(Seven)
Time passed quickly by with little change in Kimble's situation. One week bled into two and Gambit was fit to lose his mind. They had spent countless hours gaining little or no knowledge of Kimble's whereabouts, the Siskan was never once spotted outside of the building for them to nab him. At the same time, Kennedy saw nothing of Kimble at all in Cameron's public lower levels, it was like the pilot was a ghost. Kimble hadn't once tried to call and Remy just knew he must have been isolated somehow, he found it hard to believe Kimble would willingly walk away without trying to contact either him or Fallen. His greatest fear was that Kimble's memory had been somehow damaged during the melting and maybe he simply didn't remember the X-men at all. It didn't go along with what Anya had said, but that didn't mean it didn't happen. Gambit was willing to hang loose until Anya's two weeks passed and not panic. After that, he was going in no matter what the Professor or anyone else thought about it.
Remy's forays into the Morlock tunnels to find Jael's hideout were a wasted effort. Well, that wasn't exactly true. They now had a detailed map of the area, something Charles had always wanted, but never got around to doing. The Professor watched as Gambit walked silently into his office and dropped off the revised and updated map without saying a word. He knew why Gambit had gone and the pain in the eyes of his thief was enough for him to know the boy was suffering.
The Professor was busy, organizing his teams. Like Gambit, he was aware they were running out of time. If they were going by Anya's prediction, they now had only two days. Unlike Gambit, Charles wasn't so foolish as to go charging into Cameron's hideout - that man's lair had an unknown number of powerful mutants ready to defend him, it was too big of risk to take with so little information. Charles figured that if Kimble was going to a warehouse, they would set up there. He was already organizing his teams, who would go where.
It troubled the Professor not to include Logan in the teams, he was a core member and always valuable, but Anya had made it clear he shouldn't be allowed to go along. The Professor wanted to have all his bases covered and was taking no chances. It didn't escape his notice that the day Anya predicted Kimble would show up was the Fourth of July. There was sure to be lots of people around and fireworks going off all around. Perhaps this could be used to help cover their operation of things got too rowdy. He just prayed things wouldn't get too out of hand.
Fallen was quiet and sad these days, saying little as she continued work on Seth's codes. She applied herself to this end with silent desperation, fearing that she would never have Seth free from the system. Without Kimble as her go between, she felt isolated form Seth and it was breaking her heart. She didn't drop her drug use as Remy had suggested, but wasn't so stoned she couldn't work her shift on the rooftop observation of Cameron's building. Logan would growl at her with disapproval, but she just looked away not wanting to argue.
The time passed for Kimble as well. He wasn't settling in as well as Cameron had hoped, growing progressively worse over time as he found new ways to slack off. Kimble had quickly lost whatever residual interest he had in the academic classes, the pictures of dead Jews and mutilated mutants was more than he could bear. He also avoided Joshua whenever the albino came near, not wanting to hear about what a Channeler was or learning about swords. The thought of it filled him with a sick loathing it would take a miracle to overcome.
Having found a new source of entertainment, Kimble skipped class as much as possible and dragged Gail off with him. He had liberated her sexually and it wasn't difficult to distract her, she was a new person and blossoming under his care. Oh, what fun they were having. They snuck off everywhere, finding new places to hide off in. Broom closets, empty class rooms, other people's dorm rooms. Nowhere was safe from their playful invasions. They romped and played and romped some more. Kimble taught Gail a great many things and she was an eager student. No charm power was needed here, Gail followed him willingly. He made her feel loved and wanted. He made her feel pretty, something no one else had ever been able to do. It was working, she carried herself with a new grace and self confidence her fighting skills had been unable to give her. She was making up for lost time quickly, becoming quite the bold and adventurous lover.
While Kyle was happy for Gail, he was furious at Kimble's shameful behavior. He yelled at the pilot about missing his classes but was ignored. All of Kimble's teachers complained but Kimble just wasn't interested, he just didn't see what the big deal was or why he was even required to lean these horrible or boring lessons. In a bid to force the Siskan back into compliance, Kyle threatened to cancel the flying classes with him. All it did was make sure Kimble showed up for the classes he skipped. He arrived on time, but would sit at his desk and lay his head back with his eyes closed, giving up all pretense of caring.
At least the flying lessons were going well. Kimble had accepted the Evasion and Tactic class, seeing it more as playing games than actual fighting. They really did play a lot of fooling about in the class, playing chasing games and tag. It was lighthearted way of teaching serious things and was a hit with the whole group, not just Kimble. In this special class, Kimble was learning to evade an areal predator and how to sneak up into high, out of the way places. Kimble soaked it all up eagerly and was soon one of the best students in the class.
