In this chapter, there's a small section of dialogue that's almost identical to one in my "Vegas" story. It's because, like I said before, I'd never intended that this story be put up when I wrote it, so when I wrote Vegas, I stole the scene from here and put it in there. So those of you that recognize it, well, sorry. But to fix it, I would've had to rewrite a good chunk of this chapter, and I'm too lazy to do that. LOL Also, Chris Summers really isn't a nice man in my story. Fair warning :P

Christopher Summers looked right at Spencer, a sneer growing on his face. "You're here." He said the words with unveiled disgust in his tone. Sighing, the man stepped in, leaving his bag on the front porch. "Bring my bag in, boy. Where's Scott at?"

Longtime habit had Spencer moving to grab Chris's bag without a protest. He took it up in his free hand before using his shoulder to bump the door closed as he came in. "Scott is meeting with the Professor right now, sir." He explained. After a quick mental debate, he added "Why don't I take you to his office? You can have a drink and wait for him there."

"I know the way. Hurry up and bring my bag. I don't fancy standing here all day."

As the man set off into the house, Spencer gritted his teeth together and started to follow him, trying not to move too slowly. His leg protested the speed he was using but he kept going anyways. Still, Chris beat him to the office; not surprisingly. When he got in, Spencer found the man sitting down on one of the high backed chairs, watching him enter with a mocking little smile. Spencer tightened his shields a little more in hopes of avoiding the emotions he knew Chris would be feeling. After setting the bag on the ground by the couch, he limped over toward Scott's bar.

"So, what happened to you now?" Chris demanded. He had turned in his seat and was looking at Spencer's cane. "Get yourself in trouble again and make Scott bail you out?" He snorted and shook his head while turning back around. "I still can't believe they let someone like you in the Bureau. It's a disgrace."

Calm. Just keep calm. He told himself over and over. "I was attacked." He said the words in a flat voice with as little emotion as possible. No matter what he said, he knew Chris would find fault with it. But not answering him would cause more trouble than it was worth. Plus, if he was staying—and his bag indicated that he planned on it—then he would hear it soon enough anyways. And maybe a small part of him was hoping, just a little, that his words might inspire something other than anger or scorn from the man he'd always desperately sought approval from. "A group of mutant haters tried to beat me to death. The hospital called Scott and he brought me here to heal." In a soft voice, he couldn't help tacking on "The hospital staff said I was lucky to survive."

Just as Spencer started to pour the scotch he knew Chris preferred, he heard the man's mumbled "Pity."

His hand shook slightly and a small amount of scotch spilled on the counter. He set the bottle down and quickly grabbed the rag that was kept there. He was just mopping it up when he heard footsteps in the hallway. A second later, he saw Scott and Alex both come striding into the room. "Pop!" Alex exclaimed.

It brought a pang to Spencer's chest, the same as it always did, when he saw Chris happily rise from the chair and move to embrace his boys. He had to look away from the happy reunion before any of them could see the look on his face. Greetings and hugs were exchanged. As they settled down, Alex asked "So what're you doing here, Pop?"

Spencer had pulled out three more glasses, pouring a drink for each one of them. He was trying to find a tray when he felt Scott come up behind him. A hand rested briefly on his shoulder, love and warmth radiating in the touch. Then Scott was picking up the glasses. "I'm sorry." He murmured. "I had no idea he was coming. You can go if you want."

With a brittle smile, Spencer picked up his glass and downed half of it in one gulp. "It's fine." He said as the burn spread down to his gut. "I'm fine. We both know it'll be worse if I just leave. I'll behave, Scotty." Plus, Chris always behaved better when Scott and Alex were around.

Softly, he heard Scott say "It's not your behavior I'm worried about."

Behind them Chris was answering Alex's question. "It's been a while since I've seen my boys and I'm on leave right now for the next two weeks so I thought I'd come and pay a visit. I didn't know you were here, but it's a pleasant surprise. I get to see the both of you at once!"

Scott almost stumbled on his way back over. Spencer was the only one that saw it, as well as the quick recover. "You're staying for two weeks?" Scott asked as he handed out the drinks.

"That was the plan. That is, unless my sons are too busy to see me?"

