Of course - the disclaimer. We don't own any of these characters, Marvel does.

Chapter 1 - by Whagent

Late fall, 1992.

"It be rainin', Remy."

"Quit yo belly achin, Henri, and deal de cards." Remy charmed as he leaned back in his seat to revel in the rain. Henri hates being on the roof, but was up there anyway for his kid brother.

Henri flicked two cards in front of himself and two more to his brother. "Now, you look at yo' cards and add 'em up. If ya want more you say hit me…"

"I know HOW to play, Henri! Papa already done told me how to play everyt'ing he knows." The youngster bragged, while turning the cards over to reveal an ace and a queen.

"You need to respect you' elders, boy, less you need a red hide to go wit' dose goofy eyes you got now." The agitated boy jumped, nearly losing his balance on the slick roof.

"An' doubt if Papa has taught you everyt'ing he know about gamblin'."

Meeting his brother's stance, but with more grace, "he has! Along with all he know 'bout women!

We spent all day out fishin'!"

"FISHIN'! How can you learn all dat de leader of the t'ieves guild knows by spendin' a day fishin?!" beyond aggravated, Henri threw the entire deck at Remy's face in disgust, with a slight hint of jealousy. To both of their surprise, the younger boy caught every card before they could hit any part of his body.

Slightly shaken and hesitant, Henri sat back down on the roof, "How you do dat, Remy? How you catch everyone…"

Shaken himself, Remy met Henri's gaze. His eyes, once a vibrant hazel now darkened like a deep bruise, began to glow. "I don' know, Henri. Do I tell Papa an' Mattie?"

"I don' know, ami…What yo hand be doin'?!" Henri frightened at the sight of his brother's hand, along with the cards, glowing a bright fuchsia. The two boys lost their balance and slid down the roof. Henri scrapped and grabbed for a hold, but was found wanting. Remy reached as well and was able to grab onto the gutter-drain with his free hand. Seeing Henri unable to catch himself, he let the glowing cards fall as he grabbed his brother's hand.

"Let go of me!" Henri screamed. "You is gonna do dat creepy t'ing to me!!" Before Remy could reply, a loud explosion enveloped the lawn beneath the two dangling boys. Remy loosened his grip, "Don' you let go of me… wait... was dose de cards? LET GO OF ME!"

"HENRI! REMY! What de hell is happenin' up dere?"

In unison the boys copped, "don' know papa!" Terribly mad, Jean-luc stepped out from the dust and grabbed Henri's foot and yanked to two down to the ground. Henri hit hard on one knee, but with grace. Remy on the other-hand, landed without a sound onto his toes. Not showing acknowledgment of the landing, Jean-luc grabbed Remy by the collar and yanked him inside the large home and into his office. Henri rushed to follow, but was stopped cold by a stern look from his father.

Slamming the door behind him, Jean-Luc sat Remy hard into a chair. Sitting across a desk from Remy, Jean-Luc grabbed a cigarette from his top drawer and sat in silence, staring at his son.

A few minutes went by before he distinguished his cigarette in a golden ashtray and spoke to Remy. " T-The ruby you and you' brother has done some strange tings to you boy, I won' lie about dat…but non as strange as what de person I spoke to on de phone told me." Nervous, Remy lowered his head into his chest.

"Don' be disrespectin' me, boy!" Jean-Luc bellowed in an intimidating tone. Remy shot his head back up and met his father's gaze again.

"Later dis evenin', you will be given a physical test wit an acquaintance of mine. He's said to know 'bout dis kind of… tings. Until den, I want you to go to de sparrin' square and train till I get ya. You got dat, Remy!"

"Oui, sir."

Chapter 3 is already written, it's just being beta read. Should be posted within the next day or three.