Traveling Souls

Disclaimer: Not mine! Mutant X belongs to Tribune and Marvel.

Summary: It started out as a simple mission; little did they know it would turn into a journey of discovery for them all. BS.

Rating: PG

A/N: Hello! I'm back with a new story. :) Since almost all of my stories focus on season three, I was challenged to write a season one or two story, so came up with this idea while re-watching season two. It takes place after episode 221, but before the events of 222. I'm not used to writing Adam or Emma, so that will be a new challenge for me! This story will be going back to a more traditional "adventure with a mission" type of plot, as my challenge is more with the characters this time. This is still a work in progress and my schedule is very busy right now, so I'm afraid I won't be able to update as often as I'd like to, but will still update at least once a week. This story also pairs with my new music video, Beautiful Disaster, which can be found on my little site. So I hope you stay with me through this new story, and join me on a journey of discovery; of the past and of the future, of life, of love, and of home. Thank you!

Traveling Souls—Chapter One

Prelude:

Every day was nothingness. Time moved outside, but for him, it had no meaning. Though it was never-ending darkness, he could still hear the voices. Everyday, like clockwork, they chattered dimly in his subconscious as they passed by. Unaware of him, unaware of the screaming so loud in his head. Everyday. Unaware. And then something changed. A kind soul began to talk to him through the nothingness. The words weren't always there, but the meaning of his voice was, and he found a friend. Time passed; it might have been years, he didn't know, and he clung to that voice. It kept him sane when the screaming became too much. And one day, when the voice dropped in tone, something changed. The thick clear lid of his glass coffin was lifted and through the hazy fog, he realized he was finally free. Alarms blared around him as hands tugged, and limbs long unused protested as he was bodily lifted. He felt fresh air rushing against him for the first time in so many years. Warmth. Warmth flooded heavy against him, and he went from elation to fear when he cracked open bleary eyes to see it was colored bright red. Blood, hot and thick, coated his fingers. Startled, his head lolled up and around to make eye contact. Piercing brown eyes met tired, hooded ones as the man who held him suddenly let go. He slammed to the floor, shrinking back as the man dropped beside him, gasping and choking. He watched as bloodied lips pushed together, shuddering as he recognized the voice. His knees bent, and he was suddenly kneeling over the man, clutching his fingers, barely feeling the coolness of the disk pressed into his shaking palm.

"Where am I?" He didn't recognize the rasping quality of his own voice.

"You must f-find Adam Kane." The man shuddered and died in his arms, and the voice of his friend was stilled.

He was freed, and he was alone.

Alarms continued to blare around him as agents circled warily around. Brown eyes lifted, narrowing, hands rising as time came rushing back, and he remembered his own power.

He would never be podded again.

She loved the night. The smell of spring was strong on the evening breeze, and Shalimar smiled as she slipped unheard back into Sanctuary. Brennan had caught her a few months ago on one of her nightly prowls, but she was more careful now, more aware. No one had followed her this evening. She grinned, sliding her bedroom door open and breathing in the comfort of her home. She was tired, but a good tired, and she yawned with contentment as she kicked off her jeans and sat on the bed. A quick pause to loosen restrictive clothing, and she lay flat on her back, arms outspread, staring up at the ceiling, reliving the thrill of the spring hunt. Eyes grew heavy, lids finally drifting shut as night continued to pass. They were wrenched open hours later. Brennan was screaming. That was all Shalimar could think as she was ripped from sleep, on her feet and through her door before her mind could catch up with her body. Another muffled cry and she was wide awake, heart pounding as she ran to his room, the terror in his voice chilling her, shocking her as she tore open his door to see him flailing under his twisted comforter. She came to an abrupt stop, hands on her knees to catch her breath, blinking the last tendrils of sleep from her eyes as she willed her slamming heart to settle back down in her chest.

He was having a nightmare.

She shook her head, looking back up at him as he continued to whimper. "Brennan."

His fists were clenched, muscular legs straining in vain to get free from the confines of his bedding, back tensely arched as he fought hard.

