(Five)

Logan walked out onto the blacktop of the back parking lot, closely following Aiden. Two of his men had come up with him and spread out, trying not to look too obvious. Logan was taking no chances with any of the Siskans, not any more. He let Aiden go outside and watched as the Siskan walked a few paces away from him. Aiden slid his shirt from his body in a slow sensual movement, flexing his muscles and stretching. Even from this distance, Logan could see that Aiden's body was covered in dark ugly bruises and thick red scars from cuts that had sealed shut, but not completely healed.

That small smile Aiden always wore grew wider as the first rays of the sun licked his shoulders. He stopped and stripped the rest of the way down, folding his clothes neatly. Logan was a bit nervous and uncomfortable at first with Aiden naked out in the open like that, but it was still quite early in the morning and with no one about, he decided to just let it go. It gave him a chance to look the guy over. Aiden's legs were just as cut and bruised as the rest of him, making Wolverine wonder just what kind of fight it had been. It marked the event of an ugly battle, one in which Logan guessed a normal human might not have survived. Aiden raised his arms over his head and cracked his back, loosening up. Logan watched, amused, as Aiden next began to exercise in slow, graceful Tai Chi movements, getting the most out of his morning.

Aiden had given Logan a lot to think about. Wolverine's interview with him had been very informative. Wading his way through Aiden's thick accent (Why can't these guys talk like normal people, sheesh!), Logan quickly learned more about Jael than he wanted. Jael had descended on Trishnar's house with a small army of super powered beings. They raided the house and almost destroyed Aiden as he unsuccessfully tried to protect his sister. Aiden described a fight in which he plowed his way through Jael's thugs, dragging Babette along with him until they were able to escape, making their way out the back way while the palace came down all around them.

The only reason Aiden had been successful in getting them out, he claimed, was because Jael had been too badly injured to pay that close attention to who was where. He'd had no idea where the Siskans had been housed inside the palace. Lucky for Aiden and his sister, they hadn't been in their regular rooms and had been far enough away from where Jael's men had first entered when the fight first began that they had gotten a head start on their escape.

The attack had been sudden and brutal, with Jael's alphas storming the palace and wrecking everything, a clear violation of the rules. Aiden saw what was happening but was powerless to stop it. Determined not to be sent to such a vile Master, Aiden grabbed Babette and they ran, bringing as many of the power cubes with them as they could find in order to stay alive.

All of these facts made Logan think some. Didn't Remy say the Siskans would be compelled to turn themselves over? As part of the rules of the Game, Aiden was supposed to surrender himself, but he had violated all of that by fleeing instead. What the consequences were to that no one knew, but Aiden could care less. His attitude was one of "fuck the Game and everyone in it". His will was strong. Just how much of a pain in the ass was he going to be before all this was over? If he was anything like Kimble, it was probably going to be a lot.

This was not something Aiden said directly, Logan deduced it from the edges of things Aiden said. Aiden was not very talkative, something that made Wolverine naturally suspicious. He had an idea maybe Aiden wasn't telling the whole story. Not that it mattered, Wolverine had already sent Kennedy and a small crew down to the Big Easy to check out Aiden's story against any police reports that were filed. Something had to be on record, Aiden claimed the house had caught fire and was probably destroyed.

The few facts Aiden did give out were interesting enough. It seemed that the Angels were more than just mere children. This news didn't surprise Logan much at all. He had always known Angel was different from other kids. She was abnormally bright and perceptive, more mature than her Guardian at times. What Logan hadn't liked was the news that Jael's mysterious new armor had somehow absorbed some kind of strange energy from Babette's child. The boy died in the process, not that Jael cared. He seemed to regard him as less than alive somehow, like he hadn't been real. How Babette had cried.

Aiden's voice shook as he spoke of this, but he remained tightly controlled, not wanting Logan to see his emotional weakness. Although the child was Babette's Angel, Aiden had played a large role in his upbringing. He shed no tears, but it was clear the loss was devastating to him. What Logan hadn't called the guy on, just yet, was the nagging question – if Aiden was so busy getting out of the house, how did he know such details from the fight that had taken place so far away?

Wolverine had taken the time to check the backpack that Aiden had brought with him. The fact that Aiden had found time to grab some clothes and a large wad of money during an attack that was supposedly a surprise did little to ease his suspicions that he wasn't getting all the facts.

