(Four)
Later that day, well into the late afternoon and when he was sure Karen was someplace far away, Kimble once more sat on the roof, sunning himself. He was drowsy and comfortable in the late heat of the day. He dozed lightly with his chin up on the railing, dreaming of warm and gentle things, of hands touching him in love. Sheyman came to him in his vision of peace, dropping down from the sky like a wingless pilot. "It's time Kimble," Sheyman said, touching his face and making him smile.
Kimble laughed in his sleep. "Time fer me ta gos with you?"
"No. Time fer ya ta finds yer angel."
Kimble woke abruptly with a startled snort. He rubbed his eyes and looked around him, momentarily confused as to where he was, the dream had seemed so real. Max was on guard duty again, but had dozed off himself in the warm sun, leaning up against the door to the downstairs. In all the times Kimble had come out to sun himself, not once had there ever been a problem, he hadn't misbehaved. Being escorted had become something more of a formality than a necessity, and Max wasn't the only guard to grow lax in his responsibilities. More than once Kimble had to wake one of them when he was ready to leave.
Kimble shook his head. Stupid dream. He sat up and squinted when he noticed a tiny line of shimmery smoke off in the distance. It was really far away, hardly visible. He shouldn't care, but it seemed to call to him, compelling him to follow it. He wasn't supposed to leave the property, but its call was irresistible.
He quietly rose and stretched his wings, careful not to wake the boy. He wanted to go and check out that strange shimmer, but didn't want to be followed. He just knew they would try to stop him, he was so seldom understood and this was something he wasn't clear on himself, only that he just had to go. He stood over Max and offered no resistance when Zander came out and took control of the body. The Punisher gave Max a sharp blow to the head, stunning him before the sleeping boy ever had a chance to wake. Zander's blow was perfect - Max rolled over with a groan, out cold but otherwise uninjured. Kimble was certain to get in trouble for this, but the Siskan no longer cared. They had to leave, the call was just too strong for them to ignore.
Zander knew the guard wasn't the last of his troubles. He carefully formed a shield at his wrists and ankles, under the bracelets. It was hard with the restraints dulling his ability to harden the air, but with enough concentration, he managed it just fine. Once finished, he used the shields to pop the bracelets, bracing for the electric shocks. He had been told that breaking the restraints would zap him just as badly as if he had passed a house marker. Oddly enough, nothing happened, they just fell off as if they were nothing more than ugly jewelry. His shields had been enough to protect him, it seemed. He didn't pay any mind to that strange fact, that it shouldn't be possible. One bracelet alone would have been enough to fry Sabretooth alone, and he'd had four. He tossed them away, already hearing the house alarms blaring from the broken connection sensors on them. He took off from the roof in a huge burst of speed, hoping they wouldn't be able to catch him too quickly.
(break)
Logan swore and stomped out of the gym. He was drenched in sweat from his workout, one that had just now been rudely interrupted. He could hear the alarm whining and knew what it meant - Kimble had taken off. He knew Kimble was feeling better and figured this was bound to happen. The best he could hope for was that Kimble was only going for a spin just away from the house or by the lake. He went into the War Room and checked the scanners for the Siskan's location but came up with nothing. Kimble was nowhere in sight. Damn.
(break)
Kimble had flown for a long time and was tired. He was chasing that shimmer of smoke and it was leading him right towards New York City, a place he wasn't supposed to go, but the call was irresistible. He had never flown steady on for so great a distance and even though he could charge from the sun as he traveled, it would never match a full fledged plasma feeding. Zander had relinquished control to Kimble once he felt they were far enough away to be safe. Kimble was wasted, the only thing keeping him aloft was the fact that the sun was very bright today. He would land every so often and catch his breath as his body charged up a little more. Just when he thought he had gotten close to the smoke, it shimmered away like a mirage and reappeared farther away. At last, he got close enough to smell it. An abandoned warehouse was on fire here just on the edge of the City. It must have just started, there were no alarms and no sirens in the distance announcing the coming of fire trucks, he was one of the first to arrive at the scene. He landed on the rooftop of a nearby building, uncertain of what he should do.
Ya gots ta go in there, Zander said.
I knows. It just looks scary.
He turned when he heard two homeless people talking in a nearby alley. A small crowd of locals had gathered to watch the blaze. Their voices came up to him in a worried whisper and one of them pointed to an upper window. "Sheila's up in there! She's trapped!"
