Chapter 17
Gris Gris hung up the phone and the breakfast table was silent but for Rogue's aeroplane noises as she fed Olivier.
"Our trap caught a rat last night," Gris Gris said finally.
"That's indeed good news," said Jean-Luc. "I assume that Questa is no worse for wear?"
"Questa's fine, and probably relieved to be out of the Kevlar," Gris Gris replied, looking down at his breakfast, which suddenly seemed rather unappetising.
"Who was it?" Henri asked. "If you don't mind my asking."
"Jean-Bob Thomas," Gris Gris answered, his voice sounding bleak.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," Gambit said with a frown, "but isn't he the current Thomas clan leader?"
"Oui," Gris Gris said.
"Hmm," said Jean-Luc. "That doesn't bode well for the Thomas clan at all, does it?"
"No. If the leader's in on it, we have to assume they all are," Gris Gris said, and stood up. "Merci, everyone, for your hospitality, but I should get going."
"Stay and finish breakfast," said Mercy, gesturing to his barely touched plate. "Then we'll blindfold you and lead you out of one of the back entrances so you're not seen walking out of the main one."
Gris Gris looked hesitant, but finally nodded and sat back down.
A couple of hours later, Gris Gris came swaggering into the Assassins council hall. Thanks to Tante Mattie's ministrations, he didn't need a sling anymore and although his arm was still heavily bandaged, it wasn't too noticeable under his clothes.
Bella Donna was perched on the edge of her desk. Fifolet and the other clan heads were standing in a semi circle around Jean-Bob Thomas, who stood defiantly. Questa and Singer were there, as well as the department heads, the ministers and any other Assassins who could worm their way in there on this occasion. Bella Donna looked up at Gris Gris' entrance.
"Ahh, and the First Kill arrives," she said.
All heads turned to look as Gris Gris made his way to Bella Donna's side, pausing only briefly to lean towards Jean-Bob and say "Missed me."
"No need to rub it in," Bella Donna said, although her tone of voice and the expression on her face clearly said "If you don't rub it in, I will."
Gris Gris smirked.
Bella Donna pushed off her desk and sauntered over to Jean-Bob.
"I am very, very disappointed in you. I thought we were friends and all this time, you've been not only plotting behind my back, but conspiring behind all our backs," Bella Donna said, gesturing to all the others in the council hall. "Plotting and murdering us, and for what? For money? For love?"
Bella Donna looked beseechingly at Jean-Bob and then addressed the hall: "No, for personal power, and for that I hold you in the utmost contempt."
"Blood runs thicker than water, Bella Donna," Jean-Bob replied. "And for that, who are you to criticise me? Your père, Marius Boudreaux, has dementia, has for years. Yet he was surprisingly of sound mind the day of his 'retirement'. Care to tell us how you pulled that one off?"
"Better question," Bella Donna responded, cutting off any murmuring before it could start, "If that's true, why did the council allow a man they knew had dementia continue to lead the Guild when they knew he was no longer of sound mind to do the job? Even Pierre Thomas - your oncle and mon père's best friend – was more interested in his own personal gain than in seeing that Marius got the care he needed."
"So, you admit you rigged the retirement?" Jean-Bob said loudly.
"So you admit your disrespect for my predecessor, and the councils' intentions to use him like a sock puppet?" Bella Donna retorted coolly.
Bella Donna allowed what was left of the old council to huff and object. They were of little consequence; soon enough she would be rid of them, and she wouldn't even have to murder them to do it.
"Blood is thicker than water, you said?" Bella Donna went on comfortably. "Hmm, I guess what you're saying is that the entire Thomas clan is guilty of mutiny? This saddens me, Jean-Bob. It saddens me greatly. There are a lot of good people in the Thomas clan... I would hate to have to execute everyone."
Henri found out before the Assassins had a clue.
In fact, Henri had to do a double take at the message on his phone, just to be sure he was reading it correctly. Gambit looked up at him from his table in Henri's office as the swear word emerged from his lips.
"What?" Gambit asked.
"Avril's been abducted," Henri said distractedly, looking through his notes for Bella Donna's number.
"Avril?" Gambit repeated. "Bella Donna's daughter?"
"Oui," Henri replied. "My contact at the Assassins Guild just saw the whole thing. She can't tell Bella Donna herself so..."
"She?"
"Now isn't the time, Remy," Henri practically growled at him. "She was taken by members of the Thomas clan."
"They must be really worried," Gambit said with a frown. "The trap was only sprung today."
