Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or its characters. Evie is mine.

Story Progression: Adam's Eve – Something Beautiful – Paradise – Love, Hope & a New Life – Discoveries – Troubles of the Past – Imaginary Friend

Note: If you are new to my stories or have jumped around and skipped any, may I suggest you go back and read all. While each may stand alone, there are references to instances in previous stories. This world I created seems to have blossomed past my original trilogy and now follows a timeline I was inspired to form.

I feel that I now have an obligation to carry my story ahead in order that we see the origins of the children we met in the future. Over the next number of installments there will be missions for both teams and perhaps we can determine just how Sanctuary was really compromised. I seemed to have unwittingly begun a journey that will cover 20 years and a whole new generation of lovable heroes. It is my hope that I can make it interesting enough for you to keep turning the page. Thank you.

Thoughts>

Imaginary Friend

Chapter 1

Only three months had past since Ororo and Logan's wedding. Summer had been comfortable if not quiet around the mansion. Only a few missions interrupted the relaxation; thankfully none very dangerous. Ro and Logan were gone for a month on their honeymoon. They wandered and traveled until they decided to come home. Freedom from set plans and timetables made for the perfect honeymoon of two of nature's most wild and free.

As September drew nearer, those children who were away returned to prepare for the new school year. The teacher's kept everything simple for the first few weeks as they excitedly awaited the marriage celebration of Marie and Remy.

In Sanctuary, life was much the same that summer. Work was light and happiness seemed to rule. Frequent visits put mileage on both cars and craft as the teams eagerly prepared for wedding, child and one other happy event.

Nadene was quickly approaching her first birthday. She was growing up to be quite the little lady, basking in everyone's affections. As expected from her earlier demonstrations of curiosity and activity, she turned out to be one of the children who would get up and go with little time spent scooting on hands and knees. All the adults were given daily workouts just trying to keep up with her. She was most excited to be going to the mansion this particular weekend. She loved the added attention of all her other aunts and uncles and grandfather when she saw them. But most of all it meant that she would be with Thomas.

"He's so handsome," she whispered as she stood by the champagne fountain, mesmerized by the most handsome man she's ever seen.

"Hey, Cassandra, you've been staring at that same guy since we began set up. Better stop daydreaming and fill that tray. You won't last long in this job if you can't keep your mind on what you're doing instead of on the clients." Traci, another waitress, smiled then moved off holding her tray of cheese and grapes.

Cassandra sighed and went back to work. She needed this job. Wandering from place to place for the last 6 years taught her how to get by. She did what she had to. She filled her tray full of bubbling, fluted glasses then began to walk through the small crowd; pleasantly and silently offering the drinks. If I have to do this there's no reason I can't enjoy the eye candy as I work. He's gorgeous.> She smiled shyly as she approached a small group of men standing by the newlyweds.

Each took a drink with a small smile of thanks and continued their conversation. Her knees went weak as water as he took a glass and thanked her with a smile. Wow.>

The waitress continued to the next group. Beautifully dressed women sat at a table, talking and playing with two babies. As she approached, Cassandra began to sense something. She stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. It was something she hadn't felt in a very long time. As she resumed her approach to the table she offered out the tray then froze as realization struck. When the tray was empty she quickly turned and walked away. Retreating to an unobtrusive spot near the catering table she stood and stared at the stranger she once knew as a child. Though as women they both looked very different, there was no mistaking her spirit. It was her. After all these years, here she was. Like a blanket of dark clouds rolling in before a storm, anger stirred from its long forgotten hiding place. Once more it reared to the fore as a sinister glow covered her eyes and a plan long forgotten was reborn. Now that I've found you, I have to make sure I don't lose you again.> She closed her eyes and planted a mental tag, like a tracer, to be sure she would be able to follow wherever she went.

The next day dawned with brightness and happiness. "Marie and Remy's wedding was so beautiful," Kitty smiled as Jesse helped her to climb onto the bio bed in the med lab. "She put it all together so quickly with out much help from the rest of us." She settled back and put her hand to her immensely protruding abdomen. "Not that I would've been much help anyway." Jesse smiled and moved away so her exam could begin. "I mean it was just June they got engaged, right before Logan and Ro's wedding. It was so romantic and…" she stopped with a frown as Adam and Jesse chuckled. "And just what's so funny," she scolded.

