YAY it's summer. This story has been sitting on my computer for like, ever. Anywho, it will eventually be Sam/Remy, 'cause I love them ever so much. No slash in this chapter. As far as continuity goes, before the whole "Death" fiasco and after House of M.
He heard humming. No, that didn't really describe it. It was more like if tension could be conveyed in sounds, than a hum. Sam turned the corner and entered the large kitchen.
Remy LeBeau sat at the table, slightly hunched, carving into the dark wood table top. His "hum" had a musical quality to it that seemed familiar to Sam, though he couldn't quite place it.
Sam cleared his throat. Remy did not look up. Sighing inwardly, Sam said, "I don't think Emma would really 'preciate you carving into the table. I'm sure she paid through the roof for this thing."
Remy did not stop the carving. "An' since when did I care what Emma t'inks?"
"Good point." Sam shrugged, going to the refrigerator. Making his voice as bland as possible, he asked, "So, any particular reason you're makin' your, uh, mark on the table?" Snagging a coke, Sam shut the metal door and turned back to Remy, still industriously carving away at the table.
"Well, I like art. I like pissin' people off. I'm bored. So, what better way t' fix my boredom and combine two t'ings I like doin' into one thing?" Finally, Remy lifted his head. Giving Sam a challenging stare, he questioned, "Well. Did ya come in here just t' bother me, or what?"
Sam frowned. Normally, he and the Cajun got along very well. Remy's charisma and Sam's easy-going nature usually complemented each other. "What's got you so ticked off?"
Narrowing his eyes at Sam, Remy didn't answer. He stood and went to the fridge. Sam walked over to the table and looked at Remy's work. His jaw dropped.
One entire corner of the expensive table was covered in Remy's work. Vines with tiny, budding flowers flowed against the edge of the table. Male figures with Adonis like perfection and female figures exemplifying Venus cavorted in between the vines. All sorts of creatures and beasts watched from the edges of the carving, some observing with cold, predator eyes and others nearly about to jump into the fray. Most of the figures were not clothed.
"Holy shit." Sam breathed, bringing his eyes up to meet Remy's. The Cajun's red eyes were glinting back at his own, a small, mischievous grin on his face. "Remy, I didn't know that, well, that you could do somethin' like this. Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"No one asked. 'Sides, why's it a surprise t' find dat Colossus ain't de only one who can do somethin' artistic?" Remy's grin widened.
"It's not, I guess. But, wow. I mean, we prolly can't let the kids see it, but… geez. How long did this take you?" Sam tentatively stuck out a hand, running his fingers over the surprisingly smooth wood.
Remy tilted his head in mock thought. "Oh, I guess since 'bout one o'clock last night."
"ONE! Remy, it's two thirty in the afternoon right now! You spent that long carvin' into the table???"
"Look at it! Good art takes time. 'Sides, it wasn't like I had anythin' better t' do." Remy said rather defensively.
Sam shook his head. "Ok, but I still wanna know why. No offense, but this was sorta random."
Remy was a good liar. But Sam knew that when Remy said, "Ah, no particular reason," in his casual way, that there in fact was a particular reason. Remy didn't do things like this on a whim.
"So, how are you an' Lila doing?" Remy asked suddenly, leaning against the counter and folding his tanned arms.
Blinking at the sudden change in topic, Sam rubbed his hand through his spiky hair. "Uh, not so great. The whole long distance relationship deal is getting' to be hard on both of us."
"Well, tell ya what. 'Cause y' were de first t' see Gambit's masterpiece, I'll take y' out for drinks t'night. Believe m' when I say I know how t' have a good time."
Something inside Sam tightened, both in surprise, and something he couldn't identify. Remy had that effect on him. "Well, oookay. I guess."
"Oui, good. See y' at Harry's around eight." With that, Remy exited the room with a dramatic flourish that was typical of Remy, leaving Sam alone with the carvings.
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Sam couldn't concentrate. He hadn't been able to since the meeting Remy and it was driving him crazy. He tried working out, he tried jogging. He ran a session in the Danger Room, called Paige and thought about calling Lila. Nothing kept his attention for long.
He decided to head to Harry's early, even though it was only a little after seven, to maybe play a game of pool. He pulled into a gray t-shirt and jeans, sliding on his favorite pair of brown boots. Locking the door to his room, he walked down the hallway. Rounding the corner, hands in his pocket, Sam nearly collided into Remy, who had just stepped out of his own room, pulling on a black shirt.
"Whoa dere, Sammy! Where's de fire?" Giving Sam a cheerful grin, he smoothed the shirt over his well muscled stomach. Sam jerked his eyes away.
"Uhhh, no one really calls me that." Sam was briefly uncomfortable, and wasn't really sure why.
"Alright, mon ami. Well, looks like we both had de same idea. Let's go." Remy headed down the stairs two at a time. It was just then that Sam noticed Remy was missing his trademark trench coat. Remy wore the coat so much that it was practically an extension of himself, and it was rather strange to see him without it. But not a bad strange, Sam decided, heading after auburn headed man.
Entering the garage, Remy pulled open the door to one of the mansion's Jeeps. About to hop into the driver's seat, Sam's voice rang out.
"And just who said you get to drive?"
Remy's eyes widened with an almost comical look of surprise. Then he gave a quick, deep laugh. "I dunno, mon ami. Guess I just assumed. Feel free t' go for it, though."
For some reason, Sam was irritable. All the little things that had gone wrong through out the day, even through the week, seemed to culminate to this point. Stalking past Remy, he stepped up into the Jeep. Remy watched him with raised eyebrows, then strode to the other side, sliding into the passenger seat.
Um. So, review? The next chapter is already written, so all I need is some reviews and I'll post ASAP. Next chapter has slash, I swear!