(Four)

Kimble stood at the stove, pushing food around in a pan. He was making a shrimp stir fry, nice and spicy the way Aiden liked it. He knew that this day had been rough on them both and now that his Morrowhiem high was dissipated, he was more aware than ever of Aiden's disquiet.

I fucked up bad this time, Kimble was thinking, looking at his lover as he lay on the couch. Aiden was watching television, surfing distractedly and changing the channels, never staying on one for very long. He was sprawled out over that couch, one leg on, one leg off, his button down shirt open with one hand absently rubbing his stomach as if it was hurting him. His mouth was turned in a small frown, his shine still flickering from this morning's wounding. Aiden was trying to fight it, to ignore it, but it kept creeping back, the hurt. Kimble had seen this after some of their fights, sure, but it had never lasted so very long.

It had Kimble a little depressed. He thought back on an argument he and Remy'd had once, a long time ago when they had shared an apartment, before Remy left him for Molly. Kimble had gotten a little carried away then, too, and Remy had snapped some offhand remark, something to the effect that Kimble should have been left in the skin of a girl since he acted so much like one with his overflow emotions and the way he struggled with his feelings. Of course Kimble had been offended by the remark, even as he knew it to be true. Kimble wouldn't regret his skin though, he still favored male to male sexual interaction and simply loved the way he looked as a pilot. If only he could control his emotions...

It wasn't that he was ashamed of Aiden though the Dreamer would take it that way, no doubt. Kimble was afraid, pure and simple. He feared what others thought of him, always afraid that these humans around him might see him for how different he really was and simply turn on him. It wasn't enough that he wasn't even alive like they were. No, he was too emotional and sexually perverted. At least that was the way they so often made him feel. Even after all this time, Kimble still didn't completely trust them, not when they had turned on him so many times before. Julien's apology notwithstanding, the boy's initial revulsion at Kimble's unconventional sexuality was a prime example - that wasn't the first time a friend had suddenly become the enemy nor was it likely to be the last. Kimble knew what it was like to be subverted and beaten. What happened before could always happen again and the pain never got any easier with each new attack. He just didn't know how to make Aiden understand that. Maybe if he could just get Aiden to lighten up a little, they could talk later and he could try somehow to make the Dreamer see.

The stir fry was soon finished and Kimble served it onto their plates. He clicked his tongue for Aiden to come and the Dreamer rose obediently, coming to the table. This was Aiden's favorite treat, but today it clearly held no magic for him. The Dreamer merely poked the food around on his plate, eating mechanically, that sad little frown not going anywhere.

Kimble was distressed to see this, but he still had some options to try and raise Aiden's spirits. He rose, opened a bottle of wine and poured his lover a generous glass. Aiden liked to drink, this Kimble knew. It could cheer him up. Sometimes if Aiden was drunk enough, he would just laugh and laugh and they would play and play for hours. Nothing would please Kimble more. Aiden smiled at it and drank heartily from his glass, eagerly draining half of it.

Encouraged now, Kimble leaned in close to Aiden's ear and whispered, "Let me please ya, Dreamer. Let's goes ta bed." He was certain Aiden would accept, it wasn't like the Dreamer to turn him down twice in the same day.

"Later, my love," Aiden answered without hesitation, giving quite the opposite response Kimble had expected. He drained the last of his wine and stood, wiping his mouth on his napkin. He brushed his lips across Kimble's and withdrew. "I wish to take a walk. T'anksz for ze szupper. It wasz good asz uszual."

Kimble's heart sank. He knew that he wasn't being invited to come along. Aiden's sullen disposition had improved with time, but there were still times when he would go off alone. He still had a need to be solitary, even more so when he was troubled. Kimble knew better than to interfere with his lover's needs, but today it hurt because he had every reason to believe this was all his fault. All he could do was nod and watch as Aiden walked away and out the door.

Aiden wasn't trying to be deliberately cruel. It was just that he was hurting deeply and was trying – and failing – to keep Kimble away from it. He made his way quickly down the hall and out to the Solarium, relieved to be out of the tension in their tiny little apartment.

The fact that he had only been here just a short time ago meant nothing, this was his favorite place to hang out. Like all the Siskans, it was just more comfortable here for him than in an apartment with no windows. The air was sweeter here. It was dark now, the large mirrors reflecting dim moonlight from outside, but there were a few tall lamps still lit here and there. He found an empty picnic table under a tree and climbed up to sit on its top, reaching automatically for his pack of smokes.

His hands were shaking as he raised a lit cigarette to his lips. Now that he was alone, he let his deepest, ugliest thoughts loose in his mind - Kimble didn't really love him, the pilot had only settled for what he thought he could get. Someone to watch over him so he wouldn't be alone, nothing more. If Kimble was truly happy with him, he wouldn't hesitate to proclaim that love from the rooftops without worrying so much what other people thought of it. If Kimble was truly satisfied, there would never be a need to hold back in public, to hide their love away.

Aiden sniffed and closed his eyes as a tear dripped down his cheek. In spite of having just eaten, his belly hurt and he rubbed a fist across it, willing the pain to leave him. Kimble wasn't the only one to get a stomachache when distressed, it just didn't happen to Aiden anywhere near as often. It was a sure sign that this low he was in wasn't just a passing thing. He was in real pain.

"Heya, Dreamer. It ain't so bad."

