(Six)

Early the next day, Kimble made his way out onto the Complex airstrip, spreading his wings in anticipation. It was his morning furlough and a good day to charge, the Arizona sun was warm and bright. His personal body guard was following him of course, but Kimble was in too good a mood to pay him any mind. He was on an all time high since Aiden had left, he was walking on sunshine and all aglow. He had chosen an area close to the Blackbirds to sun today, wanting some shade if he got too hot. At the moment though, all he wanted to do was stretch his wings. Almost daring the guard to stop him, he broke into a run and vaulted up into the sky, feeling exhilarated by the sun's heat and energy.

Jerry was on duty today, never a cheery fellow. He had never quite recovered from watching Zander go all out and didn't trust Kimble any father than he could spit. He took two steps forward in irritation but halted when he saw Kimble wasn't going far. The pilot was cruising around one of the Blackbird jets, doing lazy barrel rolls around its bulky shape and going no farther than hundred feet or so from the guard shack by the entrance, well within sight. Jerry grumbled at him, "Don't you go wandering off!"

"I'm stayin' right here!" Kimble called back, muttering, "You fuckin' asshole!" under his breath where Jerry wouldn't hear him.

"You do that. I catch you goin' off, I'm callin' it in!" Jerry said, in no mood to babysit or follow. He went into the air conditioned guard shack and took up a spot next to the window where the pilot could be easily seen. One of his buddies was inside and they began to talk, leaving Kimble on his own.

Kimble didn't notice or care. He had no intentions of escaping or causing any trouble, he was having just enough fun simply cruising around. After a few minutes Kimble burned off the worst of his restlessness and settled down under the plane, taking in some shade now. He was contented, satisfied in more ways he could count. He slid out a rumpled pack of smokes and lit one, simply enjoying the moment.

Kimble was feeling a bit cooped up and cramped now in the Lab. He was feeling less depressed these days and was now left on his own far too much. There were many things he could be doing instead. He wanted to work with Seth badly. He liked the idea of the project, but more than that, he missed his brother's company. Seth had not been allowed back into the Lab to see him and Kimble still fretted over the unhappy way they had last parted. At first he had been afraid that Seth no longer loved him, corrupted by Fallen's apparent hatred for him, but he had learned that Seth had gone nuts trying to get him approved for the project. Seth was trying to reach him.

Kimble had more than his brother on his mind. He was still in a fuzzy glow over yesterday's tryst with Aiden. It had started out a little uneasily, but he had recovered it well enough. He was still surprised at Aiden's unwillingness to freely accommodate his more darker desires, he didn't understand why if Siskan Courtesans were designed to please in all ways, Aiden had been so stubborn. It was a question he was not the first one to ponder over. Remy had gotten a taste of that stubbornness back in New Orleans and now it was Kimble's turn to deal with it. It didn't stop the blast of sudden affection he felt at the thought of his lover.

I wants him. I wants him ferever.

You cain't haves him, came the soft reply from within. Lin had been quick to remind him of his obligations. He's too dangerous.

Remy says sometimes ya gots ta takes a risk.

The reply came as sudden series of bloody snapshots in his mind. Gail's head blown open by Sabretooth's bullet. Kristalay's body smashed and broken by Jael. Gambit's leg crunched and twisted by one of Jael's men. Kimble shuddered and whimpered, "I'm sorry! I won't lets it happen again!"

Then you gots ta remember, Kim. Never lets anaone falls in love with you.

"I won't!"

You gonna let that little pipsqueak run yer life ferever, Kim? Zander piped in, wanting his say.

Kimble shook his head, not wanting any more of this. It was bad enough that he felt Lin's thoughts and feelings, now Zander was here, too. Kimble was adamant, he was not going to let them control him. Git outta my head, both of yous!

I'll go, but you just remember this. Aiden makes ya strong in ways ya never been before. Angel needs that from you. Yeah, you gots obligations to yer lovers, but ya gots one to her as well. Take him as much as ya wants. Play hard, Kim, but let him keeps ya strong. He's the best thing ya ever had. Don't screw this up.

