Chapter Thirteen

- Relocation -

New Orleans, Louisiana, 2003

"Dis is most disappointin', Jean Luc." The slightly balding man sat back in his chair. His colleagues beside him vocalized assessments. "Y' do realized dat even if yo' son was actin' outta self defense, we can't go easy on him."

Jean Luc nodded in understanding. "Yes, but he's jus' a child-"

"Jus' a child?" Burst out one of the other men. "He may be 'jus' a child', Jean Luc, but yo' son's been gettin' himself in trouble f'r years. We've let some o' de more innocent ones slide, or let y' punish him in a father/son context, but dis one is serious."

"Julien was gonna kill him, Jean Paul! Remy had no choice but t' fight back. He killed Julien t' save his own life!"

"And in doin' so, he might've reignited de war between de guilds!" Shouted Jean Paul.

Jean Luc sighed in frustration. No matter how he worded it, Julien Bordeaux was dead and it was at his son's hand. "Fine. If it pleases de guild council, I can have Remy outta Nawlins by t'morrow."

Shouts and an explosion sounded out in the yard. Staring grimly out the window, Jean Paul spoke. "Make it t'night."

New York City, New York

Ororo Munroe sat at a French cafe and sipped at her tea. Her entire appearance exuded poise and refinement. No passer by would have guessed she was waiting for a shady thief to join her. Only the professor and Logan were privy to the fact that she was friends with such unsavory characters. She had to smile inwardly at the thought of what the students would say if they learned some of the more . . . unpleasant details of her former life; life before the boarding school and the X-men.

A young girl, barely six years old, walked down the street. Her hair, genetically white, was so dingy and matted it appeared black. Her clothes hung off her skinny frame. Her bare feet blistered as she wandered around Cairo in the scorching afternoon heat.

Eventually, dehydration forced her to collapse in the shade a hotel provided. As she sat hidden among the bushes, she saw a young boy collide with an older man. When they parted, the boy smugly pocketed the man's wallet.

'That's it', thought the girl. 'That's how I can get money for food.' Her attempt later that day led not just to a dinner, but a home, clean clothes and a psuedofamily.

She would learn this band of friends and families, who prided themselves on their work, referred to themselves as the Thieves Guild. She would eventually befriend a boy, a few years her senior, and travel with his family to America. There she would meet a man with school and a vision for the future; a vision that she could help achieve. That man would be Professor Charles Xavier.

"Ororo, cherie, y' git mo' belle each time I see y'."

The woman smiled as she stood and enveloped her childhood friend in a hug. "Time has been kind to you as well, Jean Luc."

"Y' t' kind, cherie." Said Jean Luc as they sat down. His were drawn to a piece of jewelry sitting comfortably on Ororo's left hand. "I see y' doin' well at dat school o' yours." He lifted her hand and studied the diamond. "Not bad, homme's got good taste. Who's de lucky man?"

Ororo smiled and stared at the ring. "Logan is another teacher at the Professor's school. I think you would approve of him."

"When y' tyin' de knot?"

"We haven't set a date yet. There are some more . . . pressing matters that need to dealt with first." She fidgeted slightly and took another sip of her drink. "But you didn't ask me to meet you so we discuss my private life, Jean Luc. On the phone you said it was most urgent."

Jean Luc sighed and leaned forward. "M' boy jus' keeps on gettin' in trouble. 'M lucky de guild on'y kicked him outta Nawlins when de coulda ruled dat he be killed o' somet'in'. Anyway, I need a place t' send him. I figured wit' y' workin' at dat school, y' could help him git in . . ."

His companion's face contorted in confusion. "But . . . the school's for mutants. Henri's not . . . I mean, you never said . . ."

Jean Luc sighed again. "It's not Henri. I nevea told y', did I? When Henri was 'bout ten, I 'dopted a lil' boy, Remy. Got m'self two sons now. Henri's been good, but Remy . . . trouble seems t' follow dat boy."

Ororo saw the desperation in her friend's eyes. "Don't worry. I'm sure the Professor would love to help him."

"T'anks, Ororo."

Suddenly, the two were interrupted by a scuffle outside the door. A gruff, muscled man was holding a tall, lean young boy by his collar and they appeared to be fighting over something. Ororo reached to scene first.

"Logan! Put him down; he's just a child."

"He ain't no kid, 'Ro; he's old enough ta know better 'n I'm not puttin' him down 'til he gives back my wallet." Growled the man, eyes still locked on the younger man.