"No, no! I was just surprised." Scott hurried to reassure him. "Usually you can only stay a few days at most."

From the safety of his spot behind the chair, Spencer was free to stare without worry that he would be seen. It was a good thing, too, because his mouth was hanging open in shocked horror. Two weeks? Two weeks? Snapping his jaw closed, Spencer shut his eyes and briefly prayed for patience. He could do this. He could survive the man being here for two weeks. Just because he was here didn't mean that Spencer had to visit with him. He could spend plenty of time in his room. Coming out and dealing with him for meals wouldn't be that bad.

Only when he had himself under control again did Spencer make his way over to join his brothers. Alex scooted over on the couch and patted the spot beside him, grinning at Spencer. "Come sit with me, pidge."

Spencer mustered up the best smile that he could and made his way to the couch. He set his drink on the coffee table and propped his cane up off to the side before bracing on Alex's shoulder and lowing himself down. He had to fight not to drop his hand down to rub at his thigh. The ache there was making itself known and reminding him that he couldn't walk that speed down the hallway; at least, not yet, and especially not after all the use he'd put it through today. He needed to work out the muscle and get it into shape before he tried doing anything more than careful walking with it.

His hand slid off of Alex's shoulder and he murmured a low "Thanks" to his brother. Not low enough. Chris gave him a hard look. "Don't mumble, boy."

"Yes, Colonel." Spencer answered automatically.

"How long are you staying for?"

There was a certain way he had of saying 'you' and 'boy' that left no doubt in anyone's mind that he wasn't referring to his boys, but to Spencer. And Spencer was most definitely not considered one of 'his boys'. Before Spencer could answer, Alex spoke up. "Long as he wants or needs, Pop. We've just been focusing on getting him better right now."

"Yes. He said he was attacked."

"That's right." Scott chimed in. There was an edge to his voice; the same one that he got whenever he felt Chris was pushing Spencer too hard. Spencer looked over and saw Scott leaning back in his seat in a pose that might have looked casual, but wasn't. He'd taken the other high backed chair and sat loosely there, his glass cradled in one hand. "We almost lost him. But, thankfully, he's been getting better and better. It's been wonderful to have him here."

Chris took a drink of his scotch. "That's nice." He said noncommittally. Then his tone brightened and he shifted the topic. "So, where's your other half? The last time I was here, the two of you barely separated from one another!"

A deep laugh came into the office. "Right here, Chris." Logan grumbled good-naturedly. He strode in without a qualm, smiling at the group of them. He headed over to Scott, bending to give him a quick kiss before taking up a place beside the chair, one arm on the back so that he leaned on it. That movement showed Spencer that someone else had come in with Logan. Right behind him was Remy, and Spencer could see the uncertainty on his friend. Remy apparently wasn't sure if he should be in here. Most likely, Logan had dragged him in. When the group of them was together, Logan wasn't shy about bringing in any form of backup he could to help deal with Chris. He wasn't fond of the man, but he faked it for Scott's sake.

Spencer smiled at Remy before he even realized it. "Hey, Remy." He greeted his friend.

"Bonjour, cher." Remy said smoothly. He looked over to Chris and gave him a smile that Spencer was surprised to see no one else noticed was fake. "Bonjour, M. Summers."

"Hello again, Gambit." Chris said cheerfully.

Logan reached a hand out, hooking it on the back of Remy's neck. "Come on in and get comfortable, Gumbo. No need to just stand around behind me."

With a quick little glare, Remy shrugged out from underneath Logan's hand. His look smoothed back out into a smile as he made his way over to the couch. He didn't hesitate to sit down right beside Spencer, one of his arms coming to rest on the couch right behind the young doctor. For that, Spencer was eternally grateful. The close proximity of his friend was immensely soothing. It made it easier to feel Remy's emotions and not the others with them sitting this close. Without shame, he adjusted his shields, blocking out the others as best as he could but allowing himself to feel the steady presence of his friend beside him. It gave him something to focus on as the minutes dragged by and he was forced to listen to Chris talk all about work, and his newest fling, and a million other things. Never once did the man directly acknowledge Spencer's presence as he spoke. It was as if he didn't exist. At one point, Spencer picked his glass back up, taking a drink to try and steady himself. All that got him was a slight sneer from the man, as if Spencer drinking was some kind of sin.