Kimble nodded, not arguing. Both of their arguments had merit, but he would not be ruled by them. He knew his primary problem was that he was afraid. They always came out to speak with him when he was scared, this was no exception. He refused to empower them any further. That single appearance by Zander had cost him so much, more than he could afford. Angel was no longer completely his and he was still trapped in the Lab. He was running out of things to lose.

Well, for the moment anyway, he had his new lover to distract him. He and Aiden hadn't gotten any more than chewed out for sneaking off yesterday, though Kimble was not so naive to think they would be able to pull it off again for a while and it made him a little sad. He wanted desperately to play with Aiden again, but didn't know how they would accomplish it. He had access to Aiden's place, but Aiden had complained to him that the apartment was very small. Kimble liked Babette very much and wanted to know her better, but wasn't comfortable with idea of playing with Aiden in her company. He causally wondered if perhaps she would be willing to join in, but then banished the thought instantly as wrong. Such a thing was considered taboo amongst the humans here and their prejudices had long since been burned into his mind. These evil thoughts could not be acted upon. No, he and Aiden would just have to find another way.

Kimble of course had no idea he wasn't the only one with such thoughts in mind. Aiden had come up to sun himself only a few minutes before. He had come up through another entrance and was wandering around the planes, trying to settle his own thoughts. His guard was trailing behind him, bored silly. Both had caught sight of Kimble's arrival. Both had come closer.

Aiden kept his distance, but his guard nodded a warning at him not to wander off and then made his way into the guard shack, desiring better company. Aiden could have cared less. His eyes were only for Kimble and thoughts of anything else were gone.

Aiden had left Kimble's apartment yesterday, at first on top of the world with happiness, a happiness that didn't dim in wattage even as less than an hour after he had made his escape Logan confronted him, snarling threats at him. Aiden wasn't impressed really. So many times he had been in a situation like that where his more rambunctious activities had gotten him in trouble, but just as back at the palace, the man in charge was all threats and no action. Wolverine blustered about like the arrogant asshole he was, all snarls and teeth. It might have intimidated a lesser man, but Aiden knew the score and in the end, Logan had ultimately done nothing just as Aiden knew he would. No real punishment had been coming. Aiden, like any child around his suspicious parents, knew that all he had to do was lay low and simply wait for another chance.

Aiden returned home, on a temporary high from his successful coupling with Kimble, but then as the hours slowly passed and his own insecurities settled in, he became more confused. He had enjoyed their tryst more than he was prepared to admit. He had thought a nice quick tumble with Kimble would get his desire for the pilot out of his system, but the fact was, it had made things worse. Kimble never left his mind that whole day and his desire had burned well into the night, robbing him of all sleep. His body hungered in a way he had never felt before. He had to have Kimble again, he couldn't wait another whole day, a whole hour, another minute.

He had risen early that morning and couldn't stand to stay in his apartment for a moment longer, all thoughts of laying low evaporating. Yes, he wanted to look after Babette, but his nervousness disturbed even her and she booted him out, giving him a playful shove. "Go and find him, you! Leave me in peace!"

He obeyed his sister, smiling, and went to their now favorite Club, hoping for Kimble to come by, but the pilot never did. He had finally come out here, knowing Kimble had to show up sooner or later. He hadn't been waiting long and Kimble's arrival had left him breathless. The pilot was so beautiful and white in the sparkling sun. When Aiden had watched him take to the air with such grace and beauty, he shook from head to toe. No! This could not be happening to him! He couldn't afford to be in love for real, not now. Not while he was so alone and vulnerable. He had a job to do here and this was only going to make things more difficult.

He knew he shouldn't stay out here, he should go back to Babette and tend to her, but he simply couldn't pull himself away. He stood there, frozen in place with desire until he saw Kimble finally settle down. Kimble landed as gracefully as he had taken off and flapped his wings, stretching out a little more. He walked over to a shaded area under one of the planes and sat down comfortable, lighting a cigarette.

Aiden watched him from his hiding place, trembling with desire and indecision. He felt a tug on his shirt and looked down. Of course it was Talalanay, First Born. He couldn't help but smile at the boy, but was sad. Talalanay's presence here meant he was sure to dream again tonight.

The child smiled up at him. He's so beautiful, Aiden. I like him. I really do. He's special like me. Like us. Let's go say "hi", okay?

