Spencer didn't have a watch on him, so he had no way of knowing how much time had passed since he'd taken up station in this tree. What he did know was that the house had gone quiet a few minutes before. That had to mean they were almost done, right? Oh, who was he kidding? He had no idea. He didn't want to know. What they were doing in there and how long it took was none of his business. The only part that concerned him was how long he was going to have to sit out here and even that wasn't that big of a concern. That sensation of something being off was still plaguing him and he knew he wouldn't have gotten any rest whatsoever if he'd stayed at home. Much better that he was here, where he could keep an eye on things. Once Remy was done, then he could get the teen home and get him somewhere safe. Somewhere protected.

He ran his eyes over the area around him while at the same time scanning with his senses the way that Mattie had been trying to teach him. She'd been trying to show him how to open himself up to the 'aura and energies' of the world around him and use that to keep watch for people. "Y' can see someone's aura if y' let y'rself. Y' feel dem." She'd told him. "Y' can use dat. If y'r guarding him, y' can use it to watch fo' dishonest people. People dat might be a threat. Mais y' can use it to look out fo' people, too. If dere aint supposed to be no one around, sensing de aura of someone comin' close could save y'r life, an his."

It wasn't quite as easy as he'd hoped it would be. Opening himself up this way felt strange. Not at all like what he was used to. Mostly for this part of himself Spencer was used to trying to shut it down. He didn't really want to see the aura of everyone around him. He couldn't always control how in depth he saw there. Sometimes it was just colors, moods. Other times he saw bits and pieces of them, their past, present, or their future. He didn't want that much personal information about people.

But tonight he was using it deliberately. He was keeping an eye on the surrounding area to make sure that no one got close to them. And it was a damn good thing he was, too. There was a presence coming in close and Spencer couldn't see nor hear it, but he could feel it.

Dark. So very dark. All the colors in the aura were dark enough that they were almost black. They didn't just flow around the person like most. These colors poured over him, dripped off of him in a thick, nauseating mix that Spencer instinctively recoiled from. The closer they got, the worse it got, and they were getting awfully close. There was no doubt now that the person was coming towards this little house. Their route would bring them right past Spencer within forty three seconds. He had that much time to make a decision and then to brace himself. Really, was there any decision to be made? Later on it would occur to Spencer that he hadn't even hesitated. He hadn't even thought of any other route but this one. With a deep breath, he timed himself, and then very carefully grabbed the tree branch and dropped down to the ground when the visitor was just a few feet away.

It was just a little bit satisfying to see the way the person stopped and took a quick step back. Their brief moment of shock gave Spencer a split second to look them over. Not that there was much to see. Black boots, black pants, black top, face shielded by a scarf, another scarf tied around his head like a bandana. The only real part that showed was a pair of deep, dark blue eyes.

The man recovered quickly, moving from a defensive position to an offensive one, something that Spencer wouldn't have recognized six months ago.

Spencer held his hands up quickly, trying to show peace. Words were always his first choice and he tried to employ them now. "Woah there. Let's just relax and take a moment here. I don't want any trouble."

The man let out a low laugh. "Oh, but I do."

That was all the warning Spencer got. Before he'd even finished the last word, the man was launching forward and Spencer had no more time to think, no more time to try words. All of his focus was just on surviving. This was nothing like Henri's steady training, or even Remy's rougher sparring. This was all out, no holds barred, fighting to win. The man threw punches that definitely weren't pulled and he fought with the clear intent to take Spencer out as quickly as possible and with a skill that Spencer was nowhere near to matching. It was taking everything Spencer had to defend himself. Then the man moved, quick as a snake, and Spencer found himself slammed into the tree and pinned.

It was the shine of the knife that told Spencer he was in some serious trouble. He should've known, right from the minute he saw the man's aura, but there was a part of Spencer that still wanted to think the best in situations. That wanted to believe that there weren't people out there who would kill so easily—or who would enjoy it the way he had a feeling this man would.

The knife glinted in the moonlight and Spencer saw the colors around the man shift, pleasure growing stronger, the thrill of the fight and the arousal at the prospect of death, and Spencer knew, the way that he just knew things, that this man would happily kill him before going inside and killing Remy and Belle. There was every chance that the two inside could fight him off, and win. But Spencer wasn't going to let it get that far. The part of Spencer that he had always held back, the one that didn't want to hurt, the one that tried to insist there was always another way—that part faded away underneath the instinct that every human being possess, the one that's made to survive. But mostly, it was pushed away underneath an immense wave of protectiveness. A certainty that he must protect the one he'd pledged himself to. The one he'd sworn to keep safe.

