Summary : The X-men attend the Friends of Humanity Rally but hope for more than just fancy speeches. Will they get a chance to finally recover Kimble? Part 21 of my Kimble series.

Notes : Rated M for language, violence, and sexual situations.

AU but only because I chose to change a few things in my dear friends' histories for simplification, nothing drastic so please forgive. I've been working on this story for years so I do ask that you don't use any of my non-Marvel universe characters without my permission. I love my Siskans as I do my children.

Updated 10-19-13 to add (break)s as needed and to fix, fix, fix.

(One)

Kimble set the bracelet down he was working on and rubbed his eyes. He was building cloaking devices for his Master, fulfilling a promise he had made the last time they were here at the loft. They had come back to the City only yesterday and Creed had put him to work almost immediately, wanting to get these done.

Kimble had been instructed to make the bracelet cloaks as well as three larger cloaks for vehicles of some kind. Kimble wasn't given details of the upcoming job, just directions on what devices to make. The components for the cloaking devices were surprisingly simple, Victor was amazed that he had most of the stuff just hanging around anyway, the rest was easy enough to buy. Kimble had made several smaller cloaks already and when the devices were tested, the Master was happy.

Kimble had been at this all day without a break and was now tired. He looked behind him, seeking his Master. Victor was on the couch in front of the television, zoned out and drunk. The windows were still boarded up as always, but Kimble couldn't see the sunlight peeking through the cracks anymore, it was late now.

Kimble was a little sad today, the Master had taken his pleasure with Mary this morning instead of with him. He had foolishly complained about it and gotten a nice fat slap for it. The Master had shoved him in this seat, ordered him to work, and hadn't spoken to him since. That was hours ago.

Kimble was deeply, deeply distressed. Something most unexpected had happened up at the cabin in Maine - it began just after Christmas, after that last fine day when the Master had cum shivering, looking into his eyes. At first Kimble had been elated, he had gotten his deepest desire and had visions of more good things to come, of a glorious love between him and the Master. But instead, Creed had suddenly quieted and didn't call for him as often. At first Kimble thought maybe the Master was just tired, but then it began to happen with Mary as well, she wasn't seeking him out as often either. It was a mystery until the next day when Kimble had caught his two human Masters entangled in one another.

Creed had discovered that it was possible for him to love another. Kimble had quieted his mind and his rages enough to function on a normal enough level that Mary had accepted him and all of his advances. What started out as an accident had turned into something else. Sabretooth was falling in love, just not with the one that had started it all. Kimble's heart broke when he saw it in their shines, so bright with happiness around each other. They didn't see him and he slipped away.

He snuck off and hid inside the Master's big closet, wanting to cry without being noticed. He knew he shouldn't be jealous, he had no right. He was a Siskan hologram, a creature with no say in the matters of his Master's house. A possession, nothing more. He was designed to be at the Master's beck and call, he was supposed to be willing to accept any and all changes. It didn't stop the pain.

Kimble had been clinging to this hope that he would always have his Master's heart, that he would get the Master past the fact that he was trapped in this male skin. It didn't seem like that was going to happen now. Kimble would never be a woman again and the Master's head was turned by the woman who was. Kimble tried to hide his jealousy. I mean, he had gone to both of them for love, why should he be upset when they in turn found each other?

Because ya always found equal time fer them both, now they's ignorin' ya, Zander said. They're too busy playin' with each other now ta play with you.

I ain't suppozta care, The Lover said, another tear dripping down his cheek.

Butcha do. It's cuz yer the Lover. Ya wants too much. Let's go, Kim. We been here long enough.

We cain't go. There ain't no other place fer us, we been too bad, Kimble replied with enough conviction to silence him.

Alone now, Kimble shivered and cried, Remy's words coming back to haunt him. "You want what you 'ad wit Sheyman. Dat kind of love is 'ard to find and even harder to keep." Those words were so very true, so painfully true.

Lakotashay was brutally cruel and quick to put this to her advantage. We been passed over again, she taunted. We ain't never gonna be no girl fer real. Gots no pussy, gots no tits, we ain't never gonna be good enough. You thinks we ain't no good nohow. Let's jus' put an end ta alla this. Kill us!

No! Kimble cried, doing his best to stay in control and not give in to her temptations. The Master's jus' distracted. He'll come back ta us. He needs us.

