Looking for Basic IM Client Source

Due to the wonderfully ass-backwards way I absorb knowledge, I'm looking for a basic start point to work on an IM client, either in C or C++. Does anyone know if the source code is available for a starter project that may have been scrapped, or if any of the existing IM clients have sources available?

in theory, htheb should have released the source for beup, but he's being a cockbag and not releasing it (even tho it's gpl'd)

I guess so... It's not GPL if the source isn't available. =p