Chapter 4
Several months later, Jean-Luc sighed as he drove towards Remy's school, he had just received a call from the principal that something had happened at the school concerning his little eight year old and that he wanted to speak to him in person. He stretched his neck as he exited the car and walked towards the school's front entrance, "Dis should be fun…" he sighed as he opened the doors and walked up the stairs heading for the principal's office.
Jean-Luc frowned as he looked around the room, seeing the secretary sitting behind her desk he eyed his little boy over as he sat beside the principal's door, he frowned a bit as he entered the room. Remy sensing movement looked up and gasped then quickly looked down, Jean-Luc sighed as he ignored the secretary and entered the man's office.
The principal looked up when he heard his door close, "Ah yes Mister LeBeau was it?"
"Oui…M'sieu Tremblay what happened?" Jean-Luc asked sitting in one of the chairs facing the desk.
"Well I'm afraid Remy was involved in a sort of tussle…" he smiled laying his arms on his desk.
Jean-Luc waited for a few moments then frowned, "Meaning what exactly?" he asked quirking an eye.
"He hit four boys during recess…" he informed again with that little smile gracing his lips.
"Dat so?" Jean-Luc answered with no emotion in his voice.
"Yes…" the man answered beginning to squirm in his seat as Jean-Luc stared at him feeling quite uncomfortable, "Eh I'm afraid if this keeps up that he's lookin' to be suspended…"
Jean-Luc narrowed his eyes and leaned back in his seat still staring at the man behind the desk, "Keeps up?" Jean-Luc sighed, "…dis be da first time I be in here homme…and is dere something in ya seat sir?"
The principal looked at him a bit confused, "What?"
"You seem a bit uncomfortable…are ya alright?"
"Yes of course…"
Jean-Luc smirked, "Now…truthfully if ya would, about my boy being suspended…dat wouldn't include him being a mutant now would it…because if it does I assure ya I'll have ya taken off da council and have ya fired…"
Mr. Tremblay released a nervous chuckle, "Wha…no of course not sir…how could you even suggest that I…"
"Remy don't start no fights unless dere be a good reason…now what exactly would dat reason be?" Jean-Luc asked leaning forward a bit when he didn't get an answer, "Now I know Remy didn't start dat…aheh tussle so tell me dis if dis little meeting is not because he be a mutant as you claim it isn't…"
"No it isn…"
"Why aren't da other boys out dere…where be dere parents?"
"Well I…well…"
"I'll ask again an give ya a few minutes ta collect ya thoughts…Ya wanna suspend my son cause he be a mutant?" he asked leaning back steepling his fingers together and resting his hands on his chest.
"No…this is a bit…aheh awkward, eh um perhaps a warning?" he suggested.
"What exactly is so awkward…Remy is da same age as the kids in his class, he has two hands, two feet, two legs, two arms, a heart, lungs, hair…da same as every single kid in dis here school...da only difference is da color of his eyes…"
Mr. Tremblay cringed, "I'm sorry mister LeBeau, I must apologize for my eh…rudeness or odd behavior, this hasn't been my day today…" he chuckled softly.
"'parrently not…" Jean-Luc sighed and frowned as he stood up having enough of the man wasting his time, "If I were you sir, I'd think befo' speaking…and I suggest ya work an ya humanitarian skills…" he warned and left the room closing the door with a bit more force than necessary making Remy and the secretary jump. Looking down at Remy whom quickly bowed his head, he smirked as he gently nudged him on the shoulder, "Come on Remy…let's go home…"
Remy kept his head down as he hopped off his seat and walked out of the office, his backpack in hand not saying a word as his father walked beside him. A tiny grin graced Jean-Luc's lips as he followed Remy out of the school, Jean-Luc held the door open for his little boy, "Come on petite it couldn't have been that bad…" he smirked when Remy still refused to speak.
Jean-Luc sighed as he took a breath and looked to the sky at the clouds above, "Alright what happened?" he asked as he opened the car door watching as Remy threw his backpack in the back and climbed in still refusing to answer.
Jean-Luc released a breath as he closed the door and stepped in to the driver's seat, buckling himself in he looked in the mirror as Remy buckled himself in as well, "Ya gonna tell me or not?" Jean-Luc frowned as he stared in the mirror, "Remy look at me…" he ordered turning to look at his son.
