him feel this way anymore. If he woke up from a nightmare in her bedroom, when he was lucky enough to be allowed to fall asleep there, she would get angry and make him leave. It made him feel ashamed and weak. But with Logan he felt so safe like nothing could hurt him, like Logan could take away all his nightmares and fears. "Lebeau you are just setting yourself up for more heartache, just stop, hang on to what you have. Logan will never want you like that, you are not worthy of his love" he thought to himself and began to cry again.
Logan began to worry as new tears ran down Remy's face. "Remy, what's going on. Talk to me, you're scaring me kid."
Logan's voice startled him. Remy was so lost in his thoughts that he almost forgot that he was not alone. He quickly wiped away his tears, wincing at the slight pain he caused running across the forgotten bruise. "I'm ok Logan, just a nightmare. Merci, for waking me up." he put on the best smile he could manage trying to convince Logan he was fine. He could tell by the look of on Logan's face that he was failing.
"You want to tell me what the nightmare was about? It looks like it shook you up pretty bad."
"Its no big deal, Logan. Really. I don't even remember it anymore." Remy lied.
Logan sighed. "Why does he always have to be a pain in the ass" he thought to himself. "Ok, we will play it your way kid. But you will tell me later, after I beat your ass at pool, understand. Now get ready and meet me downstairs in 30."
"Who says y' going to beat me?" he smirked. Remy silently thanked Logan for the change of subject if only temporary.
Logan snorted "Cause I always do, now get ready, I'll meet ya downstairs." With that Logan shut the door to Remy's room leaving the Cajun alone to get ready.
Remy sighed and smiled. He was actually excited about going out with Logan to Harry's. It had been a long time since he felt like going anywhere. He couldn't think of the last time he went somewhere, that wasn't due to a mission or team related. He sat back on the edge of the bed trying to come up with an answer to satisfy his own curiosity. After a few moments of deep thought he smiled. "Bud's" he said aloud and snapped his fingers as if he had come up with the answer to life's question. His grin widened as he remembered the day. It was a small diner that had an attached Harley shop and museum. Logan had taken Remy to the place a few days before the trip into space that ended in his trial. They had spent the day eating lunch in the diner and looking over the hundreds of antique bikes and models in the vast museum. Over the hours they spoke of Remy's days in the guild and Logan's years, at least the ones he remembered, as a spy. They ended up coming home late after spending the latter half of the night closing down Harry's. He had had a good time that day with Logan and learned a lot about the secretive Canadian, and hoped it would turn into a closer friendship, if not more. But after the whole trial happened, he didn't think Logan would want anything to do with him after hearing what he did, so when Rogue asked him to return to their relationship he jumped on the opportunity. He shook his head. He didn't want to think about this right now. He wanted to forget about Rogue, the trial, the massacre, his life. He just wanted to go out and have a night of fun and spend time with Logan. He stood up and stretched and headed for the bathroom to take a quick shower. "Merde!" he muttered, looking at the clock. He decided it had to be a VERY quick shower, he had to meet Logan in 15 minutes. He rushed across the room shedding boots, pants, shirt, and finally his boxers across the floor as he made his way to the shower.
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Logan tapped ashes from his cigar onto the grass as he leaned against the door to the garage. "Come on kid I ain't got all night." he growled almost to himself. He was beginning to think he should go up and check on the kid. Remy was normally not one to be late, unless it was to a Danger Room session, and he did that on purpose to piss off Cyke. What if he decided not to go, what if he was more upset by the nightmare then he thought, what if he did something stupid. Logan put out the cigar on the bottom of his boot and started to head back into the house to check on the Cajun when the back door opened and Remy rushed over to the garage.
"Sorry Logan, shower took longer then I thought and I had to go back upstairs. I almost forgot to leave Rogue a note." Remy said out of breath from running up and down the stairs.
"A note?" Logan chuckled. "Ya would think ya two were married."
"Non, don't think that will happen anytime soon homme." Remy replied.
"Not the marrying type Gumbo?" Logan quipped, forgetting about Remy's estranged wife.
"Non, I'm the marryin type, asked her once, but Rogue ain't too fond of the idea." Remy dropped his eyes to the ground. He really didn't want to talk about this, especially not now. He wanted to forget about this, if only for tonight.
"Well, I think Rogue is a fool then." is all Logan said. Noticing the slight blush on Remy's face he grinned. "Come on Cajun, lets go before the tables are taken. I'll drive." he dug out the keys from his pocket and started towards his Harley.
Remy's eyes widened. "Wow Logan, she's beautiful, did y' clean her up? She looks brand new." he looked from the bike to Logan.
Logan smiled, he knew the Cajun would notice the job he did on the bike.