Kimble looked back at the warehouse, trying to form a plan. It was a huge red brick warehouse with some boarded up windows. The ones that weren't boarded were smashed and yawned with jagged, broken glass teeth. Smoke and flames were pouring out of most of those windows on the third floor. One window had a strange, shimmering glow to it and he just knew that's where she was, this Sheila. He was supposed to go to her, he knew that now. He had been called all this way to save her. It was the only explanation for what had drawn him here.
Don' be afraid, Zander soothed from inside. I'll helps ya again if ya needs me. Best not be waitin' long. That buildin's got no time!
Some of the people in the crowd saw him nearby and backed away, frightened by his pilot's body. He didn't care. He was cheered by Zander's faith and leapt up into the air towards the window that had called to him.
Someone saw him take flight and gave a cheer. "Save her! Save her!"
Kimble flew as fast as he could. He reached the window quickly, almost crashing through it in his haste to get inside. Once within the building itself, he immediately began to cough and choke as smoke flowed over him, making him blind. The flames were all around and the heat from them was intense, reminding painfully of that first plasma overload. As much as he like warm things, he had no desire to be melted again. He gave a soft prayer and dove deeper inside, driven now by a need he couldn't hope to explain.
"Hey! Hey! Anaone here!" he tried to shout above the roar of the fire. It was hard going, this floor of the warehouse was almost completely engulfed.
"Over here!" someone gasped weakly.
Kimble made his way there as best he could. He made a small telekinetic shield to push some of the smoke back as stumbled towards the voice. It was a little clearer back here and the going a bit easier. He hadn't gone far when he found a woman trapped under some debris. The roof above her had collapsed and she had been caught in the rubble. She was seriously injured, blackened from smoke and bleeding. Kimble reacted immediately, he expanded his protective shield over them both, boards and rubble were still falling down from the ceiling above them.
The woman showed no fear in spite of the collapsing building that burned all around them. She acted calm and as if she was in no pain, something that didn't seem possible considering the way she was trapped. She saw him there as he tried vainly to save her and smiled at him. "I knew you'd come," she said softly.
"Easy now, Sheila," he soothed, feebly trying to remove the wood and metal that held her down.
She put a hand on his arm. "Don't bother. You came for her," she said, moving a small bundle of rags towards him. He picked it up and opened the rags to see what was inside. His eyes opened wide when he saw a tiny baby. "Her name is Angel."
Kimble felt his heart pound and he swayed unsteadily. He thought he might pass out.
"He said you would come," Sheila said wistfully, her eyes dreamy.
"What? Wh- who said I wuz cummin'?" he asked in a daze.
"Sheyman."
Kimble greyed out a little, but forced himself back when some more debris from the ceiling crashed down. He didn't have much time.
The woman continued to speak, unafraid of the mayhem around her. "I saw him in a dream. He told me to tell you that you did good and he's proud of you."
Kimble started to cry, he couldn't help himself. "It ain't true. I'm a monster. I kills evrathin' I touch. It ain't safe ta be with me."
"Checknasay rehan talef," Lin whispered, confessing his sins.
"That isn't true," she replied, reaching out to him. She didn't appear frightened or surprised from his different voices. It was as if she had expected them. "I sense no evil in you. Here." She tugged on him, pulling him close. She took a necklace from her throat and put it around his neck. The pendant was a winged woman laying across the shaft of a sword, a copy of the Honor Sword that blazed down his chest. Kimble had never been shown the necklace that Trishnar had given Remy. If he had, he would have recognized it as a match to that one. This new one was the same as a second necklace that was already around the neck of the baby. "Angel belongs to you now. She's very special. Take good care of her, always."
"I cain't take care of nobody, but I'll gits her to some people what kin takes care of her right."
"No! It has to be you. Sheyman said it had to be you."
"Sheyman wuz wrong about me," Kimble insisted. But for all of his protests, the more he held this baby, the more he desired to keep her with him always.
Sheila touched his chest, laying her hand over his heart. "Look inside of you. All the strength you need is in there."
"I'm gonna git you outta here."
"No, no...I'm fine. Don't worry about me, son. I'm going to a better place. A good place."
Kimble continued to cry, the soot making black lines down his cheeks.
"Don't cry for me, Kimble. Take good care of my baby. Now go. Hurry."
Kimble staggered up on shaky legs. He was going to ask her how she knew his name when something exploded overhead. He ran for the window in terror and flew out into the sky, gripping the bundle of rags tightly to his chest.
