They thought it would be easy to find a gang of mutants in New York. They thought children with abilities such as theirs would make a stink and even the news in a city like this.

"I remember the boy being here." Charles said, arms crossed as he examined the room and its unsavory occupants.

Men smoking and drinking themselves to an early grave. Shady folk making deals and hustling money. Boisterous laughing coming from the pool table.

Erik doesn't say anything just looks around as Charles subtly scanned the people in the room.

A few of them paused, twitching in their actions.

Charles stopped at one man.

He was shuffling cards with an easy smile on his face.

"That's the boy?"

"Uh, no. But he's seen him, and rather recently too."

Erik nods and pulls up a chair to the table and sits.

"H-hey, I was, -"

"No you were leaving."

The drunk man dealing with the cards guy stands and leaves.

"'Ey, excuse moi, but I was just in the middl' of sometin."

Erik smirks, "And now you're not."

The man smirks and leans back, feet on the table. He holds one card between his fingers.

"Now 'ow can I 'elp you monsieurs?"

Charles smiles and leans forward so his elbow rests on the table, he places his hands so his index finger touches his temple and the rest of his hand is curled around his mouth.

We're here looking for a boy.

The man falls forward, cringing and holding his head in his hand.

Have you seen him recently?

Charles implants the idea of the boy, scrawny, young.

Red glasses.

The man's face shuts down as he steals himself.

"'Nd what could two fine gent'eman such as yourselves 'ant 'ith a boy?"

It's a loaded question and Charles grimaces slightly.

"I want to help them. Offer them shelter and protection."

"Them?"

Charles smiles, sees his eyes, the way little barely there sparks flicker as he plays with the cards in his hands.

"Yes, Scott and the gang of children he protects. Very noble of him."

Charles leans back.

"If you need a place to stay we can offer that to you also."

The man smiles as images of a mansion, large and pristine fills his head, people - mutants - training their special abilities. It's a sanctuary, for people like them.

The man smirks and tilts his head up, red irises flash in their black background.

"It sounds good and 'ou two 'ook 'ike nice men.

"I didn' know abou' the ot'ers, just Scott. 'E comes ta me, not vice versa, we meet at tis address."

The man writes it on a piece of paper and a pen he pulls from inside his coat.

"Meet 'us tere at six."

He slides it over.

"Thank you, and please believe me when I say we only have Scott's best interest at heart, so please cancel the surprise attack, Remy. You play- no win poker. You must know I'm being sincere."

"'t's Gambit," Remy frowns, "And I 'ave a feelin' I'd lose agai'st you, monsieur."

Remy smirks then and tilts his hat over his long dark hair.

"I worry 'bout 'im ya know? 'E's so young. That's why if 'e agrees ta go wit' I'll go 'ith, if just to che'k it out."

Charles smiles as they stand to leave.

"As you wish."

Scott Summers was doing the traditional bump and grab, a thing he'd picked up after almost a year on the streets. It wasn't the most honorable thing but he did what he to.

After scoring three wallets he runs into an empty alleyway to see what he found.

Two were useless, filled with pictures. The next had a dollar.

Scott smiled as he pocketed the money and dropped he wallets, kicking them into a corner with some old newspapers.

It was enough for some milk and bread, maybe even some chocolate and a soda.

The winds whipped past his face as he made his way back to others. It was getting cold, he'd have to start working towards getting some coats and blankets and maybe some extra just in case Kitty or even he gets sick.

He'd see if Gambit has anything for him and then maybe Jack. Of course if that doesn't work there are always ... Other unsavory options.

Scott shivers.

In the meantime, he has a meeting at six and some hungry kids to feed.

Groceries in hand Scott makes his way back to the temporary shelter they were currently staying in. Bobby grabbed the food from him and looked through the paper bag.

"Did'ya get any sweets?"

Scott smiled, "Ya, got some hard candies."

Bobby grinned, "Sweet."

Ororo came over and looked over the bag, her silver hair was getting longer than it used to be, really starting to curl as it reached her chin.

Her piercing gaze scanned him over. She always seems to know when he's been doing something less than legal.

"Hey, Ro, I'm fine."

Sighing she seems to give up and smiles at him.

"Scott!" Little Kitty runs over and hugs him.

Piotr follows quickly, holding her ragged stuffed bear, one of the few things she had when Piotr found her.

Scott scans his group of runaways and castoffs. It's amazing they found each other and have survived for as long as they had.

"Hey Kitty, what's wrong?"

Kitty pouts at him, tears drying on her face, "Piotr, ripped my bear!"

Piotr pouts, something the sturdy boy manages to make look absolutely pathetic and sad.

"I am sorry, Китти."

Scott sighs and takes the ripped bear from Piotr's large hands.

"Don't worry Kitty, I'll fix it tomorrow."

She stops crying and stares at him, eyes wide and innocent, "You promise?"

Scott smiles tiredly, "Ya squirt, I promise."

Kitty giggles and phases through him to see what Bobby has.

Piotr shuffles guilty, "If, can help?"

Scott sighs, the boy's broken English makes it difficult to get him a job, even if he can pass as older.

"Can I help, Peter."

Piotr flushes, "да, can I help?"

Scott ruffles his hair. Piotr is a good kid, helps take care of Kitty, even though they're almost the same age.

"No, I've got it Peter."

Peter nods and then rushes after Kitty.

Scott watches as they each take a piece of the sweet from Bobby. The extra cents from his purchase are loose in his pocket. He thinks that they'll be enough to get the thread and needle they'll need but he was going to put it into getting the new coats that they sorely need.

Sighing he turns to see Ororo still watching.

He smiles, "Don't worry, it'll be alright."

Ororo narrows her eyes but nods and turns to join the others. Scott smiles at her back. Seeing how much trust she puts in him and knowing her past, Scott really appreciates it.

Standing and stretching he looks at the others, "Hey where's Warren?"

Ororo looks over, "He said something about visiting his father."

Scott nods.

Warren ran away after his father freaked over his wings. Warren went back one time after the group when Scott was sick to get some money for a doctor. His father expressed that he still loved him but was extremely harsh over the wings. Whenever Warren needs something though he'll go to his father.

He only does it in extreme situations.

He must have been noticing the cold too.

Scott goes over to get his candy, thinking about how he wishes Warren could go home.

As much as he likes Warren and as much as he helps, Scott wishes that he didn't have to worry about him. That he could just know that he was safe.

Turning to the cheap clock that they had he saw that it was getting close to six. Oh well at least that made one less sandwich to make tonight.

"Who wants something to eat?"

Kitty and Bobby both cheer. Scott laughs.

Looking around the alleyway where he usually meets Gambit, Scott walks down as quietly as he can. Getting mugged would help nothing.

"Scott? Boy?"

Scott turns, smiling to see Gambit.

"Hey Gambit, good to see ya-"

He stops and frowns, seeing the two men with him.

Hello Scott, we've been looking for you.