"Brennan." She tried again, crossing his room to kneel beside his bed. She ran a hand down his flushed cheek, startled to hear her name whispered between his clamped teeth, his nostrils flaring as breath strained in and out in harsh gasps.

"Shal--"

"Brennan." He refused to wake up, cries turning more desperate as he squirmed against her touch. Her own sleep muddled brain felt his terror, and she swallowed hard, surging up from her knees and capturing his tossing head between two firm hands. "Brennan, I'm here."

"Sha-a-alimar!"

"Brennan, wake up!" She flinched as one of his hands suddenly clamped over her wrist with bruising strength. A vein stood out in stark boldness in his neck, eyes darting wildly from under closed lids as his nightmare refused to break. Her heart broke at the whimpered sobs ripped from his ragged throat, and she grasped his shoulders, giving him a firm shake. "Brennan, wake up, I'm here." She fought against him as he lunged forward. "Brennan, please."

"Shalimar—"

"I'm here." Her voice quivered, caught up in his panic.

"Shal." His breath caught in his throat, fingers loosening on her wrist as his eyes finally opened, confused and unfocused. She smiled encouragingly as his eyes found hers in the darkness, nodding as he searched her gaze, tension leaving as he slumped against her in relief. Without thought, her arms rose up and circled around him, fingers running soothingly along his back as he shuddered, nose pressed into her shoulder. They were silent, breathing loudly in the darkness. She wasn't used to holding him like this, and she shifted against him, suddenly aware of how pleasant a feeling it was. Against her own volition, her fingers found their way into the spiky hair at the base of his neck, curling slightly, marveling at how soft it felt. She always thought the texture would somehow be rougher. He sniffed, and she forced her fingers to stop moving.

"You died." His voice was a harsh whisper, throat raspy from screaming. "You left me."

"I didn't leave, Brennan, I'm right here." And in your arms. She quickly pushed the thought aside, suddenly painfully aware she was still wearing the t-shirt from her hunt. Nothing but a t-shirt and underwear, she self-consciously added, a t-shirt that even now was riding high up her thighs… She awkwardly cleared her throat.

"No," he adamantly shook his head, still lost in his dream. "You died, Shal." His chest swelled as he swallowed a large gulp of air. She melted, tension forgotten as she pulled him a little closer. She had had enough nightmares of her own to understand their lingering terror.

"It's ok," She soothed into his ear. "I'm right here."

His face turned toward hers, stubble grazing her neck as his nose left her shoulder and followed the line of her jaw. He blinked, pulling back slightly. "Sorry." His eyes were adverted, and she sensed his embarrassment.

"Brennan," She turned his chin up, voice trailing away as she saw the naked pain in his eyes. For her. Oh God. Her heart rate doubled. What was wrong with her? She couldn't look away. He stared back, adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed tightly. His fingers rose and pressed against her cheeks, running down them with gentle caresses over and over until her eyes fell shut.

And then his fingers fell away.

She whimpered lowly at the loss of touch. "Brennan?" She opened her eyes to see him studying her in the darkness.

"I'm sorry I woke you, Shal." He pulled back, and she shivered as cold air rushed against her, immediately missing the solidness of his chest. She refused to think why.

"You ok?"

"Yeah." He sighed heavily, leaning back against his headboard, hands scrubbing his face.

"Do you want to talk about it?" The question hung thickly in the air. She couldn't drag her eyes away from his bare chest, following a bead of sweat as it ran down his skin and disappeared under the blanket drawn around his waist.

"Not really."

Her eyes darted back to his face as his hands fell limply at his sides. "Ok." She dropped her gaze, unable to think of what to say next.

Silence again swelled between them, and she tensed slightly when in the darkness, she suddenly felt his hand land lightly on her bare thigh.

"Thanks."

She nodded, forgetting he couldn't really see her, sucking in a quiet breath when his fingers started to fiddle with the hem of her shirt.

"Shal?"

"Yeah?" She hated how breathy she sounded.

