- 26 -
He missed her.
He missed his white-haired beauty already even though he'd just seen her the day before.
His woman.
Inexpressible joy flooded his heart as he pondered those two simple words. Patience and perseverance were truly virtues, as both had expressively supplied Remy what he'd desperately desired since he'd first laid his obscure eyes on Ororo.
Thinking back to that day at her apartment, Remy could not help but feel that the doctor he had met at Valhalla Psychiatry months ago was not the sexy vixen who had left evidence of her love bites on his neck, the marks still showing true upon his skin. Remy thoughtfully fingered the marks, a smile as wide as the Mississippi curving his mouth.
"Damn . . ." he chuckled to himself as he viewed the deep reddish colorations in his bathroom mirror. Remy winced lightly as his bath sponge ran over the tender spots as he had been showering. After shutting off the stream of water and draping a towel around his waist, Remy had promptly wiped the steamy condensation away from the mirror over his sink and inspected the marks more closely.
"Mon Dieu."
Simply remembering the way it had felt as she eagerly feasted upon his neck made his temperature rise. Just what kind of woman did he have on his hands anyway? He'd be damned if he didn't find out, and not only that, but he meant to take great pleasure in doing so.
Good things come to those who wait, indeed. For a while there, it seemed as if dilemma after dilemma had beset Remy in his pursuit of her. Legitimately, the issue of him being her patient had been a difficult quandary, and Remy had empathized with Ororo's reluctance to cross that bold boundary at first. He could never give let up though. He knew he couldn't. As much as the woman had sought to deny the keen attraction between them at first, there was no way either of them could escape its hold. It grew intricately stronger with each passing day and refused to release them from its clutches.
The business with her ex-fiancé had been another matter. Another obstacle that seemingly had been thrown in their path. Remy wasn't sure he'd ever forget the bile and rage that had arose in him that day he had seen Jonathan kiss Ororo in front of the ignorant crowd of spectators, and worse than that, in front of him. He'd also never forget the raw vulnerability Ororo had displayed when he'd confronted her about it in his office. The tragic beauty with her diamond tears flowing freely down her sculpted face as she shook with the force of her sobbing, the rain outside mirroring the emotions of the very woman whose tears had flowed so unhindered.
The electric razor buzzed quietly as Remy ran it over his princely face, forgotten rust colored stubble falling insignificantly into the basin of the sink as he groomed himself skillfully. After a thorough inspection of his freshly shaven face, Remy winked at himself in the mirror, congratulating himself on being such a handsome bastard and walked into the adjoining bedroom where he began dressing.
Earlier, his father had called him and asked him to stop over and have a rare breakfast with him and Henri, whereon, after he was finished, would be off to the bar for a full day's work. As he pulled a shirt over his head, Remy winced at the dull soreness located on his neck, the site of Ororo's hungry bites. He laughed again as he clutched at his neck. The soreness was simultaneously a source of pleasure as well, and each time he felt the sting from the evidence of Ororo's passion Remy could also feel his arousal and desire begin to stir.
He wished Ororo could have joined him for breakfast with his father and brother. He wanted to see their reactions when he strolled in with Ororo, hand-in-hand so they could see firsthand just whom the beauty belonged to. He wanted to see Henri's look of shock when he finally saw who it was that Remy had had his eyes on these last few months. Of course, Henri had already seen Ororo, at that farce of an engagement celebration. However, he still didn't know that it had been Jonathan's fiancé, Ororo, in whom Remy shared an attraction.
Therefore, being that Ororo had to work this morning, Ororo had agreed to meet Remy at the bar at the end of her workday. Remy shook his head amusingly as he eyed the bite marks one last time, slowly fingering them, reminiscently so, before grabbing his keys off his dresser and heading out the door.
~ Valhalla Psychiatry ~
"Kathryn, when is my consultation with Victor Creed?" Ororo inquired over the line.
"Umm . . . next week. Thursday, 2 p.m." Kathryn confirmed.
"Alright, thank you, Kathryn. I appreciate it."
"No problem, Dr. Munroe."
