This chapter, as well as the previous "Girl's Night Out", was Co-Written by Rogue Star. If you feel compelled to leave me a review, please give her the same opportunity, and know that at least half the credit belongs to her.
Kurt's tongue stuck out of the corner of his pursed lips as he twisted the knob with the preciseness of an expert safe cracker. A little to the left, just a hair back to the right…
"Give it up man." John called from over at the table. "Ain't gonna pick up anything with that old hunt of junk."
"Vell…" Kurt sighed, acknowledging defeat. "I tried..." He slumped back to the table, leaving the static radio on in hopes that some station would miraculously drift through.
"Hey Piotr!" John called, stopping Piotr from taking a sip of one of the beers Remy had smuggled into the mansion. "How bouts you turn into your better self and grab onto the antenna? Bet we could pick up Moscow with you on there."
Piotr remained silent, but narrowed his eyes in a 'bite my Russian ass' look before taking a pull from the bottle.
"Can I have one of those?" Kurt asked hopefully, eyeing the small collapsible cooler on the floor between Remy and Piotr as he re-joined the others at the table.
"Sorry." Remy continued to gather up the cards. "Not old enough Kurt."
"Just how old are you?" Kurt questioned back.
"Old enough."
"Oh." Kurt responded disappointedly.
"Don't fret mate." John tried to lift the blue mutant's spirits. "They don't let me have any either."
Piotr sat his bottle back down. "But that is for a completely different reason."
"Really?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah." Remy smiled. "One: John ain't the best at holding his booze."
Kurt smiled, casting as accusing glance at Pyro. "And two?"
"The last time we let him, he discovered that alcohol was flammable." Piotr answered.
"I see." Kurt looked at the lighter in John's hand. "You sure it's okay to let him keep that then?"
"Dat's why we drink beer and not the hard stuff around him." Remy responded, packing the cards together.
"I see."
"Alright mes amis, de game is five card draw." Remy began, snapping the cards with a crisp flick and shuffle. "Pair of Jacks or better to open and nothin's wild. Got it?" He asked looking across the table, eyeing John.
"Why are you looking at me mate?" John asked a bit offended.
"No reason." He paused. "Other than the fact that you thought we were playing 'Go Fish' last hand." Remy pointed out.
"You people just can't let that go. I wasn't paying attention, so sue me." John complained.
"John, we are having a 'Poker' night. In no way does 'Go Fish' fit into that category." Piotr explained from his seat to the left of Remy.
"Yeah yeah, just deal the cards mate." John said as Remy resumed shuffling the cards, with all eyes carefully watching him.
"What? Remy ain't going to cheat." He said smoothly as he flicked the cards around the table. John picked up his cards and studied them like a chimpanzee working long division.
"John, I can zee your cards." Kurt announced sitting right next to him. John quickly brought his cards to his chest.
"Why were you looking at my cards Blue Boy?" Pyro asked defensively.
"Kind of hard not to considering you were holding them a foot away from you." Kurt replied.
"Okay Piotr, can you open?" Remy asked as John continued to glare daggers at Kurt. Piotr shook his head. "Kurt?" Some reaction. "John?" Remy asked as John looked up from his cards.
"What?"
"John, can you open?" Remy asked again as all of them were looking at the pyromaniac.
"Yes!" John said smugly.
"What's your bet?" Piotr asked, waiting for John to make a move.
"Oh, um, one dollar." John said. They all watched and waited, as John did nothing but hold his cards tightly to his chest.
"Um, John, you have to put a dollar in the pot." Kurt explained as John gave him a funny look.
"Really?" John asked a little dumfounded, they all nodded. "Hey Piotr, can I borrow a dollar?" They all groaned at the question.
"John, you came up here to play poker without any money?" Remy asked trying not to laugh. John nodded.
"Why? I'm flat broke mates. Do you have any idea how much hair gel it takes for this due to stay perfect?" John asked as he ran a hand up and preened his orange hair.
"Alright here." Piotr said, tossing him a handful of ones.