Remy slowly looked up.
"What happened?" he asked softly, Remy frowned as he thought for a moment, "Why'd ya hit dose boys?" he whispered.
Remy sighed as he as he began playing with his hands, "Cause dey wouldn't shut-up…wouldn't leave me alone…made fun of me, 'sides dey started it in callin' me names an shoved me in da dirt saying I was a worthless filthy mutie…" he grumbled, "Maybe dey right non?" he whispered.
Jean-Luc's eyes widened at what he was hearing coming from his little boy's mouth, "EY…" he shouted making Remy jump in his seat, "I don' evah wanna hear ya talk like dat again, you are not worthless…" he growled, "Get up here…" he ordered gesturing for Remy to sit beside him.
Remy slowly unbuckled himself and crawled into the front seat sitting beside his father, "Look at me…" he whispered tilting his chin up so that their eyes locked, "Why ya listening to dose little brats?" he asked.
"Cause I be a mutie…and I am street trash…" Remy whispered.
"Don't ya dare take anyting dose fools say seriously…First of all, ya wanna make dem pay for how dey treat ya…use ya head not ya fists, wit Lapin wit ya I'm positive you two can think of something devious…you two always do…" he smirked when Remy grinned. "Second don't ya evah forget da first rule in being a thief…"
Remy chuckled, "Don't evah get caught…" he repeated from memory.
"Dat's right and third, an I want ya always ta remember dis ya listening?"
"Oui…"
Jean-Luc took a breath and gave his son a little smile, "You…Remy Etienne are a LeBeau, don't ya evah let no one tell ya different, you my son and always will be, you will become one of da world's greatest thieves, while dose little brats will be working at McDonald's askin' if ya want fries wit dat?" he smirked adding a tiny whine at the end of his sentence, which made Remy giggle, "Dey all be fools dat don't see what I see when I look at ya…"
Remy blinked a few times in confusion, "What do ya see papa?" he asked curiously.
Jean-Luc chuckled softly as he kissed his son on the forehead, "I see my little boy all grown up and you gonna be a handsome one I can tell ya dat…" he smirked. "You my little thief will do great things in ya future…"
Remy's eyes seemed to brighten, "Really like what?"
"You gonna travel da world, meet a lot of people maybe break a few pretty girls hearts non?" he chuckled softly when Remy made a face. "Come 'ere…" he whispered nudging his son to lean against him and wrapped his arms around him in a hug. "You my special little boy and it's not cause of how ya were born petite…" he breathed kissing the top of his head then cupped his cheeks and tilted his head up, "I love ya an ya make me proud, ya really do…"
Remy smiled as he leaned into him, "Ya okay now?" Jean-Luc asked.
"Oui…" grinned.
"Now dat's what I wanted ta hear…" he chuckled, "Alright now get yaself in da back…" he smirked, "An buckle up…"
"K" Remy grinned as he crawled in the back. 'I'm gonna be a famous thief…' he assured himself as he buckled himself in and looked outside as the trees whizzed by apparently lost in his thoughts.
Remy sighed as Jean-Luc turned to him, "Ey ya daydreamin' petite…come on…" he chuckled as he stepped out of the car, and led his son within the Guild's training room, it had been nearly a year after Henri had been married and Remy considering Henri's absence was still as devious as ever, always ended up getting in trouble but with that little innocent grin of his he could always easily get out sometimes without a scolding.
Henri was now happily married to his long time sweetheart Mercy and although he had moved out of the house he came to visit as often as he could Remy still missed him.
Now at eight years old Jean-Luc had begun training his little boy, "C'mon petite I know ya can do better dan that." he chuckled as he took a stance.
"Ya too fast…" Remy grumbled as he went on the defensive.
Jean-Luc smirked, "Speed's got nothin' ta do wit it, now attack again…" he ordered.
Remy frowned as he stepped back then lunged forward, Jean-Luc smirked as he stepped aside and whacked his son on the rear end with the end of his Bo staff, "Son of a bit…" Remy yelped dropping his staff, his hands now rubbing his behind.
"Ah ah ah, language fiston…" Jean-Luc approached, "…and don evah let go of ya staff…" he warned as he picked up the metal pole and tossed it back to him.
