Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own Mutant X or any of it's characters. (Just the ones I make up like Dr. Jules).

Enjoy.

Chapter 1: Misgivings

"We're going where?" Shalimar stood in the doorway of Adam's office, a faint, happy smile playing on her lips. Jesse, Brennan, and Emma, the other members of Mutant X, all stood huddled around their leader's desk, excitement evident in every eye. It was rare that they ever embarked on a vacation, and at the hint of taking a trip away from Sanctuary, they all came running.

"It's a closed ski resort up in northern Canada. A colleague of mine, Dr. David Jules, has been living and working their for the past four years. He's converted it into some sort of giant scientific lab. He's invited me there to visit for a week or two, and when I asked him if I could bring you guys, he said yes."

"Wow, that's great, Adam!" Brennan said enthusiastically. "It's been awhile since we've had a vacation."

"Yes, well, I'm afraid it's going to be strictly a business trip for me. Dr. Jules has been having some…problems, and has asked me to help him."

"What kind of problems?" Jesse asked curiously. Problems were never good.

"I'm not sure. We used to be pretty good friends at the university, but I haven't spoken to him in years. He wouldn't give me any details over the phone, but it sounds like he's working on some sort of cure. He says he's close, but he needs another scientist to make sure all the glitches are worked out. Says he knows he can trust me."

"Sounds fishy to me," Shalimar said. Adam nodded.

"I'm not sure what's going on. I checked his past and everything looks clean, but like I said, I haven't talked to this guy in years. That's why you guys are going. To keep your eyes and ears open to anything strange. You're my backup, just in case." Brennan groaned at this. He was really hoping that this was going to be a vacation.

"Aw, Adam, haven't you ever heard of the word 'vacation'?" Adam held up his hands in defense.

"Hey, I didn't say you guys couldn't have fun. Just be alert. We leave the day after tomorrow." As the four young adults left Adam's office, Brennan turned back and said with a laugh:

"Don't worry about us being alert, Adam, trouble seems to find it's way to us just fine anyway." Adam just sighed and ran his fingers through his tousled black hair. He had had a strange feeling in his gut ever since he'd arranged the trip with Dr. Jules. Something was not right about this whole thing, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He didn't want to judge his old friend prematurely, but something about the man's nature, the way he talked, made Adam extremely uneasy.

He rubbed his hand across his eyes and realized that he was tired. He hadn't had much sleep the night before, having stayed up checking out David's life history, looking for anything amiss. But there was nothing. Banishing all misgivings about the upcoming trip from his mind, he trudged toward his bedroom to take a long nap.

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