"Thanks Peety, I owe you one." John said taking one of the dollars and putting it into the pot. "But you still got to show me the flamethrower on Vice City." Piotr just nodded and massaged his temples.
"Okay." Remy exhaled adding his dollar as the others did the same. "How many Piotr?" He asked.
The giant took two cards from his hand and gently placed them face down onto the table. "Two." He said simply and accepted the two cards handed to him, adding them to his deck. "You know, you are quite lucky Remy."
"How so?" Remy asked looking at Kurt. "Kurt, how many?"
"One."
"Well, you could have died out there." Piotr responded, picking up his new cards. "And…"
"You sayin you'd miss old Remy?" Gambit asked with a smile looking over at Piotr. "John?"
"Um… two, no three. Actually one. No two, two!" John fumbled as John as the others looked at him. "Two." John concluded as Remy just stared at him.
"You sure dis time?" Remy asked and John nodded. Remy flicked him his cards.
"Well yes, but that is not the point." Piotr continued, a little confused after John's deliberation with himself.
"Zen what is the point?" Kurt asked, trying to steal a quick glance at Piotr's cards.
"I saw that." Piotr commented dryly, drawing a nervous smile from Kurt who sank back into his chair. "The point is the man is only human. And you had Rogue there the whole time and are very lucky you didn't lose her following that stunt. Leaving her like that. I am still trying to figure out if you are a brave man or a fool."
"What are you talking about? You got Kitty too you know? She was completely freaking out when she saw us return from the museum with you unconscious." Remy said, putting his hand of cards face down.
"I know but…"
"No buts Piotr. Now we are playing poker." Remy eyed John. "And dis is also a boys night, so no more talk of the filles until mornin' agreed?" Remy asked and they all nodded. "Good." Remy said picking back up his hand of cards. "Okay, Remy takin one." They all watched him closely as he drew the top card from the deck. "Why do you all think Remy goin to cheat?" He asked is a face offended tone.
"No reason." Kurt lied and Piotr nodded in agreement, John just kept quiet looking at his cards.
"Okay, John your bet." Remy instructed him, and John looked clueless for a moment. "Your bet, how much do you want to bet that you will win?"
"Um, two bucks?" John asked, and placed two of the dollars Piotr had given to him on the table.
"Okay." Remy called, never a man to fold.
"Call." Piotr responded as he placed two on the table.
"Yeah, Piotr got to buy de Kitty Cat somethin nice." Remy said with a wink as Piotr gave him a shove.
"I fold." Kurt sighed placing his card face down.
"Okay show em." Remy instructed. Piotr put down two pair, threes and tens. Remy showed a full house, nines high. Then they all looked expectantly at John, who didn't move. "John, show your cards mon ami." Remy instructed, already wanting to claim his winnings.
"I thought you weren't supposed to see my cards?" John asked. They all looked at each other and Kurt slapped a three-fingered hand to his forehead.
"Dats during the game. Dis is de end, now what you got?" Remy explained. John obediently flopped his cards down. Nothing. "John?" Remy asked in a confused voice.
"What?" John asked, completely clueless. "No good?"
"John you have nothing in your hand. You couldn't even open with this." Piotr tried to explain.
"Why not?"
"Because you need a PAIR of JACKS or better to open. You have an ace, three, six, seven, ten, and a queen. Vhat were you thinking?" Kurt asked looking through his cards.
"John, have you ever played poker before?" Remy asked the clueless Aussie.
"No." He answered simply, drawing another groan from the group.
"John, we asked you to come up here and play cards." Remy complained.
"Exactly, played cards before, just not poker." John defended himself.
"You know what we meant John." Remy said calmly as he rubbed his hands over his eyes. He looked to the doorway and saw Omen looking in, but upon seeing Remy looking back at him started to walk away. "Hey Gabe you play POKER?" Remy asked, emphasizing the word: 'poker'.
"Gabe stopped his retreat and looked back at the four. "Me?" He asked pointing to himself. They all nodded. "No." He simply answered.
"See!" John pointed out. "I'm not the only bloke who doesn't play!"
"Do you know how?" Remy snapped the cards together with all the crispness of a pro.
