(Three)

A couple of days later, after the dust had settled and repairs were already under way, Seth walked into the War Room. He had knocked softly knowing Logan was there, but the man pretty much ignored him. Wolverine sat in the back of the room, in a space set aside as a security station. He was seated in front of a long row of video monitors, most showing various views of the house and grounds. Since the attack he had hardly left this station, he was making notes on how to improve security and was careful to make sure the remnants of the bounty hunters didn't try to return for a second wave. So far it was all clear, but he was watching all of the screens carefully. At the moment, Wolverine had his eyes on one screen in particular, one that showed Kimble sunning himself up on the widow's peak.

It had only been two days since the discovery of Kimble's being able to charge from the sun. The pilot had been allowed to go there to sun himself twice a day and recharge under strict supervision. No one was inclined to let Kimble stray from the house and the peak was easily watched from the sky as well as from the grounds. There was a guard up there, just out of sight of the monitor, Kimble was never left alone. He still had his tracking bracelets on and there was a corresponding blip on the screen below the monitor showing they were still activated against the house markers. Kimble was allowed out to charge for a couple of hours twice a day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. It was morning now and close to the end of Kimble's session. Logan was nervous the whole time the pilot was exposed like this, he was still concerned about any remaining bounty hunters lingering nearby.

Seth walked up to Logan cleared his throat, trying to get his attention.

"I heard ya comin' in, kid. Whatcha want?" Wolverine said gruffly, not even looking at him.

"Excuse me, sir. I've got the file you requested."

Logan turned in the swivel chair and held out his hand. He saw the momentary hesitation in Seth's eyes and the determination curling the corners of his mouth. He knew Seth was still slightly afraid of him after all the violence the poor Siskan had witnessed, but was trying really hard to get over it. Zander had brought Seth down to the safety of the Danger Room as ordered but the attack on the house still had Seth quite shaken. He had hid out for most of the past few days, doing his work on the Lucky Dragon where he felt safer and had only now just been coming out. Wolverine knew his gruff manner wasn't helping at the moment so he gave the pilot a small, reassuring smile.

Seth was a little more at ease as he waited patiently while Logan took the folder and flipped through it quickly. It didn't take long for Logan to see what he had already suspected. Sabretooth had never made it to the SHIELD maximum security prison.

Wolverine had made good use of Seth's talents and often sent the Siskan out for information. Logan had learned that just this morning there had been a serious attempt by Jael to rescue his compatriots imprisoned in one of Fury's large facilities, Jael wanted his top three guys back and had squandered even more resources to that fruitless end. He had sent a large band of mutants out to demolish the site, not counting on Nick Fury's planning ahead. Fury had his own mutant squads in the service of the United States government, mutants just as powerful as those sent by Jael. The clash had been loud and caught mostly on tape for public viewing afterwards. Jael's team got spanked, locked up, and was now out of commission. Jael had failed on national televison no less - how embarrassing - and he had suffered severe losses. This would set the terrorist back more seriously than losing his Morlock tunnel lair, Logan assumed hopefully. Things might quiet down for a long time to come.

In the media frenzy of Jael's misfortunate attempt to free his followers, something had caught Logan's attention. Some of the most notorious killers' names in the facility Jael had attacked had been mentioned for hype and one was conspicuously missing. There was no way Fury would've had Sabretooth executed this early, there were steps that had to be followed, hearings made. His half brother hadn't escaped, that would have been major news. No, the guy had simply done a fade, one that was probably illegal and likely against his will. Some shadow agency had come along, pulled a deal with the government behind Fury's back, and snapped him up, no doubt wanting the assassination skills he possessed. Noting the change he had seen in Creed, Logan almost felt sorry for the guy. Whatever good Kimble had done was sure to be blasted away. Creed had fallen off the face of the earth, sure to show up again at the least opportune time

Logan looked up at Seth who was still there. "Thanks, kid. You did a great job," he said, trying to sound encouraging. Seth was a lot like Kimble in that he thrived on being thanked and appreciated, but unlike Kimble, Seth's easy going and submissive manner made him far more welcome. While Logan would never apologize for his actions, he was determined not to mishandle him like he had Kimble.

