(Twelve)

Fallen made the trip back to the Lucky Dragon quickly and dropped down next to Valentin's men where they had gathered just outside of her ship, landing with her usual grace. Both she and Remy dusted off after they landed, they were covered in soot and dirt from the blast.

Bruce came running up as soon as he saw them, a huge grin on his face, but he faltered when he saw that Justin was missing. "Where's Justin?" he demanded sharply.

Remy kept his eyes down, wilting under the Clansman's tone of voice. This wasn't going to be easy or pleasant. " 'E didn't make it. Sorry, mon ami, but 'e left dis for you." Remy dug into his pack and took out Justin's box.

Bruce, in clear denial of the situation, refused to even look at it. He turned very white and started to shake as he began to sputter, "No...no...We have to go back! How could you leave him there?"

Remy did his best to explain. "Dere ain't nuthin' left, de buildin' is gone. Je suis de'sole, mon ami. It was 'is decision, Bruce, I'm sorry. 'E wanted to stay. Gambit couldn't make 'im go. 'E done it for de Clan, 'e done it for you. Dis what he say to me," Remy said quickly, wanting only to say the one thing that would take away the look of horror in Bruce's eyes.

"No...No!..NO!" Bruce began to shout. He let out a piercing scream of tortured pain that brought immediate tears to the corner of Remy's eyes. Gambit couldn't imagine leaving Rogue behind in any situation and didn't want to. The pain would be the same. He had never heard a man scream like that and he never wanted to again.

Logan heard Bruce's noise and came on the run. "What's goin' on?"

"Justin didn't make it," Remy explained quickly, shaking his head. He was trying really hard not to cry but he wasn't sure he would succeed. This hurt horribly and he was just too sensitive a creature not to feel it deep inside. "Je suis de'sole. Dis de wors' fuckin' t'ing."

Bruce had sunk down to his knees and covered his face, the grief swiftly overtaking his control. He was shaking hysterically and was screaming into the ground. True to the words Logan had overheard, Bruce couldn't imagine this place without Justin and the loss was more than he could bear. When Remy saw no one move to help the grief stricken man he went to Bruce and tried to comfort him.

Bruce felt him come and shoved him away as though he was diseased. "Don't touch me! You killed him! You left him to die!" he blurted out, his pain making him say things his heart knew weren't true.

Remy backed up with a soft cry and turned away, his head down as he wiped at his eyes. His battle not to cry was lost and a tear got away from him. It burned down his cheek, hot and wet like an accusation. He was flooded with guilt and now questioned his decision to leave Justin behind. Maybe he hadn't tried hard enough, surely there must have been more he could have done. This was all his fault. It ripped at him from all sides of his already guilt ridden conscience and he turned to run away, to hide his shame, but Henry's big blue body blocked his exit.

Beast had come from the ship with a Med-kit, uncertain of the cause of Bruce's screams. Once quick look at the situation told him the worst had happened and that Remy was well on the way to adding this lost soul to his already oversized collection of failures. The doctor was quick to scold in his firm, yet understanding tone. "Don't even think about blaming yourself for this, my Cajun friend. You did what you had to. This man's heart is breaking, don't take what he says that seriously." Beast gripped him and wouldn't let him go until he nodded slowly and stayed put.

Logan stepped in, seeing Bruce's distress. He knelt down in front of him and said in his gentlest voice. "Yer friend was very brave. He wouldn't want ya to be sad for him."

"What would you know about it?" Bruce snapped rudely, not wanting to hear it. His eyes were red and tears streamed freely down his cheeks. He was shaking violently and gripped his stomach as he started to heave. Logan was out of comforts for a grief on this level, his repertoire was rather small, and retreated to let someone with more experience take his place. Henry was right there and ready.

Bruce knew Henry and didn't try to fight him. He sagged as he greyed out from shock and swayed unsteadily into Henry's arms. Beast laid him down on his side and reached into the Med-kit for a sedative.

Valentin stood quiet through Bruce's whole display of grief with a look of complete disgust on his face, but couldn't hold his tongue when Logan came near. "What's his problem?"

"Justin didn't make it back."

"So? Clansmen die all the time. This should come as no surprise. He should take it like a man, not like some stupid woman."

"They were close."

Valentin sneered at him. "Don't talk to me like an idiot. I've known these two for almost twenty years, we're all from the same Clan. I know what good friends they were."

"Maybe they were closer friends than ya thought."

Valentin's eyes widened at his words and he snorted in disgust. "Oh, please! Justin was a fine Clansman, not some sniveling faggot boy. He would never be as you suggest."

Logan shrugged. "Some folks you just can't tell. I saw the two of them together. It's true."

Valentin looked down at Bruce who had grown quiet from Henry's sedative. Valentin couldn't hide his disgust and loathing. "I had no idea. If I had Bruce wouldn't be here."

"It didn't keep him from holdin' up his end," Logan snapped defensively. "He worked just as hard as anyone else out there today."

