Disclaimer: Come on ya know ya wanna read it! The X-Men are sole property of Marvel comics and are used here without permission. This is a work of fan fiction, and I'm not making any money from it, so please don't sue me. Also, this story contains mature themes of a sexual nature. (Kissing, safe sex, m/m) The people in this story are mature consenting adults well over the age of eighteen, and if you expect to read this, then you'd better be one too!

Following Through

Bobby's expresssion was grim as he exited the gate, duffle bag slung over one shoulder. By all rights, he should have been happy, he was going home. But he wasn't happy, just disappointed, at himself and all of his grand aspirations. He'd aspired to live his life after leaving the X-Men; aspired to succeed, to go places. Now the only place he was going, was the one place he thought he could leave behind. While the X-Men saw his return as some sort of gift bestowed upon them by a merciful god, Bobby just saw it as an admission of failure. Here he was, mere months had passed, and already he'd come crawling back to the X-Men; just as they knew he would. Oh they'd be so happy to see him, the prodigal son returned to the fold; so what if he'd failed yet again?

*(You should be used to it Bobby-boy,)* he told himself with a bitter little laugh *(after all, what's one more failure in a life time full of failures?)* This last thought hung over his head, like a black cloud heavy with acid rain, as he stumbled through baggage claim and into the airport proper, darkening his face with it's shadow. The state of said airport did little for his mood, however.

The crowd milled about him restlessly, it was the usual post-vacation traffic, people both coming and going. There were delays, of course, both coming and going; so the christmas mood was anything but merry. If there were two things you didn't want to hear in a crowded airport, they were: Fire, and Delay. *(A fire could sure help move things along though.)* Bobby mused, as he was shoved rudely from behind. He had the urge to use his powers, anything to get through this nightmare, but from prior experience he knew it would be a bad idea.

Oh well, Bobby sighed, as he was jostled, jolted, and jerked about....it can't get any worse than it already is. He was wrong. Like many airports, this one had an entirely glass facade, so the front was effectively one big window. This assured a great view....usually. Today however, the view was terrible. The sky was thick with clouds, from which snow was falling in abundance. *(How fitting,)* thought Bobby *( a blizzard to welcome home the Iceman.)* First crowds, now weather, how could things possibly get any worse!

It was too much to hope for, that his pick up would bring the Hum Vee; with his luck there might not even be a pick up. This thought was too much for Bobby, his frustration reached a boiling point as he hauled fifty-plus pounds of luggage towards the door and certain disappointment. He had just abandoned all hope when what to his wondering eyes should appear but a sign. A sign! It read: Welcome Back Bobby Drake. "My ride! Oh thank g--" The words stuck in his throat as the sign lowered to reveal the very last face he expected to see. "Gambit!"

Things had just gotten worse.

He knew it, he just knew this was going to happen. And when he saw the tall, slim figure, the stylishly awful clothes, and that obnoxously long auburn hair....well things just fell into place. *(Run, now while you still have the chance!)* But it was too late, that famous thousand watt grin flashed, homing in on him like some radar beam from the Twilight Zone. Bobby's heart sank, he was about to spend two hours in a cramped car with the most infuriating man on the face of the earth. He felt his face crack into a big false idiot grin, well aware that it was the human equivilant of baring his fangs.

Bobby didn't hate Gambit; even though there were times when he was sorely tempted to freeze him. But there were just things about him that he really disliked, intensely. First of all was his smile, did he really think that worked on women? And his walk....that swagger of his, who did he think he was, Lorenzo Lamas? Worst of all, that unshakable self-assurance of his, it seemed nothing could surprise Remy LeBeau. As if all of those things put together weren't bad enough, he just happened to be the sexiest piece of man-flesh to ever walk this earth....not that this bothered Bobby, not in the least. He was far from jealous.

The problem was this: how was it possible to find someone physically attractive when, most of the time they just make you want to scream? For some time, Bobby had puzzled over this, until he finally concluded that it was just asthetic, and went back to reading his Penthouse Forum.

But now he found himself puzzling yet again, mostly about why the Penthouses were failing to do the job.

"We're y'at?" Gambit said by way of greeting. He was wearing dark sunglasses, ostensibly to conceal his strange red on black eyes; small comfort for Bobby, who still found that alien gaze diconcerting.

"How did you get stuck with pick-up duty? Am I that unpopular around the mansion now? Or is everyone else dead?" Bobby frowned, struggling with his bags. And of course, Gambit wasn't offering any help.

"Not funny, Drake." Gambit replied with his usual aplomb. Then he leaned over and snatched two of the heaviest bags from Bobby's grasp. "I t'ought we had some catchin' up t' do. S' naturally I took de opportunity." He staggered visibly from the weight of the bags, but recovered in no time, still looking as cool as ever.

"So in other words, no one was available." Bobby followed Gambit out the door, not even flinching as a blast of frigid air hit his exposed face. Gambit, of course, flinched, cursing softly to himself. "Remy, you're a terrible liar."

"No I'm not. I was serious....sacre` mere....dieu, it's cold!" He began walking faster, the snow was flying, making it hard to see much. "Now where'd I park?"

"You, serious?!" Bobby was incredulous, and he was unwilling to let the subject drop. "What could we possibly have to catch up on?" He spat, not caring how rude it sounded. "Look, no offense, but....we're not exactly the best of friends, Remy."

"Ya called me Remy, dat's a start. It took Bishop almos' a year." He said coyly.

Inwardly, Bobby fumed. With a defeated shrug he continued walking against the gusting wind and stinging snow until quite suddenly Gambit stopped dead in his tracks and turned. Bobby stopped also.

"Hey, cheer up, Bobby. No need t'be lookin' all glum like." Remy cocked his head, long hair whipping in the wind. "Here!"