"…Oui papa…" Remy mumbled as he caught the staff in mid air. Jean-Luc chuckled softly as he was about to start on his usual lecture on evasion techniques, when a fellow thief entered the training hall, Remy sighed as he leaned against the wall twirling his staff in his hands while his father spoke with the man.
Ten minutes later Jean-Luc sighed as he watched the man leave, "Can't get a simple day to myself…" he mumbled turning to his son, "Alright that's enough for today…" Remy smirked as he just stared at him, "Don look at me like dat, go on, go do ya homework." Remy chuckled as he retracted his staff and strolled towards the door, "Ey I wanna see some A's petite…"
"Oui papa…" Remy chuckled as he sprinted down the hall.
XxXxX
A few days later Jean-Luc was getting ready for a meeting as he buttoned up his shirt and putting on his coat, he then strolled to Remy's room. Knocking on the door gently he quickly opened it and looked around. "Homework done?" he asked approaching the bed where Remy lied down on his stomach.
"Almost…" Remy mumbled as he flipped through his math book.
"Bettah be…" he smirked, "Alright I'm leavin' want ya in bed befo I arrive and don' give Tante a hard time…"
Remy chuckled as he looked up, "I won't…"
Jean-Luc frowned a bit Remy seemed a bit pale, "Ya alright?" he asked resting his hand on the boy's forehead.
"M'alright…just got a headache…" Remy answered.
Jean-Luc smirked as he ruffled the boy's hair then leaned down and kissed the top of his head, "See ya in da mornin' den…" he grinned and headed downstairs, Remy groaned as he pushed the books off his bed and turned on some music, resting his head on his arms he then closed his eyes.
XxXxX
Jean-Luc sighed as he listened to the boring conversation going around the room, "Well you seem awfully interested LeBeau…" a sultry voice whispered in his ear. Jean-Luc quirked an eyebrow and turned to the woman now sitting beside him, she wore a sleeveless tight black dress, a few daggers strapped to her thigh, she had shoulder length chestnut brown hair with a few light streaks, Jean-Luc gave a small smile as he recognized the woman, "Well now do my eyes deceive me Jascinte Beaulieu, how have ya been chère?" he asked a bit surprised to see her.
"Oh well I be just fine, happy to be back home…" She grinned. "I just heard dat congratulations are in order…" she smirked.
"Is it now?" Jean-Luc asked confused.
"Oui…" she whispered leaning forward beside the man, "Heard ya gonna be a grand-père?"
Jean-Luc chuckled, "Dat I will be in 'bout eight months…"
"Ah how long Henri be married?"
"Close to a year now…"
Jascinte smirked, "Gotta be quiet now in dat big house non?"
Jean-Luc smirked, "Non still got my youngest…" he answered, Jascinte looked at him a bit confused, Jean-Luc quirked an eyebrow, "Oh dat's right you been stuck in Paris for da last six years…ya haven't met da newest LeBeau…"
She shook her head and rested her chin on her hand, "I'm sure he's quite adorable…" she smiled.
"Dat he is, also a pain in the rear…" he chuckled, "Ah but I love him." He grinned leaning back in his chair.
Jascinte pouted a bit, "I'm a bit disappointed ta find out dat yet again you be off da market, so who's the lucky lady that stole ya heart?" she asked curiously.
Jean-Luc laughed softly blushing a tiny bit, "Didn't have another since Henri's maman passed on…Remy be adopted…" he answered sipping at his coffee.
"Oh so dat mean you're free tonight?" she drawled giving him a seductive look and breathed in his ear. Jean-Luc coughed out as he nearly choked on his coffee. He cleared his throat as he put the cup on the table and glanced over at Jascinte who held an evil grin and started laughing. "My word Jean you're easy ta rile up…"
"Damn woman, Conrad warned me ya were dangerous, just nevah expected ya surprised ya victims like dat…" he grinned.
Jascinte chuckled, "All in da fun Jean-Luc…"
Jean-Luc laughed softly then looked at his watch, "Oh this Cajun needs ta get back home…" he stood, "Was good ta see ya again Jascinte…" he grinned grasping her hand and placed a small kiss on her wrist.
"Likewise…" she answered with a small smile and watched him leave.
Jean-Luc took a deep breath as he waited for the valet to bring him his car, a certain lady plaguing his thoughts.