Ororo rubbed her temples soothingly as she leaned back in her chair and inhaled a deep refreshing breath, exhaling it slowly in an attempt to find a semblance of peace and to deal with the full on stress of her day. She had already met with two different patients since coming in, and each one had been a colorful handful.
There had been Mr. Mortimer Toynbee, a highly delusional man who was under the false assumption that he had been a toad in his past life, and then there was Mr. Fred Dukes, a morbidly obese man, and self-professed emotional eater. He came to Ororo often, detailing his life-long war with food and the emotional baggage he carried from being mocked as a child for his obesity. It was quite an interesting sight watching him maneuver himself onto the couch provided, being that it was much too narrow for the man's extremely wide girth.
Ororo's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door, a dark head of hair peeking through the opening.
"Ororo," he smiled.
"Dr. Dayspring."
"Nathan," he corrected with a quirked smile.
"Right, Nathan. What can I do for you?"
He smiled coyly at her question. Ororo avert her gaze momentarily. He further allowed himself into the room and closed the door behind him, moving towards her, where he proceeded to sit himself on the edge of her desk.
"You never called me back the other day, you know. I left messages."
"Yes, I am so sorry," she apologized sincerely, "I had meant to as soon as soon as I realized you had called. I was occupied." A picture of her and Remy kissing and writhing on her floor flashed through her mind and she coughed to cover up the heated reaction it invoked.
"It's alright. All is forgiven," he placated, his large hands raised to show he held no ill will.
"Glad to hear it." He held her eyes for a moment; Ororo squirmed awkwardly under his stare.
"So, what are you doing for lunch today?"
Ororo looked at him. "Um, well. I just might skip lunch today and work through it," she lied.
At that moment, the door opened suddenly and Kathryn appear through it with a confirming smile, "Oh. Sorry, Dr. Munroe. Dr. Dayspring. Uh, Dr. Munroe, I just wanted to know if you were still having lunch with me later?"
She was stuck. Ororo groaned inwardly at Kathryn's imperfect timing. Nathan glanced at Ororo with a knowing smile and then glanced back at Kathryn, "Yes, she'll be joining you, Kathryn. She and I both will," he answered. Nathan turned and winked at Ororo, "I'll be seeing you ladies at lunch then." Ororo smiled tightly.
Kathryn moved aside for him as he left the room, leaving Ororo looking forlorn and thwarted.
"Quite a way to invite himself," Kathryn giggled as she stepped further into the room.
"Quite," Ororo repeated.
Kathryn paused before speaking. ". . . I, uh, hope you don't mind me asking, Dr. Munroe, but . . . do you have something going on with Dr. Dayspring?"
A surprised expression glinted across Ororo's face as she faltered briefly. "Just, Ororo, Kathryn—please. And no. Absolutely not in response to your latter question."
Kathryn laughed, shuffling the folders she held in her hands under her arm. "Well, it looks like he certainly would like to change that. Talk around the office is that he has the hots for you."
"Ha," Ororo exclaimed dryly. "Dr. Dayspring and I are only colleagues. With time, perhaps good friends, but that is all. I'm sure a man like him has no shortage of women seeking his attention."
Kathryn snorted. "Ain't that the truth? His has every woman around this place noses wide open."
Ororo laughed warmly at the visual picture she got from Kathryn's statement. "I bet he does," Ororo managed after one or two more chuckles.
Neither women spoke for a few seconds, but it was Kathryn who chirped up first, "Ororo, you - you really seem to be in good spirits, I'm glad to see it. I was a bit worried there, after the whole thing with your fiancé and all," Kathryn admitted soberly.
Ororo smiled reassuringly at her. "I am in good spirits, Kathryn. I, for one, do not believe anything is an accident, and the split with Jonathan was inevitable. It wasn't the first time we had split since we started dating each other and no matter how much I hoped I knew it wouldn't have been the last either. Better sooner than after we had married."
Ororo paused at her confession. That was the first time (in a long time) she could remember confiding in someone so freely. It felt good, the feeling of something deep and troublesome being lifted off your chest, and not having to deal with it all by her lonesome. A smile threatened to spill over unto her face. She wasn't alone anymore.