It wasn't all he was learning. Kimble was told repeatedly not to make the spikes in front of the others, but Kyle had found evidence that the pilot was sneaking off at night and practicing that as well. Kimble had stolen some Marksman's papers from Michael for shooting practice and Kyle found them scored with huge holes from spikes being tossed through. Kimble's aim was improving rapidly. Kyle confronted Kimble with it, countering that if he was so eager to learn a weapon, he should take up sword practice with Joshua. Kimble just laughed at him and adamantly refused as before. For whatever reason, Kimble didn't see them as the same thing.
It wasn't Kimble really. It was Zander who was teaching himself the spikes. Kimble was giving him more and more freedom when it came to his powers. Kimble would sit back and cruise while Zander fooled around and worked it all out, improving their skill with each new practice session. Whatever Zander learned, Kimble picked up just as quickly. All he had to do was access the files Zander made and memorize it all. Zander saw the Marksman's papers and stole them. Zander was the one who prompted them to sneak off and start working with the spikes, unsatisfied with Kyle's refusals. They would learn one way or the other. He was just as stubborn as Kimble when it came to things he wanted. Zander was only concerned with the weapons they could create themselves, anything else just didn't interest him. He was taking his training one step at a time. He wanted to learn it all, sure, but not all at once. They had only been here just a few days. He had no intention of letting Kimble screw this up for him, so what was the big deal if he waited on the swords and guns?
Kyle vented his frustration, but seemed to get nowhere. Making matters worse was Gail's behavior, too. Kyle was happy Gail and Kimble were getting along so well, but it was turning out to be a real problem. Now she was slacking off as well. Their little love affair was getting out of hand and Cameron demanded that Kyle take care of it. Kyle had no choice but to obey. He called Kimble into one of the offices that night for yet another chewing out.
Kimble cruised in smoothly, his teasing smile in place and his eyes shining. He had just left Gail after another nice romp and was a little buzzed from their passionate lovemaking. She matched him in endurance and he was finding her both a thrill and a challenge. He couldn't wait to have her again, she was so amazing. His spirits were soaring. He sat where Kyle told him to and put his feet up.
Kyle got right to the point. "I'm glad you and Gail are getting along so well, but your performance lately in class is inexcusable."
"Yer classes suck. I don' wants ta hear no more about hatin' an' killin'. I'm sick of it!" Kimble snapped arrogantly. He was in no mood for this, Kyle was spoiling his high.
"It's a fact of life. You promised to do as we asked. You're not holding up your end of the deal."
"You didn't say nuthin' 'bout havin' ta be so bored alla the time. You said we wuz gonna work on my powers. I don't want no stupid classes on hatin' an' I don't want no guns. It sucks!"
Kyle sighed. "You are acting like a child and so will be treated like one. You either show up for class on time tomorrow — and participate — or Gail gets a new roommate. That's final."
"You ain't separatin' us," Kimble said defiantly, standing up. "We ain't no kids!"
"Coulda fooled me, the way you've been acting. There are things you have to learn. Gail has responsibilities, too. Time to grow up."
Kimble was about to snarl something else but was interrupted from within. Hold up there, buddy, Zander said, grabbing his attention. Play time's over, Kim. This guy is serious.
"So what?" Kimble grumbled out loud. "I'm serious, too. I likes Gail. Nobody's gonna takes her away from me."
Kyle shook his head in irritation. This was happening more and more as well. Kimble would blank out in the middle of a conversation to listen to one of his two little friends, Zander and Lakotashay. It happened most often when he was stressed out or frustrated as he was now. Cameron had said Kimble was supposedly already like this before he was melted, but Kyle had his doubts. Kimble's condition was worsening, sometimes he spoke for all of them out loud. It was creepy and Kyle hated it. All those voices coming out of the same mouth like a crowded party line, it was sickening and sad. Kimble was seriously ill mentally and Cameron did nothing but sit back and exploit it.
Cameron had learned early on Zander was the one most interested in training. When Kimble got out of hand, Cameron would actually draw Zander out and speak to him, demanding Zander take some control of the Lover and get him back in line. It worked well enough that Kyle found himself doing it himself even though it made him queasy.
"Kimble -" Kyle started to say, but was cut off.
"Shut up! I kin handles this!" Zander snapped, making Kyle back up a step. "He ain't listenin' ta you nohow."
In spite of his misgivings about allowing it, Kyle had come to appreciate Zander's interventions over time. Zander seemed to understand rules and wanted the most to learn. He worked the hardest at shield making and wanted to learn the weapons, something that increased his value. Knowing this, Kyle now believed that Zander had to be the one sneaking off to learn the spikes, but was more concerned about keeping Kimble on track then punishing Zander for his enthusiasm. Zander seemed to know the things to say to get Kimble to work. Kimble was too light hearted and easily distracted by things like sex and Gail and fooling around. Zander was gruff and angry, but he seemed to be the boss of Kimble. He could get the Lover to listen.