Aiden continued with his story. Because they were both badly wounded, the Siskans' power didn't last. Aiden had grabbed some cubes from the house as well and let Babette use his share of them, taking only enough Ristle to keep himself going. This was to explain why he was still so badly injured. They made their way to Westchester as fast as they could, looking for help.

Wolverine doubted Aiden was telling everything, but could only take him on faith for the moment. Like Kimble, he had no scent and was impossible to read below the surface image provided. What had struck Logan positively was Aiden's strength. After being around shy little Seth and the demented Kimble, it was refreshing to see a 'gram with both feet on the ground. He couldn't explain it, but Logan found himself liking this Siskan for reasons he couldn't exactly explain. It was just a feeling.

Logan covered all of his bases and had read the file on Aiden that Remy had made long ago. The details were slim and of little value. Aiden had been broken as Kimble had been and like the pilot, had shown signs of violent and anti-social behavior. He would meet Logan's eyes as he spoke, showing he was unafraid, but he was haunted and guarded, his posture submissive. More than once Aiden had looked away after a difficult question, as if seeking advice from someone who simply wasn't there. It was an oddity, but not something that gave Wolverine any concern simply because Aiden did eventually respond.

It had been explained to Aiden that Logan was head of Security, a policeman as it were, and it would be in his best interests to cooperate. He didn't fight or argue, just answered all of Logan's questions in his soft voice, not always offering details until pressed. Later, he had asked to come outside when the sun rose. Logan had refused until Aiden told him that like Kimble, he needed the sun to recharge. Now he was out here, enjoying the sun and being very passive and quiet.

Wolverine turned as he heard the door to the landing platform open. Gambit had come up, helping a weak and groggy Kimble up the stairs. He was escorted by two more of Logan's crew, his displeasure from it marked by the scowl on his face as he watched them fan out once they got to the top. He'd had to beg and plead for the privilege of getting Kimble recharged and was furious that his wish had been granted only when he allowed the guards. The pilot had one of Henry's thick blankets wrapped around his shoulders and looked like refugee from a war camp. Remy was careful and practiced as he eased Kimble out onto the platform, giving Logan a look of irritated surprise when he noticed him there.

"Little early for you, ain't it, mon ami?"

"Seems these two fellas got more in common than just broken heads. Aiden charges up from the sun, too," Wolverine replied, jerking a thumb in Aiden's direction. He ignored Remy's obvious annoyance, not wanting to argue so early in the morning. Yes, Gambit had won the privilege of bringing Kimble out, but he had won as well. Kimble was still to be detained in the Lab for observation. He would not be given free rein to travel in the Complex.

Remy grunted at Logan's comment about Aiden, not really surprised. He actually should have figured that out earlier. Each morning when he was at Trishnar's house, Aiden had been out with the sunrise, exercising as he was now. Gambit had assumed it was some kind of ritual, a cleansing mediation. It never occurred to him there was more than one reason for it. He took in the extent of Aiden's battered body without comment, though the sight of all that damage had been unsettling.

"Who's that?" Kimble mumbled next to Remy, blinking blearily at Aiden who had stopped his exercise to take in the new arrivals.

"Dat's Aiden. He a guest. Go on over an' say 'ello, d'accorde? I wanna talk wit Logan anyhow."

Kimble nodded and shuffled away. He slid the blanket from his shoulders, balling it up in his arms, and fanned out his wings, grateful for the warmth of the new sun, it was better than a hundred blankets. He made his way closer to Aiden as he had been directed, his fogged out body simply moving along. At first he figured that Aiden was just another mutant simply hanging out, but it was working its way in that Aiden didn't look right. Aiden was naked, something the humans here never were. Naked and injured, his body was covered in bruises and recent scars from cuts. A quick read of Aiden's shine showed that it was a swirling sparkling blue and gold. This newcomer was happy out here in the sun and curious about him as well. Why was some bruised guy out here naked? And was that a tattoo on his chest?

Kimble finally closed the distance, watching as Aiden sat down next to his clothes, his legs folded neatly in front of him. Aiden had been forced to sit, actually. The sight of Remy's handsome pilot Siskan had robbed him of his breath and made his legs weak. Kimble was even more beautiful than he had seemed the night before, so lovely walking over here with the sun gleaming off of his bright white skin. Kimble's hair was long and shiny as it blew about in a the light morning breeze, a dark compliment to his alabaster body. Aiden had never seen a male pilot in the flesh before and the man walking over to him was magnificent in spite of being so weak and undercharged. His large purple Mark was brilliant against that fine white skin and spoke of mysteries begging to be explored. Aiden felt something then he hadn't felt in a long time, a tug at his heart, a shimmer of destiny speaking to him. He shook his head, hoping the spell would pass. He was here to look after Babette, nothing more. That and to fulfill a mission he had kept private to himself. No amount of arm twisting would get him to reveal his true reason for coming here, not before he was ready.

