(Four)

Once Remy had the Dragon 2 parked and settled for the day, he walked down the ramp, tired now and in pain again, and saw that there was someone waiting for him. Molly was there, the twins in a doublet stroller, a nice surprise. He grinned broadly at the sight of his family and took his wife greedily into his arms, happy to see her. This made everything worth it.

Molly took his hug, pleased when his vibrations of happiness washed over her in a warm loving glow. She released him and then knowing what would be next on his mind, signed, Asher called me. He is with Julien and got him all settled in. You should invite them for lunch again.

"Dat's a real good idea," he replied, happy that she was still supporting him and doing her best to help him reach his wayward son. It would be so much harder if he was doing this all on his own.

Molly had more to say. She continued to sign, The Professor called and said he wants to see you. All of you.

"Isz zat good or bad?" Aiden asked warily. He had followed Remy down the ramp, Kimble in tow behind him.

Molly was quick to reassure, Nothing bad happened while you were away, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have anything to do with Julien.

" 'E say when we got to go see him?" Remy wanted to know.

Soon as you get in.

"Den we bes' be gettin' it over wit." Remy kissed his wife, touched his precious babies on the head, and got his team moving.

They were silent as they made their way down to the lower levels. They used the elevator instead of taking the stairs as usual, not wanting to push Remy any further than they had to. Kimble was quiet, his shine swirly with unease. He hadn't gone in front of the big boss many times without getting yelled at for something. Would this have anything to do with Zander popping out so frequently now? The idea frightened him. At least this time he wasn't going in there alone.

They arrived at Charles' office and were told by his secretary to wait just a moment. It only added to the tension rising in the group. Remy slid a piece of gum in his mouth, looking warily at the Professor's door. "You boys let me do all de talkin', d'accorde?"

"Aye," they both answered at once, submissive due to the anxious colors swirling through their Captain's shine. If he was nervous, so were they.

The secretary waved them in. "The Professor will see you now."

Remy and his team walked into the Professor's office, all of them a bit on edge. They had never been called there as a group before. Kimble took the nearest seat but Remy stayed as he was. With his aching ribs, it actually felt better to stay on his feet. Taking his cue from Remy, Aiden declined to sit as well, but leaned on the back of Kimble's stuffed chair, all the better to stroke Kimble's long ponytail, something that had always given the pilot great comfort. He could sense Kimble's rising anxiety and wanted it gone. If this was going to get ugly he would be Kimble's buffer and try to keep the worst of it off of him.

"How are you feeling?" Charles asked Gambit, taking note of the fact that the thief hadn't taken a chair. "You look better than you did the other day."

"Je suis bien," Remy answered with a smile, hoping he didn't look as tried as he felt. "Nuthin' a coupla mo' days won't fix."

"That's good to hear. Now, I called all of you here today for a couple of reasons. The first is because there have been some questions about the first trip you took to Twilight. Normally, since you two are level ones, " he said, looking at Kimble and Aiden. "...you would be excused from having to fill out debriefs, but because of some questions that have come up I am asking for your reports on what happened there. I will need them to be very detailed, I want to know everything that happened. Since it is your first time with the forms, Remy can help you with these."

Kimble's wings slumped with assumed guilt and shame. His eyes were low as he asked, "This is about Zander, ain't it?"

Charles noticed the pilot's despair and was quick to direct the conversation away from it. It wasn't what he had brought them here to discuss. "While that is a matter that needs some discussion at another time, my primary concern here is about Kyle Gibney."

Remy's eyebrows arched in surprise. This he hadn't expected at all. "Dat feral kid Logan brought along?"

"That's right. Like you, Logan failed to file his debrief promptly," the Professor began to explain, chiding Remy some for his tardiness as well. "There's a concern that Kyle had reverted back to some of his more... cannabalistic... ways and it was not reported as it should have been. It's come to my attention that Aiden here had been alongside the boy for most of what had occurred. I am greatly interested on his view of things."

"Ze boy szuffer great injury— " Aiden started to answer, hoping to excuse what Kyle had done and spare the lad more pain, but Remy silenced him with a raised hand. Ever the gambler, he didn't want to have Aiden give anything away before he knew just what it was the Professor was after. This was as much of a game as any other and he never liked to play his hand so early.

"Everyone know de kid got problems. Why you so curious 'bout it now?"

"If Kyle is that big a risk in the field, he shouldn't be assigned to any squads, no matter how well he might have performed out there."

As if defending any one of his own Siskans Remy was quick to reply, "Sometimes a kid just need a real chance. You know 'im and Logan don't get along so good – not sure anybody and Logan ever do, heh - mebbe de po' boy just need de right kind of boss out dere to bring out de best in 'im. Give 'im purpose."

