Warren pulled the car into the driveway of a very grand estate. He followed the smooth, paved drive to a pristine, white garage door, which opened immediately as the car approached.

"Where are we?" Rogue asked in awe, sidetracked for a moment.

"My place," Warren answered. "I threw an impromptu luncheon as an excuse to show up unexpectedly at your door." He grinned at her shocked expression. "See? I really do make a good spy."

He'd certainly pulled one over on her. She shook her head slightly and smiled in defeat. "Very clever, James Bond. Now what did you learn about Longshot?"

"I don't know why you're so eager to know about Longshot. There's hardly anything to tell. He's essentially a celebrity in the mojoverse. He's a professional gladiator, for lack of a better description. He fights for entertainment there."

"If he's so famous in the mojoverse, why'd he come here?" Rogue asked suspiciously. It didn't make sense for Longshot to leave his adoring public to work for the MRD as an underappreciated mercenary. Heck, he wasn't even first in command; he'd lost that title to Gambit.

"Money and fame don't always go hand in hand," Warren answered. "Aside from his celebrity status, the man has zero in cash. Turns out he has a gambling problem and has some sharks on his tail. The MRD offered to take care of his debts, and his mojoverse employer lent him out to do just that. Longshot works for the MRD, the loan sharks get paid off."

Rogue frowned. "That's a pretty generous boss."

"Not when he's the one Longshot owes his gambling debts to."

"Is that all you found out about him?" Rogue asked, slightly disappointed. What had she expected? That Warren would just find someone who said that Longshot was killing off mutants who had worked for the MRD? It was never that easy. Still, she had foolishly hoped it was.

"Other than his background as basically a cage fighter who got tangled up in some debts, I haven't found anything else. The guy doesn't have a criminal record. Logan even paid a trip to the mojoverse only to learn that the guy is practically a god there."

Rogue sighed. A dead end. This was starting to get infuriating. She was so sure that Longshot was their man, but she didn't have proof or anything to follow up on. All she had were her gut instincts. Her senses were telling her that he was involved somehow, but how? Did it all come back to Gambit? He seemed to be the connecting piece, but nothing fit together yet.

She thought back to things Gambit had said in passing about Longshot. She thought back to the different interactions she had seen between the two men. Something wasn't right. It took her a moment, but it came to her. Longshot and Gambit were always arguing. She had witnessed it at the benefit while they were public. She had witnessed it when she had barged in on them in the meeting room. Normally arguing wouldn't have been so weird, except she'd also seen Longshot cower in fear of Gambit. And with good reason. Gambit had beaten the living snot out of him after the night of the benefit. Yet, even after such fear, he still continued to challenge Gambit at every turn. Why?

And furthermore, why wasn't Gambit enforcing his position all the time? Didn't it stand to reason that if Longshot was defying orders and arguing at every turn, Gambit would be retaliating with violence? He certainly had in the past.

Unless that had been purely for show.

Allowing Longshot to argue with him meant that Gambit saw him as an equal. Gambit certainly allowed her to argue with him, and she knew how he thought about her.

Rogue felt ill. The possibility that the two were cohorts hadn't even occurred to her until now. If her suspicions were correct, they had put on a pretty good show. Had she not gotten involved with Gambit, she never even would have made the connection with the arguments. Gambit didn't argue with anyone of lower value. He didn't tolerate insubordination—

"Have you thought of something?" Warren asked.

"Huh?" Rogue blinked, looking up and losing her train of thought. She had been going somewhere with it, but where?

"You got all silent on me, like you were lost in thought," Warren pressed encouragingly.

"I'm not sure," she answered honestly. She wasn't about to start throwing out speculations. For all she knew, Longshot and Gambit could be equal enough in the MRD ranks that Longshot could argue fairly freely, only crossing lines some of the time for Gambit to lash out. She'd hate to start another mad goose chase before she had more facts.

"Well," Warren began. "What I got on Longshot isn't nearly as interesting as what I got on Gambit."

