(Two)

Darken nodded and began typing. Kimble shut off again and was still. Remy closed his eyes and was trembling himself now. He prayed to God this wasn't a mistake. Fallen held him and rubbed her cheek on his shoulder, whispering soft Siskan comforts to try and soothe his shattered nerves. She had more confidence than he did, she had seen this sort of equipment before. None of this was strange to her. Remy sensed this from her, Shi'ow-ri told him so, and he relaxed just a tiny bit.

Darken typed quickly and watched the screens. He was quiet and took his time, not rushing. This was a fairly complicated procedure, something time consuming, and so he looked up at them and said, "This is gonna take at least a couple of hours, probably more considering the damage."

"I ain't leavin'," Remy snapped, his eyes still down.

"I'll stay with you," Fallen said, sitting down next to him and getting comfortable.

Seth added nothing, but sat on the other side of Remy and bumped him gently. He lay next to Kimble and rested his head on his brother's belly, closing his eyes with a mournful sigh. He wanted to touch Kimble as much as possible in the hope that his brother would know he was there. Gambit put a hand on his shoulder and Seth smiled without opening his eyes. "I see you," he said softly in Siskan. "It'll be okay. It has to be."

"Think we're all gonna camp out here fer a while," Logan said, mindful of security issues. He wasn't about to leave Darken alone and unsupervised.

"I'll send someone for refreshments," the Professor offered, nodding at Scott and Jean. They left, Jean tugging on her husband playfully. He was reluctant to leave with this stranger in the house, but obeyed his mentor. Wolverine was here and he would look after things for the short time they would be gone.

The Games Master just shrugged at the activity and went back to work.

Henry wandered over and checked out the screens. One of them showed a three dimensional circle with a large jagged piece missing. As Darken typed and repaired, tiny fragments of the circle filled in. Henry began to quietly ask questions about the procedure and Darken answered. It was all very technical and well over the tops of anybody's head, except perhaps for Seth. He had opened his eyes when he heard Darken start typing again and was watching everything closely without speaking.

"How we gonna know fo' sure dis works?" Remy asked, interrupting. He was still doubtful, but not enough to stop it.

"When he wakes up, he'll be kind of out of it. Disoriented a little. Let him sleep it off," Darken replied. "It's just like a surgery. It'll be a couple of days before he's straight. After that, you just have to watch him. I might have to come back and do some more work. I won't be far, the Game's just getting ready for the next phase. I could come back next spring."

"Next spring? Dat's a whole other year!" Remy complained.

Darken just shrugged again. "A year for you doesn't mean as much to me. I've got a lot of clients, lots of work to do."

"What do you mean by the Game reaching its next phase?" the Professor wanted to know.

"The pieces are finding their angels now like Kimble did. That's the next phase."

"And after that?"

Darken grinned. "That's when the real fun begins. The players will consolidate their angels, build their power."

"What does that mean?" Logan growled angrily. He didn't like the sound of this at all.

"The angels all fit together like parts of a three dimensional puzzle. Not all of them are alive like Kimble's. Some are power sources, parts for weapons. Stuff like that."

"They are building weapons?" Charles asked, unable to hide his escalating concern.

"Yeah," the Dognan boy replied casually as if all of this was normal. "The players each make a Shalayesk. Then they go after each other, the weak swallowed up by the strong. Why else have a scavenger hunt?"

"Shalayesk? What's that?"

Darken grinned again. "That would ruin the surprise. Your piece is very strong. Doesn't mean you're out of the Game. Not all pieces are equal in strength. Keeping his angel to yourselves will weaken the opposition."

"These Siskans are real creatures," the Professor protested. "How dare you use them like this!"

"They're not real!" Darken snorted. "They're all programs. The angels aren't real either."

"Watch it, bub," Wolverine grumbled. "That baby's real enough ta me."

"She looks real, that's the disguise. But she's not. The flesh is just a vessel holding the power. Kimble was encoded to find her and he did."