Kimble flew back to the Mansion without losing his way. Just like he had found the warehouse, he somehow knew the way back to safety. He used a small telekinetic push to break open a window on the first floor and collapsed on the floor of the Professor's study, a good guess on his part - he was hoping to reach the Professor first instead of someone more volatile like Wolverine. He hadn't wanted to go through the house, he might get stopped before he had a chance to explain where he had gone and how he had acquired his new charge. He was exhausted from the long flight to the warehouse and back and hadn't been convinced at all he would make it all the way home. This adventure had taken the last of the day and the sun was on its way down, taking away his ability to recharge. At least he was home now. He used some of his remaining energy to create a protective telekinetic shield around his body, knowing the others wouldn't be long in coming. The security alarms were buzzing, announcing his return.
The Professor rolled in first, alerted by the sound of breaking glass. "Good Lord, Kimble! Are you all right?"
The Siskan made quite the first impression. He was covered in soot and ash and smelled of burnt things. It looked like part of him had been scorched by the fire, but it didn't seem to be giving him pain. He lay on one side, his sides heaving from his efforts, his wings covering his belly and the bundle of rags he had brought in with him.
Logan stormed next into Xavier's study. He saw Kimble and began to shout, "Where the hell have you been!" He stopped short when he smelled the smoke and saw Kimble's condition. Clearly Kimble had had some sort of adventure on his little trip to the outside. "What the hell?"
"I hafta talks to ya. Gots ta 'xplain..." Kimble wheezed, looking up at the Professor. He didn't dare seek leniency from Logan, he knew the man had never tried to understand him and didn't expect that to change now.
"Yes, of course. Just take it easy. All of you," Charles said, addressing the small crowd that had now gathered behind him. Fallen and Seth had come, followed by Henry. The alarms had signaled Kimble's return the moment he had crossed the markers in the trees, there had been enough warning for this group to have come up from the lower levels.
Fallen gasped from behind Logan when she saw Kimble lying in a heap on the floor of the study. She saw the soot and ash that covered him and thought he must be burned. Her biggest fear was that he had some how self-destructed again and was worse than before or that he had attacked someone and SHIELD would have to be called to collect him.
Seth was behind her and he came up to his brother and scowled. "Look at you. You're never satisfied unless you've got us worried half to death!" he complained, more out frustration than real anger. He was relieved Kimble was home.
Kimble grumbled a garbled, pained response and turned away in frustration. He put his head down and tucked his wings tighter around him. This was a mistake coming back here, he saw that now. What a fool he had been to think they would even listen. Remy would have, but he was still so far away and not here to intervene on his behalf. Kimble was on his own.
The Professor held out his arms, pushing everyone back. "Everyone just back off now. Let him speak."
Kimble sighed and tried his best to explain. He wasn't convinced they would understand or if they would even listen, but he had to try. "I knows we done wrong. I knows we ain't suppozta go nowheres, but we had ta go." He raised his wing and they saw the bundle of rags. Angel raised a chubby hand and squawked.
"Aw, don't even tell me...!" Logan complained. He took a step forward, fearful of a repeat incident of the cat.
Charles held him back with one hand. He sensed no distress coming from Kimble nor the baby, only the Siskan's disappointment that he wouldn't be listened to. What shocked him most was that he hadn't sensed the child's presence before now. When Angel rolled her eyes at him and smiled just a little, he understood one thing clearly - this child had powerful psi shields and had only revealed herself when she had chosen to. This was no ordinary baby. "What is this?" he asked gently.
"This's Angel. I wuz suppozta find 'er. This is what Sheyman wuz talkin' 'bout." Kimble pulled some of the rags back and exposed the infant. She was very tiny, only a few days old and dressed only in a filthy cloth diaper made from a shirt. He lay a soot covered hand on her belly and she gurgled happily up at him. He raised his other hand to her face and she grasped one of his fingers with a soft coo of enjoyment, she was clearly not afraid of him at all even though they had only just met. The Professor squinted in confusion when he thought he sensed a telepathic message pass from the baby to Kimble. He dismissed it as fantasy until he saw Kimble smile at Angel and whisper to her reassuringly in Siskan. Interesting.
Fallen came around Seth and crouched down next to Kimble. She reached for the baby, but the shield blocked her. Kimble wasn't going to let anyone near Angel just yet. "Where's her Momma?" she asked.