Charles smiled, leaning back in his seat, willing to engage if Gambit was. That was as loaded a statement he had ever heard for a first move play, an open invitation. The thief was clever, so he was, but so was Charles and he saw plenty. "If what I have heard is true and if there was ever a 'last chance' team that was formed out there, it might be appropriate for him to be included in it. But it would take many months of careful, patient training before he could be fully trusted in the field. There are too few of us out in the world working to have any of our available resources be wasted, Remy. We lost so many of our numbers in the Game and there is still so much work to be done in the world."

Remy chewed on his gum, mildly surprised to find himself in a negotiation he hadn't expected. He didn't think he was imagining this. Drawn into the game, he cautiously played his next move and went on to suggest, "Most folks who 'ave trouble communicatin' do better wit a leader dat do more dan just shout words when 'e need to speak 'is mind."

"That is so very true, " Charles replied, beyond pleased when he saw Remy shift gears seamlessly into the direction he had hoped they might go. "People with that kind of talent are so very rare... and so very valuable to me."

Remy laughed softly, dropping his eyes at the compliment. He wasn't used to such things and his control had momentarily slipped. As good as he was at subtle manipulation, he could see that Charles was much better. Remy himself knew that he reacted badly to direct, forceful orders, serious obligations had to be eased gently in and teased carefully into place. Becoming a squad leader was no simple task. Even in this, he knew Charles wasn't simply buttering him up, his affection was real and heartfelt. He was being given a choice. Would he bite or not? That was the real question being asked here.

Aiden stood as he was, watching this verbal joust with an ever growing smile. He had always been a watcher of people and he had learned a great many things by simply being quiet and really listening. So few people ever really said what they actually meant and this little game being played out before him was no exception. He wasn't about to interfere, not when this was bringing him so much closer to his own goal.

Kimble wasn't so amused. While he was relieved that he was momentarily off the hook with Zander, Aiden's increasing happiness was a warning. Kimble wasn't as quick on the draw as his husband, but he was smart enough to know that this conversation was multi-layered and not exactly what it seemed.

"There is a good sized pool of new recruits that came back with us from Twilight," Charles continued, becoming less cryptic. "This very talented person might have his pick of the crop. So many of them have suffered greatly under Frost and may respond well, given proper direction."

Aiden flinched nervously when he saw a bright streak of color suddenly shoot violently through Remy's shine, though the thief never moved or even so much as blushed. His poker face had been perfect, flawless even, to anyone who hadn't been able to see as they did. Aiden wasn't sure if the Professor had loaded that last statement intentionally or not, but Gambit had seized on it immediately.

"Any of de new kids?"

"At the moment," Charles said with emphasis. "I am not the least bit particular which ones he might choose. All of them have potential value."

Remy chewed on that, wondering if that had been deliberate bribery. Was he seeing what he thought he was? You can have the team you want, including Julien, if you do this for me. These were the magic words he wanted to hear, the most perfect price for his cooperation. If he agreed and Julien was given to him, the boy might not land in a jail cell for the rest of his life. Gambit knew he was being given more than that as well, most squad leaders never got to choose their roster, it sort of came with the job. Most folks wanted to be a squad leader so badly they didn't complain about who they ended up with to train. He couldn't help but wonder just why Charles was being so accommodating. Could it be that they were really that short on staff? Were things really that desperate?

Of course, it wasn't as though he was being given something easy or simple. There was a very good reason he had never asked for a squad, it was a fast track to a nervous breakdown and a full head of grey hairs as far as he was concerned. He could hardly manage his gaggle of Siskans at times, could he really keep six or seven super powered kids in line on top of that? There would be training sessions and classes and personality conflicts. He would be a teacher, guidance councillor and shrink all in one. It wasn't something to be taken lightly.

Charles continued his gentle persuasion, adding, "There's a database being formed as we speak on the new arrivals. That plus the files already in place would give any such interested person a wide range of potential recruits. He could make his selections and leave this suggested list on my desk in the morning. I always check my mail first thing."

"An offer dat only a fool would pass up," Remy replied, smiling ever so slightly. "If such a person existed."

"Then it's a good thing we seem to be short on fools as well as squad leaders," Charles said to that. "I'd like to have those debriefs on my desk by morning, if you please."

"Yes, sir."

Remy bowed ever so slightly and they departed, Kimble keeping right up close behind them. They had no sooner left the office then he was asking, "What the heck wuz that all about? Remy!"

"Don' you fret about nuthin', little brother," Remy answered, grinning wide now. He was walking briskly, full of excitement and all of his pain forgotten.