Eventually, Chris put his glass down on the table. "Why don't I put my bag away and then we all go get something to eat, huh? Just the family." He suggested. His smile turned toward Logan. "That is, if you don't mind me stealing my son for the afternoon."

"Nope." Logan said simply. "Got some work to do round here."

"Good, then it's settled." Rising, Chris looked around at them. "One of you help me find a room and then you two go get ready and we'll go out to eat and have a nice little reunion together."

In that moment, Spencer wished he had his sunglasses to hide behind so that he could close his eyes against the ache he felt. But he kept his calm mask in place. When he saw Scott and Alex about to protest, he shook his head minutely at them, a silent appeal to let it go. After a moment, Alex sighed quietly and Scott nodded, not seeming too happy but agreeing anyways. "Come on, Pop." Alex said gruffly. "I'll show you where you can stay."

The instant that Chris was out the door, Spencer let his eyes slide shut. He heard movement before Scott spoke in a soft voice. "Sherlock…"

"Go, Scotty." Spencer told him. He managed to keep the bitterness from his tone as he said "Go have your family dinner. It's fine." For the sake of his brother, he opened his eyes and tried to make himself appear as calm as possible. He even managed a little smile. "It's fine, really, Scotty. We both know how this is. Don't let this ruin your visit with him, please. He loves you and he's honestly happy to see you. Go get ready and enjoy your afternoon with him."

It was obvious that Scott didn't like this, but equally obvious that Spencer wasn't going to budge on it. After a long pause, Scott finally sighed. "We'll talk later, Spence."

"I look forward to it." He replied sarcastically.

When Scott and Logan left the office, Logan shutting the door behind him, Spencer gave in once more and let his eyes close. His head tipped back to rest against the back of the couch. "Well, shit." Without realizing it, his hand moved to his leg, finally giving in and rubbing at the sore muscle. "That went well, don't you think?"

Remy moved the arm on the back of the couch, curling it enough that his fingers could play with Spencer's hair. It was wonderfully relaxing. "Y' okay, cher?" The Cajun murmured gently.

"I should be used to it, you know?" Spencer said in lieu of an answer. He didn't open his eyes as he continued to speak. "He's always been like this. It's not anything new."

"Don't make it no easier to deal with."

True. Very, very true. "I can handle his indifference. He can ignore me all he wants and I can live with that. It's just…" Pausing, Spencer pressed his head back harder against the couch as if it would chase away the anger inside of him. "He asked me what happened to me. I told him and I was dumb enough to say that the hospital said I was lucky to be alive. Stupid me, telling him that. I should know better by now than to set myself up. I should have known what his reaction would be. But, dammit, it still hurt. I tell him I was lucky to survive and his response is 'pity'. And, God, I could feel he meant it. He always means it."

"Oh, cher." The compassion in Remy's voice was a warm, soothing balm on Spencer's soul. He felt Remy's free hand touch his cheek, stroking softly. "M' po' Spencer. Y' don't deserve dat. Y'r a bijou, a jewel, cher. It's his loss if he don't see dat." His hand turned a little, cupping Spencer's cheek, his thumb running over Spencer's cheekbone. "Mon bijou."

Warmth and affection seemed to flow back and forth between them. Spencer opened his eyes, looking up to see that Remy's sunglasses had made it to the top of his head and his beautiful eyes were watching Spencer's face. He watched Remy's lips curl just slightly. "Mon bijou." The older man repeated again, the words a low murmur. It seemed the most natural thing in the world when Remy bent his head. The first touch of his lips had Spencer sighing and tipping his head up to meet him. Once more his eyes drifted shut. The kiss was slow and soft and sweet. It was perfect.

Remy pulled back, brushing his nose over Spencer's in a gesture that made them both smile. "Dat's better." His voice was husky, his accent slightly thicker. "Eyes like y'rs should never be sad. I like to see y' happy, me."