"Dead. She wuz in a fire at the warehouse by the river. I tried m' best but I couldn't gits her out. She said fer me ta takes Angel and raise her for m' own. She said Sheyman told her I wuz cummin', that I wuz supposta finds her. How could she know 'bouts him if it wuzn't true?" He pleaded with Fallen with his eyes, begging for her to understand.
She didn't really, but she could see he was emotionally and physically wrecked. He needed comfort, not criticism, especially if it might bring the Quitter out. Fallen didn't want that vicious killer of cats anywhere near this child. "Easy, Kim. No one will hurt her."
"We only have your word for that," Logan challenged, interrupting. "How do we know ya didn't steal that baby just to justify that story you been tellin'?"
"Fuck you, you shit eatin', mutherfuckin' asshole!" Zander roared, popping out in Kimble's defense. Unlike the other personalities, Zander was not about to kowtow to this one. He sat up in anger and pushed the protective field out further, knocking Fallen down on her ass. His fists began to glow slightly orange and Logan couldn't help but take a step back. His shoulders began to ache with ghostly memories of pain from when the Punisher had melted his flesh away with those hands. He wasn't eager to feel that again.
"Easy, Zander," Seth protested, putting his hands up. "Just calm down, nice and easy now."
The Professor watched this with rapt curiosity, but didn't move to interfere. He had no fear for Logan's safety or Seth's. Fallen was there and would protect them if the Siskan went berserk. He was just intrigued by the switch in Kimble's personalities and the power they presented. They were four people indeed, he had finally seen them all and knew Remy was right about that. And the fact that the Punisher was someone not to be trifled with.
"Angel belongs ta Kimble!" Zander announced with a snarl, showing his fangs. His voice was strong and commanding, brooking no argument. He came to a crouch and tucked the baby protectively under him between his legs. He wasn't going to let anyone try and snatch her away. Angel was surprisingly quiet in spite of Zander's thundering challenge and raised her hands as if begging the pilot to hold her. The Punisher didn't see it, he was too busy stating his position. "She belongs ta us! Any one of yous even thinks 'bout takin' her, yer gonna hafta deals with me. I am the ShaRain karesk LaRoo! The Guardian of the Angel! You don' like it? Well, too fuckin' bad! Yer all done kickin' us around!"
"No one is going to hurt you or the baby," Charles said calmly, trying to keep this from getting any worse. He certainly didn't want a fight breaking out around the child or for Kimble to consider taking off again. "Please, just relax and think this through. We were not quite prepared for this. Have some patience."
Zander backed off a little, placated by Charles' easy tone. He held his head up high and looked over them all, strong and defiant. He was Kimble's power, the fierce strength of his spirit and will to live. "This is Kim's destiny and I'm gonna see to it he has it. Not a one of yous knows what I'm capable of, 'cept maybe Remy. He seen it, still does evra time he looks at me. Pay attention ta that. Nuthin's gonna happen ta this kid. She belongs ta the Lover now, understand?"
The Lover, the Professor thought to himself. Many times Remy had said how it was important that the Lover possess Kimble's angel and not the Quitter. Having now seen something of all of Kimble's fractured selves, Charles could see the reasonableness of that belief. It was clear Zander also had that in mind and wasn't going to fight them on it. "Nothing will be decided today, young man. Just calm down," Charles spoke, wishing only to bring Zander down.
"I'll calm down when I knows y'all ain't gonna do nuthin' stupid," the Punisher replied, looking Wolverine square in the eye with no shred of fear.
"Logan, perhaps you should just leave us for the moment," the Professor said, watching the pilot intently. Zander had a powerful presence, something Kimble lacked. If Kimble were truly re-integrated, the possibilities of his power would be incalculable, he thought to himself. No wonder the other mutant factions had fought so bitterly to possess him.
"Not a chance, Professor. This guy's one freakout away from trouble! You saw what he did to your cat! Now he's got a little kid? He can't be trusted!" Wolverine blurted out, refusing to back down to Zander's display of power.
"Out. Now. Please."
"Charlie!"
"Go to the warehouse, check out his story."
Logan growled, but obeyed the Professor and left.
Zander cooled even further as soon as his chief competition had gone. He looked tired now, it took precious energy for him to control the inner flow of plasma contained in his body. He had to see this through before he relinquished control. Once he was gone, the body would be weak and fall asleep. He needed assurances.
