Warning: Fluffiness, so much sweetness it'll rot your teeth, and a bit of smuttiness. Geeze, covered all the bases, didn't I? :D Go on, enjoy the final chapter! Hope you like it!

As Remy finished his call and closed his cell phone, he snuck a look out of the bedroom and towards the main part of the room. Through the doors, he caught a glimpse of the two figures sitting out on the patio. One was reclined back with a cup of coffee while the other figure was up at the table, happily eating the plate of food there. Remy had ordered food when they arrived, before he did anything else. Though the two men had eaten earlier, they had both been in agreement on feeding the young girl. It seemed to have been a smart plan. She was devouring everything that they put in front of her. Remy paused for a minute and cocked his head, listening to the low hum of Spencer's voice. He couldn't help but smile when he realized what his partner was saying. Spencer was giving the girl a rundown on some of the local history. To make matters even more amusing, it looked like June was actually interested, her attention fixed solely on him as he rambled.

One of these days he was going to get Spencer to see just how natural of a teacher he was. If the man could just get past his initial nervousness, he would be one of those teachers that students would love. One that was so full of information and who wasn't bothered by questions. He had the patience of a saint when it came to getting people to understand something. Remy knew that personally. He'd been instructed by Spencer countless times on things. The man never failed to find a way to make sure that Remy understood him, even if it did take a bit, and he never laughed at questions that, to him, probably seemed simple. You just want him to teach because it's safer Remy's mind taunted him. He gave a sort of mental shrug in response. Though that wasn't the only reason, he wasn't afraid to admit that it did factor in. No matter that he knew Spencer had been taking care of himself as an agent for years now. Remy couldn't help but want to find a way for the man to be safe.

Just as Remy came out of the bedroom and into the main room of the suite, he heard June's soft voice say "I'm so sorry I got you guys mixed up in this."

Spencer's reply was laced with a relaxed good humor. "It's no problem at all, June. Trust me, you've probably made Remy's day. It's been at least a week since he's been able to fight with someone. If you hadn't provided him with this, he would've most likely started a fight with some innocent person who made the mistake of brushing up against me."

"I aint dat bad!" Remy scolded him as he strolled out to join them.

Wisely, Spencer said nothing in reply to that. He just smiled and rolled his eyes, making June smother a giggle behind her hand. The two were still trying not to laugh when Remy leaned against the patio railing, opting to rest there since there were no more chairs. He took one look at them and gave a rueful shake of his head as he lit a cigarette. "Whatever, y' lunatics. Giggle all y' want."

"Thank you for your permission." Spencer said dryly.

Remy wrinkled his nose at him before sticking his tongue out. He curbed his urge to really lounge back against the railing, trying to keep his pose a little more controlled in deference to the minor in their presence. "I got ahold of m' friend Georgie and he said dat he'll send someone on over. Should take a couple hours at de most t' get here. Dey're flyin'."

"They connected to your friends back home?" Spencer asked.

Remy nodded. "Oui. De London branch, so t' speak."

That relaxed Spencer. He'd trusted that whoever Remy's friends were, they would be good people to watch out for her, but it reassured him to know that they were connected to the X-Men. A group like that would be well versed in caring for a young mutant and they had to be good people or else they wouldn't have any kind of affiliation with the group at all.

A few hours to wait meant that they had a little time to kill. Remy settled in with his cigarette and watched contentedly as the other two fell back into their previous conversation. It seemed that June had fully decided that the two of them were safe. She opened up to them, chatting away with them about pretty much anything and everything. They discovered that there was a very sharp, bright mind in there. Bright enough that Spencer thought to himself that they should mention it to the people picking her up. He was almost positive that the young girl would test out with an IQ quite a bit higher than one her age should have.

The few hours passed rather quickly. Remy spent a bit of that time answering June's questions about the school she was going to and what the people there were like. He reassured her about the safety there and told her stories about some of the people he knew there in hopes that it would help make things easier for her. It did the trick. By the time the people showed up to pick her up, she was much more at ease about the whole thing.

Spencer found himself watching her as she greeted the people picking her up and Remy took care of introductions. Though Spencer knew this was safe and he knew she was going to a good place, he couldn't help but worry. Somehow this young girl had really gotten under his skin over the past few hours. When she came over to him to say goodbye, he couldn't help himself. He pulled out his wallet and drew out one of the rarely used cards that he kept in there and he held it out to her. "Here, this has my information on it. The top number there is my work number and that one's not going to work. But the bottom number is my cell and I always have that on me. You need anything, you feel free to call me."

Taking the card from him, June slipped it down into her pocket and smiled up at him. "Thanks, Spencer." She surprised him when she threw herself forward, arms wrapping around his neck. He held frozen for a moment before he wrapped hesitant arms around her in a brief hug. He looked so flustered when she finally pulled away that she could only grin at him. She moved to Remy next, throwing herself at him as well. He wasn't flustered in the least. He just caught her up in a tight hug that lifted her feet of the ground. She let out a warm laugh. "Thank you too, Remy."

"Y' take care, petit." He told her. Turning his head in, he spoke in a low murmur for her ears alone. "Anyt'ing happens, y' use dat card he gave y'. We'll be here faster dan y' t'ink."

"Promise?"

"Y' got m' word."

She held on for one moment longer and then he was setting her on her feet again and she was heading out of the room with Remy's friends. In just moments the door was shutting behind them and quiet fell over the room. Remy stared at the shut door and felt his lips curve a little. "She's a sweet t'ing, aint she? I'm glad we could help her."

"Me too." Spencer echoed.

"At least we know dem connards aint gon' get t' her. Dey aint gon' be goin' nowhere fo' a while. I don't t'ink dem police was too happy wit' dem."

