(Ten)

Kimble came down the steps to Club's main floor. He had showered and left Raul asleep on the bed, finding his way down on his own. He had Raul's phone number in his pocket and the smell of his soaps all over him to remind him of the fun he'd had. Never was there a more contented Siskan than this. It was late now and there was a lot less people here. He didn't see Gambit anywhere and made his way to the bar as he'd been instructed. He leaned against the railing and the barkeeper walked up to him with a smile.

"You're with LeBeau, right?"

"Yeah."

"He said for me to tell you to wait. He'll only be a few minutes. Meantime, drinks are on the house. What can I get you?"

Kimble grinned and sat on a bar stool. He was enchanted by the pretty neon lights of the bar signs. He had no idea what to order so he asked the guy to surprise him. He didn't know what the guy made for him, but it was sweet and tasty. He was content and a little high from being with Raul. The warmth from the alcohol was finishing him off.

He was almost out cold with his head on his hand when Remy came and lightly touched him. He looked up into Remy's eyes and saw his contented shine. "Guess I don' gotta worry 'bout 'Nessa bein' all pissed at me, huh?"

"Non, she say she won' be 'appy till you give 'er what she missed. It's a shame, though, 'er 'avin' me firs'. When you've 'ad de best it's all downhill from dere," he boasted with a happy smile.

Kimble snickered. "Is that a challenge? I jus' loves a challenge. Bring 'er on."

"She all done. Gambit seen to dat."

Remy tossed a large bill on the bar and dragged Kimble out, not waiting for his change. He was too drunk and tired to drive far so he drove them back to his apartment and they crashed out on his bed, not bothering to undress. Remy allowed Kimble to lay behind him and snuggle close, feeling too contented to argue. Kimble kept his hands to himself, happy just to have the company and fell asleep quickly, snoring softly and dreaming of Raul, a small smile teasing the corner of his mouth.

(break)

Kimble woke a few hours later. He was alone on the bed and blinked around him, momentarily disoriented. He was in an unfamiliar place and had to remind himself of where he was. A noise had awakened him, Remy was sick and throwing up in the bathroom. Kimble got up and made his way to the bathroom door. He peered inside and saw Remy at the sink, washing out his mouth. "You okay?"

"Uhhnn...Yeah, for now. Funny t'ing, I didn' drink all dat much. Musta picked up some kind of bug," Remy said, coming out. He was pale and he rubbed his stomach, belching a little. "Man, dis sucks..."

"Glad I don' git sick. Not 'less somebody's beatin' on me, anaways," Kimble commented. As a non-organic being, he had nothing to offer a virus. However, the last two serious beatings he'd gotten had twisted his insides all to shit.

"We should head back to de 'ouse."

"Can ya drives like this?"

"Don' know, but dey gonna 'ave a fit once de know you gone. Better off gettin' back."

"Lemmie drive."

"Dat's de only Jeep I got, man."

"You knows I learn fast. I kin fly a great big ship, I won' crash yer car."

"D'accorde. We take de back roads an' go real slow, comprenez?"

"I gotcha."

Remy took a can of soda out of the fridge and let Kimble help him down the stairs. He felt a little better once they got outside. The air was cool and refreshed him a little. He gave Kimble a quick tutorial on how to drive the standard shift and was happy to see Kimble learned as fast as promised. Kimble was mechanically inclined and used to the vibrations of machines. He learned the stick shift quickly and was soon guiding them along, thrilled to no end to be the Master of this vehicle.

Remy curled up in the passenger seat and sipped his Coke, burping softly in an effort to settle his stomach. It had been a while since he'd been truly sick and hated this. He could feel the ache in his bones and knew he had a fever. At least he'd taken Kimble out and showed him a good time before he got sick. He had fulfilled his promise to the pilot and was happy to have done it.

Kimble glanced over at him now and again as he drove. Remy looked terrible. He patted Remy's knee, making him smile.

"Je suis bein. I'm good, buddy. Don' you worry. Take de nex' left."

Kimble followed Remy's instructions, memorizing the route and filing it away. They passed through Salem Center, a small town very close to the Mansion. Remy pointed out some sights quickly as they drove by. He showed Kimble Harry's, a bar where the team often hung out. Good steak and pizza. Kimble smiled, vowing to be good, knowing Remy would take him eventually.

Kimble drove up to the gates of the Mansion. They had been left open and Remy knew they were busted. Oh, well. Too late to do anything about it now. He didn't even bother to be sneaky and had Kimble drive them right up to the front of the house. Sure enough, Logan was waiting for them, having seen them come up on the security cameras.

Logan was sitting on the front porch railing when Remy and Kimble drove up. He grunted a laugh when he saw Kimble in the driver's seat. He could see Kimble was in complete control of the vehicle and wondered how long before that turned into some new kind of trouble. "Well, well, well. Look what the cat drug in."