Her stomach tightened and Rogue blanched. She wasn't sure she was going to like this. Warren seemed a little too eager to spill what he'd learnt about Gambit. He despised the man, which meant the information he'd gotten on Gambit wasn't particularly pleasant.

Rogue swallowed the hard lump that had risen in her throat. "What did you find?"

"Well, for starters, your boyfriend is moonlighting for the New York branch of the Thieves' Guild."

Rogue cringed, though she wasn't sure if it was because of the 'boyfriend' part or the 'Thieves' part.

"Please stop calling him that," she said in exasperation.

"Sorry," Warren apologized absently. "It's just he acts like—never mind." Warren shook his head, getting back on track. "As I was saying, he is working for the MRD and for the Thieves' Guild, only the MRD doesn't know it."

This was bad. Everyone knew that the Thieves' Guild was one of the biggest crime organizations in the country. Not even the Mafias could hold sway to the Guilds. There were two, the Guild of Assassins and the Guild of Thieves, though the Thieves were by far the more successful. The Guilds had originated in New Orleans. With Gambit's Cajun background and thieving background, Rogue felt incredibly stupid for not putting two and two together.

It all made perfect, lovely sense that Gambit would belong to the Guild. Question was: why wasn't it the New Orleans branch he was involved with?

"Why New York?" she mused out loud.

Warren smiled wistfully. "You think just like Logan. He said the exact same thing. Why is a Cajun working for the New York branch? It hadn't crossed my mind until Logan had said it, but when he did, I was able to find out so much more."

Rogue gave him an inquisitive look, prompting him to go on.

"Originally it was impossible to find out anything on Gambit after the past five years and even that was slim pickings. Nothing made a lot of sense. It was like Etienne Gambit had never existed until recently."

"An alias," Rogue breathed. She knew it!

"Exactly."

Rogue furrowed her brow. "How did you learn his full name? He only told me just recently."

"My father's contact list. Kitty was able to hack into his computer. My father has a list of all the MRD employees." Warren scowled bitterly. "Finally being his son was good for something."

Rogue patted his arm. It was very difficult for Warren to maintain a relationship with his father since the two had polar opposite views on mutants. Warren was one of the few who constantly tried though. Many mutants had given up on families that just didn't accept them. In the end, it was easier to sever the ties. Rogue commended Warren for constantly trying, even though it seemed useless.

"Anyway," Warren continued. "At first glance, Gambit is nothing more than a common thug. Nothing special. That is until we discovered who he really was—but I'm getting ahead of myself. See, records of him first turned up when he was apprehended by S.H.I.E.L.D.—"

Rogue waved her hand impatiently. "I know, I know. He was in the Marauder gang, got ratted out by a fellow member and went to jail, where he eventually broke out."

Warren raised his eyebrows. "Impressive, but you got some of your facts wrong."

"Such as?"

"Gambit was never ratted out. He was the rat."

Rogue felt dizzy. That couldn't be right. She had spoken with Gambit himself about the Marauders. He had told her he was ratted out. He had even speculated that Cortez had been the rat.

"That can't be right," she whispered.

"It is," Warren replied. "It didn't make sense until I found out who he was giving information to."

"The Thieves," Rogue answered, her mind furiously fitting the pieces together. "He infiltrated the Marauders as a Thief."

Warren nodded.

"That still doesn't explain how he ended up in the S.H.I.E.L.D. prison."

"The Thieves tipped off S.H.I.E.L.D. and S.H.I.E.L.D. acted, arresting the entire gang before Gambit was able to get out."

Rogue scoffed. "That's ridiculous! The Thieves' Guild would never willingly aid S.H.I.E.L.D. "

"They would if a certain someone was trying to punish his son."

Rogue blew an exhausted breath. "The whole arrest of the Marauders was because of a little, old family feud?"

Warren shook his head softly. "Not little by any means. You've heard the name Jean-Luc LeBeau, right?"

Rogue glowered. "I'm not stupid, Warren. I know the name of the Thieves' Guild's patriarch. I wouldn't be much of a vigilante if I wasn't acquainted with the various names of crime lords."