Hearing those words drew Spencer's mind back to earlier and he felt a stab of his previous annoyance swell up in him. For a second he debated pushing it down, not wanting to cause any trouble. But it grew enough that he couldn't quite help himself. Still, first, he couldn't help but check on Remy, asking "You're okay, right? You never said and I just assumed that you weren't hurt at all back there."

"Non, mon amour. I'm fine." Remy reassured him.

"Good." That allowed Spencer's temper to take the forefront. Now that he knew Remy wasn't hurt, he didn't have to worry. To Remy's utter shock, Spencer put a hand in the center of his chest and shoved him back a full step. He stepped up after him, that hand lifting once more until a finger was pointing right at Remy's face. "Let me make myself clear, then. You ever order me to leave you like that again and you and I are going to have serious words, Remy Etienne LeBeau. I may not be a fighter like you, but I am an adult and I've been handling myself for years without your high handed attempts at protection."

Temper sparked temper and Remy's eyes narrowed down at him. "Now, just a damn minute…"

Spencer sliced his hand in the air between them and cut off anything Remy had been about to say. "Don't. Don't make excuses. And don't you dare try and tell me that you did it solely because it was the smart play to make. If that was all that it was, I wouldn't protest. I know how to take orders, Remy. I've served on a team for years and I know how to play to each person's advantage. I know what my skills are and what they aren't. You look me in the eyes and tell me you told me to run because you assessed the situation and decided it was the smart course to take, and I will let all of this go right here and now."

It looked for a moment like Remy was going to. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something and his eyes were heated. Then he snapped his jaw shut and stayed silent. He couldn't say it. They both knew it wouldn't be true.

Hurt mixed with the temper on Spencer's face. "That's what I thought." He took a full step back, hands dropping down to his sides. "You sent me away to protect me because you thought I couldn't handle it. Because, despite the years and despite my training, you still look at me as the awkward geek who can't even begin to defend himself."

"Spencer," The temper in Remy's eyes changed at those bitter words. It was mixed with worry now. "Cher, it aint like dat. I wasn't t'inkin of t'ings like dat. All I was t'inkin of was keepin' y' safe."

Spencer lifted one hand and wiped it over his face. "I know. I know." He felt exhausted all of a sudden. Pushing his hair back from his face, he sighed. Temper still filled him and he knew he needed to step back before he ended up saying something he regretted. He and temper never mixed well together. The last thing he wanted was to end up saying something hurtful to Remy that he wouldn't be able to take back. "Listen, I'm just wound up right now, okay? I think I'm going to just go take a walk and unwind a little. I'm sure I'm just overreacting to this. I'm going to go and walk for a bit and I'll be back once I clear my head some."

"So y'r just gon' run away?" Remy demanded. "Y' seem t' make a habit of dat, lately."

The truth of that cut sharply at Spencer. "I learned from the best." The harsh reply slipped out before he could stop it and Spencer hated himself a little when he saw Remy actually flinch back from his words. Before they could say anything else to hurt one another, Spencer was across the room and heading out the door. On the off chance that Remy would come after him, he bypassed the elevator and headed to the stairs. He could use the exercise, anyways.

Spencer didn't really pay any attention to where he was walking once he left the hotel. He just let his feet carry him. It was a habit he'd always had when he was upset. Something about the act of walking helped him to clear out his head a little. Whenever he got upset enough that he couldn't quite think straight, or when he began to get that slightly claustrophobic feeling when emotions ran high, he would head out on a walk with no true destination. He'd just walk and walk until he'd either calmed down or his feet were too tired to keep carrying him around. Sometimes it led him to a specific place and other times he'd find himself looping back around to where he started.

Today, he found himself a few streets down from the hotel at a small restaurant. After only a second of debate he went inside. Minutes later he was seated in a back booth with a cup of coffee in his hands. Already he could feel his temper fading away. In its place came embarrassment. Man, he'd completely overreacted back there. Why on earth had he gotten upset over Remy trying to look out for him? The man had always done that. It was like a part of his very DNA. He protected people he cared about. Okay, maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to send Spencer away. But even if he had stopped to think about it, the end result would've been the same. They both knew that Spencer wasn't a fighter. His team back at the BAU knew that, too. That was why they kept him out of that. Yes, he could use a gun if he had to. But he wasn't one to tackle Unsub's or kick down doors like Derek. He wasn't fast at chasing them down like Emily could be. His skill was his mind.

Jason had once told him that the greatest weapon he'd ever have was the profile. Those were words he'd taken to heart. He used the profile as a weapon when he had to. He could take it and use it to talk to the Unsub. Talk him up or talk him down as the situation called for. That was where Spencer's skills shone; in the mental aspect of things. But physically? He was far, far from talented there. If anything, he was a liability. That word made him wince. Gee, what a great thing to be. Good to know where I stand on things. He looked down into his coffee cup and sighed. Remy had been right to send him on with June. He wouldn't have been able to help Remy at all.

The sound of feet near the table drew Spencer's attention up in just enough time to watch as Remy slipped into the booth, taking the spot right across from him. Through a screen of bangs, Remy's eyes sought his out, stunning Spencer just slightly with the fact that the man didn't have his sunglasses on as he always did when he went in public. His only shelter was his bangs. "Dat's an awfully sad sound y' made, cher."

Spencer found he wasn't really surprised at all that Remy had followed him here. A part of him had expected it, actually. Remy never could leave well enough alone. "I was just thinking about things, that's all."

"An findin' a way t' make it all y'r fault, I bet. Y' always was good at dat." Remy said dryly.

He dropped his gaze down to his mug and shrugged one shoulder negligently. What exactly was he supposed to say? He was saved from answering by their waitress coming to the table. While Remy placed his own order for coffee, Spencer chewed at his bottom lip and tried to think of what to say. He waited until the woman was gone before he blurted out "I'm sorry." Heat filled his cheeks. He couldn't bring himself to look up from studying his mug. "I overreacted back there. I never should've yelled at you and I definitely shouldn't have shoved you."