The Professor could see this. "Nothing will be decided today. I assure you, no harm will come to Angel. Let Fallen tend to you and we'll sort this all out later."
"How do I knows yous ain't gonna steals her away from us?" Zander demanded to know, softening his tone just a little bit. He wanted so much to believe.
"Because that is not how we work here. You should know this by now. No harm has come to you in spite of your illness. No one will harm this child. Rest and we will care for her."
Zander nodded and softly growled as he let go. Kimble gasped as he rose to the fore and toppled over, his strength gone. The shield had vanished with Zander and Kimble could do nothing to stop the others as they rushed over to him and lifted him up, carrying him down to the Med Bay. He was too exhausted to speak but kept his eyes on Fallen who carried Angel close by where he could see her. He felt himself placed carefully on a bed and was asleep before they were even done covering him up.
Once Kimble was asleep, the Professor and Beast both had a good look at the child Kimble had brought home. Other than being tiny and only slightly malnourished, the baby was in good health. Of course, Charles was interested in more than just her physical well being. When Henry was finished examining the child, Charles took a moment to carefully probe her mind with his own.
In general, Charles only entered the mind of another when invited, but he had mind-scanned infants before. He learned a lot quickly – in spite of her normal appearance he had no doubt a DNA test would prove this child to be superhuman, she didn't scan as a normal child would. Her psi shields were the strongest he had ever felt, even more so than Jean's when they had first met. This child would be a powerful telepath, Charles was certain of it.
As if in unspoken agreement, Angel looked up at him with her shiny blue eyes and a message was sent, He's mine.
And who might that be? Charles responded in kind.
The baby gurgled a laugh. Why Kimble of course!
The Professor's eyes opened wide. Like any infant he had scanned, her thoughts had at first seemed simplistic and elemental, she was much too young for anything more than that. Usually he would pick up the basics from infants - want food, want mother, want warmth and comfort. He had just been proven wrong, Angel had mentioned Kimble by name.
And what do you know of Kimble, young one?
He's mine. You cannot keep him from me.
Charles would have laughed if he hadn't sensed some power behind the implied threat. It wasn't violence she was offering at the moment, only a kind of sturdy stubbornness he had known too well in others to be ignored. Angel was going to have her way, no matter what anyone thought about it.
Don't worry, he sent to her. We'll take care of you.
She said nothing more, but simply smiled at him knowingly and cooed, kicking her feet playfully as if dismissing him with all the confidence of a queen. Charles couldn't help but laugh softly at it, knowing just who was in charge of this situation – and it wasn't him! He reached for the phone, gathering the others.
(break)
The Professor waited until everyone was seated. He looked over the group he had summoned, the remaining members of the Blue squad who were not off with Remy in Yosemite. This was going to be interesting, he wasn't sure how they were going to take what he had to say. He cleared his throat and everyone quieted. Fallen was here as was Storm, Warren, Henry and Bobby. Logan and Karen were here as well. He'd gathered them for their opinions in an impromptu sampling of how the team was going to take his decision regarding Kimble and the baby.
"I've gathered all of you here because this matter of Kimble and Angel must be thought over. I realize that Scott and Jean aren't here and neither is Remy, but I wanted to get a feel for what everyone is thinking. I've kept Kimble out of this because I want you all to be able to speak freely. I also want to spare him any hard feelings you may have against him. He's still a bit out of sorts from his bad experience with the outside and fragile.
"I'm going to start by telling you what happened today. Kimble broke his curfew by leaving the grounds. While he was gone, he came upon a burning building and attempted to rescue a woman who was inside. He was unable to do so, but was able to rescue her baby. All of this has been confirmed by Wolverine whom I dispatched to the scene after Kimble arrived back here and told his story. For the moment, it doesn't look like anyone is seeking custody of the child though it is still early.
"In the meantime, I have scanned this child's mind and found a surprising thing. Angel is no ordinary child. She has all the signs of becoming a major psi talent. As I scanned her she sent me a message, making it perfectly clear that she has chosen Kimble and will not be separated from him."
"This is a joke, right?" Bobby said, speaking what he hoped was on everyone's mind. "How do we know he won't sexually molest her?"
Fallen sucked in a deep breath, her hands clenched with righteous anger. "How dare you!" she hissed at him in a sharp whisper, not the least bit pleased this had come up. As much as she might be uncertain about Kimble's mental state, she never would have thought Kimble would do such a thing, not to a child.