"Hey," Kimble mumbled sleepily as he crouched down and held out his hand. The blanket tumbled to his feet, but he didn't notice. Up close now, he could see the tattoo on Aiden's chest more clearly. I must be hallucinatin', he reasoned. It looks like mine, only a pale blue. Why would somebody else have a tattoo like mine?

" 'Allo, I am Aiden," the newcomer answered with a playful smile, taking Kimble's hand and shaking it. Aiden could see that Kimble's being low on power had made him unable to grasp the obvious about himself. He didn't elaborate, it was more fun to let Kimble discover the answers to his questions by himself.

Kimble gasped and his eyes widened in shock and surprise as the skin to skin contact tumbled information into his slow and clouded mind. He had gotten an answer to his question. / He's a Siskan 'gram like me!

Kimble had an inner voice just as Remy did. Unlike Gambit, that voice had always been there for him and he never questioned its presence any more than he questioned his ability to see or smell. It was a sense like all the others he possessed. He never gave it a name, but listened to it just the same. It was speaking to him now. / He's a 'gram, yes. And like you in more than one way. He's Siskan, but he also has the power. /

Kimble's memory was a jumbled mess, especially the further back you went. His time on Siska where he had been made was the vaguest of all. He did have memories of others like himself, other Siskan Courtesans, but those 'grams had been normal and not empathic like himself. Aiden was the first Lushna-esk Siskan he had ever met. Kimble knew that these special 'grams like himself existed, but only because Remy had told him so. There had been times that he wondered if Gambit had told him there were others out there just so he wouldn't feel so all alone in his strangeness. It seemed he had just gotten his proof. The idea of it almost floored him.

"I'm - I'm -Kimble. Yer- yer a 'gram! A 'gram like me!" he managed to gasp in a reckless jumble of words.

Aiden laughed, amused by the whole thing. He didn't allow Kimble to release his hand but let slip a small sip of his powerful Kundatesh, his eyes seeming to seek some kind of recognition that didn't seem to be forthcoming. "Yesz, disz isz szo."

Again, Kimble's eyes widened in shock as he felt that power course right through him in a ripple of luscious heat and sparkling happiness. He wavered forward and staggered to one knee, rocked as more information came with it, this time with its own voice. / Not juszt any Sziszkan Courteszan, me. I'm szpecial. Szpecial like you. Can you feel it? Can you feel disz?

Kimble couldn't speak, he was trembling too badly. He had heard this kind of voice before, sure. It had come from Remy, but it had never been so clear nor so strong. It was compelling, demanding all of his attention. From the corner of his eye he saw Logan take a step towards him, his shine clouding up with potential anger as his protection gears whirled into overdrive. As much as Wolverine disliked him, he would not see him come to harm.

Before Logan took his next step, Remy reached out and grasped his shoulder, holding him in place. "Let dem be."

Wolverine grumbled softly and backed down. He would wait and see what happened next.

Kimble jerked himself back into control. He didn't feel threatened in any way, only just terribly surprised. He didn't want Logan to interfere with this new amazing discovery and so released Aiden's hand and sat down on his ass before he could fall. He was grateful that Aiden was being so passive about all this, he made no move at all to assist but watched Kimble move with a wry kind of amusement. Clearly he was more than aware of how his power had affected Kimble.

Kimble finally got himself settled down, glancing back over his shoulder once to see that Logan had backed down. His shine was still swirling, though. Kimble figured the best thing to do was talk. He knew Logan would be able to hear him, so he simply tried to sound as unfazed as possible.

"Well, what do ya know 'bout that? You gots the power like I do!"

"You could szay dat, yesz," Aiden replied, that smile never dimming a bit. His eyes had brightened with Kimble's odd catchphrase, finding some kind of amusement in it he didn't comment on.

Kimble was still rambling, trying to work this out. "An'- an' ya takes the plasma from the sun jus' like me, too."