The table stayed silent for a moment. Their waitress returned with Remy's cup of coffee and neither man spoke to each other while she was there. But once she was gone, Remy surprised Spencer by reaching over and capturing one of his hands. He gave it a warm squeeze. "Y' wasn't wrong, cher. Y' had every right t' be angry wit' me, and y' got every right t' let me know when I do somet'in dat upsets y'. I don't want y' keepin' t'ings like dat t' y'rself. I'd rather y' yell at me and give me a lil shove dan lock it all away inside."

"I don't like getting angry." Spencer said.

"Je sais. Y' never have." Pushing his mug off to the side, Remy brought his other hand up as well and cupped Spencer's one hand between his. "Je suis désolé, Spencer. I know I upset y'. Y' was right t' be, too. It's just…sometimes, when I look at y', I still see de boy y' used t' be instead of de man y' are now. An de boy y' was back den didn't like violence. Dat boy didn't even want t' let me teach him t' use a gun fo' self-defense at home. When I look at y' now, I got a hard time remembering dat y'r not dat boy no more. Y'r grown up. Y' know how t' use a gun now an how t' defend y'rself." He ran his thumb over Spencer's knuckles and bent down to press a kiss there, making his young partner flush. "I can't promise t' never do it again, mais I can promise t' try better t' remember."

Oh, man. Spencer looked up through the hair that had fallen in his face and found Remy's steady gaze watching him. Hearing Remy's explanation, he couldn't hold on to even the last little remnants of his temper. What the man said was true. Spencer had never been the violent type. Remy had tried to teach him to at least handle a gun back then, saying that if someone came in the loft it would be a good idea if Spencer could help defend them if need be, and he'd always refused. In the end, it hadn't mattered. A gun wouldn't have helped him that day. He pushed those thoughts away and focused back here on the present. He chose his next words with care, wanting to get them right. "You aren't entirely wrong in your assessment. I'm still not fond of violence as the answer; I've simply learned that there are times that it is called for. I may carry a gun, but I'm not the most talented at shooting it and I will do everything possible to avoid having to even draw it. I'm also not a fighter." A bit of red crept back into his cheeks. "I had quite a bit of trouble at the physical aspect of things in the Academy. They ultimately had to make exceptions to allow me into the field."

"Was that cause y' had trouble learnin', or cause y' couldn't stand t' have people's hands on y'?"

The blunt question made Spencer flinch. His gaze dropped down and away and he instinctively tried to tug his hand free. Remy didn't let him.

"Dat's what I thought." Remy murmured. He lifted Spencer's hand and pressed another kiss against the knuckles. "Penny, when y' went t' de Academy, y' was barely healed up after everyt'in. Of course y' didn't want dem touchin' y'. Y' always have been shy bout bein' touched anyways." His voice changed a little, turned just slightly hesitant. "If y' want, once we're back home, I could show y' a few t'ings."

"I'm not really built for that kind of thing, Rem." Spencer demurred.

"I bet y'll do a hell of a lot better dan y'r over dere t'inkin y' will. Mais, I aint meanin' dat I want t' try and turn y' int' a fighter. I was just offerin' t' show y' some basic self-defense, dat's all. Enough t' give y' a lil more confidence. Y' don't have t', though. It's just an offer."

Spencer shrugged one shoulder noncommittally. He tipped his head back up a little and looked past the bit of hair that had fallen down in his way. With his free hand, he tucked it back behind his ear. "So, ah…we, we're okay, right?"

The nervous words made Remy smile warmly at him. His beautiful eyes glowed with the warmth that Spencer loved to see. "Oui, mon cœur. We're bien." He twisted their joined hands so that he could lace their fingers together. "We'll always be bien. Je t'aime, m' Penny."

"I love you too." And so long as they remembered that, Spencer had a feeling that Remy was right; they would always be okay.

The next few days passed by enjoyably for both men. However, both were aware that they were getting closer and closer to the end of their trip, and there were still quite a few things left that they hadn't hashed out. Things that needed to be brought up. Their plans for going home needed to be cemented, for one. They had discussed it pretty well before but Spencer knew they needed to talk about it once more and make sure that each one knew what exactly the plan was. He was too detail oriented to just leave it as it was. They needed to discuss living arrangements as well. Where was Spencer going to stay? Did Remy want to move back in together and, if so, where did he want to live? Those were vital questions.

There was one other thing that needed to be done before they left. One thing that Spencer had sworn to himself he would do while they were here. He was going to tear down that final barrier between them and go that final, physical step with his partner. It was something that he wanted to do and something that he had to do. It was vital to him that it happen before they went home. While they were here on what could almost be called a honeymoon of sorts, he had to take that step. Part of Spencer simply wanted that physical intimacy that he had denied himself for so many years now. Deep down inside, though, a small little voice said that he had to do this before they went home so he would know, before he made any huge alterations in his life, whether or not Remy would be able to even stomach the sight of him. He needed to know if Remy could bear to touch him and if he could handle being touched without panicking.

He put it off, telling himself that he would do it their last night there, a sort of symbolic thing. In reality, he wanted to absorb as much time with Remy as possible on the off chance that this proved to break them. Spencer threw himself into their last few days together. He absorbed everything that he could and committed each moment to memory to be able to pull out later if he needed. It was the moments that meant the most to him, not the location they were in. Even going to the Eiffel Tower wasn't as thrilling as it once would've been. Spencer was focused totally on his partner. Remy's smiles, his laughs, his gentle teasing and his warm touch. He took Remy to a small little theater that they found, just for the joy of watching him. Moment after moment, Spencer built these memories, that little scared part of him whispering always that this might be all he got. That this could all be over.