First things first, Spencer drew in a breath and let out one short, sharp whistle, a warning to the one he was protecting. Then he struck with a speed and determination that momentarily startled his partner. One knee up, catching the guy's thigh, while at the same time he slammed his head forward and connected their foreheads together. It left his own head ringing but it loosened the hold on him enough that he could shove the arm off him and strike. What happened next came so fast that Spencer never saw it coming. All of it seemed to happen at once. He pushed forward, the guy stumbled a little, the door to the house swung open, and the man struck. A line of fire burned across Spencer's bicep.

He cut off the cry in his throat and struck out again with another kick, his free hand cradling his injured arm. The man absorbed the blow, knocked back a step, and Spencer saw as his head snapped over and he realized that they weren't alone anymore. Not just that, but that he was outnumbered three-to-one now. It took only a second for the decision to be made. The guy drew back and then spun on his heel and raced off into the dark. Spencer didn't bother going in pursuit. Hand clenched over his arm, he slumped back against the tree, chest heaving a little as he watched the man seemingly melt into the shadows.

Thankfully, Remy didn't try to go after the guy, either. If he had, Spencer would've had to follow him, and he really didn't want to try doing that right now. Instead, the Cajun made a beeline straight for Spencer, with Belle right on his heels. "Spencer!"

The young teen looked up as his friend got close and tried to dredge up a smile for him. "You know, when Henri taught me that signal, it was supposed to be one to use so you'd know to get away, not come charging out."

"Yeah, well, Remy aint never been good at doing what he's told, oui?" Remy joked. There was a hint of worry underneath his words, though. He was already looking Spencer over the best he could in the dark and Spencer realized that the angle he was standing prevented Remy from seeing his arm. "Are y' hurt anywhere, mon ami?"

Lying wasn't exactly an option here. Not when he was bleeding all over himself and his arm was on fire. Huffing out a breath, Spencer turned himself just enough to bring his arm into the light, showing where he was clutching at his bicep. Immediately both Remy and Belle were there. Belle didn't hesitate to tear the coat a little more so they could see underneath while Remy carefully pulled Spencer's hand back. The two took one look and then Remy was pressing Spencer's hand back over it firmly. "Keep pressure on dat."

Not that he'd been planning on doing anything else. He resisted saying that, though. "Is it deep?"

"Deep enough." Belle answered bluntly. There was none of her earlier animosity or snappishness present now. She was looking at him with something that might've been called soft on any other woman. Then it was gone and she was all practicality once more. "It's gonna need stitches. Keep pressure on it and try to slow de bleeding till y' get to de hospital."

Immediately Spencer straightened up. Wait, what? "I don't need a hospital."

One of Remy's arms slipped around Spencer's waist and he found himself being led forward. "I aint up fo' doing stitches on dat and dere's no way in hell y'r running home fo' Henri to do em. De hospital's just down de road."

"But Remy, your Dad…"

"It's fine, Penny. Don't y' worry." He gave Spencer's waist a gentle squeeze and steered him towards the right, turning out of the darkened area and onto an actual street. "Getting y' taken care of is more important dan Remy gettin' in some trouble. Jus' hush now."

He wasn't given any more chance to protest. They were out by the streets now and Remy was already hailing a cab. The best Spencer could do was trust himself over to Remy and hope the young Cajun knew what he was doing.

It didn't take them long to get to the hospital. The cabbie wasn't exactly happy about having a bleeding man in his backseat but a little extra money overcame any worries he had. Remy kept beside him the whole time, never once letting go of him, and Spencer was grateful for it. He really didn't want to go to the hospital and he spent most of the trip trying to convince Remy it wasn't necessary. "It's really not that bad." He insisted as the lights of the hospital came into view. "I've had worse, Remy, really!" Once when he'd been trying to run home from school he'd slipped at the broken fence and sliced open a deep gash on his leg. That had ended with some pretty serious blood loss, stitches, and a night spent in the hospital. It wasn't an experience that Spencer wanted to repeat.

Remy wasn't moved, though. "Y' need stitches, Spencer, and y'r gonna get em professionally. Y'r still bleeding. Y' wanna get home an have me spend de night worrying about blood loss?"

