Chapter 9, "Angel"
By: RogueBHS
A/N: Sorry its been so long since I updated. My muse was hiding, and even now I'm not 100% sure its going to stay put, but I'm going to try and get some updates online. To make up for the lengthy absence I've taken from both writing and reading, this chapter is longer than the past ones. I hope you enjoy it. Just as a side note, the sequel to Drowning will be uploaded no later than March 26th, the third part of my comic-verse arc will be uploaded no later than March 28th, and two new stories will be uploaded no later than April 5th. :) So take a look if you can.
Its dark, oh so dark outside. But then, the darkness is a blessing in disguise, as with too much light, our plans could be discovered all too easily. Momma trained me well, and had others teach me tricks along the way, making me a terrific thief. But that doesn't mean I'm not nervous about this mission. I mean, stealing in general is one thing. But stealing something from an entire guild of theives? That's a totally different, and highly difficult idea. Only with momma, its not a plan. Its a well thought out, carefully executed work of art.
I glance over my shoulder and nod reassuringly at Pyro when he asks if I'm ready, but my stomach is tied in knots. Tightening the hood so it conceals my face in shadows, and competely covers my hair I stand up, then look around again. I see the signal from Momma and head for the door that leads to the crypt where this mysterious gem is hidden. The New Orleans Thieves Guild put it there to hide it from their enemies, the Assassains, but that makes no difference. I heard the Assassains found it once, and no doubt could again. I watch the ground and my surroundings closely, making sure that I don't make any noise that isn't necessary. My breath is silent, and my steps even more so. Thank god for all of my stealth training.
I walk down the stairs into the crypt, using the nightscope off of my gun to see. I turn it off when I reach the bottom and rely on my senses to get me through. There are traps all over this place, and setting off one ruins the mission. After following the dang Cajun rascal all day yesterday I refuse to make a mistake now. I almost forget about the lasers that momma said were 15 feet from the stairs, then stop only an inch short of them. That was too close for my liking. I take the powder momma gave me and blow it into the air, showing where the lasers are pointed. They change every hour, and I have 5 minutes to get through. Lovely.
It takes remarkable flexiblity to get through those damn lasers, but I make it...barely. The pattern changes only seconds after I get out of the maze. I'd sigh in relief, but there's an alarm that will sound if a sound louder than the drop of a pin is made down here. I glance up, almost swearing that someone is watching me, but my nightvision isn't good enough to pierce the shadows of this type of darkness. I see 4 small red lights though, 2 slightly larger than the others, and curse mentally when I realize there's cameras down here. Oh well. Its a bit hard for anybody to capture a ghost...
I keep moving, avoiding traps and such, making sure to stay in the shadows as much as possible. The more dark it is, the harder it will be for the cameras to spot me, especially since I'm dressed in black, complete with a hood. I finally reach the spot where they keep the little gem, and make one step towards it before a movement catches my eye. I back into the shadows where I can't be seen, watching the movement closely. Its the young theif I was tailing a few days ago. Shoot. He's joined shortly by the older man, Jean-Luc as momma called him. I stay, listening to them speak about me, not knowing I'm even there.
Remy says he's not sure anyone was really there...all he caught were fleeting glimpses, and he makes a referance about me being like a ghost. In the shadows of the crypt, I smile. Even to a master thief I'm only a ghost. Jean-Luc frowns, then turns off the security system and traps as he picks up the gem. Remy turns, and spots me as I move, but all he sees is my face for a moment before I'm back in darkness. He shakes his head, as if trying to clear it, and Jean-Luc asks if he's alright. Remy turns, nodding at the older man as he speaks.
"Jus' t'ought I saw an angel, mon pere...jus' seein' angels..."
Jean-Luc puts an arm around Remy's shoulders, smiling briefly. "You jus' seein all sorts o' t'ings t'night ain'tcha?"
Remy nods. "Oui...Dat I am."
They leave, and finally I have a chance to escape. I didn't get the gem, but only because of Remy and those eyes of his. I guess enhanced night-vision is one of his mutant abilities. I almost run out of that crypt, and do run up the stairs, my footsteps still making no sound at all. Momma sees me, notes the lack of the gem, and just motions for me to join them. I crouch down beside them, and catch my breath, taking in the night air. Momma questions me on the location of the gem, and I tell her the truth. Jean-Luc and Remy foiled the plan. She sighs. Accepting it, she simply tells us we need to get out of there. I think that's the first time I ever heard her sound tired.
Well, its for certain that Rogue knew Remy all those years ago. And him thinking he meerly saw an angel, or the face of one rather, certainly explains why he's said nothing about knowing her. But its definitely something to know that even then Gambit was amazed at the southern belle's beauty. And I must agree she's got a beautiful face. Especially with those eyes...
But anyway...it does seem she was once an amazing thief as well as being a master assassain, and spy. I can't understand why she'd let those skills go, no matter how hard I try. Something must have made her give them up...I just wish I knew what it was.