Too soon, it was their final evening in Paris. They were due to take a flight out the next day and finally return home. Remy had grand plans for that night, Spencer knew. Though he wouldn't say what they were, he had taken Spencer to get fitted for a suit for the night as that was one article of clothing Spencer definitely hadn't had in his go-bag.

When it came time to get ready, they separated, Spencer dressing in the main room while Remy showered and changed in the bathroom.

Spencer stood at the window by the balcony and stared out into the slowly darkening sky while he waited for his partner to join him. His head and his heart were warring away inside of him. The rational side of him fighting against his fears. On one hand, he knew that Remy loved him. He could see it in every look the man gave him. He could feel it in his touch. There were countless ways that Remy showed him each and every day. Yet Spencer's fears reminded him that he had felt the same way once before and it hadn't stopped Remy from leaving him then. Once, he'd thought nothing could separate them. Remy had proved him wrong. Would that fear always sit with him, now? Would he always be watching and wondering if this was going to be the thing that pushed Remy away again? That was no way to build a relationship.

The sound of footsteps had Spencer pushing back his worries and fears. Tonight, he would focus on the moment, not on the future. Otherwise, he would never make it through the night.

When Remy walked out of the bedroom, looking at him proved the perfect distraction. Spencer found that he couldn't look away. A hum of appreciation buzzed in his throat. Remy had dressed to kill tonight. He was in black boots, black suit pants, a blood red shirt with a black silk vest over it, and he'd topped it off with a black leather trench coat. Damn if the man wasn't making a deliberate statement tonight. His hair was loose, too, and for the moment he wore no sunglasses. Spencer looked him over and felt the heat start in his stomach. Remy had dressed in an outfit that was designed solely to push every one of Spencer's buttons. The red shirt was the color Spencer so loved on him, everything was tailored to fit, and the black leather trench took it from being a typical classy look and gave it a Remy flair.

As Spencer looked Remy over, Remy was doing the same in return. Spencer wasn't the only one appreciating the view. "Merde, Spencer. Y' look good enough t' eat." Remy murmured appreciatively. His heated gaze ran over Spencer's outfit, a three piece suit in all black except for the tie, which was a red to match Remy's shirt. He also had on a black fedora with a matching red band tied around it.

Spencer ran his hands nervously down the front of the suit. "The lady at the store insisted it was a good look. I trusted to her expertise in picking out the suit. She seemed rather sure of herself."

"She did a damn good job. I almost feel like I should go change jus' t' do y' justice."

Spencer rolled his eyes, though his cheeks held a hint of pink. Hoping that his nerves didn't show, he focused on Remy. That was easy enough to do. He strolled over towards him. When he got close, he reached out and tucked a bit of Remy's hair behind his ear, loving the fact that it was hanging free. "Don't be absurd." He finally answered. "You look amazing, as always. You'll be the center of attention no matter where we go." There was nothing but honesty in his voice. The words were true; Remy always drew eyes wherever he went, no matter what he was wearing. He was one of those people that could dress in rags and still people would find him attractive.

It amused him to watch Remy's chin come up as the man preened underneath the compliment. Some things would never change. Spencer chuckled and shook his head. "Vain little peacock."

"Oui." Remy agreed, without hesitation. "Mais, y' love me anyways."

That brought Spencer's flush back, much to his embarrassment and Remy's delight. He kept his voice teasing, though. It felt good just to talk and tease. "I can't help it. You've rather grown on me."

"Grown on y'?" Remy smiled and threaded his hand through Spencer's arm. Together, the two made their way out of the hotel room. "Don't quite know dat I like dat. Makes me sound like a fungus or somet'in. Grown on y'. Tsch." He clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Laughter tickled Spencer's throat. "A fungus? All the symbolic things that you could've chosen from and you settle on fungi?"

"Exactly! It aint romantic at all!"

They continued their playful banter all the way downstairs and through the car ride over to the restaurant. Remy had hired the same car and driver that they'd used the other day to take them tonight. Not that he was telling Spencer where they were going. He knew the fanciness of the place didn't matter to Spencer in the least bit. Honestly, it was something Remy loved about Spencer. You could take him to a cheap little diner or a five star restaurant, it didn't matter to him. What mattered was the quality of the food and the company. He just didn't need the finer things in life. Still, Remy had made them reservations at one of the finer restaurants here in Paris. He'd had to make the reservation the day he'd booked their trip just to be sure that he could get them in. It was well worth it, though.

Spencer had to admit that this place was gorgeous. He and Remy were escorted to a private, secluded table in a section of the restaurant that had low lighting and candles scattered here and there for ambiance. Everything was set perfectly for a romantic evening. No one even flinched at seeing two men here to enjoy it, either. To men who were obviously here for the romance, not for business or anything of that sort. Spencer looked around the place and smiled softly at the beauty here. "They really know how to set the mood here, don't they?" Nothing beat out the window beside them, though. It gave a perfect view of Paris at night, the Eiffel Tower clearly lit for them to see. "And the view is beautiful."

"Oui, it is." Remy murmured.

A quick glance showed that it wasn't the window that Remy was looking at. Spencer flushed and dropped his gaze down to the menu he was supposed to be looking at.

Dinner was wonderful. Conversation always flowed easily for them and tonight was no different. Their usual talk was underscored with a little more flirting than normal, though, and these little flares of heat. Spencer kept thinking about his plans for later on tonight and he couldn't help the twin darts of fear and excitement he would feel. It kept him on edge all night long. By the time the two of them left the restaurant, Spencer was just a bundle of mixed emotions. He knew that Remy could feel it and he was grateful to his partner for not saying a word about it.

