(Four)

Anya turned and looked at Wolverine. "You of all people should know what it means to be broken. Besides, you asked me what I See and I have answered you. He is not human, not even flesh, yet you question his ability to break. You've been left more than once on the highway when your bike broke down. I seem to recall that's how we met."

Logan laughed at her reference to the past, but did not believe. "He ain't a bike, Anya."

"But he is a machine, yes?"

Wolverine simply glared at her benevolently, not quite ready to admit she had a point. "Yeah, he's a machine."

Gambit lowered his eyes, grumbling inwardly. He disliked this, a conversation where Kimble was discussed like a piece of hardware, a computer gone nuts. Kimble would never be less than real to him, it was impossible. Thing was, he had no room to argue, so he swallowed it, the hurt and the anger.

Anya seemed to sense it and her voice was gentle as she turned back to speak to him. She was careful to speak of Kimble in more human terms as she said, "Your friend, he is a machine. One that was damaged, just as Logan once wrecked his bike. Logan walked away, but the bike didn't. This is the same with Kimble as well. He is more than one person, has been since before this wreck, though I don't think he even knows it. The wreck, or this melting, only made it worse. It will bring those persons out into the open."

Fallen shook her head. "I've known Kimble the longest and I've never seen this. There must be some mistake. If he's acting this way, it's only to get attention. He knows how to manipulate people to get what he wants."

"Got that right," Wolverine grumbled, thinking of Kimble's sometimes childish behavior back on the ship.

Remy shook his head again, feeling the beginnings of headache form behind his eyes. Since the file sharing with Kimble he was increasingly sensitive to the emotions of other people, becoming more than just a low level empath himself. He was trying to learn how to shut out the emotional vibrations of those around him, but he was just a little stressed this morning. He didn't like what he was feeling from the others. "Kimble wouldn't screw around. Not like dis."

Anya's hand touched his own. "I assure all of you he is not. He is three people, not just three sides of one man. Not all of these people are equal in strength and the Lover is the most at risk. The Punisher, he protects and is the body's will to survive. But the Quitter, well, she is the most powerful and the most stubborn. She craves only her own death and will cause much pain and suffering until she finally finds it. She is capable of the greatest evil and the most damage to others. She will do some horrible things, I think, if she is allowed to take the Lover's place and has control of the body."

"Then we should take Kimble down," Wolverine reasoned, unable to hide a certain 'I told you so' tone to his voice. Even if this was all bullshit, he wouldn't allow Fallen's runaway broken machine to hurt anyone else.

Anya shook her head in swift negation. "No. The Lover has work to do and must be allowed to do it, even if he doesn't wish it."

"Quoi?" Remy interrupted. "What work?"

Anya locked him with her eyes, demanding his attention and complete understanding. "His angel. It is important that he be the one to find her. If the Quitter finds her, the angel will become as corrupted as the Quitter herself."

Remy vaguely remembered Kimble saying something about an angel coming to him. It was when Kimble had been stabbed on the Lucky Dragon and almost died. He claimed to have had a vision of his father, Sheyman. Sheyman told him an angel would come and Kimble would have some kind of job to do. Kimble's claims didn't exactly go against what Anya was saying now, but Remy needed more. "Dis angel? She a girl?"

"She is a great power, and the ultimate prize. She is the one the players are all really looking for, not your friend. The Lover must find her and become her Guardian. This is his place, what he has been destined to do. The ones who have him now care not which of the three finds the angel, only that one of them does so they can take it and use it for themselves. Whoever controls the Guardians, controls the power, understand?"

Gambit chuckled and shook his head. "Non, but dat's all right. We go find Kimble, bring 'im 'ome. 'E find 'is angel and we all done, neh? Simple."

She laughed at him. "You two are very much alike. This is why he loves you."

"P'etetre, he jus' know class when 'e see it."

"Yes, perhaps this is so," she agreed, her eyes merry.

"What do ya mean by Guardians?" Wolverine complained, interrupting. He had no patience for joking around. He thought all this was way over the top and was unhappy how Remy was buying into this so completely. Of course he had brought the Cajun here and Anya hadn't steered him wrong yet. As much as he disliked this, Wolverine was being forced to swallow it. He just wished more of this made sense and that Anya would just spell out what was going on. "You sayin' there's more'n one Kimble machine out there?"

"I see many Guardians, many angels. All pieces of a larger puzzle yet to be discovered."

Logan groaned inwardly. This was becoming more complicated than he liked. "Well, ain't that just peachy. So you gonna say where Kim's at?"