"I cain't be on no team!" Kimble complained loudly and halted, forcing the others to come to a stop or leave him behind.

Remy did stop and turned around, seeing the fear and anxiety in Kimble's shine. Not that he needed it, the pilot was shaking hard enough for anyone to notice. Gambit raised his hands, asking for patience. "Ain't nobody goan ask you fo' mo' dan you wanna give, cher."

"That's not true! It's what both of yous wants and ain't nobody asked me how I felt about it. You don' even cares what I wants, neither one of yous!"

Remy straightened, giving Kimble his full attention. "D'accorde, little brother. What do you want, den?"

Kimble crumpled a bit where he stood, unsure of his answer. He hated to argue and he was already getting tired of this. "I don't wants to be left behind," he said truthfully after a moment. "But I don't wants to be afraid or hurt nobodies neither."

"Dat's what de trainin' is for. We goan make sure none of dat ever happen."

"Is that so? Who's gonner be trainin'? Me or Zander?" Kimble questioned sharply. "Seems ta me's he's the one ya really wants, not stupid ole me."

"I ain't gonna lie to you, it probably goan be a little bit of both of you de way t'ings seem to be goin' wit you," Remy replied truthfully, saying the words gently to take the sting out of them. "You bot' got attributes we need – Zander fo' de tough stuff, you for de easy t'ings. You was real good wit Tilda out dere today and we goan need somebody fo' dat. Asher probably ain't goan be wit' us so you'd be perfect."

"I don't knows as I kin do it like that," Kimble replied, his eyes so terribly sad. "I cain't lets Zander out alla the time. If he comes how long b'fore one of them others wants their chance too? Lin ain't never hurt nobody but 'Shay just ain't no good, you knows that."

Remy came close and placed his hands on Kimble's shoulders, propping him up. Kimble's fears were very real and he wasn't taking them lightly. "Je sais, I know little brother. Dat's why you got me an' Aiden 'ere lookin' out fo' you. Nobody here goan let Zandy take advantage of you, je promets."

"I'll hafta thinks about it some," Kimble said, his voice still so soft and hurt.

"You do dat, fils. You go 'ome wit' Aiden 'ere and get cleaned up. Den you come 'ave lunch wit' Molly an' me. She goan cook us up sumpt'in real good, make you feel all better, non? You don't need to be all alone."

Kimble nodded and allowed himself to be led away by Aiden who had his arm around him in a gentle hug, a persuasion of its own.

Remy had no fear that Kimble would be fine, nor that he would refuse. Just like he had his own weaknesses that had to be catered to when introducing changes, so Kimble had his own. Sometimes when asking Kimble to do something particularly difficult, you had to keep at him about it and just let it all sink in.

Kimble and Aiden weren't the only ones he wanted to invite for lunch, he wanted Julien there as well even without Molly's already suggesting it. The more time they spent together, the better they would hopefully be. Maybe, given enough time, he could persuade the lad to do more than just give up Frost, Maybe he could even land a spot on a team. Nothing would please Remy more and his pace quickened as he went to look for Asher and his son. He knew just where to look for them, too.

(break)

Henry sat at a small table that had been brought into the private room he had been taken to. He had slept well and was feeling more and more aware with each passing moment. He and Star had passed the night on the bed, a welcome change from the padded yet less than cushioned floor of the holding cell.

They had brought him breakfast and he was sitting there, looking at it, wondering just how he was going to manage this. It smelled and looked great – scrambled eggs, bacon, wheat toast with butter, a cup of coffee. That wasn't the problem. The trouble lay in the metal utensils that had come along with it.

Henry had never considered himself to be vain but this abrupt and unexpected life altering event had made him extremely self conscious. He hardly spoke because it was awkward trying to make all the right sounds with those huge clunky teeth in his way. He had thought that was the worst of it until the first time he had actually tried to use his hands for anything.

It had been horrible, the first time Star had handed him a simple can of Boost, a fortified nutrition drink that was often given to patients as part of a liquid diet. It was the first thing they had thought to feed him because he was still recovering. He was hungry enough to want it but it fell and spilled the moment he had tried to grasp it as he normally would and Star was forced to get him another. The only way he had kept the second one from following the first to the floor was for him to hold it tightly clenched with both paws and practically pour it down his throat in one gulp. He still had thumbs, not full paws, but they were as good as useless until he could relearn how to use them. He felt like an infant and it had seriously bruised his ego though he at least had the class not to whine about it.

Now, here was real food, something potentially worse.