Of course where there was one, there was always the other. Father paced nearby. His presence was powerful and commanding and true to his nature, he was quick to advise against anything that interfered with what they had planned. He's in the way. We can't do our work if you're distracted with this one. You fucked him already. Forget him.

Aiden shivered and wept. He was torn between what he wanted and what he should do. His body was screaming, Leave! Leave, now!, but instead, he found himself walking over to where Kimble sat, trying to make it look casual. "Hey."

Kimble looked up at him and Aiden's heart soared when he saw the happy look in his eyes. The pilot was pleased to see him. "Hey, Aiden. Whatcha doin' out here?"

Waiting for you. "Oh, not'ing. Jusz takin' in szome szun, me. It'sz very bright 'ere."

"Yeah, I likes it."

"Can I szee you again?" Aiden asked directly, he had always been very up front and that would never change.

"Yer lookin' at me right now," Kimble teased in return, his eyes merry.

Aiden crouched down and boldly took Kimble's face in his hands. "I want to do szo much more zan look, eh?"

Kimble offered no resistance as he was next kissed and laid back onto the sand swept tarmac. All he wanted at that moment was more of what he had gotten last night. He was already trembling, shaking with anticipation. Kimble knew Aiden sensed it, the Dreamer was growing ever more lustful and bold. Mindless of the fact that they were in a position to be observed, Kimble was groped madly, the drawstring on his sweatpants loose and the waist down before he knew it. Even though he wanted this badly, he couldn't help but protest, "We're gonna git busted! Y' knows Logan's guys are watchin' us!"

Aiden glanced up, a tire from one of the large planes obstructed the view from the shack. They could still be seen well enough that the guards would not think they had wandered, but if a guard were to be playing really close attention, well... "Let zem szee. Mebbe dey like it, non? Our leetle show."

Kimble squirmed and thrashed, putting up a token fight, but Aiden wasn't going to let him up. Kimble gave up quickly enough, laying back and closing his eyes again, just letting this flow.

Aiden felt the pilot's relent and went to work with his mouth, eager to impress. He still couldn't believe he was here, giving worship to the god of his dreams. The very angel he had glimpsed only from afar. The rhythm of his attention was slow and steady. He knew Kimble liked it rough, but he was hoping to gently ease the pilot from that path. It seemed to be working at the moment. He could see now the tight flexing of Kimble's abdominal muscles as he breathed harder and more deeply now, watched the contractions of that long, lovely tattoo. Kimble's back arched and he finished with a soft cry. The Dreamer chuckled, teasing gently as Kimble's waves of orgasmic bliss washed over him, "Oh, you szo szweet, yesz. You like dat, eh?"

Kimble couldn't reply, he was too busy shivering. He turned partway onto his side, gasping, and Aiden couldn't stop from staring at him with lovestruck eyes, any pretense of not having fallen for good a waste of time. Kimble was fantastically beautiful, all dusty and windblown. His shimmer was bright and sparkly now, a sign of his intense pleasure. His pale blue eyes were only half open and not focused. Dreamy, just the way Aiden thought a man should look when he was properly blown.

"What?" Kimble grunted drunkenly at him, a loopy smile on his face. He had noticed Aiden's hungry stare and wasn't sure what Aiden was thinking so intensely. Aiden wasn't like anyone else, he could be so hard to read.

"Not'ing. I wasz juszt t'inkin'."

"Thinkin' what?"

"It wasz.. I ..." Aiden stammered, unable to articulate. How did you say that the one before was the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? That you've dreamed about him night after night? That you were already in love with him forever before you ever set eyes on him for real? That a love like this comes only once, that it can kill you with its intensity. Cripple you to the point of never being able to touch anyone else ever again. He couldn't even begin to try so he said instead, "I need a beer."

"Amen ta that. It's fuckin' hot out here."

Kimble dressed quickly and wobbled to his feet. His legs were like rubber and he could hardly keep himself up. Aiden laughed, putting an arm around him to steady him. "You ready?"

"Fer what?"

"A performancze like dat deszerve a bow, non?"

"What?" Kimble asked, bewildered, then laughed as Aiden turned in the general direction of the guard shack and bowed deep and low, dragging the pilot down into the act with him.

"T'ank you, t'anksz szo very much. We 'ere all week."