"Given his history, I think it's a legitimate concern," he countered, trying to be firm. Fallen hadn't been there when Kimble had made a pass at him. Kimble's various perversions were something he and Scott had discussed privately, Bobby was speaking more for Scott now than himself.
The Professor cleared his throat. "While Kimble may be at times...rambunctious...I think it's clear he's gone through some changes. He's not who he once was."
"He gets off on being hit," Bobby protested, unable to hide his disgust. "He once considered Sabretooth to be his Master. What if Saby comes around again and Kimble takes off with him, bringing her along with him?"
The Professor steepled his fingers under his chin and was thoughtful before he spoke. "Your concerns are legitimate, but unfounded in this case, I think. I suspect she could be in no safer hands and I also feel she may be more in charge of this situation than we think."
" 'Scuze me, Chuck," Logan snorted. "Gonna hafta run that one by me again."
"I told you she is no ordinary child. She seems to have a bond with Kimble and separating them could be harmful to them both."
Again Logan snorted, it wasn't a pleasant sound. "I been hearin' that 'bonded' word just a little too often 'round here when it comes to Kimble. First Remy an' now this baby? This means Kimble's gonna get his way all the time?"
Charles scowled, not liking Wolverine's tone. Unfortunately, no one else in the room was coming to Kimble's defense. Not a good sign. "Don't be thinking that this means Kimble is getting his way. This is about Angel, not him, and like it or not, she has a say in this and she has spoken."
"Like some kid knows anything. I think it's the stupidest thing I ever heard. In spite of his 'kind and gentle' appearance (insert arrogant snort here), Kimble is capable of causin' a lot of damage. He burned me, almost split Saby in two. Less than that, from what I've seen, he's nuthin' more than a little kid in a man's body. He can't even keep himself outta trouble, how's he gonna take care of some kid? Raisin' kids ain't like takin' care of a puppy, you know. It's all about takin' a kid and makin' a person. Anything he does will affect her. Kim ain't anywhere near stable. I didn't trust him much before and I trust him even less now. He don't talk about what happened to him. He don't talk to nobody. How do any of us know what's goin' on in his head?"
Karen was a bit shocked by Logan's words and couldn't hide the look on her face. It wasn't like him to speak so candidly and effectively about childrearing, something he admittedly had little experience in. In spite of that, he had hit her feelings on the matter right on the head.
"It's true Kimble doesn't talk about what happened, but he's never been one to do that," Fallen replied. "He's a much better listener than a talker. Remy got very close to him. I'm hoping that when Gambit returns in a couple of days, he'll get Kimble to talk privately about what went on."
The Professor nodded again. "I believe this also. We do need to discover just how badly Leon and Creed have damaged him and I think Remy is the best person to help him."
"That Cajun keeps his own secrets," Logan complained. "He ain't gonna say nuthin' Kimble tells him and you know it."
"We don't need to know the specifics, Logan, although it would be nice. We need only know how badly Kimble was affected and what we can expect from him," Fallen said, trying to calm things down.
"That is true," Karen said in agreement. "But I will add this. If you take this child from Kimble now, Professor, he will perceive it as the ultimate rejection and lack of trust from us. I can tell you now, his psyche will never recover. It will break him even more than he is already - and, by the way, to any of you may have doubts, Kimble's fracture is very real. Very real. He already feels he's on the outside of everything you and the X-men are. He now perceives this child as his salvation. Remove her and we'll lose any chance of saving him emotionally."
"If he's such a wreck how can he take care of a child on his own?" Warren protested. He was surprised that there were folks in this room actually considering allowing this.
"Because he won't be doing it alone," Charles answered to that. "He will be strictly supervised. Beast will be helping him out at first, and if any of you know Remy well enough, will know he'll be all over Angel the moment he sees her."
Logan grumbled rough laughter in disgust. "Yeah, 'cause he's got 'father material' written all over him. Those two fuckups couldn't keep a dog 'tween the both of them."
"Now that's a bit harsh," Beast interjected, speaking up for the first time. "You underestimate them both. Kimble looked after Fallen numerous times when she had her troubles with Valentin, you saw how he was on the Dragon with her when she was sick. Remy isn't any less conscientious. And they won't be alone, Molly and I will chip in, we are both looking after Kimble now as it is. Adding Angel into the mix isn't that much more to handle with so many of us. I say we give Kimble his shot. If he cannot handle it, fine, we take her away. But I think all of you will be in for a most pleasant surprise."