Kathryn nodded her understanding just as a sly look crossed her face. "Could it be Dr. Dayspring is too late and someone else has garnered the attention of our favorite psychiatrist?" Kathryn pried questioningly.
An involuntary smile—bright and wide—touched Ororo's mouth and her eyes sparkled brightly at the inquiry.
"Oh my gosh! Ororo, who?"
"What? I didn't say anything!" Ororo grinned.
Kathryn glanced impatiently at her watch. "Okay, be tight-lipped about it now, but at lunch time I want some details!" she demanded.
Ororo shook her head as she watched Kathryn scurry out. She had to get a grip on herself if her joy was showing that openly on her face. As she rose to look out her office window, she couldn't help but wonder if Remy had enjoyed the breakfast with his family this morning. She had wanted to be there as much as he had wanted her there, but she did feel a slight bit of relief that she had avoided it. It was mildly nerve-wracking thinking of meeting Remy's family; his father was the mayor! She never figured she'd be meeting his family so soon, but did think it certainly was sweet that he had made the offer.
It was amazing how different he made her feel already. Every once in awhile the old tendencies and uncertainties she had wrestled with would arise and she would begin berating herself for what she was doing, for what she had consented to. After she and Remy had agreed to be together, Ororo had decided that if they were to do this, she could no longer continue as his therapist. When she told Remy, he had readily agreed, completely understanding her position and was simply happy that the stubborn woman had finally given in.
Ororo tried to be pragmatic and realistic about seeing Remy and what she felt for him; reminding herself to sensible and not to become foolishly carried away with sentimentality and his devilish charm. Nevertheless, it was much harder said than done. He affected her in such a way that it made her want to be just a bit reckless. He had this unique ability to make her open up and when she did, attitudes and desires previously foreign to her would spill out unrestrainedly.
Ororo blushed as she remembered the way she had devoured his neck the other day and the telling marks that still marred his skin. She covered her hands with her face and shook her head at the memory, groaning aloud as she reminisced over how delicious he'd tasted, how freely she had branded him and how rapacious she had been for him.
* Beep *
"Dr. Munroe? Mr. Pietro Maximoff is here. Shall I send him down?" Kathryn's voice sounded over the speaker.
Ororo rushed over to her desk, compressing the button, "Sure. Thank you, Kathryn."
Pushing her personal affairs aside, Ororo produced the current patient's file and laid it out in front of her, switching to doctor mode. This one was her last session before lunch.
"It was good seeing you, son. You should check your old man more often, you know."
Remy rolled his eyes. He had heard this spiel before. "Père, please. Y' hardly have de time."
"Non," Jean-Luc said, shaking his head no, "Not so. I always have time for mon fils."
"D'accord, père." Remy hugged his father briefly, the tight, stiff way men do, so as not to seem too soft, "T'anks fo' breakfast."
"Anytime, son. You know that."
Remy grabbed his keys just as his father asked him, "So when does your pa get to met dis pretty little fille dat you told me about?" he asked as he began walking with Remy towards the stairs.
Remy smiled. "Whenever y' have did time, père. Whenever y' have de time. I woulda brought her wit' me t'day bu' she had t' work."
"I tell you what," Jean-Luc began, pursing his lips thoughtfully, "The governor is having a birthday celebration here in New Orleans in about three weeks time. Why don't you come? And bring the femme with you. I'll get the chance to meet her there, at least, if we can't arrange it sooner. But at least dis way, we have somet'ing definite."
Remy nodded slowly. That wasn't really his scene, but he replied nevertheless, "Hmm. Well, we'll see 'bout dat. I'll ask her t'ough and if she don' got no objections," he paused, his father's face expectant and hopeful.
Damn it all.
"… Den we'll be dere."
"Hey! Sounds great, son. Just great."
He nodded. "Well, I'm off." He began to descend the stone steps of the ornate veranda that they'd recently eaten on when his dad spoke again.
"Remy?"