"Wanted her to look nice for our ride to Harry's. I know how ya like to go everywhere in style." Logan smiled again as he saw the blush return to Remy's face. He was beginning to love making the kid blush. He began to think of other ways he could make the kid blush and blushed himself when he felt his pants tightening "Stop it ya bastard, dragging the kid in for a quick romp in the sheets is not going to help him." he cursed himself. But is that what he wanted, just a quick night of sex, one night and then nothing? When he first met the Cajun 5 years ago, yes would have been the answer to that question. Now that he knew Remy, the real Remy, he didn't know. Logan pushed his current thoughts aside and mounted the bike. He patted the seat behind him. "Jump on, let's get going, the nights wasting away."
Remy jumped on the back of the bike and placed his arms on Logan's waist. He pulled himself closer and waited for an objection from the Canadian. When he got none he rested his head on Logan's back and smiled. "Mon Dieu, this feels good" he thought, shifting himself in the seat, hoping Logan wouldn't notice his growing erection. He closed his eyes and breathed in Logan's masculine scent, thinking how nice it would be to wake up to this smell on the bed sheets every morning. He was startled out of his dreaming when he felt the vibration from the starting engine under him.
"Hold on." Logan yelled over the roaring engine.
Logan sped out of the garage and through the gates towards Harry's. He could feel Remy's warm breath on his back and it sent shivers down his spine straight to his groin. "Thank God I'm not the one riding bitch, it would be no hiding this then" he thought to himself. He took a curve faster then he should and the Cajun wrapped his arms around his waist, and Logan could not stop the small moan that it caused from escaping his mouth. They finally arrived at their destination and Logan slowly pulled into the lot. He hoped the Cajun wouldn't notice the slight bulge when they parked and headed inside.
"Hey Logan! Kid!" yelled Harry as the two walked in the door. He waved and then pointed at Remy "You got ID on ya this time kid?"
"Must be in my other pants" Remy smiled while patting his pockets.
"Well guess I will just have to just trust ya then." he winked.
Remy snorted and sat down at a bar stool next to the one Logan had just taken. "Beer Harry, and in the bottle, none of that piss water you try to pass as beer." Logan ordered.
"I guess not everyone has your good taste in beer Logan, cause everyone else drinks it." Harry grinned and handed Logan a bottle of Budweiser. He looked over at the Cajun. "What's your poison tonight kid?"
"Bourbon, the good stuff" he pointed at the bottle of 'Old Rip Van Winkle'
Harry hissed as he turned to grab the bottle. "Must be troubles with the Southern Belle if you are starting the evening with something this hard, kid." he inquired, being a bartender it came natural to pry.
He raised his hand up to silence Harry "I am trying to forget her, even if it's only tonight." he threw the drink back in one gulp and slammed the glass onto the counter as a silent demand for another.
"Don't get too tipsy on me yet Gumbo, we got a game of pool to play." Logan reminded the Cajun while dropping his bottle to the side, bringing its empty state to Harry's attention.
Harry set the second bottle of Budweiser on the bar in front of Logan, refilled Remy's glass with bourbon and pointed to the second private pool room "It's all yours if you want it, nobody has called it for the next two hours."
Logan grabbed his beer and got up from the bar. He waited for the cajun to grab his bottle of bourbon and then grabbed him by the arm and pulled him towards the room. "Come on kid, I have two hours to kick your ass a couple dozen times."
"Hey, I ain't that bad, just better at cards is all." he smirked while patting the always present deck in his pocket.
Logan rolled his eyes. "Do you ever go anywhere without those?" Logan suddenly found himself wondering how the Cajun managed to hide them in the pocket of those pants, they were skin tight, not that he was complaining. He grinned while stepping behind the Cajun, letting him walk in the pool room first, giving himself a first class view of just how tight those pants were.
"Nope, never know when I'll get into a fight and need them." he replied. Remy grinned and strutted into the pool room knowing what Logan was up to, he had done it a hundred times himself. He walked over to the wall and grabbed two sticks and whistled at Logan to get his attention before throwing one at him.
"They obviously didn't help ya with Rogue when ya got that black eye." Logan pointed out hoping the Cajun would slip on his own lie.
"I would never use my powers on her, don't want to hurt her. Ain't her fault anyway, had this one coming." he blurted out before realizing that Logan had set him up.
"Had that one coming huh? Must have done something pretty bad for her to hit ya in the face." Logan stated while breaking. He was trying to keep the conversation casual, at least as casual as you can get with this subject. He didn't want to corner the Cajun, that would only make him clam up and runaway.
