Okay, I'm sorry I haven't posted another chapter for a while and you think Remy's dead. I've just been so busy with graduation, and family, and with writing on this completely original story I started writing that I haven't had much time to do much else (unless you count reading. I swear I'm addicted). Again I'm sorry, and on to it.
Deeper Secrets chapter five: Twilight Confessions.
His chest wasn't rising, his eyes were closed, and from the light of the fire she could better see the blue skin. Before panic could take hold, Ro quickly acted, retrieving pillows and the heavy blanket from her bed. Knowing the wet clothes weren't helping, she pulled his wet pants off stopping there. She softly laid the two small pillows under his head and threw the large cover over him.
Knowing also, that body heat was what he needed, Ro shut the forgotten door, locking it from the inside, pulled the drenched gown from her body and pulled on a pair of cut-off trousers and sleeveless shirt. Hearing him moan, she returned to his side, pulled the covers back and laid close to him, wrapping him in her arms. She fell asleep in that position, the fire blazing before them.
When he had woke up, he had felt the added warmth of the fireplace, wondering how he had gotten inside. A second later, he noticed the added heat as well as weight on his right side. He turned his head, surprised to find Ro curled up almost on top of him. He smiled, enjoying the closeness.
Sarah or someone must have gotten in somehow, on the small table near some book shelves was a tray of food meant for them. That made him smile again. Whoever it had been who brought the food would have undoubtedly noticed the two curled up together. Obviously, they had trusted their owner to know what she was doing to have taken the stranger into her room and spend the night beside him. That fact, or thought as it were, strangely comforted him and scared him. Again he found himself cursing himself for getting this close to someone, to her. He had needed a place to stay for a while, and she had reluctantly taken him in. 'If only she had known,' he thought, but the warmth coming from her body, which was the reason she was this close, was causing him to doze again. Soon he was asleep, a smile, weighed by fear, on his face.
She had woken to the sound of a night owl screeching in a nearby tree. There was a sore stiffness in her left side reminding her where she was. Laying beside a stranger who, only a few hours ago, had been frozen to the touch, sickly blue, and not breathing. Thankfully that wasn't the case now. His breathing had returned and was normal. His skin was no longer blue but warm to the touch and the dark tan of a man who had spent a week in the fields under a bright, demanding sun. It was still dark outside and quiet.
She hadn't moved for fear of waking him, and for the fact that she had no control over her body. Something was keeping her by his side. Whether or not it was her own will keeping her there, oddly and surprisingly enough, she felt herself enjoying their closeness. His eyes opened and he turned towards her. At this distance she could see his unique eyes clearly. 'Wow,' she thought. 'They are unique.'
"Chere?"
"Huh?" She took her eyes away from his and sat up, finally pulling herself away from him.
"What happened?" he asked, finally noticing his pants were missing. "Where's Remy's pants, chere?"
"They were wet and cold. Ah had to get them off. As to what's happened, Ah guess you must have lost your strength, and ya fell in. Ah went in after ya, pulled ya out, and managed to get you in here." Her eyes dropped. "Your breathe stopped. Ah was scared you might not make it.' She was sitting opposite him, and from his position in front of her, he reached out and traced her jaw line. She leaned into the caress, missing it when t was gone.
"I'm still here, chere. I haven't left."
Gaining control of herself again, she managed to sound somewhat detached. "Considering you've only been out for a couple of hours..."
"Uh huh, chere," he interrupted. "The day has already come and gone. We've sleep the day away."
"Oh my goss. We've wasted the day sleeping?" It didn't like a question. "Not that we didn't need the rest, Ah mean, you almost died and all."
"Wouldn't be the first close call," Remy said practically to himself, but she overheard.
"What? You've come close to death before? When?" This surprised her.
"Can't recall every time, but there's been a few."
"Remy, Ah've told you a lot about meh life. More then Ah usually tell. More than anyone in town knows."
"I didn't realize that, chere."
"Ah'm fairly sure you've noticed we don't have much money. Ah promised to pay back what you've lent us..."
He laid a finger on her lips, stopping her. "No, you're not, chere. Remy won't take it." She lifted his finger off her lips.
"Yes, Ah am, Remy." He moved closer to her.
"No, you're not." He bit off every word. Their eyes were locked on each other.
"Who are you, Remy LeBeau? Where did you come from?" She searched his strong face.
"I want my past t'stay where it is. It be safer dat way." A small white strand fell in her face and he gently tucked it behind her ear, moving to slowly stroke her jaw again.
"Remy,...Ah want to know. Please,...tell me."
"Ro,...I'd like to..."
"Ah feel a 'but' there."
"But, it's not safe." He paused for a long moment, his hand still captured in hers. "Ro, answer my two things."
"Why should Ah? You won't tell me anythin'''"
"Tell me two things an' I'll tell you two things. I promise."
"Fine. One."
"What's your real name?"
"Ah told you meh ma died at child birth." He nodded his head. "When she died, Daddy was so upset he kinda forgot to name me. For the first couple of years he kinda forgot Ah was there. It wasn't his fault. Ah never thought it was. Sarah's ma took care of my most of the time." He eyes brightened for a moment then faded. "Ah was always gettin' into trouble to try an' get his attention. Eventually it worked." she laughed.