"That might be true if it was the Lover in charge," Logan again protested. His voice snarled on the word Lover as if it was something distasteful. "He's got a whole friggin' crowd in there."
"Not for long, Remy is seeing to that now as we speak."
"An' if that fails?"
"Then we re-examine Angel's circumstances and decide if she should be removed. Nothing that is said today is carved in stone."
"You are certain this bond exists?" Storm asked the Professor, redirecting the conversation. The fact was, she respected Henry as most of them did, it was his opinion that was beginning to sway her into Kimble's favor.
"Yes. It's real," Charles was quick to answer. "I suspect that Kimble is under new management again, only this time from someone who will never hurt him or exploit him as the others have done. She is his true Mistress and I think we'll see some big changes in him from now on."
"So you've already decided this and none of us really had a say in it?" Bobby tossed out. He was clearly displeased, his hands had frosted just slightly in his anger, leaving thin rings of ice on the table where they lay.
"Let's say I was fishing to see how much resistance there would be," the Professor replied, keeping his words gentle. "I found about what I expected. I am hoping those of you who object will be the extra eyes and ears for Angel, you can look after her in your own ways. Kimble will have her and we will all look after them both.
"You see, I believe it was no accident that Kimble was sought after by the Freedom Kings and Jael. I believe this now with all my heart. Remy mentioned that there had been a three million dollar offer to Sabretooth for him. We have all since learned there is even a bounty for bringing Kimble in alive. We have every reason to believe the bounty still exists in spite of Jael's current losses and I'll just bet it will be raised now that this child has been discovered. Others will want her for themselves so they can bend her to their will and exploit her power. It is imperative that both she and Kimble be protected."
"So Kimble's vision wasn't just a fluke," Fallen said in his defense. "If others also knew he would find her."
"Yes," the Professor agreed. "It was his destiny to find her, I'm certain of it. The two of them share some kind of connection, a powerful bond I do not believe should be tampered with without a very good reason. This is why, Bobby, I am not afraid of Kimble harming her in any way."
Logan snorted, still not the least bit happy with this decision. "They've known each other for less than a day. How can they have a bond?"
"It's there. I've felt it. Not from Kimble, from Angel," Karen interrupted. "She knows him and calls out to him. She chose him. It's the only reason why I go along with the Professor on this. Kimble should be her father. I would add that we are still obligated to discover Angel's real family."
"Seth and I did as much research as we could in the short time we've been given," Henry replied. "We weren't able to locate any records of her birth or of her mother. It's possible she was born on the streets and technically belongs to no one. Either she stays with us or she'll be placed in foster care."
"That will not happen," the Professor said in his commanding voice. "She is much too vulnerable. I will not allow her to be exploited. As far as I'm concerned, right now, she belongs to all of us."
(break)
It was early evening when Kimble slowly came awake. He could hear Angel crying and knew it was him she wanted. He groaned and sat up, he was still really tired from today's ordeal and not feeling too speedy. Fallen had recharged him a little with some Ristle when he had first been taken to the Lab, but he was weak. He needed to go back out into the sun, but that wouldn't happen until morning. He rose unsteadily and shuffled off towards the sound of Angel's voice. "I'm comin'," he whispered gently.
He found her in the next bed over, the privacy curtains pulled around. She was in a plastic baby cradle placed on the bed and she had been washed and clothed in a real diaper. There was a pink fuzzy blanket in there with her, but she had kicked it off. She was fussing a little, but not crying just yet.
Seth was sitting next to her bed, out cold asleep in a chair he had stolen from Henry's office. He had taken his glasses off and looked too comfortable to wake so Kimble let him be, it was Angel he had come here for after all. She was still softly fussing, but not out loud, Kimble realized with some surprise that he was hearing her inside his mind.
He came closer, moving into her limited line of sight. She immediately broke into a smile and made a cooing sound. His heart almost burst with joy when he felt her love vibration reach out towards him to touch his soul. Oh, how he had needed this. It was a rush of delicious energy, this vibration of need for him. She wanted him, needed him, desired him to be around her always. He belonged to her now.
Kimble reached out and carefully picked her up, unsure of her miniature, fragile body. He had never had a baby to hold like this and she filled him with awe and wonder. He held her to his chest and put his big, strong arms around her protectively. He could smell her and feel the heat from her tiny body against him. He could hear her heart beating and see her bright, tiny shine. It was so brilliant and soothing to his heart. He tenderly rubbed the soft fuzzy down on her head, loving how wonderful and soft it was. He kissed her head and held her, completely and utterly in love.