"Yesz. Disz isz good, non? Now we don' need nobody but ourszelvez, usz. No cubesz. We free."

Kimble laughed at that. He had never really thought about it that way. "Where didja comes from?"

"New Orleansz. Aiden met your Remy many year ago. Make good friendsz, usz. Coupla daysz ago, trouble come to me and my Maszter. Jael come and play ze sztupid Game. 'E wreck everyt'ing, 'urt ze onesz around me. Aiden 'ave a choicze, sztay wit Jael or run asz far asz 'e could. Didn' 'ave to t'ink too long on dat one, juz didn' 'ave no placze to go, eh? Zen Aiden remember 'isz old friend. Come to Remy for 'elp."

"Remy looks after evrabody," Kimble commented absently, rolling over what Aiden had said. The new discoveries were coming a mile a minute, almost more than his brain could handle. It had never occurred to him that he had the option of running. He had always thought that once the Master was thrown down, a Siskan was forced to go with the winner. The idea of it filled him with a strange sense of hope. It wasn't diminished by his observation of Aiden's surface damage, he had seen the bruises and cuts almost immediately but was too polite to ask about them. He knew now the sun would heal them like it healed his own wounds, but it would take a couple of days.

"Yesz, Remy isz very good to 'ave around, non? Not like many othersz Aiden knowsz."

Kimble laughed softly as he found himself relaxing, lulled into peace by the gentleness of Aiden's voice. "You talks like Remy does, only different."

"Yesz. Aiden 'asz been many placesz, me," the newcomer replied with another accented laugh. "Szeen many t'ings. Szometimez dey sztay in my head and zen I put zem on paper. Did you like my paintingsz? My casztlesz?"

Kimble laughed. "They wuz from you? Remy didn't ever really say. I likes them very much. Still gots them on my wall."

Aiden nodded, pleased and flattered now. He, too, liked the sound of Kimble's voice. He had heard an accent very much like this before and it brought back memories of comfort and happiness. It pleased him to hear it again and his shine sparkled happily.

Kimble saw it and it warmed him even if he didn't know the reason. It made him happy just to be with someone who was so obviously pleased to have him near. It didn't stop him from asking his next question, there was so much he wanted to know. "How come ya takes the plasma? I gots melted," he asked, shivering a little from remembered pain. It hadn't been a joyful experience.

"Aiden wasz shot by a plaszma gun. Disz de firsz' time 'e wasz melted. Ze szecond wasz much worsze. Made ze plaszma look like a backwash from a Trandin' Muzla. Wasz terrible, jusz terrible."

"What's a Muzla?" Kimble asked with a snicker. Aiden was speaking of things he hadn't experienced. "I ain't gots no clue what yer talkin' 'bout."

Aiden laughed at Kimble's innocence and bright eyes. Kimble was very vibrant for a 'gram, reminding him of his precious Babette. Not all empathic 'grams were equal, it seemed like the more damaged they got, the more alive they became. He loved Kimble's pale blue eyes and teasing smile, so much like his own. He could see how this one might be dangerous to his heart, it would be so easy to fall in love with the real thing, not just an image from a dream.

"Ze Muzla isz szome kinda big fuckin' man, like a bear. Zey 'ave many fur an' clawsz. Luv to fight in Gamesz. He wuz Aiden'sz Maszter for a time. Luv to fuck, 'e did. Ze backwash asz big asz de man...too big. Luv to fuck, luv to hit an' bite. Disz not szo good. Good t'ing Aiden didn' sztay long, me. Waszn't much fun," Aiden replied. His voice was contrary to his words, jaunty and light. He was curious about Kimble and was happy to have this quiet moment to speak with him.

"You been melted more'n once?" Kimble asked in a stunned whisper. He found Aiden hopelessly fascinating. It was strange to sit here and talk to one of his own kind. It awoke a strong desire to know more of himself, something he had avoided all these years. He could have pressed Remy for every scrap the thief had learned, but he had been much too fearful of anything that had to do with the Game, it frightened him too much. Now, that fear was dying quickly, burned out and replaced by a strange kind of magical wonder. He wanted to know Aiden well.

Aiden wasn't like the other 'grams he had met before, at least not the ones he could remember. Aiden was like a real person, not so "programmed" and artificial. He loved the sleepy look of his light green eyes and long blonde lashes. It made him want to reach out and touch him. Made him want to do more than that.