"You're welcome," Seth replied and bowed slightly before leaving.

Logan snickered softly and turned back to the viewing screens.

Wolverine had come to truly appreciate Seth's skills as a hacker. He was quite good at breaking into top secret systems undetected and waltzing out with whatever Logan had asked him to retrieve. This file had been buried deep in the government's massive main frame, but Logan just knew it was there. Wolverine wasn't so stupid as to think someone wouldn't try to pull something like this.

Wolverine challenged Seth to find his proof, another little play in the game that had started between them. As good a thief Remy was on the outside with a reputation to maintain, so Seth had become an electronic one with the same desire to be the best. So far, everything Wolverine had sent him to find, Seth had been able to discover in time.

Logan's concern here was security. The bounty was still active on Kimble in spite of all the losses on the side of the bad guys and he knew they would all have to remain on their toes for some time to come. Since that last big attack, he had gleefully spent a good chunk of Charles' money on enhanced security systems and defenses. His black market connections had come in handy. Several machine guns and rocket launchers lay tucked away in their cases, oiled with loving care alongside some Tasers and canisters of knock out gas. He had also stocked up the reserve food supply and upgraded the water filtrations systems. He had set ups designed that isolated them from the City main water and power supplies so they could never be tampered with. The house might look normal, but it was really a fortress just waiting to be tested. They hadn't had their first big challenge yet since the upgrades, but he knew it wouldn't be long in coming.

Logan continued to watch Seth's brother as he sunned himself on the widow's peak. He caught a glimpse of something in the background and noticed Karen lingering in the doorway leading up to the peak, watching the pilot as well. He was aggravated by her determination to speak with Kimble. He knew it was her job, but Kimble was just too dangerous and unpredictable. He was even more concerned now that Kimble was snapping out of his dementia and becoming stronger.

Wolverine got out of his chair and stretched. He made the excuse that he was done here, but was sure to make his way up through the house and look in on Karen and Kimble just the same.

(break)

Karen watched Kimble as he sunned himself on the widow's peak. His personal escort was here and watchful. It was Max today, only the telekinetics were allowed to watch over the Siskan. They were most likely able to control him and they could fly after him if he tried to take off. They boy was seated in the corner of the peak, playing merrily away on the Game Boy Gambit had given him, his face all concentration and frustration, he wasn't winning. One wing was splinted and bandaged, a couple of the small bones had been broken from Marcus, but he would soon be on the mend. It was just as well he didn't need his wings to fly, it wouldn't keep him from helping out with Remy's wayward Siskan.

Karen looked the pilot over from her covert position and figured it must be the Lover still in control of the body at this moment because his hair was neatly tied back as it had been in the data files she had from before he had left. He was also topless, something 'Shay almost never was. Lin wouldn't have been so comfortable out here in the open without his shroud, either. The pilot was sitting on the railing, warming himself with his wings fanned out, his eyes half closed and the tiniest of smiles on his lips.

Kimble was indeed the happiest he had been in a while. He had managed his journey up through the house from the lower levels without incident, avoiding the rooms where there might be cats. Ever since that last incident, he wouldn't go near any of the Professor's numerous felines.

He had been up here on the widow's peak for a while and was warm and comfortable, content. The damage to his face and neck had faded considerably over the past couple of days as he had absorbed the sun's plasma. He was almost healed now and even feeling zippy enough to consider asking Max if he could take a quick buzz around the perimeter of the house. It hadn't taken that long for him to recharge.

He looked up at Karen as she came out onto the peak and smiled timidly. He saw her beautiful red hair and tore his eyes away, swallowing heavily with his head down. He still had his weakness for redheads, but she would have been beautiful to him anyway. Her shine spoke of life and happiness, things that seemed so far away from his poor shattered mind. He was lonely now with Gambit gone and could use some sort of distraction, but simply didn't trust himself or the others to behave. He shifted uncomfortably away from her when she sat next to him on the railing, not wanting her to get too close.

If she touches you I'll pitch her right off this roof! Lakotashay warned from deep inside, justifying Kimble's concerns. She was all put out that Kimble was reviving, even more so by his attraction to this female. Anything that inspired him to live was dangerous.