Spencer fully expected that they would head back to the hotel now. He was completely surprised when the car pulled up somewhere else. One look out the window had his eyes going wide. His inner nerves and fears were forgotten for a moment as he turned an incredulous look to Remy. The Cajun grinned at him and held up two tickets in one hand. Spencer could just make out the words 'Tristan und Isolde' written on them. "The Opera?" Spencer couldn't keep the shock out of his voice. "You brought me to the Opera?"

"Oui." Remy's smile turned a little teasing, though it still retained that smugness around the edges. "Anyone asks, though, y' dragged m' ass here."

"Absolutely." Spencer agreed swiftly. He could feel his own smile growing wider and wider. Impulsively, he caught Remy's face between his hands and leaned in, capturing him for a kiss full of all the love he could pour into it. When they pulled apart, he was still smiling and Remy had a slightly dazed look on his face that pleased Spencer immensely. Grabbing his lover's hand, Spencer opened the car door and hurried to climb out, tugging Remy along with him. Remy couldn't stop grinning the whole way in.

It was no real surprise when they settled in their seats that Spencer was talking his ear off. He kept up an almost constant stream of commentary while they waited for the show to start. But once it started, he fell silent and lost himself in the performance in front of him. It was absolutely wonderful. The whole thing held Spencer's attention from the first moment until the very last. He was so caught up in it that he never even noticed that Remy spent almost the entire time watching him. Remy had obtained tickets for this solely because he knew that Spencer would love it. He'd been the one to take Spencer to his very first opera, and to his first theater performance as well, and he had never forgotten the awe and wonder on the young man's face. Spencer had enjoyed it with that innocence that Remy loved. He'd been almost like a child, totally enraptured with what he was witnessing. That joy hadn't changed. It almost glowed from him now as he watched. Remy was perfectly content to sit at his side and watch his love.

When it was done and over, Spencer carried that quiet feeling of awe with him. He loved going to the opera. If done well, it was more than just a performance to him. To get the right notes, to play their part right, most good performers throw themselves into the role, taking on the emotions of the moment. Even though those emotions were a mere shadow of what they would be if it were real, they were enough to catch Spencer up just as much as the performance, sweeping him away. He was left with this awed sort of peace inside of him.

That peace stayed with him most of the way back to the hotel. Curled up against Remy in the back of the car, it was easy to just hold on to that peace, to relax and ride the high of the night. Remy's arm was up around his shoulders and he was tucked in against the warm weight of his partner's side. The love that Remy felt was out there in the open for Spencer to feel. It wrapped around him too. Not a burning blaze as it could be, but more like a warm winter coat that fit perfectly, custom made just for him, and left him feeling warm and sheltered from the cold of the rest of the world. It chased away the chill of some of his earlier fears and left him with the certainty that no matter how hard things were tonight, they were going to be okay. It would all end up being okay.

Neither man seemed inclined to talk for the whole ride back. It wasn't until they were upstairs and walking into their suite that either one seemed to find their voice. Spencer was the one to speak up, his soft voice full of love. "I had an absolutely wonderful time tonight, Remy."

Setting his key card down on the table, Remy turned around to smile at him. He waited until Spencer had shut the door behind him before catching his hand and drawing him in. "Dat was m' goal, bébé. I wanted y' t' have a night t' remember." With a devilish grin, he curled one arm around Spencer's waist and then caught his other hand. He took a quick step back and then twirled them to the left just for the pleasure of watching Spencer's expression warm. "Paris, it's de city of amour, and y'r mon amour. Y'r mon cœur. I wanted t' make y' smile."

Their impromptu dance around the room had Spencer doing just that. His smile was wide as he spun through the steps with Remy, the two of them dodging furniture. The room wasn't set up for dancing, really. It didn't stop them, though. Their dance took them around the room and had them both smiling broadly. When they finally stopped near the patio, it was the most natural thing in the world for Spencer to lean in and tip his face up. A low sigh slid through him when Remy bent and captured his lips. The kiss was slow and sweet. It carried the love the two men were feeling in that moment. Remy kept it sweet, not pushing for more. That made it just a little easier for Spencer to take the step that he needed to. Though his fears jangled around in the back of his mind, he shoved them away and made himself focus solely on the here and now. He poured more of himself into their kiss and leaned in a little more. In response, the hand on the small of his back tightened, just a small bit of pressure to help hold his weight just as Spencer had wanted.

The two broke apart and Spencer was pleased to see that Remy was breathing just a little heavier than before. Those damn sunglasses were still on, though. Spencer drew his one arm up, his other hand still clasped in Remy's, and he pulled the sunglasses out of the way, tossing them negligently over his shoulder. There, much better. The heat of those red and black eyes sent an answering heat coiling through Spencer's middle. He moved his hand to the back of Remy's neck and caught him, drawing him in once more. This time their kiss was a bit more heated. Spencer tried not to think of anything but the hard body that was pressed up against his. At one time, he'd known this body so well. He'd spent hours exploring every single inch of it. He'd known every scar, every dip, every curve, every place that could turn Remy off if not careful and the places that could heat him up faster than anything. He'd known all of it. And while time had passed and there were things that had changed, the love Spencer felt and the enjoyment he gained out of his partner hadn't diminished in the least. If anything, it had grown.

He and Remy broke their hold on each other's hands, reaching for one another at the same time. Spencer's arms ended up around Remy's neck while one of Remy's hands stayed in the small of Spencer's back and the other settled down over his hip. This was it, Spencer's mind told him. This was the moment. There was no more time for second guessing. No turning back. He gathered all the courage that he possessed. Breaking their kiss, he looked up into Remy's eyes and focused on the love and the lust there, using those to give him the courage to say his next words. "Take me to bed, Remy."