Aiden swiped his face in irritation and straightened, upset at having his little sulk interrupted. "What you want, Ashair?"

The centaur came in closer, his hooves making no sound on the grass, the reason why Aiden had never heard him coming. He rudely invaded Aiden's space like he had every right to be there, leaning in to bump him gently and sifting a hand through Aiden's wispy blonde hair, vibrating well wishes and comfort. "I come lookin' fer you. I had an idear you might need some comp'ny."

Aiden pulled away, but not too roughly. He felt invaded, but it was so seldom that Asher would touch him this boldly that he wasn't about to be nasty about it. He enjoyed that simple pleasure far too much. Clearly the centaur thought he was upset enough to need some real attention. This wasn't the first time Asher had wandered out here accidently on purpose when Aiden would go off in a sulk. Asher considered it his job to look after all of his kin and he always seemed to know when one of them wasn't feeling right, even if they were all the way on the other side of the Complex. While it was welcome most times, today Aiden wanted it and hated it at the same time. He grumbled in annoyance, "I want to be alone."

Asher nodded. "Shure ya did. Didja haves a good cry?"

Aiden's look sharpened and he glared at his brother. "What you want?"

"Kimble loves ya just fine, Dreamer. Don't know why you keeps thinkin' he don't when it's all so obvious to the rest of us."

Aiden turned away with a snort. He did not reply.

"God loves ya, too."

Aiden snorted even louder at that, his head still turned away. He said in his best snotty voice, "Didn' you 'ear? God 'atesz me causze I'm queer."

It was Asher's time to make a noise in irritation. "No He don't. How could He? He made ya just as ya are."

Aiden looked back at him. "Quishnalay make me. 'E make usz bot'."

"Only cuz God allowed him to and under His guidance whether Quishnalay knew it or not. God wuz thinkin' there wuzn't near enough love an' laughter in the world. It needed a few of us Siskans in it," Asher replied, laughing a little at his own cleverness.

Aiden wasn't amused. " 'E allow it? Like 'E allow all ze oder bad shit to 'appen to me? I'd like to give ze buszinessz to your preciousz God. Let Him feel what a good Gladiator 'E make me. Mebbe when 'E bleed like me an' 'urt like me, 'E will undersztand!"

"Jesus bleeds fer us every day, Dreamer," Asher replied automatically. "But you needs ta consider things from a different perspective. All of them things wuz a path. And that path led ya right ta this bench. Ta yer Kimble." He risked Aiden's wrath to put his arm around the Dreamer's shoulders again, moving in closer. "Don't fights it, Dreamer. Don't question His gifts. Yer love fer Kimble, what runs so deep and strong, comes from God. That's what makes it good. Kimble loves ya. He would be broke without you in his life."

Aiden wilted a little at the thought of his lover, dropping his chin down as new tears threatened to fall. " 'E deny me."

"Not in his heart he didn'. He's just a little scared is all. His love fer you ain't never been stronger." Asher moved closer still, one arm still over Aiden's shoulder while his other hand slipped through the front of Aiden's still open shirt. Aiden shuddered in anticipation as that hand found the center of his chest and started making familiar circles. It had been some time since Aiden had needed a treatment, but he was lower today than Asher would have liked. It was time. "Relax, kitten. Just hush now a bit."

Aiden didn't bother to fight it, he knew he wouldn't win anyway. He had never been able to resist Asher when the centaur demanded his compliance, today would be no different. Aiden submitted willingly and leaned back instead, supported by Asher and let the centaur do his work. He jerked once as the Morrowhiem came in a rush and ignited, the rush sending him over the edge but not into the black. Even now Asher wasn't powerful enough to black him out, not the way Kimble could. His love simply wasn't powerful enough.

"Now ya knows the whole truth of it, Dreamer," Asher whispered, holding Aiden as the last of the orgasmic shudders rippled through him. "That's how ya knows Kimble loves ya more'n the whole world. Fergit what happens when the others 'r lookin'. You need ta looks no further than Kimble's heart to knows how much he loves ya."

Aiden nodded and let more tears slip down his cheeks. He knew Asher was right of course and now that he was more than a little high, it made that much more sense. He settled against Asher and allowed the centaur to pet him, to soothe him until he was calm and serene. He loved these treatments, he truly did, once he finally submitted. Nothing could beat this giddy high, this warm and lovely comfort. All of his pain was gone.

After a moment of loving companionship Asher brushed his cheeks. "Go home to yer Kimble. He's worried fer you."

Aiden nodded and wiped at his face knowing he must look trashed, he always did after a bit of a cry. He pushed a hand through his hair and found his feet. He was wobbly some after the treatment but managed to stay upright with a helpful hand from his good friend Asher. Aiden really wanted nothing more than to lay down on the sweet smelling grass and sleep under the reflection of twinkling stars, but he knew Asher was right. He couldn't leave Kimble all alone like that.

Asher said nothing more but let him go, there was no need for goodbyes between them. Aiden knew that no matter where he was Asher would know how he was, he was in good hands. Aiden shuffled to the exit and made his way home, rumpled and sleepy. Kimble was waiting for him, standing there in the kitchen, quietly smoking with his head down as he leaned against the counter. Aiden felt instant regret, he could see Kimble was sad. "Hey," he greeted, giving Kimble his best smile. He was glad to be home, glad to be here, and he let Kimble know it.

The pilot brightened instantly with relief, but was still a bit wary. He sniffed suspiciously at his lover. "You seen Asher."