"I always am with you." Spencer said the words without a hint of coyness. The honesty in them had the glow in Remy's eyes flaring brighter for a moment. He lowered his head again, letting their lips brush once more. This time when he pulled back, he shifted them both, settling himself into the corner of the couch and pulling Spencer into his arms with him. He allowed Spencer a moment to bend and lift his leg up onto the couch and then Remy was pulling him in close. They ended with Remy sitting with his back against the couch, legs out stretched, and Spencer turned sideways, both legs up on the couch, his upper half almost in Remy's lap. His shoulder was tucked under Remy's arm and his head pillowed on the Cajun's shoulder.

He brought his free hand up, letting it rest over Remy's heart, and he marveled to himself how easy this was. "All of this is so easy with you." He found himself saying softly. "It's never been like this for me before. I've never been this comfortable around…anyone."

A soft kiss was pressed to the top of his head. "Me neither. Dat's what tells me it's right."

"But it makes no sense. I've only known you a few weeks now."

"Don't make no matter, Spencer." His hand dropped down, soothingly stroking over the outside of Spencer's thigh, relaxing the muscles that were still aching. "Maybe f' de average people, dis would be fast. But y' and I got something going f' us dat most people don't."

Curious, Spencer tipped his face up. "Oh?"

A smile curved Remy's lips and he pressed a kiss to the tip of Spencer's nose, making the young doctor smile back. "Oui, mon bijou. Our empathy. In a regular dating and relationship, half of it is getting to know one another and de other half is trying to figure out de feelings. What y' feel, what de other feels. Y' and I, we can look at one another and know what de other is feeling, yeah? Now, dat don't mean dat I aint scared, just like anyone else."

That had Spencer's eyebrows going up. "Why are you scared, Remy?"

"Oh, f' de usual t'ings. Scared y'r gonna find someone else. Scared y'r gonna get to know me and find out dat I'm not what y' want. Scared y'r gonna hear t'ings bout m' past, bout me, and dat y'r gonna leave, just like everyone else done." Those red and black eyes were locked on Spencer's, so open and serious in that moment. "De same t'ings I know y'r scared of. But, I'm willing to risk dem. Y'r worth de risk to me."

The bigger part of Spencer wanted to drop his head back down and hide his face against Remy's chest. But if the Cajun could have the strength to look at him as he bared his heart, then Spencer could do no less. So he maintained eye contact as he spoke. "I'm not a great catch here, Remy. Especially not now." He gestured towards his leg with one hand.

Remy's eyes flashed with something that Spencer couldn't quite read. He kept rubbing over the outside of Spencer's leg. "I don't care about none of that. It aint important to me, Spencer. Y'r scars aint gonna put me off."

The honesty in those words was amazing. Spencer found he actually believed him. What would happen when Remy was actually faced with those scars, he didn't know. But for now, like this, he believed him. "I…I don't know where things are going to go for me, or what's going to happen. I don't even know what I'm going to do with my life anymore. But if, if you're willing to try, knowing what you know about me…I'm willing to try too."

The hand on Spencer's leg shifted up to cup his face again. Spencer lifted his face just as Remy brought his down. This kiss was just as soft and just as sweet as the first. When they broke apart, Remy smiled at him. "We'll fumble our way through dis together, oui?"

Spencer settled back in against Remy's chest, a smile on his lips. "Together."

Once more Remy's hand was stroking over his leg. Spencer shifted the arm that was against Remy, moving it so that it slid around behind him, holding him close. In response, Remy chuckled and gave a light pull, bringing Spencer directly into his lap. He put his chin on top Spencer's head. Feeling warm and cherished, Spencer closed his eyes, smiling against Remy's chest. Content in a way he could never remember being, he found himself drifting off to sleep.

How long he napped there, Spencer wasn't sure. But when he woke up again, he was still in the same position he'd fallen asleep in, still held close in Remy's arms. It was the first time that Spencer had ever trusted anyone other than family, or Derek or Logan, to stay beside him as he slept. And, he counted Derek and Logan in the category of family. Generally, his own personal experience and fears prevented him from being able to sleep with anyone else with him. The fact that he'd slept—deeply and without nightmares, too—told him exactly how much he had come to trust Remy.

The sound of a something brought his attention around to what it was that had woken him to begin with. Someone was in the room, talking in a low voice. It only took a second to feel the emotional imprint of who it was to discover that, it wasn't just one, but two people, and those two people were Scott and Logan. Okay, so he and Remy had been out for a while if Scott was back home already. Lying against Remy's chest, Spencer debated even getting up. If Scott was talking that low, it had to mean that he didn't want to wake the two, which meant that he didn't care if they slept. That was almost enough to help Spencer fall right back asleep. Then a knock at the office door was enough to cut that thought off at the pass.

