Disclaimer: I don't own them if I didI wouldn't have killed Emma DeLauro, the character with the biggest potential. But I don't, so don't sue me, I'm not making any money out of this, just borrowing them for a short while.
Summary: Emma DeLauro is keeping a deadly secret from her feral friend. Will she discover it before it's too late?

Rating : PG.
Timeline: Beginning of season 2.
Feedback: Much appreciated of course.

Chapter 1 Nightmares

The nightmares are back, stronger than before.

Ever since I joined Adam and the team, I was always keeping everyone at arm's length, trying not to let anyone too close. Although it was hard at time, especially with my feral instincts.

Then one Adam sent us to rescue two new mutants. I'll never forget the look on Emma's face on our first encounter: wonder and fear. Both mixed in the depths of her baby blue eyes.

After that, and their joining our team, things had changed, she herself did.

She surprised herself sharing long conversation with the younger woman, even girly talks, something she never did before. Neither of them did she corrected. Being a mutant was a lonely curse and she was glad Adam found her all those years back. She'd likely be long dead by now. So now she felt comfortable in returning the favour. Of course there were hard times like in every mission. But the rewards were numerous, and being able to help Emma cope with her powers was certainly one of them. She feared that because as a small girl, she knew the power of the mind were the most powerful, and she had a glimpse at what dark source could do with them, she'd turn evil.

Although she claimed having no memories of being split in two.

Jerking upright, Shalimar Fox sat in her bed, listening to the disturbing noise.

No doubt it came from Emma's bedroom. Soft muffled whispers.

She waited a couple minutes to see if she felt back into a much quieter sleep.

When she did not, she got up, grabbing her robe by the back of a chair and approached the connecting door noiselessly. Cracking it open a few inches, her eyes turned feral to adjust to the darkness bathing Emma's room.

Lying on her right side, a pillow clutched tightly to her chest, knees rode up in a foetal position, she was whimpering, trying to muffle the noises in the soft fabric. Frowning at the display, Shalimar patted barefoot to her side, kneeling by the bed. Laying a hand on Emma's thigh she called her softly, trying not to startle her.

Emma's entire body was drenched with sweat, her white pyjamas glued to her skin, revealing her alabaster skin. At first she didn't respond to Shalimar's presence but a minute later she looked up at her, her eyes glaring.

"What are you doing here? Get out!" she stammered taking Shalimar aback. She wasn't used to hear Emma speak so harshly. She was without doubt the most caring in the team.

Grabbing Shalimar's hand resting on her thigh, she tried to move it away but without success. When it came to physical, Shalimar Fox was the stronger of the two. Now that she knew something was wrong with the psionic, she had no intention to leave.

Using her free hand, she switched the bedside lamp on, blinking against the light.

Her eyes switched back human but her whole body tenses at the display before her: Emma's face was all puffy from the tears she had shed. There was something awkward in her posture; it was rigid in a way she couldn't explain.

From where they where clenching the pillow, she took Emma's hands in hers then took the pillow aside, onto the floor. After her earlier outburst, she expected a reaction, some resistance but nothing.

Her eyes lowered, Emma didn't look at her, chewing on her lower lips. At first, she thought it was from fear of her reaction, she indeed tended to be unpredictable and she might get back to her from her previous outburst. But her feral instincts kicked in and more than fear, it was pain she felt.

Standing up, she released Emma's hands and taking hold of her shoulders, she tried to lay her on her back. For the first time, she felt the younger woman resist her, effectively blocking her attempt. Only her head turned to the ceiling.

Surprised, Shalimar looked up to her face, to see Emma's furrowed in deep concentration. It was a strong contrast with her earlier state.

In an instant, realisation flashed into Shalimar's mind: although she never did it before, or at least she wasn't aware of it, the psionic was ready to use her telempath powers on her.

Thanks to her uncanny fast feral movements, she brought her hand to Emma's face. Surprised by the action, she didn't lash her psycho-burst.

As she removed her hand, Shalimar was greeted by Emma's deep exhale of breath. Caressing gently her feverish cheek, she knelt by her side, her other hand coming back to her earlier position, resting lightly on the redhead's thigh.

That move had worn her out, she was desesparetly trying not to close her eyes, to fight slumber. But judging by her current state, the battle was already lost.

Her hand moved from her cheek to her hair, brushing through the damp hair. Her rhythmic movements seemed to smooth her as her breathing slowly deepened and her heartbeat caught a more normal rhythm.

Nuzzling further against Shalimar's hand, trapping it between her face and the bed, Emma finally let sleep win. Her last coherent thought was that Shalimar was there, it was safe to sleep.

Watching Emma fall into a much quieter sleep, Shalimar was almost satisfied, if only she'd forget she was the reason of Emma's condition.

End of chapter 1 - Please review :D