(Five)

Later that morning, Remy woke from the alarm clock as usual, it was a school day and he had to get Angel ready. He was a bit foggy from his disrupted sleep and the pain medication he had taken last night. He limped to the bathroom and did his business, it being more than a couple of minutes before he realized he was standing in front of the john without his crutches. He blinked in confusion and looked down at his leg. Yeah, it still hurt quite a bit, but he shouldn't have been able to put any real weight on it, never mind get here without his crutches. Unable to resist, he slowly peeled back the bandages and looked with surprise at the huge, ugly bruise that was there. A bruise, but one with only the tiniest sign there had been a puncture wound at all, Maylee's stitches were all but sticking out already. Like Kimble, it seemed that Aiden's Kundatesh had some recuperative power.

A bit bemused, he next shuffled into the livingroom, again momentarily confused when he saw his guests were gone. The sleeping bags were neatly rolled and lay on one end of the couch, a note lay there as well. He read it and nodded to himself, Max had taken Aiden topside to charge and then off to work. While Remy didn't entirely approve of Aiden's new job - Wolverine was hardly the best choice for boss - it was better if Aiden was watched and kept busy.

Gambit made his way through his morning, getting Angel fed and off to school. In spite of having been helped along by Aiden, he still used his crutches just the same. He didn't know if there would be any kind of relapse and didn't want to be caught off guard with nothing to support him. He had just dropped her off for class and was walking back when Logan found him.

Wolverine was outraged, Max had checked in early that morning from one of the topside guard shacks. Max had explained where he had been last night and that against all orders, Remy had exposed Angel to Aiden. Despite the fact that Max said nothing bad had happened, Logan was furious at Remy's cheekiness, like the rules just simply didn't apply to him.

Well, he was about to give the thief an earful. Without preamble, he started in, "What did you think you were doing, bringin' Aiden to your place like that? He shouldn't be anywhere near Angel like that and you know it!"

Remy balked, a bit taken aback by the attack. He had been forewarned by the black in Logan's shine, but the man's shine was always agitated. The trick was finding out just what or who was the present cause of it. Looked like it was himself at the moment. "Don' you t'ink you bein' just a little hard, mon ami? It's early. You goan' give y'self a 'eart attack one of dese days."

Wolverine was not amused by Gambit's attempt at humor. "What gives you the right to bring him to yer place! Yer breakin' orders!"

"Es'pere!" Remy replied sternly, moving from playful evasion to defensive anger. "Where else de boy gonna go? 'Is sister kill 'erself at deir place! 'E has nuthin', nowhere to go! Don' you understand dat? 'Is Master is gone! 'Is sister is gone! David was his child as much as hers! He's gone, too! Don't you get it? 'E need Angel jus' like Kimble does!"

"How could you know that? You said yourself that you hardly know him!"

"I may not be de brightest boy but I ain't blind! I seen it on his face when he looked at her!"

"Fuck that and fuck you! I'm goin' to Chuck with this!"

Remy just shook his head. "Go on an' tattle if you like, petit. But de way I figure it, all Chuck's gotta do is see Angel for 'imself an' he'll know. Dem two need each other now Kimble's gone. It would be a mistake to break dem up."

Logan quietly seethed for a minute. He was perceptive enough to know when he was being spoken to truthfully and Remy wasn't budging, not one inch. He sneered at his teammate, showing his teeth. "Right or wrong, you don't have the right to break the rules fer yer kids whenever ya please. You don't run this place. You put Angel at risk fer a Siskan, I wonder where yer loyalty really lies."

Gambit took a step forward, his heart pounding with rage. "Don' you t'ink I live wit Angel long enough to know what a risk is and what isn't? She like m' own chile! 'Ow dare you?"

Logan nodded. "Got that right. How dare you? Angel can be taken from you just as easy as Kim, don't you forget that. See you around, boy."

Gambit stood as Wolverine backed off. It wasn't a retreat, the man's beeper had gone off and he was checking it, his face darkening even worse. He read the message and growled, grabbing his phone and stalking off, this conversation was over.

