I felt a hand on my shoulder. "He's gone, Scott," Stephen said softly.

I opened my eyes and saw tears in Stephen's. "He's so fucking good, isn't he?"

"Yeah," I whispered.

"I see you've found Remy's collar," Councilor Constantine said from the doorway. Banshee was behind him looking down the hall with curiosity.

"He was a slave?" I asked.

"He was a mystery," the councilor stated. "But, yes, I believe at one time he way a slave. He's the only mutant I've ever known of who was free here in Genosha. What will you do with him now?"

"I don't know. I can't...I won't have him killed. If I did that, I'd have to kill everyone who'd owned mutant slaves in this country." Constantine nodded.

"Let me deal with him," he said. "I can keep him at my estate. Not as a slave, but a...political prisoner. He'll be under house arrest. We'll consider this a coup. My fellow councilors will take control of the country until we can elect another Patriarch."

I looked at Stephen. He shrugged his shoulders. "Not my area of expertise."

Constantine moved toward me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "He'll be taken care of, I can promise you that. He'll be safe from any enemy who might see this as an opportunity to have him murdered. He'll essentially disappear."

"It's your country. Your world. Do what you think is right. I'm not sure if I trust you, but you seem more honorable than most of the councilors I've come across." I paused and looked at him. "I just want the mutant slaves freed and something done about the portals. And no more kidnappings." Constantine nodded and handed me the list of all the registered 'earther' slaves.

I looked at Sean, who'd come up behind the councilor. "Get this to Rogue and Storm. See how many people they can gather to round up all these slaves. They're going home."

He took the list and flew out. Constantine watched him leave and then turned back to me. "He'll be well cared for, I promise."

I gave him a curt nod, not wanting to hear anymore. Suddenly there was indignant shouting in the hallway. "I protest this despicable treatment! I'm a member of the ruling class!"

"Tell it to someone who gives a damn," Logan replied, nonchalantly.

A graying stately man strode into the room and looked about. His eyes flashed in anger. "Constantine!" He shouted when his glance fell on the councilor. "What is the meaning of this? I've been told to free my Neil. I paid a fair price for him, and these...these ruffians tell me I'm to let him go? I think not!"

"Lord Alcie," Constantine spoke calmly, "the city has been taken over by the X-men. All mutant slaves from Earth and all human ones too are to be set free. I seriously doubt we have the manpower or the willingness of the army to fight. You're Neil is from Earth. Therefore he is now free."

"But he's mine!" Alcie said peevishly. "He doesn't want to leave me. I know he doesn't."

I looked toward the door where Zaki stood and almost wept. He stood there quietly next to Logan, his eyes on the floor, looking worn and fragile. I pushed passed Constantine and bolted over to him. But as I reached him I stopped, taking in the sight of him, afraid to overwhelm him. He looked so lost. "Zaki," I murmured.

He looked up and smiled. "Gift of Allah," he said. "I've missed you." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Logan raise an eyebrow, but he said nothing and stepped away. Zaki reached up tentatively and touched my visor. "You have such beautiful eyes. They must have such power in them to be shielded so. I wish..."

I swallowed and gently placed my hands on his arms just below his shoulders. "What, Zaki? What do you wish?" I murmured.

"I wish I had such power. Perhaps I could have saved you from all this." He gestured weakly at the room with his hand.

My tears began to flow freely. "Oh, Zaki, even with all my power I couldn't save you." I pulled him into my arms and held him tightly, ignoring the pain to my cock. "I missed you too." I whispered in his ear and felt him shudder. He clung to me desperately and sobbed on my shoulder for a long time. "It's okay," I said over and over. "You're safe now."

"This is an outrage!" Lord Alcie harped.

"Shut your yap, bub," Logan growled, "or I'll shut it for you."

Alcie sputtered, but eventually shut up.

When Zaki seemed calmer, I pushed him gently up off my shoulder, and stroked his cheek. "You're free Zaki. You can go home."

He smiled sadly. "There is no home for me in Pakistan. I'd be ashamed to show my face. Better that my family thinks I'm dead."

"Then you can come back to Xavier's mansion with me," I told him. "There's room enough for you there. There's a place for you."

He closed his eyes, still smiling softly. "All that power. I'm only human. I wouldn't fit in there."

"Yes, you would," I argued, sounding almost desperate, "We could give you an education. Get you an American citizenship. You could do whatever you choose."

"I cannot," Zaki said, shaking his head. "I cannot go back, Gift of Allah. Please, I've been here too long."

"Scott," I said in defeat. Zaki looked at me puzzled. "My name is Scott."

"Scott," he repeated. "Please. I cannot go back. There's nothing for me there."

I couldn't understand. I wanted to make him see that it'd be okay. That he *could* return. But then I looked in his haunted, hollow eyes and saw the truth. He'd never acclimate. He'd never feel right back on Earth. Hell, I probably wouldn't feel right either when I finally got back there. So I let him go. I dropped my hands from his arms. "Okay. But if you ever change your
mind, there is a place in Salem Center for you." He smiled and nodded. Then I frowned. "You're not going back with Lord Alcie, are you? I'll drag you back to the mansion before I allow that."

Constantine approached at that moment. "He's a free man. And he's welcome to stay with me and my family. I'll find him something to do."

For the first time Zaki's eyes lit up. "I would very much appreciate that, Milord."

"Are you sure?" I asked, wanting to be certain he'd be safe, he'd feel comfortable.

"Yes. I know of Lord Constantine. He is fair and kind." Zaki said to me.

I looked over at the councilor. "Thank you."

He bowed slightly. "I'll go make arrangements to have Zaki and Remy taken to my estates." Zaki's eyes widened in shock, but Constantine eased his fears by saying, "I'll have Remy taken out to the country estate in Landover. You'll stay here in the city. You won't have to see him, ever." Zaki sighed in relief.

"Thank you, Milord."

"You'll pay for this, Constantine," Lord Alcie suddenly shouted. "I'll ruin you. Don't think I won't."

I narrowed my eyes. "Logan, will you see Lord Alcie to the door."

"My pleasure, Cyke," Logan answered with a feral smile. He took Alcie's arm roughly. "So you like keepin' slaves, bub? Do you like torturin' them too?" He asked as he led Alcie away. I almost felt sorry for the nobleman. Almost.

I smiled at Zaki. "You're safe now. But if you ever change your mind."

He returned my smile. "I know, Gift...Scott. I know."

I couldn't help it. I didn't care who saw me at that point anyway. I took Zaki's face between my hands and kissed him gently. He opened his mouth with a sigh and I pulled him closer, again ignoring the pain to my groin. I kissed him passionately, longingly. I'd miss him. He'd always have a tender place in my heart. The first man I'd ever wanted without coercion.

Then he was pulling away. "Good-bye Scott," he said and followed Constantine out the door and down the hall and out of my life. I gave a silent prayer that he'd recover fully and hoped that I would see him again someday.