"That's impossible," Beast replied. "Kimble found her in a burning building. His being here on Earth was an accident."

The Games Master looked up at him with a small smile. "Was it?"

"Oh, come on. You're saying all of this is under someone's control?"

"Sure. Why not?"

"Is it yours?" Charles asked sternly, not in the least bit happy.

"No. I'm a part of it, but I don't make the fates. I just choose and fix the pieces."

"Take Kimble out of de Game," Remy demanded.

"Not a chance. Look at these codes. He's more powerful than my father could have dreamed of. I've only seen two others like this."

"Who's dat?" Remy asked.

"Can't say. It's against the rules."

"What's de score den, eh?" Gambit questioned, his voice bitter and angry. "Who 'as what?"

"I shouldn't be telling you this, but... Okay, Trishnar's got seven Siskans. Jael's got fifteen and Sheba's got thirty and Tranan has nine. You've got one."

Remy's mind was spinning. 'E say Trishnar's got seven, but 'e 'as six. Trishnar say dere was sixty Siskans in all. Sumptin's not right.

Charles was watching Remy's mind churn with rapt curiosity. He could almost smell the burn. What's on your mind, Remy?

De numbers aren't addin' up. Mebbe 'e's wrong, I dunno. Trishnar's got less dan seven.

Perhaps that you know about. I'll just bet he kept his own secrets as do you. Why is Aiden on your mind? He was more than just a lover.

Gambit cringed with an internal snarl. Now dat wasn't fair!

Sorry. You were practically shouting it. Aiden is the one you said was broken. Why does he concern you? Is it because he was broken like Kimble?

Dere was sumptin' about 'im. He real powerful, more dan Kimble is wit' is power. I can't explain an' mebbe it's nuthin'. P'etetre, de Games Master jus' lousy wit numbers. Either dat or we got Siskans changin' 'ands.

Logan stood by, gritting his teeth in irritation. He could sense the conversation taking place but didn't know what was being said. It made him uncomfortable and he didn't like it. "Sounds like the playing field isn't balanced too good. Sheba's gonna kick everyone's ass."

Darken chuckled. "Think so? I said not all the pieces are equal. She has so many because most of hers are weak."

"Like de Bimbo Twins?" Remy tossed out, testing.

"You have been to Trishnar's," the Games Master said with a laugh. "Yeah, I guess you could say like them. They've burnt themselves out fucking around with each other. Siskans are so randy it's hilarious."

Gambit quietly fumed,remembering Kimble's suffering when he felt he wasn't loved. "What about Jael? Are 'is all weak?"

"I'm not really supposed to be telling you all this. I've probably said too much already. It's just that the Game is so much fun."

"Kimble don't seem ta be havin' much fun, pal," Logan complained, surprising Gambit with his concern.

"He's just a Siskan. A program."

"Non. He more dan dat," Remy insisted.

"Look, I know they're a hoot and a half, but they're not real."

"I am, too, real!" Seth insisted, his voice soft but commanding.

Darken just smiled at him indulgently. "You think you are, but you're not. Your sense of being real makes you more lifelike and pleasurable to the user. I could shut you down in a second just like Kimble. That makes you not real."

"No. That just makes him a slave," Wolverine growled.

"He's not alive. That means he's not a slave," Darken insisted, his voice firm.

"It's clear we have a vast difference in ideologies here," Charles said. "Kimble is vibrant and sophisticated. His suffering makes him sentient and noble. You have no right to treat him as anything less."

Darken turned away. He was in clear disagreement, but knew discussion here was a waste of time. He typed quickly and more of Kimble's circle filled in.

"You said that Kimble was programmed to find his angel, what part did Sheyman have in this?" Henry asked.

"Sheyman?" Darken questioned, unfamiliar with the name.

"Kimble's father."

Darken just shook his head. "Siskan Courtesans do not have parents or fathers. Sheyman owned him and put him to work, that's all."

"Non. Sheyman was more dan dat,"Remy insisted.