He heard a mad scramble to the door and low, muttered curses before the door was opened and Scott was quietly saying "Yes?" to whoever was there.

Grumbling slightly at the sounds that were disturbing him, Spencer turned his face a little more, trying to bury it against Remy better. He felt Remy's arms adjust accordingly and the older man nuzzled in at his hair a little bit, making Spencer's lips curve. He sent Remy feelings of sleepy contentment and felt humor in return. "Don't t'ink we're gonna be so lucky, cher." Remy said softly into his hair. "Dat sounded like Jeannie calling us all f' dinner."

"Don't care." Spencer mumbled. He tightened his arms around Remy just a little more. "Comfy."

"Me too. Y'r a nice armful to hold on to, cher. I could get used to dis, me."

That made Spencer's happiness and contentment grow. He happily stayed right where he was as he listened to Scott sigh and finally move away from the door. His voice wasn't as quiet anymore when he spoke again. "This is going to suck." He told Logan. After another sigh, he said "Rems? Spence? Dinner, guys."

Spencer didn't move. He didn't want dinner. Hell, he didn't want to do anything that required moving. He was perfectly content to stay here.

"Come on, brat. I know you two are awake. I heard ya mumbling." Logan chimed in. "Now, up!"

Annoyed at the noise, Spencer furrowed his brows but didn't even bother opening his eyes. They'd go away eventually. Right? He felt Remy's amusement.

Another person came into the room. "What's going on in here?" Alex's voice asked loudly. The sound of it made Spencer scowl. Couldn't Alex ever do anything quietly? No, of course not. As if to prove the point, Alex's voice grew a little louder. "Wakey wakey, Spencer! I'm starved and Jean won't let us eat until everyone's there. So get your ass up and let's get moving!"

This time Spencer responded to them. He pulled one hand up, holding it up over his shoulder long enough to flip them all off. Then he dropped his hand back down and slipped it under Remy's jacket, hugging around his waist a little closer this time. Did the man ever go anywhere without that jacket of his? Not that Spencer really minded. He looked good in it. Damn good.

Chuckling, Remy nuzzled at Spencer's hair once more. "Dey aint gonna leave us alone till we get up. Y' know dat, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes. But I don't want to get up. I'm not hungry." Spencer whined.

One of Remy's hands slid up his arm, moving so that he could take hold of Spencer's chin, tipping his face up. The kiss he pressed against Spencer's pouting lips was sweet and soft. "Y' gotta eat something, Spencer. Y'r body needs de fuel, non? Been through so much lately. Y' gotta help dat energy get back up to normal."

Still pouting, Spencer nonetheless blinked his eyes open. He couldn't resist adding in one more whine in the hopes it would stave off being forced to the dining hall. "The Colonel is going to be there."

"Oui, dat's probably true." Remy said agreeably. He let go of Spencer's chin to run his knuckles down his cheek. "Y' just sit right by Remy and we'll entertain one another with flirting and sexual innuendos dat'll drive y'r frères insane and make dem blush, oui?"

A chuckle slid past Spencer's lips. He sighed once more, but they could all hear the amused sound to it. Spencer shifted up, initiating the kiss between them, before he sat all the way up. "I guess that's good enough incentive to get up." He said jokingly.

He took the cane when Remy handed it to him and bore down on it to help him rise to his feet. His leg protested the movement and a wince slipped out before he managed to school his features. A warm bath might be in order before bed. He pushed that down as best he could and made his way toward his brothers, glaring sleepily at them. Alex just grinned right back and Scott shook his head. "I swear," Alex said, slinging an arm around Spencer's shoulders. "You've got to be the whiniest little brat when you wake up. How old are you, shithead? Two?"

"At least I wake up." Spencer fired back instantly. "You'd sleep through a bullhorn by your ear."

"One time! One time I sleep through sirens and you never let me live it down!"

Spencer's grin flashed, sharp and pleased. "Of course not. What kind of little brother would I be if I did?"