Kimble did his best and tried to adapt to his new situation. He told himself that it didn't matter that he wasn't called upon to perform the little tasks his Master had come to enjoy, the gentle cuddlings, the pleasure of his mouth. All the Master wanted was the fucking because it came with the Master had to have his fix.

Harder than that was to see the looks that passed between his two human keepers, they were shutting him out more and more with each passing moment. Kimble's heart was crushed. What he couldn't fully articulate was the simple truth that even though he was a Siskan Courtesan of the highest quality, his unique personality had him a position where he would never be satisfied in a harem situation. As much as he loved them both, Kimble didn't want to share the Master with anyone. He hadn't done so well being in second place to Seth and so he struggled being bumped to second again with Mary. It was more than his heart could stand.

I still have purpose, I still have value, Kimble tried to console himself as he cried. The Master still calls me, jus' not so much as before.

The Lover had never done well with being ignored, it was still true even now. He began breaking some of the rules just to get attention. He didn't always wear a shirt and tied his hair back, exposing his masculinity. The Master said nothing, his eyes were tracking Mary now. Frustrated, Kimble snuck outside to play in the snow again. It took over an hour for the Master to notice and then he beat Kimble, not even asking why the pilot had gone out even after he had been told not to. No kindness followed, just some blows with his fist and then Master was least he hadn't taken out his belt. Kimble had cried and wasn't given comfort. He was at a total loss.

They had come back to the loft yesterday in preparation for the Friends of Humanity Rally and things were worse. There was no privacy here, it was one big open room except for the bedrooms. With little to do, Creed and Mary played often, oblivious to Kimble's jealousy and breaking heart. Creed had never been one to care much of what anyone thought, he was used to being in charge and doing as he pleased. He simply wasn't equipped with the mental radar that would pick up on Kimble's distress. The pilot was put to work building cloaks, he was the only one with any real work to do. The Rally was near, but all the plans made. Once the cloaks were made, then the next steps could be taken.

Ya knows these cloaks ain't gonna be used fer no good, Zander said, sensing Kimble's distraction. The more tired and low Kimble became, the stronger the voices had begun. Zander was pestering Kimble now as he worked.

Jus' wants 'em done. I wants ta do sumpthin' else.

Again the Master uses us. Let's sneak out. We could jus' leave an the Master would never know.

We ain't goin' nowheres, Kimble replied. He was now well trained and firm in where he belonged in spite of the troubles in his heart. There would be no escape attempts.

Why you wants us ta leave? Lakotashay asked the Punisher. I don't likes how yer always pushin'.

What do you care? We leave, we gits caught, another lovely beating fer you. Where's yer sense of adventure?

"Jus' shut the fuck up!" Kimble hissed, speaking out loud unawares. He didn't want any beatings and the thought of it made him angry. "Cain't work with alla yous makin' my head hurt!"

Sabretooth shifted on the couch, turning his head in Kimble's direction. The pilot was hunched up at the table, rubbing his eyes and scowling. He had been at it all day without a break, maybe it was time for a moment's rest. Victor had wanted the cloaks done, his tarrying so long in Maine catching up with him, but he didn't like it when Kim was like this.

"Hey, kid. Come here."

Kimble looked up, startled, but obeyed his Master's command. He shuffled over and stood there, his head down dejectedly. "Yes, Master?"

Victor scowled at Kimble's tone, he wasn't sure if it was insolence or not, but didn't like how Kimble wouldn't meet his eyes. Kimble was clearly depressed. "Come lay down with me. Take a load off."

Kimble's face broke out in a huge smile, assuring Victor he had done the right thing in calling him over. Creed grunted softly in pleasure as the pilot stretched out alongside him on the deep sectional, wrapping his slender white arms around him and nuzzling his neck gently. He toyed with Kimble's long black hair, closing his eyes a little as he was filled with happiness from Kimble's affection.

The pilot felt it and his heart soared. The Master still loved him, he was still needed! His nuzzling grew more urgent and he opened his mouth to gently bite, having learned that this pleased the Master. Creed's response was favorable and they were soon tangled there on the couch, grunting softly as they took their pleasure in one another.

When it was finished, Kimble was once more petted and content. "Kristalay..." he mumbled. He was using the name more and more, his Master had grown to like it.

"Yer jealous of Mary," Victor said softly. He had an idea what was upsetting Kimble. He hadn't been as oblivious as Kimble thought he was, he just wasn't sure what to do about the whole thing. It had been just as unexpected for him.

"Sorry, Kristalay."