Kimble giggled like a kid, charmed by Aiden's arrogant playfulness. This was like having Remy, but so much better. This was an affair free from guilt or having to sneak around.

"Let'sz go. Aiden powerful t'irszty."

They made their way inside, laughing all the more when they saw the shadows of two men following them down the stairwell. Their guards were forced to trail them, always in sight or close to it. The Siskans cared not, but went into the nearest bar to sit and drink and smoke. Kimble was enjoying this intensely. They drank their beers and Aiden watched how fast Kimble got drunk. It was all the more endearing and he leaned forward to whisper, "Zey got camerasz in de bat'roomsz 'ere?"

"I dunno. I ain't never been in one. Why?"

Aiden just laughed and hauled Kimble to his feet, dragging him out of the bar and into the public Men's Room just outside. Kimble was drunk and laughing the whole time, his blurry eyes barely registering the fact that the bathroom had only three stalls and one of them was currently occupied. He was still giggling insanely as he was tossed into one of the others and pushed back against the wall. He could feel Aiden's desire for him, made all the more potent by their playful activities outside. Aiden hadn't gotten off, but he was thinking about taking care of that right now. Kimble laughed at him and teased, "What you doin', huh?"

"I'm gonna make you szqueal like a leetle girl, neh?" Aiden replied, nice and loud so their little companion in the next stall could hear.

"Hey, you queers! Go somewhere else!" the guy protested, thumping his hand against the stall.

"Watch an' learn, eh?" Aiden replied and spun Kimble around.

Now Aiden knew this position offered trouble, it was too close of a re-enactment of yesterday. What he was hoping for was that enough tenderness had passed between them for this to not get out of hand again. This was a test, a test to see if Kimble's feelings had deepened as his own had become more true.

Kimble was too drunk and now too wound to argue about positioning. There was a certain thrill at Aiden's "in your face" attitude, about his lack of fear of doing this in public. It was something he had never been bold enough to have and it only added to the rush. Kimble was lost quickly under Aiden's intense need and desire, his own want for use making this much too easy for his assailant. He was blasted by the Dreamer's Kundatesh as it whispered to him of Aiden's powerful desire and he found himself whimpering eagerly and begging to be taken. He couldn't wait another minute. Clothing came off rapidly, forming a pile on the floor between their legs. Aiden's powerful hands pressed him to the wall and when Aiden took him, he shuddered with a cry of pleasure that only encouraged his new lover to continue.

"Oh, come on!" the man beside them snarled and got up, making a noisy show of wiping his ass and flushing his toilet. He slammed his door and walked out, not even bothering to wash his hands.

"We alone now, usz. Too bad. Wasz 'opin' for another sztandin' ovation. Mebbe a nizce t'ree way, non?" Aiden joked, but there was a undertone of anger. Those of the flesh, the Chuckfet, would never understand, could never accept a pairing as miraculous as this. They had no idea of the gift he had been given, of the breathtaking privilege of having this most precious of Siskans in his hands to pleasure, but he did. He refused to let a chance like this pass him by. The rest of the world could simply drop dead as far as he was concerned.

"Uhhnn!" Kimble groaned. It was all he could manage. "Don't stop!"

"Oh, don' you worry none 'bout dat, eh?" Aiden replied, shifting his attention back to the task at hand. The pace was frantic and less than gentle, but not the hard assault from the night before. Aiden was determined in his mission, he wasn't going to let Kimble throw him over the edge again like that. No, he was going to show this pilot he could receive a good dominating round of play without the pain. If Kimble was looking for a nice high, there was more than one way to get it.

Kimble was happy with the spontaneity of this, but as the moments passed he was once more feeling some frustration at how nice and easy this was going. He was used to the fear and panic that usually prompted him to release his backwash and Aiden was simply being too gentle for that. Kimble thrashed a little, trying to buck Aiden off and force him to go rougher, but Aiden was ready for him and was determined not to comply.

Aiden concentrated and forced his will on the pilot, commanding him with his powerful inner voice. / You want to fight me? Go ahead an' try, you won' win. You will not forcze me like yeszterday. It don' mean you can't pull your leetle trick. You wanna releasze all dat love, go ahead. I won' sztop you. Go ahead, preszciouz. Knock yourszelf out. /

Kimble resisted, part of him staunchly refusing. / You wants ta feels that again? Shure — but on my terms! Hit me! Bite me! Anthin' but this stupid lover's crap!