"I didn' take anyt'in'."

"Liar."

"Remy," Commanded Jean Luc from beside Ororo, "Give him back de wallet . . . NOW."

Reluctantly Remy handed over the wallet and Logan dropped him to the ground, still keeping a wary eye on him. Jean Luc turned to Logan. "Bonjour, homme. 'M Jean Luc LeBeau an' I see y' already met m' son, Remy." He beckoned his son forward. "Remy, dis is m' dear friend, Ororo. Y' cause any trouble at dat school an' dere'll be hell t' pay, got it?" Remy nodded. "Good." He turned back to Logan. "He's all yours now, homme."

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Remy sighed and slid lower in the back seat of the jeep. In the front, Ororo was trying to keep a conversation flowing and Logan was shooting him dirty looks. The drive from New York City to Bayville was seeming all too long for Remy's liking.

"So Gumbo, whaddya do ta make your dad ship ta Xavier's?" Questioned Logan, breaking Remy's thoughts.

Remy shot him a smirk. "Sorry, homme, classified T'ieves Guild information. Can't be tellin' dat t' jus' anyone." To Remy's surprise, Logan smirked back.

"That so? Well 'Ro here was part of th' 'Thieves Guild' in Cario. That's how she met yer dad. Don' see why ya can't tell her."

Remy cast a dark look out the window. "Shouldn't talk 'bout it t' anyone," he mumbled to himself. Unbeknownst to him, the Canadian heard every word.

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Remy stared at the solid oak door in apprehension. Sure his father meant well, but how much did he really know about this Professor Xavier and his mutant school tucked in the woods?

Ororo placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and he fought the urge to flinch. "Don't worry child. The Professor prides himself on helping young adults find themselves and come to terms with their mutations." Smiling encouragingly, she opened the door and guided him inside.

Remy's thieving instincts kicked in immediately as he scanned the room for valuable items and the quickest exit. An older, bald man sat in a wheelchair beside a huge bay window. He turned to Remy with a slight smile. "I hope you will keep those thoughts at bay while you live here, Mr. LeBeau. I am willing to ignore your past indiscretions, but I will not tolerate you participating in illegal activities while you are under my care, understood?"

"Yes, sir," replied Remy, more than a little disconcerted. What is he, some kinda spook?

"Yes, but I prefer telepath over 'spook', Mr. LeBeau." Rolling over to his desk, Xavier gestured to the empty chairs. "Please, have a seat." Cautiously, Remy did.

"So," Began the Professor. "Miss Munroe informs me she knew your father fairly well, but she never heard of or met you. Any idea why that is?"

"'M 'dopted. Pere don' show me off de way he does wit' Henri."

"He claims you had an affinity for getting into trouble."

Remy leaned forward and lowered his sunglasses. "Dey didn' call me Le Diable Blanc f'r not'in'."

The Professor seemed unimpressed. "What happened that your father decided to give up on you and send you here?"

Remy's faced hardened. "He didn' give up on me. It wasn' his decision."

Seeking more information, Xavier attempted to probe the young man's mind, but was met with a large block. He stared at the boy. "That's a strong mental shield for someone your age."

"Y' learn fast when y' got stuff y' wanna keep t' y'self."

Accepting this answer, the Professor began to explain to the boy what his school was about. Shortly after, he deemed their meeting over and called a student to show Remy to his room.

After they had left, Charles sat pondering how to reach the troubled enigma that was Remy LeBeau.

TBC . . . . . . .

Hey! So I haven't answered reviews in . . . awhile, so I'm gonna do it this time!

Shira's Song: Of course you can say it was hilarious. You can praise me all you want! Seriously, though, thanks for the great review!

mia126: Glad you like those little details, you were the first to comment, so I didn't know if anybody else thought they were as cute as I did. Hope you enjoy the rest the story as much as you did the beginning.

Chica De Los Ojos Cafe: Thanks! Glad you're liking it so much!

ishandahalf: The next meeting will be soon . . . very soon. . . like next chapter soon!

WolvGambit Le Diable Blanc: Well it's longer than a month, but Remy is where Rogue is!

Also thanks to: Rogue 238, IvyZoe, bored247, EE's Skysong, enchantedlight, Yoru91, Rogue14, SugahDevil (love the name!), Night'sKnight, Spicy Sweet, blaise91 and anybody I may have skipped. LOVE YA ALL!