The urge to tell him yes was pretty damn strong. Leaning heavily on Remy as they climbed out of the cab, Spencer was extremely tempted to tell Remy yes, he'd handle Remy's worry if it meant they didn't have to go in here and deal with this. Hospitals were one of Spencer's least favorite places to be. Not only did he have to put up with stares from people who saw him without his usual props to hide behind, he also had to deal with those in the service industry that seemed to believe being prejudiced against mutants was an all right thing. On top of all that, there was so much life and death inside of a hospital, so many futures shifting and changing. Auras that would come through in low, sick colors, or bright, emotional ones. Futures hung on a pin, ready to fall one way or the other with a word from a doctor. And all of it was in such volume that it was hard for Spencer to 'tune it out'. Before he'd come to live with the LeBeau family, Spencer's powers had been more intermittent, not always 'on', as he thought of it, but crowded places like hospitals or malls or such like that were always so full of people and such that whatever natural shields he had tended to get overloaded and his senses would get stuck in the 'on' position. Since he'd been here and his powers had gotten stronger, he was terrified that was going to be even worse than normal.

He didn't really notice how much he was leaning in to Remy as they made their way inside. His friend was pressed up beside him, one arm around his shoulders, and Spencer was content to hide in that embrace. But then the lights changed from dark to bright and Remy was calling out to someone above him. "Ey! We need a little help over here!"

Spencer had shut his eyes against the light but he snapped them open now as he heard people rush forward. "What happened?" A nurse was asking, gloved hands already reaching for Spencer's arm.

"We was racing home and he took a fall down de hill. Don't know what he hit, mais it sliced open his arm." Remy lied glibly.

Someone took hold of Spencer and he felt himself being pulled out of Remy's embrace and away from the safety of his hold. The world spun a little and Spencer was grateful when he was pushed to sit down on a bed. It made the dizziness easier to handle. Only, he was seated and no one was bringing Remy over to him. Remy wasn't there at his side anymore. The idea of being in here without him was enough to set Spencer's heart racing. That panic only got worse when he looked up, trying to find Remy in the crowd, and all he saw was a sea of medical staff and random patients all wrapped in a maelstrom of colors that made his head ache and spin even more. Images, colors, little bits and pieces of these peoples' lives. It was too much. The girl in the chair, holding the hand of an elderly lady who was lying on the bed in front of her—she'd be planning a funeral before the day was over. The guy getting patched up over on the far bed—his wife was going to have twins. The nurse to his right—alcoholic. The receptionist at the ER desk—beat his wife.

Hands settled on Spencer's jacket, unzipping and trying to draw it off him, and that was the last straw for the young teen. A pained, terrified sound broke free from where it'd been lodged in his throat and he did the only thing he could think of—he called for the one person here he knew would keep him safe. "Remy!"

All signs of the maturity that usually sat in the fourteen year old were gone. In that moment, he sounded younger than his years. A terrified child seeking the solace of someone he knew would make it better. He could've sobbed with relief when Remy's familiar figure pushed forward through the people around him. Spencer lifted his hand, not even thinking about the fact that it was covered in his blood, and Remy didn't hesitate to grab it. He caught Spencer's hand and held on while slipping around the nurse that tried to step in his way. "Hey, hey." Remy said, his voice low and soothing as he sat right down on the bed at Spencer's side. He kept hold of him with one hand and wrapped his other arm around Spencer. "It's all right, cher, Remy's right here. Y'r all right."

Later on, Spencer might be ashamed of the whimpering sound that broke free. Right then he didn't give a damn. He fell into Remy's hold and buried his face against Remy's neck. His whole body was shaking and he knew he was scaring Remy. He couldn't bring himself to explain what was going on, though. He just hid there against Remy's neck and let the teen handle things.

Someone must've tried to get him to move because Remy's arm tightened around him and his voice changed from the low, soothing tone he'd been using to something sharper and firmer. "Non." He said to whomever had dared try to get him to move. "Y'r terrifying de hell outta him. Remy aint going nowhere. He's just fourteen, mec, an he's scared." There was a low pause and then, his voice even sharper, "Don't y' talk about legal shit. Y' wanna get fuckin' legal, den legally he's m' brother. M' underage brother. An until Papa gets here, Remy aint going nowhere, y'hear? Now why don't y' all quit y'r damn yammering and try actually treating de boy b'fore he bleeds out, yeah?"