Aiden's anger surged, but he resisted its lure, refusing to let Kimble beat him again. Kimble was clever, but Aiden had a few tricks of his own up his sleeve. Now that the hard edge of his want had been burnt away from their activities yesterday, he could afford to be leisurely. He slowed his pace even more, a deliberate tease, all the while keeping Kimble pinned firmly in place with his telekinetic power, dominating him completely without a bite or a bruise. He took the example of Kimble's actions yesterday and pleasured the pilot not with blows, but with repeated Kundatesh waves of intense affection, knowing that Kimble's heightened senses would enjoy them if he wanted to or not.

Aiden was doling out small doses of his immense love while trying to hide the true size of it. He didn't dare let Kimble know just how far gone he was, Kimble wasn't ready yet to know. There was just enough to make the pilot aware that Aiden was sincere in his efforts to show him that he was going to be more than some passing brutal fantasy for this broken pilot's shattered mind to play with.

Kimble was unhappy. He couldn't deny the pleasure of this, but it wasn't what he wanted. If he was going to be dominated, it was going to be done with pain, not this intense loving that only made him want to run. Too much love and he would be forced to walk away. He didn't want that, he wanted to enjoy Aiden for as long as possible. The Dreamer was becoming too much of what his inner self was wanting to have it end too soon. Kimble tried to fight and move about to goad the Dreamer into anger, but it wasn't happening. Instead, there was this buzzing in his head, one that spoke of love and tenderness. He didn't want to hear it. He wanted the bright sparkling heat of pain, of blows that shouted of his importance to the abuser, of how he was needed. All his efforts were in vain. Aiden kept him in place, not with bruises and bites, but with the stone wall prison of his unhurried, tender lovemaking.

Aiden felt Kimble try to fight him and laughed. It was a battle he wouldn't win, the Dreamer was far too skilled, far too committed to changing Kimble's perceptions of how this should be done. He opened up his mind a little more and risked everything by taking out his best weapon. It was an interesting choice of attack, one that could be seen by anyone, not just the gifted. As Aiden's hands passed over Kimble's body, as he kept shifting the pilot back into place when Kimble would try to throw him off, his fingers left trails of sparkling red and orange glitter against Kimble's bright white skin.

"Oh! Oh! Fuck!" Kimble shouted in surprise as his body reacted on its own with startling greed. His body knew what this was even if he didn't. It absorbed the glitter like water into a dry sponge and it was like having a thousand lovers kiss him all over, all at once. A million hugs from a million people who loved him deeply with their entire souls. A billion "I love you"s from a billion adoring children who wouldn't trade him in for the whole world. It was a love on a scale he had never imagined and quite personal, not the generic blast of love he had given to Aiden. This was meant for him and only him. His Siskan body gobbled it down with incredible haste, his fractured and wounded heart screaming for more. It would never be enough, he had to have more!

Kimble couldn't possibly withstand something like that, not from something he hadn't expected. It was turnabout from their quick session yesterday. The same way Aiden had been bowled over from his backwash of Kundatesh, so now Kimble was overtaken by this strange new power. The pilot screamed choked laughter as he convulsed, a mind numbing orgasm torn from him by the brilliance of all the sensory overload.

Aiden finished immediately after, his triumph loud in his own mind, a high five in his own heart. He had gotten Kimble to finish with satisfaction without ever striking a blow, without all that ugly violence getting in the way. For one moment they had connected and their hearts had touched, a conjoined hug in space, one with real love and passion in it, not just a thing of empty brutal lust. The power of that connection made Aiden anticipate another blackout, but it didn't quite happen. It was there, a great wall of black threatening to take him but it hovered just out of reach. It was just as well, this was no place to get caught so entangled, he was lucky they hadn't been interrupted yet.

Still, he was quite proud of his victory. The glitter was an extension of his power, the Morrowhiem. It was one of his most prized assets in his arsenal, something he reserved only for the most favored of clients. The intense vibrations of desire between this precious pilot and himself and the true love hidden underneath them were much more powerful this time, their coupling yesterday only increasing their present attraction exponentially. Aiden knew his heart was gone from him for good now, he was crazy in love and a total goner. The thought of it made him shiver once more in intense pleasure and he swayed unsteadily, slipping rudely from Kimble's body as his own legs gave way.

