(Five)

Kimble walked slowly into the circle of light of the Black Room. He was exhausted, but not from running away this time. It was from the emotional shock of the day's events and the fact that Sheyman was gone from him again. He stood in the center of the circle and waited uncertainly, not sure why he was here. He turned as Mirror Face walked into the light for the first time without fear. "Zander," he offered as a greeting.

"Now do ya understand?"

Kimble nodded. "Yer my rage. I been runnin' from ya fer too long."

Zander raised Valentin's sword. "An' this?"

"My power." He walked up to Zander and took the weapon, claiming it for himself. "I'll be takin' this now, but I ain't gonna kills nobody with it. I am La ShaRain natay LaRoo. Guardian Angel. I needs this ta protect my Fallen an' keeps 'em all safe. I ain't no killer. I ain't you."

"Oh, yer me, all right. I'll always be here, waitin' fer ya. I knows ya better than Sheyman ever did. Yer gonna crack again, it's jus' a matter a' time. Nobody knows that better'n me. When ya do, I'll be here. We'll show them all jus' what we're capable of. You an' me together."

To emphasize his point, Zander came up to him quickly and grabbed his face in his hands. Zander was very strong and powerful, a vampire lover in his own way, he pinned Kimble down with his fiery eyes and roughly kissed the pilot on the mouth, slipping him his tongue. Kimble could taste his fire and passion, it poured into him like a powerful drug, promising great adventures to come. Kimble couldn't resist Zander's hold on him and he felt Zander's vitality and strength pass into him as well. He shivered from the pleasure of it in spite of his fear. Zander knew it and he tossed Kimble away with a wicked laugh. "See ya around... baby doll."

(break)

Kimble woke with a shudder. He curled up defensively and reached out for Fallen, but felt only the empty bed. He closed his eyes and tried to be strong. He looked deep inside himself and saw a hazy image of Valentin's sword. It was there, he had it now. He had powers now, too - he could phase and fly, maybe more. He vowed to learn more about what he could do so he would never have to be afraid again. He was damned if he was going to let Zander or anyone else continue to torment him.

He stretched his arm out across the empty bed and felt a stab of loneliness. He was surrounded by people, but still felt all alone. He wondered if he would ever be as happy as he had been with Sheyman. Bliss like that might be no longer achievable. He should be feeling better now because of having his memory returned, but he just felt empty, the emotional roller coaster ride had taken a lot out of him. He tried to remember what Sheyman had said to him in the cone of light, but his words seemed so far away now and unreachable. He ached for Sheyman, but knew he wasn't coming back.

Kimble slowly sat up and put his feet on the floor, emotionally drained. He knew he should get up and go back to work on the engines, but the effort required to move any further was too great.

"Kimble?" came a soft voice from nearby. "You awake?"

"Whatcha want, Brucie?" Kimble asked impatiently, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands.

"Come here a minute." Bruce looked at him earnestly, a sad compassionate look in his eyes. He was still loosely tied to the cage, but out in the isle now and separated from the others.

Kimble rose stiffly. "Ain't got no time fer none of yer crap."

"Zander, please..."

Kimble shuffled out of the cage and stood over the restrained man. Bruce hadn't put up a fuss like the others and wasn't tied as severely. One arm was roped to the cage, but it had a long lead and he could put it in his lap. His other arm and hand was wrapped up in a tight bandage from being cut by Wolverine. Beast had put in over twenty stitches just to keep it together until they could get home. Bruce's boots were removed to make him more comfortable and his ankles were bound with rope, again with a long lead. He had more freedom than the others but had been sitting quiet, waiting for Kimble to wake.

Kimble sniffed and said with some bitterness, "Zander's gone. He wuzn't ever real."

"Easy, fellas," Logan growled from nearby. He lay in the front row of seats, keeping watch. He had showered and slept a little as Kimble had napped. His body was aching and he wasn't moving too quickly, but he was still watching out for the Clansmen. He saw Kimble's depressed state of mind and kept a close eye on him, expecting anything.

"Zander-Kimble, look. I just wanted to say I was sorry," Bruce said, his eyes seeking something from the Siskan's face.

Kimble crouched down slowly and met Bruce's eyes, searching for deception. He found none, but questioned his ability to read people. He didn't feel so sure about himself now and he wasn't sure he could trust his own emotions. "S'okay, Brucie. Wuzn't yer fault what happened. It wuz mine," he replied softly and turned to go.

"Kimble! Wait." Kimble obeyed and stood quiet as Bruce cleared his throat. "I'm truly, sorry. I had no idea that I was hurting you like that."

"Ya shoulda known fer lookin', Brucie. Don' think I wuz hidin' it all that well."