Something wet clobbered the side of Bobby's face, he never saw the snowball coming. He rounded on Gambit, furious. "Hey! Woulja....just cut it out!" He shouted, dropping all of his luggage in his anger. With an audible screech, his body began to shift, as a mobile liquid ice crept over the suface ready to ensheath him completely in it's crystlaline perfection. Then he stopped it, realizing that he was about to display his mutant abilities in a very public place.

"Dis aint like you, Bobby." Gambit said, the smile just vanished from his face, and he stood slack-jawed staring strangely at Bobby. "Time was, you woulda jus' laughed an' thrown one back....Y'v changed." He seemed shocked, almost sad.

Bobby's rage suddenly deflated, Gambit was right. It came almost as much of a surprise to himself, as it did to the cajun. What had come over him? Sure, he was angry, but it just wasn't like Bobby to react so suddenly. He had changed, and it wasn't something to be happy about.

They stood facing each other for a moment, waiting; for what, though, Bobby had no idea. Then....

"Bobby? You okay?" The spell was broken.

"What the hell!" Bobby laughed and bent to scoop up some snow, which he hurled at Gambit who was too surprised to dodge. The cajun was nailed square in the chest.

"You'll pay for dat!" He crowed, smiling and letting fly with a series of large snow clumps.

Soon they were going at it like two teenagers, and the snow was flying! Gambit even allowed himself to be hit with a few, or so he said: "Oh, I Iet you hit me dat time!" The fight lasted a few minutes until Remy just knocked Bobby down for old time's sakes and white washed him. And ages old ritual whereby the victim has snow shoved down his coat, and any other article of clothing, or rubbed vigorously about the headal area.

"Dis round goes t' me." Remy laughed and helped Bobby to his feet.

"I got snow in my shorts! How the hell did you manage that?" Bobby was also laughing, having forgotten momentarily his bitterness, and even his dislike of Gambit. They brushed themselves off, retrieved the luggage, and headed towards the car, which took only a few minutes to find.

The snow was pouring down heavily as they reached Gambit's car, a vintage sky blue Eldorado convertible, the roof was up of course. Bobby tossed his luggage into the backseat while Gambit busied himself tenderly scraping the ice from his baby's windows. It was astounding, the reverence with which he treated that car. Bobby just stood, watching him silently as the snow swirled around them. He cleared his throat nervously, and Gambit snapped to attention.

"Very well den." He opened the door for Bobby, and slipped around to the side. They settled into the freezing vehicle, breathing small clouds of vapor which Gambit soon added to with his cigarette smoke. It took a while for the engine to warm up, giving Bobby a chance to think. He felt a sudden twinge of remorse, for having been so rude to Gambit after he had gone to all the trouble of picking up his worthless ass at the airport. Friend or not, Bobby knew it was more than he deserved from Remy.

"Um, look....Remy. I'm ah, sorry for snapping at you like that earlier." Bobby said awkwardly.

"Pffffhhht, f'get about it." Gambit waved one hand dismissively, while shifting gears with the other. "Wa'nt no big t'ang cher."

"I take it all back. Don't ever call me chere!"

Gambit let loose an infuriating chuckle, as the car pulled slowly out of the lot. "Dat be cher, wit' one 'ee', de masculine form. It don't mean what y' t'ink it does." He was grinning that devilish grin again.

Bobby felt his ears grow red, he folded his arms and tried to sink as far back in his seat as possible. This was going to be a long ride.

They rode in silence, as mile after mile of black-top slipped beneath the wheels, and pretty soon Bobby found himself nodding off to sleep. As his eyes slid closed he couldn't help but think back to the one incedent that had set this turn of events in motion. It was actually more like a series of incedents starting with his return to his parents house. His father was recovering slowly, by steadily from his injuries recieved at the hands of Creed's minions. And Bobby was doing his best to help out around the house, assisting his mother in any way possible. In all that time, though, he found very little time to himself, until one night.

His mother went to the trouble of setting him up with a friend's daughter so that he'd have a night out on the town, a chance to live a little, as she put it. So, Bobby agreed, albeit grudgingly, and went out on the worst date of his life. The girl was attractive enough, and charming to be sure....so there shouldn't have been a problem. But for some reason things just didn't seem to be going very well, and then he kissed her. It was like....well, like kissing Jean; affectionate, but chaste. Bobby went home in a fog, dejected, and not quite sure why.

"Home so soon, dear?" His mother had said. But he didn't really hear, because suddenly, he was in his room crying into his pillow.

When had things started to go wrong? Bobby thought he could pinpoint the exact moment, maybe it was the moment he'd made his fateful decision to leave the X-Men. It was perhaps the biggest decision of his young life, and he tought he could follow through on it. He thought he could finally live a normal life....something he'd wanted so badly for so long! What of his normal life now, though? It all amounted to nothing, it was all just a big lie!!

The moment of realization was brutally clear, like a splash of ice-water in the face. Bobby was living a lie. It just dawned on him, like that, and he thought the world would come to an end. But it didn't, it's infernal machinations continued like always. It dawned on him, that any relationships he'd ever entertained in the past were doomed to fail. Bobby knew they were doomed from the very start, he knew they wouldn't amount to anything; and he just went on like that's the way it was supposed to be. He'd known it from the beginning, with Lorna, and with Opal....what was it he'd known? What was it that Emma Frost said?

"You never really loved me, you were just using me to make you look good!" Opal's form, Emma's words. He denied it stubbornly of course, knowing what it meant, but not wanting to own up to it. "You can't lie to a telepath, Bobby dear. You've dug yourself so deeply into this closet of your own making....it'd take the jaws of life to pry you out!" Wait a second, she'd never said that....The dream dissolved, and sleep with it. Bobby jerked his head up, and was thrown roughly back against the door. He had no time to react as the car swerved sickeningly. Gambit was struggling with the wheel, steering into the skid just as he was supposed to. Fat lot of good that was doing, the patch of road they had hit was covered entirely with black ice.

