Mon Petit Frère
Chapter II: Bringing Home Remy --- Day 1
By: Michelle
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
DISCLAIMER: My fanfic is written for fun only. I don't own the any of the characters, except the few I create. A part of this chapter was based off of The Gambit Series 1-25.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
****July 18, 1991****
Remy's eyes watered as he fell down to his knees. He knew better than to cry for help. That would only piss the man off. Besides, who cared about the little orphan boy anyway?
I'm scaring him. "Calm down, petite." The man said to him. "I'll let you go, if you promise not to run."
"Yes sir." Remy replied softly. As he felt the man's release, he took off running. He didn't get very far though. Just a few feet away from the man, he tripped over a beer bottle. He tried to brace himself with his hands, but was cut by a piece of glass.
Jean-Luc sighed. He had to run didn't he.
Remy looked at his hand to see a small piece of glass in his hand. The wound burned him, but at the moment he didn't care. "Git away from me." He cried as he backed up from the man approaching him.
"I'm not gonna hurt ya petite." Jean-Luc bent down and pulled out his Swiss-army knife.
Tears rolled down Remy's cheeks when he saw the knife. I don't want to die. He breathing became heavier as the man reached for him.
"It's alright petite." Jean-Luc said trying to comfort him. "Let me see that." He took the boy's hand and looked at the piece of glass sticking from it.
"Please don't kill me." Remy pleaded. "I didn't mean to take your wallet."
"I'm not gonna hurt ya." He opened up the contents of the knife until he found the tweezers. "My name's Jean-Luc LeBeau. What's ya name, petite?" He asked trying to keep the boy focused away from the pain.
"Remy." He replied softly as he began to relax.
"That's a good French name." He replied. "Did ya parents give ya dat name?"
Remy sniffled. "Remy ain't got no parents." Cuz I'm a devil. He said and bit down on his lip as the man pulled out the piece of glass.
Jean-Luc pulled out a handkerchief and wrapped it around Remy's hand. "There. All better." He looked at Remy for the first time in ten years.
Mon Dieu. Remy was short for his age, much shorter than his nephew Etienne. He's clothes were too small for him and he was filthy. He was so skinny he could actually see the boy's ribs. Black circles hung under the beautiful ruby red eyes of his. His hair was down to his chin, knotted and greasy. I should have come for him sooner.
Remy looked at his hand. It still hurt him, but he knew he was going to be OK. Fagan's gonna be mad at me for getting hurt again. He picked up the wallet on the ground next to him and handed to Jean-Luc.
"Merci beaucoup." Jean-Luc listened to the growling boy's stomach. "Ya hungry Remy."
"Yes."
"Come on." Jean-Luc said and dusted himself off. "Let's go git ya something to eat." He extended his hand out.
Remy looked at Jean-Luc and thought for a moment. Do I go with this man? Or do I face Mr. Fagan? Then, he took his hand.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Remy looked out the truck window with wide eyes seeing the scenery change. I ain't ever been out of the city before. He began to stand up in his seat. Hell, I ain't even been in a car before.
"Petit, ya gonna havta stay in de seat belt." Jean-Luc said as he tried to buckle him in while driving.
Remy jumped as Jean-Luc reached for him. At the moment, he had mixed feelings about the man in the car with him. Jean-Luc seems like a nice man, but he looks like he could get mean if you make him mad. I better not make him mad. He thought as he settled down in the seat.
Jean-Luc smiled as Remy sat still allowing him to buckle the seat belt.
Why is he being nice to me anyway? Remy thought as he stared at Jean-Luc. Maybe he's lying about taking me to get some food. Maybe he's just like the rest. He took a deep breath and scooted closer to the door.
Jean-Luc caught his movements in the corner of his eye. What's wrong with the boy? He's afraid of me. I don't get it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Remy's eyes widened as he climbed out of the truck. That's a big house.
"Come on petite."
Remy followed him, but kept his distance just in case. Not like it would help him to run away. He didn't know where the hell he was. Jean-Luc's house was in the middle of the swamp.
"Come on." Jean-Luc opened the door and laughed slightly as Remy peeked in.
Remy looked inside and looked up at Jean-Luc. "Dis ya house."
"Yeah, dis my house my house." Jean-Luc closed the door as Remy began to explore. "Let's git ya something ta eat."