"What did it?" Remy asked. He had gotten up and retrieved the glasses of water left for them, and now took a sip.
"Ah ran away, and Ah took his money pouch with me."
"You're a little thief," he laughed, and more hair fell into her face. He took the handful of hair and pushed it behind her and cradled her face in one roughened hand.
"When they found me, Ah was hiding in the well house. He apologized for not spending time together. He...he called me his little rogue. When he realized Ah didn't have a name, he asked if Ah like 'Rogue' as a name. Ah said sure, then shortened it to 'Ro' when Ah got older. That answer your question?"
"Yes," he smiled. "Your turn."
"Ah won't ask specifics, but where are you from?"
"Will a town name suit?" She shook her head yes. "Fine. I'm from New Orleans. The heart of it. Now, question two. Why do you refer to yourself and the slaves as 'we', like you're equal?"
"Wow! You're da only one to ever notice." She released his hand and leaned back. "In meh opinion, we are equal. Ah don't like the fact that they're slaves, and when slavery is gone, Ah promised to let them stay and work for pay. Meh father...bought them. Ah got them when he died. They were always like family when Pa wasn't around, and they still are. We live and work together...as a family. Ah never refer to them as slaves unless a towns' person or stranger comes around. Even then, it's hard to call them that." She didn't let any emotion into her voice. "There's your answer. Ah don't know if you'll like it or not." He just shook his head.
"Okay. So no more pretendin'. Now, question two."
"This isn't meh question, but, you're against slavery?"
"Dat sounds like a question, chere." She gave him a serious look. "No. I'm not against slavery. Where I come from everyone is about owning slaves. Naturally, I was inborn with that, too. But I don't push it onto others. Not any more. Now...your question."
"What are you running from?"
Standing he said, "You remember that 'personal line' you set up a week ago? Just crossed it." He began to walk to the window behind her and fell, nearly on top of her. She rushed to his side. He was lying on his side on the floor.
"Remy, are you okay?"
"Remy jus' got a little dizzy is all. My head just...felt...full."
"Here. Just lay down on your back." She ran over, grabbed a pillow, and ran back, tripping on the large cover on the floor. She fell forward, and awkwardly landed on top of Remy. He let out a small moan as her small frame hit his rather stocky one. His arms immediately flew around her, embracing her even as she dropped the pillow. From on top of him, she looked down and said, "Ah didn't expect that, but..." she reached over, "here's the pillow." She was laughing too hard to breath. His own actions matched hers.
When he could finally control his laughter and breathing, he said, "I don't think I need it anymore. Thought I think ya might've broken one of Remy's ribs." She stopped laughing and felt, unconsciously, over his ribs, realizing he was still topless. Trying to hide it, she dropped her hand to the floor. Using the strength that came naturally to him, he sat up with her still on his chest. Neither were no loner laughing. Instead, he heard muffled crying, then felt warm tears on his bare chest. With one hand propping himself up, he used the other to push her back and look down at her.
"What's wrong, chere? Why are your pretty eyes crying?"
"Remy...Ah'm losin' the plantation. Ah can't get enough money t'gether to pay for everything. Ah can't lose this farm." She was speaking through her tears now. "It's all Ah have. All they have." He cradled her in his arms, rocking her steadily. Just letting he cry into his chest and secretly enjoying it. When the sobbing stopped and her breathing had slowed, she looked up into his face, strangely finding comfort in his hard eyes.
"Remy won't let you lose your land, chere. No matter what it takes."
"Remy, Ah can't ask you for more money."
"Remy know dat, and you ain't askin'. I'll pay for several weeks 'head of time, an' if I don't happen t'stay, you can keep the money. Does dat sound fair?"
"Not for you," she replied honestly. "You'll be losin' money."
"Don't worry 'bout dat, chere. Remy can get by jus' fine." He smiled down at her. "Maybe we should finish sleeping tonight and be refreshed in the morning." Standing, he pulled her to her feet.
"Sounds good." He was using his thumb to wipe away the remaining tears. He leaned over and picked up the pillows and cover, threw them on the bed, then, returning to her, he gently picked up and carried her over to the bed, all the while ignoring her protests to put her down. Then he had placed the cover on her and began to walk out.
"Where are you going?" she asked softly.
"Back to bed. In my room. Don't want people to start talkin'." He had turned around and was talking directly to her.
She held out her hand, saying, "Just...stay...tonight. Ah have to make sure you don't go into shock or anything." He could hear the slight sound of begging in her voice. Remy stood there a minute, arms length from the door, weighing the elements. Finally making a decision, not the lesser of two evils, he padded over to the bed, took her outstretched hand, and curled up beside her. He knew this wasn't the best thing, he knew, for not getting close, but he was starting to let his feelings, bundled as they were, out. Heck, starting, he had already fallen and he didn't want to get up.
Mentally telling himself to "shut up", he wrapped him right arm around her lean waist, used the left to pull the cover over them, and settled in, letting his demons fight amongst themselves. With the moon light shining through the window, playing twilight games on the floor, and the fire light laying shadows on her delicate skin, he slept and it was a peaceful sleep.
End chapter five. 6 coming some time.