"No, but look at him now. If we were in the middle of fight what use would he be to me then? Look at him, weeping and slobbering like an old woman. Get him out of here or I'll kill him myself!"

Beast closed the Med kit and heaved Bruce up into his arms, thankful for his superior strength. He wasn't obeying Valentin, he just wanted to get Bruce somewhere comfortable. "I'll lay him down in the ship. He'll be asleep for a while."

Henry carried his friend up into the ship and lay him down on one of the barracks beds. Bruce curled up with a groan and covered up his face with his hands, still grieving even though he was no longer fully awake. Henry covered him up and stood for a moment, looking down at the man who had grown to be his friend. He recalled now the stories Bruce had told while they worked together. Bruce would often talk about how he and Justin had grown up together in a small nomadic Clan that had joined up with the others at Nine when the boys were twelve. All told, Justin and Bruce had been together all their lives and were a couple for almost twenty years, having known they were meant to be together from the beginning. That kind of bonding left Henry no doubt at the depth of Bruce's grief and anguish. They might as well have been married. That perspective put a light of understanding on Bruce's breakdown and Beast grieved for him knowing that Bruce would suffer for a long time to come. Such were the casualties of war and the primary reason Henry did all he could to avoid it. Henry sighed and walked out, some of his early high at their apparent victory dissipating.

When he left, he saw Fallen in the Main room watching the Dognan base burn on the ship's monitors. She saw him and jumped up and down in her excitement, giving a cheer, and hugged him tightly in her joy. Beast laughed at her enthusiasm, letting her recharge his happiness. "We did it! We did it!" she squealed, squeezing him without mercy.

"Yes, we did," he replied.

Fallen took his hand as the door for the lower level opened on her mental command. She took him below and locked the door behind them, she was still protecting her secrets and didn't want any of the Clan to follow her. She let go of Henry and raced down the hall when she saw Seth already out in the hologram and waiting for her. She flew into his arms and lifted him with her power so as not to topple him, he was still pretty unsteady on his feet. She spun with him just above the floor in a lazy circle and covered him in kisses.

"You're free, Fallen! You're free!" he cried, holding her close and laughing with joy. "It's over!"

"I'm going home!" she said. "We're all going home!" She continued to shower her love and excitement on Seth who received it gratefully. Her kisses grew more and more intimate and tender as she calmed down. She touched his face and ran her hands through his silky white hair. In her happiness, she was oblivious to everyone else except him.

Henry watched them, an amused smile on his lips. He could see how much Seth and Fallen loved each other. The fact that Seth was technically not real didn't matter to him at all. Their love was so strong, so powerful, Henry could almost touch it himself. They reminded him of the many couples that formed on the team back home, being in such dangerous situations time and time again formed such strong bonds. Some loves were just too strong to be denied and this clearly was one as well.

Henry noted Kimble was up on the viewing screen. He was in the control room, simply sitting in his chair, watching them from his work station. He had a peculiar expression on his face, his mouth was smiling - it always was - but his eyes were terribly sad as if he knew just what he was missing out on. Henry hoped he wasn't jealous. It was hard not to be, looking at two lovers like that.

Seth kissed Fallen and whispered in her ear, just enough that Henry could catch it, "Tonight. You and me, my love. No matter what."

She laughed softly. "No matter what. Don't worry, I'll help you."

Kimble cleared his throat to get their attention. "Vally's cummin' up the ramp, Fallen."

Fallen gave Seth a last lingering kiss. "Go, now. I'll be back for you."

She set him down and he left her reluctantly, he was much too happy having her close and in his arms to ever want her to leave. He stood still with his hands across his chest and then his body suddenly shimmered and melted until all that remained was the grey block of particles. Seth's computer image reappeared next to Kimble on the screen and he gave her a long, pained look of separation.

Kimble stood awkwardly and tugged on him. "Let's go. We gots work ta do fer leavin'." He dragged Seth away, taking him out the rear door and back into the system.

Fallen turned to Henry and led him back to the upper level, whispering to him all the while. "Listen, now. Quickly. Valentin will come and we'll go back to Station Nine to see Cerebus. Cerebus will ask you what you want. You must tell him you wish to return home without delay. Understand? We have to leave as soon as possible if we are to escape with little fuss."

"I understand. Believe me, there is nothing I want more."

They didn't have long to wait for Valentin and the others. The First General came up the ramp, his face split wide with a grin. He hugged her and gave her a kiss, his excitement mirroring that of Fallen's would be lover down below. Fallen accepted it, but her expression was far less than she had for Seth. "We leave for Nine immediately," he ordered.

"Yes, my Lord."

She pulled away from him and went to the main screen. Kimble was already waiting for her and they began the preliminary preparations for departure. Seth came in the control room and stood behind Kimble, watching over his shoulder. Kimble made a remark in Siskan and they laughed.

Henry smiled when he saw Logan and Gambit come up the ramp. They were dirty from the explosion and the fighting but thankfully otherwise unharmed. Both of them were grinning. They were going home!