Bobby had time to wonder if he could do something about the ice, before they hit the metal guard-rail and went flying through the air. There was an eerie feeling of calm before they hit, like time stood still; it didn't last long though. There was a shattering impact that jarred Bobby to the bone, and a squeeling, screeching crunch. It was over.

Bobby blinked in surprise, he was still concious, and after a brief check it seemed nothing was broken. But something else was very very wrong. He was hanging in his seat-belt, upside down. "Oh shit, shitshitshit...." He gasped, and turned to look out the window. The road was where the sky should have been. "we flipped over....oh my god, we flipped over!"

"Bobby? Bobby....you okay?"

"I-I'm fine." He looked over and saw Gambit in the same ridiculous position, only he wasn't wearing a seat belt, and apparently hadn't been up until the time of the accident. He was breathing hard, and had his hand to his head. "And you?"

"H-I'm okay....m' okay." He didn't seem okay, in fact he seemed scared out of his mind, and there was also alot of blood seeping through his fingers. "What--what jus' happened?"

"What happened! We've just been in an accident, you....you...." Try as he might, Bobby found that he just couldn't get mad, it was just seeing Remy like this....it gave him the strangest feelings. "Are you sure you're alright?" For a while there was no answer and he was almost sure Gambit was unconcious. But he wasn't, he was just staring straight ahead with this strange wide- eyed look. It was worse than he'd thought. "Remy," He said with as much calm as he could muster. "Remy, you've got to snap out of it." Bobby reached over and gave the man a smack, which probably wasn't the best thing to do. But Bobby was woefully inexperienced with cases such as this. Then in desperation he grabbed hold of Remy's hand, which would have been a mistake under any other circumstances.

"I smell gas." Remy whispered, his shades had flown off and his eyes now had a glazed unfocused look.

Bobby tried not to panic, even though every fiber of his being trembled with mind-numbing fear. He squeezed Remy's hand, taking comfort as well as giving it. "Remy, can you hear me?" A nod. "I'm gonna try to get out now, you just hang in there....hang in, okay?" Another nod. "I'll come around and get you." Bobby tried to pull his hand away, but found that Remy was unwilling to let go. "It's okay, I'll get you out, I promise...."

Remy's grasp finally loosened, allowing Bobby to get his seat-belt undone with trembling hands. He had to kick the door open, and when he did the heat hit him. Bobby tumbled out into the snow. The smell of smoke was heavy, and flames licked the undercarriage. Shakily, Bobby got to his feet, and extinguished the fire with a crackle of ice. He stumbled towards the drivers side and tugged the door open. Gambit's eyes were closed, and he wasn't moving. Oh no, not now.

"Gambit!" Bobby shouted. "Come on, bud, don't do this to me." He slapped his cheek lightly, which seemed to bring him around some. He opened his eyes and tried to bat Bobby's hand away.

"Ow, ow, Bobby what....are you doing?"

"Oh, this is bad, very bad." Bobby muttered, pausing for a moment, at a loss for what to do. It looked as if he was going to have to pull Remy out of there bodily; he steeled himself. "Go loose."

"Quoi?"

"Go loose, I'm gonna pull you out." He reached around Remy with both arms and began to haul him out of the car. "Just relax, and you'd better appreciate this. When you showed up the last thing I had in mind was rescuing you!" This, as he dragged the lanky figure as far from the wreckage as he could manage.

"My car....my beautiful....car!" Remy gasped, seeing the carnage first hand.

"It's not as bad as it looks." Bobby lied. "Hey, you're not gonna cry, are you?"

"An' what if I was?" Remy said sulkingly, then he closed his eyes against the falling snow.

Bobby sighed gustily. "Well, what do you say?" he asked half-heartedly. "Don't thank me or anything....maybe next time you'll wear a seat belt, huh?"

There was a soft moan. "Dis was all my fault....I'm so sorry."

"No, it wasn't you're fault. That's why they call it an accident." Bobby said in what he thought was a soothing voice, he hauled Remy awkwardly across his lap, and dabbed at the blood with the edge of his scarf. *(This is one of the most strangely intimate situations I've ever been in.)* He thought to himself, looking down on Remy's face with a feeling that was almost tender.

"I think you need an ambulance, bud." He said softly.

"No! No doctors, no hospitols...." Remy protested weakly.

"Well what do you want me to do?" Bobby cried in desperation. "You have blood gushing from your head, and your telling me you don't need a doctor!"

"Bobby....please." His eyes were pleading, thry no longer seemed so alien when filled with such human pain.

"Okay, but we're not staying out here all night. Can you stand?"

"Yeah." They both got shakily to they're feet. Bobby caught his breath when Remy stumbled and fell back against him. "Sorry." Remy smiled wanly and managed to right himself. Bobby snaked an arm around his waist, the liquid ice had flowed over him swiftly, and he was, once again, the Iceman.

"Hold on tight." He said.

There was a loud crackle as Bobby created an ice slide, which lengthened until they were travelling at quite a clip. He felt Remy shrink away, and held on all the tighter for it.

"Y--y'r so cold...." Remy gasped through chattering teeth.

"I know, just hold on, and don't look down."

"Where we goin'?"

"There must be a hotel nearby....I hope."



By the time they reached the Holiday Inn, the squall had turned to a whiteout, and Bobby was almost blinded by the swirling snow. Remy was cold and unresponsive; Bobby worried that he might be freezing to death. They touched down out of sight in the parking lot, and Remy came to, shivering violently. Bobby shifted quickly to human form and Remy sagged against him, almost sobbing with relief.

"It's okay, Remy....the hard part's over now." Bobbby soothed.

"Oh god...." Remy said in a panicky voice. "I t'ink I gon' be sick...." He collapsed to his knees and retched violently into the snow. Bobby knelt beside him and held his hair back until the heaving subsided.