"So he fell in love with his Courtesan, big deal. It happens all the time. The thing is, all the Courtesans in this Game came from the same clutch. They were encoded then and dispersed. Sheyman had nothing to do with the Game."

Remy fidgeted. This was too much like the crazy story that Trishnar had tossed out. Trishnar had surmised that Sheyman acquired Kimble illegally and hadn't created him at all. Remy had a feeling he was about to lose his bet to his former host. Just the same, he chose to play devil's advocate and argue. "Sheyman say 'e de one who make Kimble."

"Sheyman lied."

"Den who make Kimble, eh?"

"Quishnalay. He was a Siskan in our employ who designed a black market clutch of about sixty Courtesans. They were made Lushna-esk on purpose and encoded for the Game. It was part of a Dognan conspiracy that was in place before we ever acquired that was purchased illegally. I'm going to assume that Sheyman couldn't make a Courtesan on his own and wanted one badly enough to break the law."

Darken's answer came as no surprise to Gambit who had learned something of this already. Still, he kept pursuing more. "How you know all dis?"

Darken shrugged. "Some of it is in the histories, the rest is here in Kimble's codes. I can see Quishnalay's signature here in the codes, he's the one who made the clutch. This unit is definitely part of the clutch that was designed for the Game."

"You call 'im a unit again, you gonna be one 'urtin' som'bitch! You understandin' Gambit now?" Remy snarled. He was losing patience with Darken's unwillingness to just come out and speak the facts and he could feel some of his control slipping away.

Darken blinked his cat's eyes at him, not the least bit contrite. "Whatever. Sheyman did not make your Siskan whatever he may have said."

Remy changed tack. "You say Kim's history all in de codes? Tell me what else you see."

The boy hesitated, hearing something in Gambit's voice. "There are rules. I am limited in what I can legally reveal. Everything depends on the questions you ask."

Remy grumbled internally, but opted to play the game. "How many times 'e been melted?"

"We all know he's been melted only once," Fallen blurted out in her own answer, shaking her head in confusion.

Darken's eyes never left Remy's face. He had just been told this thief knew quite a bit more than he was letting on, he was being tested. He turned back to the screen and punched a quick series of buttons. The information scrolled by and the boy had his answer. "Twice."

"That's impossible!" Fallen snorted. "He would have said something."

"He wouldn't have if he didn't know about it," Darken suggested, and then added evasively, "Melting can mean so many things."

" 'E don't know 'bout de first time 'cause 'e 'ad a star rebuilt. De one wit de personality codes. Ain't dat right, Darken?" Remy challenged.

A strange look of relief passed over Darken's face, like Remy had just offered him an out. "It's a possibility."

The room was silent now, filled only by the whirling gears of several startled people right next to the poor stricken Siskan on the floor.

/ He's not exactly telling the truth, but he's not exactly lying, Shi'ow-ri chimed to her Master. / Look at his face. He's hiding. /

Gambit glared at Darken in a purposeful challenge. " 'E was melted on purpose to make 'im more powerful. Tell Gambit 'e's wrong."

Darken was silent, but again it wasn't exactly a denial.

Remy continued to fish. "Yo' daddy 'ad Quishnalay do it to boost 'is empathy. 'Im and some of de others. Kimble one of de 'grams wit secret codes. A Rogue."

"I'm not at liberty to say."

Remy just snickered in irritation and reached out with a vibration of rage. / You best be talkin', boy, or you gonna be in real world of pain, je promets!

Gambit hadn't intended it, but Darken flinched in real pain. Remy saw it and was all over it, grinning wickedly, but before he could do any more he felt the Professor in his mind. Just what do you think you're doing, Remy?

Fishin'. Leave it be, patron.

I won't allow you to hurt him.

Dis encule de mere ain't gonna get nuthin' 'e don' deserve.

Stop this or I'll shut you down.

Remy released his victim, not doubting Charles for a moment. "You got all de liberty you want, buddy. Spill. Now."