'Shay ain't gonna do nuthin', Zander promised him. She cain't always have 'er stupid way alla the time. Knock yerself out kid. This one's real fine.

Kimble didn't want any of this and kept his eyes down, hoping Karen would just go away. No such luck. She smiled at him and came closer.

"Hello, there. My name is Karen. I don't know if you remember, but we met before." She offered him her hand. She was satisfied this was indeed the Kimble personality since he didn't immediately spit insults at her in that ugly high pitched girlish voice of 'Shay's. That one she had come to despise. Kimble she was interested in most, this was the personality Remy was fighting for, the one had been trying the most to reach after that mess with the Professor's cat. Though she and Kimble had spoken before briefly, it wasn't enough for her to get to know the Lover well. She was hoping to change that now.

Kimble shook her hand and released it quickly, breaking the contact as fast as he could before 'Shay did anything stupid. He was painfully aware of Karen's heat and bright healthy shine. "M' name's Kimble."

"Yes, I know. I've been watching you for some time now. The Professor brought me here to look after Molly, but he also wanted me to be here for you if you needed someone to talk to," she offered, hoping to set him at ease. She could see he was being very nervous and shy.

"Molly?" Kimble asked, wanting only to direct the conversation away from himself.

"She's the young lady who works in Henry's lab now."

"The one what makes such good coffee."

Karen smiled. "Yes, that's the one."

"She's real nice," Kimble commented.

"Yes she is. She's taken quite an interest in you. She made your shirts."

"Really? That wuz real nice. How come she cain't talk?"

"She doesn't have vocal chords like you and me. They were damaged as a small child. She talks with her hands instead. I can teach you if you like."

"All right," Kimble said, just being polite. He recalled little or nothing of Lin's failed attempts to learn, so much of the past weeks was lost in the fog. He had noticed Molly about, Seth had even whispered to him something about Remy having an interest in her. He found her pretty, liking her even before he had been told that she had made the special shirts he had worn. He didn't need them so much now, a good enough charge kept him warm in the house without them. At the moment, he was physically as close to normal as he had ever been.

Karen smiled at him for accepting her offer to learn how to sign and he noted her happiness. He felt awkward and uncomfortable with this beautiful woman so close and wanted only to leave. He could feel Lakotashay getting antsy.

He turned sharply when he heard Logan come out onto the widow's peak. Logan growled a greeting to Karen and stood behind her. He was following her, knowing she had come up here to see Kimble. He wasn't about to let Lakotashay bully his woman anymore. When he saw it was in fact Kimble this time, the Lover, he put an arm around her possessively and gave Kimble a look that carried a message that was all too clear. This one's mine.

Kimble levitated from his seat on the rail, drifting back to the floor of the peak and away from Logan's woman. He flapped his wings to stretch, keeping his eyes down submissively. He figured retreat was better than letting 'Shay take over, he was stronger now with the sun feeding him and wanted to maintain his control. The longer he was here, the easier that would be. "I gots ta go now," he said, turning away. His earlier desire to fly had vanished, he only wanted to go inside and find a place to curl up and sleep. Preferably somewhere Karen and Logan with his bright ugly shine couldn't follow.

"When you're ready to learn how to sign, I'll be around." Karen's voice carried an edge of irritation. Kimble's behavior clearly showed he was intimidated by Wolverine and now he was leaving. She had hoped to keep him talking.

Kimble nodded without committing to anything and nodded towards the door, alerting Max, and they left, making their way back into the house.

"Why won't you let me talk to him alone?" Karen said in irritation as Kimble left, pulling away from Logan. "He's not going to hurt me."

"Yeah, right. That ain't what Gambit said in his report. Kimble can't be trusted. You want to talk to him, fine. But not alone. I'm sayin' that as Head of Security so don't even try to argue."

"Fine. I'll set something up with the Professor, but I don't want you there. He's afraid of you."

"I ain't gonna do nuthin' ta him so long as he stays quiet."

"I'm holding you to that," she said, returning to him and giving him a kiss.