"Either way, Bella Donna has to know," Henri said. "The sooner she knows, the sooner she can find her."
"But will it be soon enough?" Gambit said thoughtfully. "They do kill people for a living after all. If Belle doesn't find her in time, or if Avril doesn't escape, she's dead."
"If they want her dead, why abduct her?" asked Henri and then found the number he was after: "Ah ha!"
Gambit was quiet while Henri punched in the number.
"Because someone else wants the honours," Gambit said finally. "Pierre Thomas, for example."
"Dammit Bella Donna," Henri muttered. "I don't want your stupid voice mail! Remy, you don't happen to have Gris Gris' number do you?"
"Hmm? Oh... no, unless Gris Gris is playing WoW right now, I have no idea how to contact him," Gambit replied, frowning in thought. "What car did Gris Gris say Thomas drove?"
"Hell, I don't know," Henri said as he tried another number on his phone. "A Maserati something?"
"GranCabrio," Gambit said, snapping his fingers. "Ah ha!"
"What, you think of something?" Henri asked.
"I know where I've seen one before," Gambit said, pulling out a street map. "A few times, actually. Back when you guys used to let me leave the Hall to go shopping – all those months back –"
"Remy," Henri began, before getting irritated at the lack of response on the new number.
"I used to see a GranCabrio occasionally in the parking lot," he went on as he started marking points on the map. "It was there the day my brake line got cut and prior to that, a GranCabrio tailed me. I think it's safe to assume that that's Thomas' little indulgence. Now, do you know why I go to that particular store, Henri?"
"Umm, if it's the same one I usually go to, because it's close?" Henri replied.
"Exactly," Gambit replied. "No one ever travels further than they need to to go grocery shopping. Which means, unless he's going out of his way, Thomas probably lives somewhere around here."
Gambit turned the map around and indicated the area he'd circled.
"That's still a lot of ground to cover," Henri said, dialling another number. "And it's not a whole lot of help if his car's in the garage or he's out and about."
"Well," Gambit said as he studied the map, "it's a start anyway."
Anything Henri might have said in response was cut off by someone actually answering the phone. Henri introduced himself and then demanded to be put through to Bella Donna. He was sure he was putting both Guilds into an awkward position by doing this, but had it been Claude or Lucian at stake, he'd want Bella Donna to contact him if she knew anything, politics be damned.
Gambit's eyes ran over the map. At first nothing jumped out at him, but then he realised that the restaurant that he and Rogue had eaten at the night she'd been shot was in the area. He pulled out the pen again and traced the route they would have taken. While Henri was still demanding to be heard, Gambit grabbed his trench coat off the back of his chair and hurriedly left the room.
It turned out surprisingly easy for Gambit to locate Pierre Thomas' home. The GranCabrio might not have conveniently in the driveway, but there was an Assassins Guild van; the perfect vehicle for smuggling out a teenage girl trained to kill. Gambit stopped long enough to message the address to Henri and then made his way in through the side gate.
Gambit remained watchful for traps. While he didn't think security would be too heavy, especially as he had guests over, Gambit also knew the former First Kill was aware of the tricks of Assassins and Thieves alike, and would be prepared. His cautioned was vindicated when he spotted an infrared beam across one of the upstairs window sills. Being able to see in the infrared spectrum more than made up for being light sensitive.
He continued his way around the house, looking carefully through the windows and doing his best not to be seen by anyone inside or by any neighbours. Gambit knew instantly when he found where Avril was being held; it was the only room where the thick curtains were shut. He put his listening device to the window and pressed his ear against it, but didn't hear anything of interest. He was reluctant to just barge in there without knowing how many people might be there, or what state Avril might be in.
Gambit made his way around to the side door and frowned slightly at the lack of evident security. The door swung inwards, and were it his place, Gambit would make sure there was some sort of trap on the other side of the door so that when it was opened it would trigger before there was any chance to disarm it. He continued around until he got to the back sliding doors. The adjourning room was empty, and the glass door was open, no doubt to let the breeze through. The screen door was locked, but this time Gambit was able to identify the trap in place and was able to bypass both the trap and the lock to let himself in. He checked his shoes for dirt before stepping onto the light carpet, shut and locked the door behind him, and made his way carefully into the house.
He stopped when he heard voices, and carefully edged closer. Three... no, four people were in the kitchen/dining; three men and a woman, judging by the timbre of their voices.