"What?" Kimble whined sharply. "This sucks!"
Zander argued back. "We gots ta learn, gots ta train! I'm sick of yer shit an' I'm sick of havin' ta slap ya back in line. What's it gonna takes ta make ya git yer act straight, huh? If gittin' rid of Gail is the only way ta gits ya ta listen then I'm all for it. Let's do it right now. I kin makes it happen!"
"Easy, Zander," Kyle said. "No need to get all rowdy."
"I ain't gonna hurt nobody, it's just that the boy don't listen!"
"None of yous understands!" Kimble complained, spitting in his rage. "Yer classes is all about people hurtin' themselves an' it makes me all sick inside. Gail makes me fergit all that. She makes all the hurtin' go away. Alls my other friends're gone, you won' ever let me calls them on the phone thoughs I cain't understand why. She's the only thing decent here!" Kimble whimpered and shivered as he started to cry from all the frustration welling up inside of him.
"Stupid crybaby, Lover," Lakotashay said next. "We don' needs no girl nohow. Fuck 'em. Let's just go to the Orange Room. Plenty of good luvin' there."
Kyle shuddered. Kimble's three fractured selves were powerful and distinct, each in their own way. There was Kimble, the good hearted Lover, Zander the Punisher who only wanted to train and learn and this one, Lakotashay, the little monster child. This one Kyle disliked intensely. She was so creepy with her soft child's voice. It did nothing to hide her cunning and manipulative ways. Her voice didn't match this grown man's body and it was disturbing unlike anything Kyle had ever witnessed before. There was cruelty hidden in there although so far she had done nothing violent. It was like a hint of things to come. She was selfish and always driving Kimble away from things he loved. Kyle often heard her trying to get Kimble to leave Gail behind as used goods but Kimble was stubborn. He withheld himself from the Club, wanting only Gail now, until 'Shay drove him to madness with her clamoring for the Orange Room.
Kyle had spent almost two weeks now watching the three of them the bickering with horrified bewilderment. He had never seen anything like this and just didn't know how to deal with it. He almost wished for an X-man or two to show up so he could talk to them and figure out this puzzle. He needed to know how they handled Kimble and where they went wrong. He was floundering on his own.
"I likes Gail an' I don' wants her ta leave," Kimble said softly, ignoring the words of his internal sister. He had gotten better at tuning her out over time.
"Then do as you're told and she can stay," Kyle said firmly, hoping to get the last word in here. "This doesn't have to be as difficult as you're making it."
Kimble nodded, miserable now. He was so sick of those words. He had heard them at Xavier's and he was hearing them again here. His head drooped and his wings slumped, falling back into that posture of aching misery that he seemed unable to escape from. His high was gone, his good spirits evaporating.
He stood up and started to shuffle out. Kyle reached for him but he jerked away with a hiss. "Don't touch us!" 'Shay snarled. "You broked the Lover down good. You gots what ya wanted. Now leaves us alone!"
Kyle recoiled from that hateful voice and let the pilot walk out undisturbed. Kyle was shaking, he just couldn't help it. There was such malice and cruelty there. He feared what would happen if she ever got as much control as Kimble had now. The Lover was dominant, out nighty-five percent of the time. Kyle had no doubt that could change. He covered his face and shook his head. What had he let Cameron involve him in?
(break)
Kimble dragged his feet down the hall with his head low and his wings slumped. He went to his room and found Gail there. He said nothing to her at first, but slowly crawled into her bed and buried himself in her arms. She held him tightly, concerned. She could see he had been crying.
"What's wrong, baby?" she asked.
"Kyle sez we gots ta be good. I gots ta go ta class and do all the crap he sez or he's gonna takes you away from me."
"I'm not going anywhere - not without a fight anyways," she soothed. "But we have been bad. Let's just chill out for a while. Cam and Kyle will cool off and it'll be all right. Okay?"
Kimble nodded, but he wasn't happy. He snuggled down against her and lay quiet until they fell asleep. He slept restlessly, whimpering, until she woke and calmed him. He pushed against her and she laughed, happy to take him in, and they made love nice and easy. It never failed to make him smile. Afterwards, he would always shower her with vibrations of happiness and love she could physically feel. She had come to enjoy these vibrations he gave off, they were warm and comforting and made her feel valued and important, something she had been sorely lacking. She petted him gently him and this time he fell deeply asleep, forgetting about his pain and the things he must do.