"I thought, you know, because you were Siskan, that you didn't feel-"

"Yeah, you an evraone else. I gots work ta do."

"Wait! Don't leave, please. Let me finish."

Kimble stayed, but he looked so sad.

"I'm sorry, Kimble. It wasn't fair for me to play with you like that because of Justin. I know that now. I thought it didn't matter what I did, that it wouldn't hurt you because you were Siskan and not real. I really liked you, I did."

"I felt evrathin', Brucie. Evrathin' ya did, an evrathin' ya said."

"I didn't know that. You'd only been there a short while. Maybe if I had taken the time to really get to know you, I would have known." Bruce paused to look into Kimble's eyes. "You say Zander is gone, but I still see him in you. Not the mad angry Zander, but the sweet gentle Zander who followed me around, always playing our little game. I missed him. Didn't realize how much until I saw his face again. I want to make it up to you for what happened. You look so sad and I want to make you feel better."

"Don' want no fuckin' charity, Bruce."

"No, I wouldn't want it to be like that. I want us to be friends, like we were before. See my bag under the seat there? Take it out. There's a box in the bottom. I want you to have it."

Kimble looked behind him and saw the bag crammed under the seat Bruce had been sitting in when they left. It was Bruce's pack. He always carried it with him and had it here even though he hadn't been expecting to come along on this trip. Kimble slid it out and rummaged through it carefully until he found two wooden boxes. One was Justin's parting gift to Bruce, still unopened. Bruce hadn't had a chance to look at it, he'd been tied up and locked away almost from the moment he had awakened all those days ago. The other box was very old with a small piece of cloth hanging out of it. Kimble held it up and Bruce nodded.

Logan sat up, watching. He hadn't thought to check any of the bags that were there. He had no idea what was in the box. He relaxed when he saw it was small and harmless looking.

Kimble opened the box and took out a small bundle of cloth. He unraveled it slowly and a perplexed, sad look crossed his face. He held up a small glass animal. "Why didja keep this?" he asked quietly.

"Because it was Zander's," Bruce explained gently. "I was on the security team that searched his area after he broke down. We were looking for clues because no one knew why he went crazy. When I saw that, I knew I'd made a mistake about you." Bruce's voice quivered a little. "I remember the first time I really saw you. Do you?"

Kimble shook his head.

"We were sparring. It wasn't the first time, but I'd never really paid attention to you, because, well, you know. Nobody thought you guys were real," Bruce laughed. "I twisted the wrong way and ripped my knee all to shit. It wasn't your fault but you were right there, asking if I was okay and fussing over me. What I remember most... what drew me to you... was your compassion. You didn't really know me, but you cared anyways. You were so gentle when you helped me up. You looked at me and smiled. Our eyes met and I knew I had to have you. You knew it, too. You tried to visit me in the infirmary but they sent you away. When I came back you followed me all around and we made it into a game. I'm sorry I dragged it out so long. Maybe things would have been different..." Bruce paused and sighed. "I never thought that what happened was my fault. I figured Valentin did something to you. I saw what he did to your hand. I guess...I guess it was easier for me to blame him than to look at myself." He looked away, feeling guilty and trying not to cry.

Kimble studied him, a curious look replacing the sadness. "What do ya wants from me?" he asked softly, not sure he could trust what Bruce was telling him.

"I'm not sure. Forgiveness, maybe. Friendship. Perhaps something more if you would allow it."

Kimble shook his head. "Yer still grievin' fer Justin and yer thinkin' Zander's gonna help ya with it, but he's gone. I kin feels yer pain, but it ain't me ya wants."

"I don't believe that and neither should you. I could help you try to find some of that innocence you think you've lost. I'd at least like to try." Bruce pleaded with his eyes. He took his hand and lay his palm against Kimble's cheek. It was as far as the rope would allow.

Kimble turned into his palm and kissed his hand. He closed his eyes and felt the heat and glow of Bruce's skin, trying to get a read on Bruce's mood. Bruce moved his hand slightly so he could rub his thumb across Kimble's lips. More as a habit than a conscious movement, Kimble opened his mouth and slowly took Bruce's thumb into it, rolling his tongue gently around it. Bruce shivered and closed his eyes with a soft moan, shocked by sudden arousal. He tried to push his thumb in deeper, but Kimble turned his head, releasing him. He leaned in real close to Bruce's face so their lips almost touched. He sniffed at Bruce and whispered, "It sucks to be teased, don' it?"

"Oh...oh, God, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" Bruce whimpered and finally broke down into real tears.

Kimble felt a little bad that he had made Bruce cry and put his arms around him. He had wanted to make his point, but wasn't by nature cruel. He kissed the top of Bruce's head and held him, feeling his pain. He thought soothing thoughts until he felt Bruce calm a little.