If his estimates were correct, the room they were holding Avril in was further down the hall, which meant he had to get past the door to the kitchen/dining unseen. Fortunately, opposite the doorway was a painting, and in the glass, Gambit could see into the room. He waited a good ten minutes for an opening, then scampered past the open doorway, dashed to the other side of a cabinet and waited. Once he was convinced none of them had seen him and were going to come out to investigate, Gambit continued quietly down the hall.
Avril's room was the second door he tried. Normally it was an entertaining room, but for now Avril was bound, gagged and blindfolded in a chair in the middle of the room. Avril was quite still, her head bowed and her blonde hair draped in front of her. They'd drugged her, he supposed. That could make things awkward. There was also a camera set up in front of her, but it wasn't on. No doubt planning on making a tape for Bella Donna. The thought made Gambit clench his jaw as he walked over to the windows. There were infrared beams across them, but fortunately the windows opened outward. There'd be no problem getting out.
Gambit turned his attention back to Avril and it was when he stepped behind her that he noticed what he hadn't initially: her hands were moving, struggling to free herself of the ropes that bound her, and already turning red from the effort. She was awake, just playing doggo for anyone who might come in. She hadn't heard him, so she hadn't stopped trying to free her hands. By keeping her head bowed, no one suddenly coming in would see any quick movement and she would be free to continue to pretend to be under the influence of the drugs.
It was a shame the other Assassins would have had the same training.
Gambit deliberately scraped his feet on the carpet as he walked over to her. He put his hands on her blindfold.
"I'm here to help," he said softly as he undid the knot.
Avril stiffened but otherwise didn't respond. Gambit used his powers to break the ropes binding her hands and then took off the gag. Avril glared at him as he lowered his dark sunglasses just long enough so she could see his distinctive eyes.
"You're a Thief," she hissed at him.
Gambit knelt down to undo the ropes binding her legs.
"Good thing for you, petite," he replied. "Quiet now."
Avril glared at him as she rubbed her wrists, suspicion set in her eyes.
"And how do I know you're not the one who tied me up in the first place?" she demanded, if quietly.
"Nah, if I started abducting teenage girls and tying them up, people might get the wrong idea about me."
Avril might have started indignant flustering had not they both heard voices coming down the hall. Gambit undid the last of the rope and glanced towards the window. He didn't have time to bypass the beams without breaking them, and he didn't know what breaking them would do. He might have risked it if he didn't have Bella Donna's daughter to worry about.
His decision made, Gambit indicated a nearby couch which was just far enough away from the wall for Avril to fit. While she was wriggling in behind, Gambit took the more risky hiding spot underneath the piano and hoped that the solid piano stool and the angle would be enough to obscure the view. Just to be on the safe side, he got his playing cards and his staff at the ready.
The pair hid just in time, for the door opened and a man appeared in the doorway.
"She's gone!" he exclaimed as he stepped into the room.
The other three - including an older gentleman that looked strangely familiar whom Gambit presumed to be Pierre Thomas – entered the room and began their own inspection.
"The little brat couldn't have gone that far," said one of the others.
Behind the couch, Avril bit down on her bottom lip in an effort to keep from crying out. Her hands felt like they were on fire, and she knew it wasn't rope burn. Gambit hadn't done something to her with his powers, had he?
"Hmm," said the woman, picking up the broken ropes and inspecting the ends. "These have been burned."
"We can ask her about it when we find her," said Pierre. "Now find her."
Gambit froze as he heard a whimper from behind the couch. Oh come on! Sure, these guys were plotting to kill her, but the situation wasn't that scary. Surely Bella Donna would have trained Avril better than that?
The Assassins heard it too. Pierre made a gesture, and the two men walked to either side of the couch while the woman shut the door. The man pulled the couch out of the way, but Avril was far too engrossed in her hands to even notice.
"Alright fille," Pierre began, but cut himself off at an extraordinary sight.
Some form of bright yellow energy crackled around Avril's hands. Balls of the same energy started to form in her palms as tears ran down her cheeks.
"What in the world..." the woman began.
"Stop it, stop it," Avril wept.
"Another mutant," Pierre said, shaking his head. "Get her."
The two men leaned over to pick her up off the floor.
"Just make it stop!" Avril yelled.
She thrust out her arms, one hand pointed at each of the two Assassins attempting to pick her up. The balls flew from her hands and into the torsos of the two men. Both hit the ground instantly. Gambit was grateful he was still wearing his glasses; he may not have been looking directly at it, but the energy light was bright enough that it probably would have blinded him for a couple of hours.