Star sat across from him, her eyes still bruised and tired. She had fed from the cubes but had been giving him Morrowhiem at regular intervals even though he was no longer violent. It was clearing his mind but unfortunately not undoing any more of the damage. This was going to be as good as it was going to get it seemed.

"S'okay if ya just wanna dives in," Star offered. "Ain't nobody gonner sees ya and ya needs the food. It'll helps ya git better."

He blinked at her, momentarily insanely jealous that she was still the same and unharmed. She was still perfect and fine, not all blue and feeling like a surgeon trying to operate with oven mitts on. Her mouth was not filled with tooth shaped rocks and her mind free of savage thoughts. He hated her in that instant.

Star saw it, but was unmoved, even though it had hurt. Good thing she had a thick skin when it came to her precious Master. She stayed as she was, hoping that a dedicated show of support would help him get through this. She gently pushed the plate closer to him, all the while vibrating waves of peace and calm to soothe him. They would survive this, of that she had no doubt, it was just going to take time and patience, things she had in abundance.

His anger spiked as the plate came forward so he just gave into it. Fuck it, an animal he had become and so an animal he would be. He bypassed the knife and fork altogether and simply went nose down onto the plate, gobbling down his breakfast with all the vigor and grace of a starving dog. Bits of egg went all about and hung in his whiskers, but the moment he had started eating, the food was so good he simply stopped caring. It wasn't until he had finished his enthusiastic chowing down and noticed the mess he had made, that he was hit with the deep ache of embarrassment that only being feral can bring.

He flicked his new long tongue out, mildly impressed at just how well it collected those straggling, dangling bits of egg in his whiskers.

Star grinned in her way, resting her chin on her folded hands. "Now that kin be useful, right there," she teased suggestively, her orange eyes twinkling.

He gave her the full heat of his eyes, his anger and embarrassment melting into something more lustful and warm. They had played a lot, here in this room. He was calmer now, less abusive, and her appetite matched his own. It wasn't like there was much else to do here and with all the Morrowhiem flying about, it was inevitable. The only real miracle was how he could still walk. She was tireless.

As good as a playful romp sounded, there were some other things he wanted to do.

"I... I.. think.. I'd.. like .. to see ..Remy...to... apologize," he growled deep and low, hating every word. His stupid teeth, of what use were such things to him now? He had to speak so slowly just to be understood.

"Him and some others went back ta Twilight this mornin' ta looks fer other kids that might still be lost in the woods," Star replied, hoping it might ease his regret. How bad could Gambit be if he was working?

Henry nodded thoughtfully. "Wh-what about ...Julien? M-may I see ..him?"

Star arched her eyebrows. This was soon. "I kin asks if ya likes. Just don't be upset none if he's still scairt of you."

"I...I.. bear him... no ill will," Henry said and it was true. As bad as this was, it just wasn't in the doctor's nature to bear grudges. "He...he... might need... to know."

Star stood and crossed to his side of the table. She took his large head in her hands and rubbed her cheek to his. "I'll be shure ta pass that on. Yer such a good man, Henry."

"Hank..." he growled meaningfully.

She leaned back to meet his eyes. They were different now - cat's eyes, bluish grey and slitted, beautiful. "Whatcha sayin'?"

"Hank," he repeated with emphasis, having decided something. "I am... not who I was... I think... it's best... if my name... changed, too. It's a good name, the one... my parents... called me... when I... was young."

"If it makes ya feels better, I'll calls ya that, but you'll always be m' Master. No name change is ever gonner change that."

Star was startled when there was a knock on their door. She had made it clear that they were only to be disturbed in case of emergency, Henry was still not up to seeing visitors just yet. He still needed time to adjust. She couldn't imagine who would be wanting to see either of them just now.

She went to the door, looked through the small glass window, and was surprised to see a man she didn't immediately recognize standing on the other side. He was tall, blonde, and dressed in an expensive business suit. A pair of white feathered wings lay at his back, but she knew Max well enough to know this was someone else.

"Hank ain't up ta seein' no visitors just yet," she said, not opening the door. She would make no exceptions to protect her Master's privacy.

"Actually I am here to see you. You are Star, are you not?"

"That's right," she replied warily. She still didn't know who this was.

"May I speak with you a moment outside? It will only take a minute."

She hesitated but he looked rather insistent. It would be best to just see what he wanted to so he would go away. "Okay, I guess."

Star looked back at Hank who was busy finishing up his breakfast and saw he hadn't even looked up at the interruption. So far so good and so she slipped out. The hallway was quiet, Seth was gone for the moment and they were alone. She should have no reason to fear, no one had ever harmed her here, it was just that this was so unusual.

Her visitor sensed her nervousness and extended his hand. "Don't be frightened. My name is Warren Worthington and I help the Professor run this facility."

