His name is Remy LeBeau, adopted son of Jean-Luc LeBeau, head of the Thieves Guild. One day Remy will find himself on the grandest adventures anyone could ever imagine. He will visit the heavens, save the world, betray future friends, and even break a few hearts, but right now the boy who will be Gambit wants nothing more than a little fun.

Today the boy walks the streets of New Orleans, looking for prime victims. You see, Remy is a thief, it's the only skill he has, well, besides the Cajun charm all the girls seem to love. When he was just a few years younger, thieving was a way to survive, now it's become the only way to live. The excitement of pick pocketing a man's wallet, or charming a woman out of her diamond encrusted watch, nothing beat that feeling. His heart would flutter, his pulse would race, and when Remy walked away with the prize, his soul would laugh, it was exhilarating.

He had left home early this morning with his father, who had some business to attend to. After some impressive reasoning, Jean-Luc had agreed to allow Remy to roam the streets of the Big Easy, just as long as he was careful, and back in an hour. Grinning from ear to ear, Remy ran out of the car to search out the perfect victim.

The streets were quite busy today, it being Saturday, many people were out shopping, presumably for the upcoming Christmas season, being that Thanksgiving had just passed. Remy wandered in the crowds, looking for any tell-tell signs of money, he had learned at a very early age how to recognize a wealthy man. Sometimes it was obvious, people just flaunted their money, making it clear to all what they were capable of, but those people were easy targets. Remy wanted a challenge.

As he walked, a particular man caught his eye. He was wearing a very nice overcoat, and a cane in his left hand. Remy noticed the man didn't limp, and his shoes were shined to perfection. Perfect, he thought to himself, smiling. The man had also noticed the boy, and smiled back at him when he passed.

When he was sure the man was far enough behind him, Remy turned around and started walking back towards him. The man was gone. Remy wandered up a little further, checking any alleyways that he passed, with no sight of the stranger. After a few minutes of this Remy was ready to search out another target, then he spotted the man walking out of a nearby store. Smiling to himself, he calmly headed towards the man. Unexpectedly the gentleman entered another shop. This time Remy followed him.

Inside were glass cases filled with various things. Watches, jewelry, you name it, it was there. A pawnshop, Remy assumed, browsing through some records. The man he'd followed in here was talking to the owner. Remy couldn't make out what they were saying, but dared not get too close, he didn't want to give himself away, after all.

After a few minutes, the two men went to a back room, and Remy wandered back outside. Strolling down the alleyway next to the building, the boy noticed he could hear the conversation of the two men. Quickly, he grabbed a nearby box, giving himself a step up to the closest windowsill.

Their words were still nothing more than mumbles, becoming clearer as the discussion seemed to become more heated. Soon, Remy found himself listening to a full-blown argument. Leaning in further to hear better, he slipped off the box he was standing, hitting the ground hard. Certain the men had heard the noise; Remy took off out the alleyway, and crossed the street into another one.

Waiting there, it wasn't long until the man in the coat exited the shop, walking further down Bourbon Street. Remy, quickly following him, was taken aback to the day he met his adoptive father, Jean-Luc. It was a situation much like this when Remy met the man he called father. Jean-Luc had found it comical that this little boy had the nerve to try and steal from the head of the thieves’ guild, and took him under his wing. Since that day Remy had known almost nothing but joy. Going from a life of pure poverty, to living in the lap of luxury, what more could a boy want.

During his reminiscing, Remy failed to notice the stranger stepping into the door of yet another nearby shop. Seeing the man was gone, the child trotted down the sidewalk, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

"Dammit," he muttered under his breath. Pulling out his pocket watch, Remy saw that he only had a few minutes before he had to meet his father. Sighing, he had given up hope, and began to walk back down Bourbon Street, when suddenly the stranger passed him. Knowing he had no time to waste, Remy quickly followed him.

The fellow was quite tall, with long legs, making it somewhat difficult to get close. Soon he began to walk a little slower, which gave the boy the chance he'd been waiting on. Remy ran past the man, ducking into yet another alleyway, only to walk back out so that now they would be coming towards each other. Seeing his target, the child stumbled into him, feeling for his wallet inside his jacket. Both of them hit the ground, just as Remy pulled out the man's wallet.

"So sorry," Remy apologized, running off quickly. He glanced back over his shoulder to see if the man was following him, and was surprised to see that he had once again disappeared. The boy stopped, staring at the spot where he had been just a few seconds ago, a dumbfounded look crossing his face. Then he looked at his prize, shrugged his shoulders, and gladly turned back to his direction. In front of him stood the gentleman he had just stolen from, and the only thought he had was, I'm late.

"I believe you have something of mine," the man said.

Remy could do nothing but stare back, as the man reached for his wallet. He had never seen anyone move so fast in his life, not even the best member of the Assassin's Guild was that quick.

"Say something boy," the man demanded.

"I-I-I'm s-sorry, sir," Remy responded.

"No, you're not, you're not sorry at all. Actually, you're quite persistent, and somewhat clever," the stranger complimented.

"Thank you, sir."

Just then, Remy heard his name being called. Looking up, he saw it was his father, and a look of complete doom came across his face.

"Remy," Jean-Luc said, walking onto the scene.

"Why, you must be this boys father," the stranger asked.

"Yes I am, has he gotten himself into any trouble?" Jean-Luc asked, looking down at the boy.

Remy knew he would get it later, having been caught while lifting a mere wallet, everyone would laugh at him.

"No, not at all," the man answered, surprisingly. "In fact, he was returning my wallet to me. Apparently I'd dropped it. Quite a boy you have there, if I may say so."

Remy could tell his father knew the man was lying.

"Thank you, he has his moments," Jean-Luc laughed.

"Here you go, take this as a gift of my appreciation," The man said, kneeling down to face the boy.

In his hand he held a single deck of playing cards. "Perhaps you can get some use out of them, I know I never have."

"That's not necessary," Jean-Luc began to protest.

"Please, it's nothing. Accept it with my gratitude, Mr-?"

"LeBeau. Jean-Luc LeBeau," he answered, offering his hand.

"Essex, Nathaniel Essex," the man said, shaking Jean-Luc's extended hand.

"Well, Mr. Essex, I'm afraid we must be off, I have some pressing business to attend to."

"As do I," the man smiled. "As for you young Remy, I'll hope for great thing in your future."

With that, the man began walking back down Bourbon Street, into the Christmas crowd. Remy felt his father’s hand on his shoulder as the two walked the other way. Thinking about the man's smile sent a chill up the boy's spine, and he turned his head to look for the stranger in the crowd. He was nowhere in sight, and Remy looked at the deck of cards in utter disappointment. God, were the other kids going to make fun of him.