AN: This story is a bit movie-verse and a bit comic-verse. I started writing this around the time when X3 came out, and decided that I didn't like it. So, no Phoenix, and no killing off Scott and whoever else is being killed off in it. This is just my take on how Gambit came to, if he really did, join the X-Men. I'm undecided whether to have him join, or just stay the loose outsider. Only time will tell.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, only the characters that are not canon.
A Thief's Honour
Chapter 1: Theft!
"What do you mean information has been stolen?" Scott Summers waved his arms around wildly as he spoke to Professor Charles Xavier, who had given him the unfortunate news. Only a few minutes Xavier had gotten a call from the head researcher of the Mutant Research Centre (MRC) about sensitive information regarding the mutation of homo superior.
"Please be calm, Scott, and sit down." He gestured to the outraged mutant and Scott finally sat down. "No data has been destroyed and I believe with the help of our FBI insider we will be able to get a clear picture of the thief. And thus we'll be able to find him and secure the information."
"But what if we can't find him, then horrible things can happen when it falls in the wrong hands."
The Professor nodded. "I understand your concern, which I share. I will do anything in my power to grab hold of identity and location. I would ask you not to worry, how difficult this may be. I--"
"But he broke into the most advanced security systems in the world," Scott interrupted. "Without a trace! How are we able to find such a person?"
Xavier smiled slightly. "Yes, yes, you are right." He folded his hands and leaned his elbows on his desk as he look at Scott intently. "But I have already arranged a meeting with both our FBI contact and the MRC head researcher to sort this thing out. I will promise I'll do all I can."
Scott sighed and stood up again, scratching the back of his head, while his other hand sought his hip. "So," he said after a seemingly long silence. "Where leaves that the X-Men? Is there nothing we can do?"
"We are talking about a very professional thief here, as you undoubtedly have noticed,"
A soft voice from behind startled Scott and he turned around to see Ororo Munroe, the 'Weather Goddess', standing in the doorway of Xavier's office. "You cannot expect the Professor to have him captured with a snap of your fingers." As if to emphasise her words, she snapped her fingers once, slowly moving forward into the room to sit comfortably on the edge of Charles' desk.
"But you--," Scott started.
Knowing where his sentence would end, she interrupted; "Even with my knowledge of thieving, chances are very, very small we will actually find him and retrieve the information." Her serene face was drawn into a serious frown. "The X-Men can do nothing until we have a serious lead."
"So, we're going to do nothing." It was more a question than a statement from the ruby shaded man.
Ororo sighed, but said nothing. Neither did Charles.
Frustration obvious in all his movements, Scott turned and strode away. "That's great, just great," He sarcastically commented before closing the door behind him.
Ororo sighed and turned her gaze away from the now closed door, and sighed, seemingly interested in her finger nails.
"What is bothering you, Ororo?" Xavier asked.
There was a short silence, Storm thinking hard. "I have to think about--" she hesitated. "I have to think about when I was younger. I mean, when I was trapped in my child body. I do not remember much of it, but that is when I met a boy, a lot older than me, or so I thought that time. He saved my life." She frowned. "I do not know why he occupies my mind."
She bit her lip, seemingly trying hard to remember details. After she had been reverted back with the use of her own lightning the memories of all that happened in her forced childhood had slowly but surely faded. After mental examinations, the Professor had not been able to find anything wrong with her mental state. But he was not able to explain the memory loss.
Charles understood. "Yes, I remember you were talking about him when you first arrived here."
"He was a thief. It is he who taught me the fine art of thieving." Storm sighed. "He said he was a professional thief." Charles immediately understood what she was getting at and rolled his wheel chair towards her. Once at her side, he laid a hand on her shoulder. "If you like, we can also search for him in the meantime."
"But is that not a barrier in finding this thief?"
"My dearest Ororo, I have this distinct feeling that should we find this thief, we will find your friend."
To be continued...