"Sir?" Remy stopped, looking back at his father.
"She's not officially treating you anymore, right?"
"Non, père," Remy confirmed shaking his head.
"Alright. I'm not trying to be difficult, son. I just want you to be careful and to be sure of what you're doing," his father advised wisely.
Remy hung his head, nodding with understanding. "Remy kno' dat, père. 'Ro an' I discussed it. Remy would never do anyt'ing dat would put her or her job at risk," he vowed.
"I believe that. I- -" Jean-Luc laughed at his own ironic thoughts before continuing, "- -I never t'ought we'd send ya to a therapist to get you to talk and open up to someone professionally, then later on, find out you've started seeing her," he chuckled deeply, "Only you, son. Only you," he said, ruffling the hair of his oldest boy.
Both men laughed at the strangely truthful irony.
"Wha' can I say? I'm a LeBeau, non?" Remy grinned.
"Oui," his father stepped forward. patting Remy on his back, "that you are. I can see, you know. Little changes here and there," he paused, ". . . she's good for ya. That's what a good woman does for a man."
"Oui, I t'ank so. I kno' 'Ro's a good woman." Remy smiled, his tone so sure, so adamant that Jean-Luc couldn't help but grin and be happy for his son.
"You wanna take some of this home?" Jean-Luc asked, a gestured wave to the plethora of food still piled on the table, "I can have Silvia wrap some up for you."
"Non, non. I'm good."
He nodded. "In that case, I'll let ya go then. Where's your brother?" his father asked, his eyes darting around searchingly.
"Who knows?" Remy rolled his eyes. "Henri! C'mon! C'mon or get left!" he threatened loudly.
True to his word, Remy jogged down the steps and cut across the expansive lawn, straight in the direction of his parked car.
"Hey, Rem! Wait up! I'm coming!" Henri yelled, sprinting to catch up with his impatient older brother, "I'm here. I'm here," he said breathing harshly as he slowed to a normal pace, "Mon Dieu," he complained.
"Beggars can' be choosers, mon frère. Y' ride wit' me, den y' come when I'm ready."
Henri made a face behind Remy's back and jumped into the passenger seat just as Remy started the ignition.
"So," Henri began as Remy reversed out of the long driveway, "I've met dis fille before?" Henri asked in regards to Ororo.
Remy smirked. "Yup," he stated simply. It was fun keeping Henri guessing.
"Yup? That's it? No clues? No nothing?"
"What's wrong?" Remy laughed, "y'll see her later. An' I don' wan' y' droolin' when y' do," he teased.
"Please," he waved off Remy's words, "I may not be Mr. Cajun Casanova, but I do just fine with the femmes myself," Henri bragged as he unnecessarily popped his collar, a smug look on his face. He resembled Remy at that moment.
"Hmph. We'll see."
At lunch, Ororo shifted in her seat, fully aware of a pair of blue eyes searing her to the spot. It was as if he was willing her to look at him. How long was Kathryn going to take? Ororo kept casting glances in the direction of the restrooms hoping to see Kathryn emerge from them and break the awkward spell that fell over the two.
Not seeing what she hoped for, Ororo risked a glance up from her empty plate to Nathan who had cleverly chosen a seat directly in front of her. She glanced back down just as quickly when she noticed the intense look on his face, his eyes seemingly boring through her. She cleared her throat roughly and sipped on the glass of water, the water of which, felt wonderful running down her dry throat.
"Are you aright, Ororo?" There was a hint of a smile in his voice and when Ororo's eyes went to him she could she it was on his face as well.
"I am," she assured.
His smiled widened on one side.
"Have you been here before?" Ororo asked trying to lighten the mood and ignore Nathan's blatant staring.
"Yes," he answered, "and so have you."
Ororo looked confused.
"When you first came here. You and I ate here. Hank joined us later? Remember?"
"Ohhh, yes. Well, at least I do now," she laughed, embarrassed by her forgetfulness. "It feels like I hardly see Dr. McCoy anymore. Only sporadically around the office."