He nodded and eyed up the valuables in the room. I could have a field day in here. Fagan would probably forget about my hurt hand if I stole him some of this stuff. He turned his attention back to Jean-Luc and followed him in the kitchen.
"Sit here while I be gitting ya some food." Jean-Luc said as he pulled out a chair for him.
Remy waited until he walked over to the fridge before he decided to sit down.
"Ya like gumbo."
Remy nodded. He didn't know what the hell Jean-Luc was planning on giving him and he really didn't care. Beggars can't be choosy. He was starving and would eat anything anyone gave him at the moment.
Jean-Luc listened to his stomach growl again while he began reheating the pre-made gumbo and making rice on the stove. He opened the loaf of French bread on the counter and cut a few pieces. He then grabbed the tub of butter out of the fridge and buttered the bread. He took a piece himself and put the rest in front of Remy who devoured it like he hadn't eaten in days. I'm gonna have ta have a few words with Fagan about this.
As Remy finished the last piece of bread, Jean-Luc put a hot bowl of gumbo in front of him and sat on the other side of the table with his own. He grabbed the spoon and dug in. He felt like such a pig, but he couldn't help it. It was the best thing he had ever eaten in his life.
Damn. That boy is really hungry. Jean-Luc thought as he watched Remy devour the gumbo. He's real protective of that bowl too. He noticed how he was holding the bowl close to him. Almost like he's afraid I'm gonna take it away from him. He placed his own bowl down as he listened the spoon hitting the bottom of Remy's bowl. "Ya want some more petite."
More. Remy nodded and allowed him to take the bowl from him. This must be heaven. He thought as a full bowl was placed in front of him again along with a glass of ice tea.
Jean-Luc went to settle back down in his chair when he heard the front door open. "Stay here petite." He got up seeing the boy had no plans of moving anytime soon.
He walked out into the den to find his son. "Where've ya been?"
"Out." Henri replied.
"He's here."
"Who's here?" Henri's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah, he's in the kitchen." Jean-Luc sighed. "Eating his second bowl of gumbo."
"I have a feeling Fagan's in deep shit."
"He's gonna hear it from me." He replied. "He might not live by the time today's up."
"Don't go all assassin on me Pere."
"Can't make any promises wit dat." Jean-Luc looked around the room. "Where's Mercy?"
"She's letting the dogs back in." He paused as he thought for a moment. His father's two Rottweilers, Garner and Brier, were trained to attack any intruders. They were mean suckers and would do anything to protect their family. "Oh shit."
Jean-Luc flew back into the kitchen only to find his trained attack dogs acting like little puppies. Mon Dieu. Remy sat in the chair giggling as the two dogs licked him.
"Is he alright?" Well that's something you don't see any day.
"He's fine." Jean-Luc walked slowly over trying to figure out how his dogs were calm and playful with the boy. He's definitely special. Remy looked up to him with his ruby red eyes. They were glowing bright at him. It was like he could almost feel what he was feeling. Happy.
"Ya have big doggies." He said to him as he pet the dogs. "Do dey know any tricks?"
"Not yet." Jean-Luc smiled. "Ya know. Dey like ya petite." He stooped down next to him. "Maybe if ya stay for a few days, ya can help me teach dem."
Remy thought for a moment. Everything was happening so fast. First, this man catches him stealing his wallet. Then, he brings him home and gives him something to eat. Now, he's asking him to stay.
"How bout dat petite." Jean-Luc said waiting for an answer from the boy, but was interrupted before he could hear an answer.
"There you are Henri." Merci said as she walked into the kitchen. The dogs growled at her briefly causing her to jump. Stupid mutts. Then she noticed the boy next to her father-in-law.
Jean-Luc smiled seeing both his son and daughter-in-law with their jaws on the floor. He stood up. "This is Remy."
They remained silent as Remy looked at them with his ruby eyes. Le Diable Blanc.
"Remy, this is my son Henri and his wife Mercy." Jean-Luc said to him.
"Hi." Remy said softly feeling slightly uncomfortable with them staring at him. Where are my sunglasses? He hung his head down to avoid looking into their perfect eyes.
"Henri, Mercy." Jean-Luc gave them a look.
"Sorry Pere." Henri said breaking the awkwardness in the room. "It's been an unusual day."
Mercy smiled knowing what her husband was hinting at. She walked over and stooped down by Remy's chair. "Bonjour cher. Ya enjoying my gumbo."