Apparently they either backed off or Remy just wasn't bothering with them anymore. He turned his attention back to Spencer. The arm he had around him shifted enough that they could finish getting Spencer's coat off and then Remy's hand was in his hair, scratching at his scalp and lightly holding him in place so that he didn't have to move away from his hiding spot if he didn't want to. Spencer soaked up the attention. He focused on the warmth of Remy's presence against him, around him, allowing it to block out everything else.

"Spencer." Remy's voice was a soft murmur against his hair. Though Spencer didn't move, he did focus on his voice as Remy continued to murmur to him. "De doctor's in here now, petit. He's gonna numb y'r arm and den get it all cleaned up an stitched up, d'accord?"

Spencer didn't speak, but he did give Remy's hand a squeeze to let him know that he heard him.

The two stayed curled up together as the doctor began his work. Spencer shut down almost completely. He felt the sharpness of the needle when his arm was numbed but the rest of it was a hazy blur. He lost himself in the warmth of Remy's colors as their auras meshed together. Remy always seemed to have such warm colors around him. Spencer liked to look at them sometimes. He knew that sounded silly, which was why he didn't ever plan on admitting that out loud. He wasn't dumb. He wasn't going to put himself out there to be teased. Enough people in his life had already called him a great big girl. If he said that he liked seeing the pretty colors that made up Remy's aura, he'd never hear the end of it.

Spencer rode in a daze through everything. Held close to Remy, he didn't whimper anymore, didn't make a sound as his arm was numbed, cleaned, and stitched, or even as they put the IV in. It wasn't until someone tried to move Remy that Spencer stirred once more. Even then, it was just to cling tighter to his friend and try to burrow in even closer.

The hand in his hair started to scratch lightly once more and Remy's other hand, which was still tightly held by Spencer's, gave a reassuring squeeze. "It's all right, Spencer. Hush now, Remy aint going nowhere."

"I'm sorry, sir, but we need to get him back to a private room." Someone said nearby. "He's lost a lot of blood for someone his size and he needs fluids and rest."

Remy didn't let go of him. "Den y' point us in de right direction and Remy'll get him dere."

"I can't let you do that. Now, either let go of him, or we're going to call security."

"Y'll do no such thing." Another voice said, firm and sure. This was a voice that Spencer recognized, though, and he found himself actually relaxing a little just at the sound of it. Jean-Luc was here. He would take care of things. It surprised Spencer to realize just how much he believed that. It wasn't just a random feeling, either. It was a certainty in his chest. Jean-Luc was here and he would take care of everything.

There was a bit of movement and then Spencer felt Jean-Luc's presence up beside him just seconds before a hand carefully smoothed over his hair. "Spencer? Petit?"

Spencer didn't unbury himself to answer. He didn't have to. Remy did it for him. "He's all right, Papa. Don't t'ink he likes dese places, me. Been hiding out against Remy de whole time."

"Mattie warned me he might be having problems. She said in a crowded place like this, he can't help what he sees. He's probably using you to hide from the rest of it."

For a second Spencer was afraid that Remy would pull away. He shouldn't have worried, though. Remy's grip actually tightened just the slightest bit. "Den Remy definitely aint going nowhere. We getting him in a room, Papa, or getting him home?"

The doctor and medical staff were being completely ignored now as Jean-Luc and Remy talked over Spencer's head.

"Home." Jean-Luc said firmly.

There was a bit of shuffling that Spencer imagined was the doctor. He tilted his head just enough to peek past a bit of hair and watch as a man in a lab coat stepped up to Jean-Luc, who was standing right in front of them. "Excuse me, sir, but I really have to protest. It's my recommendation that your son spend the night here. The wound itself isn't that bad, but he's lost enough blood that I'd like to monitor him overnight. He needs fluids and plenty of rest."

"All of which he can get at home." Jean-Luc said. "And much better dan he'd get here. I'm not insulting y'r hospital, Doctor. However, my son is unique, as is his situation, and I believe an overnight stay at the hospital would do more harm than good. He needs to be at home with his family where we can care for him in de way he needs. Besides, I highly doubt y'r going to be able to separate him from Remy right now. So why don't y' and I step over here and y' can tell me what I need to do to care fo' him, medically, while Remy and de nurses get him ready to go?"

Things happened rather quickly after that. There was just something about Jean-Luc that seemed to inspire obedience in the people around him. He was a natural born leader. Years of leading the Thieves Guild had only refined that in him. Everything about him just radiated control and authority. His bearing, his voice, that sharp stare of his when he made a point. All little things that added up and left people following his directions as if they were orders, sometimes without even realizing it at first.