"Oui." he whispered. He didn't want to have to say this again. Logan knew what he did, knew why he deserved the punishment that Rogue dealt. Why did he have to repeat it. Why wouldn't anyone just let it go, at least for one night.
Logan turned and leaned against the table looking at the Cajun. "Kid, I am not here to tell ya what to do, but there is nothing in the world that gives her the right to haul off and hit ya in the face. I don't care what ya think ya did to deserve it, ya don't."
Remy didn't say anything he just looked at the floor. He closed his eyes trying to stop the tears that were welling up in his eyes. He loved to hear someone say he didn't deserve the way Rogue treated him. He knew Logan was wrong and that he would never understand, but it was nice to hear it none the less. Suddenly he felt Logan's hand reach under his chin and pull his face up to make eyes contact.
"Listen, I just want ya to know that I will always be here for ya, no matter what happens. Just remember that you're never alone." Logan caught the tear that made its way down Remy's face and pulled the Cajun into his embrace. "You deserve more then what the girl has to offer kid, I know ya don't think that now, but its true." he whispered into Remy's ear. Logan stood there for several minutes holding the Cajun. He finally pulled Remy away and smiled. "Now make your play kid, your stripes."
Remy rubbed the wetness from his eyes and leaned over the table hitting the cue ball sending the balls in every direction. "Merci Logan" he whispered.
"Like I said kid, anytime." Looking at the table he shook his head. "You really stink at this game Gumbo." he chuckled lightening the mood.
Remy laughed. "I think I have a better chance if I just throw the balls into the holes." he grinned.
"Don't get any bright ideas" Logan smirked. "Maybe one day I will teach ya how to play right."
"I'd like that Logan" Remy said with a smile.
They continued to play pool over the next couple hours, Remy loosing every game and Logan trying to not make him look too bad. When a couple of guys knocked on the door saying they had reserved the room, they picked up their bottles and glasses and made there way to a booth in the corner of the bar and continued their conversations about everything from New Orleans to Japan. Logan finished off a couple dozen beers and called it quits, deciding to let his healing factor catch up with the alcohol so he could drive when the place closed down in 30 minutes. Remy had started on his second bottle of bourbon an hour before and was persistent on trying to finishing it off.
Remy shook his head after finishing another glass of the bourbon. "I'm glad y' drove, I'm starting to feel the bourbon kicking in." he said while pouring another glass.
"Why ya think I didn't give ya the chance to offer. Had a feeling ya would be getting wasted since ya haven't been out drinking in a while." Logan moved the bottle of bourbon away from Remy, at least making it harder for the kid to drink anymore.
"Its been a while, that's for sure. Probably owe the Professor a fortune for what I have taken from his private stash the last few months." he grinned. The conversation made him think of the last time he had been out. "Hey Logan, you remember that place we went to, the diner with all the bikes" the buzz was making it hard to remember the details.
"Bud's, yea I remember the place, why?" he questioned. He noticed the alcohol was really kicking in and slid the bourbon further down the table. If he wanted the kid to be able to stay on the back of the bike he was going to have to sober him up a bit.
"Did you like that place?" Remy asked giving Logan an innocent smile.
"Yea kid, I had a good time that day" he chuckled. He couldn't help but laugh at the smile on Remy's face, it made him look so young. He looked like a five year old that had broken into his father's liquor cabinet and had a bit too much. He knew this was the real Remy, the kid that was always behind the attitude and poker face. It was a shame he had to get him plastered to see it.
"Me too, wanna go back with me." Remy asked excitedly, the buzz was getting stronger, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Now? I think they are closed Gumbo, so unless you plan on breaking in I think we better wait." Logan smirked.
"Non, not now, later. I had a really good time the day we went, it was fun. I asked Rogue if she wanted to go one day but she said she would rather read that stupid book 'Gone with the Wind' again then go look at dirty bikes with me. I would rather go with you anyway, you're more fun then her. Thought maybe y' would go with me, but if y' don't want to I understand. Remy stopped, finally realizing that he was rambling. He went to take another drink from his glass when it was snatched from his hands by Logan.
"Sure Cajun I would like to go back to Bud's with ya." he smiled while sitting the glass next to the bottle of bourbon at the end of the table.
"So it's a date." Remy exclaimed grinning ear to ear.
Logan laughed. "Its a date, kid. Now lets get out of her before they lock us in." Logan pulled the kid up from the booth and caught him as he swayed. He put an arm around the Cajun's waist and walked him towards the exit after throwing a hundred dollar bill on the bar in front of Harry. When they made it to the bike in the parking lot he was beginning to worry that the Cajun wasn't going to be able to ride.
"Remy, are ya ok enough to hold on?" he questioned a blurry eyed Cajun.
