Chapter 2

Traveling was a secret passion of Ororo's, although few seemed to realize it. In fact, it had been the first thing drawing her to the X-Men.

She had been a traveler and a wanderer all her life. As a small child, she spent some time in Cairo. The tragic death of her parents in left her orphaned on the streets, so she took to theft to keep her alive.

Ironically, it was theft that introduced her to traveling.

One night, she had followed a rich American couple back to a home they were staying at in the summer. She waited until they had fallen asleep before slipping in through the servant's entrance.

Ororo's momentary task of acquiring possessions was forgotten the moment she entered the living room. Decorating every wall was a great mural depicting various Egyptian deities. These murals were common enough in some of the wealthier homes of Cairo, so she was not particularly taken with these. Rather, it was the decorations in the room that astounded her.

Grecian Urns, Scottish Tartans, Asiatic sculptures, they had them all. Each item, priceless and beautiful, amazed the young Ororo, who'd never seen such beauty. Eagerly, she examined each item, often stopping to play with a few of them. In her joy, she failed to notice that one of the American tourists was behind her.

"Do you like it?" the woman asked as Ororo examined a French porcelain doll. Ororo's mouth opened wide and she nearly dropped the beautiful doll. "Don't be scared," the woman said, when she noticed the young girl desperately looking for an escape route. "I'm not angry. Come here. You must be hungry."

Ororo had paused, distrustful of the woman's smile. The growl in her belly disagreed with her mind and she gingerly took the woman's hand. She clutched the doll as the woman led her into the rather small kitchen. "I'm afraid I'm not much of a cook," the woman apologized, handing Ororo some pastries that had been purchased for the morning, "So this is probably the only thing we have that you'd like."

She had stuffed herself with pastries as the woman filled Ororo's head with stories about their travels. Sleepily, the woman's husband had wandered in and joined in the conversation. After Ororo was done eating, the couple offered her a place in the spare bedroom for the night.

Unable to sleep, Ororo snuck out of bed and tiptoed out of her room, intent on grabbing another pastry. As she made her way towards the kitchen she overheard the couple talking. The woman - who was named Sara, as Ororo learned - had brought up the possibility of taking in the young Ororo "at least for a little while." Her husband argued, saying they didn't even know the girl, but Sara was adamant, having "taken pity on the child."

Ororo was not pleased.

She appreciated the woman's concern, she really did. But she was no doll, no statue to be collected. When they took her home, would they show her to all their friends as "a child we picked up in Egypt?" Besides, hearing the stories they told had instilled in Ororo a desire for something more - to see the world.

She snuck out that night and didn't look back.

The wandering bug inside her led her all across Africa, finally to Kenya, where her powers manifested during a stay in a small village. The villagers, having no knowledge of mutants, believed that the strange white haired child was a weather goddess given to their care. It was during her stay in this village that Xavier found her.

Since joining the X-Men, Ororo had traveled the globe, meeting fabulous new people. It also gave her the satisfaction of raising a new band of superheroes, thanks to her job with the school. Ororo had even helped Xavier train Jean and Scott in the use of their powers. Her life was a busy one, and she loved it.

But, sometimes even a goddess needs a break.

Knowing that she was growing restless, Xavier agreed to give Ororo a break on the condition that she not leave the continent. That way, should they need her, she would never be more than a few hours from the school. After carefully considering her options, Ororo opted to spend some time in New Orleans.

New Orleans was a city unlike any other. A blend of French, African, and American culture, the city gave Ororo a feeling of being in a separate world within her own familiar sphere. She engrossed herself in the Cajun and Creole culture, picking up new recipes she hoped to one day bring to the school.

The people and traditions were also a source of interest for her. New Orleans operated on a combination of modern technology and old world magic. Voodoo and herbal healers were in abundance. Somewhat of an herbalist herself, Ororo spent some time learning from the local practitioners. One of these practitioners was a woman named Tante Mattie.

Mattie was a maternal woman who seemed to know everyone in the city. Her skills with healing were uncanny, giving Ororo the impression that the woman may have some mutant powers of her own. Tante Mattie laughed when she broached the subject, claiming that she was just a nurse with a few extra tricks up her sleeves.

One afternoon, when Ororo was helping Tante Mattie with her herb garden, a trio of men speaking French burst in the door. One of the men was bleeding heavily from his gut while the other two supported him.

"What's all dis?" Mattie asked, rushing over to examine the bleeding man.

"De assassins," said one of the uninjured men, named Lapin, "Julien is angry about de alliance. He say dat all t'ieves mus' die. He wants Remy t' go first." Lapin gestured to the other uninjured man, who was very calmly lighting a cigarette.

Just past his eighteenth birthday, Remy LeBeau stood more a man than a boy. He possessed an air of confidence that fell just short of obnoxiously arrogant. His movements were fluid and feline, cutting through the shadows like a polished blade. It was his eyes that fascinated Ororo the most. Where the white of his eye should have been, there existed only pure black. The pupils of his eyes glowed a vibrant red, giving his eyes a slightly demonic appearance. Too strange to be human, Ororo could only assume that the red-eyed man was a mutant also.