Furious now, Remy was inconsolable. Logan was impossible, amazing the man could sleep at night with a clear conscience. Check that, Remy knew Wolverine had his share of nightmares. But how many had he brought upon himself by carrying through threats like that?

Feeling a little sick with anger, Remy wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. Kimble was trashed and he was in no mood or condition to go visit him now. A quick check of his tracker box showed that Aiden was still topside with Max. Grumbling, Remy headed that way.

He made his way up the stairs, no easy thing with his crutches, and felt a blast of relief at the bright sunshine. It seemed like the hallways were crowding in on him these days, the sun and the outside made it easier to breathe. He found Max by the railing of the guard shack and nodded a greeting, but it was Aiden he wanted to see.

The Dreamer was a few paces away, shirtless and enjoying a warm breeze. He smiled and turned when he heard the thief hobbling awkwardly towards him on the pavement. "Leetle early for you, eh?"

"Angel had school," Remy replied, already feeling more at ease with Aiden's easy smile and welcoming vibrations. It was true that at times he felt more comfortable with his Siskan kin than his human ones, this pleasant moment only confirming that. It was the complete acceptance he saw in their eyes, they never judged him, never thought of him as being anything than who he was.

Aiden didn't move but waited until Gambit had come up close. He could see the pain and misery in Gambit's shine, disliking it, but felt he just might have the cure for that. He had unwrapped his hand and was now flexing it in the sun, testing it. The worst of the burn was gone, his fingers were fully formed, but still red and splotchy. He grinned at Remy with satisfaction. "It isz better now."

"C'est bien. Wish I could heal like dat," Remy complained good naturedly. His leg was throbbing a little from all of the movement, the trip up the stairs hadn't helped. Still, it was worth it to stand here in the sun and feel its warmth on his shoulders.

Aiden laughed slightly at his joke and boldly touched him, gently sliding his hand over the thief's bandaged leg and releasing a small cloud of Morrowhiem, not disguising it as he had with Molly the day before. Remy gasped and shivered as his pain vanished and a marvelous, soothing heat spread over the wound - and everywhere else! He laughed in spite of himself. "Easy, fils! Got to warn a boy b'fore you do sumptin' like dat!"

Aiden just laughed in return. "Ah, but you enjoy it, non?"

"Yeah, but de folks 'ere will talk," Remy teased, made playful by the shimmering Morrowhiem and the warm sun. He was on top of the world now, euphoric. His argument with Logan was a million miles away, it had happened to someone else.

Aiden nodded, seeing and understanding it all. "Yesz, and szo what? Aiden no longer care. 'E know who isz friendz are," he finished with emphasis, meeting Remy's eyes with his own.

Remy smiled, selfishly grateful to hear the compliment. His body drank up the blast of affection Aiden had sent with it, soaking it up like a sponge. He was feeling a little giddy as he teased, "So we friends again?"

"Of coursze," Aiden replied, his grin irresistible. He became more serious for a moment. "I wish to t'ank you for bringin' me to your 'ome. For letting me szee Keemble's Anjel. She isz szomet'ing szpecial and I am grateful."

"Pas de quoi, cher. No big deal."

"It wasz to me."

Remy smiled at that. He felt a hundred times better, and not just from the pain relief Aiden had given him. It was times like these when he felt appreciated and loved that made all the rest of the crap go away.

From the railing, Max gestured with his watch, it was time for him and Aiden to go. Aiden turned to Remy as he made to leave and joked with a laugh, "Ze szlave to ze whip oncze more."

"Go get 'em, tiger."

Remy watched Aiden go, thinking how it was funny that one's perspective could change in just a few minutes. His pain and ill humor were gone, replaced with a gentle kind of serenity. He could face his day now. His decision made, he moved quickly, heading for the Professor's office to stop Logan's private little war before it began.

(break)

Aiden moved with the mop bucket down the corridor, grumbling all the way. Logan hadn't been kidding when he said he was his new janitor and he was insulted beyond belief. "Goin' fuck dat boy in ze assz, show 'im what a Szizkan really for, me!"

