Emil sighed, slouching against his bonds. The chains Candra had on him were beginning to chafe, and he wished he could convince her that he wasn't going to run. Granted, he didn't much enjoy being her prisoner, but he'd already seen how things were going to turn out, and he knew he had to stick around. Eventually, it would all turn out for the best.

Candra walked past Emil, looking at him with a discerning gaze. "I suppose you're wondering why I've taken you."

"Not really," Emil replied. After all, it was the truth. He knew exactly why Candra had him. And exactly what would come of it. It was his lot in life.

Candra kept talking as if Emil hadn't said a thing. "I've decided to take revenge on Gambit for the blow he dealt me twenty years ago, but first I have to lure him here. I wanted to take his daughter captive so he'd have to come rescue her, but she seemed like she might be a bit of a challenge, so I needed someone fairly incompetent to lure her. I chose you."

"Gee, t'anks."

Emil didn't point out just how pointless it was to drag all this up two decades after it happened in the first place. Or the fact that her double-bait plan to kidnap Gambit was just plain stupid. As ridiculous as the whole thing may be, Emil had it on good authority that it was part of the cosmic plan of the universe.

So he just sat back and let Candra rant. Help would be there soon enough…

*** *** ***

Marie and Vicky walked into the dining room, the other Marauders already at the table. Vicky leaned down and whispered. "They look less competent than our team back home…"

Marie nodded. They did look more like escapees from a mental institution than anything else. "So what do we do, Creed?" Marie asked.

"We sit down and hope Sinny didn't poison the food."

Marie shrugged. It was as good a plan as any.

Shortly after Marie and Vicky came to the table, Rhiannon came into the room. She clapped her hands brusquely, and the Marauders all turned to look at her. "Good evening," she said. "First off, I would like to extend an apology on behalf of Mr. Sinister for not being able to attend tonight's meal. He is quite busy with his very important work. However, he does send his gratitude to all of you for agreeing to help him in his crusade. Secondly, I would like for all of you to introduce yourself. It will be helpful if we are all aware of everyone's powers."

Vicky rolled her eyes. Just what she wanted to do, get to know the Marauders. At least they didn't have to play one of those dumb getting-to-know-you games from elementary school, like the one where you had to say you were going on a picnic and were bringing a food that began with the same first letter as your name. Vicky had especially hated that one. What were you supposed to bring when your name started with a "V?" Veal? Vegetarian sausage? Vidalia onions?

Arclight jumped up, her short, pink pigtails bouncing. "I'm Arclight!" She announced. "And I make really bright flashes of light!"

"Bon Jovi sucks," Vicky said, her words thinly-veiled with a fake cough. Arclight gave her a malicious look and sat back down.

A scrawny boy with round glasses stood up next. Vicky wondered if his powers were being incredibly nerdy. "Um, I'm Blockbuster," he said nervously. "I have super-human strength, and can lift twice my body weight, which means I can lift almost two hundred pounds."

"And I bet he plays a mean Dungeons and Dragons," Marie whispered to Vicky. Vicky smirked. Maybe her sarcastic sense of humor was finally rubbing off on LeBeau.

"I'm Harpoon…I can put energy in stuff, and then throw it." He looked down. "Still working on my aim, though, so sorry if I hit any of you guys."

Vicky rolled her eyes. This was getting better by the moment.

A shimmering girl who appeared to be made of glass stood next. "I'm Prism. I'm not sure what help I can be, since I might break if I go into battle, but I'll do my best…"

"I'm Riptide," the next boy said. "I can spin really fast, but it makes me puke." He sat down quickly.

A large man who looked like he could've just walked off the set of Deliverance was next. "Uh…I ain't a mutant. But I got a big gun. Oh yeah…name's Scalphunter."

Suddenly, Vicky started to appreciate the X-Men. Dysfunctional as they may be, at least they weren't these guys…

A handsome, but psychotic-looking Asian man stood. "I'm Scrambler. I can stop any mutant from using his or her ability simply by touch." He met Vicky's eyes. "Any mutant."

Vicky decided that one gave off a creepy vibe. Unlike the others, she'd have to watch that one…

"I'm Vertigo," the last man slurred, leaning on the table as he tried to stand. "I can knock off yer balance." He slipped back in his chair.

Vicky realized it was her turn next. She rose to her full height, grinning psychotically. "I'm Sabretooth. I kill people."