XxXxX
Arriving home Jean-Luc stretched his back as he locked the door then walked up the steps. Hearing music coming from Remy's room, Jean-Luc quirked an eyebrow as he slowly opened the door to find his son in the same position he was in when he left sprawled on the bed, turning to the radio he shut it off then looked to Remy, he really didn't want to wake him but in the position he was in he was sure to have a sore back and neck if he wasn't moved. Jean-Luc gently shook him awake as he pulled on the blankets, Remy groaned as he slowly opened his eyes and closed them again, "Come on petite, ya gotta move up da bed…" he whispered, Remy mumbled as he slowly sat up and crawled to his pillow then plopped back down on the bed. Jean-Luc laughed softly as he tucked his son in then headed for his room.
Jean-Luc woke up early the next morning and was savoring his coffee at the moment, noticing the time he frowned since he didn't hear Remy moving upstairs, he sighed as he put his newspaper down, "Ya want some more coffee Jean?" Tante asked.
"Non merci Tante…" he answered heading upstairs. "Remy…" he drawled as he opened the door to the boy's room. He quirked an eye as his eight-year-old wasn't in his bed, then sighed when he heard said eight-year-old as he was now throwing up in his bathroom. Stepping into the bathroom and kneeling down he rubbed his son's back. "Ya alright?" He asked helping him stand then went to the sink and poured him a glass of water.
Remy shakily took it and rinsed out the taste in his mouth. Jean-Luc rested his hand on the boy's forehead and winced, "Ya burning up petite, come on let's get ya back inta bed…" Remy groaned as he trudged his way back to his bed and tried to get comfortable. Jean-Luc pulled on the blankets and left a garbage bin close to the bed, just in case he couldn't get to the bathroom in time, "Now try ta get a little sleep alright?" Remy only grumbled as he closed his eyes, he so hated getting sick.
Jean-Luc then made his way downstairs to the kitchen to inform Tante that Remy was sick, then picked up the phone and called the school and work so they could transfer all his calls to his office at home.
Tante marched up the steps, a glass of water in her left hand a bottle of medicine and a spoon in the other and entered the boy's room. She sat on the bed and putting the water on the small table beside the bed she then began to shake the medicine, hearing the noise Remy opened his eyes, "Aw non…don' want dat, I ain't dat sick…" he whined lifting the blanket to cover his mouth.
"Don start wit me chile and take ya medicine, I took care of hundreds of little babies and children and your whining ain't gonna stop me from giving dis to ya so open up…" she ordered.
Remy pouted and reluctantly sat up, taking the spoonful of medicine in his mouth he made a face and swallowed the thick liquid. Tante smiled as she then gave him the water to wash out the taste then tucked him back in his bed and kissed his forehead. Tante smirked as she walked down the stairs and met with Jean-Luc. "He should be out like a light for a few hours, keep an eye on his fever if it gets any higher call Alex." she ordered.
Jean-Luc chuckled softly, "Oui Tante…" he grinned, she might be a sweet old woman but when it came to taking care of her children, you'd better do as she says or suffer her wrath.
After about an hour, Jean-Luc put what he was working on aside and stretching his neck went to check on his son, slowly opening the door he smirked as he checked Remy's temperature, "How ya feeling petite?" Remy only groaned, "Come on let's get ya settled downstairs so ya can watch tv…" he grinned gathering one of the blankets, Remy grabbed a pillow dragging it on the floor as he groggily made his way downstairs settling on the couch, Jean-Luc put on a cartoon and sat on the end of the couch an arm around his son as he snuggled up to him and made himself comfortable.
Twenty minutes later Remy had managed to fall back asleep, Tante had arrived moments later and smiled as she entered the room, "Fever down?" she asked.
"A little…" Jean-Luc whispered as he ran his fingers through his boy's hair.
"I'm gonna go start on supper ya need anythin' give a shout…" she smiled when Jean-Luc nodded. About half an hour later a knock was heard at the door. Jean-Luc was about to stand but Tante quickly rushed to the door. "Well land sakes where you been hiding all these years?" he heard the woman say and frowned as he glanced over to the hall only to see Jascinte enter the room.
Jascinte smiled and glanced over at the television, "Cartoons…Jean-Luc what ya got tired of listening to da news?" she quipped.