"Yesz," Aiden acknowledged, coming closer. " 'E wasz dere in ze park."

"He gaves you a treatment."

Aiden nodded, knowing how he must look. His quick little brushup on the way here couldn't hide the smallness and shine of his eyes, the shuffle in his step, the blueness of his shine. He was more intoxicated from Asher's Morrowhiem than if he had taken the whole bottle of Kimble's wine.

"Guess we both needed it taday," Kimble reasoned to himself, keeping his eyes down. "Just that kinda day, I reckon."

Aiden shuffled up to Kimble and put his arms around his lover. Kimble's personal vibrations tasted lovely right up close and Aiden breathed them in deep. "Szo what? Let'sz go to bed."

Kimble accepted the embrace and Aiden's good intentions, but he still felt enough remorse to repeat himself, "I'm sorry I hurtcha so bad."

Aiden nuzzled Kimble's neck, not wanting to hear it. He just wanted to be in Kimble's arms and sleep off the rest of his high. His dreams would be so sweet. "You szaid zat already, my love. No need to repeat it."

Kimble frowned, unconvinced. "Then why wuz you still so sad?"

Aiden looked up into Kimble's face. He really hadn't wanted to do this, not while he was feeling so good, but he could see Kimble wasn't going to let this go. So be it. "You really want to know?"

"Of course I do!" Kimble insisted with no small amount of impatience. His eyes were already shiny with tears. "Yer important ta me! I loves you!"

Aiden's eyes, small and glassy from Morrowhiem, still managed some class of a penetrating stare. "Do you love me? Really, really love me?"

Kimble's face broke, those tears more than ready to fall freely now. "Why you even gots ta asks me that?"

"You denied me."

All right there it was. The evil sickness that was eating at him. It was hanging out there in the air between them like a bomb waiting to go off.

Kimble didn't know what to do with it, he only knew that whatever this was, it hurt really badly. He said in a wounded whisper, "I don't know what that means."

Aiden took a step back, leaning against the kitchen table across from Kimble and crossing his arms. He tried to keep the hurt out of his own voice as he attempted to explain. It wasn't easy. "When Julien szee usz, all you want to do wasz run. Like you didn' want to admit you wasz even zere wit me. Like you never love me. Like I embarrassz you. Like I shame you. Ze only reaszon you don' run wasz Julien block ze way out. Disz not ze firszt time you feel zat way. Ze baptiszm of ze twinsz, in Boszton wit Etienne. 'Ow long before you finally make it out ze door and leave me for szomeone a leetle more preszentable? Szomeone more preszentable to zem, to dosze whosze opinion about you mean more zan mine?"

Kimble's mouth popped open, aghast at the idea. Him? Leave? That was impossible. He was the one always being left behind, not the other way around. He couldn't imagine how Aiden would even think he could ever possibly leave. "I couldn't never do that. I loves you!"

"Do you? Will you never leave me? 'Ow can you promisze szuch a t'ing an' sztill feel ze way you do when anyone look at usz toge'der?"

Kimble sighed in exasperation, trying to work the mess in his mind. There was only one thing he could do. He was uncharacteristically bold and gathered Aiden up into his arms, yanking him forward by his shirt fairly aggressively. Aiden didn't fight it, he just kept his eyes on Kimble's, trying to assess what the pilot was thinking. Kimble didn't make him guess long.

"I ain't goin' nowheres," Kimble asserted quite firmly, floating them both up off the floor for emphasis, his wings spread wide. He wrapped his crooked cat's legs around Aiden's, holding him that much tighter against him and giving him no chance of escape. Kimble's lips were close to Aiden's own when he continued, "There ain't nuthin' gonner takes me away from you. You wuz dumb enough ta marries me, now yer stuck with me, likes it or not," he teased, the threat all too real. He meant every word.

"Likesz it or not?" Aiden repeated, finally smiling with true amusement. He couldn't help but tease, "Or what you do to me, eh?"

"Only this," Kimble challenged, pressing his lips to Aiden's and cutting off any argument. He was powerful and in control in that moment, sending an aggressive volley of vibrations, letting the Dreamer know exactly how he felt. Kimble's love was real in spite of whatever mistakes he happened to make. Their fears were mutual, he had been just as afraid that Aiden was never going to walk back in that door, a thought that was as devastating to him as it would have been to Aiden if their roles had been reversed. Their mutual angst was destructive and needed to be dealt with, preferably by tossing it out with the trash.

Aiden was much too high and needy to resist. He laughed with real pleasure and gave no argument as he was floated from the kitchen to the bedroom, Kimble pawing at him the whole time. Clothing dripped from them in a trail and Aiden grunted a laugh when he was finally laid down on the bed and dominated.

"This's the last time you makes me ask ya twice," Kimble threatened with real humor and finally had his way with his lover.

A couple of hours later, the Dreamer lay warm and comfortable, quietly smoking while gently toying with Kimble's hair, the pilot tucked against him, warm and asleep from their loveplay. The hurt Aiden had felt earlier had been washed away by their slow but intensely passionate coupling. Kimble had known just what he had needed and made sure he had received it. Kimble had been gentle with him and sweet in spite of his earlier aggressiveness. Aiden didn't like it rough when he was on the receiving end of things and Kimble was thoughtful that way, knowing just what would please him.