"What was that?" Max asked, looking up. Aiden had now moved into the area with the holding cells. Max was on guard duty. The room was long and rectangular, the desk was at the head of two rows of cells heading away from the door. So far, only one of them was occupied. Sabretooth had been moved here from the infirmary and was placed in the cell furthest away to keep him quiet.

"Aiden szay not'ing, Mazster."

Max grumbled. Aiden was furious at his new assignment and showed his displeasure by calling everyone Master. He was still sore from Gambit's criticism on that matter as well, so he combined the two, dripping with sarcasm. No one liked Aiden's pissy attitude and comments, but no amount of pressure could stop him. "Just do your work and keep quiet."

Aiden did not reply but kept mopping. He progressed down the hallway towards the last cell. He looked through the shag of his long blonde bangs and saw Max rise with the newspaper towards the Men's Room. The desk would be unoccupied for a few minutes. Aiden grunted derisively and abandoned the mop. He slouched against the rear wall and lit a cigarette in defiance of the rules.

"Got a spare?" came a low rumble from the cell next to him.

Aiden looked over and smiled. Kristalay was recovering from his injuries, but not from Jael's harsh treatment. It had been weeks since the abuse had been done to him and his claws and fangs did not return, nor had his strength or his healing factor. He had heavy braces on his legs for support and a cane. It made him appear weak and not his usual bad ass self. As if to add insult to injury, he had been placed in an ordinary cell with metal bars like a cage, let out only for his physical therapy sessions with Henry. Aiden was unconcerned about Kristalay's condition. He was miserable without Kimble, bored to boot, and wondered if perhaps this one could provide some entertainment.

Aiden lit another cigarette and passed it over, making sure their fingers touched from the exchange. He used a pulse of Kundatesh to "read" Kimble's former Master and the big man grunted softly from the pleasure of it. He had felt this magic before, oh yes, and his body remembered.

Aiden turned to him now, lazily scratching his belly through the opening of his half buttoned shirt. He had noted Kristalay's reaction to his power well enough, enough to be intrigued and amused. He arched that much more, drinking up the growing red in Kristalay's shine.

Kristalay's eyes narrowed, seeing the Mark on Aiden's chest more clearly as the Siskan had moved. These two had met only briefly once, but knew each other well enough. This was a big facility, but a small world. Gossip traveled quickly.

"You that Siskan causin' all the ruckus 'round here?" Kristalay asked casually.

"You ze one who teach Keemble ze pleaszure of a man'sz fisztsz?"

Kristalay just grinned and teased, "Come on over here, little boy...and find out."

Aiden took a step closer but said, "Aiden don' like it zat rough, me. If dat'sz de only way you play, Aiden got better t'ingsz to do wit 'isz time."

Kristalay cocked his head in surprise. Was this an invitation? "I can be persuaded ta be better... given the right incentive."

Aiden laughed softly and shifted into his woman skin.

Kristalay couldn't help but chuckle in wonder. The skin had changed, but not the clothes. She was drop dead gorgeous, a magnificent specimen of human beauty. Her hair was long and brown, her skin white and flawless. How seductive she looked, lazily dressed in a man's clothes. The open shirt almost revealed her breasts, but not quite. It was very alluring. "Disz good enough for you, old man?"

"Heh. You talk like that no good Cajun thief."

Aiden arched her back and stroked her breasts, playing with a nipple. "You didn' anszwer my quesztion."

Kristalay reached out to touch, but Aiden was out of range, just barely. The tease excited Kristalay and he was already hard. Between his captivity with SHIELD and Jael's punishment, it had been months for him without any kind of play. "Yeah, this'll do."

"Szo what you want, eh? You wanna fuck me?"

Kristalay shivered in anticipation, he couldn't help it. "God was kind ta me, girlie. But I ain't gonna make it through these bars."

Aiden came closer, letting him cup her breasts. "Don' be szo sure about dat." She arched again, thrusting her tits through the bars.

Kristalay growled and licked one. He was so wound up, he could already feel the urgency and the anger. He wanted to fuck badly now and wasn't going to waste time on foreplay. His mind was already trying to work out the logistics of this. He worked one breast and grabbed at Aiden's shorts. They were looser now in this skin and he was able to slip one mangled paw inside. Aiden shivered and moaned from his inspection, happy to play.