The Marauders all recoiled, and Vicky expected Marie to shoot her a look that said "knock it off." Instead, she stood up. "I'm Gambit. I blow shit up." She winked and sat back down beside Vicky. Vicky smirked.

Rhiannon cleared her throat, then gave Vicky and Marie disapproving looks. "Well, now that we all know who we are, let's eat, shall we?"

None of the Marauders said a word as dinner was served.

*** *** ***

"So you kill people, huh?"

Vicky turned around to see Scrambler leaning by the door to her room. "Yeah. Get outta my way before yer next, boy." She gave her best Sabretooth look.

"There's no need for threats, cutie. The way I see it, we got something in common. Maybe we can go on a killing spree together."

"Look, buddy, you got the crazy eyes. My dad told me to stay away from people with crazy eyes. Now scram."

Scrambler smiled. "If you insist." He took her hand and kissed it in a mock-chivalrous gesture. "Good night, milady."

Vicky rolled her eyes and went into her room. Marie was already on the bottom bunk, reading the latest issue of Vogue. "Is it just me, or are these guys completely useless."

"They're losers, all of them," Marie said, not looking up from the magazine.

"What is Sinister thinking? I mean, these guys couldn't even knock over a 7-11, never mind do anything that might require a battle plan. And that creepy Scrambler guy just hit on me."

"Yeah, well, Vertigo hit on me. He said I didn't know good sex until I did it with my sense of balance all outta whack."

"How romantic."

"I charged his whiskey bottle, and threatened to do the same to his balls. He left me alone after that."

Vicky cocked an eyebrow. She didn't know Marie had that in her. "Yeah, that'll do it."

Vicky climbed up on the top bunk, staring up at the ceiling. "I keep thinking about what my dad would do to me if I knew I was here. He always told me to stay away from stuff like this."

"Since when have you done what you're told? You were probably born a hellion."

"Hey, I was a good kid," Vicky snapped. "I never acted up."

"Why? Afraid your dad would hurt you?"

"Dad never laid a hand on me. I just…I just didn't want to disappoint him."

"Then why'd you get yourself kicked out of boarding school?"

Vicky frowned. She didn't appreciate Marie's snotty tone. "The headmaster's son got a little too frisky at one of those stupid dances we always had to go to. I threatened to rip off his own arm and beat him with it. Apparently, that didn't go over so well with his dad."

Vicky heard Marie flip the page of her magazine. "That's surprising. Never thought you'd be the type to even say no."

Vicky stiffened at that. "For your information, Marie," she said through gritted teeth, "I've never said yes. I know what you people think I am, but I'm not a bad person, and I'm not here to make the lives of the X-Men miserable. Sure, I wasn't serious when I first showed up, but I am now. I actually give a damn about this team and what it means. I've put my life on the line time and time again for the world and for the X-Men, and if you or Rachel, or Wildcat, or anyone else can't appreciate it then fine. Fuck you all. I'm doing this because it's what I feel is the right thing to do, and I'll give my all to this team even if I never get any thanks for it. Despite what you people think about my father, he raised me well, and I know the difference between right and wrong. So yeah, Marie, I am the type to say no. I don't take my commitments lightly, in my love life or anything else."

Marie started, unsure of what to say. "Vicky…"

"Don't start, LeBeau. I'm getting some sleep."

Vicky rolled over and stared at the wall for a long time before finally falling asleep.

*** *** ***

Marie knew she was probably putting their entire plan at risk, but she didn't like the idea of being out here without the X-Men knowing where they were. What if something went wrong?

She crept out of the compound, surprised at how poorly guarded it was. She was thinking more and more that Sinister had really gone and completely flipped his lid. She went out to Vicky's car, figuring it would be as safe a place as any. She doubted anyone had bugged it.

She held her cellphone in the air, moving it back and forth until she finally picked up a signal. A weak one, but a signal nonetheless. The phone rang four times before someone answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Illyana, it's Marie. Is Ric there?"

"Marie, it's two o'clock in the morning."

"I know, I'm sorry. I just need to talk to him."

Marie heard Illyana waking her brother up, and a few moments later, Ric was on the line. "Marie, are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. So is Vicky. I just wanted to let y'all know basically where we are—in case things go sour. But don't send anyone down here, all right? So far everything's going as well as could be expected."

