AN: Hey guys hope you enjoy this story and as read in the summary this story takes place after Wolverine Origins and after The last Stand with a bit of tie travel involved since I'm sure I'm not the only one bummed that a certain someone wasn't included in the original movies and figured this would be a good way to introduce him into the X-men. Also decided to keep the professor and Scott alive for this one.

And finally FYI I do not own any of the characters those credits go to the awesome Stan Lee.

Happy reading!

-X-

"Mutation: it is the key to our evolution. It has enabled us to evolve from a single-celled organism into the dominant species on the planet. This process is slow, and normally takes thousands and thousands of years. But every few hundred millennia, evolution leaps forward."

New Orleans, Louisiana 1980

Some say that your whole life can flash by in an instant and change forever who you are, like a flick of a light switch, but he never imagined it would happen to him right now. Now he was never one to run and hide from a tough situation given his profession as a thief. Which is why he found himself here instead.

Slamming down his empty glass against the wooden surface of the dark and dingy bar, the young man lazily raised his hand in a gesture to let the familiar bartender know he was ready for another round once he was done with his current customer.

The bar was lively and filled tonight, just the way he liked it. Whether it was for work where he could easily swipe another wallet from a drunk customer without even so much as getting off his seat or for pleasure where he didn't even have to open his mouth to get any one of these pretty girls to come up to him, not that he minded in the least. No, he never had to worry about leaving any establishment without someone under his arm to pass the time. But tonight was different.

Tonight, he was neither working nor cared about someone keeping his bed warm tonight. All he cared about was drinking until the sun came up and quite possibly even after that.

Furrowing his brows, Remy LeBeau continued to glare at the worn-out wooden bar, letting the sweet sound of jazz help him drown out some of the obnoxious loud laughter of the other customer.

Upon opening the loud squeaky door of the bar, a large man roughly shook his trench coat free of all the wet rain pouring from outside. Scanning the area, it didn't take him long to find his little brother slouched down on one of the bar stools with his long and scruffy almost shoulder length brown hair covering most of his face, his eyes as usual hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses and wearing his signature dark brown trench coat and hat.

"Thought I'd find you here." He said as he took a seat next to the younger man just as the bartender finished filling up his glass and offered him one as well.

"Nice to see you too mon frère." Remy chuckled and watched as his older brother declined the drink. "You know it's rude not to drink on someone's last night before their weddin'."

"Like you care about dat Remy." He scoffed, eyeing all the different people chatting around them. "Besides if you were sober, you'd know de weddin' not fo' another few days."

"You wrong Henri. I do care." Remy's tone became bitter as he slammed the glass back down to order another. "Why else you t'ink I'm here."

"You'll see it's fo' de best Remy." Henri said watching the bartender fill up Remys glass. "Ah hell, you know what? I'll take dat drink now."

"Thought you'd say dat." Remy chuckled proudly slapping his brother on the back. "Although It'll be interstin' to see how Mercy will take it non?"

Shrugging his shoulder Henry downed the whole glass. "I'll just blame it on you."

"Nothin' new." Remy hummed with an amused smile while lifting the glass to his lips and let the smooth burning liquid do its job.

"Gotta say I'm surprised you're not surrounded by your usual crowd or even a fine fille under your arm."

Scoffing, Remy slowly shook his head turning to glance over his shoulder at the people in the bar tonight before addressing his brother again. "Ain't worth it Henri. Could have all de belle femme in de world and none of them could keep up with me. None of them could tame dis one." He lowly chuckled watching his drink be filled while the bartender gave a throaty laugh.

"Alright now I know you're drunk." Henry chuckled good naturedly and slapped him on the back, nearly spilling his drink in doing so. "Boy how many have you had 'fore I found you?"

"Too many." The bartender chuckled.

"Not enough." Remy winced once he down his drink before chuckling. "Although dis one lost count. But you still look like de ugliest homme here so I must need another."

