It wasn't that he didn't want to wake up, it was more he couldn't.

There was a throbbing in his body that made just about any movement impossible. The pain that coursed through him was beyond his comprehension and he didn't quit believe he was alive, so opening his eyes made no sense.

He was happy to just remain still and drift in and out of himself. But as gone as he was and in as much pain as he was, he still could sense the edge of his abyss and he was very careful never to get too close. Though it was tempting to just step over the edge, for each time he got close the pain got less, something stopped him. Some sense told him it was a bad thing. So he'd toy with the idea, but never followed through.

So he just laid there drifting, in and out of himself enjoying the coolness. Careful never to step over the edge, but lingering in the absence of pain….

line

"Adam what's happening?" Shalimar asked, worry thick in her voice and clearly written on her face.

In fact, it was clearly written on everybody faces. After Kathy had woken several hours after the episode with Jess the four mutants had gathered to keep guard. They had sat in silence for most of the time, Kathy and Shalimar by Jesse's side, Emma next to Kathy and Brennan behind Shalimar. Each one was drawing silent support from the others and forcing themselves to remain strong. But it was hard, very hard and Jesse wasn't making it any easier.

For one thing his heart had periods of irregularity where it would beat to fast before skipping several beats or stopping altogether. There were several times where they thought they'd have to shock him. The only good thing was that the steroids did seem to be working. He was no longer phasing in and his internal organs also seemed to decided they wanted to be normal again too.

But he still wasn't conscious and he was still having breathing difficulty. He still had several broken bones and Adam was still watching for signs of internal bleeding. And currently he seemed to be having a seizure.

"Adam…" Shalimar called again as she watched Jesse convulse for the third time.

The scientist didn't answer her though, he didn't have a chance. He was too busy rushing from monitor to monitor trying to find some clue as to what was going on. He was panicking, and the others could sense it.

"It's alright, he's fine," Kathy said after Shalimar had called for Adam again and Jesse's sixth convulsion. Four sets of eyes turned to her, dumbstruck.

The red head didn't care, she ignored them all and focused on Jess. Running he hand through his hair, lavishing in the texture of it, and how it felt against her skin. She leaned in close to him, just close enough so she could smell his sent. She closed her eyes and opened her mind, she heard Emma gasp and sent an apologetic wave to her, but she didn't stop.

She focused on Jesse, his sent and the feel of his hair. The heat from his body and the spasms that jerked him. She focused on him and the memories they shared. And she could sense him, she could feel him. He was on the edge of an abyss but he wasn't in danger. He was dieing, but he wasn't going to die. He wasn't going to go any further, just didn't see the point of returning.

"Jesse…" she called to him and she felt him responded.

"Jesse wake up."

She felt his body jerk and she placed a hand on his face.

"We're waiting for you to wake up. We're all here…Jesse, wake up…it's time to wake up…we need you Jesse…we want you…."

She felt a jerk, but this time in her mind. She felt him push her back, she felt him fighting.

"Jesse, wake up!"

There was another jerk and again she was pushed back.

"Wake up!"

And now his body jerked and she had to lean into him to hold onto him. And before she understood what was happening, they were kissing and she was back in her mind and She could see his blue eyes.