Gambit wasted no time. In a trice he was out from under the piano, three cards flying towards the woman. Too startled and distracted to dodge, they exploded on impact, knocking her hard against the wall and took her out for the count. He extended his staff and was about to turn on Pierre, whom he hadn't had a clear shot for, when Pierre turned on him first, a pistol pointed at him.
Avril stayed where on the floor. She was no longer in pain, but the expended energy had taken its toll.
"Gambit," Pierre said with a snarl. "You should have died over twenty years ago."
Gambit eyed the gun. Pierre was just out of range of his staff.
"You look like you haven't got twenty years left," Gambit replied evenly, his eyes still on the gun. Was it his imagination, or were Pierre's hands shaking?
"I've got more than you do," Pierre replied.
Pierre squeezed the trigger, but Gambit had seen the movement of his finger and had already started to move. The bullet whizzed past, slamming into the wall behind him. The next few moments were almost in slow motion: Gambit stepped towards Pierre as he shot again. Another miss. Gambit whirled his staff into the air. Another shot – lower this time, and a hit, slamming into Gambit's chest and pressing him back. He stepped forward again, another shot, another hit. Gambit's staff crashed down on the gun, knocking it right out of Pierre's grip and sending it flying to the ground. Pierre attempted to lunge for it, but Gambit closed the distance and caught him by the arm before he could get any further. He was surprised by just how boney his arm was; Gambit had been expecting much more muscle.
"Your aim needs some improving, old man," Gambit said smugly
Pierre lifted his head with dignity.
"Go on," said Pierre. "Kill me and get it over with."
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Gambit replied. "But no, I'm not here to kill Assassins. I'm just here for Avril."
"You killed Gwen," Pierre accused him.
"Gwen? Oh, the femme? Non, she's not dead, just knocked herself out," Gambit said calmly. "I didn't charge the cards enough to kill. Sit."
Gambit enforced the order by pressing Pierre down on the chair they'd previously tied Avril to. The downside to blowing up the ropes to take them off Avril was that he now couldn't use them to tie up Pierre. Fortunately, Gambit had duct tape.
"You alright, petite?" Gambit asked as he taped Pierre in place.
"Oui," Avril replied firmly after a moment's pause, her pride requiring nothing less.
"Bon. Check the others, please."
Avril nodded and checked over the bodies while Gambit blindfolded and gagged Pierre.
"These deux are dead," Avril said after a minute. "You're right about Gwen being unconscious."
"Bon," Gambit said and tossed her the duct tape. "Take care of her, will you, petite?"
"What are you doing?" she asked, a little put off by being ordered around.
"Getting us out of here," he replied, opening up the curtains.
"Umm, there's this thing," Avril said cynically. "It's called a door."
"Aww, but it's far more fun breaking out of the booby-trapped window," Gambit answered cheerfully.
"You're weird."
"I see your mère doesn't talk about me very much."
Gambit was rather pleased to find that a year off any real stealing hadn't dulled his skills any. It took him hardly any time to bypass the beams and get the window open. When Avril was done, she slipped through the gap. Gambit followed suit, removed his equipment and shut the window again. The window led to the side of the house and together they walked down to the front.
"Well, well, petite," Gambit said as they got to the corner of the house. "Looks like your mère is here already."
Indeed, out the front were two new cars. One was still parking, but Bella Donna was storming out of the other right towards the front door.
"And this is where I depart," Gambit said firmly to Avril. "Tell your mère I was here, but no one else unless she says otherwise."
"Why?" Avril asked, frowning at him.
"Trust me, it's better this way," Gambit replied. "It's called politics. I shouldn't have come at all."
"So why did you?"
"How old are you now?"
"Fifteen."
Gambit nodded. "I was abducted when I was fifteen as well. I should go, and so should you. Sounds like your mère's going to break down that door."
"Yeah," Avril replied, smiling despite herself.
She looked around the corner to see Bella Donna taking a gun to the door handle, and then turned back to say good bye, but Gambit was already gone. She hadn't even heard him leave.
AN:
And while we're on the subject of mutant powers:
Gambit being able to see in the dark, and infrared vision, are only fan theories as far as I know. Light sensitivity was something that was mentioned in one of the AoA stories, but to my knowledge hasn't been mentioned in the mainstream series.
Bella Donna's first appearance in the comics came with mutant abilities; plasma blasts and astral projection. She hasn't been seen using her powers since, haha.