Hank looked up from his work and shook his head. "She was like this as a child. I thought as an adult she would have become less loquacious." He smiled a large toothy grin when she glared at him.

Jesse moved to her side. "She's not like this all the time…" he mockingly defended…"just when she's excited. It's just that…the pregnancy seems to keep her excitable most of the time." He ducked to avoid her backhanded swing in his direction.

"Well from the looks of these scans it won't be much longer," Adam smiled as he moved to her side, "and then she'll be back to normal."

"I thought you loved me," Kitty pouted.

"I do love you," Adam stressed as he kissed her head. "I'm just anxious to see the baby," he joked.

"How soon, Hank?" Jesse asked.

"Well, it seems we were right about the accelerated development. Though you are barely 8 months pregnant, the child appears to be at full gestation," happily, he came to stand beside Adam.

"It's a good thing we were all here for the wedding this weekend. It gave Hank and I the chance to do this appointment together. It'll probably be your last one."

"The last one? But is that ok? I mean is she really … ready?" Jesse stammered, not at all confident in the situation.

"I'm ready and Bryan's evidently ready," Kitty turned and smiled at him, "but I don't think you are."

"Don't worry," Hank patted a large hand over Jesse's shoulder. "Whenever the blessed event happens we will make sure everyone is ready. Adam and I will discuss the best course of action as you both go for lunch. I will bid you, adieu, before you leave for home this afternoon." He smiled and left the others in the lab.

By evening, Sanctuary was abuzz with activity. Everyone was settling back home and unpacking. Adam checked for messages and problems. Evie went to make everyone a snack. She knew Kitty would be hungry soon and rarely was the woman with child left to snack alone. It seemed everyone was hitting the work out room a little more often to resist the sympathy pounds that were trying to settle on them.

Shalimar and Brennan enjoyed playing with Nadene and getting her ready for bed. She insisted on sleeping with the stuffed bunny given to her for her birthday. Having to share her first birthday with Marie and Remy's wedding day made for a wonderful party. Thomas had picked out the bunny weeks before and couldn't wait to give it to her. Though she loved all her gifts as much as a one year old could, she never put the bunny down.

Kitty waddled around her room as she slowly unpacked. "Well, I guess we just wait. I hope it isn't too long, though. I am getting so tired of all this extra weight."

"That's my son you're talking about," Jesse whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"I know, believe me. It's beginning to feel like he's massed and won't exhale." She squirmed as he laughed and his breath tickled her neck.

"Pretty soon I'll be able to hold him for you," he kissed her cheek and moved to put away the empty suitcase.

Back at the mansion all was again settling down after yet another wedding. The adults were all in the library for their evening drink. "I hope Remy and Marie have a quiet honeymoon. Life around here has seemed to be constantly on the fast track lately." Ororo leaned against Logan's side as they tried to relax.

"It would seem," Charles began, "that as you all entered your adulthood, life changed for us. Don't misunderstand. I am very glad we are passed the time of adolescent behavior. Although we do have a new crop of adolescents among us, you were the first. It was a new and … let us just say … interesting … time for me. But now, as you all have formed more personal relationships and," he raised his glass toward the Summers, "began families, I am pleased to see the sweet fruit of years of worry and apprehension over what would be."

"Come on, Professor, were we that bad?" Scott did a poor job feigning innocence.

"I heard plenty of stories when I got here. I'm glad I wasn't around at the very beginning," Logan smiled.

"You would have been the cause of quite a few grey hairs added to my head, were there hair at all," Charles chided.

"I think I will take this opportunity to retire before we get into the stories of who did what to whom. I'm very tired all of a sudden." Ororo stood as the others mocked her excuse.

"Wait up," Logan called after her. "I think you've got the right idea." Enduring their teasing with a mock growl, Logan joined his wife as she led the way to their room. Once inside Logan watched her as she moved slowly around the room and prepared for bed. Something tickled the edge of his mind; something strange. It wasn't danger. It wasn't anything solid he could even put his finger on. It was just a distant…something.

"This has been a wonderful weekend." Ororo's voice pulled him back. "Marie made a beautiful bride, didn't she?"

"Yeah, she was gorgeous. You didn't see the Cajun when she walked in. His knees buckled. It's a good thing I sensed the panic before his legs did. But the part I really liked was watching Thomas and Nadene play together. I don't know if there's really anything between them or if it's just something I see because we got a glimpse into the future, but they seem so…I don' know…connected. It's almost scary."

