"The Game." By Melazn

Disclaimer: I don't own mutant x. But I do own the characters that I make up.

Summary: Expecting a peacful vacation, Mutant X finds themselves in a cold deal of minds, twists, and games.

Rating: Around PG to PG-13 For violence and romance… Paring: Brennan/Shalimar and Jesse/Emma

Authors Note: uhh, my first fanfiction EVER…reviews are good, but be easy on me and enjoy!

Also, I rewrote the first second chapters….but basically they are the same thing, but more condensed.

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"Adam, can we go to Russia?" Shalimar asked.

"Why do you want to go to Russia?"

"We seriously need a vacation."

Adam eyes studied Shailmar's. She wasn't a type who like to give up working and fighting. But somewhere in those eyes he felt the need to get fresh air kind of look.

"And how long is this vacation to Russia going to be?"

"A month?"

'Whoa!' Adam thought. "A month? That long?"

"Well, considering that the last past two months we have dealt with Ashlocke's insane plans 24 hours a day and that we haven't had a vacation for a long time I don't think that a month is too long."

"Well, Its just that while you guys are gone, Ashlocke might be brewing and acting out his plans. And can I ask a very very simple question?"

"Sure."
"Am I going?"

"Well we thought that the cold winter in Russia wouldn't fit you as much as the warmth of the lab in Sanctuary." Shalimar said very carefully.

"Canada had terrible winters…"

"Not the same. We are planning to go into the deeper and darker parts of Russia for isolation."

"Isolation? What from me?" Adam joked.

"No, from Ashlocke." Shalimar said quietly.

"He has been bothering you lately." Adam said as a statement.

"Yeah. He's been…"Shalimar hesitated.

"He's been everywhere." She said resignedly.

"When I'm training, when I'm sleeping, when I'm eating…" She bursts out.

"Okay, its okay. I get the point. Go then. Have fun. He doesn't have a connection to you. Remember that. Don't think about him. Just have fun." Fatherly Adam came into play.

"Thank you Adam. I'll go tell the others." She walked out.

Adam sighed. One month of loneliness and quietness. Could he bare it?

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Brennan finished packing and went to search for Jesse, to have a chat. Recently he noticed that he was getting tongue tied and shy around Shalimar. "I don't know if I am getting dumber or she is getting smarter." He muttered.

"He Jesse!"

"Yeah?"

"Cane we talk?"

"About what?"

"Shal."

"What about her?"

"I'm tongue tied and shy when I'm around her."

"So…what is wrong about that?"

"How do I get un-tongue tied?"

"Get yourself a pair of scissors and cut your bonds that you are tied against"

"What kind of scissors?"

"Talking."

"Talking?"

"Yes."

"Okay, talking is my scissors, what do I cut?"

"Shal."

"WHAT?"

"You talk to Shal about it and you will get UN-tongue tied."

"Tch, she would think that I'm…"

"You're what?"

"Never mind. Some help you are."

"Anytime!"

***Boarding the Helix***

"Don't worry Adam! We will be fine! We know how to take care of ourselves."

"That is what I'm worried about, that you four will go out and take outrageous risks without giving it another thought."

"Trust us Adam."

"We will keep in touch."

"Come on! What could happen in a cozy cabin in Russia?"

"Bye!!!"

hmm…how do you like this version? Smaller, condensed, you don't have to read so many extra words…

~melz~