"Jesus christ, Remy," Bobby had never cared so much about anyone in his life as he cared for Remy at this moment....but he was not about to tell him that, not just yet. He was scared, and it showed in his voice. "are you okay?"

"I'm....fine." Remy gasped, his face almost as pale as the snow, and the blood a shock of color against all that white. With trembling hands, he lifted some clean snow to his mouth.

"Come on, let's get you inside." Bobby helped him to his feet. "Think you're gonna' make it?"

Remy nodded, then closed his eyes and let his head rest on Bobby's shoulder for the briefest moment; it was a surprisingly intimate gesture.

They stumbled into the hotel lobbey, Remy leaning heavily on Bobby's shoulder. The receptionist looked at them askance, doing not a double, but a triple take.

"Drunk." Bobby explained. "He, uh, he got into a fight." He fumbled the gold card from his wallet and slid it across the counter. "Give us a nice room, with two beds." he added hastily, turning on his most charming smile. The winsom blond smiled back.

"Your friend's really cute." She said brazenly.

"Yeah..." Bobby caught himself just in time, covering masterfully. "I mean....a lot of women think so...." his smile froze *(you're on dangerous ground, Bobbo.)* "Too bad he's an alchoholic, though. Sad, isn't it?"

Remy poked him in the ribs. "Jealous, Drake?" He hissed through his teeth.

"Hardly." Bobby hissed back.

"Ahem." Said the receptionist, "Your card, and your key. Thank you for choosing the Holiday Inn, and I hope your stay is pleasant." She handed both objects across the desk, a note of disappointment coloring her chirpy voice.

They headed for the elevator, trying not to trip over each other in the process. "Hey, watch you feet!" Remy said after stumbling yet again.

"You watch *your* feet!" Said Bobby, looking down at both of their feet. "Wow, they're really small! What size are you?"

Remy blushed hotly. "Hey, foot size has no bearing on....well, it just has no relation to...."

"Sorry, I had no idea this was such a sensitive issue with you!" Bobby shook his head sadly.

Remy pushed him, hard, knocking the both of them into the elevator. Oddly enough, he was smiling, but then the elevator gave a lurch, throwing him off balance. He made a desparate grab to latch onto the nearest support, missed, and fell back against the wall with brutal force.

"Remy!" Bobby caught him just in time and watched in horror as Remy's eyes rolled back in his head, and he went limp like a ragdoll in Bobby's arms. Fresh blood flowed from his wound, in alarming quantities. "Oh no, man, no." Bobby staggered under the sudden weight, trying his best to cradle the taller man, holding him against his chest. "We're almost there....come on don't do this to me." Bobby checked for a pulse, finding it rapid and thready.

"Oh, Remy. Look at you man....I can't believe this. If you die, I swear to god...I'll never forgive myself." The elevator ground to a sudden halt. Bobby slipped his arm under Remy's knees, and lifted him up, surprised at how light he actually was. "You poor thing...."

He found the room after what seemed like an eternity, and fumbled with the key, cursing his inability. "Just hang on, Remy, stay with me here." Finally the door swung open, and in a moment of irony, Bobby carried Remy over the threshold. Kicking the door shut behind, dropping the key to the floor, Bobby walked over to one of the king sized beds and gently laid his friend upon the coverlet.

Afraid to leave Remy for even a moment, Bobby hurried into the bathroom, and emerged with a damp wash-cloth. Gingerly, he dabbed at the blood, Remy's brow furrowed, his face tensed. "Remy?" Bobby said anxiously. "Can you hear me, bud?"

His eyes fluttered open.

"Oh thank god, you had me so worried...."

"What? Bobby? Where are we?" Remy looked around, confused. Then, suddenly, he was struggling to sit up. "Oh shit, we were s'posed t'be at de mansion...."

"Remy!" Bobby placed both hands against his chest and gently pushed him down again. "We were in an accident, don't you remember?"

"An accident?!" There was rising panic in his voice. "Oh my god, and accident...."

"Calm down, it's okay." Bobby continued to hold the washcloth to Remy's head, alarmed at the amount of blood he seemed to be losing. With the other hand he reached over and folded one of the long white hands in a gentle, reassuring grip. "Do you remember anything?"

Remy blinked. "I--I'm tired. I wanna sleep."

"No, don't go to sleep, you just stay awake....okay?" Bobby sat down on the bed and pulled the prone figure against him, almost unaware of what he was doing until Remy was lying halfway across his lap. With a sigh, he let his head rest against Bobby's chest.

There he spent the next hour, slipping in and out of conciousness, while Bobby tried in vain to bring him to his senses. He tried coaxing and cajoling, he even started whispering promises in his ear:

"Come on, just wake up....just open your eyes and look at me....show me you're alright. I'll do anything.... "I'll pay for room service, I'll give you my car....I'll buy you stuff, be your friend forever." there was no response. Bobby renewed his efforts, hugging Remy tightly. "I'll play go-between for you and Rogue....if--if that doesn't work out, I'll go out with you myself." If that didn't snap him out of it then nothing will.

Then, for no reason whatsoever, Bobby started to cry. Why the hell did he have to go and mention Rogue? Just the thought of her and Remy together was more than he could handle. He hated himself for thinking this, but he couldn't help it....she didn't deserve him. Let her go cavorting around shamelessly with Joseph--Magneto, whatever his name was--Bobby didn't care.

"Forget Rogue already, god-damnit! Just forget about her....I love you, Remy. I need you!" It occured to Bobby that he was being completely irrational, yelling at the unconcious man like a lunatic, tears streaming down his face. "Oh god, don't let him hear what I just said...." Bobby somewhat regained his composure and swiped angrily at his eyes, trying to deny the spiteful, treacherous tears.