"Mercy says I'm de handsomest man in all of New Orleans." Henry proudly boasted lifting his arms.

"Well dats someone you should definitely hold onto den." Remy snickers, pouring each of them another shot while Henri continued to laugh. "Besides, I know how dis all gonna play out.

"Oh yeah?" Henri grinned at his glass while he patiently waited.

Nodding Remy bitterly glared at the glass in his hand. "You an' I are gonna drink to our hearts content…den your gonna wanna drag me back. Back where you have a wife – or pissed off wife after dis" he gestured to their drinks receiving a snort from both men. "But den you get to go home to someone you care 'bout. Someone you love like de fool you are." Downing the drink Remy gestured around the place with a forced smile. "An' me…I get to live my life with dese fine people!"

Grinning proudly when the rest of the bar clapped, chanted and raised their drinks in acknowledgement, he gestured for the bartender to pour them another.

It was another half hour until Henri quietly mustered up the courage to ask the question that's been on his mind ever since Remy returned home. "Remy I gotta ask…what happened to you?"

"Don't know what you mean." Exhaling deeply, he poured himself another glass, the bartender long having given them their own bottle. He knew it was coming. He had known for a while now but seemed like no one was ready to talk about it, much less know how to ask him what happened back at Strykers Island as if they were scared to know.

"I t'ink you know Rems." Henri lowered his voice, accepting his new shot. "You haven't been de same since you came home. I know it, you know it, de guilds known it, heck even Tante Mattie's been more worried about you den usual."

"I'm fine."

"Oh yeah?" Henri chuckled pointing at his sunglasses before Remy smacked his hand away. "Den how 'bout you removin' dem things for me?"

"No need, you already know." Reverting his gaze back to the bar he thought about what to say next. He already knew that it wasn't a secret to everyone that after the incident on the Island a few months back, that his eyes slowly but steadily reverted back to their original red on black color and with it, the harsh truth that his powers continued to grow even more so than before at a frightening pace no less.

"An' Bella Donna? What she t'ink?"

With a bitter scoff, Remy downed the last of his glass. "What you t'ink Henri?"

It was no surprise that since they were younger that the princess of the Assassins Guild was never fond of Remy's eyes to begin with even more so once his mutant powers manifested, and Henri knew that everything was taking a toll on his brother, but he couldn't let his own personal emotions cloud the obvious fact of what needed to be done. Of their responsibilities to the guild. "Remy-"

"Yeah yeah Henri I know." Remy turned his head sideways already knowing what Henri would say but let him go on nonetheless.

"Dis engagement was planned long before an' will benefit both guilds. An' you've already postponed it plenty times. Besides I thought you loved Bella Donna. Hell boy you couldn't stop talkin' about de girl after you laid eyes on her. Didn't stop you from being you though." Henri chuckled at the last part remembering that his brother always had a way with the opposite sex and never wasted the skills he had been gifted with. He on the other hand seemed to have different gifts. Henri thought as he ran his hand through his bald head.

"Dis one did care fo' her once upon a time." He admitted. "But dat was a long time ago. Before I was taken. We're different people now."

"So what You sayin' is dat you don't anymore?" Henri raised a skeptical brow right before he let out a hardy laugh and roughly slapped him on the back. "Hell dats fixable Remy, you'll see. Just give it a try an' things will go right back to de way dey were. "

"An' if I don't?" Remy coldly stared. "If I don't want things to go back to de way dey were. What if I can't?"

"Dey will. You'll see Rems." Henri pulled out money from his pocket and placed it on the bar without counting it. "Now come on, Bella Donna an' everyone's waitin'."

-X-

"Well look what de cat dragged in!" Lapin's grin grew as the two awkwardly tried to make their way inside the mansion without being noticed and failed as soon as all eyes turned to them.

"Remy!" a little girl with beautiful long white hair and bright blue eyes ran up to him, roughly emrbacing him. "Where have you been?!"

