Saving....Gabriel?

"Hello, Gabriel, I'm Judge Stone. How are you, today?" Judge Andrea Stone was young and nice looking in her black robe while she sat at her desk, across from the scared little boy, in her chambers. Her short brown hair had the sides clipped back in butterfly-shaped barettes, leaving only a few thin locks as bangs that swept to the left of her forehead. Her hands lay folded on the desktop as she leaned in and smiled at him.

Gabriel offered a weak smile in return and shrugged an answer before the next question. Leaning back in the tall-backed chair, his hands clamped tightly on the sides of the seat and he tried not to slump or wrinkle his blue blazer or tan khaki pants; however, it wasn't working so well. His hands trembled and he clenched the sides tighter to make them stop but that only led to his heart pounding in his chest as he peered back at the judge.

A small nod. "Gabriel,- may I call you Gabriel?"

He nodded but never took his eyes off of her.

Judge Stone smiled again and continued as she shifted positions. "Gabriel, I wanted to ask you a few questions, in my chambers, instead of out in open court, okay? Good. How do you like staying with your aunt and uncle? Are they nice to you and take good care of you?" She watched the expressions change on his face and leaned closer to hear him better.

Gabriel nodded and pushed himself to sit up. "Yes, ma'am." The words were inbetween clear and mumbles as he remembered the lady with the quiet typewriter who sat behind him, typing what they said.

"Good. Can you tell me what you like about spending time with them?"

He thought a moment and shrugged, glancing away from her. "My cousins, bedtime stories......" his voice trailed off as he really couldn't think of much else that they did differently than Logan and Remy. "They take me to the park, on Sunday."

The judge nodded, mentally noting his body language as she scribbled her own notes down on the small yellow pad in front of her. Blue inked words noted details of the young boy that the stenographer didn't report. "Very good, Gabriel. Now, here is my next question, what do you think about Mr. Howlett and Mr. LeBeau? Are they nice to you, too?"

At the mention of their names, Gabriel sat up straight and smiled widely as he nodded. "They played games with me, and bought me ice cream. And when I had a nightmare, Remy stayed up with me, until I fell asleep. Logan made me pancakes and eggs."

Judge Stone smiled and enjoyed seeing the young boy happy about his caretakers. "You are aware that they live differently, aren't you?" It was a question she had to ask eventhough she was trying to keep the conversation as objective as possible.

Gabriel nodded.

"Good. I have one last question, and this one is important so I need you to really think hard about this one, okay? Don't answer right away, just take your time. How do you feel about your mom and dad?" She put her pen down and leaned back as she breathed a small sigh, trying not to rush him or frighten him.

Clearing his throat, after a moment of heavy thought, Gabriel's expression turned dim. "I miss my mom." Feeling uncomfortable about being asked about his dad and what happened, he started to twitch as the loud pound of his heart echoed in his ears.

Sombrely, she nodded and sat up, "I know. I'm sorry for your loss." A pause before she glanced at the stenographer and then back you the boy who watched her closely. "Gabriel, do you know the reason why you are here, today?"

Again, Gabriel nodded.

