(Four)
Fallen left Henry's bedroom and made her way back out to the infirmary. She felt much better after having slept and she was now looking to see where Kimble had gone. She saw him with Beast in his office at the computer and relaxed. Satisfied he was in good hands, she went back to work taking care of the sick. She brought a basin of water to Valentin's bed. Like Bruce, he had fallen down hard and was barely hanging on. He was breathing in shallow, ragged gasps. Fallen looked into his eyes and was grateful she had come here first. Valentin, First general of the Clan and its fiercest warrior, was dying.
"Valentin?" she whispered softly.
He turned to look at her. His eyes were bruised and bloodshot as Bruce's had been and he was pale and drawn. Still he had a small playful smile for her. "My wife..."
Fallen returned his smile, her hatred of this man long gone. "Yes?"
"It's good...to see...you again," he rasped weakly, taking breaths in between his words.
Fallen moistened the rag in the basin of warm water and began to wash his face. "Henry says you're going to be fine."
"Liar..." he wheezed with a short coughing laugh. "I know I will be gone soon. My only shame is that it's not a warrior's death I shall have."
"It matters not. You will be buried with your sword. I'll see to it."
"Fair enough." He reached out and caught her wrist. "You know...I have...always loved you."
In your fashion, I suppose that would be accurate, Fallen thought to herself. "Yes. I love you, too."
Valentin laughed again, a little more hearty with a deeper cough. "Liar."
"I...I respected you."
"I'll take it, my pretty."
Fallen leaned down and kissed his lips, gentle with him there for the first time. She grasped his hand tightly and began to recite the Viking Death chant again. Valentin knew it well, he had been the one who taught it to her. They spoke the words together and then Valentin lay his head back to sleep. He slept raggedly for another hour before finally passing away. Fallen stayed beside him the whole time, not wanting him to pass on alone. Unlike Kimble, she didn't cry at his death but closed his eyes and covered him up, saying another soft prayer before calling to Henry.
Henry came, disappointed to have another body in his morgue. He prayed it would be the last.
(break)
Kimble slowly walked out to the flower field carrying his shovel and breathing in the lovely night air. It seemed like ages since he had been outside. The night was crisp and clear, a full moon shining down so brightly he had no trouble making his way along. Still, Kimble felt torn in two. He was happy to be allowed outside, but he was here only because Logan wanted him to help with burying the dead.
Logan walked in front of him, his head down as they towed a makeshift sled that held the bodies of the two Clansmen and one of the maids from the house. They were wrapped in fresh linen after Fallen had washed them clean. They would be buried in the field with the Morlocks.
Logan walked out into the field until he was satisfied and stopped, laying the sled down easy and taking a moment to catch his breath. He had kept as silent as always, but he was hurting as deeply as anyone else. Almost everyone at the house was sick and he was helpless to stop it. He felt the same frustration as Joseph, they were under attack, but this was one enemy he couldn't defend against.
"You start there, I'll start here," Logan growled, wanting only to get this over with.
Kimble nodded and started to dig. He concentrated, using his power to help him. He didn't have the feet to use this tool properly, but was able to get the job done. He dug his hole and then eased Bruce's body down into it. He couldn't help himself but pull the sheet back and look once more on the face of his old friend. It was true they had known each other long ago and in another lifetime, but Kimble respected all life and mourned the loss of any of it. He brushed some dirt from Bruce's cheek and ran his hands over his face, laying his head back gently. As he withdrew his hands, he slid the leather thong from Bruce's hair and kept it for himself. He made a small spike and used it as a knife to cut a lock of Bruce's rusty blonde hair, tying the leather thong around it.
He glanced up at Logan who had paused to watch him, but said nothing. He didn't believe Wolverine was capable of understanding his depth of emotion and so didn't bother to explain himself. He covered Bruce back up with the sheet and flew lightly up out of the hole. He then used his power again to push the dirt he had removed back in. It was easier to put the dirt back in than it was to take it out.
He gave Wolverine a hand in carrying Valentin into his grave. They were careful to place his huge broadsword neatly along his body as promised. They both looked up as Fallen dropped down from the sky next to them. She had been left in charge back at the Med lab, but she had to come out for this. She didn't say anything, only stood by quietly as Kimble used his power once more to finish filling the grave. She gave Kimble a squeeze and then slowly walked back the way she had come, her head down and low.
"This sucks," Kimble complained softly, not really whining.
"It sure does," Logan agreed, keeping his voice gentle. "It won't go unpunished."
Kimble looked up at him and met his eyes, sensing Wolverine's pain for the first time. Suddenly this man didn't seem so far apart from him as he had been only a minute ago. "I'll helps ya if I can," he whispered, hoping Logan would see his sincerity.
"I know ya will." Wolverine paused then moved away. "We got one more."
Kimble nodded and they buried the last one together, laying a large bunch of wild flowers down over the breast of the maid. She had been the one who came out here every morning and collected them for the vases of the house. Of all the possible places, this was the one she would have wanted most to be buried in. The two men worked in silence then made their way back to the house. Kimble took a quick shower and returned to work in the med bay only to learn that two more of the household staff had died.