"Fly boy's gonna be back any minute."

"Zen I szuggeszt you 'urry."

She turned around and dropped her shorts, pressing her ass against the bars. She had already worked this little puzzle out. The bars were plenty wide enough for this.

Kristalay couldn't get undressed fast enough. Fortunately, he had been forced to wear loose sweat pants as part of the prisoner's uniform. He slid them down as far as could around the braces on his legs and snatched at her hips, thrusting his hands through the bars. He pulled her close, taking her as best he could in spite of the circumstances. He expected a complaint at the awkwardness of all this, but was greeted with only a moan of pleasure. Kristalay laughed. "Oh, yer sweet, little girl. Almost as nice as Kimble."

"Ze lady gonna get inszulted, me. She ze beszt dere isz."

The lacings on Kristalay's braces ticked a steady rhythm against the bars in spite of his efforts to keep this quiet. He groaned and laughed from the pleasure of this. It had been far too long and this felt much too good for him to last long. His animal mind certainly didn't have it in him to refuse this, no matter how unexpected.

Aiden didn't mind. She let go with the backwash and let it ride. Kristalay continued this quickly, losing his battle with each passionate thrust and finished with a loud throaty growl he was unable to suppress. Aiden enjoyed it, letting the pleasure wave come back around and shook herself. She laughed when the big man shivered again as the Kundatesh took him and blasted his mind.

Kristalay groaned, his brain still functioning on some primitive level. He withdrew quickly, staggering back into the darkness of his cell and grabbing at his pants. They had no time. Aiden shivered and changed skins quickly. He barely had his shorts back in place when Max came out of the restroom.

Max paused in mid stride, cocking his head at Aiden in curiosity. He had heard some noise even from the men's room, but now things looked okay. He had to come up with something so he said, "You know there's no smoking in here."

The cigarette still dangled from Aiden's lips. The ash had grown a bit long from being neglected, but he hadn't dropped it, the exercise not withstanding. The Siskan just grinned and tossed it in the mop bucket, letting the water take it. "Yesz, Maszter."

Max scowled at the insult. "I'll be right back. You want anything out of the machine?"

"I'll have a Coke," Kristalay managed. He was leaning against his bed and shaking, praying the camera in his cell would not betray him. His pupils were large now and his eyes glassy from the rush of Aiden's power. He had missed this intensely. The Coke would taste so sweet.

"All right. You, too, Aiden?"

"Sure t'ing, preciousz Maszter."

"You quit it with that shit, punk," Max snapped, pointing his finger.

Aiden just bowed slightly and watched Max leave. As soon as he was gone, Aiden leaned back against the wall and tried to catch his breath, giggling. He had been working at keeping calm, but was still trembling from the rush. This quick tryst had been a blast. He looked back at Kristalay and licked his lips.

"Y'know...the flyboy's pretty regular," Kristalay hinted with a smile, just as thrilled with this little game. He was high now and shivering all over, the same way Kimble had made him feel.

Aiden just smiled at him. "Aiden'll szee what 'e can do."

They never got the chance.

"What the fuck is this?" Wolverine howled, pointing to the screen. All the security cameras were recorders and he had just reviewed some of the files as part of routine. His random check had given him an unexpected surprise. Max squirmed. He had been called into the office as well because he had been on duty and was supposed to be keeping watch.

Aiden just stood casually, his arms crossed and that arrogant smile firmly in place.

"Uh..um. I can explain..." Max stammered lamely.

"Don't bother. Yer relieved. You got six weeks probation. Fuck up again an' yer off the roster."

Max glared at Aiden. "Why Remy wastes his time with you, I'll never understand. You're a nothing but a fuckin' loser, worse than Kimble. Hope you're happy, asshole." He lowered his eyes dejectedly and walked out, clenching his fists.

"Looks like yer rackin' up enemies quick, boy," Logan snapped, leaning back in his chair. "You enjoy yerself, huh? Have a good time?"