"Couldn't resist my charm hun?" he smirked as she sat in the chair facing him.
Jascinte grinned, "Ah get ovah yaself LeBeau…oh is dat ya youngest?" she asked leaning down to get a better look.
"Dat he is…" he whispered, Remy slowly opened his eyes and looked at the woman.
Jascinte blinked a few times as she stared at the boy's eyes, then smiled, "Ello sweetie…" she whispered, Remy didn't answer as he closed his eyes.
"He be a bit sick today…" Jean-Luc gently caressed Remy's cheek.
"Oh…poor baby…nothing serious I hope?"
"Non…I be a bit curious why exactly are ya here chère?"
"Oh yes…Conrad asked me ta deliver dis to ya…said he wanted an immediate answer." she answered handing him an unopened letter, Jean-Luc reached out and grasped it slowly opened it and read it over.
Jean-Luc looked down when he heard a small, "Papa…"
"What's da matter Remy gonna get sick 'gain?"
"Non…thirsty…"
"Alright…" Jean-Luc whispered as he slowly stood, "Be right back…" he spoke as he made his way into the kitchen.
Jascinte smiled, "I'm bettin you're one ta get inta trouble a lot hun…tell me is it easy ta get out of it with that cute little face of yours?"
A bit curious of this woman Remy opened his eyes and shrugged.
"Hmmm a shrug is all I get…I usually get a smile..." she pouted.
Remy grinned a bit, then lifted his head as Jean-Luc stood by the door a glass of water in his hand a few crackers in the other and chuckled softly. As he sat down beside Remy who slowly sat up and drank the water. "Not too much petite…" he whispered, taking back the glass. "Ya feelin better?" he asked, Remy slowly nodded and made himself more comfortable as he began to nibble on the crackers putting his attention back on the cartoon. Jean-Luc chuckled as he looked to Jascinte, "Well ya can tell Conrad to go ahead, wit what he's plannin' put a couple more men on it though…trust me he'll need it."
"Alright…ya sure ya don't want ta tag along…for old times sake?" she asked with a grin.
"Non…dis Cajun got PTA tonight…an Remy needs ta practice his moves for da maze in three days…"
"Da maze…oohhh…dat's fun…" Jascinte smiled.
Remy only flinched and turned his back to her, Jean-Luc grinned and whispered in the boy's ear, "Ya not gonna fall like last time Remy…you were in too much of a hurry…ya gonna do fine…" he assured.
After escorting Jascinte back to the door Jean-Luc joined his son back in the living room.
XxXxX
A few days later Remy was in training with his father back at the Thieves Guild, "So ya memorize ya moves?" he asked.
"Oui papa…" Remy answered with a tiny chuckle, as he stretched his legs and arms.
"Well now just tell me when ya ready…" Jean-Luc chuckled as he leaned against the wall with a stopwatch in hand, a few curious thieves standing beside the guild leader Remy smirked as he put a cd in the player by the wall and turned it on.
Listening to the beat of the music Remy slowly began counting his steps, nodding his head to his father who started the watch Remy stretched his leg and carefully entered the maze of wires making sure that he didn't touch any of them, slowly turning, bending, stretching and shaking a bit since he was so nervous he'd been practicing this little bit for weeks, last time he tripped on his own feet and crashed in the wires, it took him about ten minutes to get out of the entanglement.
"Relax petite…watch ya breathing…" Jean-Luc instructed, glancing at the stopwatch two minutes had already passed by the record was three minutes and twenty seven seconds. He looked back to his son who was closing in on his target which was a Halloween mask, "Slow down a bit…" he told his son. Who did what he was told, bending and rolling to the ground Remy slowly stood in front of the mask and grinned as he grasped it and turned to his father. Who held up his hands and clapped, as did the other thieves. "Bravo mon fils…three minutes twenty-five seconds…" Remy laughed as he put on the mask and jumped around.
"HA…Lapin gon' be havin kittens…" he jumped for joy as he went to his father and hugged him.
"Well what ya waitin fo' go brag…" Jean-Luc chuckled as he turned to the other thieves who watched the boy run out of the room, searching for his cousin.