"Yeah. Hank is a very busy man. He doesn't solely make his livelihood as a psychiatrist. He works and studies psychology too. He has his doctorate in that field as well. I don't know all the details, but I know Henry's very interested in creating beneficial psychochemical drugs. I believe he is planning to draft a book on the subject."
"So he is not only a psychiatrist, but studies psychopharmacology as well?"
"Basically."
"Wow."
"Yeah," Nathan agreed laughing.
There was a comfortable lull in the conversation for a few minutes, that is, before Nathan made it uncomfortable again. "Did you have a good time, this past weekend?"
The question was vague and Ororo didn't know where it came from. Not understanding his angle, Ororo proceeded carefully, "Meaning?"
He shrugged. "I just figured you went out. You know, with someone. I mean - at least that's what I thought."
Ororo squinted at him warily. "I did have a good weekend, yes. A great weekend actually," she added, choosing her words carefully as she didn't understand where he was going with this.
Nathan's large smile eased into a polite grin as he nodded his head, swallowing hard.
". . . Then - then you . . . did go out with someone?" his voice sounded strained and he tapped his toes impatiently under the table, loud enough for Ororo to hear it over the chattering patrons of the café.
Ororo didn't answer right away. Why was he so concerned all of the sudden?
Seeing Ororo's reluctant apprehension, he began backpedaling, "I ask only because . . . I told you that day in the break room that I wanted you to feel comfortable about talking to me—about anything, really. The way a friend would," he clarified further, "You concern me, that's all. You don't have to if - if that bothers you."
"No, its not that, Nathan," she sighed, "Thank you, I appreciate the invitation for an open ear," she smiled softly, lightening up a bit.
What the hell. This is what she had done earlier, right? Opened up? … shared herself?
"I did," he answered finally, "I did spend the weekend with someone, and yes we did have fun." She stared off into the distance as she thought about Remy: their kissing, his neck . . .
A secretive smile appeared on her face she did not even know was there, holding her chin up with an elbow propped up on the table, the smile still there.
Had Ororo not seen turned to Kathryn and wave her over, she would have seen the reddening of Nathan's face and the tight set of his jaw.
"Sorry guys," Kathryn apologized, approaching the table, "I was talking to Piotr."
Just as Kathryn returned to her seat, Nathan stood up so fast his chair scrapped the concrete.
"Nathan?" Kathryn looked at him perplexedly.
"I must leave," Nathan grumbled, reaching into his pocket to pull out his wallet and take out a crisp twenty dollar bill and toss it on the table.
"For the tip. You ladies will be fine, won't you?" he asked, never meeting their curious eyes.
"Sure. We'll be fine, Nathan, but- -"
"- -I will see you ladies later," he cut across. He waved briefly before making a hasty exit, both women staring after him baffled.
"Something happen while I was gone?" Kathryn asked, her face scrunched in confusion.
"Not really. I don't know," Ororo shrugged at a loss.
"Well, while I don't understand what just happened a moment ago, there are more pressing matters at hand right?" Kathryn grinned.
"Like?" Ororo replied, not taking the lure.
"Now, now, Ororo. Do tell."
"Kathryn, are you certain the 'P - r - y' in your last name isn't for 'pry' and not 'Pryde'."
"Ooh, that was good, Ororo. This guy has you making witty jokes now. It's settled, now I must know."
"Kat, you know I am not the type to- -"
The eager expectation on Kathryn's pretty face made Ororo put her hand over her mouth and laugh. "You'd never believe it," Ororo cautioned as she paused to thank the waitress who had just brought them their food.
"Try me," Kathryn whispered challengingly.
Remy glanced at his watch as he shelved the glasses he had previously wiped down. His eyes went from the glass in his hand, to his watch, to the entrance, in that order for twenty minutes now. The work might have gone faster, had he not being watching the door, but he was expecting Ororo any moment now.
Henri breezed past him, several bottles in hand as he began restocking the bar.
"Logan not comin' tonight?" Henri asked.
"Huh?" Remy replied distractedly, eyes fixed on the door.
"Logan. He usually hangs out in here after hours."
