Just after Midnight….

The sleek aircraft slipped through the night sky, undetected, until it came to a stop above the sprawling Matignon estate. Aboard the Blackbird, Rachael, Remy, Harper, Jean-Paul and Jono huddled together, ready for Kurt to teleport them to the small courtyard just outside the rear of the house. Gaining entry was surprisingly easy, and the guards on duty were quickly overpowered, cuffed and teleported back to the Blackbird by Kurt. Kitty had been reluctant at first to take them into custody, but she knew, ultimately, that the secrecy of this mission was paramount. They simply couldn't risk leaving any witnesses.

Since Harper had been to the Matignon estate before, he took the lead, Rachael beside him providing a psi-link between all of them for silent communication. Moving close behind him was Remy. Northstar and Chamber provided additional cover.

*I can sense him,* Harper sent to Rachael. *He's asleep.* He was clenching and unclenching his fists. It surprised him how angry he was of a sudden. It was difficult to keep the rage at bay. Ugly thoughts of violence threatened to spill over into his telepathic communication with the others. Rachael clasped his hand and held tight.

*Stay focused, Harper. I know this is hard,* Rachael said, hoping to calm him. Remy, too, did his best to help keep Harper focused. Because of the empathic bond they shared, he not only felt more keenly Harper's anger, but was at danger of being overly affected by it as well. Hard to separate his own emotions from Harper's. It was disconcerting, and unsettling.

It wasn't difficult locating Matignon. He was in his bedroom, a huge master suite. He was alone. Harper tensed; he felt adrenaline surge through his body, and he began to sweat. His breathing came in short, quick pants. Remy gently laid his hand on Harper's arm.

*Easy now, petit,* Remy said through their shared psi-link. He couldn't hide the concern in his voice. Harper shrugged off his touch, and approached Matignon's bed. There was something disturbing in the way he seemed to be slowly stalking the sleeping man, like a dangerous big cat moving in on its prey.

*Not sure this is a real good idea,* Jono muttered.

Rachael seemed unconcerned. *He needs to do this. Let him be.*

Harper stared down at Matignon. Finally, after so long, he was facing the man that had helped enslave his family. The man who had his son. Harper took a deep, calming breath and roughly shook Matignon's shoulder.

"Wake up."

Matignon sat up, startled, his eyes wide. He seemed confused, and it took him a moment to focus on Harper's face, just inches from his. He could feel Harper's hot breath on his skin.

"What is this?" Matignon finally said. He swallowed hard and licked his lips. He blinked rapidly, then slowly, recognition. "What...what are you doing here?"

Harper bared his teeth and hissed softly at him.

"Where is my son?" Harper growled. When Matignon didn't answer right away, Harper took him by the arms and shook him, hard. "Where is my SON?"

Matignon cut his eyes sideways, as if waiting for his security detail. When he saw the cruel smile on Harper's face, he knew there would be no one coming to save him. A strange calm fell over him.

"He's asleep. Must you wake him?" Matignon asked, almost conversationally. His eyes flicked again to the group of mutants who stood clustered in his bedroom. While he'd been expecting something might happen since he'd been briefed about the runaway Pet named Harper, it was nothing like this. He knew it was over, everything. He was glad, now, that he'd ordered the other members of the Society's inner circle, The Council, to prepare for just such an occasion.

"Where is he? And where is Ariel?" Harper persisted.

Something flashed across Matignon's face: Guilt. "I'm sorry...Ariel died two years ago."

Harper pulled back his hand and slapped Matignon hard, splitting his lip and drawing blood. "You fucking LIAR. Where are they?"

"He's not lying," Rachael said softly. "Ariel is dead. In childbirth, yes, Mr. Matignon?"

Matignon hung his head. "Yes. She and the baby. But I swear, I never intended…"

Another sharp smack from Harper. "Fuck you. Where is Christopher?"

"Please, Harper!" Matignon begged. He was actually on the verge of tears. "I've taken good care of him! I even bought your brother to help care for Christopher after Ariel died. They're in their quarters on the third floor."

Harper froze. "You...you have Amadeo?"

"I've got their location," Rachael said softly. She quickly shared the information with Gambit and Northstar. "Go get them."

Without a word, Jean-Paul grabbed Remy and streaked away. Several tense moments passed. None of them spoke. Harper kept his grip on Matignon; he wasn't going to let him go until his son and brother were safely among them.

Harper heard a voice that made his heart ache with joy: "Daddy?" He let go of Matignon and turned to see his brother standing between Remy and Northstar, a beautiful little boy held in his arms. Christopher looked just like his mother, with his black hair, pale skin and blue eyes. He had Harper's feline features, though, including the ears and tail, the same silky coal-black as his hair. Holding the little boy in his arms was Amadeo. Unlike Harper, he had no obvious mutant or animal characteristics, though he shared Harper's intense physical beauty. Tears streaked Amadeo's face as he beheld his younger brother for the first time in years. Gently, he set Christopher down. There was a heavy silence in the room as all watched the reunion of father and child.

Harper went to his knees. "Christopher…" he held out his arms to the little boy. Tentatively, Christopher approached him. He lifted his little hand and laid it against Harper's cheek.

"I dreamed of you," Christopher whispered.

And then he was in Harper's arms, hugging and being hugged, covered in kisses and tears. Amadeo joined them, holding tight to both of them.

"I knew you'd find us, little brother," Amadeo sighed.

Harper smiled at him. "I told you I would." He bumped his forehead against Amadeo's. It had been almost six years since he'd seen his brother; that he would be here, now, was a balm to the loss of Ariel.

Northstar cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but we really should be going."

Rachael nodded. Moments later, Nightcrawler joined them again, teleporting the group back aboard the Blackbird. Matignon was cuffed and secured in the back, with Iceman and Chamber keeping close watch over him. Jono struggled not to light into the man out of sheer disgust and anger for everything he'd seen that night.

Kitty couldn't help but smile when she'd learned that Harper's brother was in the group, although that joy was tempered by the knowledge that Ariel was dead. She gave Harper's shoulder a quick squeeze before she returned to her seat at the helm.

Remy, Harper, Christopher and Amadeo were clustered together. Remy had wanted to give Harper some space, but the younger man had insisted he stay close.

Christopher curled himself up in Harper's lap and dozed. Amadeo stroked the little boy's hair.

"He asked me about you all the time," Amadeo said, his voice low. "He never lost faith that his Daddy was coming for him."

Harper was gazing down at his son with a sense of wonderment. "He's so beautiful...so perfect." He looked over at Remy. "Thank you, love. Thank you so much for this."

Remy seemed shaken by it all. "Don't need to t'ank me, petit," he said softly. He pressed a quick kiss to Harper's cheek, then settled back in his seat. Whatever he was thinking, he didn't seem eager to share. Harper, too focused on his son, didn't seem to notice his lover's discomfort. All that mattered at that moment was the sleeping child cuddled in his arms, and the long-lost brother beside him.

It was a moment of quiet joy, one that would soon be shattered by the awful truth of the Society's ultimate plan.