(Seven)

Gambit saw Kimble safely back to the Lucky Dragon. Fallen and Henry weren't there, but she had left Kimble a list of chores to do and the Siskan went to work on his own, happy to be busy for the moment. Remy was now on his way out of the house. It was late and he had lost a lot of time, but he felt better now having made Kimble happy and gotten some of the weight off of his chest. He chuckled a little, remembering Kimble's antics as he had danced in the Danger Room. Kimble's laughter was like a kind of drug, lifting his spirits and making him feel good all over.

Gambit stopped on his way out when the Professor unexpectedly grabbed him as he passed by one of the big conference rooms the X-men regularly held meetings in. "Remy, could I speak to you a moment?"

"Bien entendu, patron. What you 'ave in mind?"

"Come inside, please."

Gambit strolled in, using his usual smooth arrogant stride to cover his nervousness. A small group of X-men had been gathered, consisting of the new Blue Squad Remy had been assigned to but also including Fallen and Henry, an explanation now for where the two of them had gone. Warren was inexplicably slouched arrogantly at the back, his disgust for Gambit still plain on his face.

Remy just knew this was trouble. He wanted a cigarette now in the worst way but knew better than to try and smoke in here. Instead he coveredhis concern by casually popping a piece of gum in his mouth before saying, "Bonjour. What's up, peoples?"

"Welcome, Remy. I wanted you here because I have an announcement to make. Warren has completed his trials and will be joining the ranks of your Blue Squad for a while."

Gambit shivered inwardly, but his face was smooth as glass. " 'S cool wit' me," he lied smoothly. As a new member himself, he didn't think he had much of a say in this anyhow. He would just have to deal with it and keep his distance. He understood why his squad had been chosen to accommodate the new arrival, the Blue Squad had most of the original team – Cyclops, Jean and Bobby. With Henry here it must feel like old times for the winged man.

"As you know, I like to think of us a family," the Professor continued, pointedly looking at Remy. "What affects one of us, affects us all. This is why I would also like to have a brief discussion about Kimble."

Oh, dat's just great, Gambit groaned inside. Shoulda jus' slipped out de back way.

Charles continued to speak, "I had a talk with him yesterday and I've come to the conclusion he's definitely empathic."

"We already knew that," Logan grumbled from his position along the back wall. He was slouched impatiently between Rogue and Nightcrawler, his arms crossed. He wasn't any happier to be here than Gambit was. He watched Remy chew his gum furiously and sighed impatiently, he had forgotten how annoying Gambit could be with his locomotive chewing. It had been peaceful on Cerise where gum was not plentiful.

"Knowing this..." the Professor continued, giving Logan a hard look of impatience. "...it is important that we be very careful how we treat him. He is clearly under some kind of strain. He had some harsh words with Fallen yesterday."

"He always argues like that," Fallen protested. "He likes to swear."

"He was more than just a little upset, Fallen," Henry argued. "He feels left out, neglected. It would be good to set up some kind of structured 'family' time for him."

"He's not a baby!" Fallen continued to protest. "He has lots of things to do."

"Too bad all he wants to do is fuck," Wolverine muttered.

"Logan!" Jean snapped. "Let's try to keep this constructive."

"Seein' as how y'all dragged my ass in 'ere fo' dis, can I say sumptin'?" Gambit interrupted, raising his hand like a kid in class.

The Professor nodded. "By all means."

"Nobody 'ere know Kimble better dan me now, comprenez? All dat boy needs is for Gambit to take 'im down to Raul's and get 'im laid. Pure an' simple. You'll see. One good workout wit Vanessa, he be right as rain, d'accorde?"

"Remy!" This time it was Rogue's turn to be exasperated but it was clear from the looks on the faces of the others around her that she had spoken for more than one of them. Kurt certainly looked scandalized, no surprise there considering how religious he was.

"You vould not really consider such a thing?" Nightcrawler gasped, his eyes wide.

Gambit shrugged. "Quoi? It's de truth, non? Let me take him out."

The Professor shook his head, a little surprised at this line of reasoning, but it wasn't any sort of prudishness that made him disagree. "I won't even begin to comment on such an unorthodox method of treatment. I'm concerned that it's much too dangerous to take him out. It's just not safe for mutants to be running around in public right now. There was another bombing last night. This time a clinic for mutant children and several infants were killed. Besides, I'm sure there are more practical ways to get Kimble adjusted."