"And now you're actually acquainted with one in person," Warren replied. "It turns out that our dear Etienne Gambit is none other than Jean-Luc's estranged son, Remy LeBeau."

Rogue involuntarily gasped out loud. "You're joking."

"Not by any means. Like I said, at first glance, Gambit is nothing more than a common thug. A grunt working for the New York Thieves to steal information from a rival New York gang, the Marauders. He did pretty good at downplaying his status too. Nothing to even think about, until you ask what a Cajun is doing in the New York branch."

"Wait a second," Rogue interrupted. "How did you learn he was a Thief in the first place? Up until now I only knew he'd been a Marauder."

Warren shrugged. "That was all Logan. He and Gambit have crossed paths numerous times over the past year and Gambit is always stealing something. Logan said there was no way anyone outside the Thieves' Guild was that skilled, so we looked into it. Turns out Gambit was originally contracted out to the MRD by the Thieves. I believe his fist contract was to steal Forge's inhibitor collar." Warren gave a wry smile. "After that, he began working exclusively for the MRD...or so the MRD thought, but he never quit his ties with the Thieves like he led the MRD to believe."

"All right," Rogue agreed. "I buy that, but why would he go back to the Thieves after they were responsible for his imprisonment?"

"That's where we can only begin to speculate," Warren admitted. "We know for sure that Gambit left New Orleans at odds with his father. We don't know the specifics for the falling out. We know that Gambit changed his name when he came to New York. We know he started working for the New York Thieves under that name. Whether it was under his father's command or something he did on his own, we don't know. We know he infiltrated the Marauders and ferried information back to the Thieves. We know the Thieves betrayed Gambit and he went to prison—"

"Yes," Rogue replied impatiently. "The theories please, Warren."

"We think he's back with the Thieves in an attempt to overthrow his father."

Rogue wrinkled her nose in doubt and confusion. That was the stupidest theory she'd ever heard. "What on earth made you come to that conclusion?"

Warren shrugged. "I know what it's like not to get along with a parent. If my father ever imprisoned me, I know damn well that I'd be out for revenge."

"Maybe it isn't that complex," Rogue offered gently. "There is that old saying, 'thick as thieves', maybe Gambit just had nowhere else to go. You of all people know that blood is thicker than water. You've been trying for years to get along with your father. You have never just walked away when things between you got bad."

Warren wrinkled his nose judgmentally. "I guess that's one theory. I just can't picture that guy being anything like me."

Rogue decided not to point out that Warren's theories were based on what Warren would do in the same situation. "So Gambit is still working for the Thieves, and obviously spying on the MRD, but to what purpose?"

Warren glanced down with a sigh. "That, we don't know, but at least you've got a little more to work with."

Rogue felt a headache coming on. Sure, she appreciated the information, but it seemed that the more she learned, the more despair she felt. Everything always came back to Gambit. At least this time, Rogue had something more solid to mount her suspicions on. The Thieves could easily be responsible for the missing mutants.

"You ready for lunch?" Warren asked.

"Yeah," Rogue agreed quietly.

Warren led her through the house to where the luncheon was being held. Rogue wasn't even sure what such a large room was called in a mansion. A ballroom? A parlour? None of the large rooms at Xavier's were used for their intended purpose. She hadn't bothered to ask Warren for fear of looking inept. It was bad enough that she felt uncomfortable in these sorts of situations with these kinds of people so there was no need to draw any more attention to herself. She was here as Warren's date and that would garner her plenty of interest.

She quickly realized that even though she was with Warren, no one really bothered her or cared to speak with her. People were only interested in Warren. He gave her an apologetic smile after he was roped into a conversation about commerce. She could tell that Warren hadn't had any desire to leave her alone, but he'd been left with very little choice.

Rogue wandered around the room by herself, wondering how long she had to stay here. It was stuffy in the room, and all the pomp and circumstance was quickly getting to her. Ugh, she'd never be able to date Warren even if she was remotely interested in the man; she'd never be able to tolerate these functions.

