New York City, New York

The Past, Yesterday

"What are you doing?" Daredevil asked as he began to move forward.

"Celebratin' new beginnings," Gambit said, his arms held outstretched to his sides. In one hand was a bottle, thick glass with a heavy bottom. The other hand held a playing card.

"You're going to hurt yourself," Daredevil told him.

Gambit laughed. "I'm a glutton for punishment," Gambit said over his shoulder to Daredevil, right before he plunged forward off the roof.

Daredevil darted forward, readying his billy club to send it after Gambit in hopes of rescuing him. He didn't need to worry. A champagne cork flew up from below to strike Daredevil in the forehead. Below, the thief seemed to be floating midair, joined now by Jean Grey. She was holding a pair of champagne flutes. They looked up at him, doing a slow pirouette over the cityscape below, held aloft by Jean's telekinetic powers.

"Daredevil," Jean said. "If I knew you were coming, I'd have brought another glass."

Daredevil released the breath he'd been holding. The two mutants settled themselves on the rooftop ledge. "Not amusing, Gambit," Daredevil told him.

"Couldn't resist giving our friend in de red pajamas a bit of a scare," Gambit told Jean.

"Still holding a grudge?" Jean asked. "Even after all this time?"

"Nah," Gambit said, he poured a glass of champagne and handed it to Daredevil. "Bygones and all."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Gambit. I'm still sore from you busting my nose," Daredevil said.

"Ages ago!" Gambit declared and poured Jean a glass as well.

"Sorry, Matt. We made a bit of a detour. Chronologically speaking. It's been...hard to keep track of time," Jean said.

Daredevil sniffed the champagne, wondering if it might contain something stronger than alcohol. "Well, let me bring you up to date. I did manage to track down your assassin," Daredevil said. "There was actually more than one."

"Why does that not surprise me," Gambit said. "Greycrow, yes?"

"You knew?" Daredevil said, annoyed.

"I thought I dreamt it," Gambit considered the confirmation of his suspicions. "Then it was Sinister who ordered the hit. Original Flavor Sinister, is my guess, since he doesn't do his own dirty work. And he meant to kill my double, not me. Because without me, his life'd be pretty boring. Sinister Lite wouldn't send a sniper, he'd prefer to strangle me up close and personal."

"But you said there was another assassin?" Jean prompted.

"Uhm, your ex-wife," Daredevil said to Gambit. "But she didn't actually take the contract. She might have assassinated your assassin."

"Circle of life," Gambit said and tipped the champagne bottle into his mouth. He swallowed and sighed.

"BellaDonna," Jean breathed. "That was her, in Helen's apartment... But Helen didn't want Remy dead."

Daredevil started. "How do you—?"

"I got your message, Matt," Jean said sadly. "I was there."

"But, Jean," he began. "You're not the woman... the intruder?"

Jean nodded. "It was an accident, a terrible accident."

"My God," Daredevil said. "What an unfortunate circumstance."

"Is she...is she all right?" Jean asked.

"Yes," Daredevil confirmed. "She left Boston. To start a new life."

"I'm glad to hear it," Jean said.

To Gambit, Daredevil said: "If you...want to talk to her...I can put you in touch."

Gambit considered this. "Maybe." Jean put her hand on Gambit's arm. "Somehow feels...disloyal. To my adoptive parents. No offense meant t'her, but..."

Daredevil was surprised at Gambit's candor, that he was willing to share his feelings. "Just let me know if you change your mind," he said softly.

Jean shook her head. "I still don't understand why Belle was at Helen's though."

"That's a bit more complicated," Daredevil said, and offered the folder he carried in Gambit's direction.

Gambit waved him off. "I don't have enough champagne for this. Will knowin' what's in there kill me?"

"I don't think so," Daredevil responded.

"How about de not knowing?"

"Not knowing won't kill you either."

"Well, I've had enough mysterious documents t'last a lifetime. Keep it."

"Okay, fine," Daredevil said. "I was warned on multiple occasions about this. Onto Plan B. Plan A was a loss. You're the first pancake."

"If you say so," Gambit said with a shrug. "Look, Diable, it's a school night. Time for good little boys and girls t'get ready for bed."

"And what are the rest of us going to do? I suppose it would be nice to have a night off," Daredevil said and raised his glass. "What were we toasting? New beginnings?"

"New beginnings," Jean and Gambit agreed, and two champagne flutes and a bottle clinked.

After a moment, Gambit said: "Well, now I'm hungry for pancakes."

"I know a place open late," Daredevil said. "And I want to tell you about my date last week. I'm really starting to like spicy food now."

Next: Mad Eye picks up his new student.