"Look, all I can say is that some of the 'grams got enhanced codes. Kimble might be a Rogue, he might not -" Darken's last words were choked off when Remy reached out to smack him with his empathy again. Gambit couldn't help it, he was furious.

Remy! the Professor barked, his own rage hurting the thief like a slap.

"Answer de fuckin' question, vous bon'a rien, morceau de merde!" Remy spat out, taking his own mental pain out on his guest.

Logan stood still, cocking his head in confusion as he tried to sort out what he was seeing and smelling. Remy was doing something to Darken, Wolverine could smell the Dognan boy's fear and see his body reacting to the pain. Remy had done something without even moving from his seat. What the fuck was going on? Charles wasn't too happy about it, Logan could see his jaw working. Not a good sign. The Professor was a calm, rational man. It took quite a bit to get him angry and Gambit had done it in two seconds flat.

Darken sighed and relented. "Fine. Yes, Kimble was given special codes. Him and some of the others — I won't say whom no matter how much you try to hurt me, alpha," he threatened, his eyes firmly on Remy. "Those who were given the special codes were sometimes melted on purpose, yes. Some were melted by Quishnalay, others were damaged by accident or by other owners."

"Like Aiden was?"

Darken hesitated before answering. "Yes, like Aiden was. It's no secret that being melted boosted their empathy and in some cases, added to their abilities. Some Courtesans in the Game may have been melted and theirs drives rebuilt. Some 'grams were, some weren't, and I'm not telling you which ones were. Either way, Kimble would have no memories of this event if it had happened. But it also may be that the damage Kimble suffers from is nothing more than a side effect of such a long hypersleep. It's more probable than not, really."

Remy wasn't buying it. Shi'ow-ri was yammering about a lie being in there somewhere, one she couldn't decipher on empathy alone. Remy demanded more answers. "Who was Sheyman!"

"I have no idea."

/ Liar! "Liar!" Remy snarled, startling more than just the boy in front of him. "You know damn well. Stop screwin' around!"

Darken removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Remy had given him quite the headache. "Look, all I know is that he might have been a member of the Royal family. His dad was some kind of Senator and he gave Kimble to Sheyman as a present."

"Kimble a black market 'gram."

"That's right. Quishnalay owed the guy a favor. He passed Kimble on without papers. Sheyman wasn't supposed to put him to work, but he did anyway. Or someone did. That's the only explanation for Kimble ultimately ending up in the box."

"You ever meet Sheyman?"

"No, but my father did. Sheyman came with his dad on the day that some of the special 'grams were being treated after they'd been melted."

"Treated!" Remy snarled again.

"Okay, repaired," Darken recanted in retreat, not wanting any more pain. "The Senator flashed a bunch of money and Kimble was passed on."

"Did Sheyman speak?"

"No. He was messed up, insane. He'd been in some kind of accident and had brain damage. You know how the 'grams can be therapeutic? The Senator wanted a playmate for his poor damaged son. Sheyman used to be a trainer, he was familiar with the 'grams and it was hoped that a special 'gram, a Lushna-esk, might be able to help draw him out. It did."

Remy groaned inside. So Trishnar's fantastic tale must have been true. Kimble claimed he spoke just like his father, when in fact it was the other way around. Either Kimble didn't realize this or he simply chose to ignore this for his own truth. Looking back on it, Remy realized that Trishnar had known this about Kimble and Sheyman all along, he hadn't just been tossing out ideas like he wanted his guest to believe. Gambit's irritation soared. "So why is all dis gotta be some big kinda secret, eh?"

"It's not really. It's just that the rules of the Game demand some privacy. If I go to Jael's after seeing you, I am not permitted to disclose Kimble's existence or his condition. I've already crossed that line giving you the score, but Trishnar spoke very highly of you. I figured with you only having one piece, you could use all the help you could get. Kimble will need to be protected if you want to keep him."

Remy couldn't help but smile slightly at the mention of Trishnar's recommendation. It was nice to know he had allies. "What else is dere in de Codes?"

