(Eleven)

Cameron's office was huge, a suite unto itself. It was a corner office and had two huge windows looking out at the bright lights of the city. Another wall was covered in television cameras giving full view of the Club and its many floors. A full sized bathroom was off to the back and Kimble could see an open door leading off to a large meeting room as well. Cameron himself sat behind a humongous oak desk, his feet up to the blotter, a cigar burning merrily in a brass ashtray. He beamed a magnificent, toothy smile and rose to greet his new arrival. "At last. What a treat to finally meet you."

"You wuz expectin' me?" Kimble asked, confused and a little frightened.

"Of course. I have an advisor with the Sight. It was your destiny to join us. What a thrill to have you here." He gave Kimble a snug embrace, squeezing him and letting Kimble touch him.

Kimble couldn't help but be warmed by this man's enthusiasm. It was in sharp contrast to all the rejection he had been getting lately. Even the Professor hadn't embraced him like this. He sat Kimble down in a large comfortable leather chair and asked him many questions, mostly about his life on Siska and his time spent with the X-men. It didn't take him long to see Kimble hadn't been happy there.

"Do you have any idea why you didn't fit in there?"

"Not really. Guess they don't like me cuz I likes fuckin' so much."

Cameron was unfazed by his candor, in fact, he chuckled a little at his honesty. "I know why you didn't fit in and it had nothing to do about sex. You're different, special. Some people fear that, but I don't. I can look right at you and see the potential there just waiting to be discovered and used. Tell me, what is it you want to do with your life?"

"I dunno. Have some fun, I guess. Make other folks feel good along the way."

"What did they want you to do?"

"Be quiet. Stays outta trouble."

"To do nothing?"

"Felt like it, sometimes. They wanted me ta be real still. Not make a sound. They wuz chokin' me," he ended softly, turning his eyes away.

"Well, I don't want you to be quiet, Kimble. I want to hear you roar with the rush of your power. I'd like to help you discover just how powerful you are and what you can do with that power. Sound good to you?"

"Shure, but I cain't stay here. I needs the Ristle ta stay alive."

"Yes, of course. You need energy on which to feed. Leon can provide that for you. You can use the plasma?"

Kimble shivered a little, remembering how wonderful the plasma was. "Yeah, I kin use it. But Leon don' likes me cuz I likes ta take my pleasure with guys. He thinks it's bad when it ain't."

Kyle was a little surprised by Kimble's statement. He thought Kimble had been too tripped out to remember what Leon had said. He hoped there wasn't going to be some kind of ugly tension between those two. It would be sure to cause problems.

"Don't trouble yourself about Leon, son. He was abused when he was very young. It's difficult for him to understand love in its many forms. He is working hard on it. I have such high hopes for him. Perhaps when he sees you're harmless, he'll see he has nothing to fear."

"I kin helps him?"

"Perhaps. Would you like that?"

"I likes ta help people."

"Good. Stay here with us, then. We will train you and you can work for us. In return, we will feed you and give you unlimited access to this club."

Kimble's eyes brightened. "I kin come here whenever I wants?"

"When your work is done, yes. Will you stay?"

Kimble was quiet as he considered his response. He moved away and walked up to one of the big corner windows and looked out at the night. He bowed his head down and held his hands to his chin, the perfect picture of contemplation. The two men watched him, but let him think in peace. Cameron really had no idea what he was asking. If Kimble were to stay, he would be giving up a lot. His family, Remy. These people were not so easily left behind. He had to really think about this. He turned his inner eye to the circle of light in the Black Room of his mind.

"What should I do?" he found himself asking the others. He simply had nowhere else to turn for guidance.

"This could be good fer us," Zander growled, deep and low. "I'll jus' bet they'll teach us how ta fight. You gots the Club, all the fuckin' ya want. What could be better?"

"Remy loves me. He'll be sad if don't come home."

"They wants us," Lakotashay replied in her tiny child's voice. "Remy don' of them X guys did."

"Remy wants us. Jus' not like that," Kimble insisted.

Kyle stood dumbstruck. Kimble has spoken his words aloud - all of them. He was holding a three way conversation and having a grand old time by himself with no clue of what he was doing. He was so lost in his conversation, that he hadn't realized he was speaking aloud. He was very quiet, not all of his words could be heard. The three voices were distinctive enough, though. His memories were as files and the three voices unique and varied. There was the Quitter's tiny childish whisper, the soft spoken Lover, and the deep gravel of the Punisher.

Kyle started to respond, shocked by what he was witnessing, but Cameron raised a finger to silence him. He seemed to be aware that Kimble was having a private discussion and not really talking to them. Kimble was quite still, his lips moving quickly as he debated softly in the three voices, unaware that the barriers between the three selves had been so melted away, he was speaking for all of them and could be heard and observed.

Kyle's eyes were open wide. This was just too creepy. He cocked his head and tried to make out what was being said, but the voices were just too soft. He looked at Cameron, alarmed, but his boss was watching Kimble intently with predatory eyes. Once more Kyle was sure Cameron knew more than he was letting on and it pissed him off. This was just too unfair. How could he be expected to handle Kimble without getting all of the facts?

"We should be where somebody wants us," 'Shay insisted, wanting to be heard.

"We hafta train, Kim," Zander pushed. "Let's stay. We kin jus' leave if we hates it."

"All right," Kimble said, his own desire for acceptance and a real home too strong to be ignored.

Kimble stepped away from the window and looked up at Cameron. "I wants ta stay but I gots ta call home. They's gonna be lookin' fer me."

"No problem," Cameron lied smoothly. He shot a look to Kyle that's message was all too clear. This was not going to happen and Kyle would have to see to it. Kyle nodded numbly, unhappy.

Kimble smiled. "Well, all right then. Guess I'll stick around a while."

"Good. Now I've got someone I'd like you to meet."

They made for the door. Kyle grabbed for Cameron's arm to take him aside, but the older man just shushed him. "We will talk later my friend, have no worry. I am glad you changed your mind and will look after our guest." He just smiled indulgently when Kyle shot him a look of anger. They had not discussed this. Cameron just knew. It pissed Kyle off, he hated to be seen as predictable.

"If you keep hiding things from me, I'm out of here," he hissed, keeping his voice low so Kimble wouldn't hear. The pilot was too busy checking out his new surroundings and paid them no mind.

"Don't worry. We'll have a little meeting after you get Kimble settled in. Now I want him to see Joshua. I can't wait to see what Joshua has to say about him."