"I want to be sure that you understand that I am trying to find the best possible home for you. Sometimes, things don't happen because we want them to, or we don't think they are fair, but you have the right to be happy wherever you live. It is your right to grow up knowing that you are in the right place, and feel loved in the home you are in, as well as being able to love in return. Do you understand?" Judge Stone spoke in a tone she rarely ever used in court but since she was on a one-on-one level with him, there was no need to be harsh with a fragile young boy.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. I have to go tell the parties about my decision, now. It was nice meeting you, Gabriel. You are a wonderful young man. Ms. Roberts will be in here shortly, to take care of you while I listen to their parts and then decide, okay? Take carae, Gabriel." The judge looked from him to the stenographer as she stood up and slipped out from behind her desk before shaking Gabriel's hand and excusing herself from her chambers.

~~~~~~~

Judge Stone sat in her chair and listened to each side before watching the blank reactions of both parties. She could tell they weren't wanting to be pleasant but bit their tongues and hoped they would be the recipients of the boy in question. After a deep sigh, she leaned forward in her chair and opened her mouth to speak. "I have listened to each of you and have weighed the facts heavily. I have spent a good deal of times talking to Gabriel," using his first name to establish that he was a person, and not a thing to be passed around like candied yams, "and I have reached a decision that will not please you all but will be fair enough. This young man that I spoke with deserves a home with loving parents, clean environment, and stability in his routine. Though each of you may think you can give Gabriel a good home, it is the court's decision that you will find a way to share in his life."

Simone glanced over at the other table where Logan and Remy sat. She had been sitting to the right of her husband, and had a clear view of the younger, auburn haired man as he slipped his hand into Logan's, under the table. She cleared her throat and turned back to look at the judge. Her husband placed his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her slightly in a gentle hug of reassurance.

"I am positive that the decision that was made is fair, and that Gabriel will not only grow up strong but in a healthy environment that comes from love and understanding. No child should ever have to wonder about if he is loved, or why he wasn't loved enough. With that being said, it is the court's decision that Gabriel will be placed with his aunt and uncle until you all can decide where he would like to live. Court is adjourned." The judge waited for a moment as there was an audible gasp from both parties before one side of the room cheered and hugged and thanked their lawyer.

Remy nodded and closed his eyes a moment as he dipped his head to gather himself. Logan had stood up already and waited patiently for Remy to stand as well. He could feel Logan's hand resting on his shoulder and then a strong hand as he was helped up out of the chair. "Wait, cher." Remy turned and took a breath as he made his way over to the aunt and uncle. A smile replaced sadness as he held out his hand to Simone. "Take care of him, Madame. De petit is somet'in' very special. Congradulations. Mercy for letting us get to meet him." As he let go of her hand, he glanced at her husband who gave him a small scowl, and only nodded to him before turning back to Logan to exit the room.

Simone watched them leave quietly, Logan's arm around Remy's thin shoulders, comforting him. She thought about what he had told her and wondered why he wasn't angry, or upset but rather seemed accepting that they were not the ones that were chosen. Her hand still felt Remy's warm, soft hand in hers and she clutched it to her chest before turning to see Gabriel being brought in from the judge's chambers. She smiled and bent down to hug him and kiss his forehead. "Why don't we go get some lunch, huh?"

Gabriel nodded and looked around for Logan and Remy.

~~~~~~~~

Two months later and Remy was back to work in his small shed, out back. It was hard work repairing old furniture and trinkets, expecially having some on rush orders. He had fully put all of the past six months out of his mind and was more focused on working than anything. Remy had been up and hard at work before Logan's alarm went off.

The coffee was made, the lunch was packed, and Logan's suit was ironed and waiting for Logan before Remy made his way out to his workshop to sand and finish Mrs. McAllister's three-drawer nightstand set.

It was now three in the afternoon and Remy's stomach was starting to growl. A deep, contented sigh and a step back from the first sanded stand, Remy removed his work apron and hung it on the nail by the door as he opened the screendoor and stepped out into the afternoon sun. Shielding his eyes from the sun, he walked into the kitchen, through the backdoor, and found the note on the empty kitchen countre.

Rem,

Thanks for the suit and the lunch.
Don't forget to start the roast at 2:30.
I'll be home around 6, after my meeting.

Love you.


Eat something.

Remy prepared the roast and turned on the oven before placing the pot onto a warming shelf and closing the door. She he was a half an hour late; so what, they'd eat a little bit later. He made himself a sandwich and sat down in front of the television for a moment of Ellen, before gathering his empty plate and click off the end credits of the show as he cleaned up and went back outside to work.

The screendoor opened and Logan raced in, thinking something was wrong. "Here you are, my little workaholic."

Remy stopped sanding the side of the second nightstand looked up, wiping sawdust from his forehead with the back of his right hand. "Oui. Somethin' wrong, cher?" He could feel the confusion and anxiety mix in Logan's emotions but couldn't understand why.

"No," Logan shoved his hands into his pants pockets and bowed his head, making his way slowly over to a dusty and sweaty Remy. "I just spent five minutes searching the house for you, after I came home to find dinner more than a little done but still edible. Then, it dawned on me, you were out here before I went to work. So, it was very possible that you'd be here after I came home, like you have been for the past four weeks."

Remy's head lowered in shame. "Desole, mon cher. Lost track of time. We can go eat now, if ya hungry?"

Shaking his head with a smirk, Logan stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Remy, embracing him in a gentle hug. "I was just worried about ya. Haven't seen ya so obsessed with yer work in so long, I guess I forgot how involved you get. You okay?"

Nodding, Remy embraced Logan back and inhaled Logan's Old Spice scent. "Food's gettin' cold, mon cher. Better go eat."

Logan smirked again. "That's what microwaves are for."

Pulling back to look at Logan, Remy smiled a bit as he could feel what Logan was getting at. "So, um, what are ya wantin ta do ta work up an appetite?"