Remy dropped his eyes and popped his gum in irritation. "You listen to me. Kimble ain't no pilot, he ain't no mechanic or construction worker buildin' rooms neither. Dat ain't what he was made for. 'E a whore, dat's it."

"That's enough," the Professor said sternly. While he liked his team to speak freely, he hadn't appreciated the language. "It's unreasonable to take Kimble off the grounds for such a purpose. He simply needs to be talked to and assisted in his transition."

Gambit shook his head sharply, his eyes flashing just slightly in irritation. "Non. You ask Gambit, 'e tell you straight. Dat boy wasn't meant for nuthin' but ta be a whore. What you t'ink 'is father make 'im for, eh? 'E was makin' money and 'e was 'appy dere wit dat. Lanlin, too. She was doin' what she was made to do. Folks keep tryin' ta use Kimble for sumptin' else den dey wonder why he all screwed up. You don' wanna listen ta me 'cause you all too delicate ta 'ear de trut'? Fine. Gambit's got work to do." He went to the door and paused. "When he keeps goin' all to shit, you'll see Gambit was right. Au revoir, y'all." He walked out, shutting the door behind him.

The Professor put his head down with a sigh. This wasn't going as well as he had hoped.

"Maybe the kid's got a point," Logan conceded. It was true Lanlin had a kind of passivity and contentment that Kimble lacked.

"No. Kimble is not to be taken off the grounds," the Professor insisted. "What I want is for all of you to be careful how you speak to him and no more practical jokes, rubber or otherwise." There wasn't too much that got past this Master telepath in his own house. He didn't know who had placed the doll in Kimble's room, but had picked up on Kimble's rage from Henry. Beast had mentioned it before they met.

Charles held Kimble's Mistress with his eyes. "Fallen, you need to pay more attention to Kimble. While you're not an official member of this squad, Kimble's presence affects both Gambit and Henry. Kimble is your hologram and your property. He is your responsibility. I know you are working hard, but please try to fit him in. Play with him or do whatever it is that he needs to get him straightened out."

"Yes, sir," she replied, her head down. She was horrified and embarrassed to be having this conversation in front of so many people she respected. She couldn't wait to bolt out of here.

"Good. Now I want you all to be vigilant of him. If his moods worsen, I want to know. Empaths are often depressed and subject to insecurity and violence. If he does anything unusual, I want to know immediately. In the meantime, try talking with him and getting to know him better. Once he sees he's a part of the group, he'll be better. All right?"

There was mumbled assent and the Professor left, taking Fallen and Henry with him.

"Now we have to be his babysitter?" Bobby grumbled. "I've got better things to do."

"What about Jael? Isn't that more important?" Rogue tossed in for good measure.

"Don't worry. I've got Kimble covered," Wolverine growled. "He ain't goin' nowhere without me lookin' over his shoulder."

"Let me know how you make out," Scott said, nodding. "Keep me updated."

"What did Remy mean by Kimble being a whore?" Warren asked, confused. He knew nothing of Kimble other than his being a guest at the house.

"He's a hologram...or at least he was," Wolverine explained. "He used to be some kind of pleasure program. We don't know what he is anymore. There was an accident an' he got chemically changed somehow. Too bad it didn't fix his sex drive. Gambit was right on the money, he was made fer fuckin' an' that's all he wants ta do. But it's gettin' outta hand. That boy don' know when ta quit. He was pawin' up one of the students and Chuck just blew it off."

Warren shook his head in confusion. "So what's he doing with Gambit? Don't tell me the two of them are involved...?"

"Naw. At least I don't think so. I hope not. That stupid 'gram ain't nuthin' but trouble. He's gonna get someone hurt. He's got powers he can't control, too. He's got a whole bunch of trouble he ain't even begun ta start. Best keep out of his way and let me keep watch. I'll get his books in order b'fore long, don't you worry," he promised and walked out.

"I see Logan hasn't changed much," Angel commented. It had been a while since he had been to the house.

"If you'd come around more often, you'd know that," Jean replied and gave him a quick squeeze.

Warren grinned, happy to feel included in this 'family' once more. It was good to be back. "Why don't we go to Harry's and you guys can catch me up?"

"Good idea," Scott agreed and they left, thinking on Kimble no more.