If Aiden had thought that being monogamous with Kimble might grow boring, it certainly hadn't happened yet, nor did it seem like it would happen any time soon. The pilot was creative and talented at keeping things fun. This round, Kimble had been quite thorough, Aiden's very skin was tingling. Aiden could not have felt more pleased at that moment.

Kimble could never hide his feelings during intimacy and Aiden had to admit one of the reasons they made love so frequently was so he could read Kimble's vibrations and taste the truth of them. Kimble was always eager enough for play, but unlike today, it was most often the Dreamer who initiated and Aiden knew perfectly well why. Kimble so loved to be asked, it was a reinforcement that he was desired and actively sought after. Aiden himself selfishly needed the reassurance he was wanted above anyone else and he was given that in how Kimble never refused him and was always ready and eager for it. Aiden would have been the first to admit these truths if Kimble had ever bothered to ask him why.

Kimble never did. He just went on his way, doing everything he could to make their life as smooth as possible. Kimble expressed himself in many ways - he kept a spotless house and Aiden never had to want for anything when it came to food or having his clothes cleaned and pressed. Small things like a cup of coffee or a cold beer set next to him without having to ask, the extra blanket he always seemed to need, a fresh bottle of whiskey when the old one ran out, a steady supply of smokes. Those things that Remy had found so stifling about the pilot made Aiden want him all the more. Kimble was quiet and selfless, never looking for credit and it was too easy to fall into a routine of forgetfulness, something Aiden vowed not to continue.

Aiden had given some final words to Kimble though, before the pilot had finally succumbed to sleep. "You 'ave to choosze, Keemble. You muszt choosze 'oo isz more important to you – me or zem, ze onesz you fear szo very much," he had whispered into the fine curl of Kimble's ear, the pilot's face warm against his neck. "You muszt decide or you will go mad trying to pleasze usz bot'."

"I choose you," Kimble breathed, meaning it. He was so close to sleep, but there was real truth in his answer.

"Zen you muszt truszt in me to keep you szafe from dosze you fear will 'arm you wit' deir judgement and miszundersztanding. You 'ave not'ing to prove to anyone – not to me, not to zem, not to Zandair. I szee you heart every day and it isz beautiful and fine juszt asz it isz. Asz you are. You do not need to chanje for anyone. It isz my job, my luv, to protect you and keep you szafe, alwaysz. Not'ing will ever keep me from it. You muszt truszt in me, or we're never going to make it, you and me."

"I'm so sorry..." Kimble said to that, shuddering slightly as tears fell from his eyes. "I won'ts ever do it again, I swears."

"Aiden knowsz," the Dreamer replied, holding him close. He felt it this time, too, that this promise would never be broken. "And 'e love you szo very much. Szo very much."

Kimble laughed softly then, happy now, and drifted away, asleep before he could even finish his own declaration of love, not that it was even needed.

(break)

Hank woke slowly from his drug induced sleep. He was aware enough to know he was no longer in a room with a bed, he could feel the familiar rough padding of one of the Lab's holding cells under his body which lay sprawled out and uninhibited. He vaguely wondered if it was the same holding cell he had wrecked, they probably would have had time to have had it repaired. He lay easy for a few minutes more, momentarily comfortable and drowsy as his brain tried to recall just how it was that he had gotten here. Wasn't he supposed to be in the back room now?

The more awake he was becoming, blinking in the half light, the more he began to remember what had led up to his return to this small room. He had been angry over something – what was it? Ah, yes. Star had gone missing.

He shifted now, reaching out beside him with one large furry arm. She was not there even now and his agitation began to resurface. Was she still missing?

A soft noise from nearby answered that question. Star was in fact here, he could now see, she had curled up in the furthest corner of the holding cell, her tiny body wrapped in a blanket as though she was trying to hide from him. She was sitting in a fetal position, her arms wrapped around her legs, tight and small.

"Star..?" he mumbled blearily, still not fully awake. "My love..."

"Master," she replied in a hushed and wounded whisper. She was looking at him, her eyes so terribly sad, but made no move towards him.

Hank knew then that something was terribly wrong. She was never this shy when it came to him, especially not in here where they had total privacy. "Come... here," he growled, reaching out for her again. "Please..."

Her only answer was a soft sob and then she buried her head down under her arms.

That got him moving. He rose stiffly, hands and feet, his body still sluggish and slow from the drugs. They must have dosed him pretty high, he figured, he was now remembering just how violent and angry he had been. Had he frightened her so badly that she was fearful to come near him? He couldn't bear the thought of it.

"I'm sorry... if I hurt you..." he started to say, automatically assuming blame. It wasn't until he got close that he smelled it – Honey and blood. Star was Siskan, she had no scent, so why was this here? It hadn't yet registered that it was only through his newly enhanced senses that he could even detect these things, she had showered twice in an attempt to cleanse herself of Warren's abuse. It had cleaned her skin, but hadn't helped her mind set – as far as she was concerned she was still dirty even now, unfit for her new Master. Where now would she go?

Hank growled, showing a bit of fang. He knew now that whatever had happened, he hadn't been the cause of it. "What happened... to you?"

Star sniffed, still unable to look at him. "S-someone ...used ... me."

" 'Used'? In what way?" he questioned, suspicious now.

She began to lightly sob. "F-fer m' healin's. I didn't wanner do's it.. But I thought... I thought you'd wants me to. Him bein' a friend of yers and all."

