Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. Evie is my character.

Paradise

The final chapter in the love story uniting Adam and Evie.

This is the last part of the bedtime story they will one day tell their children when asked, "Mama, tell us again how you and daddy fell in love."

/Personal thoughts/

~~telepathic communications~~

Chapter 1

Evie woke up and immediately looked at her hand hoping it wasn't all a dream. She smiled as she looked at the beautiful ring shining on her finger. "He really loves me and he wants to spend the rest of his life with me," she spoke to no one in the room. The past week was such an emotional rollercoaster; she hadn't had time to really sit and think through everything that had happened. Last night, after Adam had professed his undying love and proposed; she had been on such a cloud that she really didn't remember a lot, especially after she saw the piano. She just played and everything that'd happened just began to melt together in her mind. Adam had kissed her and she rested her head on his shoulder as he sat next to her on the piano bench. "I don't remember anything after that. What happened?" She spoke as fear started to pass through her mind. Lifting the covers she was relieved to find out that she was still dressed in the clothes she'd worn yesterday, except for her heels. She quickly got up, showered and dressed. Hopefully, Adam would fill in the blanks.

There was no one in the kitchen. Evie, very preoccupied with her thoughts, fixed herself a cup of coffee. She didn't hear anyone come in and jumped when she felt an unexpected pair of arms wrap around her.

"Hey, easy. It's only me," Adam said as she turned in his arms. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"I'm sorry, Adam. I was thinking and I guess I didn't hear you come in." She looked down trying to hide her uncertainty.

"What had you so engrossed? Did you sleep well?"

"Yes,…I think." She looked up into his eyes and decided to just ask. "Adam, I need you to tell me something."

"I love you." Adam said smiling and kissed her lightly.

Evie smiled for the first time now and looked away again. "I love you, too." Stepping away she turned again and faced him. "That's not it. I need to know…what happened…um…last night." Seeing the questioning in his eyes she hurriedly continued. "I remember playing the piano and seeing the others dancing. I can remember you sitting beside me and kissing me." She began to blush and Adam noticed she was looking at her hand and fingering his ring. "But after that I can't remember anything. Please don't be upset. How did I get into my…ah…room?"

Adam smiled at her and stepped up to embrace her. /Why is she afraid?/ "Evie, why would I be upset with you? You didn't do anything. After we kissed you put your head down on my shoulder. In less than a minute you were asleep. I carried you to your room and put you in your bed. You looked peaceful and beautiful. I took the shoes off your feet and covered you." Adam moved away so he could look into her eyes. "I do have to confess that before leaving,…I stole another kiss. I couldn't help myself."

She looked relieved and just laughed. "Where's everyone else?"

"They're all training, which is where you should be. I need everyone in top shape in case something comes up."

"Yes, Sir," she gave him a mock salute and started to turn when he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back against him. Taking only a moment to look into her eyes he leaned in and kissed her deeply. Finally coming up for air, she smiled and put her forehead against his. "Do we have any plans for later?"

"I'll make some. We have a wedding to discuss." He took her hands in his, raised them to his lips and kissed them. He smiled as he watched her leave the room.

Later that afternoon, Evie found Adam in the lab, in front of his computer intently studying something. She came in and put her arms around his shoulders. Leaning down she kissed his neck, deeply inhaling the clean fresh fragrance lingering there. "Mmm, you smell good." She was glad when she made him chuckle. Looking at the screen to see what she would be pulling his attention away from, she asked, "What's this?"

"Test results on a mutant. I've been working on a theory to help her get her powers under control."

"Who is it? These readings don't look quite right. The sequencing is off."

"Very good observation. It's off because she's a natural mutant. She was actually born with her powers. They're not a result of any genetic tampering of either her or her parents."

Evie moved from behind Adam to be by his side and closer to the monitor as she now studied the information displayed. "Who is she? It looks like her powers are…epidermal."