Kimble came down with him. Aiden may have been spared a blackout, but Kimble hadn't. He had been out cold for only a moment and just reviving when his support suddenly disappeared. They tangled painfully around each other as they collapsed, one of Aiden's hands plopping into the toilet as he fell. (No doubt, the designers of men's rooms did not exactly have this purpose in mind. Of course, if Aiden had been thinking a bit more clearly after that last beer, he might have selected the much larger handicapped stall. But, hey, when passion calls, common sense often flees...)

Aiden chuckled softly at the awkward situation, doing his best to extricate himself from around the porcelain bowl. "You okay, preciousz?"

Kimble lay where he was, twisted and tangled, and burst into another bout of giddy laughter in spite of being in pain. He was high and tingling as Aiden had been the day before, tripping on the rush of their coupling, and all too willing to ignore the love that he thought he had felt hidden in all that glitter. Aiden hadn't been as in control of his feelings as he had thought and some of that deep, true love had slipped out. No, Kimble was thinking, refusing to acknowledge that feeling was authentic. If it was real it meant he might have to put a stop to this and he just wasn't ready for that, not when he was as high as this. No, it was a mistake, he could forget it. Laugh, Kimble, laugh, and play. No trouble here.

Kimble was still laughing as Aiden shifted out from under him to a more comfortable position, adjusting the remains of their clothing for warmth against the cool tiles of the floor. The Dreamer propped himself up on one arm and looked down into Kimble's eyes, just drinking up the moment. Lost in the afterglow of another round of glorious sex, lost in the heat of his victory - lost from the three beers he had downed like nothing, and before he could stop himself - he announced in a voice rough from passion, "You ze moszt preciousz t'ing Aiden ever szee. Not'ing would bring me greater pleaszure dan to 'ear you laugh and szing like disz every day for ze reszt of my life. I'm gonna love you forever."

Dreamer! Father shouted in alarm, flickering into view for a moment. You pathetic romantic fool! How could you be this stupid!

Kimble didn't hear Aiden's silent ghost. His laughter came to an abrupt halt as he suddenly blanched. "What did ya say?"

"I szaid — I szaid — I szaid szumpt'ing I shouldn't 'ave," Aiden stammered lamely, seeing the sudden panic on Kimble's face. The pilot's shine was swirling now, mixed anger and terror. "Aiden isz too drunk and 'isz mout' run away wit itszelf. Forget it."

Kimble rose suddenly, using his telekinetic power to levitate himself up and over the toilet. He snatched at his clothes, his hands shaking so badly he could hardly get them on. So much for ignoring that taste of true love he had felt from Aiden, the deep rooted reality of it. How could he have been this stupid! Never, never, never let anyone fall in love with you! That was the rules! Already he could hear Lin rattling his chains inside, squeaking his tiny Siskan warnings.

"Keemble, wait!" Aiden said in rising fear, trying desperately to salvage this. He could see the distant look in Kimble's eyes and knew what it meant. "I didn't mean it!"

"Yes, ya did an' I'm sorry. I- I cain't never sees ya again," Kimble said firmly, his lips in a thin white line. He was scared and upset, upset that this had to happen today. It was too soon, he had wanted to enjoy Aiden for more than just the two days, but just his luck, it hadn't worked out that way.

"What!" Aiden gasped in shocked surprise at Kimble's words. He had crossed the line and he knew that. He had expected some words of fear, of a necessary slowing of the pace on things, but not a punishment on this scale. There was a sharp stabbing pain in his chest and he couldn't breathe. He looked for Father, but the ghost was gone, having shouted his disappointment and vanishing, leaving the Dreamer to deal with this on his own. Aiden was at a loss. No, this wasn't possible. How could Kimble not want him as badly as this? "Didn't you like it? Don' you want me?" he asked, unable to hide the whine of pain there.

"Of course I did. An' I do wants ya," Kimble said, moving away. "It ain't you. I don' lets no one stay, that's it. Don' try ta push it with me cuz I ain't changin' m' mind no matter how good you wuz."