Darken was looking at him again, not speaking.

"Dis my 'gram, I got a right to know. Tell me!"

"Ask the question."

"What's Kimble's Mark?"

Remy remembered all too well the conversation he'd had with Trishnar. His host had revealed to him that Kimble had no Mark when he had been discovered in the box. Trishnar was right about Sheyman, now Remy wanted to see what else Trishnar had known.

"Look at him, it's green," the Games Master replied with annoyance, but he couldn't keep the smile out of his eyes.

"Wrong answer. Trishnar say 'e see Kim back on Siska. 'E 'ave no Mark. Dis Sword 'e got now, 'e 'ave 'cause Fallen put it dere."

Remy could feel the tension escalate in the room the moment the words left his lips. Seth sat up, his eyes wide now. His weren't the only eyes looking on him in suspicion. There was much he hadn't said about his host in New Orleans and his reputation as a withholder of secrets was only being boosted by his actions today. Seth's vibration came at him, full of anger and pain. / Why didn't you tell me you knew things about my brother? I have a right to know! He's a part of me. His history is mine. /

Remy's hand moved out to lightly touch him, his eyes still on Darken. / Je suis de'sole. All dis 'appen so fast. Gambit wasn't hidin' nuthin' from you on purpose. Fo'give me. /

Seth moved away slightly, his body in shock from Gambit's use of power. It was stronger now and its messages more direct. The young Siskan shivered, afraid of it. Remy let him retreat, he would talk to Seth after and get him straightened out. Right now, he was after bigger prey.

"I'm waitin', Darken."

The Games Master sighed in resignation and turned to his computer, tapping quickly on the keyboard. At first Remy thought he was being blown off, but Shi'ow-ri cautioned him to wait, the boy was merely working. He raised a special tool and plugged it into Kimble's primary star. More codes scrolled up the screen. Darken closed his eyes. "It's Purple."

Remy groaned, he couldn't help it. Purple, one of the special Rogue 'grams that Trishnar had spoken of. Did Trishnar know this already? Probably. The Rogues were supposedly the most valuable, how Trishnar must have wept when Kimble was stolen from him. He was about to speak when Shi'ow-ri whispered to him again, making him shiver. / You knew this already yourself, back before all this, before it all. /

What you talkin' 'bout, chere?

Flashback memory - Zander's death back at Station Nine, when he and Kimble were sharing files. They had also shared a dream of falling. He had tumbled down into blackness only to land in a vast lake of purple water. Grape Kool-ade, he could almost taste it in the back of his throat. At the time he had thought it some kind of torture ripped from his own painful memories of being orphaned. No, it had been a message. This was Kimble's power, a secret. Just what was this Siskan he possessed? Friend, killer, lover, weapon? All of the above? It was a full minute before Remy found his voice. "You knew dis back on de ship."

Darken looked up at him as he replied, "No, not exactly. I just knew that all three Channelers had already been found."

"Does Jael know about Kim?"

"Let's just say Jael probably knows he's not really a Channeler. Jael's not a stupid man, he usually had good information. He has to know Kimble's not a standard 'gram. Guard your Siskan well."

"Well, dat's just great," Gambit grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "Is it true de Rogues got all de powers of de other colors? Dat dey can do all whatever is it dose 'grams can do?"

"That's for you to discover."

"Tell me!" / Tell me! Gambit lashed out again.

Darken cried out in real pain, raising his hands to his head defensively.

Back off! The Professor mentally shouted to his thief, sending a bolt of pain right down Gambit's brain and ending this. Remy thought his head was going to explode and it didn't surprise him when his nose began to bleed. He reeled back and Fallen was there to catch him, her eyes questioning what bizarre thing had just happened..

The Professor answered her by rolling forward to address the Games Master. "You must forgive me, I am a man of peace. I will not allow Remy to hurt you. However, it is my concern that my people be protected. You will answer the question."