"Julien d'not concern me," Remy said coolly. "Leave 'im t' Bel, dat be scary enough for any man."

"Y' shouldn't speak of your fiancé dat way," Tante Mattie admonished. Remy only shrugged.

"It de truth. Even Remy not foolish enough t' piss off de femme, an' I'm de one marryin' her. Belladonna will not stand f' her brother ruinin' her weddin' day."

Tante Mattie gestured at the clock. "Y' only have a few hours before de weddin'. Leave Guillaume here, I'll bring him later. But I'm not lettin' de two of you go back alone, not wit' Julien on de loose. Take Ororo here with y', she may be of help."

Remy looked at Ororo, seemingly noticing her for the first time. He let his eyes slowly trail up her body, giving Ororo a very distinct feeling of being mentally undressed. "We fine on our own, Tante," he said, "I can beat Julien, wit' or wit'out my gift. I dun see how de femme can help, no 'fense, chere."

Ororo bristled, feeling as though she should argue with the man. 'Of all the sexist...' Tante Mattie beat her to the punch. "Ororo here is more den capable of handlin' herself. 'Sides, if Julien is as angry as y' say, den y' may need all de help available."

Remy shrugged, then flashed a charming smile at Ororo that almost prompted her to forgive his previous statement. "A beautiful femme always welcome wit' us. Sure de Guilds won't mind anot'er guest."

"I am honored," Ororo said, nodding to Remy, who returned her gesture with a slight bow. "I am afraid my present garments aren't quite black tie."

"Den we swing by your place an' pick up somet'ing more suitable," Remy replied. Then, raising an eyebrow somewhat suggestively, he continued. "It give us more time t' get acquainted, non?"

Lapin snorted. "Almos' a married man an' still charmin' de ladies. Only you, LeBeau."

"Maybe y' learn from me one day, neh? Let's go."

-----

Despite the man's arrogance, Remy proved to be a charming and somewhat intelligent man. Leaving Lapin to keep watch at the hotel entrance, Remy walked Ororo to her suite, answering her protests with "A gentleman always escorts a lady to de door, non?" He was waiting in her small sitting room while she went to pick out a dress. While he was in the other room, Ororo quickly returned an urgent message from school. When she called, Lorna Dane picked up and informed her that Rogue and St. John were missing.

"The Professor wants you to return," the green-haired woman was telling her. "There's a group called the Marauders on the loose. And with what happened with Rogue, he wants all of the team members on base."

Ororo peered through the door. Remy was walking around the sitting room examining some of her things. "I will return shortly. I have something of a situation to attend to at the moment."

"Is something wrong?" There was some concern in Lorna's voice.

"Nothing like that," Ororo replied. "Just a little unexpected adventure, really. Assure Xavier that I will return soon."

She hung up with Lorna and walked into the living room to tell Remy that she was ready. To her horror, he was currently examining her X-Men communicator with some interest.

"Amazin' bit of equipment for a lady t' own, non?" he said, passing it back to her. Ororo hastily dropped it in a drawer and turned to explain. "Y' one of de X-Men, neh?" he asked before she could say anything. "Heard 'bout y' people a while back. Keep m' ears to de ground. Dun worry, t'ieves be de best secret-keepers dere is. No one know y' a mutant, chere. Seems we have somet'ing in common, non?"

"I am the one they call Storm, yes," Ororo said. "I am taking a sabbatical from the X-Men and from teaching. I thought you might be a mutant as well. Might I be so presumptuous as to ask what your gift is?"

Remy grinned. "I make t'ings go boom, much t' de Guild's annoyance. Dey had t' replace many t'ings wit' me around. Dey call me Gambit."

"Why Gambit?"

"Mebbe 'cause I take more chances den dey comfortable with." Remy ran his fingers through his short, dark hair. "Be takin' a chance marryin' Bel. I love de femme, but Remy not ready for marriage."

"You should not speak in the third person," she admonished.

"Y' tryin' t' be my teacher now?" he asked with some amusement. "I am not ready for marriage. But it for de best." At her confused glance, he continued. "I'm de heir to de T'ieves Guild since de leader adopted me. Bel, she in de Assassins. Our families have been warrin' for some time. So, in a 'gesture of good will' t' all us under dwellers, dere gonna be a marriage b'tween de families. Guess who was chosen? Dun mind, really. Bel, je l'aime. Mais... she not de woman I pictured m'self marryin'."

There was some sadness in Remy's eyes, and Ororo felt her heart go out in sympathy. He shrugged again. "Julien, Bel's brother isn't happy wit' de match. Been causin' trouble f' weeks. Bel gonna kill 'im when she catch 'im." He smiled. "I prolly get t' deal wit' de homme though. But 'nough 'bout m' problems, we got a weddin' t' get to. Mes excuses for de rush, but m' presence is required. Too bad we cannot get t' know each other better." He grinned flirtatiously at her, then yelped as a tiny bolt of electricity zapped him just enough to sting. "I see why dey call y' Storm," he said, rubbing his behind. Mon Dieu, are all femmes crazy?"