"I don' undersztand!" Aiden protested, raising his voice in anger. "Mebbe Aiden get a little carried away, but I know you love me. I felt it more zan oncze! You cannot 'ide disz from me!"

"You don't know who I am!" Kimble shouted suddenly with a pained sob, his frustration causing a small pulse of his telekinetic power to slip away from him. It hit the mirror over the sinks and shattered it, sending cracks right through it. Kimble took one look at that, at his shattered reflection, and his terror exploded. He screamed and started to gag, his gorge rising against his control.

"Non!" Aiden cried and reached out for him. He knew as well as anyone that for a Siskan to vomit, he was on the edge of breaking, he had been there so many times himself. Remy had come to Trishnar's with tales of this fractured 'gram, but the details had been sparse. Aiden had no idea why Kimble was freaking out so badly, why the mirror had terrified him so. What a fucking nightmare!

Kimble jerked away from Aiden's touch, his hand over his mouth in a feeble attempt to stop his rising gorge. "Stay away from me! You don' know what I've done!"

"Tell me zen! Can't be anyt'ing worsze dan what I've done myszelf!"

"I cain't! You'll hates me!"

"Don't be szo stupid!" Aiden bellowed, his anger and frustration overtaking his reason. "Aiden isz Sziszkan! A Kintay like you! What make you t'ink Aiden szo free from hisz own trouble? Dat'sz what makesz our love szo szpecial! What we 'ave isz not a leetle t'ing! It'sz real! It'sz alive!"

His words had the opposite effect desired. Kimble's response was a giant heave and then he was hurling gel and half digested beer all over his feet. Aiden reached for him again but the door suddenly slammed open and Logan was there. "Hey, ladies. What's goin' on in here?"

Aiden backed up into the stall defensively, his hands fisted automatically. He had just lost control of the situation and there was nothing he could do about it now. The fact was, he was in no position to challenge the authority here, not just yet. "Not'ing. Keemble 'ave too much to drink."

Logan didn't buy that feeble excuse for a minute, he had lived with the pilot for far too long. There was only one reason Kimble threw up and it had nothing to do with beer. He snorted at Aiden and sneered, "Looks like he wasn't the only one. Why don'tcha get some pants on, sweetcheeks."

Aiden snarled in anger and grabbed for his shorts.

Meanwhile Kimble had stumbled to one knee. He was shaking badly and trying not to cry as he watched the gel he had sicked up shimmer and disappear. His head was down and he was muttering softly, "I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Max had come in with Logan and he reached down to comfort the stricken pilot, easing him to his feet. As much as he was trying to help, he was uncomfortable with Kimble's display of emotional weakness as were the rest of Logan's men, he had never seen a grown man break down like this, tears were streaming down Kimble's face now. Worse than that had been Aiden's nudity, it left little doubt as to what had gone on in here. The idea of two men going at it made him shiver with revulsion. "Take it easy there, buddy," he stammered lamely to Kimble, trying not to look as embarrassed as he felt.

"You two put on quite a little show for my boys today," Wolverine growled, looking at Aiden in particular. Kimble would never have been so bold on his own and he knew it. "They get paid ta put up with that crap but the public doesn't. There could've easily been some kid in here. This ain't a brothel, ya can't just up and fuck wherever ya please!"

"Szo szorry, miszter Wolv'rine, szir. Muszt've misszed ze no fuckin' szign on ze door," Aiden retorted in his best snotty voice. He was infuriated by the vibrations of disgust and embarrassment coming from Max and the others. So very typical of the Chuckfet, so typically cruel. Really, what could these people expect after denying them access to a private place to play? As far as he was concerned they had been tricked into this trouble deliberately.

"Oh, yer real hilarious, Z," Logan returned, showing his teeth in an angry sneer. "I told you what would happen if you two pulled this crap again, but I guess yer both just plain deaf. Stolen badges, sneakin' all around? You think everything here is a fuckin' game. Well, if this is all a game, let me show you how the big boys play. Both of ya're bein' detained fer public indecency. Hope you enjoy it!"

"Wait!" Aiden protested but it was too late. The room swarmed with Logan's men and they were being dragged out and down to the nearest security station.

To be continued in Turbulence.