"All right," Ric agreed. "Where are you?"

"Louisiana. Bayou country."

"Guess you feel right at home, then."

"Yeah. Could be a lot worse."

Ric paused for a moment. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. Look, I need to get back in before anyone notices I'm missing. I love you, Ric."

"I love you too, sis. Try to stay in touch, all right? If something goes wrong, I want to have an idea of it before it's too late."

"How about this—if you don't hear from me or Victoria for forty-eight hours straight, you guys come looking for us."

"Okay. Be careful."

"I will be. Bye."

"Bye."

Marie turned her phone off then slipped back into the building undetected.

*** *** ***

Marius stood outside of the Thieves Guild's base of operations seething. He'd come to warn them, tried to prevent Candra from doing anything to any of them, and they were treating him like the enemy. They wouldn't let him in as they met to discuss what to do, instead sticking him outside with one of their guards holding a gun on him. This whole feud was ridiculous as far as Marius was concerned. Just because of his name they assumed he was going to try to kill them all. It was ludicrous.

Remy LeBeau walked outside and Marius jumped a little. "Evenin', Monsieur LeBeau," he said with a bow.

Remy waved away the guard. "I can take it from here. You go on inside."

The guard nodded, giving Marius a glare before going back in. Marius didn't relax any. He knew Gambit was just as deadly as the armed guard—if not more.

"I'm not here to hurt you or any of your Guild," Marius said.

"I know," Remy said. "But what I wanna know is why you are here. Does Belle know?"

"No. As far as my maman knows, I jus' went back to de city. I'm here 'cause I got wind of what Candra was up to, an' didn't want nothin' happenin' to Marie…or any of de T'ieves."

Remy didn't miss that Marius had put Marie first, but decided he could delve into that later. After he forbid his daughter from getting any closer than arms' length to Belladonna's son. "So what's Candra up to den?"

"Not sure exactly. I jus' overheard her talkin' to Belle. Apparently she's helpin' her."

Remy paled a little at that. "Why is she helpin' Candra? She wanted dat witch gone same as I did."

"Belle ain't been all right recently, Remy. She's gone back to bein' bitter, back to hatin' de T'ieves. An' Candra promised she'd get her de Elixir."

"Merde. Dat what dis is all about?" Remy cursed under his breath. "Belladonna Boudreaux, I never knew you'd go an be so stupid." He met Marius's gaze. "You hear anyt'ing else?"

"Jus' that Candra wants you dead for takin' away her power over de Guilds. An' that she's trying to kidnap Marie to lure you."

"Dat woman hurt one hair on my lil' girl's head an' I'll see dat she dies—External or no."

"You know where Marie is?" Marius asked. "Mebbe we can get to her in time—warn her 'bout what Candra's up to."

Remy nodded. "She should be in New York, wit' de X-Men."

"Yeah. She was de last time I saw her."

Remy gave Marius a puzzled look. "What were you doin' in New York?"

"Tryin' to kill Emil Lapin."

Remy shrugged. Sounded reasonable enough, especially after Emil had stolen Marius's fiancée. "I'll call dem, make sure Marie stays put."

"Can I come inside? Dere's a lot of bugs out here. Dey're eatin' me alive."

Remy smirked. "Yeah. Jus' stay beside me, so no one gets de idea in deir head to shoot ya."

Marius swallowed. "Sure."

Marius followed Remy into the house, shrinking under the glares of the Thieves. He watched as Remy dialed Marie's room at the Xavier mansion, then frowned as it rang with no answer. He hung up and tried her cellphone with the same results. Marius got a sickening feeling in his stomach. What if Candra had her already?

Remy picked up the phone again. "Who you callin' now?" Marius asked.

"My son."

"What?" Illyana Rasputin answered the phone gruffly, tired of being woken up.

Remy sucked in a deep breath. That woman was far from the first choice he would've made for his child. "Put Ric on."

"Who is this?"

"His father."

Illyana sighed, thrusting the phone at Ric. "Could you tell your damn family to stop calling at all hours of the night?"

Remy raised an eyebrow. One less point in his book for Illyana. He constantly debated on which one he liked less—her, or her brother.

"Hey, Dad. What's wrong?"

"I can't reach your sister. She's not answerin' the phone in her room, an' her voice mail's pickin' up on de first ring, so I t'ink her cell's shut off."