Aiden's body was blasted with Max's anger and it hurt. He really hadn't expected Max to get into trouble, it wasn't Max's fault what happened. Whatever. Aiden shrugged in response to Logan's question, trying to hide his pain. "Sure. Wasz kinda faszt, d'ough. T'ink you can do better?"

Logan glared at him and said, "Do you have any idea who that guy was? Sabretooth is a vicious killer. He could have ripped you apart."

"Look like Aiden know a better way t' communicate wit 'im, eh?"

"What's yer problem? I thought you was in love with Kimble. Why're you screwin' around? That kinda business has caused enough trouble around here already."

Aiden just snorted. "Aiden won' waszte 'isz time tryin' t' explain anyt'ing to a sztupid, brainlessz Chuckfet like you. You already make up your mind 'bout me. Go fuck yourszelf, you!"

Wolverine laughed. "You think the worst I can do is put you on a little clean up, boy? There's ten cells in that room. Try fuckin' Victor when yer in one yerself!"

Aiden glared at him. This conversation was over. He started to walk out but stopped when Logan growled at him. "I ain't done with you, boy. The Solarium's online. Yer locator's been activated against the topside door. You wanna charge up, you do it in the Solarium."

"By what right do you treat me like disz?" Aiden snarled. "Juszt cauze I am Sziszkan I 'ave no rightsz!"

"Yer Siskan and Jael is lookin'. This is fer yer own protection."

Aiden simmered. Clearly coming here had been a mistake. Never had his movements been so restricted. He was strangling.

"B'fore you get any ideas, I'm havin' ya tailed and watched. You can go to Remy's, the Solarium and here for work. That's it. You stray and yer gettin' locked up. You an' me, we're all done fuckin' around!"

Aiden walked out, slamming the door.

Aiden walked down the hallway, his head down. He was still upset over the whole thing with Max and in no mood to talk. Whatever momentary pleasure he had gotten from his play with Kristalay had been fleeting, it was long gone and dashed like the pathetic thing it had been. That distraction hadn't been worth the trouble it caused.

There was no way Logan was going to let Aiden walk around unescorted, not after the day's trouble already. Aiden was accompanied to the new Solarium by Timothy, another one of Logan's lackeys, but a personable one. Timothy was one of the few who seemed to show no prejudice towards him either way, good or bad. Tim was young and his voice gentle. He sensed the Dreamer's foul mood and didn't trouble him with useless conversation, just lead him on his way with a casual calm.

They cleared the hallway and came to a massive double door, one that lead into the Solarium. Aiden didn't know what to expect when he opened that door, but this huge beautiful room hadn't been it. The room wasn't a room per se, but a massive cavern, still showing the rock walls from which it had been hewn, a subterranean paradise. The ceiling of the chamber went up for ages and showed a massive series of mirrors. The sun was deflected from the surfaces of these mirrors and spread out with some Shi'ar magic. The room was several levels high and staggered, filled with trees and plants, an oasis in the middle of a desert.

"Kimble's been placed over there," Timothy replied, pointing to a small grassy area that had been roped off. It was sheltered under a lovely, good sized tree and welcoming if not for the fact that Kimble was inside a sphere and not outside and enjoying it. The sphere had been moved to the Solarium in the hopes that the warm sunshine and garden like atmosphere might lure the Siskan out of his self imposed prison. So far that hope had been in vain, the globe remained as it had been for the past couple of days - occupied. It was guarded by a couple of Logan's men and not neglected.

"T'anks," Aiden replied and moved on, dragging his feet with a dispirited shuffle. Timothy let him go, hanging back to give the Siskan privacy.

Aiden came to Kimble's sphere and flopped down dejectedly, leaning his back against the globe. He forced himself to relax and closed his eyes, reaching out with a tentative vibration to the lost soul inside the bubble. / Keemble? Are you zere, preciousz?

There was no response, only a dead static grey, an emotionless hum. Kimble was alive but there was nobody home.

/ I missz you. Zere is not'ing 'ere for me. No fun, no laughter. Pleasze come back to me. Aiden isz szo alone. /

Again, Aiden's plea went unanswered. The Dreamer shuddered, swallowing down the hardened lump in his throat and turned towards the bubble, spreading his arms out around it in a hug, as if this rock hard thing could ever equal the feel of his lover in his arms. / Keemble, pleasze!