Removing the apron from around Remy's neck and draping it over the back of a wooden antique rocker, Logan moved his hands down to Remy's jeans and unfastened them. Shoving them down slender hips to reveal a waking erection, he heard Remy gasp as he licked the damp tip and looked up with a mischievious grin.

"Logan, dis is ot'er people's stuff. Wouldn' look good if--" Remy started to say but was hushed by Logan's finger to his lips.

"What they don't know won't hurt 'em." Kneeling down, Logan guided Remy to turn around and sucked gently on a soft but firm cheek. A moan from Remy egged him on to his next thought. Sucking on a finger until it was wet enough and then easing it between the crease, the second moan and shift in Remy's stance reminded Logan that his own pants were feeling a bit snug.

Remy bent over the nightstand, resting on his elbows, and spread his legs wider for Logan. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes to relax and let what Logan was doing distract him for a few moments. "Ya tease Remy too long, you gonna get it, later."

Chuckling, Logan poked his finger into the tight hole to the first knuckle. Pulling out and then back in to the second knuckle, Logan heard the deep moan come from the younger man and nearly came from the lusty sound. With the one hand pleasuring Remy, the other worked frantically at his own pant fastenings numbly before standing up to shove the material down to his knees. By this time, Remy was cooing and purring so erotically that Logan had to stop himself from roughly taking what he wanted to last. "Gimme yer hand," he whispered gruffly into an auburn silk hidden ear.

Remy greatfully reached his right hand back as he balanced on his left elbow, and felt Logan's hand holding his while his long, thin fingers encircled the hardened length and eased it into Remy's opening. "Ah.... nnhh... uh...."

Logan started at a slow and steady pace but was eager to move faster. He slowed his motions to a labouring speed and reveled in the sounds his lover made. Hands gripping the wooden sides of the nightstand, to either side of Remy, Logan began moving slowly faster every other thrust. "Gawd, Rem, yer turnin me on so good." Logan pressed himself against Remy's back and kissed an exposed patch of Remy's neck.

Gasping and giggling, Remy pressed himself back to gain more access to Logan's length.

With his pace move faster and faster, Logan was at a point where he knew Remy was ready and that he was even more anxious to hear Remy howl as they both came in large gulps of white liquid. Remy gasping and moaning paved way for Logan to come so sweetly and generously in his younger lover, and in return, let Remy pull and squeeze his own erection, with Logan's help, until he shot his essence all over the not-yet-sanded top of the nightstand. "Better wipe that off 'fore it warps the wood," Logan contained a chuckle.

"De stain dat's on dere is water proof. S'all right." Remy took off his ratty, old shirt and used it as a cloth, knowing he had to do laundry anyway.

They separated and righted their clothing before going into the house to clean up and sit down for dinner.

~~~~~~~

It wasn't until a month later that Remy had, by chance, been in the house, showered and clean before running an errand that the last twist happened. Opening the front door to hurry along for some nails and paints, he startled the petite woman who was about to ring the doorbell. Remy paused, wide-eyed, for a moment and apologised.

"Mr. LeaBeau, right?"

An uneasy nod.

"Do you remember me? Simone Lawrence, Gabriel's aunt."

Another uneasy nod.

"I tried calling but no one answered, so I thought I would come see you in person." Simone shifted, uneasily, as she felt Remy's waiting gaze on her. Clearing her throat and looking away from him, she started, "I was remembering what you said to me in the courtroom, that day." After a breath, she finally looked at him to spit everything out on what she had mulled over in her head for the last week. "My husband and I are,..... growing concerned with how Gabriel has been acting. We have found him asleep next to his mother's grave, and lately, he's been having screaming nightmares that my husband just can't--" Catching herself, she looked away from him again, not believing what she was about to ask. "Gabriel was happy with you, and I could see that you were happy to have him, too. My husband isn't like his father, and my brother is on Death Row. Would it be alright for Gabriel to stay here, with you?"

Remy looked from the woman on the doorstep to brown station wagon that sat in front of the house. He nodded before his voice allowed him to speak affirmation. "Oui."

Simone turned back to the car and waved for the passengar to come to her.

Gabriel slowly got out of the front passengar seat and grabbed the blue backpack filled with clothes, before closing the door and making his way slowly up to them. He stood beside Simone and was hugged and kissed from a tearful woman who then started back to her car.

Remy smiled and winked at the shy boy and then looked back up to Simone. "Would you like some coffee, or tea, before ya head back? S'long drive to Jersey, these days." He smiled as she stopped and turned around to see Gabriel waving her back with a big, heart-warming smile. He opened the door for the two guests and waited for them to enter before going back inside.


End.