Silence for a moment. "Um, did you need her for something important?"

Remy frowned. He knew when his son was keeping something from him. He starting getting all evasive, just like his mother. "Yeah. You know where she is?"

"Yes."

"Care to tell me?"

"I…well…I can't."

Remy rubbed his temple with the hand that wasn't holding the phone. "Ric, it's important. Your sister's life might be at stake."

Ric sat up. "Who's trying to hurt her?"

"Candra."

"Candra! What does she have to do with anything? I thought you and Mom got rid of her shortly after I was born."

"We did. But she's back. And word on de street is she's trying to kidnap your sister. I wanted to warn her, make sure she stays outta Louisiana."

"Shit."

"Ric, what is it you ain't tellin' me."

"She's already in Louisiana."

"What's she doin' here? She ain't wit' de Guild…"

"No. She's…she's with Sinister."

"What!" Remy tried unsuccessfully to stay calm. "What de hell is she doin' wit' him? Did he take her?"

"No. She went willingly."

"Willingly!" Remy yelled. "Mon Dieu! What in de name of all t'ings holy is dat girl t'inkin'!"

Ric knew Marie wouldn't want him to go into details with their father, but with Candra on the warpath Marie's life could be at stake if he didn't. "Sinister's reforming the Marauders with the children of people who were associated with them before. Marie and Vicky both got…invitations. They decided to go and see what he was up to."

"Dis was de Creed girl's idea, wasn't it?"

"Hey, lay of Vicky, all right, Dad? She isn't her father, and her decision to infiltrate Sinister's base was one based on concern for the X-Men. And Marie chose to go on her own. Vicky didn't force her."

Remy held his tongue. He knew there was no point in arguing anything with his son. He was willful and stubborn—also like his mother. "You know where in Louisiana she is?"

"No. She just called a little bit ago and said she was there."

"Fine. I'll look for her. If she contacts you again, let her know about Candra."

"I will. Be careful, Dad. If you alert Sinister to Marie's real intentions by snooping around…"

"Boy, I've been doin' dis sorta t'ing since before you were a twinkle in my eye. I'm not gonna do anyt'ing dat could get Marie hurt."

"Yeah. That all you wanted?"

"Yeah. Go back t'sleep."

"Bye, Dad."

"Bye."

Remy hung up the phone angrily. "If it weren't for de eyes, I'd wonder if dat boy was even mine. Sometimes I t'ink he don't have a brain in his head."

Marius smirked. "So where's Marie?"

"She gone an' joined Sinister."

"Who is he?"

"Jus' a man so evil Hell spit him back out again," Remy said, slightly hysterical. "What was dat girl t'inking! She gonna get herself killed, she is!"

Marius paled. "Is she in trouble?"

"Her know-not'in' brot'er don't seem to t'ink so, but I disagree. He say Marie's jus' infiltratin' Sinister's base, an' she know exactly what she's doin', but Sinister, he ain't stupid. He'll figure her out quick, an' when he does, dere's gonna be lots of bad stuff happenin'."

"So what do we do?"

"We? You ain't gonna do nothin', save go back home to your maman."

Marius's shoulders dropped. "Monsieur LeBeau…please."

"Non. Look, I know you mean well, and you ain't like de rest of dem Assassins, but dis is still over your head. Belle hates me enough wit'out me draggin' her boy into somet'ing dat's gonna get him killed."

Marius straightened back up. "Look, I can hol' my own. Really. I wanna help. I wanna help Marie…"

"You don' need to. An' I want you to stay 'way from my daughter anyhow. You too old for her."

"She's jus' my friend…"

"Whatever. Jus' run on home now. T'anks for de warnin's an' all, but you've done all de good your gonna do for now."

"But…"

"Non! Look, as long as you on T'ieves territory, I'm in charge, an' I say you ain't goin' wit' me. Now git, boy."

Marius clenched his teeth, but didn't argue it any further. "Oui, Monsieur," he said with a low bow. He turned and walked out of the Thieves Guild Headquarters, daring any of those glorified pickpockets to mess with him in the mood he was in.

He didn't care what Remy LeBeau had to say, Marie was in trouble, and he was going to help save her. After all, maybe it would help her start learning to love him…

*** *** ***

Okay, now you review, and I'll get to work on the next chapter. ;)