Author's Note: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I know it's been ages and I really don't have an excuse other than I've been on Doctor Who and Once Upon a Time writing binges. Thank you all so much though for keeping up with the story and for the reviews. It's amazing what a single review or one new follower can do for a writer's self esteem. Enjoy!
"Where the Hell are you?" I rolled my eyes as Logan continued to berate me over the phone. Of course he was pissed; because really, when was I not pissing him off in some manner? Knowing he didn't want me to actually answer yet, I took the opportunity to take another look around the restroom in the back of the shit bar Remy had led me to. It wasn't the classiest of places, but then again, this hadn't been a four star vacation so far.
I took another glance in the dirty mirror behind me and sighed. Honestly the damage wasn't as bad as I had expected. A cut lip was easy enough to deal with, and I had stopped bleeding a while ago. I was lucky; the pain in my side had faded, and I doubted I had broken a rib. Probably bruised, but I had had worse.
"I'm telling you, Kid, you have got to be one of the dumbest people I know," he continued. I allowed myself a small smile. He was clearly losing steam. Calling me a kid was always a sign he was running out of material. It was time to speak up.
"Logan I-"
"I'm not done yet!" he roared, and I rolled my eyes once more.
"But Logan!" I tried again.
"No! You tell me where you are right now before I track you down and –" That was enough for me.
"I found him, Asshole!" Silence. "So if you're ready to calm down…I will give you the address and not kick your ass for being a real jerk just now." More silence. "Are you still there?" I asked, wanting a little bit of acknowledgement for my excellent work finding our target…I didn't think it necessary to clue Logan in that the target actually found me.
"I'm here," he growled. Not exactly the calm voice I asked for, but I wasn't going to push my luck.
"Okay then." I proceeded to give him the address and tell him not to come in all ready to kick ass. "He seems like an okay guy, if not a little forward. I think he'll be willing to help us." We quickly finished up our conversation and I headed back into the main bar. I found Gambit, or Remy as he told me, at a poker table clearly dominating the game.
"Welcome back ma cheri, I thought you had abandoned me," he chuckled pulling a chair out for me at the table. I rolled my eyes and sat next to my newest friend.
"Why would I leave?" I asked. "You promised me a drink, don't you remember?" As if out of nowhere, Remy placed a beer in front of me with a cool smirk.
"Never say I don't deliver on my promises." He held up his own beer and clinked mine in a toast. Not quite sure what to do then, I asked if I could play too. Silly question apparently.
"How about you let me teach you a little something before you dive into a high roller's deal?" Clearly he wasn't really asking me…whatever, if he wanted to show off his skill at cards, I would let him.
"Fine," I replied gesturing toward the cards. "Impress me." The men at the table laughed at my challenge, and Remy smirked. Honestly I didn't expect to care much once the game actually started. All of the players, including the man who moments ago had been so obsessed with me, were completely into their game, and I couldn't blame them. As I watched the game begin I could see why Remy didn't want me playing. They were using antes as well as big and small blinds. I quickly did the math and figured that whoever was in the big blind position would be betting $200 before even seeing his cards.
I remembered watching the guys on Stryker's team playing when I was younger. Already I was impressed with how much these men were risking over what I considered a game of chance.
"I know what you're thinking cheri," he said suddenly, looking away from his hand only to gauge the other players' faces.
"Please enlighten me," I replied sarcastically.
"You are thinking," he began, saying each word slowly in concentration, "that there is no skill whatsoever in this little game of ours."
"And you would tell me differently, I suppose," I said in response, tilting my head.
"LeBeau, your new friend is more suspicious than the others," the player across from me said.
"Oh others," I chuckled. "Good to know I'm so special." No one can say I don't know how to get my flirt on. The players laughed once more as Remy glared at the man who had spoken up.
"Seriously though…" I began, hoping to diverge our conversation away from the awkwardness of boy-girl flirtations. "What skill really goes into this? I used to watch my – my brothers play a lot. All I saw were a bunch of macho jerks trying to intimidate each other into losing." I smiled, thinking about how that was exactly how the guys used to play.
"You need to know people cheri," Remy explained finally looking at me and leaning in close. "You need to be able to look at another man and answer one simple question: Is he aiming to win or not to lose? Once you figure that out, it isn't difficult to tell how he'll play the game."
"You realize they're the same thing right?" I snorted. Remy only smirked.
"And that, ma cheri, is why you are not playing." The other men at the table laughed and I blushed.
"Fine, well what about you, Mr. LeBeau? How do you play the game?" I asked, suddenly very aware of how close we were to each other.
"I guess you'll have to wait and see cheri." He was looking me straight in the eyes as he put down his hand claiming a win from the table. I finally turned away, again not quite sure what I should have been doing in those moments of such heated stares. Were we even talking about poker anymore? Where was Logan?
Remy chuckled and leaned back after pulling his winnings toward him. "So please tell cheri, what were you doing alone in that alley?" I blushed again, realizing how stupid I must have looked, getting myself into that situation.
"I got separated from my friends." It was mostly the truth, I thought to myself. "They'll be coming here to get me," I added.
"And you're sure they'll have a better time than you?" I noted the twinkle in his eyes and made a face.
"Something tells me they'll be fine…" I looked over my shoulder and sure enough, there was Logan and John standing in the open doorway. I turned back to Remy and grinned.
"Hey I'll be right back, kay?" He nodded as I started toward the front of the bar, but stopped me. I glanced down at his hand holding my wrist, I raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"
He gave me another smirk. "Don't keep me waiting too long…I'll start to think'll I have to rescue you again." I rolled my eyes and pulled my arm from his grasp. I couldn't help but shoot him one last glance as I reached Logan and led my friends outside. Already, Remy was deep in thought as his hand was dealt, and for the first time since meeting him, I actually began to feel bad for what we were trying to drag him into.
For the first time since this whole ordeal began…I felt ashamed. Ashamed not for what I had done, but what I would do. How many more people was I going to drag into mine and Logan's war? Would it be worth it?