It soon grew dark outside, and Remy remained unconcious. Bobby just sat there, staring blankly at the wall all those long hours, holding on to the unresponsive man for dear life. The waiting finally got to him, and he felt his eyelids grow heavy. Then, next thing he knew, he was being gently shaken awake.

"Bobby?"

"Wha?" Bobby's eyes snapped open, and he was greeted with the sight of Remy's geogeous face hovering mere inches above his own, he gave a start, smacking his head back against the bed- board. He tried his darndest to pretend he hadn't felt that. "How long have you been awake?"

"Bout fi'teen minutes, an' my head is killin' me." His weight shifted on the bed, he was just too damn close for Bobby's comfort.

Bobby noticed that a good part of Remy's face was coated with dried blood, obviously he hadn't even made an attempt at cleaning himself up. So what had he been doing for the past fifteen minutes, watching Bobby sleep? Bobby practically leapt off of the bed. "Jesus christ on a a motor-bike, Remy. Lie down this instant!"

A sly grin. "Ooh. Ya so forceful...."

"I didn't mean it that way. You're a mess...."

"You know, you're right. I'll go take a bath." With that, he got up and left the room, leaving Bobby standing there in dumb amazement.

"Well, you seem to have made quite a speedy recovery, sleeping beauty!" Bobby stormed angrily into the bathroom and nearly collided with one very naked cajun. He covered his eyes before he could get a good look.

"Now dat's real mature." Remy said in a reproving tone, and probably placing his hands on his hips as he'd done thousands of times before....albeit fully clothed. The sound of splashing water filled the room, very hot water, as Bobby judged from the change in ambient temperature. "Ya can look now, I got a towel on. Prude." Remy spat.

Cautiously, Bobby took his hand away, and breathed a sigh of relief. Remy stood before him, tall sinewy form swathed from the waist down in a thick fluffy towel. He really did have a magnificent body, from what Bobby had glimpsed ever so briefly, all angles and long spare lines. And his.... well, Bobby had stopped himself right above the equator, so a little was left to the imagination.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." Again, with that infuriating smirk.

"Dammit, Remy! Exactly how long were you faking?"

"Faking, moi?"

"Don't play coy with me....no one recovers that quickly....when did you wake up?"

"About half-way t'rough dat whole speech about buyin' me stuff...." He was looking at Bobby rather curiously now. "an' den,"

"Oh god, no!" Bobby fell back against the door. "You must've heard everything, you bastard!"

"Honestly, Bobby, I had no idea....I mean if I did...." Oddly enough, Remy was at a loss for words. "I'm sorry."

"I was crying!" Bobby exploded, flinging his arms out melodramatically. "Why did you put me through that? I was so scared....I mean, I thought you were a vegetable, or....or dead, or something!"

"I'm sorry, it's just....well, when you were holdin' me like dat," Remy was struggling with the words, his mind clearly in turmoil. "I felt so warm, an' safe....I was afraid, if I woke up, you would leave me." There. He said it!

Bobby was shell-shocked. He had touched Gambit, and not only did the man not kill him, but here he was saying he liked it....well this was certainly a revelation.

So, now where was he supposed to take this? There was the obvious road, but somehow, he just couldn't see that happening. Still stunned, Bobby sat down on the toilet seat lid.

"God...." He muttered to himself, scrubbing at his face with his squarish hands. Remy's hands, he noticed, were long and elegant, much like the rest of him.

Remy had stepped into the tub, and settled back in the steaming water with a sigh. "Calm down, Bobby. Won' do any good, you goin' all crazy ovuh dis whole t'ing."

"Believe me, I'm trying not to." Bobby finally brought himself to look at Remy, who was lying back with a blissful expression, water running from his face in little droplets. His long hair was slicked against his head like sleek seal fur, and most of the blood had washed off. Bobby's breath caught. How could he have not noticed before....just how beautiful this man was?

"If you're uncomfortable wi' dis, jus' say so....I won' take it personally."

Bobby was jolted from his reverie. "Um, no, not at all, it's just....well, yeah. I guess I am." He was painfully aware he'd started babbling. "I--I....oh god! What am I supposed to say?"

"Search me." Remy shrugged, slipping deeper into the water.

"I'm sorry I started this." Bobby stood abruptly. "I really screwed things up, didn't I?" He said, and ran from the room.

"Bobby, wait!" Remy called out, but made no attempt to follow. "Fine, be dat way....if we can't discuss dis like rational, mature adults,"

In the next room Bobby paced, furious at himself, and at Remy. He grabbed a pillow and hurled it at the wall, where it collided with a muffled and unsatisfying thump. "Jesus!" Bobby snarled, viciously kicking the pillow. He made a few more futile gestures, throwing his hands up, clenching them in his hair, and whirling about suddenly, as if ready to anihilate anyone unlucky enough to be standing behind him at the moment.

He spat out the foulest curses he could come up with, and briefly considered freezing that smug sonofabitch and his bathwater in one solid block. But what would that gain him? Nothing would have been resolved, and their tenuous frienship would be destroyed. "Fuck!" How dare that self- important, effete, swamp-rat....call him immature! How dare he even imply it! Bobby needed to get out of here, find his calm, and diffuse the whole situation.

Without a word, he grabbed his jacket, and the keys, then left.

Two hours later, he returned. A rather long walk had taken the edge off his temper, and he was ready to face Remy like a human being. The man in question was now lounging on the bed, with a magazine in his hands, and a large bandage on his forehead. His clothes were in place, a little bit worse for wear by now. He hardly even looked up when Bobby walked into the room, his tread wary and apologetic.

"'Bout time you got back. Was beginnin' ta wonder if y' hadden' skipped out on me f' good." Remy's tone was perfectly neutral, there was no telling what was behind it; but Bobby had a pretty good idea. Remy was never one to lose his temper, instead, the angrier he got, the calmer he appeared. And right about now, he could have put the Dalai Lahma to shame.

