(Eight)
Kimble sat in the passenger seat of Remy's Jeep, a huge smile on his face. Remy had the canvas top off and the cab was open to the fresh air. Kimble's head was back and his long pony tail streamed behind him in the wind. His eyes were closed and he was exhilarated by the feel of the open night air on his skin. Remy had been feeding him a steady stream of charged cards as they traveled and he was comfortable and content. This was the most relaxed he had been in a while.
Kimble opened his eyes when they got to the city, he wanted to see everything. He checked out all the buildings, amazed that such structures could be made to be so tall. His experiences with buildings was limited to Siskan castles and the burned out ruins on Cerise, and those had been from images from cameras. He had never been out of the ship until now. These glass and stone wonders around him now were brightly lit in the night and seemed to reach forever upwards. He wondered if he were strong enough to fly all the way up to the tops of them.
He was even more awestruck by all the people, sometimes rudely turning his head around to stare when he saw how wildly some of them were dressed. He saw biker dudes and hookers, street mimes and businessmen. So many different kinds of humans lived here. They were black and white and Latino and Chinese, he couldn't keep track of the diversity. Remy just laughed, amused by Kimble's curiosity.
They stopped at Remy's Bronx apartment for a refresher and to change clothes. Kimble looked around, wanting to know Gambit a little better. This place was much nicer than his tiny little room. It was a modestly furnished one bedroom flat, but there were many pretty paintings on the walls and well crafted statues all about. Any good thief worth his salt had an eye for art if he wanted to make money. It was neat and tidy, Remy paid a maid to come in once a week and keep the place fresh. There was some food in the pantry and beers and Cokes in the fridge.
Kimble helped himself to a soda while Remy fumbled around with one of Henry's image inducers. Kimble saw what he was doing and grinned at him, shifting his body. He pulled his wings in and straightened his legs, then bowed with a flourish as if giving a fine performance.
"Well, dat'll save us some trouble," Remy joked and rummaged around to find some good clothes for Kimble to wear. Fortunately he was something of a clothes horse when he was in the city and Kimble had plenty to chose from, even if they were a little big. Remy just laughed and broke out a box of pins to cuff his pants. Kimble could roll up his sleeves if the shirts were too long.
As they dressed, Kimble looked over his friend, trying not to be too conspicuous about it. He saw that the thief had a scrape on one elbow and some fresh bruises over his back and shoulders. Remy had said nothing of his encounter with Jael to him and the pilot didn't know he had been beaten recently. All he saw the aftermath of some kind of fight. Kimble casually wondered what the other guy looked like. He had a kind of hero worship attitude towards Remy's fighting abilities since he himself knew next to nothing, the Clan had seen to that when they deleted those files and tore his memory to shreds. He had some of it back, but not all of it. He had too much lost time, too many things he really didn't recall anymore. He wished Remy would teach him to fight, but he knew better than to ask. He also thought Remy looked a little thin and his eyes were tired. He wondered how things were going for him. He knew Rogue was still seeing someone else, that guy she had met while Remy was gone. Maybe they both really needed this night out.
Remy tugged on Kimble's pants, checking the fit. "Dat's good, little brother. You look real fine."
Gambit hadn't finished dressing himself and was only in pants and an open shirt while he got Kimble ready. The pilot reached out and lightly brushed Remy's bare chest, running his fingers over the long silver scars. "This what Sabretooth done to ya?"
Remy paused, startled by the question. "Oui, cher. It was a long time ago."
Kimble cocked his head and spread his fingers. He couldn't match the lines Victor Creed had made. "His hands is big."
Remy smiled. He was never quite prepared for Kimble's strange take on things. "Yeah. Dey was big," he agreed. " 'Urt like a son of a bitch, too. Whatever you do, don' ever piss Saby off. It ain't 'ealthy."
Kimble pressed his hand against Remy's chest, feeling his heart beat and the warmth of his skin. He looked up into Remy's eyes, unable to hide his desire. "We don' need ta go nowheres, you an' me."
Remy wasn't about to give Kimble an opening. "I tol' you no, Kim, an' I meant it. What you doin' now, it's rude."
"Don' be mad," Kimble said, retreating. "I cain't help it that I loves ya. You done so much fer me. More than Fallen's ever done."