"Oui Logan, I will hold on real tight" he slurred and gave Logan a sly grin.
Logan mounted the bike and pulled the Cajun onto the back. Remy positioned himself close to Logan's back and wrapped his arms around his waist. After Logan kick started the bike and settled in the seat the Cajun laid his head on Logan's back.
"Don't fall asleep on me." he warned.
"I promise. I stay awake." came the quiet reply.
Logan pulled out of the parking lot, taking it slow back to the mansion. He could feel Remy's breathing getting slower and feared that he was falling asleep. When Logan didn't feel Remy moving he reached down with one of his hands and held to Remy's arm just in case the Cajun started to let go. Logan felt a purr against his back and Remy's hand crawled across his until their fingers were intertwined. He began to rub the inside of Logan's palm with his thumb and he released a soft breathe against Logan's neck that made him moan softly. "Damn, if the kid wasn't doing it again" he thought to himself. Logan didn't think it was possible, but the Cajun managed to pull himself closer and began rubbing his face on Logan's back like a cat. Logan felt his pants getting tighter and because the kid was so close he knew he wasn't the only one with this problem. As soon as the assault started it stopped and he felt the Cajun's breathing even out and his arms went limp. "Your a tease." Logan chuckled holding tightly to the young man's hands. Luckily they were pulling into the gates of the mansion when he fell asleep.
Logan managed to get into the garage without losing his passenger. After parking the bike in the garage he put down the kick stand and tried to coax Remy back to the living."Gumbo, you gonna wake up or do I have to carry ya in?" he questioned while slowly manoeuvring his way out from under Remy, catching him before he fell off the bike. Now standing in front of him he lightly shook him "Remy! wake up kid. Come on, I was joking, I ain't carryin ya." Remy moaned and grabbed Logan around the waist and pulled him close enough to lay his head on the Canadian's chest. Logan rolled his eyes and laughed. "Come on Gumbo, if Rogue came down here now she wouldn't be killing ya for staying out all night." Logan cursed himself for letting that slip, he was glad the kid was out of it now. He had been having such a good time with Remy at Harry's that he forgot all about Rogue and the shit she has been putting Remy through. "Come on Remy, we need to get ya to bed." He noticed Remy's eyes flutter and pulled him away from his chest holding him up by his shoulders. Remy opened his eyes and blinked several times trying to focus.
"Logan? We home?" Remy slurred.
"Yea Gumbo, we're in the garage, can ya stand up?" Logan didn't wait for an answer, he knew Remy's mind was working in slow motion and it could be an hour before he got a reply. He pulled the Cajun off the bike putting his arm around his waist and began leading him through the garage door. Half way to the back door they ran into Bishop on his nightly watch.
"Hey Pup!" Remy slurred with a wave of the hand that would have been his undoing if Logan didn't have a hold on him.
"I see you have been drinking alcohol again Lebeau." Bishop sneered.
"Just a little." Remy replied putting his thumb and index finger together to make his point.
"Yes, well I am sure you have had more then that seeing your condition. I assume you will assure he gets to his room in one piece" he asked looking at Logan.
"Yea, I got him, bub." Logan said, slightly pulling the Cajun signalling him to start walking again.
"Oh, Lebeau. Rogue was looking for you." Bishop yelled as they went in opposite directions.
"Wonderful" is all Remy could get out due to his clouded mind. He hoped that Rogue wasn't waiting for him. He knew she wouldn't be happy about him going out and drinking. "Please let her be in a good mood, I can't take another fight tonight" he thought to himself and shivered.
Logan felt the tremor cut through the Cajun's body, and knew he was worried about Rogue. So was he. "She's probably fast asleep by now Remy, ya can talk to her in the morning. She knew ya were out, ya left her a note." Logan couldn't tell if he was trying to convince Remy or himself.
They made there way into the house and up the three flights of stairs slowly, stumbling occasionally causing Remy to giggle, which in turn would get a chuckle from Logan. On the last flight of stairs Remy's eyes began to shut and Logan had to coax him from passing out. "Come on Gumbo, a few more stairs and youre there. Ya make it to your room without me carrying ya and I will tuck ya in." Logan promised hoping it would be enough to get the kid there without hauling him over his shoulder.
"You'll tuck me in? Deal." Remy grinned and seemed to get a second wind. He made his way up the last few stairs with little effort.
Suddenly Logan stopped at the top of the stairs halting Remy in his tracks.
"What's wrong Logan?" Remy wanted to get to his room so he could get his prize, but Logan didn't move and he wasn't going anywhere without his support right now.
"So what have ya been up to all night sugah?" came the angry voice from the dark hallway.
TBC