Kimble offered no reply. Aiden felt something break inside and again found himself crying in spite of his efforts to control his emotions, unable to bear the loneliness of being left behind once more.

(break)

Henry walked into the Solarium, happy the place was finally officially open to everyone. He loved to take his lunches here, it was so much nicer than the sand blown desert above. His joy wasn't to last. He had taken the same door Aiden had and was right in line to witness the Dreamer's misery. The sight of Aiden on his knees hugging the globe like that was enough to tank his spirits and ruin his appetite. He thought to go over, to perhaps offer some words of comfort, but turned when he heard the door behind him slam open.

Beast smiled at first when he saw Remy enter, but it fell when he saw the look of dark anger there. "What's wrong, my Cajun friend?"

"Where's Aiden? Gonna rip dat boy a new one, I swear!"

Remy had just come from a long conversation with Wolverine. He had been informed about Aiden's tryst with Sabretooth and was furious. He knew Logan was itching to lock the boy up and was frustrated beyond belief that Aiden kept giving the guy ammunition. Aiden was playing a game he couldn't hope to win.

"What did he do now?" Beast asked, just making conversation.

"He was foolin' around wit Saby in de lockup. Got Max in trouble."

"Fooling around? In what way?"

Remy just smiled at him.

Henry's eyes opened wide. "Oh! Umm...okay. Why would he do such a thing?"

" 'E was bored, what else? Prob'ly all pissed off at Logan, too. He don' need no excuse, dat one."

"Hmm. Perhaps Creed will be quiet now. Kimble used to calm him."

Remy cocked his head at him, surprised by Henry's point of view. That was a tack he hadn't even considered. "Logan's all bent, sayin' Aiden ain't no good cause he cheatin' on Kimble."

Henry just shrugged and glanced at the broken hearted Dreamer draped over Kimble's globe, his shoulders shaking from sobs he was trying so hard to suppress. "That's funny. All I see there is love. Logan's perceptions are not mine."

Remy followed Beast's gaze and saw the disaster in Aiden waiting to happen. It looked like the Dreamer's day hadn't improved. How long before the Dreamer shut down and followed in his lover's footsteps? Remy cursed softly and whispered to his friend, " 'Enry, you t'inkin' more an' more like a Siskan every day, man."

"How could I not? They keep showing up in my infirmary."

Remy just laughed and let go of the rest of his anger. He was more aggravated that Max was in trouble than anything else. "Gotta 'ave a talk wit de boy. Chuck wants to see 'im."

"Well, be gentle on him. He's had a rough day."

Gambit couldn't help but smile. It was so odd to hear advice to be easy on a Siskan, it seemed like most folks here thought maybe he was too soft. It made him happy to see that Beast remained a steadfast ally.

Remy gave Henry a nod and made his way over. Aiden had calmed some, he lay limp and dead over the globe, his face wet.

"Bonjour," the thief called out tentatively, not wanting to startle him.

"Go away," Aiden replied in a hoarse whisper. There was no hostility in his voice, only a wish for solitude. He wasn't angry with the thief, just dejected and in misery from Kimble's neglect. Being bawled out by Logan had crashed his spirits quite nicely. The last thing he needed was to hear it from someone else.

Remy's voice was stern as he replied, "Non. You an' me, we gotta talk."

The Dreamer's response was a growl of aggravation. He slid to a slump against the globe, his face down. "Wolv'rine already yell at Aiden. Zere isz not'ing lef' to szay."

Remy sighed and came closer. "I didn't come 'ere to yell at you. De Professor want to see you, Aiden. He want to see what you all about. Gambit suggest you be real nice, show de man some respect. 'E ain't yo' enemy, nobody is though you seem to act dat way."

"Aiden ain't goin' nowhere, me," the Siskan said petulantly, his head still down.

Gambit kicked him with the boot of a crutch. "Don't be a pain in Gambit's ass now. All he done is try and 'elp you. Now you 'elp 'im."

Aiden got up, grumbling softly and allowed himself to be lead away.