"Oh. Yeah. Non, he's workin' tonight."
Glancing back at his brother and following the trajectory of his eyes, Henri snickered under his breath.
"She is comin' right?"
"O' course she'll be here," Remy answered, a bit annoyed with Henri, "Right after work."
"Workin'? Yo' sure 'bout that? She ain't two-timing ya already is she?" Henri teased.
"Henri . . ." Remy warned through clenched teeth.
The door opened suddenly, Ororo coming through them as both men turned towards the new occupant, one smiling, the other's mouth dropping.
"'Ro," Remy greeted, hurriedly coming around the side of the bar and scooping up Ororo for a hug and subsequent kiss.
Henri watched in surprise as she looked on at his brother kissing the woman who had just gotten engaged at this very spot several weeks ago. What had the guy's name been? James Rainbow or something or the other?
Ororo smiled under the pressure of Remy's lips as he finally saw fit to release her.
"Quite a greeting, Remy," Ororo smiled, pecking his cheek.
"Remy's been waitin' on y', chere," he sighed exasperatingly.
"I apologize. I came as soon as I could."
Remy looked at her, her eyes were bright and she seemed happy, but he could tell she was tired and had probably had a lot on her plate today. "S' okay chère, no worries."
Ororo smiled as her eyes fell on Henri. "Remy … is that your brother?" She nodded in Henri's direction.
"Oui, dis is Henri."
Ororo walked towards him, the clicking of her heels muffled by the carpet as Henri met her the rest of the way.
"Hi! It's great to meet you. I'm, Ororo," she stretched her hand out to shake his but was met with a firm hug instead.
"Ah, we're practically family, chère. Handshakes are fo' strangers."
"O - oh," Ororo laughed nervously, "Well . . . thank you."
She patted him awkwardly on the back as the hug went on much longer than a casual hug between two people who had practically just met should.
"A'right, Henri. She got it," Remy chuckled.
"Oh. Right." Henri loosened his hold, but not completely and Ororo had to pull back to be completely free of the hug.
"We've met before, chère. No?"
Remy looked at Ororo, seeing if she was affected by the question at all. The reminder of her not-so-pleasant engagement party holding the potential for an uncomfortably awkward situation.
"Not directly, no. My ex-fiancé did plan a surprise engagement celebration here though."
If Ororo was upset over the question she didn't show it. She answered politely, and grinned. Completely unaffected by the innocent question.
"Right. Ex-fiancé, um, James. James Rainbow."
Ororo laughed with a shake of her hoary head, Remy rolled his eyes. "Jonathan. Jonathan Raincloud," she corrected.
"Oh yeah!" Henri ran a hand through his dark hair. "Well," he began tactlessly, "it's a good thing ya'll didn't get married. I mean, Ororo's a pretty name, but 'Raincloud' at the end of it . . . nah, kinda ruins it, non?"
Ororo smiled at him amused at his helpless sense of humor. "I suppose Ororo Raincloud would be a quirky name," Ororo agreed.
"Yeah," Henri continued, "but Ororo LeBeau … yeah, that sounds nice. It even rhymes, now that's a match. Mr. and Mrs. Henri LeBeau. Rings a bell."
Ororo laughed loudly at the sly joke as Henri looked on, seemingly proud of himself. Remy rolled his eyes for the second time as he watched Ororo's shoulders shake with laughter.
"In yo' dreams, mon ami."
"Looks like ya'll are havin' fun."
The three turned at the sound of a new female voice, all sets of eyes falling on a pretty blonde who looked amused at seeing them. Ororo's laughter died as she watched the new entry's eyes go from Remy to her and back to Remy.
"Henri, this a friend of yours?" Bella asked, a pointed look on Ororo.
He sighed disappointingly in jest, "Non, unfortunately not. Once again, Remy proves to be the lucky bastard in the family. This here is his girl."
"Ororo. Her name's, Ororo," Remy expounded, going over to Ororo and coiling an arm around her waist, drawing her into him.
"Is that so?"
Bella glanced at Ororo. "I'm sorry. Where are my manners? My name is Belladonna. I waitress here." She extended a hand.