"What are you wearing?" He seemed almost perplexed.

"Oh." Oh. She clamped her legs together, tugging the shirt down as far as it would go. "I ah, nothing." She reddened. "I mean—"

He chuckled softly, hooded eyes following the movement of her lips. "You were out hunting earlier, weren't you?" It wasn't an accusation, just an observation.

She sighed, steeling herself for an argument.

His fingers found her chin, lifting it slightly. "I won't tell anyone."

Surprised, a quick puff of air left her, and he shrugged in response. He looked as exhausted as she felt, hair pressed flat against the right side of his head. She reached out, smoothing it down. "Thanks."

He nodded at her husky whisper, fingers sliding away from her chin and down to cup the back of her neck, watching her face. Unnerved, she tried to look casual, but her heart pounded, and he smiled slightly as he felt it slam in her throat beneath his fingers. "Do you think you'll be able to get back to sleep?"

She forced herself to focus. "I, ah—" Shouldn't she be asking him that question? She shook her head as his fingers tightened slightly in concern. "Yeah."

"Good."

His hand released her, and she licked her lips. "How about you?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Good." She stared back at him. "Well, I-I suppose I should get back to my own room then." She stood, unable to break eye contact as she slowly backed out of his room. She turned to leave, suddenly realizing her t-shirt wasn't quite long enough to cover up her underwear from the back. She cringed, quickly shutting the door and scampering back to her own room. For the second time that night, she found herself sprawled across her bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to immediately fall asleep. The image of him staring back at her burned into her eyelids until she finally turned onto her side, pulling the covers over her head. Thinking of Brennan in this way was disastrous, she knew it from experience, but there were times like tonight, when he could also be so beautiful, her heart ached. Restlessly, she turned onto her other side, bunching her pillow under her head, shivering. Her room felt strangely cold and empty now. She refused to think why.

The sound of gentle knocking hours later woke him up. Brennan groaned, pushing himself against his pillow, making a face at the dryness of his mouth. "Come in," he muttered, smacking his lips in distaste. He desperately needed a drink.

"You called?" Emma's bright head appeared around his door, smiling at his confusion. She held up a glass of water.

"How did you—" Brennan shook his head. "Never mind."

Emma laughed as she entered the room, handing him the glass and perching on a nearby chair. "Don't worry, I wasn't reading you. You were projecting your thirst so loudly; I couldn't help but feel it as I walked by."

"Thanks, Emma." Brennan drank greedily.

Emma watched him for a moment. "You were projecting something else quite loudly last night as well."

His eyes flickered over to her. "I'm fine."

"Uh-huh." She pressed her lips together, standing up. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here, ok?"

She unwittingly echoed Shalimar's words from last night. I'm here. Brennan froze, remembering all over again the bitter memory of her dying in his arms. It was just a dream. Holding her in his arms had been very real. He groaned, forcibly bringing his chain of thought back to safer ground. He nodded back at Emma as she watched him closely. "Yeah."

She smiled softly in understanding, turning to leave.

"Hey, Emma?"

She didn't miss a beat. "You're welcome Brennan." She grinned over her shoulder as she disappeared out the door.

He rolled his eyes, grinning back.

Two hours later, Adam stood over Brennan and Shalimar with a disapproving frown, hands propped against his hips. Jesse smirked as he watched them both get beaten by a simulation in the dojo for the third time in a row. Shalimar muttered under her breath, kicking out at the now invisible attacker as Brennan groaned from the floor.

"Maybe we should try this again later, Adam." Emma piped up from her seat on the stairs.

"Absolutely not," Adam narrowed his eyes as Shalimar held out a hand to help Brennan stand. "We never know when or where surprise attacks may come, we need to be prepared at all times." He watched as they exchanged quick smiles. "Or in all situations," He murmured under his breath, arms crossing tightly. Emma shot him an appraising glance, but he ignored her.