It didn't take long for Kimble's absence to be discovered. Wolverine had found Kimble's bracelet in the showers, but decided to keep it to himself. Remy's scent was all over it and Logan knew Kimble hadn't gone alone. That was enough for him not to worry. Trouble was, Logan wasn't the only one checking up on the pilot. Scott had gone looking and Logan couldn't stall him long enough. Scott had freaked and Logan was forced to admit Remy had spirited him away just so the whole team didn't go out looking.

Kimble eased Remy out of the Jeep and they staggered up to the house. "Remy's sick."

"Yeah, I can see that. Party a little too hard, Gumbo?"

"Non, dis sumptin' else."

Logan sniffed at him and knew he was right. Remy's face was flushed and his eyes a little too shiny. "Better get some rest."

Remy turned to Kimble. "You git goin' now. Fallen's prob'ly all worried. Go on an' tell 'er what a good time you had."

"You gonna be okay?"

"Bien entendu, Gambit always is. Go on now."

Kimble nodded and walked cautiously past Logan, keeping his eyes down. He didn't know what to expect, but Logan's passivity wasn't it. He counted himself lucky on that score and disappeared inside the house.

Logan sniffed him as he went by. He waited until Kimble was gone before commenting to Gambit. "He smells like Raul. What a waste."

"P'etetre...but not for Raul," Remy joked.

"Fallen should have just made him a girl and gotten over it."

Gambit laughed. "Den 'e'd be a lesbian just to spite 'er. 'E goes his own way. Least now 'e'll be good for a while. Keep out of trouble."

"Doubt it." He looked up at Remy. "Charlie's gonna wanna see ya 'bout this. I wasn't gonna say nuthin', but ol' One Eye was checkin' up on 'im. Guess Chuck didn't trust me on this either."

Remy was genuinely surprised by Wolverine's willingness to back him up on his decision to take Kimble out. "Don't matter. When de Professor take one look at 'im, 'e gonna know Gambit was right. Never seen a guy so contented wit 'imself. 'E gonna be good for a while, you mark me."

Logan nodded, in rare agreement with his rambunctious teammate. He grinned and sniffed at him again. "Kimble wasn't the only one that got lucky."

Remy just shrugged. "I am my own man."

Logan snickered. "Right, sure, uh huh. It's just as well, Gumbo. Guys like you an me're always gonna be on the outside. Less baggage the better."

They walked in the house, but Remy didn't even make it to the stairs before the Professor came out of his office. Remy rolled his eyes and followed him back to the office like a kid in school. He would sit through this and then go pass out. He flopped down on the Professor's couch and sat back, wanting only to get this over with.

"I gave you specific instructions, Remy."

"Gambit's got a clause in 'is contract, say 'e don' follow orders when dey come from deranged old men on wheels."

"This is very serious."

"So was I. You go down dere, take one look at Kimble an you tell Gambit 'e was right - if you got de balls to admit you was wrong."

"REMY!" the Professor bellowed, unable to hide his outrage. Gambit was one of the few who knew just how to push his buttons and he instantly regretted his outburst, seeing it as a sign of weakness. He had forgotten how easily the thief could get the upper hand of a conversation.

Gambit knew it, too. He was firm in his reply. "Non. Dis time Gambit was right. Do what you want to Gambit, it don' matter, mon ami. 'E done de right t'ing. Kimble gonna be sweeter dan candy now, I guarantee it."

"If you take him off the grounds again, you're off the squad," Charles said, calmer now.

Gambit lay still and quiet, considering. "Sure, whatever. If Gambit goes, 'e's goin' wit me. I'm not leavin' 'im 'ere for you to break," he said, completely serious.

"You have no idea what he's capable of. You can't control him, no one can. He must be made to understand that he can hurt people."

" 'E knows. 'E knows more dan any of you give 'im credit for. 'E just needs to be 'andled in a way none of you are used to. Gambit's gonna see to it, je promets."

"No. You are to stay away from him. I want the two of you separated and that's final. I will look after him."

Remy snorted and laughed. "Oh, sure. Uh, huh. Dat's gonna go over real well. He's jus' so in love wit you."

"You will obey me."

"Sure. I know Kimble's good for a while - no t'anks to you. You gonna say he good for you, but Gambit knows de truth." He stood up and swayed unsteadily.

The Professor's frustration evaporated and he was instantly concerned. "Are you quite all right?"

"Oui. Gambit's got a flu or some stupid t'ing."

"Go down and see Henry."

"Sure t'ing, 'Fessor." He made his way to the door, but paused. "You go see Kimble. You take one good look in his eyes, really see. See him. You gonna know Gambit was right." He turned and walked out.