"Dat's not true. She give you life. She jus' busy now."
"She's in love an' don' needs me no more. Nobody needs me. I ain't gots no Mistress no more," Kimble said, his voice terribly sad.
"Gambit needs you, buddy. You an' me, we gonna do this town up right, d'accorde? You gonna get dat big ol' weight off your shoulders and den you'll see 'ow you been worryin' for nuthin'. Besides, you don' need no Mistress. You got y'self. Dat's all you ever gonna need." He gave Kimble's head a pat and moved on to the next order of business, not wanting Kimble to get too bogged down in his own despair. This night was going to set Kimble straight once and for all.
Remy stuffed some money in Kimble's pocket and turned his chin to make him look at him. "Dis important now, y'all, so listen up. We both gonna get what we need tonight, eh? So Gambit's not always gonna be around. Raul's is big so we don' need to leave, it got lots of sneaky places. No matter what, we meet up at de bar on de firs' floor. You don' go nowhere else, comprenez?"
"Yes," Kimble said, Remy's seriousness quieting him.
"Raul knows Gambit good an' 'is place stay open late. No one's gonna care if you at de bar awhile. Another t'ing, you know what dis is?" He held up a small blue square.
Kimble squinted at it. "Gots no clue."
"Dis t'ing would 'ave saved your Sheyman some pain, little brother. Dis a condom. Dere's lots of disease can be spread from bein' intimate. De girls 'ere won' take you wit'out it. 'No glove, no love'. Dat's 'ow it is." He gave Kimble a brief, but careful explanation of what this was and how to use it. Being an optimistic creature, he gave Kimble several.
"I don' need those," Kimble insisted. "I ain't real. I cain't make no babies or make anaone sick."
"Don't you be spreadin' dat around. You a normal man tonight, hien? It ain't safe. You mind your mouth or we done right now, comprenez?"
Kimble held his hands up. "I'm cool," he teased in a perfect imitation of his friend.
"Dis serious shit, homme. Nobody's fightin' tonight, only lovin'."
"Only luvin'," Kimble repeated, his grin broad and his eyes bright.
Once back in the car, Remy was usual cool self as he looked over at Kimble and grinned. He was out in public and once more wore a gaudy pair of cheap silver sunglasses to hide his eyes. They actually looked good on him as he chewed recklessly on a piece of gum and popped bubbles loudly. Kimble just laughed and laughed, unable to hide his soaring spirits. Remy blasted the radio and bobbed his head in time to the music. He was thrilled to be out and away from the house. He loved bringing new people around, it gave him a chance to look good. They stopped at a red light and were approached by a couple of whores.
"Hey, guys!" the women shouted. "Wanna have a good time?"
Kimble was grinning himself now. He glanced at Remy who shook his head. "Gambit's got sumptin' better in mind." Remy slid his glasses down and looked at the girls. "Je suis de'sole, mes jolie petites, we already got dates." The women cursed him and he laughed. They drove on.
They came to Raul's, one of Remy's favorite clubs. The place was huge and brightly lit. Even from the outside Kimble could hear the music. The sound of it excited him beyond belief, that and the long line of beautiful people waiting outside to get in. They gave the car to the valet to be parked and Kimble looked around him in wonder, mesmerized by the bright lights and the people. A bouncer at the door was letting customers in only two at a time and only then if they looked good.
Remy checked Kimble out, making sure all was in place. He was now dressed in the expensive dress clothes that Gambit had found for him and was stunning. He had on a black silk shirt and loose black dress pants with a white tie and dress jacket. Remy had doused him in designer cologne so he was gorgeous and skunk free. No problem here folks, just two studly guys raring to go.
Remy bypassed the line and went up to the bouncer. "Bonjour, Jacques. Nice night for it, eh?"
"Evening, Mr. LeBeau."
Remy gave him a fifty and they went in. The people behind them in line complained, but it did them no good. Gambit was in his element and well known here. He was also was quite close with the club's owner. Years ago, Raul's penthouse suite had been broken into and some valuable jewelry stolen. Raul had acquired Gambit's services in seeing the gems returned. This was how Remy generally operated these days, mostly doing recovery jobs for well paying non-criminal clients. It was how he maintained his skills without adding to the criminal element in the city. Gambit was high class, always successful, and very well paid. Raul and Remy had maintained a lasting friendship after the job and Gambit was seen in here often, sometimes seeking information, but most often chasing the upper class women that came here seeking commitment free companionship.