Her face brightened at once and she instantly relaxed. She had heard of this man, Henry had spoken well of him many times though she and he had never met. "Yes, of course," she said. "How kin I helps you?"

He grinned at her and leaned in with a conspiratory whisper, "I'd like to do something for Henry and I need your help. Is there any chance you could get away?"

Star considered a moment before answering, "He should be takin' a nap soon. He won't miss me then if he's sleepin'."

"Excellent," Warren replied and handed her a small piece of paper. "These are directions to my office. Come and meet me there when you're ready. I will make time for you. I won't keep you long."

"Kin ya tells me what it is?"

He winked at her. "That would spoil the surprise."

She laughed a little. Being Siskan she loved gifts and the unexpected more than most people. Hank could use some brightening up and this might be the thing he needed. She looked at the directions he had given her, these would not be hard to follow.

"Thanks," she said to him, seeing he was ready to leave.

"I look forward to meeting you again," he replied and nodded at her. He was brimming with some sort of happiness and expectation, she could see that in his shine. If he was that excited about his surprise she couldn't wait to see it for herself. It was sure to be exciting.

(break)

Remy found Julien with Asher in the first place he thought to look – in Asher's little sanctuary in the Solarium. Both of them were at the kneeler and dutifully saying their prayers. They looked peaceful together, serene. Gambit lingered quietly near the entrance for a moment, just watching the pair at worship. Remy's belief in God had been shaken more than once but he was back on firmer ground now, the twins had helped a lot with that. Still he struggled with prayer. He had never been all that great at one sided conversations. He had to admit that he was a bit envious of them, of their ease with it.

"Bonjour, mes amis," Remy greeted, finally going inside. It was getting late and he had invitations to make. "S'okay if I interrupt?"

"Remy," Asher said and rose to give him a hug. "How wuz yer work this mornin'?"

"Bien. We brung back some more kids. Dey 'ave a new 'ome now."

"Then it wuz a good day. Ya done the Lord's work."

Remy blushed a little, lowering his chin. He wasn't used to thinking about himself in that way. "Come and eat lunch wit' us today. Bot' of you."

The moment Remy made his offer, there was enthusiastic squeaking from Asher's familiar leather bag. Smee slunk out from his hiding place and scampered over to where Remy stood, weaving in and out of his legs like a strange purple cat. "Yessity yes yes! Goey goes to the place where the little 'uns plays!"

Remy couldn't help but laugh a little. Like the Siskans, Asher's Mumbler was quite fond of the twins, even if they did pull on his hair and tail a bit.

"Well, then. How kin we refuse an offer likes that?" Asher replied with an easy, short laugh of his own.

"Course I don't have one clue what Molly's makin'," Remy apologized playfully. "Not dat I ever seen de squeak 'ere ever refuse anyt'ing she make."

"He's gitten so fat since we come here," Asher complained, scooping Smee up and cuddling him close. He was still teasing as he said, "Gonner hafta makes him a treadmill real small sos he kin work off that great big fat belly of his."

Smee giggled, "More of Smees to lovey loves!"

Remy chuckled at that and glanced over at Julien. This whole time Julien had stayed as he was at the kneeler, his head down. He wasn't praying anymore, there were too many reactions going on in his shine for steady meditation. The boy was sad, mildly angry, but mostly terribly lonely. He did not have the friends Remy had.

"Lunch okay wit you, fils?"

Julien nodded but without any real enthusiasm. Even though he hadn't been dumped into a holding cell or anything he still felt like so much was out of his control. He didn't think he had the right to refuse.

"You all done prayin', or you want to go now?"

"Now's fine," the boy answered, standing up. He was stiff and sore, moving like an old man. He had enjoyed playing with the Siskans in the gym the previous day but it had taken its toll. He was aching all over from using muscles he never knew he had.

They left the park and began making their way back to Remy's place. On the way Julien dared to ask, "Will I have to go answer questions again today?"

Gambit shook his head. "Scott's in de field 'til tomorrow so I don' t'ink so. But dere's still a lot we don' know."

Julien was quiet a moment, but he couldn't forget what Malcolm had said to him about Frost's potential execution. It had worried him and so he asked, "Do you think I could speak to Mr. Frost? I hope he's okay."

Remy had to hide an inward shiver of revulsion. Frost should have been the last one the boy wanted to talk to. "Je suis de'sole, fils. Don't t'ink dat's goan 'appen fo' a real long time." If ever, he couldn't help but think, but didn't dare say it.

"Can I at least send him a letter? People in jail can get mail, right?"