"Yesz," Aiden replied to Kimble's question, lowering his eyes for the first time. He had showed no emotions other than playful, happy curiosity until now. Now he showed pain. "T'ree timesz. Disz why Aiden szo broken."

"Yer broken?" Kimble asked tentatively, feeling sympathetic. Being melted was the worst thing that he'd ever felt. He couldn't imagine it happening more than once to anybody.

"I wasz," Aiden replied, raising his eyes and throwing off the pain from old wounds. It had happened long ago and truthfully, he was over it now. It was carried in the confidence of his voice. "Ze Gamesz Maszter fix me. Remy did not tell you? 'E come to szee Trishnar many year ago an' Aiden szpeak to 'im dere. Aiden tell 'im not to be szcare of 'isz Sziszkan, zat you would not be broken for all time if 'e juszt luv you. 'E isz very good, non? 'E make luv szo very nize, not like moszt humansz. Aiden enjoy 'im very much, me."

Kimble frowned, suddenly upset. Long ago Remy had said something about being with others who had the Kundatesh. Remy had been skimpy with the details and Kimble hadn't fully understood what that had meant until now. The intimacy they had shared told him that Remy had never given himself over to another man besides himself, or at least it had certainly seemed so from the delightful way Remy had reacted to his touch. Now he felt a nagging uncertainty. He felt jealous.

Aiden laughed softly, sensing it. "Don' worry. Aiden didn' break 'im in for you, not too much. 'E wasz afraid of Aiden like disz, szo Aiden chanje. 'E make 'imszelf a woman, den 'e get' isz way."

Kimble relaxed a bit, letting go of his jealousy. He was still special, still the only man Remy had ever given himself to. "You kin still shifts? The Games Master said I cain't do that no more. Wuz too broken."

"Aiden 'asz two skinsz, dat'sz all dat'sz left. All 'e needsz, huh? Only t'ing isz, Aiden cannot make ze clothesz, muszt wear ze real onesz. It'sz juszt asz well. Szometimesz, de beszt momentsz come when we undressz, hmm?"

Kimble smiled at his flirtatious joke, puzzled by this strange visitor. He was curious about Aiden, he hadn't seen another Siskan hologram since Zander had been deliberately damaged by the Clan so long ago and none of them had been empathic. It made all the difference in the world. Aiden was looking at him with unveiled curiosity and delight, his eyes unabashedly roaming over his pilot's body. Aiden apparently liked what he saw, he was visibly aroused and his body movements indicated he wanted Kimble to know it.

Kimble was unused to the attention but pleasantly surprised, he had to hunt down male companionship if he wanted it. Even then, it was rare and painfully hard to come by, so when offered, not refused. More than that, was the strange concept that another Siskan would be interested in him in this way. Kimble's memories of Siska were jumbled, but in all the time of his service there, he had had only had human clients. The Siskans there never touched one another, it simply never occurred to them. Kimble had been an oddity among his own kind, an empathic Courtesan kept separate. Even if it had occurred to him to try, the other 'grams most likely would have rejected his advances. Here now was something new. Not only did Kimble find himself in the company of another Siskan, this Siskan was empathic like himself and very much desiring the contact Kimble so much wanted to give. Emboldened, Kimble reached out to touch Aiden's face, confused once more by the intensity of the contact. He was getting more information than he was used to. He could sense Aiden's curiosity but also his intense sexual desire. He was drawn by it like a moth to a flame. Aiden didn't stop him when he leaned in close and kissed him.

"Why does he do that?" Logan complained. In spite of his words, he was a bit mesmerized by the kiss. Kimble had been slow and tentative, then became explorative and sensual when Aiden did not resist. Logan wasn't sure he had ever seen two men kiss like that. It was as if they had been lovers all their lives, far more erotic than he had ever seen so openly like this. He couldn't help but flush a little.

"Why he do what?" Remy asked as if in surprise. He had noted the strange swirling of Wolverine's shine and was amused by it.

"He just met the guy and he's all over him! I mean, what ever happened to dating?" Logan complained in exasperation, hiding his discomfort with surly words. He had been curious himself what these two were going to do when they met, but he hadn't counted on such a sexual display so early. Perhaps it had been a mistake to allow Aiden to undress completely without comment. He hoped they weren't planning on fucking right out here in the open. That would be more than he wanted to see.