Brennan let go of Shalimar's hand, watching as she circled around him, settling into a defensive crouch across the room. He dropped his own body into position, hands rising even as Adam barked out another simulation to the computer. Nameless suitcoats immediately surrounded them, and he sparred mindlessly, eyes caught up in watching Shalimar as she seamlessly sprang over three suits in a graceful back flip, landing on a beam above. She grinned down at them as they whirled around in confusion, lithe muscles bent in a ready squat, chest rising and falling as she took aim. Mesmerized, Brennan almost missed the quarterstaff heading straight for his head, dunking just in time with a startled exclamation, feeling the force of the blow in the wind that rushed past him. He frowned, eyes snapping back to the attacker, taking him out with a left undercut that sent the man flying onto his back. Another attacker suddenly appeared behind him, but he was already looking up again, strangely fascinated by the stray strands of hair that clung around Shalimar's slender throat in damp tangles. He wanted to brush them away, feel her silky skin against his knuckles, her racing pulse under his fingers… Faintly, he heard her gasp his name even as she flew through the air, straight at him, tackling him to the floor before he could blink.

"Careful," She panted at him with a quick grin, her small weight pressing against his chest. His breath caught in his throat at the warm pressure, and he stared dumbly up at her as she casually lifted a fist, backhanding an attacker taking aim behind her. He opened his mouth to force out a witty retort, but she was already gone, and he shook his head at his own stupidity. What was wrong with him? He sprang back to his feet, lashing out at another charcoal-gray suit that charged toward him, easily knocking him down. Two more appeared in his place.

"Adam," Brennan gritted in frustration, dropping low to the ground, bracing his hands on the floor as he swept their legs out from under them. "That would never happ—" He grunted as a high-aimed kick hit the back of his head, staggering forward. Shalimar dropped beside him and caught him.

"You ok?" She stumbled slightly under his weight.

"Yeah," Brennan quickly righted himself, hands tightening slightly at her waist where they had landed, staring down into her eyes. Something flashed between them, a hint of remembrance, and they froze. Longing and then fear, emotions so quick he barely caught them, flashed in her eyes, and he pulled his hands back in slight confusion as she pushed him away. Her eyes dropped then lifted back to his, blatantly casual, and he frowned, conflicted.

"Simulation off!" Adam's voice roared around them, and he glanced up, startled to see half a dozen attackers shimmer and disappear from view, seconds away from striking distance. He swallowed. He hadn't even seen them. His arms hung heavy at his sides, and he heard Shalimar swear under her breath beside him.

"Sorry, Adam." Brennan couldn't quite bring himself to make eye contact.

The dojo was silent for a moment.

"I give up," Adam finally spoke, "You two are just not focused enough right now. We'll pick this up later."

Brennan shifted his feet, exchanging glances with Shalimar, noting the faint red staining her cheeks, stammering at Adam as he shook his head and let them go.

"Emma, Jesse, you're up." Adam's attention turned the other members of his team.

Shalimar kicked again at where the attackers had stood moments before, grumbling as she flipped her hair over her shoulder, flouncing down the steps. Brennan watched her as she walked away.

"Hey Shal," he called after her before he realized it.

"Yeah?" She paused on the stairs, turning back toward him.

He suddenly had no idea what to say. "Ah, never mind." He shrugged, grinning in embarrassment.

She raised her eyebrows, grinning back at him, before turning back around. He couldn't help but notice her steps were lighter, that her hips swayed with a little more deliberation. He waited until she completely disappeared before sighing, flopping down next to Adam as he stood and watched Emma and Jesse.

Adam glanced silently down at him.

"Never had so much trouble with simulations before," Brennan explained in way of an apology. Adam nodded, looking back up as Jesse crowed loudly in triumph. Brennan shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to read the look in the older man's eyes. He sighed again, dropping his chin in his hand, glaring grumpily at Jesse as he easily blew through the same simulation that had bested Brennan moments before.

He had never had so much trouble before.

"Ha-ha!" Jesse waggled his eyebrows at Brennan in glee.

Ever.

He made a face back.

"Boys," Emma rolled her eyes in exasperation at their antics.

Until now.

He refused to think why.