Ororo took the proffered hand, "Pleased to meet you, and yes, as Remy has already stated, I am Ororo."
Bella quickly dropped Ororo's hand and peeked over at Remy who looked at her with a silent warning in his dark eyes.
"Did y' need somet'ing, Bella?" Remy asked, tapping his foot impatiently.
"Oh, um. I just stopped by to see when ya'll were gonna have the new schedule up, but since ya'll are busy I guess I can check back later."
"Well- -" Henri started but was interrupted by Remy.
"Sounds good. We'll let y' kno'. G'night."
All three persons turned to look at Remy, who seemed unaffected by the confused stares.
"Right. Good night then," Bella smiled tightly, looking at Ororo once more before turning and opening the door, "Nice meetin' you, Ororo. It's always a pleasure to meet one of Remy's girls."
Ororo blinked rapidly as the door closed behind the grinning blonde, the snide jab not going unnoticed by anyone. Remy sighed and cursed under his breath, gritting his teeth angrily.
Ororo cleared her throat, breaking the silent tension, "Well, Henri, it was nice seeing you again. I had heard so much about you and I'm glad we finally had the opportunity to meet properly."
"Sure thing, chère." Henri winked with a quick nod.
Ororo turned towards Remy, "Remy, I'll- -"
"'Can I talk t' y' fo' a second?" Taking her hand, Remy began pulling her towards the back before she could reply.
"Re- -"
"T'anks. Henri, I'll be right back."
"Okay, brother," Henri saluted, bottles clinking against each other as he went back to his job of stocking the bar.
Remy drug Ororo towards the back, through the doors of the same office he'd taken her before after her public kiss with Jonathan where he'd confronted her. She recognized it as such immediately.
"Before you begin, Remy, I just want to say that I am not angry nor am I upset," Ororo started in first, before he had the chance to apologize.
Remy sighed and rubbed his face. "Remy's sorry 'bout dat, chère. She was rude an' she- - "
"Is an ex-girlfriend?" Ororo surmised correctly.
Remy looked at her puzzled. She was good. That hadn't even been what he was going to say, but she'd picked up on it anyway.
Seeing the look on his face, Ororo clarified for him, "You do not need to be a psychiatrist to see the fiery darts she was shooting my way with her eyes," she joked good-naturedly, "You do not need to apologize for that. Or her." She smiled at him reassuringly.
The girl, it wasn't the one he called 'Anna', Ororo was sure of this, this was another one. And deducing from Bella's snide comment, there had been many.
Remy smiled back at her, stepping closer to brush his hand across her cheek. "Y' are so beau'iful, chère. Y' kno' that?"
"I know that you are, Remy," she reversed, covering his hand on her face with her own and turning in to kiss it affectionately.
Remy swallowed, her words affecting him in that tender heart-wrenching way she had the ability to. He kissed her slowly, holding her close as her words warmed his heart.
When he'd released her lips, Ororo tried her best to smother a yawn and turned away slightly so as to not yawn directly in his face.
"Tired, ma belle?" Remy intoned knowingly, brushing several strands of white hair from her face. It was down and loose, just like he had asked her to wear it. He kissed her forehead.
"Sadly yes. Today was kind of hard on me."
"Y' wan' Remy t' take y' home?" he asked, seeking her eyes, "Henri could drive my car an' pick me up afterwards."
"No, Remy. You do not have to do that. I am fine to drive home."
"'Ro, I wan' to. I'm yo' man an' I wan' t' take y' home."
His tone was gentle but firm and Ororo blushed a little, secretly delighted to have someone want to take care of her in such a way. But she wasn't used to such sentiments and inside she was a bit uncomfortable with the emotional unfamiliarity of it. Not wanting to hurt his feelings, or delve further into her 'intimacy' issues tonight, she selflessly relinquished.
"Remy, are you certain?" she made sure, biting her lip. The action making Remy want to press her against the wall and capture those lips and . . . well. He staved off such thoughts.
"O' course. C'mon, ma chère. Let's go."