As the two started out the door, Scott shook his head again. Then he turned to smile at Remy. "Alex had one thing right. Spence is always a brat when he gets woken up. You handled him well."

"Dat's cause Remy's just dat good." The Cajun said cockily. He darted away from the hand Scott aimed for his head and took off laughing after the others. Scott grinned, watching as Remy caught up and fell into step on Spencer's free side. He felt almost like a parent, watching the three of them walk down the hall together. When Logan's hand threaded with his, Scott cast a smile at him. Then he set off after the boys.

Dinner wasn't as bad as it could have been. Remy had been serious about his bribe and had spent almost the entire meal flirting with Spencer and making him laugh. He'd told stories designed to bring a smile from the listeners and soon, they'd had the attention of at least half of the table. When Remy wasn't regaling them with humorous stories, Spencer was chiming in with ones of his own, telling tales of things he and his brothers had done, or things that had been done with the team. All the while, the flirtation between them continued, bringing a smile to most of the table. There were few there that weren't happy about the budding relationship. Most were enjoying watching it grow between the two they thought were perfect for one another. Not even Rogue looked upset by it. She hadn't showed any animosity towards Spencer since she'd witnessed that argument in the kitchen between him and Warren.

After dinner, Spencer retreated outside with Remy and Logan, at their insistence—more like, they gave him no choice, simply ushering him out the door with them. Somehow that had progressed from a simple visit while the men smoked to a poker game that kept them going for almost two hours. Eventually, Spencer had backed out of the game, saying he had a few things to take care of before bed. It had both surprised and pleased him when Remy had escorted him back to his room. That pleasure grew when, right outside his door, Remy had brought a hand up to lace in his hair, leaning in and giving him a good night kiss. "Sleep sweet, mon bijou."

"You too, Rems." Spencer mumbled, flushing and smiling all at the same time. When he went into his room, his smile stayed with him. It was still there even after the long bath he indulged in. And it was still there as he settled in his bed and watched his brother take up his customary perch beside him. Though Spencer insisted he was fine, Alex still made a point to be there when he fell asleep, at least. Honestly, Spencer didn't protest it that much. It eased him to have Alex there as he slept. Tonight he was even more grateful. For this little bit, no one else was around but Alex, allowing Spencer to broach the topic he'd been thinking about for the past couple days. "Hey, Alexi?"

The rarely used nickname was enough to catch Alex's full attention. He was lying stretched out beside Spencer on the bed, hands folded behind his head; at the sound of Spencer's voice, he rolled his head to look at his brother, who was lying on his side facing him. "What's up?"

"I want to ask you something." Nervous, Spencer bit his lip. His finger traced patterns in the sheet in front of his face. "But the thing is, I don't…I don't want everyone knowing about this. I need this to be between you and I, please."

It was so rare for Spencer to ask for a favor; even more rare for him to ask Alex for one. The older man rolled over so that he was mirroring Spencer's pose, their bodies now facing one another. "Of course, pidge. What's going on?"

Well, it was now or never. Spencer forced himself to say what he was thinking. "I know I haven't always been in the best of shape, but I always did at least have some muscle to me. But with, with this…I need to rebuild muscle mass and I need to train up the muscle in my leg. It's going to hurt to do it and it's going to be difficult for a while, but I need to do it. I need to get the muscle around the damaged area in peak condition so that future strain on my leg is minimal and…"

"Pidge, pidge. Is there a point somewhere in this?"

A nervous laugh huffed out from Spencer. "You're the only person I know for a fact isn't going to treat me like I'm made of glass." He said plainly. Forcing himself, he looked Alex in the eyes. "Will you help me with some daily workouts to help me train my muscle up and learn how to compensate for it? I tend to attract lunatics and, in case I'm stuck unable to use my powers again, I want a semi decent chance of being able to defend myself. I want to be able to walk stairs without getting out of breath, or be able to handle walking for a shopping trip, or still be able to wrestle and fight with you just like we always have."

Even in the semi-dark room, Spencer clearly saw Alex's grin. "So basically you're giving me a free chance to beat on you daily, huh? I'm totally in."

Despite the teasing, Spencer could see the serious look in Alex's eyes and knew that his brother understood. "Thanks, Alexi."