"Hey you! Little faggot boys!" Valentin growled. "Get a room!"

Logan stood up, angry now by Kimble's little act of revenge. "Break it up, ladies. Yer gettin' the boys all rowdy."

"Now we're even," Kimble whispered to Bruce. He pulled away, hearing Logan's warning and obeying it, but brushed Bruce's tears from his face. "I didn't do that ta hurts ya. I wanted ya ta understand that I am real, I've always been. I felt yer friendship and carin' just as much as I felt ya abandon me when ya walked out that door. It ain't right what ya done, but I fergives ya cuz what I done wuz worse. Much worse. Don' think ya knows what yer thinkin' when ya say ya still want me. It ain't a good idea ta be havin' me so close. My head's all twisted 'round an I just don' know if I'm gonna be all right."

Bruce sniffed, relieved that Kimble had forgiven him. "It wasn't all your fault and I think you'll be just fine. You're a survivor, just look at you. You can fly this ship and so much more. Don't sell yourself short. Whatever you decide about me, you're not a bad person. Don't let any of them make you think otherwise," he said glancing up at Logan. "Don't let them ruin you again."

Kimble nodded and gestured with the box. "I'll think about whatcha said, cuz a this. I'll talks to ya later, Brucie," Kimble said gently and stepped away. He felt like a great weight had been lifted from him and as he rose he brushed his hand over Bruce's head in a tender caress. He walked by Wolverine with his hands up in mock surrender. He was smiling now, feeling a little better. "Gots work ta do," he said to no one in particular and went down to the lower level, a hop in his step as he went down the stairs.

Logan turned to Bruce. "I ain't inta all this guy crap myself, but you fuck with him and I'll shred you...slowly," he growled protectively. "We need him in one piece ta get back home."

Bruce looked up at him, frightened. He didn't doubt the man backed up his threats.

Fallen looked up from the work bench as Kimble came into the shop. She could see he looked rested. He had a small smile on his lips, always a good sign. He went up to her and looked over her shoulder, taking a peek at what she was working on. She was beginning the harder repairs, the ones she had to do by herself. She stood and turned to face him. She embraced him tightly, pulling him close.

Kimble laughed. "What?"

"I just wanted you to know I'm glad you're here and you're feeling better."

He leaned against her, enjoying the attention. "If alls I gotta do is scream a little ta gits attention like this I'll do it more often," he teased.

Fallen squeezed him a little more tightly and gently levitated just off the floor.

"Whoa!" Kimble gasped she lifted him. He hadn't been ready for it. "Easy, girl. Don'tcha be gittin too frisky!"

"You're a big tough guy. You can handle it," she teased, and then grew serious. "This trip has been very costly for us. We almost lost each other." She lay her head on his shoulder and he held her. "I want you to make another promise for me, Kimble. I want you to promise that you'll never be so far away from me that I can't find you. I always want you near. Always. You're my best friend, the best one I've ever had. I don't want to lose you."

"I promise, baby doll. I promise. You ain't never gonna be rid a me even if ya wants to." He took control of their bodies and began to spin them slowly. He liked having her so close like this. He knew she would never be his and he no longer cared. He just wanted her to always be near.

"Why didn't you tell me you could fly?" she asked after a moment.

He let go of her and concentrated. He floated unsteadily near her without assistance. He recognized the pinching sensation in his head as a telekinetic push. He was activating his power. "Didn' really know it myself 'til I done it. Just knew what had ta be done an I did it, is all. Gotta practice a little, though. M' not too steady. Guess I gots all yer powers 'cept the Ristle."

"Maybe that will come in time. It would certainly help your independence." She landed neatly on her feet. "Sit with me. Help me finish. I'm not ready to have you out of my sight for a while." She knew he was better, but he still seemed a little quiet.

He lowered himself, holding his arms out for balance. He sat next to her on the bench. She saw him put the box that Bruce had given him down in front of him. "What's that?"

"Little present from Brucie."

She opened it and unwrapped the glass figure. She recognized it from the file playback, it had been one of Zander's. "He kept this all this time?"

"Yeah. Kinda funny, ain't it?" he said with a wistful smile.

She turned his chin, making him look at her. "You be careful, Kimble. I'm not sure about everything that happened to you today, I'd like to talk about it when things get more quiet. But I do know you're very vulnerable right now, like it or not. He could manipulate you very easily."

"I'll be fine." he said. "Thanks fer carin'." He kissed her forehead tenderly.

"I'm looking out for you. I won't let him hurt you."

He smiled and laughed. "I'm suppozta be takin' care a you now. Guess this makes us even. Don' worry. I'll be good." He picked up some loose parts she had laying around and went back to work.