"I did notice that. They seemed very happy together. He even got fussier and began to cry when they left." She finished and moved to get into bed. "Do you mind if I turn in now? I really am very tired."

There it is again.> Logan's brow knitted as he turned to her. "Darlin' are you… sensing anything?"

"Sensing?" Ro yawned and pulled a sheet over her.

"Yeah, in the air…the atmosphere…nature?...I don't know. Never mind. You go to sleep. I think I'm gonna take a walk. It's a crisp night. I'll be back in a little while." He went to kiss her and found she was already asleep. Quietly he left their room and headed for the woods.

Five days had passed and all was quiet. Kitty roamed around looking for something to do. The nursery was ready. Adam took seriously the information brought back from the future and began major renovations to Sanctuary. Each couple now had three rooms for the families which were expected. Bryan's room was remodeled and decorated. Tiny infant clothes were neatly folded and put in the new dresser. There were a few infant items which had been used by Nadene like the infant bath and things a big girl of one year wouldn't need anymore. Jubilee made many trips to help with her Godson's room, each time bringing a new item to brighten an already happy room. With all the help, Kitty was ready. There was nothing else to do. At times she would go in and take out little outfits just to look at them and imagine a smiling baby face above the collar; having only to refold them and put them away.

Jesse now watched her every time she passed his computer station as she wandered aimlessly about. He could sense her weariness. "Baby, why don't you go and lie down? We haven't been getting much sleep the past few days."

"I don't want to lie down!" she snapped as she turned hard eyes to him then continued her passing. "I'm not tired! I've got so much energy I feel like I'm going to bust!" She suddenly stopped then turned back to face him with a smile. "I know what I'm gonna do." Without another word she headed to their room with all the speed she could muster.

Jesse just smiled and shook his head as he returned his attention to the security checks of the safehouses he was running.

In a matter of only a few minutes, Kitty was back wearing a light wrap. "I'm going out. I'll be back later," she called as she turned toward the door. "I'll take the SUV; it's higher."

Shocked at the notion, Jesse was on his feet and half way to her when Shalimar and Brennan walked in. "Out? I don't think that's a good idea." He saw her stop and turn to face him.

With dramatics she began, "Jess, I'm going crazy. I love Sanctuary but right now I feel like I'm going to suffocate if I stay in here any longer." Pulling her wrap closed she turned to go.

"Whoa, hold it." Jesse reached her and gently took her arm. "I really don't like the idea of you going out alone. Where're you going?"

"I don't know. I'll just drive for a while." Her pleasant smile seemed to belie her previous anxiety.

Jesse's turn at hysterics, "No way! You aren't driving anywhere. You can't be behind a wheel now. Not that big, I don't think so." He couldn't believe she so nonchalantly considered this a good idea.

Kitty turned a shocked and angry look at him. Hands on hips she hissed. "What's…that… supposed…to…mean?"

"Kit, wait a minute," Brennan chimed in and glared at Jesse for his poor choice of words. "I don't think he meant anything by it. It's just…what if you go into labor while you're driving. It'll take us a while to get to you if you're so far out."

Jesse tried to calm quickly and sent a grateful glance at him then turned back when Kitty jerked her arm out of his hand. "Kitty, please, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything. Brennan's right. I won't be able to get to you quickly enough."

"Quickly enough for what!" Kitty stomped away from him. "It's not like labor strikes and boom, the baby's here. This is ridiculous. I just can't stay in anymore. I feel more like a trapped feral than molecular right now!"

"That's because it's almost time." Everyone turned to see Adam walking toward them. "I understand the energy but you really can't go so far."

"Adam, pleeeassse," she began to beg.

"Adam," Shalimar interrupted, "what if I took her for a walk. We could stay on the trail. At least she'll be able to get out and breathe a little."

"Yes…yes… pleeeease Adam? Jesse?" Kitty would have been on her knees if she could have gotten to the floor and up again.

Jesse looked at Adam. When he saw him nod he turned to his wife. "Alright,…for a little while."

"Oh, I love you." Kitty rushed over and kissed him quickly then turned to go almost running in the fastest waddle she could manage toward the door before anyone had the chance to change their minds.

"Shal," Jesse warned as he turned a concerned eye on her.

"Don't worry, Jess. I won't let her out of my sight." She kissed his cheek then jogged off to make good on her promise.

TBC

Please R&R and tell your friends I'm back.