"Look, now. We only just made a deal wit SHIELD to keep you out of yo' own cell, petite. Bes' not to push our luck so soon, oui? Mebbe we see in a little while, d'accorde?"

"You're not going to let me even write to him, are you?" Julien retorted more than actually asked. He should have known he could never trust these people. These walls were no haven, just another prison.

Remy tried to be patient and said, "Honest, now? I don't know. De t'ing is, you got a new life now and you gotta move on. Make de best of it. One door close, a new one open up. Life is like dat all de time. You just gotta roll wit it. Make it yo' own."

" 'Roll with it'," Julien repeated condescendingly. "Sounds like fun."

Remy sighed, not sure what to say to the boy. He had half expected Asher to jump in and bail him out some, but the Siskan was hanging back, giving them some space. Remy was on his own for now. "It don't have to be torture either. Some t'ings always gonna be outta yo' control. Jus' gotta accept it."

"The only thing I have to accept is that you don't think I should talk to my father."

"Dat man ain't yo' father," Remy corrected firmly, still upset at the idea.

Julien didn't care. He continued to insist, "He saved me from my sin. He's more my father than you are."

Remy chewed on that, still hitting this same brick wall. It wasn't that Julien didn't have a point. Remy and Julien had this thing in common – both had been found and essentially raised by strong, influential men. Remy had been lucky to have been taken in by Jean Luc. A Thief he may have been, but Jean Luc had still been grounded with some morality and a code of conduct and ethics that he had passed on to all the young Thieves. After being mentored by this man, Remy had learned to operate boldly in the world while Julien seemed to shun it out of fear.

Maybe it was time that Remy tried to explain some of this. "I'm an orphan like you now, fils. I never knew my real parents, I got left on de doorstep of an orphanage coupla days after I was born. Guess dey took one look at my eyes and wanted to be done wit me. Least yo' mama stood by you, eh?"

Julien didn't outwardly react to what Remy was saying, but his shine swirled with new colors. He was listening.

"Grew up dere, po' and starved like de other kids. Learned de fear of de Lord, too. How to share, 'ow to get by as best a boy can. But when I was nine or so, I ran into Jean Luc LeBeau and he save my life. Dis man not m' real papa, but 'e might as well 'ave been.

"Jean Luc wasn't no preacher like Frost try to be but dey bot' 'ave sumpt'in common - dey bot' criminals. Jean Luc was de Head of de T'ieves Guild down in N'awleans. He teach me to be as good a t'eif as dere ever could be."

"You stole the necklace you gave my mom," Julien replied, his voice low.

"Oui, dat's right," Remy answered, unable to stop the smile of affection. "Whatever you say about yo' mama, she was a real nice girl. She have de best laugh."

Julien was quick to snap back to that, his voice full of mockery and hate. "If she was so great, then why didn't you stay? Oh, that's right. Guys like you just fuck whores and go."

Remy had to bite down quick on the sharp reply that had come up his throat. He wasn't used to the harsh language and hatred that came so easy to this poor ruined boy. He couldn't reply with the same, it would only make this worse. "It wasn't like dat 'tween me an 'er. She was a nice girl and we have a good time. Have a few laughs. No one got 'urt and yo' mama got one heck of tip. Dat necklace was wort' ten large, easy."

The boy snorted in disgust and replied in that haughty tone Remy was growing to hate so much, "It doesn't matter how much you paid her. Sex outside of marriage is a sin. You engaged in sin and passed that sin on to me. What happened to me growing up is only proof of that."

Remy stopped short and brought Julien to a halt with him. Between his frustration with the lad and his still being in pain from his injury, he was less in control of his temper than he would normally be. He could hardly contain his anger as he said, "What 'appen to you wasn't on account of my sin or yours. It was because assholes like Jerry get deir sick kicks outta bullyin' someone smaller dan demselves just cause dey can. You didn't do one t'ing wrong, you gotta get dat outta yo' mind. Jerry earn what he got by treatin' you every wrong way dere is, comprenez?"

"You'd say anything to pass the blame for your own sin onto someone else," Julien argued to that, his own eyes blazing. "Jerry died as much from me as from you. You passed on your sin to me through my mother. Your eyes! Your face! Your power! This is why mutants can't be allowed to breed and spread their sin around like a disease!"

Remy tightened his grip on the boy. "We pay de price of our own sin ourselves, son, it don't pass on. No loving God would ever be so cruel. Dere ain't no rhyme or reason why some get de mutation and others don't. It can come from anywhere and it ain't always passed on. My twins don' ave de gene and me and Molly bot' do. It's luck of de draw, a hand you been dealt for no other reason dan fate. Frost got it all wrong, fils. Time to open up yo' eyes!"