"Remy, look....I'm sorry I blew up at you like that before." He rubbed a hand accross his lips, something he did when he was nervous. "I just....I guess there're some unresolved issues,"

"Dere's no need t' resort to euphemisms." Remy laid the magazine down and looked up at Bobby, exotic eyes locking his gaze with unwavering intensity. "I know exac'ly what it is y' tryin' t' say."

Bobby tried his best not to look away, or flinch. He knew Gambit was just using the eyes to gain advantage over him, and he wasn't about to give ground that quickly. His cool blues returned the gaze full force. Neither of them backing down.

"Obviously, dis isn't jus' goin' to resolve itself." Remy relaxed his guard somewhat, and Bobby was finally able to breath again. "Why don't we give it some time, see what happens. We gon' be here a while, anyway."

Bobby slumped, all the fight had suddenly left him. How could he stay mad, when Remy was being so damned reasonable? He was totally defenseless in the face of such unwavering reason.

"Why don't we order some room-service? Betcha hungry....me, I could eat a horse."

A funny thought occurred to Bobby, he barked a short surprised laugh. "In that case we should try the hamburgers!"

"Okay, hamburgers an' beer sound good?"

"Chinese and Pepsi."

Remy went for the phone. "It's a deal."

The food was sent up, and they sat eating in silence. It was a certain quality of silence, a heavy, uneasy kind of thing....almost like a bomb about to go off. Bobby looked up just in time to see Remy push his plate away, looking a little pale.

"You okay?" Bobby made a move to get up, but was promptly waved back.

"I'm fine....jus' a li'l woozy." Remy put a hand to his brow, and went to lie down on the bed. Bobby rose despite any protests, and sat carefully on the very edge of the bed.

"You should be in the hospital, you could have a skull fracture, you know." said Bobby, with a calmness he didn't feel.

"Don' be ridiculous, Bobby. I'm 'on be jus' fine....all I need is some rest."

"Fine, you rest then." Bobby sighed, at a loss. There would be no use arguing with Remy, he'd have his way even if it was the death of him. "Just promise me you won't scare me again like that."

"You were really scared....weren't you? You were afraid of losing me." At that moment, Remy's face was so open and vulnerable, it just ripped Bobby's heart in two. "Why? I t'ought you didn' even like me."

"I didn't know it mattered so much to have me like you. I didn't think you cared." Bobby couldn't stand to look at him anymore, it was tearing him apart....but why? "Does it really mean that much to have anybody like you?"

Bobby let his gaze fall upon Remy's quiet face, memorizing his every feature, learning all of his unique little quirks. The subtle curve of his lips, the squareness of his jaw, his high cheek-bones and slightly crooked nose. And his eyes most of all.

Such eyes. Wide and dark, and so serious. They were the eyes of an old soul, or a child who has seen too much. Bobby was drowning, willingly, and with all his heart. He completely forgot that these were no normal eyes....forgot that they were red, like the devil's.

"It means everythin'" Remy finally answered, and his voice was filled with tears.

There was another one of those heavy silences, the two of them just sitting there, looking at each other. Then, Remy drew a shaky breath, and spoke. His tone was serious, his words measured, carefully weighed....

"Why did ya say it, Bobby?" His voice had turned accusing, and there was no mistaking his meaning.

"Say what?" Bobby's first knee-jerk response had always been steadfast denial, it usually worked for him too; but not this time however.

"Why....did you say you loved me?" Every word was carefully articulated, and each was like a knife in Bobby's breast.

Here it comes, he thought, this is where everything falls apart. "I'm sorry....I." No, all wrong, he had to start over again... "I had to say something....I didn't mean...."

Remy's lower lip trembled, he drew another shaky breath. It appeared as if he was barely holding himself together.

"I didn't mean to hurt you." Bobby felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if the worst of it had already passed. "I do like you....funny, I never used to. You were right about that."

"Like always comes first...." Remy murmered softly, as one tear slipped down his cheek.

Reflexively, almost without knowing what he was doing, Bobby reached out to brush away the tear. His fingers made brief contact, then slid away....or at least they tried to. Remy caught Bobby's hand up in his own, folding those long exquisite fingers over that coarse, squarish thing. Surprise! Bobby's eyes went wide, and his heart began to hammer in his chest.

And then, surprise again! Remy gently uncurled Bobby's hand, lightly stroking his palm, then bringing it to his lips. It was the slightest of touches, a warm breath, soft lips....but it was definitely a kiss. Oh yes, it definitely was.

He looked at Bobby with those smoldering eyes, eyes that spoke of wanting to rip his clothes off right there and then....eyes that spoke of doing things to him that he could never in a million years imagine himself doing. Eyes that dared him just to go a little bit further, to spend those seven minutes in heaven he'd always heard about.

"Oh god, we can't do this....just stop and think a minute, Remy....were would this leave us?" Bobby shook his head, and the cobwebs scattered.

Remy seemed to deflate, disappointed. The moment was gone. "You're right. What was I t'inkin?"

"I think I've got a pretty good idea of what you were thinking."

Remy sighed, still holding on to Bobby's hand, cradling it actually. "Mon dieu, when did it all get so complicated?"

"Well, where've you been for the last seventeen years? People don't just have sex anymore--"

"Bobby! You don't honestly t'ink we were gonna'...." Remy laughed. "Oh lord, I'm sorry if I led ya to believe...."

Bobby was at the same time relieved yet disappointed, while he didn't expect to go that far, he had certainly hoped for something.

"Come here." Remy tugged at Bobby's hand, pulling him closer. "We don' hafta make love in order t' be intimate."

Those words, coming from his mouth, just had a way of turning Bobby's muscles to jelly. They also had the unfortunate affect of reducing him to a state of drooling, mumbling idiocy. "whoo- wha?"

"Hold me. Just dat, not'ing more." He leaned towards Bobby, eyes wide open, aware of how vulnerable he was making himself.