"Yes." Gabe answered, still standing in the doorway.
"Care to join us?" Remy asked.
"Oh, I'm not that good." Gabe began.
"Can't be any worse than John." Piotr commented dryly, drawing a glare from John.
"Hey, I resent that!" John yelled at him. "Let's play Go Fish, then well see whose winning." This drew a smile from Gabe.
"Ja, come on and join us." Kurt invited the new guy in.
"Why not?" Gabe finally caved and entered the room.
"Okay now this time we are playing seven card stud, no wilds." Remy began to instruct, looking right at John the whole time.
"That whole 'pair of Jacks' to open thing again?" John asked as he watched Remy deal. All but Omen groaned.
"No John, different game." Remy answered, flipping the cards to their recipients.
"Hey." John interrupted as he examined his cards. "I only got three." He held two of the cards protectively to his chest and pointed accusingly at the third one. "And you flipped that one face up."
"That's the point." Remy answered, closing his eyes tightly and avoiding eye contact with his teammate. "You get two that no one can see, and play the next four face up like everyone else, then if your still in de betting the last card goes face down."
"But you said seven…"
"Please." Piotr held a halting hand up to John. "Continue Remy."
"I think this vas a mestake." Kurt scratched his head. "Its actually more confusing than the last von."
"Okay!" Remy collected the cards off the table. "Seven card stud, no wilds, face down play."
"Huh?"
"Remy needs another drink…"
"You get three cards to start with. You can fold or stay in and get another card, repeat, repeat, repeat, and then the hand is over." "Do you understand?"
"Sure?"
Remy groaned, fishing in the cooler for another beer, he was going to need it. "Want a beer Gabe?" Remy offered.
"Hey!" Both Kurt and John called out.
"What?" Remy asked.
"You wouldn't let us have any, and he's only seventeen!"
"Yeah." Remy agreed. "But he carry's himself much more maturely." He added.
"Zis sucks."
"Damn straight mate."
"Gabe?" Remy offered again.
"No thank you."
"And he didn't even take it!" John cried, slamming his head onto the table in frustration,
"So Gabe." Gambit asked, ignoring John's protest and flipping cards to their recipients. "Tell us about yourself."
"Myself?"
"Yeah, the way I understand it you are sort of a man of mystery around the mansion."
"You took over Remy's old position." Piotr filled in, lifting his new cards from the table.
Gabe smiled while picking up his cards. "Well, then I guess I will have to honor you and stay the man of mystery by not telling anyone anything."
"Ooo…" Kurt looked at Gabe. "Zat vas a good answer."
Remy couldn't help but chuckle at the answer as well. It was hard to believe that only six months ago they were mortal enemies, now they were sitting with two of the X-Men playing a friendly game of poker. "So, you get settled in, got your codename, monogrammed shirt?"
Gabe shrugged. "No one suggested I change it from Omen."
"Hey Pete." John whispered as he leaned across the table. "What's an Omen?"
"A phenomenon regarded as a portent of future good or evil." Piotr responded.
"Right…" John confirmed, although his eyes darted around nervously. "I thought so."
"So Gabe, why Omen?" Kurt asked as he adjusted his cards. "I mean you heal people right, what can be evil about that?"
"Why Nightcrawler?" Gabe shrugged, looking at his hand. "You walk on two feet and I see you out in the day."
"He's got a point there Kurt." John elbowed him for good measure. "We could call you 'Farts'."
"Fartz?" Kurt asked, taken aback.
"Fartssss, with an 'S' mate." John corrected. "Yeah, you make this weird sound and disappear in a cloud of fowl-smelling smoke."
"Sorry, Nightcrawler has already been approved by ze Professor."
"Everyone's in." Remy reported, drawing everyone back to the game in progress as he flipped cards to their recipients.
They all looked to the door as it was gently tapped on. Remy and Piotr immediately removed their beers from sight and hid them under the table.
"You boys still up?" Storm asked, as she entered the room, her housecoat drawn around her nightgown.
"Yes Miss. Ororo." Kurt smiled. "We weren't too loud ver we?"
