I'm back with a new story... Hope you'll like it.
Review and Feedback: they are more than welcomed (not that I'm begging but... ok. I am)
You all know that they don't belong to me...

Lost in between...

Emma awoke with a start wondering how an entire brass band had been able to creep inside her head during the night. Wearily she tried to open her eyes; an attempt rewarded with a sharp pain piercing through her skull. She pondered on the remaining options for a few seconds and decided it was better to stay in bed, until she could at least open her eyes. She was unable to recall what had happened last night and it bothered her. She was not one to get drunk and lose her memory; it had never happened before. The young woman couldn't even recall what day was today; her mind was fuzzy with thoughts whirling, going astray like snowflakes in a blizzard.

Shewas jerked from her thoughts by a callous hand gripping at her hip, bringing her closer to another warm body. She stiffened and her breath got caught in her throat. Her bare back connected with skin and her embarrassment got amplified. Whoever was with her was naked and so was she. In any other circumstances, she would have enjoyed the situation, but her throbbing head was giving her a hard time and her memory loss was not helping.

Carefully, she slipped one foot out of the bed. Stinging coldness welcomed her and her foot reflexively found its' way back under the warm covers. The man beside her growled and tightened his grip on her waist. Lulled by the steady heartbeat of her companion, her mind drifted again toward sleep. The young woman yawned, unconsciously cuddling against the man beside her. Her last thought before falling asleep was that she could get used to that warm feeling of safety.

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27th December, 4 days earlier…

Brennan looked down at the book resting on his lap, Emma's present for Christmas. The black leather cover was smooth, warm and the content… it was a window to her soul. Drawings, bits of text, poems, even pictures; tiny insignificant pieces that meant something to her. It was not a diary, not quite but it felt so intimate. Did it feel that way when she was reading people? Maybe that was why she had given him that present, to share that part of her abilities, to make him understand. Or it was her way to mend the gap between them. He knew he didn't deserve such a present, not after what she had gone through because of him. His eyes drifted to her and he couldn't help but stare, caught in a spell.

Feeling someone intently watching her, the young psionic looked up from her book only to find Brennan staring at her. She quickly diverted her gaze from him. He was looking at her far too often since the Caleb incident. Something had changed that night, building an invisible wall between them. They no longer had those heart-warming talks or quiet evening spent sharing what really mattered to them. He would just stare at her. The shift in their friendship was disturbing and had left a bittersweet taste in her soul. She knew he felt responsible, but it was not his fault. Adams' voice cut her musings.

"Emma, Brennan, I need you in my office."

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When they entered his office, they were greeted by papers and books scattered on the floor, the desk and the chairs. Adam was bent on some files, jotting notes on a notepad every now and then. Brennan looked at Emma questioningly. But the young woman seemed as puzzled as him by the huge mess that had appeared in their leaders' office.

"Adam, you wanted to see us. What's this mess?"

Their leader quickly diverted his gaze from his papers, clearly annoyed.

"Oh that. There are a few things a computer can't do. But that's not what I called you for. I want you two to pick up a new mutant."

Adam handed them an old file and resumed his explanations. Brennan began to flip through the pages, taking in bites of information, handing Emma some sheets.

"This man has the ability to control water and snow. He contacted us a few hours ago. He wants to go in the underground."

Both Emma and Brennan silently nodded. This was just a routine mission, picking up and relocating someone; hopefully they would not run into trouble.

"Ok, We could use a few hours of distraction."

Adam looked up once again a puzzled smile on his face.

"Sorry but you can't take the Helix. It sustained major damages after Jesses' last mission. He is currently fixing the problem. So you'll take the car and drive to Meadow Lake. Pack some warm clothes just in case and an overnight bag. I checked the weather report and they are awaiting snow."

Brennan was ready to protest but Adam stopped him. He had planed the objections of the elemental carefully. Ever since Caleb killed her, Brennan had avoided long missions with Emma. He could understand his self-guilt. He understood all too well; because it was what he felt every minute of every day. But he needed them to come to terms with this situation.

"Emma is coming with you. And it's not opened to discussion. All the details are in the folder I gave you. Now if you don't mind, I have work to do."

Adam resumed his reading quietly. Brennan shrugged not knowing what to think of their leader decision. Having Emma along would only complicate things. Emma was glaring at Adam wondering what he was trying to do. He knew better than the others that her relations with Brennan were not all too good. Well, she would just go with it and improvise. The only thing that worried her was the 'little' road trip in a closed space with Brennan.

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Their first argument started with the choice of music. The second erupted when Emma asked for a food stop. After that, an eerie silence settled in the car, floating between them overloaded with unexpressed guilt and reproaches. Emma retired in her inner world wondering what she had done to annoy him again. She rested her forehead on the window, taking in the snow-covered trees and the calmness of the landscape. Brennan focused on the road trying to forget he had yelled at his best friend. Every now and then he would steal a glance at her, ashamed. He was hurting her just to prevent her from getting too close and he hated himself for those words he had said to her. She had done nothing to deserve his wrath.

Silence reigned until he stopped the car at a crossroad. Ahead of them were two valleys and no road signs.

"Em, can you give me the map?"

The young woman rubbed her eyes, clearing the haze created by her near-slumber state and turned to look at him, surprised.

"Map?"

"Yeah Emma. A map, a printed sheet of paper people use to find their way."

Inwardly he cringed at his harsh tone. 'You definitely got the best way to apologize, yell at her; that's perfect.' The young woman closed her eyes and silently cursed. She had wondered earlier if things could be worse than they actually were. She had her answer. Her lack of answer only fuelled his anger.

"Emma, don't tell me you forgot the map."

"No I didn't forget it. Last time I saw that stupid map you were reading it in the diner we stopped at."

The elemental took a deep breath and hit the stirring wheel. They were lost in the middle of nowhere with an impending blizzard. And it was his fault. Emma's life was endangered again because of him. A dreadful feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong but they could not turn back without the new mutant.

"Guess we'll have to choose one road then. "

Inwardly he prayed he had made the right choice. The car went up one of the snowy roads. Ahead of them the sky silently turned grey and snow started to fall steadily covering back their traces.

TBC