Ishy: I know that feeling…for me its become write…or finish my reports for work…sigh…its what I get for whoring myself to Corporate Canada. You'll get to do it when you finish school too just wait. Aww…I made you fuzzy inside…I'll have to fix that.
Goldylokz: It is exciting…I'd forgotten how much fun I have writing. Yay…I've hooked you…muhahaha! Yeah, I may be taking a departure here from most Romy fics and having Belle be less evil…I think more like the version of her in "Wild Horses". It fits with my evil plan.
Rogue-Scholar: As you wish.
AnalisDestiny: Golly…well I'm glad you like reading my work again. Thanks a lot. I've got a plan for this…should only be about ten chapters if I do things right. So you have more to look forward to.
Luce: My reading your fic causes you to spit? Cool…cause I think its really good. can be evil…not the fun kind either sometimes. I like developing my characters as much as possible. I think Evo's made a great start but the show really only went so far. I will be checking on Rogue but for the most part this is going to be Remy's story.
Three: God's Gonna Cut You Down
"Well ain't ya a sight for sore eyes," Another warm hand clapped itself down on the shoulder of Remy's trench coat. The young man on the other end of it lifted his free hand heavenwards while rolling his brown eyes back in his forehead. "Lookie here who's come crawling back ta de Big Easy…"
Looking at it's own over the edge of his trademark sunglasses Remy couldn't help the smile that tugged at his mouth. He'd parted ways with his father once they'd gotten back into town heading for Josephine's-if his brother was anywhere it was in their backroom just like any other Tuesday. Of course Remy had also told his older brother to meet him there when Remy'd promised to get Jean-Luc back. He wasn't disappointed to see his three cousins waiting either.
Only a person made of stone-or perhaps the X-Man Cyclops could help smiling around Emil 'Lapin' Tremblay and it felt good for Remy to crack a smile. "Remy just wish he could say de same ta you too Cuz." A devilish smirk took hold of the mutant's face as he drew the attention of the other members of the table, "Mais, you can't help dat you're so ugly."
The remaining duo burst into mirth while Lapin shook his red head in mock dismay; everyone lowered their poker hands to greet the returning thief. It seemed that in his months away Remy'd been missed by his cousins; Lapin, Theo and Etienne. Of course that didn't stop their usual poker game as per tradition and Remy found himself looking for the fourth player. "Tu est tremp mon féré." Henri's familiar voice turned Remy around, "I see dat you collected our Péré."
"Oui," Remy sat down heavily in the empty chair at the table and quickly poured himself a shot from the waiting bottle of bourbon-squelching in his wet boots as he moved. Its fire as it scorched a trail into his stomach warming him.
The table settled a little and Henri lowered himself beside Remy with Theo Pitre on his other side watching quietly. Darker and stockier than his Lebeau and Tremblay cousins Theo had always been the soft-spoken serious one of the bunch-Remy figured it was why he'd taken a shine to the colossal Piotr Rasputin. "You have any problems gittin Jean-Luc out?"
"On de phone you said you had an ami helping ya'll," Etienne perked up looking behind Remy before he could answer, "Where he at? Ah wanna meet any fella you t'ink is good enough ta help you."
Raising a hand as a plea for silence Remy quickly downed a second shot to chase off the last of his chill. "Pas de problem," he poured a third shot, "And she be on her way back ta New York…"
"She?" A general sense of confusion descended on the close-knit group literally freezing them into place as they watched Remy's every move.
Lapin was the first to move shaking his head and digging one of his long fingers into his ear, "Desole, did we just hear ya say 'she'?" He blinked owlishly, "Since when does the King of Hearts have female friends? I t'ought you was all about fuckin' dem and forgettin dem?"
"Emil!" Theo warned and shot a glance at their youngest-seventeen-year-old Etienne who was busy trying to avoid choking on the cigar he was 'smoking'.
"What?" The red head asked in exasperation pointing to his younger brother, "Like Etienne ain't heard the word 'fuck' before…"
"Still ya don have ta swear."
Remy had to force himself not to laugh-he'd missed the good-natured bickering that followed his family everywhere. Of all the things he'd craved while up North; warmth, laughter, Tante Mattie's crawfish etouffe, real coffee with chicory…this playful banter was near the top of the list. Remy smiled remembering how feisty Rogue could be when riled up-that he'd taken his time to get her like that out of homesickness…then just to see her eyes blaze green fire…
"What she like Remy?" Etienne's big brown eyes drew Remy back to the present and away from his dangerous thoughts, "She yo femme?"