Bobby considered it for a long moment, staring at his hand, at Remy's hand.... "No." He pulled away, breaking contact. "I just can't do that."

Then it was as if he could pinpoint the exact moment that Remy's heart ripped in two. He saw how his jaw dropped, how his eyes just filled with more tears, how he just stopped breathing. Bobby saw he had just made a big mistake, one he might never take back.

"Remy....I'm sorry. I just can't." he pleaded, now close to tears himself. But there was no response from Remy, just a blank look. "There's just a line....a line you can't cross. We're team- mates, X-Men....if we do this....it could change everything....and I'm not sure I'm willing to go through with that."

Remy made a small strangled sound, a sound of absolute and total anguish. It was at this very moment that his heart began to break. In all his life, Bobby had never heard a man make this sound. And he hoped, from this day on, to never hear it again. "I'm sorry....Remy, please, you gotta understand...."

"Bobby." Remy choked, a sob barely escaping his lips. "Why? Why can't you touch me?" His breath caught in his throat, then escaped in a great shuddering sigh. Tears began, little by little, to slip from his eyes. "All I need is a simple touch....it's not so much to ask. Yet you can't even give me dat?" He began to sob brokenly, curled up and hugged his knees to his chest.

"Oh Bobby, why? Why?" Bobby just sat dumb founded through the whole thing. This explosion, for it could be called nothing else, had come clear out the blue. But somehow, he had been expecting it. It had been there the whole time, beneath the surface, just waiting to happen. And now that it had happened, he was left at a loss for what to do.

"Remy, please....don't cry." Bobby reached out to touch his face, just as he had done before. only to have his hand batted away angrily.

"Oh, so now you want to touch me! No no, it is already to late!" He turned and screamed at Bobby "What is it you t'ink you're playing wi'? Hah?"

"Remy, don't..."

"No! You listen to me!" He shouted. "You talk to me of love, when you know nothing of what it means....you take liberties with me, take advantage of my trust....and I allow it to go on. Then you have de nerve to start something....and not finish it. It's just like you, isn't it, Bobby? You just can't follow through, can you?" His words hit too close to home.

But Bobby couldn't say anything, not yet. Remy needed to work through his anger, he needed someone to take it out on. Bobby was willing to let it be him, after all, he deserved no less.

Remy continued to rant. "Love. What do you know about love? You have never known what it is to love....a man. It is not like loving a woman. You can't just tell your lies, throw him on the bed then fuck him. You can't just make empty promises, and walk away. You can't be in control....it is like two postives meeting. When like meets like, the results can be explosive....when two men make love, de eart' moves."

Suddenly, Bobby realized what this all meant. He was looking Remy right in the eye now, and he was just frozen with the shock. Here he was, he had just barely come to terms with his own sexuality....and now here they both were, the two of them. All he had to do was just come out and say it....

"Yes, I am gay....but I am also not." Remy said slowy, softly. "Do you understand?"

Bobby nodded. "Yes."

"I like bot' men and women. I have always been like dis, ever since I was young. An' it has always been hard for me." His tears had long since abated, and he had turned back to that calm, rational person Bobby had come to know so well. "I know I will never be able to love any one person, man or woman....dat's de way it's always been, de way it always will be. I'm sorry you had to get messed up in all dis."

"No, it's alright. I can deal with it." Bobby sniffled, wiped his nose on his sleave. Then he reached out, hesitantly, and placed a gentle hand on Remy's back. "I just had no idea....all this time, and I never knew."

"Well, if it's any consolation, I never knew about you either."

Out of reflex, Bobby made to protest. "Me? What about me?"

"Bobby, dis is me y' talkin' to, remember?" Remy's face shone with tears against the soft illumination coming from the streetlamps outside the window.

"You're right. It's just, denial I guess. I'm used to it."

Remy turned, and cocked his head in that way he had. "Promise me somet'ing, from now on?"

"Anything."

"No more denial, Bobby, not any more. Dis is between us now....we need t' stop decievin' ourselves, and each ot'er." There was an implicite intimacy in that statement, something that was just between them, and them alone.

"No more denial." Bobby let his hand rest more firmly on Remy's back, just enjoying the warmth an solidity of another human being. This one simple touch somehow had all the tenderness of a kiss or an embrace. It made Bobby's breath catch in his throat.

Remy had now closed his eyes, and leaned into Bobby's caress. And the caress continued, until Bobby's arms were around him, pulling him close....closer than he ever could have imagined. There came a soft sigh, and Bobby buried his face in the soft mass of auburn hair, hoping this moment would never end. But of course he would just be deluding himself if he truly believed that was possible.

It had to end, had to and would. It was only a matter of when and how soon. For the time being , however, he held on tightly losing himself in Remy. So warm, so 'there'....

It was hard to tell exactly when their embrace ceased to be so innocent. Hard to pinpoint the exact moment it turned to something else entirely....It just happened. Bobby's face moved agianst Remy's neck, he breathed in the heady scent of his aftershave. From that moment forth, Bobby would never think of Old Spice in the same way, ever again.

Bobby's hand shook as he reached up to pull Remy's hair back, and he realized just how nervous he was. Shyly, hesitantly, he let his lips brush Remy's jaw. In response, Remy let his head fall back, and reached around to gently stroke Bobby's face.

It was hard to tell when the embrace ceased to be so innocent. Hard to pinpoint the exact moment it turned to something else entirely....it, it just happened. Bobby's face moved against Remy's neck, he breathed the scent of Old Spice, still barely lingering after his recent bath. Remy sighed, a deep jungle cat rumble vibrating his throat.

So, after all of your angsting.....all of your rationalization...this is how it's going to play out?