"He getting good real quick, soon he'll be beating your record Jean-Luc…"
Jean-Luc chuckled as he went to the cd player and turned off the music, while the other thieves left the room as the doors closed, Jean-Luc frowned a bit noticing a shadow to his right, he turned to see Jascinte walk up to him. "Jascinte…where ya been?" he asked with a grin.
"Here and there…" she smiled approaching the man. Jean-Luc smirked as he went to the entanglement of wires and began taking them down, "Ey non leave dat there…" Jascinte giggled as she was now face to face with the man, "So what's ya best score on dis ting?"
"Three minutes…twenty-seven seconds…Remy just beat it by two seconds…"
"Really…Hmmm let's see if I can beat dat time…" she purred as she dropped her coat to the floor and bent down stretching her leg entering the maze of wires, Jean-Luc watched with a trained eye as she bent down and leaned back his breathing hitched a bit as he watched her as she turned and looked at him a bit seductively. After arriving at the small pedestal where the mask used to be she hoisted herself up on it and leaned back, "So what was my time?"
Jean-Luc chuckled as he walked beside the maze and made his way to her, "Well I'd tell ya but…"
"But what?" She smiled as he approached her and gazed at her eyes then at her lips.
"I wouldn't know ya made me lose count…" he chuckled as he ran his right hand on her thigh and his left hand cupped her cheek he then leaned down and molded his lips to hers.
Jascinte quickly deepened the kiss as she wrapped her legs around his waist as well as her arms around his neck. When the kiss broke, both were panting rather heavily, "Damn homme…" she breathed grazing her lips to his and running her fingers through his hair.
"I quite agree…" Jean-Luc breathed as he kissed her again.
XxXxX
The next week at dinner time Jean-Luc had asked Jascinte to join them for dinner and so as the two adults we're talking, Merci was helping Tante set the table while Henri was chasing his brother around the house, "Get back here…" he growled.
"NON…" Remy rushed out of the living room and ran to his father nearly making them fall over.
"Remy…" Jean-Luc scolded, wrapping an arm around his youngest to hold him still.
"Not my fault…" the eight year old defended himself.
Henri glared at his youngest brother, "Ya wait till later…" he warned. Remy rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue.
A few hours later Remy had noticed the little looks his father and Jascinte gave each other, frowning a bit he went into the living room to get one of his favorite toys he froze at the door when he saw Jascinte kiss his father on the mouth, as their eyes locked Jascinte smiled in embarrassment. Hearing the phone ring Jean-Luc went to answer it ruffling his son's hair as he passed by him.
Jascinte cleared her throat as she sat down and patted the seat beside her, "Well now why don't you come sit with me so we can have ourselves a little talk."
Remy tilted his head and quirked an eye and walked over to the woman, "Talk bout what?"
"Well let's see how old are ya?"
"Eight…"
"Eight…" Jascinte looked at the boy surprised, "I'm sure ya got all da girls swooning ovah ya at school right?"
Remy grimaced and shook his head, "Ewww no way…" he answered.
Jascinte laughed, "So ya like livin' wit Jean-Luc an Tante?"
Remy quirked an eye, that's a hell of a way to start a conversation, "Oui…" he mumbled looking at the floor.
"Oh yeah…where'd ya use ta live…How'd Jean-Luc find ya?" she asked curiously.
Remy didn't like the way she asked the questions and narrowed his eyes at her, 'What she askin' me dat for…It's none of her business…' Remy knowing dat if he started yelling at her or was rude he would be grounded, so instead of answering her, he whispered, "Not tellin' ya dat…" he growled and ran out of the room, bumping into Henri he opened the front door and slammed it shut.
"Watch it Remy…" Henri sighed as he brought out the wine and poured Jascinte a glass. "Dat boy be a little hellraiser…" he chuckled.
After about twenty minutes Tante, Mercy, Jascinte, Henri and Jean-Luc were sitting in the living room talking, Jean-Luc frowned as he went to the stairs and looked up. "What's the matter père?" Henri asked from the living room.
"Haven't heard a peep from Remy…"
"You mean he hasn't come back yet?"
"Come back…when did he leave?" Jean-Luc asked with a frown.
"He left by da front door bout twenty minutes ago…thought he just wanted some air or something…"
Jean-Luc narrowed his eyes a bit as he grabbed his coat and headed outside, Henri shook his head and followed his father.