"Frost didn't get it wrong!" Julien shouted, squirming now. He couldn't break free. "Everything he taught me makes far more sense than any of this blasphemy you spit out every day! You run from your sin instead of embracing it! How can you ever atone for what you refuse to even see?!"

Remy was shocked momentarily silent. Atone for his sin? Oh how Remy had paid, and paid in ways that could never be measured. The thought of it nearly sent the thief red. Remy pulled Julien up close, his fingers dangerously glowing a faint pink. "Every man got to pay for what 'e done. Nobody know dat better dan me! You don't know one t'ing about me to say sumpt'in like dat! Frost tell you lies to control you just de same as Jerry did wit 'is fists. Both of dem were bullies dat never once loved you!"

Asher came up between them, showering them both with sparkling glitter. This was much too confrontational for his liking. He had kept quiet all this time in the hopes that this pair might reach some kind of understanding. That hope was fading fast. "This's gone on long enough now, boys," he said, his voice calm and serene. "There'll be time enough fer talkin' without it all gitten rough like. This ain't solvin' nuthin now, pushin' and shovin'."

Remy let go of his son the moment the glitter cascaded over him like a nice cool breeze on a hot summer day. It brought him up short and he was a bit ashamed at how easily this kid could press his buttons. He had to be better than this.

Julien wasn't as soothed by the glitter, his anger ran much deeper than the thief's. He did back off though and straightened his clothes. "You're wrong. Frost loved me."

"How he do dat, eh?" Remy challenged, his voice still calm. He was connected too deeply to Asher for the Morrowhiem to wear off that quickly.

"Jerry hit me for no reason at all. I know I deserved every beating I got from Frost. I always knew why it was done. He taught me to read so I could be useful. Jerry held me back. Frost taught me how to work hard and earn what I got, Jerry couldn't get me out of the house fast enough. Frost gave me the Purifier so I could learn control. They were nothing alike!" Julien concluded and starting walking again.

Remy followed him. "Dere ain't nuthin' mo' persuasive dan a man who know how to turn a few words into prophecy. Frost prolly took one look at you and had you all figured out. Skinny boy all on 'is own who done a terrible t'ing. Dis boy got a good 'eart, got jus' enough guilt in 'im to make turnin' him around all de wrong way dat much easier. I know all about dat too. You ain't de only one who ever got sucked under by a powerful fool."

Remy hadn't said the name of course, but it was always there — Sinister. Once out of Jean Luc's house and all on his own, he had been swayed by a powerful man just as Julien had. Remy had some guilt too, even before he had committed the worst crime of his life. He couldn't control his ever growing power and while he hadn't killed with it yet, it was probably just going to be a matter of time before he did. Sinister offered him a way out and he took it, not realizing that the price for it would be too high to ever repay. Could he ever explain something like that to this child who was too angry to even listen?

Julien looked back at him, his eyes still hard. "Stop talking about my life like it's the same as yours. I could never be like you!"

"You 'ave no idea -" Remy started to protest but was once again interrupted by Asher.

"You boys done talked enough!" Asher complained, raising his voice as much as he ever did. "We're at Molly's door and she ain't gonner appreciates you bringin' in this mess inter her house. Say peace then, and picks it up some other time. All right?"

Remy took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, calming down. Asher was wise in so many ways, so much wiser than himself. He held out his hand to the lad. "Peace?"

"Peace," Julien mumbled and shook it. He had done it for Asher, this Remy could see. The peaceful and priestly Siskan was working his way into the boy's heart just as Kimble and Aiden had.

The cheerful lunch that Remy had hoped for didn't happen. Julien was quiet and wary the whole time, not wanting to talk much. After their rough conversation in the hallway Remy really couldn't blame him much. Julien picked at his food and had no appetite. Truth was he'd been eating so much since he arrived here that it seemed like a sin. He was much more used to starving, to the denial he had endured all these years. It was going to be a while before he was used to this place.

Kimble and Aiden had showed up as promised but Kimble was just as sulky and disturbed as Julien had been and no more talkative. He was going to need more time and Remy would give it to him.

While he ate, it occurred to Remy that perhaps his son might need a more hands on approach to what his future might hold. A demonstration could be stronger than any speech. After the meal was finished, Remy insisted that Julien join him and his Siskans to take a good hard look at the Dragon 2 and what it represented. Julien went along, happy to go anywhere that wasn't an interrogation room or a holding cell. Besides it was a chance to get outside and have a real look around.