Once inside the club, Kimble was forced to cover his ears at first, the music was really loud now, but it sent a thrill right through him. He could see bodies everywhere dancing and drinking. How was he possibly going to find his way around in here? Gambit tugged on him and steered him to the back. His face was recognizable here - his loose reputation and skill as a lover preceding him - and lots of women tried to stop him from going too far. He politely brushed them off, joking and playing around. Kimble was stunned. They were all so beautiful, how could Remy pass them by so easily?
The club was as big on the inside as it was on the outside. It rose four floors above them and was packed. There was a band playing alternative disc music and the dance floor was tight with well dressed dancers, mostly women in form revealing dresses and skirts. Kimble was drooling inside, there was no way he was going home unsatisfied this night, not with such a crop to chose from.
They came to a table where three women were already sitting and Kimble smiled at them shyly, awestruck by their fine clothes and sparkling shines. They were even more beautiful than the ones they had just passed. Gambit turned to him, "Kimble, dis is Vanessa, Terry and Sarah. Say 'ello to the petites."
"Good morrow," he said and they laughed.
" 'E ain't a local boy," Remy explained with a grin. "Take it easy on 'im." He sat Kimble down and leaned over to the girls. "I'm gonna go get us some drinks. Try not to eat 'im alive, bien?" He laughed and walked off.
Kimble looked at the women and grinned. A blonde, brunette and a redhead. This was going to be tough. How could he possibly chose from three such wonderful creatures? Maybe he could get them all at once, now that would be fun. Vanessa, the blonde, turned to him when she heard him laugh. "Well, are you going to tell us your name?"
He put his hand out. "Name's Kimble."
"Just Kimble?"
He grunted. "Kimble's enough fer me."
"The last guy Remy brought in with just one name wasn't much fun."
Logan. Kimble grinned even wider. "I kin assure you darlins, I'll be lots more fun than him. Who wants ta dance?"
"Oh! The other one didn't want to dance at all!"
"I'll jus' bet I do lotsa things he don't," Kimble boasted confidently and stood. The women joined him and they moved to the dance floor. He watched them carefully, trying not to look as awkward as he felt. He wasn't sure what all the customs were, but he could learn quickly. He danced and grew more comfortable as he took in more of what was around him. He was playful and flirtatious and they had fun. The girls formed a circle around him and he couldn't stop from smiling and laughing. He was so excited to have these beautiful women so close.
Vanessa was the boldest by far and pulled him into her arms. She danced against him and grabbed his ass, pulling him even closer against her. She wanted his full attention and quickly had it. She was wearing a skin tight black dress and smelled wonderful. Kimble couldn't stop himself from running his hands through her hair and kissing her and she made no move to stop him. He felt her heat and laughed, kissing her freely now, exploring her with his tongue. She squeezed his ass again, nibbling on his ear and he bucked a little, hopelessly aroused by her recklessness and she knew it.
"Nessa, huh? Remy tol' me all about you," he whispered in her ear as he licked it playfully.
"All good I hope?" she replied with a giggle.
"Oh, yeah," he said and kissed her again.
They danced for a while, making a game of moving their bodies against one another. Vanessa was wild and free and wasn't the least bit shy with her hands. She explored him thoroughly, checking him out and smiling when she felt the hardness of him push against her again. Kimble couldn't wait to have her, but loved the game as much as the conclusion. He wouldn't push the issue and would wait for her to tell him what was going to happen next.
Remy came up to them with a half drunk glass of whiskey in his hand and whispered something in Vanessa's ear, grinning at Kimble all the while. She laughed at what he had said, but kept it to herself.
Remy took in Kimble's happiness with a wide grin, positively feeding off of the Siskan's cheerful radiance. Here now was Kimble as he should be - happy, carefree and more than a little reckless. It was infectious and Gambit couldn't help himself but push against Vanessa a little as they danced, moving her suggestively in between them. Vanessa laughed, more than a little carefree herself and happily allowed herself to be pressed between these two handsome men. Kimble was all over it, his vibrations of lust and want affecting all three of them now. Gambit felt them come at him, knowing he was being influenced, but no longer caring all that much. However, he had come here to give Vanessa to Kimble and he wasn't going to back down on that. He winked at Kimble, finished his drink, gave Vanessa a kiss on her neck before he walked away, sliding his glasses down to wink at Kimble again.