"Yeah." Remy carefully lifted his eyes to look at her. She's pretty like my friend Bella. He thought seeing her long blonde hair. But Bella don't got big titties.
"I caught dat cher." Mercy giggled as she lifted his chin to meet her gaze.
He smiled as he rubbed his nose.
"What happened to ya hand cher?" She asked as she looked at his hand wrapped by the bloody handkerchief.
"Remy dun fell."
"He tripped and fell on a piece of glass." Jean-Luc added noticing how Remy was allowing Mercy to touch him. "I pulled the glass out and wrapped it in my handkerchief."
"Did ya call Tante?" She asked worried it would get infected.
"I called her shortly after we got in." He explained. "She should be here in about twenty minutes."
"Well, in the meantime, don't ya think we should clean it some?" Henri said as stooped down next to his wife. "Let's see dat hand o' yas petit."
Remy jumped slightly as Henri reached for his hand.
"It's alright cher." Mercy pushed her husband back from him.
"Pourquoi a-t-il fait cela?" Why did he do that? Henri stood back up and looked at his father with questioning eyes.
"Je mets't sait." I don't know. Jean-Luc replied getting steamed with the thoughts of hurting Fagan.
"Je'll vous dit deux ultérieur." I'll tell you two later. Mercy said as she took Remy's hand and began unwrapping it. "Now would one o' ya git me some water and a washcloth."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Tante Matte opened the door to the LeBeau mansion and began strutting around like she owned the place. Hey, I'm here half the time anyway. "Jean, dis betta be something important." Pain in my ass. Been knowing him way too long. She fussed as she walked to the kitchen. "I betta not have drove all de way from Slidell ta be findin' out ya got a sick dog." When she walked in the kitchen and saw the familiar red ruby eyes, her mood changed. "Who dis ange be?"
Jean-Luc placed a hand on the boy's shoulder causing him to jump. "Dis is Remy."
Mercy got out of the way to let the healer work her magic.
Tante Matte smiled and looked at his hand. "Dat's a nasty cut ya got dere." She said softly as she examined the wound. "Tante got something to make it better."
"I'll be back in a few minutes." Jean-Luc said as he left the room.
Tante looked over to Mercy and Henri who just shrugged. They knew better than to question him. Especially, since they noticed him take the cordless phone with him.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^66
Remy whinced as Tante Matte cleaned his wound with her special mixes.
"It's alright ange." Her soft and gentle voice soothed him. "I just gotta make sure it's clean real good."
Remy nodded but couldn't help but cry. He made no sound as the tears rolled down his cheek. Not even a sniffle.
"There, there." Tante wiped his tears away with a tissue. "You a brave boy." As she pulled away the tissue, she noticed the soot on it. Poor child. This just breaks my heart. Jean should have gotten him sooner.
Jean-Luc made an appearance again. There was no hiding the fact that he looked like he could kill someone. However, he stayed calm for the boy's sake. "I ran him some bath water." He said knowing Tante was about to make the suggestion. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." He extended his hand to Remy again.
I can trust him. He didn't lie. He gave me food and he never hurt me. Remy looked at the hand again and took it.
"Jean, wait up." Tante rushed after him along with Mercy and Henri.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"We can't all give him a bath." Jean-Luc said as he turned around to face his followers. "Come Henri."
"Actually, Pere I don't think that's such a good idea." Merci said stepping in. "I think Tante and I better handle this."
"Nonsense." He replied. "He's a young man. We will take care of it. Why don't you too find something for him to change into until we get him some proper clothes?
Once in the bathroom, Jean-Luc rolled up his sleeve and tested the water to make sure it was still warm.
Remy looked down at the tub of water, then over at Henri digging for items in the closet. What's going on?
"I found that lice shampoo we used on Etienne a few months back." Henri said as he handed the bottle to his father.
"Tres bon." Jean-Luc looked at Remy's dirty attire. "We need to get ya cleaned up." He took off Remy's shirt and tossed it aside. Mon Dieu, he's so skinny I can see his ribs.
Remy backed up away form them, but found himself trapped. His heart rate increased with all the bad memories flooded his mind.
Jean-Luc paid it no mind as he reached to unbuckle his jeans.