Gambit was laughing at his reaction. "Dat is dating to dese Siskans. You should 'ave seen dem at Trishnar's. Gambit 'ad no time to breathe, y'all," he joked with a laugh. He was amused by Kimble's behavior. He was curious what these two would do when they had met face to face and had a chance to talk. "All Trishnar's 'grams kiss like dat. Dat's 'ow dey say 'allo. All dese Siskans are frisky."

"Funny how that didn't make it into yer report. I pulled yer file before I was talkin' with Aiden."

"Yeah, well some t'ing's Gambit t'inks are private."

Wolverine grinned at him playfully and teased, "You and Aiden ever...you know?"

Remy smiled and shook his head, humored by Logan's curiosity. He wasn't entirely dishonest when he replied, "Not like dat. 'E change to girl jus' for me, comprenez? 'E 'ave two skins, de male, de female. 'E de one to tell Gambit dat Kimble could be saved an' I guess 'e wanted to prove it so 'e jumped me. Aiden was suppose' to be in worse condition dan Kimble was. 'E was okay den, 'e seem okay now."

"He seems okay, but?" Logan questioned, hearing some hesitation in Remy's voice.

Gambit shrugged, trying to be nonchalant. " 'E a bit rough wit me, not like de others. Not so easy wit 'is words, eh? Got a temper. Trishnar say 'e was violent once when someone break into de 'ouse. 'E can make de spikes like Kimble does. Jus' sayin' mebbe we keep an eye on 'im, dat's all."

Kimble was a creature of many talents. The same way he could conjure a sword out of thin air, he could also create spikes, crystalline icicles, that could be tossed like weapons. It was an extension of his telekinetic power and one that Remy had learned that Aiden shared. This ability didn't automatically mean that violence would follow in Aiden's wake, but caution would be on order.

Logan grumbled and relaxed, but took a moment to note, "See you ain't usin' yer cane. Seems to me that ya healed up pretty quick. Maybe you was just usin' that broken leg of yours fer attention."

"It's still sore, just don't think about it much," Gambit replied with an offhand shrug.

"Uhm, hmm," Logan grunted and let it drop. He hadn't expected anything else, really. Like most of the team, Remy had learned to deal with pain, they all had. As much as their world was filled with ugliness and violence, no one wanted to be left behind when the team got sent out. More than once Henry had to force someone to stand down, usually behind a wall of protest. Remy would probably be okay so long as he wasn't pushed into a fight. If they were lucky, Jael would take his time and give them all a chance to heal and regroup. He just hoped that Aiden and Babette's presence here wouldn't bring that to a head sooner rather than later.

The short distance away, the two Siskans continued to get acquainted.

"You kissz nize, you," Aiden said, smiling. He brushed Kimble's face and was pleased when the pilot smiled back at him.

"It's hard fer me ta find guys that wants ta play out here. Most of the folks here, they thinks it's bad. Sometimes I wonder if they's right."

"Why you szay disz? Doesn't your Maszter give you luv? I szee 'isz touch on you," Aiden asked, losing some of his earlier happiness. For the first time he noticed things about Kimble he hadn't before – his submissive posture and the way he was always looking over his shoulder at Logan's men. Clearly this Siskan was under pressure, human pressure to conform. He had felt this before himself and it made him angry.

Kimble was speaking now, "Ain't gots no Master fer real. Remy's my friend. That's all he ever wuz. He gots Molly now for his Mistress an' he don't love me like that no more. He's happy with her now."

"You 'ave no Maszter?" Aiden asked in surprise. This was something his dear friend Remy had omitted last night - well not exactly omitted, more like didn't quite explain. The news explained some of Remy's discomfort with Kimble's confinement and why Remy hadn't forced the issue of his release. Aiden was unable to hide the smile of pleasure there. With no Master, Kimble was free just as he was. Free to be loved.

"Well, I gots my Angel. She's my Mistress, or as close ta one as I gots. I takes care of her."

"Your Anjel?" Aiden asked in confusion. First Kimble had said he wasn't owned, and then he said he was. The pilot wasn't making sense.

"She's a kid I rescued. I takes care of her now cuz she's still so small, she's only seven. She's my Angel, my Mistress," Kimble explained. No, he hadn't forgotten last night's ugly conversation with Karen. He was holding Remy to his promise that all would be well if he was quiet and good. Now with the sun warm on his back and this strange new friend in front of him, he was feeling optimistic and very, very happy. Everything was going to be fine.