"What do ya think it's like fer me when she feeds ya?"

"She don't lay with me no more."

Creed stiffened a little, he hadn't known that. He had just assumed they were all sharing each other like some kind of bizarre love triangle. It thrilled him and perplexed him all at once. He would never be able to fully understand what made people do what they did, he had gone too long without real relationships. Her withholding explained a lot about why his servant had been so moody and quiet lately. "Yer lonely."

Kimble squeezed him tightly. "Don't makes me leave, don't gives me away."

Creed returned the hug. "I ain't gonna get rid of ya. It's just that things 're changin'. Ya helped me, calmed me down. Ya gave me Mary. She's been here all along, but I never took the time ta see her. Not until you. I'll always be grateful fer that. I ain't never gonna let ya go, ya just gotta deal with me playin' with someone else, too. We'll figure this all out, just gotta have some patience."

"I loves ya," Kimble said, surrendering and giving him a squeeze. "I loves Mary, too."

Creed grunted, happy to hear it, and made Kimble close his eyes. He continued to pet him, stopping only when he heard the pilot softly snore. This noise would never bother him, never. It was one of the few indicators that this strange creature was even alive, Kimble had no smell, no heartbeat. It didn't stop Victor's affection. He still carried something inside of him for this one that would never diminish, never fade. He was sorry now he had been distant, so nice it was now with this slender body wrapped around him, he could fall asleep himself. His eyes were almost shut when he heard Mary come beside him and lay a gentle hand on his head.

"Hey," Creed mumbled sleepily.

"He looks better."

She had noticed Kimble was out of sorts this day. Like Creed, she hadn't realized that Kimble would be so jealous. Her relationship with Victor had abruptly changed since he had taken her that first time in the cabin. She desired him now, welcomed his touch. Usually, Victor waited until Kimble was asleep or too busy to notice when he would seek her out. It had been easier in the cabin, the rooms were separate.

Here there was even less privacy and this morning, Kimble had walked in on them in the kitchen. They had just been fooling around and Victor had put her up on the counter, their lovemaking unplanned. They had just finished, but weren't dressed when Kimble had shuffled in from the bedroom. He was barely awake and squeaked in surprise when he saw them. He couldn't hide the jealousy, the jealousy that Creed had chosen someone else. He fled in a tearful rage and Creed followed him. There was a short argument, a hiss from Kimble and the unmistakable sound of a slap. Kimble fell silent, shocked and humiliated by the blow. Victor was angry and placed him at the work table, ordering him to build the cloaks. Kimble had been there all day.

"You shouldn't have hit him," Mary said to Creed now.

"I know, but it's okay now. He's all set."

Creed looked up at her, unsure of what he was feeling. He wasn't so cold about her as he had been before, there was something here now. Was it love? He really didn't know. It wasn't the same as he felt for Kimble, it wasn't as strong. The fact was that he was hopelessly addicted to Kimble's backwash and he knew it. It would forever taint his feelings, forcing him to chose the pilot over all others, even Mary now, if came down to it. He had to have what Kimble could do for him. This had been the best four months of his life, the most clear. His clear head had allowed Mary to get a toehold inside the ice cold door of his heart, allowing him to realize Kimble wasn't the only one he could care for. He would protect her as fiercely as he would Kimble, something new. Something perplexing.

Truth was, they were all a little jealous of one another, this strange three way relationship a bit too bizarre for any of them to handle. They were coping with it, the two humans doing their best to keep this from boiling over, from becoming more than they could withstand. Kimble was the bridge between them, smoothing them out and maintaining a fragile peace.

"You coming to bed?" she asked Victor, still stroking his head.

"Kim's comfortable."

She just smiled. "Bring him."

Creed grunted a laugh and did his best to rise, his servant still in his arms. Kimble mumbled something and gripped him tightly, not wanting to be let go. It made Victor laugh again and look down on his tired white face with affection. They all fell into Creed's large bed, Victor in the middle, with Mary's arms around him and Kimble's body warm and cozy in front of him. The pilot giggled and fell back asleep instantly, a smile on his face. It was okay now, his fears of being left behind dissipating for the moment.

Creed stroked him, loving him and the woman who held him. In this moment, Victor saw his life as it could be forever. It was all coming true for him, he was capable of being normal, of being happy, even after all the bullshit and pain he'd been through in his life. With these warm bodies surrounding him with their love, what greater bliss was there than this?