Hank growled again, feeling possessive. He understood fully what she had meant, he had long known that a significant healing often meant the sexual use of her body, whether she had desired it or not. She had kept nothing from him and had told him of her previous owners and what they had expected of her.

"Who was it that used you?" he demanded, his authority in this matter not to be questioned.

She swallowed hard and looked up at him, her light orange eyes rimmed with pain. "It wuz that guy with them fake wings. Warren. He seen what I done fer you ... and he wanted me ta do's the same fer him. He - he's the boss of this place, right? I had ta do it."

"He may be the boss of this place," Hank began, his anger somehow giving him the ability to speak clearly around his large clunky teeth. He wanted her to understand him and understand him perfectly. "...but he is never the boss of you, understand? Never! That role belongs to me and me alone!"

Star cried out in shame and dropped her head again, sobbing now. He was sure to punish her, to send her away, she was too filthy now for him to ever want her again.

This he hadn't wanted. He reached out and with one hand on her elbow, took her chin with the other, making her look at him again. "I am the boss of you, child, because I will have no other. You are mine and mine alone, now and forever. You say I am your Master, but I am so much more than that. I will be your husband and no other man will ever touch you again!"

Star cried out and tumbled forward into his ready embrace, outright bawling now with relief. With any other Master she wouldn't have cared what anyone else had done to her, especially if there had been any inkling that the Master would have approved anyhow. Her relationship with Hank had grown so strong and personal that all that had changed. Her intentions with Warren had been honorable, but she had regretted them from the start. Of course by then it was too late to turn back. She had saved a life, but had lost a part of her soul in doing so, a piece that Hank had just returned to her now.

"I thought you would makes me leave!" she cried, shaking now like a child.

"Did you offer to help him?"

"No! He told me he had sumpthin's ta show me, sumpthin's fer you. Then he brung me there and then he.. And then he...!" she couldn't even say it, it was so horrible.

"Then that is a whole different matter," he soothed, his large blue hands buried in her long silky white hair. "Why should you be punished for something out of your control?"

"I coulda just lets him die, but I didn't cuz I thought it was what you'd have wanted me ta dos."

"I want you always to be generous and kind because that is who you are, but I wouldn't have wanted you to suffer like that, especially since it was forced on you."

She squeezed him all the tighter. "Don' ever makes me leaves! I wouldn't even ever wants ta even be alives withoutcha!"

"That is something you'll never have to face," he promised her. "I'll never turn you away. I want you here by my side, the next few days especially. I don't want you out of my sight."

Where a statement of possession like that might make some people upset or nervous, it only made her happier. It was no threat, it was a guarantee of her safety, of her protection. There was no one else she would have accepted it from.

He let her stay there a few moments, letting her cuddle so warm and tight, while his own mind went right back to work. It was clear that things needed to be done - the first of which was him getting out of this cell and back out into the real world. He was going to need so many things – physical therapy for sure, some extra help with his speech as well. He would embrace these things, he promised himself. He would put himself back in charge, not only for his own sake and the sake of the people he watched over, but mostly for Star. He would never leave her so vulnerable again.

"Now," he said finally, straightening them both out and getting them to their feet. "The best way for me to do that is to get back out into the world. I am done with holding cells, done with rooms. I must get back to my work."

"Of course, my love," she replied, showing a little cheer at least. She still clung to him, but wasn't holding him back.

Hank moved to them to door and Star let them out. She had been given free access in and out previously and that was still within her ability.

The Lab staff was nervous at first to see him come out on his own but they soon saw that he was under control and not being well, so beastly anymore. Hank noted that Fallen appeared soon after as though she had been privately called but he wouldn't begrudge them their caution. She kept her distance, giving him his privacy, she merely nodded politely at him in greeting. He had made a solemn promise to himself to regain his control and knew that as soon as they realized it too, her services would no longer be needed.

Hank did accept graciously the great big hug that Seth gave him the moment the young Siskan saw him. Seth was still new to his empathy and he unconsciously released a small amount of Morrowhiem glitter from his hands in his happiness to see his old friend. It was a compliment, the glitter was most often reserved for those that the Siskans felt were extra special. It wasn't a casual thing done for everyone. Hank felt a bit squished in Seth's eager embrace, Star still clung to him so it was like being sandwiched in white. It still felt wonderful, feeling all that love and concern for him.

"It's so wonderful to see you!" Seth breathed, so child like and innocent in his affection for the big blue doctor. "It wasn't the same when you were gone."

"I'll do my best to see it doesn't happen again," Hank promised, his words heartfelt and true. He would be happy himself to never again be so weak and needing so much attention.

Seth finally released him and stepped back, letting him breathe. "Is there anything I can do for you now?"

Hank nodded. "Actually, yes. Star and I need to freshen up a bit first, but I would appreciate it if you would gather all the files we currently have on Honey and its properties. I would also like as much data as you can gather on its effects and have it all sent to my office. There is work to be done."

"I'll do that at once," Seth replied with a slight bow and departed, his grin wide.

Hank and Star went to their private quarters where they enjoyed a nice long leisurely shower together and a meal. These were simple things really, but they meant so much to Hank now. These were the steps that were leading back to his full return and he was eager for them.