"No." Remy said softly pushing his hand away. He looked around for help only to see Jean-Luc and Henri. Where are the nice ladies? When Jean-Luc reached for him again, he screamed. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Tante was back in the bathroom faster than Jean-Luc and Henri could react to the scream. "GET OUT BOTH OF YOU NOW." She pushed them away and signaled for Mercy to join Remy. "We will take care of this."
"Calm down cher." Merci said as she listened to his heavy breathing. "Dey weren't gonna hurt ya."
Jean-Luc tried to get past her. "Tante why…"
"Jean just stay out. D'accord." She said more calmly. "He's scared."
"Of what."
"Just stay here." She closed the door and turned her attention to Remy. "Hey ange. You alright."
Remy nodded feeling a little more comfortable.
"OK." Tante Matte smiled at him. "Come here." She watched as he walked slowly away from Mercy to her. "Dat's my boy." She said brushing his bangs out of his eyes. "Now why'd ya scream like dat?"
Remy looked into her eyes and felt her concern and trust. "Cuz Remy don't like bein' touched." He replied. "It hurts when de men touch."
Mon Dieu, this poor baby. Tante wanted to cry. "It's alright baby. Nobody here is gonna to hurt ya. OK." She watched as Remy looked at her confused and unsure. "Jean-Luc and Henri were just trying ta give ya bath. Dey just wanted to help ya. Dey didn't mean ta scare ya. OK." She waited until Remy nodded before she made her next move. "Now ange. Let's get ya cleaned up."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Henri watched as he father paced in front of the door in the bathroom. He could understand every single French curse he was mumbling and knew it wasn't going to be long before he snapped.
Mercy slowly opened the door and closed it behind her. She could see the anger burning in her father-in-law's eyes as he waited for her to speak. "He was scared Poppa."
"OF WHAT?"
"Men. Poppa, He's been…" Mercy paused. She couldn't bear saying the words. She looked into her father-in-law's eyes knowing he knew what she was talking about.
Jean-Luc's eyes widened with anger. FAGAN'S A DEAD MAN. He mumbled under his breath and stormed off.
"Mercy, are you sure?" Henri asked his wife hoping she was wrong.
"Why do you think he flinches or jumps whenever you or your father touches him?" She folded her arms and leaned on the door.
Henri hung his head feeling ashamed they couldn't do anything to prevent it.
"Henri come on." Jean-Luc walked towards them as he loaded his guns. "We're gonna pay Fagan a little visit."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In the tub, Remy closed his eyes as Tante Matte poured a cup over water over his head. He remained still as she began scrubbing his hair with shampoo. He peeked one eye open to see her smile at him.
"Ya alright ange?" She said softly as lowered her hands and looked at his beautiful ruby eyes.
"Yeah." He replied and opened both eyes see her drain some of the dirty water out and run some more in.
"Good." She smiled again. "Now lean ya head back so I can rinse that shampoo out."
Remy stared up at the ceiling wondering what happened to everyone else. Nothing seemed to make sense to him. He wanted to leave, but he wanted to stay. Jean-Luc scared him, but he felt connected to him in a way. He sighed feeling all the mixed emotions he received from everyone he met so far. He was definitely confused.
"Alright ange stand up while Tante gets ya a towel."
He obeyed and looked at the dirty water draining from the tub.
"Dere we are." She said as she wrapped a towel around him. She took a second towel and began drying his hair some. I am definitely gonna cut this. She stopped and looked at Mercy reappearing in the bathroom. "Where've ya been girl?"
"Bin looking fa some clean clothes he can wear." Mercy smiled as she looked at Remy and his unruly auburn hair. He looks so cute. "Hey cher. I got ya something ya can wear fa now, instead of dose funky clothes." She held up her husband's favorite (and her least favorite) "Long Live Disco" tee-shirt. "Whatcha dink?"
Remy smiled and allowed her to put the shirt on him. It was baggy, but he had no complaints. Then, he put on a pair of boxers her cousin Etienne left there last week.
"Where's Jean and Henri?" Tante asked as she began combing and cutting his hair.
Mercy let out a deep breath. "They are going to pay Fagan a visit."
"How dey know Mr. Fagan?" Remy asked getting nervous. Fagan would definitely whip his ass this time.
"Jean-Luc knows his Pere." Tante replied. "And Henri went to school with him."
"Oh." Remy sighed with relief.