Barely able to keep his balance after all the drinks they had, he chuckled playfully ruffling her hair. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you missed me petite?"

Rolling her eyes, she gestured for him to crouch down so she could whisper to him, which he did. "She's looking for you."

"Who?" Remy amusingly whispered back and playfully looked around while the girl nodded.

"That mean lady that wears too much perfume." The little girl wrinkled her noise in distaste.

Smiling, he followed her line of sight. "Is dat right Stormy?"

"Yeah." She widened her eyes nodding once more.

"Well, I'm glad to have you watch out for me petite." He chuckled when she proudly turned to smile at him.

"Henri LeBeau!" Mercy scolded, placing her hands on her hips, and shaking her head disapprovingly at her husband who was having a hard time standing on his own feet. "Have you been drinkin'?"

Shamefully Henri pointed an accusatory finger at Remy who straightened up in mock shock.

"Mon Frere have you been drinkin?!" Remy gasped, making the little girl laugh.

"Oh you hush Remy I know you've been too." Mercy narrowed her eyes, but he could tell she was trying to hold in her amusement as she stomped over.

"Time to go." Remy grinned before ducking down and following a laughing Stormy past several curious guests while Henri and his wife continued to argue, but it was short lived once Henri managed to make her scowl disappear as soon as he embraced his wife in a passionate kiss.

"Hey now, dis party's here for Remy an' Bella Donna non?" Etienne quizzically looked around the room for the soon to be bride along with Remy once he made it to them.

"Well, no matter. Dis is a time for celebration!" Lapin exclaimed, handing them each a glass of bourbon. "Wait now, how old are you?"

"Come on Lapin!" Etienne whined trying to make another go for the glass as Lapin playfully moved it away.

"Nuh-uh Etienne, remember what happened last time? Thought Theoren was gonna skin me alive fo' sure."

Amusingly shaking his head Remy took a big gulp letting his eyes scan the area more so out of habit as the two continued to argue. It wasn't like any of them were even old enough to drink in the first place but being involved with the Thieves Guild had its advantages.

He let the bourbon slide down his throat as a manicured hand seductively wrapped around his torso and it took everything in him not to move it away.

"What took you so long chere?"

"Belle." He exhaled as she moved to stand in front of him and wrap her arms around his neck. His eyes flickered over to a gagging Stormy behind the woman before she giggled and ran off no doubt to find some sweets.

"I missed you." Bella Donna Boudreaux seductively purred.

"Did you now?" He raised a disbelieving brow to which she just shrugged her shoulders. "Well, no worries Belle, I'm here now ain't I."

"Yes, you are my husband." She lifted herself up in an attempt to kiss him when a voice cut in.

"My my I hope I'm not interrupting something."

"Nathaniel." Bella Donna beamed quickly forgetting her current task to which Remy hated how a part of him was somewhat relieved and just as quickly moved that thought away. He couldn't think that way. Before long they would be married, and he would have to make sure she was happy and give her anything she wanted. He had loved her before, so maybe Henri was right and he could do it again.

"Remy dis here's Nathaniel Essex, one of my father's good friend and doctor I've been tellin' you 'bout."

"Ah yes Mr. LeBeau I've heard so much about you. Or would you prefer I call you Gambit?" Nathaniel Essex's arrogant smooth voice reflected that of extreme curiosity.

"Gambit's fine."

"Remy." Bella Donna scolded.

"It's quite alright." Essex grinned gesturing to his sunglasses. "Do you mind?"

Removing his glasses, he quickly ignored the hushed whispers that reverberated through the room before Bella Donna leaned closer to him.

"Remy please, not now. People are starrin'."

Clenching his jaw, he quickly placed them back on and saw Essex's grin widen.

"Excellent."

"So, what you t'ink mon ami? Anythin' you can do?"

"Perhaps, we should talk in private." He gestured to a more secluded place in the room. "Now I'm sure your wife has mentioned that I'm a scientist of many things, including experimentations on the mutant gene. So, there is a procedure I'd very much like to involve you in, if that's alright with you?"