Aiden nodded at Kimble's statement without surprise, doing a little better than Kimble at processing new information quickly. Of course he had something to relate to, the situation Kimble described was similar to Babette and David. David was not her Master, but he had absorbed all of her time and cares. Aiden said nothing of poor little David's demise, not wanting to upset Kimble and ruin their conversation.

As he had tried to digest what Kimble had told him, Aiden had been disappointed to learn that Kimble had in fact passed hands and was owned after all, but then he thought about it. He found himself relieved that Kimble's Mistress was so very young, it meant he would not have to ask her for permission if he wanted to use Kimble for sex - and he had wanted Kimble from first sight, that was a fact. Aiden had lived in Siskan society long enough to have some of the rules still in his mind. If Kimble's Mistress had been an adult, it would be impolite to use Kimble without being asked, it was an unspoken rule. Most often, the permission was formality, the owners of Siskans often shared since the Siskans were so insatiable. Just to be clear about just how free for use Kimble really was, Aiden said, "You cannot lay wit 'er. She juszt a child."

Kimble himself had never grown up with the use of formal Siskan rules. He wasn't thinking about Master/Siskan protocols when he simply shrugged casually and said, "I knows that. I takes my love where I kin finds it, that's all. I don't want no commitments. Just a nice good time, that's all," he finished firmly, establishing his own boundaries. He hoped he was making himself clear. The attraction between them was mutual and Kimble hoped to have the chance to act on it, but wouldn't cross his own borders. No one stays, no one falls in love with him, that was it. He was just laying the groundwork early as he had with anyone else who had shown an interest in him since he ha'd come to the Complex.

Aiden shrugged, accepting Kimble's rules without a care. He believed they had come from Kimble's pressured life here and maybe they could be worked around. They weren't all that far from his own boundaries. He was attracted, sure, but he could also walk away. He was Aiden and Aiden was always in charge of Aiden, no one else. At least he wouldn't have to ask for permission to play with Kimble, they could play at any time, always a treat. He smiled at Kimble, showing his positive reception. "Aiden 'asz no plansz, me. 'E juszt coasztin', neh? Takesz what comesz."

Kimble nodded, happy that they seemed to understand one another. Of course, there was always the problem of timing. He wasn't that free, not right now. He looked over at Logan's men. Two of them had been there when he had come up - escorts for Aiden, not himself. "They lockin' you up, too?"

"Yesz. Aiden don' care. 'E know ze game. Play nize den zey let Aiden walk around a bit. Beszidesz no 'arm in bein' in a szmall szpace, 'szpecially if you wit me, eh?"

Kimble smiled shyly at Aiden's flirtations, they reminded him of himself, or who he had once been long ago. He was liking Aiden's company more than he liked to admit. He was expecting more protests from within at the thought of a new and potentially hazardous friendship, but the voices there were oddly silent.

"We Sziszkansz got to sztay together, non?" Aiden continued. "We look out for ourszlevesz, usz."

Thinking of the past few days, Kimble couldn't help but comment bitterly, "I ain't done such a bang up job of that lately."

"Dat'z causze you alone. Now dere'sz me an' Babette. De t'ree of usz gonna be beszt friendz."

"Who's Babette?"

"She come in wit me. She isz our sziszter. Jael took 'er Anjel," Aiden replied without elaborating. He still didn't want to upset his new friend. "Now she terrible szad. Mebbe de two of usz can make 'er szmile again."

"I'll helps ya, shure," Kimble offered. How could he not? He identified with Babette even if they hadn't met yet. He wasn't sure where Aiden got the bizarre idea that they were all related, but he liked the sound of it all the same. Besides, the idea of spending any kind of time with Aiden sounded like great fun. He couldn't believe his good fortune. Two new Siskans here for him to get to know! His shine was sparkly bright with excitement.

Back by the guard shack, Logan rolled his eyes in exasperation. "They look very cute,"

Remy laughed, "You don' approve?"

"What I don't approve of is all these Siskans running around stabbing people. What if Kimble had been wrong?"

" 'E wasn't. Mary was bad news. Jael sent 'er to look for Angel. Soon enough, 'e will figure out where we are. Gonna 'ave to be ready, boss. Jael ain't no lightweight. He knows where we at now, he won't wait too long."

Logan didn't argue, just looked down when his beeper went off. He read the message quickly and grunted before looking across to the two Siskans. "Time ta pack it up, boys."