-----

The wedding was held in a small chapel patronized by both Guilds. Julien did not show up, causing some murmurs of concern to ripple through the crowd. Jean-Luc LeBeau and Marius Boudreaux sat side-by-side to watch their children get married. This seating arrangement reassured some of their mutual desire for peace, while causing others to mumble angrily. Not everyone in the Guilds wanted peace between the families.

Belladonna, Remy's bride, was a charming blonde woman who seemed to adore her soon-to-be husband. Although she was polite and friendly to Ororo, the X-Man sense a hardness underneath Bel's sweet exterior. 'She is an Assassin,' Ororo thought, 'maybe that is what I am picking up on." Ororo swept aside her suspicions. 'I cannot ALWAYS play the suspicious X-Man.'

The wedding proceeded smoothly, with no sign of Julien until after the ceremony. As the married couple descended the church steps, fending off the rice that was thrown at them, a scream broke through the crowd. "LEBEAU!"

The crowd parted to the right side and an angry looking Assassin stormed through. "Julien," Belladonna hissed, her fists clenching, "How dare y' wreck m' wedding."

"I'll not put up wit' dis abomination," Julien yelled, drawing his sword, "I challenge Remy LeBeau t' a duel."

The crowd was yelling angrily, some protesting the challenge, others in favor. "Don't do it, Remy," Bel pleaded. The young man's eyes, however, revealed that he had already accepted the challenge. He tried to reassure her that he would be fine, but Bel was livid. "Y' a fool," she said, pounding on his chest angrily. "Julien's a madman."

Taking a sword offered to him, Remy moved to where the angry Julien Boudreaux stood. "Y' dead, LeBeau."

"We see 'bout dat, homme."

Julien struck first, using his weight advantage to press the blade towards Remy's chest. The more agile Remy deflected the blow easily. "No powers, LeBeau," Julien warned, "We all know y' Le Diable Blanc."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Remy swung at Julien, narrowly missing the older man. The two battled, perspiration dripping from their bodies. Belladonna yelled angrily at the two of them to stop, but the two men, as well as the crowd, ignored her.

Though Remy had a slight speed and agility advantage, the older Assassin's skill slowly began to overcome. In a swift blow, he knocked the sword out of Remy's hand.

"Been waitin' for dis," Julien said, setting his blade right in front of the panting Remy's face. "I wonder - d' mutants bleed like humans do?"

'You will not have time to find out,' Ororo thought, slowly letting her power surge through her body. 'Just a little distraction.' The sky loudly cracked with lightning and the crowd looked warily to the sky, some muttering about omens.

A particularly loud crack of thunder briefly attracted Julien's attention. A moment was all Remy needed. From the folds of his suit, the thief produced a few playing cards, which he quickly charged with his kinetic energy. He released them, letting them strike and explode against the assassin's chest. Julien screamed as the explosions rocked his body. There followed an eerie silence. Julien Boudreaux was dead.

The Assassins in the crowd yelled angrily. Remy cheated, they claimed. This was not a proper duel. Belladonna and Marius tried to appease the crowd, but the mob grew angrier. "I'm beginnin' t' t'ink dat I'm not very smart," Remy muttered.

Jean-Luc approached Remy with a grave face. "Y' not safe," he said, resting his hand on his adoptive son's shoulder. "I t'ink it best dat y' go, Remy. Leave de city f' a while. Let de mob cool down."

"Dey not gonna calm down, pere," Remy said. "Bad 'nough Remy a t'ief, but a mutant t'ief too? We both know if I leave, I can't come back."

"At least m' son will live," Jean-Luc said. "Go," he whispered.

"I'm coming wit' y'," Belladonna said. "If y' leavin', I'm comin' too."

"Non Bel," Remy said, "Dis my fault. Y' need t' stay here. Y' family needs y'."

"Y' can't leave me, Remy LeBeau," she said angrily, fighting back tears. "I need y' too."

"Y' stayin'," Remy said. Bel glared at him before storming off to join her father. "Least I won't have t' deal wit' her anger," Remy said sarcastically.

Ororo placed a hand on Remy's shoulder. "I may have a place for you to stay," she said. "At least for a little while. You will be welcomed there."

"Remy ain't welcome n'where, chere," he said. "But t'anks for de offer.

"I insist," Ororo said. Remy looked at her curiously.

"Y' serious 'bout dis," he said. "Why y' takin' a chance on a t'ief like me? Might betray y'."

Ororo smiled. "I do not believe you will do that. And perhaps we have more in common than a shared genetic trait."

Remy nodded. "Mebbe I stay, jus' a lit'le while. I 'preciate dis, Stormy."

"You are very welcome. And Remy?"

"Eh?"

"Do not call me Stormy."

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