The bark of laughter that exploded from Remy's chest felt surprisingly good-almost genuine, "De Rogue? Dat fille belong ta no man…she…"
"Ohh…a lesbian…" a crack sounded as Lapin's head moved forward with the force of the slap.
Theo rested his hand back on the table and nodded to Remy, "Continue."
Chuckling Remy shook his head, "Nah, dis fille…she likes des hommes…mais she can't touch no one because of her mutation."
"Dat's a tough break," Henri frowned watching his brother carefully-it wasn't often that he'd heard Remy speak so respectfully of a young woman, "What kin she do?"
"When she touches folk she takes dere memories and energy…wit other mutants dere powahs," Remy felt another shiver run up his spine as he remembered the feelings that accompanied Rogue's touch-all of them. "She can't control it none and if she held on too long…"
He let the sentence drag out and the others nodded their understanding; Lapin gulped visibly and poured himself another shot. "Dat has got ta be the suckiest powah ever."
"It be hard for her," Remy admitted and clinked glasses with his cousin downing his third shot, "Made her plenty tough and more ornery than a hungry gator when you pull his tail. Ya'll should have seen her take down trois assassins all by herself…she even got Julien…"
"Dat's how ya planned to find Jean-Luc," Etienne grinned at Remy with all his usual idol worship, "Ya got dis Rogue to put de cunja on Julien!"
Remy rewarded the teen with a smile, "Dat's right."
"So why ain't she here having a celebratory drink wit de most handsome hommes in all N'Orleans?" Lapin frowned.
"Dat's because Remy might not have asked her ta come wit him…" He pulled out his cigarettes and tried to look innocent-devilish eyes and all.
Theo shook his head as he laughed softly, "Ah'm surprised she still helped you."
"Mon ami," Remy lit his Gauloise and sucked in a lungful of smoke before exhaling slowly, "Remy is surprised she didn't feed him to de gators."
Another round of laughter passed amongst the cousins as they felt their old routine slipping back on like a worn coat. Being back with them and feeling no change to their relationships after his time away eased the part of Remy that had been screaming at him to go back…to throw himself at Xavier's mercy and to stay with the first person he could call a friend that wasn't family. It made it easier for Remy to convince him that he'd done the right thing letting Rogue go.
"We'd best be heading home den," Henri stood and slid into his black duster, "Julien'll be madder than a hive of bees bout bein beaten by a fille."
They all reluctantly followed the lead of the heir of the guild and gathered their things to make their shadowy way to their homes. Remy's head spun ever so slightly from all the bourbon he'd drank but it felt good to him to rest on the edge of intoxication and to still have his senses. Moving out the back way Etienne sidled beside Remy to speak with his older cousin, "Ah'm glad ya came back Remy…Ah…Ah wanted ta ask ya…"
"Go ahead and shoot mon brave," Remy measured the teen wondering how it was possible that Rogue was the same age as his gawky, freckle-faced little cousin, "What ya want ta ask Remy?"
The stars over head hid the majority of Etienne's blush, "Ah wanted ya to over see mah Tilling."
Remy sucked in a breath at the honour his cousin was asking of him; a Thief's Tilling was the most important event in their lives. Passing that final test and getting the Guild tattoo over one's heart was a rite of passage that was usually only shared with the closest of family. Henri had been there for Remy's offering him guidance and support…and Remy had always figured that Lapin would do the same for his younger brother. "You sure 'bout dat homme?"
"Oui," Etienne's face was serious, "Ah couldn't imagine askin no one else."
Grabbing the shorter man in a half hug Remy pretended to give him a noogie as they started down the next alley just behind the other three. "Den Remy'll be dere."
"LEBEAU!" a voice cried out from behind them spinning Remy and Etienne around to face Julien Boudreau.
The matte surface of the gun and its silencer didn't give off even a hint of gleam in the starlight as the Assassin brought the weapon to bear against his enemy. The hate in his eyes froze Remy-not even Magneto could be that cold. Time sped by as events fell into place; Henri and Theo shouting, Etienne moving, Julien pulling the trigger. Remy unfroze as Etienne fell against him and a track of red hot pain shot across Remy's left side. Falling to the ground Remy picked up the first thing that came to hand-an empty pop can left laying around-and charged it. Grunting he heaved it at Julien the blonde pointed the gun at Henri, Lapin and Theo.
The can sailed towards Julien's feet and exploded as it hit the ground knocking him backward and into a wall. If they could have heard over the din of the blast the thieves would have heard the crack as his head hit the brick wall. Gasping against the pain threatening him Remy pulled Etienne closer as Lapin slid to his side.
Time dropped into its normal rhythms as they turned the limp boy over; the blossom of blood over his heart reflecting silver in the moonlight.