The lust in Remy's eyes flashed hotter and brighter for a moment. He stared down at Spencer for one long breath and then his lips curved and he nodded. Bless him, he didn't ask Spencer if he was sure, didn't try to ask him anything at all, and Spencer was extremely grateful for that. He didn't want to have to answer questions. Right now, he doubted he could handle them. Maybe later he would find it in him to be able to talk about this, though he doubted it. Talking about what he felt was difficult for him; more so if it involved sex. He'd much rather let his actions speak for him.

The two never fully broke apart as they crossed that short distance to the bedroom. But once they were inside, they had to step apart for just a moment. Spencer took care of closing the door while Remy took care of the lights. He didn't turn on the overhead light, instead opting to open up the big curtains first to let the natural moonlight in. Spencer watched and knew what Remy was doing. He was offering Spencer the small security of a barely lit room, though they both knew that Remy saw well in the dark. He was giving Spencer the psychological comfort of the semi-darkness in the hopes that it would ease the young man's mind enough to relax for this. It was a sweet gesture and it made Spencer want to smile. But it wasn't what he needed tonight. Very deliberately he strolled over to the light switch for the room and turned the lights on, though he left the dimmer switch on low. It bathed the room in a low light that would grant them sight while still being easy on the eyes.

He stood there for a moment, facing the wall. Just a moment so that he could gather his courage. This was going to be the most difficult part of the night. Here was the one thing he'd been dreading doing from the very first moment he'd realized that they were going to try again. A part of him was absolutely terrified of what was going to happen next. How was Remy going to react to this? Would he be disgusted by the sight? Would he turn away from him? Or would he see those marks and feel that guilt all over again and decide that maybe this wasn't worth doing? That last fear was the most likely one and it was the one that plagued Spencer the most. He was terrified that Remy would see those scars and be reminded of why he'd left in the first place.

There was no point in guessing. The time for guesses and worries was done with. Spencer dug deep and hold tightly to his courage as he made himself turn around. Remy stood in the middle of the room, watching and waiting, those gorgeous eyes of his firmly locked on Spencer with that look that the young genius had only ever seen on Remy. A look that made him feel like the most beautiful, most loved person in the world. A look that said that Remy saw no one else but him. That familiar look heated him just as it always did and it pushed away some of his nerves. Locked in that gaze, Spencer said not a word. With shaking hands he reached up and drew his jacket off. He took a few steps forward and tossed his jacket over the back of a chair.

When his hands reached for the buttons of his vest, Remy spoke for the first time since they'd come in here. "Don't."

Fear clenched at Spencer's gut. Was Remy rethinking this already?

Remy closed the small distance between them in just a few steps. He reached up and caught Spencer's wrists, drawing them down and away from his vest. All the while his eyes stayed on Spencer's. "Let me." Remy's voice had dropped to a low, husky sort of purr that had Spencer shivering. It had always been one of his favorite sounds. He couldn't move, not even when Remy drew his hands to his sides and then let go. All he could do was stand there and watch his partner's face while Remy's hands came back up to slowly start undoing the buttons to Spencer's vest. "I've been wantin' t' unwrap y' all night. Y' look absolutely sinful t'night, mon cœur."

Spencer's mouth felt dry. He licked his lips and tried to get some moisture in there. The heat of Remy's voice, his hands, they were burning him up. But underneath it all the fear still ran strong and thick. It held back as Remy slid his vest from him, as the tie was undone and even as his cuffs were unbuttoned. But when Remy's hand touched that first shirt button, it roared back to life. Spencer's hands clenched convulsively at his sides and Remy froze. He locked his eyes on Spencer. There was so much love there, so much lust, it seared straight down to Spencer's soul. Neither man moved for a long moment. Spencer knew in that moment that Remy would wait if he had to. If Spencer said stop, the man would do just that. He would let this go at Spencer's pace. Knowing that, Spencer did the only thing he could. He gave a small nod to let Remy know to continue.

Their eyes stayed locked as Remy slipped each button free. Neither commented on the tremors that ran over Spencer from head to toe. They said nothing about how tense he became. Spencer stayed focused on Remy's eyes to keep him anchored as he felt the last of the buttons undone. There was a soft tug as his shirt was pulled free from his slacks and then the coolness of the air brushed against him when his shirt was gently pushed off of his shoulders and down his arms until it slipped silently down to the ground.

For a minute they both held their pose. Spencer couldn't have moved if his life depended on it. This was it. This was the moment. There was no going back now. For the first time in six years he was standing shirtless in front of someone who wasn't a doctor. He was deliberately bearing his body to be seen by the one person whose opinion mattered the most. Spencer's heart was beating so hard he swore it was echoing around them. If Remy turned away from him after this, if he saw disgust or pity in his eyes, it would shatter him in ways he wasn't sure he'd ever be able to recover from. He held himself perfectly still and watched as Remy's eyes finally broke their stare and slowly dropped down to get their first view of Spencer's chest.

Remy held nothing back in his eyes. They showed ever emotion as they passed through him. The pain and shock hit first and it hit Spencer as well. Remy made a soft, aching little sound that was like a fist to Spencer's gut. Hearing it was almost too much. Spencer's eyes drifted closed and he held himself stiffly, waiting for the rejection he was so sure was coming. Grief, fear and self-loathing built in his gut and started to spread.

He startled when he felt light fingers suddenly brush over his chest. His eyes shot open. One long-fingered hand was lightly brushing over his chest. Remy's touch went up to his shoulder and traced over the scars with a feather-light touch, following the line of them downwards to where they disappeared into the top of Spencer's pants. The scars stood out strongly against Spencer's pale skin. They were wider than one would think, but they were smooth lines. Spencer remembered the feeling of those claws as they cut through his skin like melted butter.