"Well-" Bella Donna started to eagerly reply but frowned when Remy cut her off.

"What kind of procedure?" he warily stared at the man in front of him. He wasn't exactly sure what it was about the man, but something seemed a little off. Not to mention that he had spent the last couple years locked up and experimented on like a damn lab rat for someone's amusement. No way was he going to let some guy who he just met do the same without more information.

"Remy does it really matter? Don't you get it, de man can help you."

"I do understand that you would be apprehensive about something like this considering what you went through not long-ago Mr. LeBeau, but rest assured I know what I'm doing. And you're in great hands." Essex smiled gently but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

It was the same look Remy knew all too well after spending so much time in that hell hole and he wouldn't wish that fate anyone.

"Remy?" Bella Donna grabbed the side of his face realizing that his eyes looked a little wilder and his breathing began to pick up.

"I-I'm fine Belle." He quickly reassured, removing her cold hands, and instead holding a firm grip on it to try and find a way to ground himself, which felt futile when he found himself still struggling to breath.

"Perhaps it'll be better if you gave this more thought." Essex questioningly eyed her as she nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, Nathaniel. We'll make sure to let you know." Once she saw Esssex walk off to talk to some of the other guests she swiftly turned back to Remy. "Remy-"

"I'm fine Belle." Quickly letting go of her hand he walked past her to get some air.

-X-

The rest of the night went by like a blur. Walking alongside her as she introduced him to all of their close family friends which he was sure he's met before under different circumstances of course but were now putting on a nice show for everyone to try and keep the peace. They would be lucky as to not have anyone try and kill each other by the end of the night. Which was why when he finally was able to sit down and relax, he took full advantage of it knowing the night still wasn't over.

"I'm telling you Lapin, why can't I get a nice girl like dat." Etienne slurred hanging onto Remy's shoulder as they sat by one of the tables.

"What, you mean a damn assassin?" Lapin chuckled, raising his glass to his mouth, and made sure to keep his voice down.

"Or just a girl in general." Etienne tiredly leaned his chin on his palm. "You're one lucky guy Rems."

"You men sure know how to compliment a lady." Bella Donna approached and smiled sweetly.

"Who said I was talkin' 'bout-" Etienne gave a muffled cry as Lapin quickly covered his mouth with his hands.

"Bella Donna! Lookin' lovely as ever." Lapin forcibly grinned while Etienne continued to try and speak.

"I'm sure." She continued to smile but they could tell it was the smile of a snake who was just waiting to strangle you when you least expected it. Linking her arms with his she pulled Remy to his feet. "Remy, may I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure Belle, you know I'd do anythin' for you." He gave a sly smile thinking that the alcohol was finally doing its job when he felt the room slightly spin.

"Have you given anymore thought on what Nathaniel said?"

"I have." He reluctantly said.

"An'?"

"Don't know Belle, in my experience you don't go into a card game empty handed. Everyone's always waiting for their payday."

"Oh that…" she waved off with her hand. "My father an' him already discussed all de details. He just wants somethin' small in return dat's all."

"Which is?"

"Since you're a thief, he just needs your help for a job he has comin' up."

"Comin' up? Belle da weddin's in a few days."

"I know dat Remy. He promised dis shouldn't take long. You can do it for me can't you?" she started dragging her fingers up and down his toned chest. "It'll make me so happy…"

"Belle, this is who I am." Grabbing her hands, he shook his head knowing that she needed to know the truth and that no amount of alcohol could cover the fact that his feelings for her had changed. That his time apart from her- even though it wasn't under the best of circumstances- did give him time to think.

Yes, they were betrothed since as far back as he could remember, so he had always known that someday once they were of age that they would be married, and their guilds would finally be united. But now that the movement was soon approaching… everything didn't feel right anymore. And as much as he wanted to spare her the embarrassment of canceling their wedding this close to the date, he knew that he couldn't do it.