Kimble laughed as he felt Vanessa shiver a little from Remy's caress. Wouldn't it just be lovely to have them both? Kimble mused to himself. He would love to watch Remy play.
Kimble glanced over her shoulder, tracking Remy as he left. His grin faltered when he unexpectedly caught sight of a young man coming down the stairs from the upper deck. The man was tall and lean, dressed in a nice black suit and tie. He had lovely brown hair that shimmered and fell about his shoulders in gentle waves, catching light from the overhead lamps that were everywhere. His eyes were sparkling blue and crinkled as he laughed and greeted his guests. What caught Kimble's attention was this man's uncanny resemblance to Sheyman. He saw Kimble blatantly staring at him in wonder and their eyes locked for a moment. He smiled in amusement and Kimble's breath failed him.
Vanessa noticed and turned to see where he was looking. "What? Oh, that's Raul. He owns the place. You know him?"
"No...no. He jus' reminds me a somebody, is all," Kimble stammered, a little shaken.
He gave his attention back to her, or at least he tried to. They danced again but his eyes kept straying back to Raul as he smoothed his way through the crowd, greeting people and being a perfect host. He was perfectly aware of Kimble's scrutiny and often met his eyes playfully, not seeming to mind Kimble's interest in him one bit.
Vanessa noticed that Kimble was distracted and led him back to their table, hoping to draw him away from Raul. Remy's whispered message had been a warning that Kimble was sexually restless and open to anyone. Now that she had seen him, she wanted Kimble for herself.
Kimble's eyes were bright and he laughed as Vanessa squeezed in on the bench seat next to him, playfully bumping her breasts against his arm. He looked for Raul in the crowd, but he had lost him.
Remy was back at the table and waiting for them. He had gotten more drinks for all of them and some bowls of crackers and pretzels. He had enjoyed watching Vanessa play around with Kimble and smiled, pleased by the glowing light in the eyes of his friend. He knew Kimble had needed this and was taken by how magnificent Kimble looked when he was happy like this. It changed everything about him and reminded him of how Young Kimble had been in the Siskan pleasure room. Kimble was confident and not the shy withdrawn shell of man he'd been at the Mansion only hours before.
Of course, Vanessa was responsible for most it. She was so easy and just as flirtatious and loose as he was. Even she had gone home with Logan eventually. She didn't speak of it, but always had a gleam in her eye whenever his name was mentioned. Remy looked up as they were suddenly joined by Raul. He had melted out of the crowd as if by magic.
Vanessa almost groaned aloud.
" 'Ey, Raul!" Remy cheered, shaking his hand. "Good ta see you again! Dis 'ere is Kimble."
Kimble stuck his hand out eagerly and Raul shook it with a laugh. Their eyes met again and Raul smiled, letting his hand linger before he pulled it back. "Charmed."
Kimble grunted a laugh, but his eyes never left Raul's face. Everyone else in the room had disappeared and Raul knew it. Vanessa looked at Kimble and pouted a little.
"Dis 'ere is Raul's place," Remy explained to Kimble. He saw the spark between the two men and laughed inside, a little chagrined. He knew Raul was gay and could also see the resemblance to Sheyman. It hadn't occurred to him until now that maybe he should have just introduced Kimble to Raul first and gotten it over with. He could see Kimble was enthralled - if the poor Siskan could make up his mind! Between the three women and this beautiful man, poor Kimble had a full plate and didn't know where to begin.
"You owns this whole place?" Kimble asked, looking around him in wonder. The floors went up so high he couldn't tell where the Club ended and the rest of the building began.
"Yes. Would you like to see the upstairs? I have a magnificent apartment," Raul said suggestively, undressing Kimble with his eyes. He just loved it when Remy brought in new people.
Vanessa snorted. "Forget it, Raul. He's with us."
"I'd love to," Kimble answered quickly as if she hadn't spoken. He was staring at Raul intensely, his choice made.
Raul extended his hand again. "This way, then."