She regarded him with her dark green eyes, not the least bit put off by his impatience, she had known him far too long. "In two weeks' time he'll be down at Dockside on the full moon. First pier, the warehouse with the broken window second from the right," she answered, being very specific for the first time, a response to the direct question. She went on to advise, "You should avoid going there, Old One. Leave him alone. If you choose to seek him out, you must be very careful. You will find him there and when you do, beware of your anger. You have always been full of secrets and he will steal one from you, this I can See. Whatever this one learns, don't let it come between you. Perhaps then, you can have him if you are clever enough."

"What are ya talkin' about?"

"Crazy John," she whispered softly.

Logan jerked up straight as if he had had ice water splashed in his face and stepped back, clearly understanding the reference. He hadn't expected this to get turned around on him and he snarled, clenching his fists. "You hold yer tongue, woman!"

Remy's head snapped around in surprise. Yeah, Wolverine was gruff and not always so polite, but this was the first time he had seen such rudeness from Logan to someone much older and supposedly much wiser than himself. The reaction was defensive and the tension in the room skyrocketed, only adding to Gambit's growing headache. Still Remy was quiet, watchful as ever, waiting for this to get played out.

Where most folks might have backed down at the sight of a bristling Wolverine, Anya held her place. "No. You hold yours when he sees what you've hidden. You will bring the Quitter to the fore and blood will cover her hands. Her blood will be your blood. You can try to stop it, but I think you will fail. There is much anger in you and it will make you reckless. You will open the cage that holds the Quitter back and the Lover may perish."

Gambit shook his head in a useless denial. He had no idea who Crazy John was or why Logan should be so afraid. I mean, that's what this was, right? Gambit had never seen the look in Logan's eyes that he saw now. Logan was terrified and furious all at once. "What does Logan 'ave to do wit dis Crazy John? Why is dis secret gonna kill my Kimble? What are you sayin'?"

Logan was no longer interested in continuing this conversation. He turned suddenly and walked out, slamming the front door behind him.

"Beware the Quitter," Anya continued as if she had expected Logan's reaction. She didn't answer Gambit's questions, but went on to say, "The Quitter has the strongest will and could kill your Lover if he becomes so devastated he chooses to allow her to do so. Logan's secret has something to do with the Lover. It is not clear to me, but it's the reason they dislike each other so. The Lover will see it and be crushed by it. The Quitter will take advantage of this to gain control. The Punisher may not stop her if he sees the Lover as an impediment to his goals."

"An 'is goals?"

"He wants his power to grow. He has been charged with the duty of learning his role as protector and takes it very seriously. If your Old One should fail to bring your Lover home, I fear an alliance between the Punisher and the Quitter. It could destroy the Lover and your pilot will become a twisted thing of evil, a weapon used by others to cause much pain and suffering. I must advise against you seeking him out. It would be better if you just let him go for a time."

Remy looked down at his hands, willing her statements to be ones of symbolism and not of actual facts. He just couldn't fight the fact that he sensed on every level she was telling the truth and being very, very literal. "Gambit can't do dat, chere. He all alone. He need me."

"Then leave Logan behind and try on your own. Perhaps the Lover will see your efforts and it will speed him on his way back to you. If you do get him back, you'll have quite the fight. The Quitter won't give up her bid for control easily. Perhaps you could wear her down with enough persistence."

"How we goan' wear dis Quitter down?"

"With lots of patience, love, understanding and ...chocolate?" she asked at the end with another laugh.

Gambit smiled at her, amused and awed by her intuition. "You a smart girl, chere."

"Yes. That I am. Have no fear, young man. I see your will is strong. Your love will not fail the Lover and you'll find what you seek as long as you never give up."

"Gambit ain't givin' up. Not on dis one."

"Do not fail. The angel is the key. This is only the first step in the Game, but it is the most important. There is a coming battle that will span years, a tug of war that has already begun with Jael, but won't end for some time. You have chosen the right side. Don't lose that wonderful sense of adventure you have," she said with a smile. "What a fine Game this will be. Old enemies will become your greatest allies and surprises come around every corner, but I think you will win. Yes, if you play this first move correctly."

Jus' like every other adventure in our lives, Remy thought wryly to himself. Another day, another dollar around here. "You sure know how to make a boy feel important."