Adam sat back and gazed at Evie. /I'm so lucky to have her with me. It's going to be wonderful to work together./

Evie turned when he didn't answer her and saw him smiling at her. "What?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too, but what's that got to do with who this girl is?"

"Do you remember me telling you of our friends in New York, The Institute for Gifted Youngsters, run by Professor Charles Xavier?"

"Yes. I remember. Brennan and Jesse went out there a few months ago to help with something at the school,…I think. I was working on that project in my lab that took all my energy. I guess I didn't really pay attention, I'm sorry."

"Charles runs the institute as a safe haven for mutants. They're mostly children. He works to help them understand and control their powers and be safe from the non mutants and mutants with malicious intent who might otherwise treat them badly."

"Yes, I do remember you telling me about a mansion you visited and the children there."

"The staff members are also mutants. Mostly ones that were mentored by Charles as they grew up then joined him in his work and expanded the school. They also form a group similar to ours called the X-Men. Charles and I have become friends and help each other whenever we can with whatever resources we have."

"And they're natural mutants? So why are you working on this information? Is this child sick?"

"No, this isn't a child. Actually, she's one of the X-Men. A young woman called Rogue. Her given name is Marie. You're correct; her powers do have to do with her skin. She's able to draw the life force out of a person simply by making skin contact; enabling her to absorb their memories, energy and mutant abilities. She's very powerful and very dangerous. A non-mutant would be killed within a matter of seconds. It would take a little longer to kill a new or natural mutant. As a result, she has to wear gloves and modest clothing when around people and she's forced to avoid all physical contact."

"That must be the hardest part. I can't imagine not being able to touch anyone. She can't control it at all?" Evie's eyes were sad as she reached out and put her hand on Adam's arm.

He smiled and placed his opposite hand over hers and continued. "That's actually why I'm working on this. Charles has been working with her, hoping to allow her to exercise control using her mind. But so far he's been unsuccessful. He contacted me, asking if there was any hope I might genetically enable her to regulate her abilities. I've been working on a theory but I need more time to see if it warrants further testing."

"I should leave you alone then. I'll talk to you later." She began to walk away.

"No," Adam grabbed her wrist. "We have dinner reservations at the Chateau. We have to leave in half an hour."

"Oh, Adam, the Chateau?"

"The Chateau is quiet and romantic. We can dance." He pulled her close to lean against him. "I told you we need to talk about the wedding. Now that you agreed to be my wife, I don't want a long engagement. I don't want you to have time to change your mind." The last thing she saw was his eyebrows wiggle as he drew her tight against him and kissed her passionately.

After finally getting the strength to pull away from him; her eyes still closed and lips moist, she smiled. "After kisses like that, I can't even think clearly much less change my mind." Taking a moment to regain the ability to walk, she said, "I need to go and get ready," then turned and went to her room.

Out in the hall, Evie was so involved in her thoughts that she walked into Brennan as he and Shalimar were headed to the dojo to spar. Grabbing her by the shoulders so she wouldn't fall back he laughed. "Whoa, Evie, you need to wake up before you try to walk around here. It could be dangerous."

Shocked at first by the hands holding her, she chuckled at herself as she realized what had happened. Apologizing she turned and began to head up the stairs.

"Wait, what're you up to?" Shalimar had a suspicion something was going on.

Turning with a huge smile on her face, "Adam's taking me out,…to the Chateau," she giggled like a school girl then ran to her room to get ready.

Playfully smacking Brennan on the chest, Shal pouted, "How come you've never taken me to the Chateau?"

Brennan smiled and took her into his arms and kissed the top of her head gently. He stepped back and looked into her eyes. Letting an evil glint appear in his, he quickly remarked, "Because I haven't asked you to marry me yet," then quickly pinched Shal's behind and took off running.

With eyes feral yellow, and preparing to launch after him she muttered, "Oh you're going to regret that, Mister." And she was off.

TBC