Darken tried to compose himself, he was happy to see his antagonist get some payback, but recognized that the man in front of him was far more powerful than thief and the bigger threat. He didn't have to look far to know it, Remy was still conscious but was basically shut down, he was moaning and holding his nose as his blood continued to drip to the floor. Darken tried to keep his voice steady as he answered, "All I will say is that Kimble should be able to protect himself and his Angel. I can't do any more than that. I've already told you too much as it is."

"Very well. Continue your work."

The Professor backed up to where Fallen sat with Remy's head in her lap. Someone had fetched a towel and the bleeding had pretty much stopped, but Gambit was shaking. He still had a monster headache and his eyes were closed.

Je suis de'sole, Charlie. I just 'ad to know.

I understand your need to know, but I will never condone violence. You must learn control. Your power is growing.

Oui. Just got a boost. Guess you an' me, p'etetre, we need to talk.

When this is done. Lie still and rest.

I'm okay, just need to... Remy's body grew still and he was quiet, asleep before he could even finish.

"He okay, Chuck?" Logan asked softly. He hadn't liked seeing Remy get shut down but understood that it was justified. Charles had long warned them all that such behavior would never be permitted, not so long as he had a say about it. This wasn't much of a surprise.

"Yes. He's sleeping. He's had a busy day. Keep him here, make him comfortable."

(break)

"There," Darken said, rubbing his eyes.

"Dat's it?" Remy asked. He'd had a short nap and was feeling better, all things considered. He had stripped off his heavy sweater and was comfortable, relaxed now. He was sitting beside his Siskan, one hand gently stroking the purple Mark that now covered his chest, Darken had restored it as part of the repair. This Mark had nothing to do with Kimble's skin and was supposed to be there, Fallen's incorrect personality codes had inadvertently hidden it. The Mark was beautiful, it was a magnificent purple woman, her hair loose and flowing, bright pilot wings outstretched behind her. Remy's touch was light, thoughtful. " 'E still lyin' dere."

"It looks like he's sleeping but he's really running an internal diagnostic," Darken replied. He had seen that the thief was calm, had been after his nap. Gambit had been gently put in his place by the master of all telepaths and was back in control of his temper. Darken continued, "He'll be down a couple of hours and then he'll wake up. His codes have been changed, he'll be disoriented. His sensory perceptions will be out of whack. He'll be a bit out of sorts for a couple of days until he gets used to the changes. You're in luck, I was able to do a partial reintegration. It's not as good as he would be if he was new, but he'll be more stable than I first thought. He'll still be susceptible to another shattering. I suggest you keep him isolated. Keep his world small and don't let him get too stressed out. Keep him isolated for the next few days, then let him out slowly. Keep his Angel close. That's it."

Darken began packing up his stuff.

Remy looked own at Kimble. He was completely still, but his shine was there sparkling brightly. Shi'ow-ri?

/ Yeah, boss?

Is he okay?

/ Yes. As good as he can be. It'll be okay. We'll stay with him and it'll be okay. /

"You leavin'?" he asked to the Games Master.

"Yeah. I've got more clients. This took longer than I'd expected."

"Maybe you should stick around," Logan growled. "I wanna see that the Cajun got his money's worth."

Darken smiled at him, unafraid. "It'll take me a while to pack up. I should be here when his Siskan wakes up. That's the best I can do."

Remy nodded and scooped up his Siskan, carrying him off to a holding cell.

(break)

Remy sat at the holding cell table, smoking nervously. It had taken more than Darken's suggested couple of hours for Kimble to wake, but he was finally showing signs of life. Molly had been in here with him, helping to pass the time, but when Gambit finally gave in to his agitation and reached for his cigarettes, she quietly withdrew to the security desk just outside, taking Angel with her.

Kimble jerked with a snort and moaned, opening his eyes partway. They were glassy, unfocused. "Sh-Sheyman?"

Remy crushed out his cigarette and walked over to sit next to him on the bed. "Kimble?"