She grinned at him indulgently. "It was your destiny to be here, to find the Lover and become his brother. Don't be fearful of him, he means you no harm. If you succeed in your rescue, he will be your greatest friend and the Punisher your strongest weapon. It's the Quitter you'll have to endure, but the Lover and the Punisher wish only for life. Use them and they will help you."

Anya looked at Fallen. The pilot had been quiet all this time, not really feeling part of this anymore. It was as if they were talking about a stranger. She had known Kimble for years, yet none of this made any sense.

Anya touched her hands. "You brought this one out of darkness and gave him life. Don't feel bad if it seems as though he is gone from you. It's all part of destiny, these parts we play. You've done what you were meant to do and now your job is done. Let him go, save his brother. He will have need of him when he returns. Please, give me some time with Remy. I'll just need a few minutes."

Fallen nodded and rose. She thanked Anya for the tea and left, her shoulders as low as Kimble's had been. Remy watched her go, his heart breaking for her a little. He looked back at the old woman, uncertain what was coming next.

Anya spread out the pictures again. She lightly brushed the lines of Remy's face that the Lover had drawn. "The Lover may be lost for a time, but perhaps he could be awakened. It will take great love and courage to save him from the Quitter. It might be you who does this, or perhaps someone else. That part is closed to me. But I can say this. Your love for each other...this is your greatest tool. You will be the one most likely to succeed in recovering the Lover if the body is returned to you. It won't be easy. The Quitter will do some horrible, horrible things in order to bring about her own destruction. Don't give up on your Lover because of her. Don't turn him away."

Anya pawed at the drawing again, at the intimacy portrayed there. "The Lover must be the one to find the angel, that is the key to winning your small piece of the Game. You must be brave and use whatever weapons you have to, to bring the Lover out and make him strong enough to hold the Quitter at bay so he can do what must be done. Do not fear his love, his desire...use it to help you. If this should come to pass.." she hesitated, using a finger to emphasize the intimacy in Kimble's drawing, "...it will only make you stronger and your bond will save your friend. It won't stop you from getting that which you most desire...your wife and kids. In fact, I think he just might help you find them."

Remy shivered, not accustomed to listening to old women speak of unconventional sex so boldly. He now knew why she had dismissed Fallen. He decided to respond as plainly as she had and lay his hand over hers as she continued to stroke his face on the paper. " 'E ask me for dis, I say non."

"Maybe the next time, it will be you who asks."

Gambit laughed and stood up, growing more uncomfortable by the minute. He seriously doubted he would ever be so tempted, even by Kimble, but just the same, didn't like the way this was heading. "Merci, for all your 'elp, chere, an' for de tea. C'est bon. It's as good as you say."

She gathered his drawings and gave them back with a smile. "I like you. It feels good to laugh, even if it is at your expense." She wouldn't let him leave until she had given him a small bag full of tea and a big hug. "Relax, young man. This old woman sees only much happiness for you, even through the dark times. Your laugh is your strongest asset. Too bad the Old One doesn't share this."

"Oui. I been workin' on dat, y' know? 'E don't make it easy."

She gave him another squeeze. "Keep trying. It's for his own good."

Gambit laughed, making her smile again. "Dat's a promise."

He gave her a kiss, thanked her again for the tea and left. He walked down her broken front porch feeling a little giddy. Anya's words had made him feel better about the future, even if he didn't buy into everything she had said. The thought of Kimble's return and the chance at a real life with a wife and all the trimmings cheered him. He decided not to dwell on her prediction of Kimble's possible destruction. He was confident that they could bring Kimble back from the warehouse. They had the upper hand with the power of foreknowledge. It wasn't the first time a premonition was used to help the X-men get out of scrap and that's all this was, just another scrap. As long as he could think of it that way, he could keep his heart from breaking. Kimble would not be lost to him, he promised.

He walked back to the Jeep. Both Fallen and Logan sat quiet, hunched down in their seats. Logan's anger smouldered, his eyes closed as he smoked a cigarette, trying to calm down. Whatever Anya had known about spooked him badly and he was retreating now, shutting down any plans Gambit may have had for asking him what she'd been talking about. Just the look on his face was enough to burst Remy's bubble a little. Maybe he shouldn't be so optimistic. He would be sure to start bugging Logan about his little secret at his earliest convenience, that was for sure.

Remy got into the driver's seat and drove them back to the house, thoughtful himself. They would report in and see if the others had turned up anything. Gambit's mind wandered wistfully as he drove. He hoped with all of his heart that Kimble was okay. It was a good thing he was, by nature, optimistic. He couldn't imagine what his friend had gone through last night.