"Belle I can't-"

"Remy dere you are! I've been meaning to have a word with ya." Jean-Luc placed a firm hand on his sons shoulder diverting Remy's attention to him, unaware of the meaningful look Bella Donna shot Jean-Lucs way. "Come now boy, I'm sure your lovely soon to be bride wouldn't mind a father having a drink with his son."

"Of course not." She sweetly smiled watching them both leave and disappear into one of the rooms.

Turning her head to scour the rest of the guests, she briefly made eye contact with both Essex and her father who were both involved in a deep conversation as they lifted their glasses in acknowledgement.

-X-

"Alright Jean-Luc I'm here. What's so urgent you had to drag me in here?" Remy reluctantly sat himself down seeming unbothered, carefully watching his adoptive father walk around the desk in the office and slowly pour himself a drink, offering him one as well. Shaking his head Remy knew better than to accept a drink his father offered him whenever he had the same serious expression on his face he usually saved for their guild meetings.

He would, however, have one afterwards, knowing that whatever his father wanted to say would require him to later drink all of his frustration away.

"Remy, do you remember when I took you in?" Jean-Luc gave a faint smile reminiscent about the time he caught a younger Remy try and pick pocket him on the street, immediately being quite impressed with the little boy who had the balls to steal from the leader of the Thieves Guild.

"Great not dis again…" Remy pinched the bridge of his nose as he leaned forward. Any trace of his previous carefree bravado being replaced with annoyance and his eighteen years full on display. It seemed like everyone was getting in line to lecture him today about his duty and obligations. "What's dis really about?"

"I suspect you already know." Jean-Luc scoffed, taking a sip from the whisky, and nodding in approval. "Couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Bella Donna."

"You mean eavesdrop."

"Call it what you like." Jean-Luc waved off. "We have to protect our investments after all."

"Investments. Is dat what dis is to you?"

"Course it is. We all benefit from dis marriage dats no secret. I know I raised you better dan to t'ink otherwise. So, as we've previously discussed you will marry Bella Donna, an' make dat marriage work."

"You knew de whole time didn't you." Remy slowly narrowed his eyes getting to his feet. "That I don't-"

"You will."

"An' if I don't want to marry her?"

"You will do as your told boy." Jean-Luc carefully placed the glass down on the desk keeping a dangerous glare on him. "After everythin' we've done fo' you, dats the least you could do. Don't you t'ink?"

Clenching his fists, it took everything he had to keep his calm otherwise his mutant power would go haywire again. "I don't love her." He firmly said.

"Love? Pfft my boy who said anythin' about love?" Jean-Luc lifted his glass once again waiving it in the air as if that word was ridiculous. "All you need to do is marry the fille an' make as many little Thiefs-Assassins as you can, which shouldn't be a problem for you." Taking a long gulp Jean-Luc continued. "It's been no secret dat you haven't love de girl in a while, hell even Bella Donna knows dat. Why else do you t'ink she doesn't care about what it is you do in de middle of de night when you're not workin'."

"Not like she's a damn saint either." He snapped watching Jean-Luc give him a warning glare.

"Watch it boy. We all know Bella Donna always up to no good. Dat don't mean we can't go ahead with de weddin'.

"Jean- Luc I'm not-"

"Enough Remy!" Slamming the glass down hard as its contents spilled on the desk, Jean-Luc leaned forward. "You will marry the girl an' dats final!"

Clenching his jaw he saw Jean-Luc walk around the desk and brush past him until he heard the door slamming shut.

The music and muffled laughter were all that could be heard from behind the old wooden door as he thought about what to do. What everyone at least expected him to do. Lifting his gaze up to the window he swiftly walked over to it and did what he did best.

Looking over his shoulder to make sure the door was still closed he quickly opened the window and climbed out, not caring in the least about any of the guests, music, or discussions to be had. At least for now he would do what he wanted and for the time being forget about what's to come.