There was another dimension to this of course. It had taken this unexpected illness to suddenly jolt Hank fully awake. As far as he was now concerned, he had been sleeping a long time, filling his life with work and endless projects with little or no actual scientific return. What he had been doing was trying to fill a great big empty hole inside of him that he hadn't been aware was there until Star had come along. He had been missing a real life, one with a companion that was as good as custom made just for him. Now that he was back on track and fully aware of just how much he had been missing, he was going to allow nothing to come between him and Star again. He could never go back to who he had been in the past, he would die first.

Hank and Star, now refreshed, returned to the Lab and to his office, the nurses still watching them carefully. There was one thing Hank was going to waste no more time in getting to – as part of Kimble's probation from his earlier troubles, he had been ordered to swallow a tracker that Hank had designed, one he had several spares of. This device could not be easily removed and when he now offered one to Star she swallowed it without any fuss, happy to accept any extra protection he was willing to offer her. She was just as aware of how Hank had changed her own life and like him, would do anything it took to maintain it.

Hank couldn't be more pleased when he got to his office. Not only had Seth delivered all that he had asked for, he had started a fresh pot of coffee and the room smelled wonderful. It smelled like home and he was never so happy to be here in it.

Star wasn't that interested in coffee, she needed some real rest now that the worst of the day had passed. She curled up on Hank's huge leather couch to sleep and was out cold just a few moments later. Hank left her to her rest. He began to comb through the vast collection of files that Seth had provided, the Siskan had been quite thorough. Hank wanted to know that substance inside and out, all the better to help himself and perhaps Warren as well. He no longer wanted to see his former friend ever again - he couldn't trust himself not to kill the man on sight - but that didn't mean he wouldn't offer him some kind of assistance. It was going to take a lot of work and he was ready now to get right to it. He opened the first file that looked promising and began to read.

(break)

Asher stood in his sanctuary, humming softly as he lit some of the candles he had placed there. It was just before sunrise, his favorite time of day for prayer. The large park was most often empty now because it wasn't brightly lit, he wouldn't be disturbed – or so he had thought.

He felt Zander's presence long before he heard the pilot's soft furry feet moving in the grass towards him. Asher had been quite correct when he had told Logan that Zander was the strongest of Kimble's assorted personalities. His vibrations were the most powerful, mostly because they were so full of anger and contempt just as they were now.

"What kin I do fer ya, kitten?" Asher asked calmly when he heard the Punisher finally enter the open wooden building. He kept his back to the pilot, his slow and steady pace in lighting the candles unaltered by the unexpected interruption. He didn't want to appear afraid though he was certainly cautious of his more aggressive clutch mate.

"I hates this," came the swift reply, loaded with potential violence. The words were heavy, made all the more menacing by Zander's deep gravelly voice.

"This ain't the thing to hates," Asher corrected gently, keeping his own voice light and easy. He knew that Zander was a lot like Logan and like that feral man, had to be spoken to in certain ways to keep that anger contained. He understood that Zander was speaking of this small sanctuary, the churches one floor above, and of religion in general. They had not been so kind to Kimble's poor fragile self esteem.

Asher continued to instruct, even as he moved from the candles to restacking the Bibles he had laid out, everything nice and tidy. "Confusion, bigotry, misunderstandin'. Them's the things what need fixin'. You cain't do that with yer hate, it kin only be done with yer love."

Zander snorted in derision. "Love? That's Kim's department."

"That's why you should go," Asher said, finally turning to look at the pilot eye to eye. "You should be the one sleepin's right now, Zander, not him. Does Aiden even knows yer out walkin' around?"

Zander just shook his head in disagreement and smiled his wicked smile. "I don't care what he or anaone thinks. What I do care about is that dumb ole Kimble's taken the pussy way out, he's gonna to let Aiden fight alla his battles for him. Let him be the big protector of us 'stead of me. Well, that shit ain't gonna fly around here. I had sumpthin' else in mind, sumpthin' better."

Asher's look sharpened, seeing blood and danger in Zander's shine. "Yer violence will accomplish nuthin' ya really wants. They'll lock you up just like they's done ta Skye. Don't think they won't. Where would Kimble be then?"

Zander snorted again and boasted proudly, "They cain't touch us. I won't lets them."

Now it was Asher's turn to laugh. "Right. Logan's just itchin' fer an excuse to put alla us away, now you'll just be handin' him one. Alla our fine work just gone ta waste. It would be better fer you to let alla this go," Asher advised, gesturing to his building. "This ain't the real problem nohow. You could go out on Remy's team and do some honest good in the world. The Lord's work ain't done in no house."

"I don't believes in yer stoopid Lord," Zander said to that, turning his head away. He wasn't lying.

"Then believes in this – if we Siskans wants the respect we deserves, we haves to prove ourselves. We haves to make a good impression on thems what don't really understands us. Don't even try to say it cain't be done, we all knows that yer sword has made more of an impression on these folks than any of Kimble's tears, and not in a good way. It'll takes time to undo alla that."

"I had to defend our Angel!" Zander snarled with a flash of teeth. They were both referring of course to the incident where Zander had chased Mary Green through the Complex – a woman who had tried to steal Angel away. Zander had caught his prey all right, and wasted no time blowing her to bits with his glowing sword, right in front of a crowd. It had been grisly and messy and wouldn't be forgotten anytime soon, especially not by those who'd had the misfortune of having to clean up the mess.

Asher nodded. "Yes, but Mary coulda been taken alives. She coulda been questioned and maybe some lives mighta got saved. You gots ta learns control. Ta punish don't always means to kills.