Remy traced back upwards, sending a shiver over Spencer's skin. Remy's skin looked so tanned against the paleness of his. Fleetingly Spencer thought of Beauty and the Beast and he had to hold back a laugh that would've been far too hysterical for his tastes.

Those fingers didn't stop when they reached his shoulder. They curled around to the back of his neck and slipped into his hair. There they gripped lightly and tugged, forcing Spencer to tip his head up, though he hadn't realized he'd bowed it. It forced him to meet Remy stare for stare once more. His body trembled and his stomach clenched in fear at what he might see. What he found had him freezing in place. There was no disgust in Remy's expression. No anger. No condemnation. All that was there was a love that filled Spencer's heart to overflowing and an understanding that was almost his undoing. "Y'r beautiful." Remy swore huskily. His other hand settled on the bite scar on Spencer's hip, fingers tracing there, teasing against his skin. "Absolutely beautiful, mon amour."

"No," Spencer tried to protest.

A soft kiss silenced him. Remy pulled back, leaving their lips just a breath apart. "Y'r beautiful t' me, scars and all. Let me show y, cher. Let me show y' just how beautiful y' are t' me." He kissed Spencer again and drew him back, over to the bed. His lips kept up their sensual assault as he turned and backed Spencer into the bed. Spencer pulled back when he felt the bed against his legs. His brain felt like it had melted. He didn't even think of protest when Remy helped him to climb back and lay out on the bed. He arranged himself there while Remy pulled his shoes off and dropped them down to the side. Then Remy was shedding his own coat and toeing off his shoes as well. As soon as those were done, he was climbing up onto the bed, his one hand finding that space on Spencer's hip once more. Spencer tried to find words to express what was in him right then. He tried to think of something to say, anything, but it was as if his ability to form words had been lost. They'd become lost somewhere in that burning heat glowing in Remy's eyes.

Remy had no words either, yet his actions spoke louder than anything. With lips and hands and tongue and teeth he mapped his way over Spencer's chest. He traced over each scar, giving little cat-licks and nips that had Spencer gasping and twisting underneath him. There was no way that Spencer could hold on to his fears and doubts when Remy was set on frying his brain cells. There was no room for pain between them tonight. Even when Remy's tongue flicked across the nipple that had been damaged by the claw, Spencer's unease only surfaced for one brief second. Then it was burned away by the heat of that talented mouth as Remy suckled and nipped at the marred flesh.

He left no scar untouched, untasted. When he was done, he wanted Spencer to have no doubts that he loved every inch of him, scars and all.

His plan worked a little better than he'd intended. Six years with only his own hand for company had left one hell of a hunger inside of Spencer. With his fears pushed away, that hunger reared up and took him. He grabbed Remy's head firmly and pulled him up to seal their lips together in a hard, hot kiss. Then, when Remy started to melt against him, he gave a great heave of their bodies and rolled tem until their positions were switched. He broke free and looked down into Remy's surprised face. The corners of Spencer's lips quirked up in a devilish smile that only Remy had ever seen. "My turn."

Remy had been sure that he was going to have to start from scratch with Spencer. He'd been so sure that they would have to take it slow in here, work at getting the young man comfortable in himself and in their lovemaking once more. He had never expected this. Spencer's hands were all over him, relieving him of his own clothes, and Remy was definitely happy to assist. He sat up to shed the layers and to pull the undershirt up over his head. When Spencer planted a hand firmly in his chest and pressed him back into the bed, he gladly went. No, he sure hadn't expected this little firecracker above him, but he wasn't dumb enough to protest it. Hell no! That mouth that could spout facts and statistics like there was no tomorrow was now setting out to drive him mad. Spencer tasted him like he was a starving man at a buffet. He hit all of Remy's hot spots, pushing his lust higher and higher.

Quick hands never stopped moving even as he kept tasting. Spencer's tongue twisted around Remy's belly button while he deftly unhooked belt and slacks both. He moved his lips over to the tattoo on Remy's hip, the set of cards, and he traced every line of it with his tongue until Remy was moaning loudly above him. Hands were twined in his hair, not restraining or directing him, simply adding that connection. It distracted Remy enough that he didn't realize just how much Spencer's clever fingers had been doing at his buckle until they slipped down inside. He swore roundly and arched up into the light touch that brushed over his aching length. "Merde, Spencer!"

A soft laugh drifted up from near his hip. Wrapping his fingers around Remy's length, Spencer kept his grip as he slid up the man's body, stopping only when they were face to face. "Yes?" He asked teasingly, his hand not moving at all, just holding there.

Remy's grip tightened in Spencer's hair and he used that to pull him in for a kiss. The heat in the both grew a little higher and they both knew that, for this first time, waiting and teasing was no longer an option. There was too much between them. Too much heat, too much time. The both of them were craving this connection. Maybe later they would go slow and sweet. Maybe later, Spencer's shyness might reassert itself a little. There was no telling. But here, now, they couldn't wait any more. They didn't want to wait anymore. Hands moved quickly, burning across skin as they set to strip one another of their last vestiges of clothing. They ended with Spencer once more on his back in the middle of the bed, with Remy stretched out full length over top of him.

From somewhere nearby Remy produced a bottle of lube. Spencer heard the top pop and he let his legs fall open wantonly and without shame. How could he feel any shame or embarrassment when Remy was kneeling over him and staring down at him like he was the most beautiful thing on the planet? How could he even think about worrying about his looks when he felt that first, slick finger tracing around the entrance to his body, teasing him with that intimate contact? They may have been rushing so far, but on this Remy would never rush. He gently prepared Spencer, never rushing no matter how Spencer writhed and twisted his body in silent supplication. Remy took his time and enjoyed the view as he did. "Look at y'." Remy murmured as he slid in another finger. "Look at y' just comin' alive, cher. I thought y'd be scared, dat y'd be more self-conscious, but y' want dis so badly, don't y'? It's been too long fo' y'. Too long since y' was touched like dis. Y'r body's just achin' fo' it. Achin' fo' me."