Kimble turned in his direction, but wasn't really seeing him. " 'S funniest dream... So much pain ... so much doin' bad... Father?" he mumbled blearily in Siskan.

Remy took his hand. "It's okay now, cher. It's all done."

Kimble grasped his hand tightly. "It's so big in here."

"Den move over."

Kimble sloppily pushed back against the wall and Remy lay down next to him, filling the void and putting up a barrier against the world. Kimble fell against him, squirming and tucking his head down, trying to hide. "It's so big here. So scary an' big. I don' wanna die!"

"You ain't gonna die, cher. Nuthin bad's gonna 'appen to you, 'ere. I won' let it."

"Father!" Kimble wailed, his body trembling fiercely now.

"Shh...Paisible maintenant, cher. It's okay. Lay yo' 'ead down, dat's it. Listen to my 'eart beatin'. Just close yo' eyes now."

Remy lay Kimble's head against his chest and held him tightly, thinking of all the calm and loving things he could. The Siskan felt it. He relaxed and smiled, immediately putting an arm around him. He closed his eyes and breathed, "Remy..."

"You see me now, little brother?"

"Nobody smells like you. Like cinnamon and leather, whiskey an' cigarettes."

Gambit chuckled. "Don' know if all dat's so good, but it's me, I guess. How you feelin'?"

"It's all so bright an' loud."

"Darken say it'll take a coupla days, den you'll be okay wit it, bien?"

"Stay with me."

"Gambit's got nowhere else to go, fils."

"Where's Angel?"

"Molly's got 'er just outside. You want 'er?"

"Not just yet. She'll see I'm all scared an' she'll cry."

"You scared? Ain't nuthin' 'ere to be scared of."

"It's so big. Gots ta keep it small," Kimble whispered with a slight tremor. Lin's words but spoken in Kimble's voice.

Remy grasped him a little more tightly. "You safe in here wit me. Nuthin's gonna 'appen."

/ Relax, Shi'ow-ri whispered. / Don't let him feel your fear. He's okay. He won't shatter again, not today. Darken did his job. Now do yours and just keep encouraging him. Make him comfortable. /

Remy took a deep breath and calmed. "You want anyt'ing? You want a Coke?"

"No. Just you."

Remy smiled and lay Kimble's head against his chest, petting him. They lay like that for a few minutes, Gambit letting go and reaching out with his power to "feel" Kimble. The pilot was fearful, but it was quickly ebbing away into bliss. Remy was warm and comforting against him, all he really needed right now.

After a few minutes, Kimble looked up into Remy's eyes and reached up to gently paw his face. "I'm sorry what I said about yer wife."

Remy chuckled softly. "Don't got no wife. Don't remember you sayin' nuthin'."

Kimble smiled at him, his eyes tired and sad. "Liar. I wuz mean. Said bad things 'bout you havin' a wife an' a bunch of ugly kids. It ain't true what I said. I only ever wanted ya to be happy. She's gonna makes ya happy an' alla them kids, too. I just hope ya ain't so mad that ya don't want me there."

"If Gambit was mad at you, he wouldn't 'ave spent t'ree weeks freezin 'is butt off in some big park waitin' on de guy dat fixed you up. You said what you said 'cause you wasn't okay in yo' head. Got dat straightened out, eh? How you feelin' now?"

"I dunno. Funny."

"Funny 'ow?"

"I dunno. Like I wants ta cry an' laugh an' scream all at once."

"Well, Darken said dat it might take you a few days to get adjusted. You just rest easy 'ere."

"Where's Angel?"

Remy scowled softly, Kimble had just asked that.

/ Relax, will you? You're so jumpy. /

Gambit just love him, dat's all.

/ Then use your head. Darken said he would be disoriented. Relax, relax. Take a deep breath. /

"She wit Molly. Gonna bring her in, in a minute if you want."

"I want. Stay with me?"

Gambit gave him another loving squeeze and kissed the top of his head. "Don' you fret one bit. I'll stay 'ere as long as you want."