"No child, I was just up for a glass of water." She smiled. "Will you two be spending the night here?" She asked, looking at Remy and Piotr.
Remy shrugged. "Chere stole my keys."
"I will be sleeping on the couch down here." Piotr responded politely.
"Well, there are some blankets and pillows in that cabinet over there." Storm smiled as she began to leave the game room. "And boys?"
"Yes?" Kurt looked up, but noticed that Ororo was looking directly at Remy and Piotr.
"Just don't let Logan catch you drinking."
Remy raised an eyebrow. "De Wolverine always dat strict?"
Ororo smiled. "Let's just say he would probably 'confiscate' it."
"De ultimate punishment." Gambit slapped a hand to his face in mock shock.
Storm began to shut the door, the smile still on her face. "Good night boys."
"G'nite Stormy."
"Night Storm."
"Good night Miss. Ororo."
"Evenin Shelia."
Omen just nodded and gave a casual wave.
As soon as Storm left the room, Remy and Piotr retrieved their hidden beverages.
"Last card." Remy looked at John. "Look at it and bet how much to win." He instructed as he flipped the cards face down.
"You two acted pretty casual for getting caught with alcohol." Gabe glanced at Remy and Piotr as he examined his last card. "If I remember right from my orientation, that was a big no-no."
"Well, Remy's only on number three." Remy gestured to his teammate. "And let's just say it's easier to get a horse drunk that Piotr."
"Its been proven." John confirmed. "Mags was out of town. Remy got the alcohol, and Sabertooth got the horse." John arched up an eyebrow and looked at Remy. "What do you think happened to Mr. Ed?"
Gambit shrugged. "Dat night Creed did say he was hungry enough to eat a…"
"Please…" Kurt held a hand over his mouth. "I'm going to be sick…"
"Okay…" John smiled before pushing the rest of Piotr's money into the center of the table. "I raise you seven." Most of the table groaned, save for Gabe, who placed his cards face down on the table.
"I fold." Omen sighed.
Remy smirked. "I'll call your bluff John."
"Me as well." Piotr tossed his cash in.
"You shouldn't have backed out Gabe." Kurt explained matching his bet. "John probably thinks we are playing solitaire."
"Bite me Farts!"
"Don't call me zat!"
"What do you have John?" Gabe asked, changing the topic and avoiding the upcoming brawl.
"Uh…" John looked nervously at his cards. "I don't want to show them."
"You can't fold now John." Remy pinched the bridge of his nose once again. "You got to show dem."
"Okay, but promise me you wont laugh."
"Sorry." Kurt grinned wickedly. "I can't do eet."
"Look at it this way." Piotr offered. "At least we will point out what you did wrong."
"Okay." John sighed as he exposed the cards. "Here, but nothing matches."
"Aucune façon." Remy's jaw dropped.
"Niet…" Piotr gasped.
"Ich glaube es nicht." Kurt stared in disbelief.
"Damn…" Gabe added.
"Is that good?" John asked. "8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and an Ace, all Clovers?"
Remy could barely speak. "Dats Clubs mon ami." He corrected.
And in one of the scariest moment of irony since the beginning of man. Pink Floyd's 'Money' began playing on the radio as John gathered his winnings.
Aucune façon: "No way"
Niet: "No"
Ich glaube es nicht: "I don't believe it."
Chaos Cat: I know it was short, but it was honestly hard for me to write and I'm very surprised it came out as well as it did.
Weeble Wobble Chic: What did you do to get grounded? Himmm… When you break house rule, I hope it's for something better than reading my fic. Go out, get in more trouble, my stuff will still be here when you get out of solitary confinement.
Rogue Star1: Hey, at least I have KittyPiotr moments! 'Drifters' had that bar scene between them in the beginning and then, low and behold 26 chapters later, we haven't gotten squat outta them! That's right I'm talking to you, wanna fight about it?!?!?! Lol On a lighter note, I saw where you posted a new fic and updated you 'Beautiful' one. I'll check them out ASAP.
Sorry for not answering a lot this time, need sleep…