Once up on the tarmac, Remy waved his hands up at the Dragon 2 as if embracing it. He never failed to be impressed by the fine craft that Seth had built for him no matter how many times he looked at it. He said to Julien, "You say I ain't never atoned for my sins. You'd be dead wrong. Workin' 'ere in dis place, flyin' dis ship, it's what I do to atone everyday. You keep yo' 'ead down, do a lil' work, you could be doin' dis, too."

"How could I ever fly anything like this?" Julien asked, bewildered at the idea.

"Dis ship don' run on gas, it run on dis," Remy said, holding up a hand to demonstrate. He flicked out a card, seemingly from nowhere, a favorite trick of his, and then lit it, making it glow. "All it take to run an engine is a little pop and dere ain't no pop like de Ristle."

"Ristle?"

Remy laughed. "Dat's what Fallen call de energy we make. I got it and now you got it too. If yo' Ristle be as strong as I t'ink it is, you could be riding that pilot stick someday yo'self."

"Why would you let me fly for you?" Julien tentatively asked. "I'm your prisoner."

"It don' have to be dat way," Remy assured, daring to come close and put his arm around the boy's shoulders. He continued, pleased, when the lad didn't shrug him off. "A lot of de kids 'ere get special schoolin' on how to use deir powers. Some of dem even join squads. Dey dem ones I was tellin' you about, goin' out in de world an' doin' good. Dey save lives and build peace. You could be one of dem too, if you keep yo' 'ead down."

Julien digested that, his eyes roaming all over the Dragon with a strange sort of greed, like looking over a suped up race car or a first place race horse with the promise that it could be yours. He was a little breathless looking at it himself. He had ridden on this strange craft but hadn't been given much of a chance to really look it over. He was quiet and interested as Remy gave him the short tour, Kimble and Aiden alongside him helping out. There was a lot to see – the pilot sticks, the small but sturdy engine, the various camera views of the outside. This certainly blew away anything Frost had ever shown him, that was for sure.

"Joinin' a squad don' mean you 'ave to give up everyt'ing Frost teach you. You can go out in de world and do de Lord's work, just that you'd be doin' it wit yo' love, not wit all of Frost's hate an' fear. You could save lives just like we do every day."

Julien swallowed, thinking hard on this. This message was different from what Frost had taught. Frost was saying that salvation came from work that was internal – a show of devotion through suffering and denial. What was being presented to him now was an external view - doing for others instead of for himself. It was too different for him to immediately accept. He wasn't sure it was really true.

It was a lot to take in and Remy let him take his time. Julien wandered back outside and Remy followed, ready to answer any questions he might have. "How did you know how to build something like this?" was the first one Julien asked.

"I ain't stupid, but I could never build sumpt'in like dis," Remy admitted freely. "We got lots of smart people always comin' up wit ways fo' us to do our jobs better. We all a team, each one doin' 'is part. Set' a good friend of mine. 'E build dis fo' me."

Remy wasn't about to give away the total truth – that there were more than mutants living here, some of them were aliens. Technically the Siskans qualified as this, artificial though they might be. Even so, much of the secret technology here came from the Shi'ar, another alien race the X-men had befriended in their various travels. This ship was comprised of Dognan technology, a gift from Fallen that Seth had made good use of here.

"Were ya impressed?" Asher asked Julien, amused by the boy's wonder.

"It's nice I guess," Julien answered evasively. It didn't matter, his shine spoke for him. He couldn't stop looking at it, touching the outside of it with his hands as he walked around it. Remy let him wander, he didn't want to crowd the kid.

"Kid's these days, they's so hard ta please," Asher teased. His eyes met Remy's as he said, "So I heard you wuz thinkin' bouts makin' a squad."

"Dat's right." Remy couldn't stop the grin that spread across his lips. This was a popular subject today.

"You have a mind as to who yer gonna put on it?"

"Might 'ave a name or two on m' list already," Remy teased. "I could tell you but den I'd 'ave to kill you. Top secret."

Asher just laughed at Remy's joke. " 'Bout time, I says. Yer talents been wasted. Time ta spreads what ya learned."

"You'll 'elp me out if I need it? I ain't never done dis before."

Asher just laughed. "You don' even needs ta asks. You call and I'll be there any time ya needs it. I been watchin' some of them other teachers at work, I kin tells ya some of their tricks."

"You'd be my spy?" Remy questioned with a laugh.

Asher winked at him. "I knows it don't looks like it but I gots my ways. There's a lot ta be learned from just takin' the time ta really watch and listen."

"True dat," Remy agreed, smiling. The smile faltered a bit when he saw Asher grow suddenly still, as if listening even then to something only he can hear.

"Quoi?"

"Sumpthin's wrong. Real wrong."

It was only then that Remy noticed that Julien was gone.