Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X. Evie is my character. The idea for part of the evil plot was gleaned from an episode of Star Trek: TNG. They get the credit.

/Personal thoughts/

~~telepathic communications~~

Chapter 7

The web site showed pictures of all the costumes that were left available. There were still quite a few to pick from.

"Come on, we want to have fun, don't we?" Shalimar was trying to convince the guys that the idea she and Emma came up with was both fun and practical.

"We'd be able to have fun and still work if we had to. You could both fight in those." Emma was doing her best at soliciting reason.

By the time Adam and Evie had arrived, Brennan and Jesse actually found themselves considering the girls' suggestions.

"Well, what have you chosen?" Adam asked, almost afraid to hear the answers.

Throwing the last ounce of reservation to the wind Brennan announced, "Shalimar and I are going as Catwoman and Batman." Shalimar was now smiling from ear to ear as Brennan gave in.

"Nice choice," Adam remarked, trying hard to keep a straight face.

Jesse, realizing that all hope of Popeye and Olive Oil had just been lost, thought he might as well jump in with both feet. "Emma and I are going as Lois Lane and Superman."

"Yes!" Emma said triumphantly.

Adam couldn't hold it in any longer and snickered.

First, Evie smacked Adam's shoulder then encouraged her friends. "I think those are great choices and you'll all look wonderful."

"Let's see what you come up with, Adam." Shalimar got up to give Evie the seat as Adam leaned over her shoulder. /She smells so good,/ he thought as he turned his attention to the list in front of them.

His nearness made her shiver and she had to focus to concentrate on the computer. They looked and whispered, as the others looked on patiently.

(Adam) "How about this one?"

(Evie) "No, I don't think so. What about that?"

(Adam) "No" Then he pointed.

(Evie) "Don't even go there." The others just laughed.

As the page changed, they both smiled and agreed. "That's it." Adam stated turning to the group.

"What?" both girls asked in unison

"Evie and I will be going as Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Butler.

"Very nice." Jesse was indeed the romantic type.

"Well, I think I'm going to turn in," yawned Emma.

"Yeah, me too. Can you come and wake me, Brenn, at about 6?"

"No way, I know what you're like to try to get up at 9. At 6 you'll claw me to death and still be asleep."

"I'll come and wake you," Evie offered.

"Thank you, someone is brave around here."

"That's not brave, that's foolish. It's been nice knowin' you, Evie," chided Brennan as Shalimar pulled him toward the stairs.

Jesse and Emma giggled through yawns and managed to get out, "Good night," as they turned to follow.

"Good night." Adam and Evie smiled as they watched the two couples go.

"Well, I should get some sleep too, if I am to be mauled in the morning."

"Evie, wait. Can we talk for a minute?"

"Sure, Adam."

He took her hand as she rose from the chair and folded her arm in his as they walked over toward the waterfall. He motioned for her to sit as he sat next to her keeping her hands in his. Hesitantly, he began as he looked down. "Evie, you've been here for six months now and…well…I just," he had to look into the water for a moment. /I have to look at her, but why am I so nervous? I've looked into her eyes hundreds of times./ Taking a deep breath, he looked up and caught her gaze. /God, her eyes are so beautiful, so exotic. If I don't do this now, I don't know if I ever will./ Slowly he continued, "I don't think I've ever told you how much…I mean, how glad I am that you agreed to join the team, to come and live here and to work with us…work with me."

/Charm just oozes out of this man. Just being this close to him and having his full attention like this is intoxicating. Were Shalimar and Emma right?/ "Thank you, Adam. It means a lot to me to hear you say that."

"We've been really busy with getting your lab together and teaching you all about our lives here that, I guess the time flew by so quickly. I've been so happy spending that time with you. I'm just sorry it's taken me this long to tell you."

"I've enjoyed every minute here. The idea of not accepting your invitation, truthfully, never occurred to me."

"I don't ever want you to regret that decision. I can't even imagine what it would be like if you weren't here…I don't want to," he whispered as he leaned toward her and kissed her lips very gently; part of him waiting for her to pull away and smack his face. She didn't and the kiss remained for a moment more, until he moved back.

Demurely looking down, she smiled, "Good night, Adam."

"Good night, Evie," he whispered as she rose and left him alone with only the sound of the waterfall and his heart.

TBC