It wasn't until a man across the room was waving at her that things became very interesting. She squinted her eyes. She was sure she didn't know anyone in Warren's circle of friends, but the man seemed to know her. She inched closer. God, he looked familiar...

Her eyes widened in sheer and absolute shock as she recognized the man. She raced across the room as quickly as possible, trying not to gape or draw attention.

"What are you doing here?" Rogue hissed at Jean-Paul in a low voice.

Jean-Paul gave a weak smile. "This was the only way I could talk to you in private." He glanced around. "Well, semi-private. At least with no other mercs."

Rogue couldn't imagine what was so important that Jean-Paul had to talk to her right now. "How did you even get in here?" Rogue marvelled at him in wonder. He was certainly dressed like one of New York's wealthiest. Jean-Paul blended in perfectly in his neatly pressed khakis and pale yellow polo sweater. He'd even combed his hair to the side, giving him that preppy boy look.

"Pretty easily when you've got speed on your side. I just glided in past the doorman while the door was open. Finding you was the tough part, but thanks to Google—"

Rogue waved her hand impatiently. "All right, all right, I get it. Now what's with the fire under your ass?"

Jean-Paul glanced around quickly, lowering his voice. "I know where Jeanne-Marie's body is, but we have to go now."

Rogue understood why Jean-Paul was eager to get his sister's body back. It had only been on his mind for the past three years, but crashing a luncheon seemed a tad bit extreme. Even for Jean-Paul. There was something else at play here.

Rogue narrowed her eyes warily. "Why right now? What's the catch?"

"The catch is: she's in one of Trask's private labs. Since he's been let go, the MRD board of trustees is reviewing his work, debating whether or not to continue with it. For the past week all of Trask's labs have been opened for review, practically anyone in MRD can gain access without suspicion."

"But?"

Jean-Paul sighed. "But I only just found out and today is the last day before the board makes a decision. Going anytime after today is going to arouse suspicion unless we plan a miraculous B&E." His eyes turned dark and pleading. "Please, Rogue, you said you'd help and if we don't go now, it'll be impossible to get into the lab once the board has made a decision."

As much as Rogue didn't appreciate the timing, she couldn't let Jean-Paul go alone. Even if it wasn't dangerous or as dangerous as it could be, Jean-Paul would still need her support. He was going to finally see his sister's body, or at least find out what happened to it. Rogue shuddered. Jeanne-Marie's remains being in a lab did not bode well at all for her body still being intact. No, there was no way Rogue would let Jean-Paul face this alone. She just had to come up with a tactful way to leave Warren's luncheon.

"Okay," she agreed. "You head outside and meet me at the edge of the yard. I need to let Warren know I'm leaving."

Jean-Paul restrained himself from hugging her. Now was not the time or the place. All they needed was some rich gossip spying Rogue in the arms of another man and Warren would be humiliated.

"Thank you," he whispered gratefully as Rogue gave him a quick nod and went to find Warren.

Warren was not hard to find, but getting to Warren was. He was surrounded by people all vying for his attention. After trying for several minutes to grab his attention and failing, Rogue decided that she would just have to make her hasty exist anyway and call Warren later to apologize.

She met Jean-Paul outside. He looked jumpier than usual.

"You okay?" she asked.

He nodded. "It's just...I dunno, I can't believe after all these years, it's finally going to come to an end."

Rogue understood what he meant. Jeanne-Marie and what had happened to her had been haunting Jean-Paul for some time. He was now going to come face to face with the ghosts of his past mistakes. Not only that, they were going to steal a body from a government building. Anyone should be nervous about that. Strangely enough, Rogue wasn't.

It wasn't like she was in the habit of body snatching, she just wasn't all that nervous about it. The truth was, Rogue didn't believe that there was going to be much of a body left to take. Trask had often called on the von Strucker twins for assistance in his labs and Rogue already knew what the twins had been like. She doubted that she was going to like where she and Jean-Paul were heading. She doubted even more that she would like what they would find.