"Alright." Tante smiled as she put down the brush. "Don'tcha look handsome." She lifted his chin to see him smile at her with dimples in his cheeks. The little heartbreaker.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Bella wandered around the alley looking for her friend. He said he would meet me here. She looked again, but still found nothing. She looked at the sandwich in her hand that she brought for him. Where did he go?
"Mon Dieu, Bella." Julien, her over protective sixteen year old brother fussed. "Me and Pere has been looking all ova for ya. What if you'd bin kidnapped by a thief?"
"Désolé Julien." She hung her head as she dropped the sandwich.
"Yeah well …." He began feeling sorry that he fussed at her. He hugged her. "We just were worried, D'accord. Ya shouldn't be roaming de streets alone."
"I know." Bella took one last glance down the alley, hoping he was alright.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Remy sat at the table downing another bowl of gumbo when Jean-Luc and Henri returned. He decided to remain quiet and watch the show.
"What happened?" Tante demanded as she placed her hands on her hips.
Jean-Luc glared at her. "I rearranged his face." He answered as he held his hand.
Brilliant Jean. Just brilliant. Men. "Let me see."
Jean-Luc let her examine his hand. Damnit Woman. He gritted his teeth as she purposely handled it as roughly as possibly. "OH Shit." He hollered out as she squeezed it.
"You'll live. It's just bruised." She said she walked away. She paused and turned on heel to fuss at him. "And don't use that language in front of the child or I'll rearrange your face."
Bitch. Jean-Luc grabbed a pack of ice out of the freezer and sat down next to Remy. "Hey petite. Ya eatin again."
Remy nodded with a mouthful of gumbo.
Jean-Luc smiled as he looked at him. "Tante cleaned ya up real nice. Ya feel betta."
"yeah." He replied and took another bite of gumbo.
"She cut off all ya hair too." He said looking at the shorter locks.
"Yeah." He replied again. He felt his hair again. It was longer on top and shorter towards the back. He missed his hair, but was glad it didn't itch anymore.
"Ya see petite." Jean-Luc leaned closer to him. "Ya gotta be careful around the femmes when dey got scissors. Ya see Henri." He watched Remy nodded. "One day, Mercy is gonna make him bald."
Remy giggled and smiled at the comment, and even more so when Henri and Mercy joined them in the kitchen to eat.
When Henri spotted Remy, he gave Mercy one of those looks. He knew she hated that shirt. "Ya did dat on purpose didn't ya."
"Did what on purpose?" She gave her one of her grins.
"Ya know exactly what?"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Remy yawned and tried to keep himself from falling asleep as everyone watched TV. He kept as far away as possible from them. He was still confused and weary about the people around him. He mentally focused on each one.
Tante Matte. She is a nice woman. She seemed to take care of all the LeBeau's like she was a Mom or something. I wish I had a Mom, but she never wanted me. He hung his head at the pain aching in his heart.
Henri LeBeau. He seems cool, but confused, even a little jealous of the attention I am receiving. Maybe he doesn't like me. However, he did give me my bear he found at Mr. Fagan's. He watched as Henri smiled at him and pulled his wife closer to him.
Mercy LeBeau. She nice too, like Tante is. She's very pretty and has really big titties. And she gave me this tee-shirt. It's comfy. He thought, then looked at Mercy and Henri hold hands as got up and went to bed, telling him good night as they left.
Jean-Luc LeBeau. He's a nice man. He took me to his home, gave me food to eat, and he hadn't tried to hurt me. Remy looked at his swollen hand. He punched Mr. Fagan for letting people hurt me.
He felt his eyes get droopy and curled up on the couch. It was a whole lot more comfortable than the alley way or Fagan's place. He held his arms tighter against his chest as the air conditioner kicked on.
"Ya cold petite?" Jean-Luc asked the shivering boy curled up on the opposite side of the sofa.
Remy nodded and eyed him carefully as he grabbed the throw blanket off the back of the couch and tucked him under it.
"Dere ya go." Jean-Luc smiled. He didn't flinch or jump this time. "Bon nuit, Remy."
"Night." He replied as he watched Jean-Luc return to the other end of the sofa to watch TV. He couldn't fight the sleep that was taking over him anymore as his eyes closed.
Jean-Luc looked over to the sleeping boy and smiled. He turned off the TV and made himself comfortable on the sofa. He closed his eyes and fell fast asleep, feeling he had done something right.