Bobby's hand shook as he reached up to pull Remy's hair back, and realized just how nervous he was. *Yes, this was the way. Drake, you're full of bullshit. You know you wanted to make love to Remy LeBeau...and badly.....ever since he brushed your hand at breakfast that one morning. An accident? Not so sure now. If only you'd acted on your feelings earlier, before he was hurt by Rogue....*

He let his lips brush Remy's jaw, gently lavishing caresses all over his face, drawing a smile. *Nervous, sure. But your body knows what to do....oh yes, do please brush against that....*

"We crossin' dat line, cher?" His voice was husky, a whisper of velvet.

"Who cares.... all of that stuff about lines...." he let his lips linger in the hollows of Remy's throat, feeling his pulse speed, his breath deepening. "Who knows why I say stuff like that anyway....?" Bobby pressed his face into the dip of Remy's shoulder, drawing a shudder of pleasure. "Is that senstive?" he asked.

Gambit squirmed. "Aahh...." he croaked, eyes closed, mouth open rapturously.

Bobby licked the spot, enjoying the salt taste of his friend's skin, then blew gently. "I thought this was only a spot on women...."

"Keep doin dat...." Remy just gasped in reply, hips wriggling against Bobby's lap....had he really cradled him so closely? "Just keep on....uhhh....."

"Wow....Remy, you really are sensitive there....guh!" there, he'd more than brushed against Bobby that time....Bobby hardened fully, a groan surprised out of him as it met up with softness.

"You....sensitive here?" Remy pressed back against him, causing Bobby's knees to fly apart reflexively....knee jerk, that is....and tried to enter despite the unyeilding of fabric. Despite that, Remy spread for him, grinding spasmodically, a thin sob of animal lust smoking from him. "huhhhhhh......" High pitched, desperate.

"Oh g...." Bobby started moving his hips, until something fit, through four layers of clothing all told, he'd found just the right spot. He shifted every which way, trying *ohgodyesplease...* to position himself....slipped out of his boxers, met rougher fabric....Yes that was sensitive...very! "Aaag!" He kissed Remy's neck, every inch of his neck....his jaw....his cheek. "Can you....shhh....should we turn around?"

"Keep doin' it dis way....." Remy rubbed against him even more persistant, control slipping, turned his face to the side in what had to be an awkward way.

Bobby kissed what he could of Remy's mouth, but it wasn't enough. Remy twisted, drawing another groan, and opened gently, placing his lips inside Bobby's....he held this as long as he could, until Bobby released him, trailing wetly back down his neck. And now he let his hands roam, that sleek muscular body.....god, he was slinky as a rock musician, wasn't he? Remy's hands flew up and tried uncooridated, for once, to unbutton the shirt. Bobby tried to help, only getting in the way of course....but their collective efforts soon had the shirt open, cool air raising fine hairs on Remy's chest. His nipples grew hard, Bobby finding each burning into his palms, causing him to rock his hips in ecstasy.

Every time he moved, he rubbed against Bobby's erection, no finessing it, no teasing....it was sending him over the edge. With slow deliberation, Remy ground on Bobby's hardness, grabbing hold of one hand and guiding it finally, along the inside of his trouser sheathed thigh. Bobby's hips bucked pushing him deeper into the shape of Remy's buttocks....he had to act now or never....he couldn't hold back much longer.

His hand closed on Remy's warm heavy cock, molding his palm around the hint of it's shape. A great shudder ran through Remy's body, he bucked hard against Bobby's hand, crying out suddenly in the tense silence.

"Gaaaaahhhhhd!" He was like Jim Morisson tripping on stage, completley unbridled, unreserved....

This sent Bobby into deeper fits of arousal, his free hand snaked around Remy's lap, holding onto him as Bobby fucked him faster.....harder....through his trousers. His other hand worked Remy's stiff penis, kneading him towards climax. Then, Bobby let out a cry as he felt Remy bear down on him suddenly, clenching and unclenching, fingers digging into Bobby's thighs, straddling him and holding on tight. Bobby slipped the hand into Remy's trousers, wrapped it around his slickened erection, pumping it as he felt a roaring flood build deep within' himself. Remy's hips jerked, spasming, he strangled a scream as he let loose in Bobby's hand.....and Bobby came explosively, mouth on Remy's neck to muffle his own screams.

He was wrapped in a deep red and black throb, which strobed, and slowly faded. Bobby opened his eyes, and took his mouth from Remy's neck, pulling a deep wet kiss with him.

Remy went limp, in his arms, slowly softening. "ooohhhhh....." he whispered langourously, melting against Bobby, snuggling into him like a fluffy blanket. "Bobby....."

"My god, Remy.....did we really....just....?" His voice was quiet, filled with reverence.

"We did.....we did it...." Wonderment, transcendance.....Remy was in heaven! God, how could Bobby be so hot, and hide it all this time? "I can't believe dat was jus' you, cher...."

"Ditto...."

"You okay?"

"Very....what about....oh shit...your head! I hope I wasn't too....did I...?"

"No, I'm okay, Bobby. Still on top o' my shoulders." He chuckled at this last part, and gently slid from Bobby's lap, turning around to face him. "Let me look atchou....I wanna make sure you de same boy what just fucked me silly...."

"Sillier than you are already?"

"Goofy." he smiled beneath half-lidded eyes.

"Wow. I sent the cajun silly....wow." He drew Remy into his arms....Remy went along easily, melting just like before....and laid down with him....just like that. And they lay quietly embracing for a long time until Remy's breathing grew rythmic.

Bobby watched his gently sleeping face. "There's still so much I want to get out....to tell you....maybe you can hear me....I just wanna....I just....I just really love you right now. I hope that's enough, big G....you're not an easy guy to like....but you've won me. Do you hear that?" he bent and gently kissed remy's ear-lobe.

Remy stirred, waking, eyes sleepy and vulnerable as a childs.

"I'm sorry to wake you. Go back to sleep, sexy." Bobby lay down, curling himself protectively around Remy, who settled, and was soon deep in slumber. 1