In short order Spencer found his arm wrapped up with a bandage, his IV removed, and he was dressed once more. He kept close to Remy the entire time, never once breaking complete contact with him, and he tried to keep his head bowed away, too, not wanting to see anything else around him. It wasn't a perfect solution, though, and he found that out when it came time to stand up and he finally had to look up to make sure that he stood okay. He'd tipped his head just enough to look down to the ground, intending to keep his eyes on the ground only. It didn't work out the way he wanted. They'd just moved into the main part of the ER when someone moved in front of them, cutting them off, and Spencer looked up instinctively. That was all it took. One split second and he found his gaze caught in images and colors.

Spencer rarely ever spoke to strangers about the things that he saw about them. Not only did it usually not go over well, it felt strange and invasive, like he was caught peeping at someone while they were changing. But when it was something good, something positive, he always had such a hard time resisting. When it was good, and for a child, there was no resisting at all.

Patting lightly at Remy's hand on him, Spencer stepped away from his the safety of his friend for the first time since he'd latched on earlier and he slid forward, past the two people in front of him, right up to the young girl who was sitting hunched over in her chair. She was small, just a young thing only five years old, and she was utterly terrified, clutching the stuffed bunny in her arms like it was the only thing keeping her together. She was so very afraid and Spencer couldn't ignore that; not when he knew she had no reason to be. He went right up to her and, tucking his injured arm in close and ignoring the bruises, he squatted down in front of her. Sad blue eyes looked up at him for a second before they dropped back to the floor.

"Hello there." Spencer said softly to her. She didn't say anything, but he didn't let that deter him. His heart led him as he smiled kindly at her. "My name's Spencer. And you, you're Leslie, right?" Ah, now, there was a bit of life in those eyes, a hint of surprise. Spencer's smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. Lifting his good hand, he touched the leg of the bunny, tapping it with his finger. "And this is Mr. Bun, right? Hello, Mr. Bun." He shook the stuffed bunny's hand, smiling at him like he was really greeting him, and then moved his smile up to Leslie, who was now looking at him instead of the floor. There was a spark of curiosity in her eyes now, just like he'd hoped. "How'd you know our names?" She asked him.

The accents that could be found in New Orleans were slowly becoming familiar with Spencer the more time that he lived here. There were so many of them, changing dependent on where a person was from, even what part of town. He couldn't help but think that the slow, thick drawl she had was the most adorable he'd heard.

"I could see it." Spencer told her in answer to her question. Lifting a finger, he tapped at his temple. "Sometimes I just look at people and I see things about them. When I looked over here, I saw you. You, and Mr. Bun, and your Mom." He tipped his head then, looking up at the woman who had just noticed someone talking to her daughter.

Leslie looked slightly awed. "You saw us?" There was no disbelief in her tone. Children were always so quick to believe the things that adults would question.

"That's right. I saw you guys over here, looking so very sad, and I thought to myself that, well, that just wasn't right."

"M-My sister, she got hurt by a car." Leslie told him, her voice cracking a little and her eyes dropping down to her bunny. She squeezed the stuffed animal tighter. Her mom reached out, putting a hand on her daughter's back, and she cast a sharp look at Spencer, very obviously ready to tell him to back off.

Spencer ignored her. He kept his attention focused on the little girl, not her mother. "That is sad. But would you like to know something?" He paused, waiting for her nod, and then he leaned in a little like what he had to say was some big secret. Not only did Leslie lean in, her mother did as well, the woman ready to stop him if needed. Spencer smiled at the both of them. "Your sister's going to be just fine." He told her, whispering the words as if they really were a secret. Once more he reached up and tapped his temple. "Trust me. I know."

The girl's face lit up in a way that warmed Spencer's heart. With the complete and utter faith of a child, she latched onto his words and the hope they gave her. "Really?" Eyes wide, smile bright, she looked up at her Mom. "Mama, did you hear that?"

"I sure did, sweetie." The woman said. The look she gave Spencer said clearly that she didn't trust him, was very wary of him, but she wasn't going to do anything about it, not if it meant risking taking away the relief he'd just given her child. Even if the mom didn't believe him, the child did, and that had been Spencer's goal when he came over here.

Leslie's bright smile turned back towards him and it lit up her whole face. "Thanks, Spencer!"

"You are very welcome." Spencer told her. Pressing his good hand against his knees, he prepared to push up to his feet. But before he did, he caught her eye one last time. "Make sure you tell Ali to be more careful next time. No more chasing toys into the street."