"You wants power? You wants respect? You'll only gits them by showin' yer in control. That you kin be trusted here and out in the field if Remy chooses ya to be there. Anathin' else just undermines our position here, puts alla us at risk."

Zander squinted at Asher then, seeing something he hadn't before. "You gots them all fooled, ain'tcha?" he said, and then laughed, the unpleasant sound of it loud and clear in the dim light of the rising sun. "Wow, yer even more clever than I ever tooks ya fer."

Asher stood up straight, unsure just what Zander was getting at. He didn't like the way the Punisher was looking at him now. It was so ...predatory.

"Oh, don'tcha worries none, kitten," Zander promised, his voice loaded with more than simple ironic humor. "I won't tells no one what yer up to."

"There ain't nuthin' ta tells," Asher protested, but it didn't stop all the colors racing through Zander's shine. The Punisher was right quick, so he was.

"It wuz a good strategy," Zander continued. "Still is. Ya puts alla yer pieces in the right places, moves them inta positions of high status over time, never arousin' much suspicion. You gots Kim and Aiden with the thief in transpertation, Star with the doc in medical, Simone with Rogue in Security, Seth feedin' old man Logan alla the spook news he needs ta hears ta keep his guard down. Vera nice. Well played. So tell me, what are yer plans fer Skye? You gonna fix him up with the big boss, maybe git that old man outta his wheelchair or what?"

Asher's eyes widened with defensive indignation. "It ain't like that!"

"Right...right," Zander agreed, no better a liar than Kimble ever was. "It's okay. It's a great plan. I likes it enough to plays along. Fer a while. Just ta sees where it goes." Zander walked away, still chuckling softly, but then paused at the doorway of the sanctuary, looking out onto the grass as he asked, "So where's Kiernan?"

Asher sighed in exasperation at Zander's game, going back to his Bibles. There had been six Rogues in the special clutch that Quishnalay had made for the Game. Of the six, five were now accounted for – Asher himself, Kimble, Skye, Star and Simone. Only Kiernan was missing, the Pink. "I knows she's safe," the centaur answered after a moment. Asher's gifts included the ability to sense others of his clutch, though there were so few of them now. Only eight had survived.

"Is she close?"

Asher closed his eyes in sadness, thinking only of his sister, so far away. "No. The plan wuz ta keeps her so far outta the Game that she couldn't ever be found. Looks like it worked."

Zander nodded, issuing more malicious mirth. "Yer good with that. Plans I mean."

"There ain't no plan!" Asher protested again just a bit too loudly, losing some of his usual tight control. Zander had a way of doing that, of digging for chinks in a person's armor and finding them. Asher's voice was sharp with annoyance as he snapped, "Don'tcha haves somewheres else ta be's right now?"

Zander turned back, pleased at the rise he had gotten out of his clutch mate. "Not really. What's the matter, don'tcha likes the company? It's been a real long while since you been with anaone, ain't it?"

Asher backed up, untrusting of the streak of red that just ripped its way through Zander's shine with his words. "I don't know whatcha means."

Zander, having found a new game to amuse himself with, stepped closer. "What's it like being celibate? I'll just bet it sucks. Maybe I kin fix that fer ya."

"Now there ain't no need fer that..." Asher stammered with real fear now, raising his hands defensively as he continued to retreat. Unfortunately the sanctuary was small and Zander had the door, there was nowhere for Asher to go.

"A Rogue fer a Rogue," Zander cackled, following him and barging right into Asher's personal space. "It'd be fun. Oh, the things I could do fer you..."

Asher didn't fight the intrusion, at least not the way Zander had expected. When the Punisher leaned in with a kiss that had far more to do with dominance than pleasure, Asher allowed it, drawing Kimble's more violent self in that much closer. The moment their lips touched in a bruising, searing kiss, Asher pressed his hand, fingers spread wide, square over the center of Zander's chest and let fly with a powerful burst of Morrowhiem, igniting it at once instead of taking his usual slow pace with it.

Zander jerked hard in surprise with a startled snarl of rage, unable to tolerate such a large amount gracefully. His legs gave way from a violent, heart stopping orgasm that dislodged him neatly, just as Asher had intended. It was Kimble who caught the last of it, convulsing with enough force that he looked like he was having an epileptic seizure, his sharp toe claws scratching deep grooves in the wood. Asher held him as he thrashed his way down to the wooden floor of the sanctuary, making soft apologies in Kimble's ear as he kept him so close, trying to ease the pain of his fall.

"Wh-what the fuck...?!" Kimble complained drowsily when he finally stopped shaking, not altogether sure what was happening. The last he had known he was in bed with Aiden. What was he doing here? He could tell that Asher had just treated him though he couldn't fathom why. It hadn't been any fun though he was a bit dizzy from the chemical reset. His wooziness changed to alarm when he finally realized just where he was and that he was actually inside the sanctuary itself, a place he had never dared to enter. His eyes widened in horror as he saw the large wooden cross hanging above him and over the altar, gleaming almost menacingly with the rising sun. He thrashed again, certain he would burst into flames or be blown away by a bolt of lightning or worse. He was too unworthy, too unclean, too much of a sinner to be in here.

"Easy, easy, kitten," Asher soothed, running his hands over Kimble's shoulders, his arms, his cheeks. He was still leaking Morrowhiem glitter from his hands, anything to keep Kimble as still as possible. "Ain't nuthin' gonner happens to ya here."