Seth stirred in his chair, sensing his brother was nearby. He woke and saw Kimble there with the baby. "Good morrow."
Kimble smiled at him, his heart filled with happiness. He glanced at the clock, seeing it was only about eight o'clock or so. "Good morrow, brother. It's kinda early fer yous ta be sleepin'. Fallen keepin' ya up nights?"
"Very funny," Seth replied, fishing for his glasses. He still found most lights too bright and probably always would. He found them and looked up at his brother, happy just to have him back here where he could be seen and felt for real.
Watching Kimble hold the tiny infant, Seth was reminded of all the times Kimble had been there for him in the beginning when Fallen had first created him. Almost from the start Seth had been self aware. He had been frightened and intimidated by the new world he'd found himself in but Kimble had been there, helping him with his kindness and patience, just as he was holding this child now. Seth smiled at them and looked around. "Are they done yet?"
"Is who done with what?"
"They're having a meeting about you and Angel."
"What about us? We're stickin' together, her an' me." He held her a little more tightly, nervous at the though of being discussed. It hadn't come out so well for him in the past.
"Don't worry, Kimble. I'm sure Fallen will stick up for you. The Professor favors you as well. He said Angel has power. He won't let anything happen to her."
As if on cue, the Professor and some of the others came into the room, the meeting had just broken up and they were coming to see if Kimble had finally come around. Charles smiled up at Kimble. "Ah. good. You're awake. How do you feel?"
"I'm all right," Kimble answered slowly. He stepped away with Angel, holding her against him defensively. "What didja all decide?"
"Relax, Kimble. No one's going to take Angel away from you. Angel's voice was perhaps the loudest of all. As long as none of her family come forward to claim her, you will be her father."
Kimble relaxed and turned away, his arms still around the infant. He didn't want them to see the tears of relief that came to him. "Thank you," he said quietly and stroked Angel's head. She cooed and grabbed at his hand, he gave it to her with a smile and she happily gummed one of his knuckles.
"There will be some rules however," the Professor added.
Kimble looked back, his brow creased with worry. "What kinda rules?"
"We feel it would be a good idea if you don't take Angel off the grounds for a while. She may be in danger. It's best if you stay close by."
"We'll stay in the small spaces, just like we's promised the Master," Lin said, popping out for a moment, prompting Seth to translate. "It's safer there."
"I ain't goin' nowheres," Kimble said defensively, shoving Lin down and showing his fear so the Professor would understand he had no desire to leave. "Not fer a long time."
"I suppose you've shown that tracking bracelets are a waste of time, so I am requiring that you don't leave your holding cell without an escort. We have no way of knowing if the bounty on you is still active. I can't stress enough the danger that's out there."
"I knows it well enough," Kimble replied sincerely. "Kin I at least gos outside with her? Just up on the peak fer the sun?"
"Yes, of course. We all know you need to be outside to charge. Remember, you are still under our custody as per our agreement with SHIELD, those rules have not changed. You stay in the lockup at night as you have been. I'll see to it that Angel has a crib in there for you to use."
"All right. Thank you, sir."
"Now, I've already sent Karen and Ororo out to get you the supplies you will need. There is a good amount of literature in the library on child rearing. I suggest you begin reading it at once."
"Thanks. I'll pays ya back fer evrathin' when I can," Kimble said, his offer sincere. In the confusion of his coming out and then all this, he had never been told about his inheritance from Victor Creed. A few diapers and some baby clothes wouldn't be much of a problem for him ever again.
Just the same, Charles had this response, "I'll take it in trade. Henry said he could really use your help in installing the cloaking devices on the Blackbirds, plus he has other work for you in the lab."
"Sounds good ta me," Kimble agreed with a smile. He now had a full plate, but for a Siskan who thrived on being useful, it was a good thing.
"Looks like you'll be busy fer a while," Logan commented in a grumble, still unhappy with the situation and not afraid to show it. "Good. It'll keep ya outta trouble."
The Professor didn't acknowledge Logan's statement, he didn't want Kimble to feel pressured on his first day. "Your taking care of her will be strictly supervised. There will be plenty of people around. You're going to need help so don't hesitate to ask for anything."
Kimble held his tiny Angel to his chest. "Thanks."