As the two reached Jean-Paul's car, it occurred to Rogue that if there was a body to remove, how exactly were the two of them going to remove it?

"Jean-Paul," she hesitated, thinking of the right way to ask. "How are we going to take your sister from the building without being noticed?"

"A gurney. Each lab should be equipped with at least one."

Rogue looked nervously at Jean-Paul's sports car. "And you're going to put her in here?" she asked dubiously. It was a little ostentatious to be driving a tiny, red sports car with a body in plain sight in the back seat. She couldn't imagine Jean-Paul trying to stuff his sister's remains into the compact trunk space. She'd be horrified if he'd even suggest it. She shook her head. Jean-Paul would never, not the way he loved his sister.

"We're switching it for a rental van," he supplied as he opened up the trunk and pulled out two white lab coats. He handed one to her. "Here, put this on."

Rogue took the coat and slipped it on. She was thankful that she'd just left the luncheon. At first she didn't think that her attire would be of any use. Hell, a sweater set and skirt was downright ridiculous when she imagined herself trying to haul a body from the premises, but getting into the lab dressed respectably was key. Both she and Jean-Paul looked the part of scientists or board members. No one would pay them any mind at all.

But what would they do once they had the body?

"What do you plan on doing after...this?" Rogue broached once they were both in the car and speeding off down the street. "You can't possibly be coming back to the base, can you?"

Jean-Paul shook his head softly. "Once they know her body is gone, they'll know it was me. I'm...I'm going to head for the Canadian border and try and get back home to bury her. At least before..." his voice trailed off as he glanced down at the silver bracelet on his wrist.

Before Gambit comes after him, Rogue finished silently.

If they pulled this off, it was going to be good-bye. Jean-Paul didn't stand in a chance in hell dodging Gambit. The best Rogue could hope for was that Jean-Paul would at least get a chance to bury his sister properly first before they came to haul him away.

"I'll stall him as much as I can," Rogue offered gently. That was if she didn't get implicated in helping Jean-Paul first.

Jean-Paul gave a bittersweet smile, knowing that she'd read his thoughts exactly. "Should be an easy thing for you to do, now that he's had a taste." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "I thought you said you were going wait until you knew for sure what he was up to before you boinked him?"

Rogue tipped her head back against the seat. "I thought so too."

"I nearly had a heart attack when I opened your door this morning." He laughed. "Good thing I didn't start out with, 'I know where her body is'."

Rogue couldn't help but laugh. That was Jean-Paul, the man could make light of every situation. She was going to miss him when he left.

"That was why you burst in so urgently, not Warren?" she asked.

"Yeah," he answered sheepishly. "Thank God, Warren was there, but he wasn't exactly on my mind when I woke you up. It wasn't until I needed an excuse that it occurred to me I could use Warren."

"Quick thinking."

Jean-Paul shrugged. "I've always been quick on my feet."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Hardy, har har," she droned, getting his play on words. God, she was really going to miss these conversations. As a silence fell between them, she knew Jean-Paul was thinking the same thing.

"Rogue..." Jean-Paul began after several minutes of silence. "If things go bad, and I...well, I disappear, I don't want you to come looking for me."

"Jean-Paul—"

"I mean it," he replied sternly. "I want you to stay out of it. It's too much trouble and it's too dangerous. I'd never want to be the reason why something awful happened to you."

"You know I can't do that," Rogue answered flatly. "I won't do that."

Jean-Paul heaved a weary sigh. "I knew you'd say that."

"Maybe I can convince Gambit to leave you be," Rogue suggested feebly.

Jean-Paul laughed again, breaking the somber tone of the conversation. "If anyone can, it'd be you. Probably be easy too, just gotta drop your panties."

Rogue gasped in mock disgust. "You're terrible!"

His eyes sparkled mischievously. "Me? I'm not the one who boinked our boss!"

"Will you ever tire of that word?"

Jean-Paul shook his head. "Only if you tire of Gambit."