"I cain't be in here!" Kimble protested, trying to worm free from Asher's grasp. He was still afraid, still fearful of what might happen no matter what Asher was trying to promise. "I ain't near good enough! Lets me go!"

Asher wouldn't relent. "Yer more than good enough fer God, He loves ya just as ya are no matter what them other folks say. Relax, Kim. I wouldn't never putcha in harms way, you knows that."

Frustrated that he was unable to move away, Kimble turned his head down to the floor so he wouldn't see the large cross looming over him. If he couldn't escape, he would at least change the subject. "What happened? Why am I heres?"

"Zander came ta talks ta me."

Kimble whipped his head around to face Asher at that, his eyes wide at the thought that the Punisher had stolen control of him so easily. "Scuze me?"

"I knows ya heard me," Asher answered, his hands still soothing. "Zander wuz here and he gots a bit outta hand. Ya caught the end of it. Sorry, I knows that didn't feel so good."

Kimble looked down again. "He said sumpthin' mean, didn't he? He's always sayin' sumpthin' mean. Why cain't he just stays away?"

"He does it cuz it makes him feel real strong and powerful, just like any other bully, Kim. It don't mean nuthin'. But that don' mean you don't gots sumpthin' ta learn."

"What's that?" Kimble asked, keeping his eyes away.

"You gots ta be stronger than this and stop bein' so scared of evrathing. The stronger you is, the easier it'll be ta keeps Zander inside where he belongs. Zander said that Aiden promised ta keeps ya safe. Well, keepin' ya safe from God'll be the easiest thing he's ever done since God ain't gonner lays one finger on ya. Alls He gots fer you is love, just like me."

Kimble didn't want to hear it. He scrambled to his feet, standing on trembling legs. The big cross was still there as threatening as ever, made all the more creepy looking from his lingering Morrowhiem high. "I gots ta go."

"It won't hurtcha," Asher promised. "God ain't no enemy of yers."

Kimble shook his head in sharp negation. "The church lady said me and Aiden 're gonner burns in hell. That sounds like an enemy ta me. Aiden's home waitin'. I gots ta go."

Asher sighed softly in frustration and let Kimble go. He knew it would be better to do this gently rather than force Kimble to see the more obvious truth. Once freed, Kimble bolted for the exit. He could already see Aiden coming for him, walking across the grass, his eyes full of concern for his missing companion. Kimble's heart was filled with relief, of knowing that his absence had been so quickly missed.

It was at the last moment that Kimble halted, one furry foot just above the grass, the other still inside the sanctuary. It had taken him that long to fully register that he had in fact not burst into flames and no lightning bolts had come from the sky. No angry words had boomed at him out of nowhere from the alter, the cross itself had not fallen on him. The only thing he felt right now was Asher's terrible sorrow at the thought of his leaving. That once again, Kimble had refused to listen.

Aiden now stood in front of where Kimble was hesitating, his smile a bit sad as he asked, "Which way you go, eh? In or out, my luv?"

Kimble back stepped a bit, retreating back inside. It wasn't out of fear, that had now been replaced by a strange curiosity. Maybe Asher really was right and he would come to no harm in this place.

Aiden followed him in, confident and smiling more now. He spread his arms and said, "You szee? No'ting 'appen." He then reached for Kimble's face and drew him in for a gentle loving kiss.

Kimble whimpered softly. If they were to be punished, surely it would happen now, from this act of blasphemy being performed right in front of the altar. He felt Aiden's confidence like a warm and comforting blanket, but unlike Asher, Aiden was certain nothing would happen because he didn't share Asher's faith. To Aiden, this was nothing more than a beautiful building of wood and candles. It was still a good place because it was Asher's and Aiden loved Asher almost as deeply as he did Kimble.

Aiden stepped back, releasing him. "Zere are many t'ingsz to fear, but disz plaze isz not one of zem. Not everyt'ing you 'ear from ze Chuckfet isz de trut', you should know zat well enough by now."

Kimble turned to see Asher smiling at him now. The centaur embraced him. "You kin comes here anatimes ya likes, even if it's just fer the quiet. I hopes that if ya listens hard enough, you'll hear God eventually and knows that He's got great plans fer you. Fer alla us Siskans."

Kimble just rubbed his eyes, tired now. It was rare that he should need three treatments in one day and he'd had enough. He was overloaded and ready to crash. "The only plans I gots is fer goin' back ta sleeps. I'm sorry Zander gave ya a bad time."

"There wuz no harm done," Asher said, giving Kimble another kiss before releasing him back into Aiden's care. "Git some rest now. Thinks on what I said, it'll all gits better, I promise."

Kimble nodded and Asher watched as Aiden walked him out, their arms encircled around their waists, two Siskans bonded for life. Asher couldn't help but feel a small tug of jealousy for what they had, though he tried to squash it as he did most of his emotions. Zander hadn't been exactly right about everything, but he had been correct about one - in many ways the celibacy did suck, even if it was just the absence of a constant loving touch. Asher felt God's presence at all times, but it wasn't the same as Zander's fiery kiss. Asher would be lying if he said that he hadn't enjoyed that just a little.

"T'ain't nuthin' a little prayer cain't fix," Asher mumbled to himself, letting go of his envy and happily went back to his Bibles, starting the rest of his day. He had enough to do without dwelling on what he did or did not have.