He missed the mother's shocked look as he rose to his feet. With one last smile and wave for Leslie, he turned around and found Remy standing there waiting for him, a soft smile curling the teen's lips. The look on Remy's face was warm and fond. "Y' big softy." Remy teased him. His words were amused, but there was something else in there, something that had Spencer standing just a tiny bit taller. "C'mon, let's get y' out to de car b'fore Papa gets out dere." Remy's arm slipped around his waist, the customary position of around his shoulders not possible right now with his stitches, and he started to lead Spencer away. He waited until they were outside where it was quieter before he looked down at Spencer again. "Dat was a nice t'ing y' did back dere."

"That's one of the few times I don't really mind my powers." Spencer told him. He found himself leaning in just a little against Remy's embrace. Not hiding like he had earlier, just accepting the comfort that was being offered.

Remy gave him a soft squeeze. "Y've got a good heart, Spencer."

"Mm." Spencer hummed noncommittally, embarrassment coloring his cheeks a little.

"Y' do. Y'r a nice kid, cher. Too nice." Remy stopped them alongside Jean-Luc's familiar car. Turning, he looked down at Spencer, and his expression had turned somewhat sad. He let go of Spencer's waist to reach up and smooth back his hair. "Remy never wanted dis fo' y', Spencer." His fingers trailed down, brushing lightly over the bandage covering Spencer's stitches. "Not dis."

"What'd you think all that training's been for?" Spencer asked him.

The teen wrinkled his nose slightly. "Planning fo' it's one t'ing…"

"Seeing it in action is something else entirely." He nodded in understanding.

Remy nodded back. "Oui."

A soft smile touched Spencer's lips and he reached up to pull off his sunglasses, wanting to be able to see Remy better for this. He met his friend's eyes and held his gaze. Remy looked back at him and found himself frozen. There was a look to Spencer's eyes, something in them that made him look so much older than his years. Older, and wiser. He didn't look like the scared kid he'd been back in the ER. If anything, he reminded Remy of one of his father's friends, an old veteran who had served through two different wars and who had seen things the rest of them would never understand. "I made my choice, Remy." Spencer told him gently yet firmly. "I pledged myself to you and to this, debts between our parents aside. I made that choice and I made it knowing some of what it would mean for me. I accepted the risks. This," He lifted his good hand, gesturing to his arm. "is nothing. Given enough time, it'll be a scar, nothing more, and I'll carry it without shame. I made a promise to Mattie, to your father, to myself, and most importantly, to you. If this is the price I pay to keep it, then I'll pay it, and gladly."

"What if it's a price Remy don't want y' paying? Y'r only fourteen, cher."

"You can't make that decision for me." Spencer said gently. In a rare display for him, he reached out, fingers brushing over Remy's arm. "I didn't make this choice in ignorance, Remy. I know what I'm getting myself into here. I know that this may be my first scar, but it's definitely not going to be my last. I've see what might be, what could be, and some of what will be. In my eyes, it's worth it. It will always be worth it. Can you accept that?"

For a long moment the two of them stared at one another. Spencer, with his too-old-eyes, and Remy, who for the first time was getting a glimpse at the things that Spencer had already seen and accepted. There was a part of the older teen that wanted to deny all of this. To refuse something that would put someone he was counting as a good friend at such a constant risk. Seeing Spencer hurt had brought home to him the reality of this all. It made what had been a game, training him to fight and teaching him how to protect, suddenly very real. The bigger part of him, however, knew that he couldn't just turn this way. That part also told him that even if he did try, Spencer would find a way to look out for him anyways. "I guess I aint got much of a choice." Remy finally answered. It was a sign of how serious he was that he used first person speech, a rarity for him. "Even if I said no, y'd still do it. Better to keep y' where I can see y' and look out fo' y' in turn."

The smile that stretched Spencer's lips was wide and bright. "We'll look after each other, then."

"Y' and me against de world, huh cher?"

Laughter bubbled up from Spencer. "I guess so." He saw something Remy's shoulder and he straightened himself up a little. "Starting now."

Remy turned around to see Jean-Luc coming towards them, and oh man, he did not look happy.

A small step brought Spencer up to Remy's side. Impulsively, he twisted his wrist just enough to catch their fingers together. He was pleased when Remy didn't pull away but instead gave his hand a small squeeze. Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, they stood there together and waited, ready to take things on together—even a very pissed off father.