The usually verbal Spencer couldn't make a single word form. He could only moan as yet another finger slid in, stretching him. Even the burn of that fullness felt good to him right now. Never had he wanted, needed, so badly. He couldn't find the voice to beg for what he needed, so he tried to let his body speak for him. He let his legs fall open further and he pushed down against Remy's hand while his fists clenched down into the bedding. He was rewarded with a low moan from Remy and a twist of those fingers that put them in just the right spot. Spencer shouted out his pleasure while stars exploded behind his eyes. Then he was moaning at the loss as the talented fingers slipped free.

"Shh, mon cœur. Shh. I got y'." Remy promised.

There was the sound of plastic tearing and then Remy was rolling him, moving Spencer onto his side. Spencer tried to voice a protest—he wanted to see!—but Remy shushed and soothed him with gentle strokes. "It's been too long, cher. Dis'll be easier on y'. Shh, jus' let me take care of y'." He slid a hand over Spencer's thigh and drew that leg up, opening him up. Then he was there, just barely pressing against the entrance to Spencer's body, and Spencer moaned. He grabbed hold of the arm that was banded across his chest and gripped it while pushing his hips backwards, begging for more. Remy kept him still, though. He kept Spencer's hunger from causing him to take more than he could. No matter what, no matter how heated they were, Remy couldn't hurt him. He pushed in slowly and carefully, pausing when he felt Spencer tense, waiting for him to relax before pushing in a little more. It was Heaven and Hell for them both. Remy had his head bowed, forehead pressed against the back of Spencer's neck, eyes clenched with the effort to not just push straight into that molten heat.

When he was finally in as far as he could go, both men were panting, their bodies already slicked with sweat. Spencer held perfectly still in Remy's arms and waited for the ache to fade away to the pleasure he knew was coming. He gasped lightly when Remy gave a little testing push. Rocking his hips back, he let him know that he was ready.

It was so much better than he remembered. Remy started with little teasing thrusts, giving them both time to adjust to this, slowly working Spencer back up to the heated frenzy he was in before, until they were both rocking quickly and Spencer was clutching at Remy's arm once more. The fire that had been in them before was nothing compared to this heat. It was burning him alive from the inside out. The air was filled with the sounds of their passion as their bodies strained towards that final completion. Skin against skin, moans that turned to cries, panting breaths. They clung to one another and strained towards that final peak. The heat built and built in them until they swore they were burning alive. In those final moments, bodies pressed as close as can be, their powers opened as well in an act even more intimate than what their bodies were doing. Remy's charm wrapped around them both, his passion to high to contain it, and Spencer's minimal empathy was almost overloaded by the input from all the skin to skin contact. The deluge of emotions was too much for Spencer to take. Remy thrust in one last time and hit that place deep inside of him and Spencer's whole body shattered into thousands of little pieces.

He felt Remy groan behind him and could only lay there as his lover thrust a few more times before burying his face in Spencer's hair and letting go with a low groan that vibrated through them both. Solid, heavy weight collapsed against Spencer's back, half on him and half against him, pinning him down, and that was just how Spencer wanted it.

Remy was the first one to move. Though neither wanted, he had to slip free so he could dispose of the condom. Spencer moaned lowly at the empty feeling. In no time, Remy was back, surprising Spencer with the small pack of baby wipes in his hand. Remy saw his look and chuckled. "Always be prepared, mon amour."

With those, it only took a quick moment for them both to be cleaned up. Then Spencer got exactly what he wanted. Remy curled back up behind him once more, one arm acting as a pillow for Spencer while the other arm wrapped over him and against his chest. Remy flung a leg over as well so that Spencer was securely pinned against him. It was exactly what the young genius wanted. He sighed with contentment. All these days spent worrying about this one night and it had turned out so much more perfect than he could've ever planned for it to be. Capturing Remy's hand, he drew it up and pressed a kiss against the center of his palm. "I love you."

"Je t'aime aussi." Remy murmured into his hair.

The two lay like that, slowly drifting without actually falling asleep. Spencer felt safe, loved and cherished in Remy's embrace. Looking inside of himself, he realized something and it made him smile. Remy must've felt his mood change because he nuzzled at Spencer's neck and murmured, "What's up, cher?"

"I'm not afraid anymore." Spencer said the words with no small amount of wonder.

"Hm?"

Curling his hand over Remy's, he led their joined hands against his heart. He couldn't seem to stop smiling. "A part of me has been afraid. Wondering if this or that was going to be the thing that pushed you away this time. I've been afraid that I'd say or do something that would end with you walking away again."

A bit of tension slipped into Remy's body. "Spencer,"

He cut Remy off before he could continue in that aching voice. "I'm not afraid anymore." He repeated. Feeling more at peace than he had for so very long, he snuggled in closer. A small yawn slipped free and his eyes drifted closed. "Know why?"

"Why is dat, cher?"

"Cause I wouldn't let you go this time." Another yawn slipped out and Spencer felt the warm fuzziness of sleep calling to him. His body relaxed against Remy's and his voice took on a sleepy edge to it. "Last time, you left and I didn't fight. I was just as much to blame as you. But this time, I won't let you go. You try and leave and I'll fight for you. Even if I have to hunt you down, I'm not letting you go again."

He felt the soft rumble in the body behind him that told him Remy was chuckling. A kiss was pressed against his hair and the arms around him tightened. "Y' hold on as tight as y' want, mon cœur. I'll be holdin' on jus' as tightly."

Spencer's lips curved in a relaxed smile. He was still smiling as he slipped down into sleep.