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 20

Cruise Day 5

No one had really gotten a restful night's sleep. Brennan, Jesse and Shalimar had all found their way to the gym to try to train and release the anxiety that sleep failed to take from them.

Brennan came up to Shalimar, as she was finishing up a jog on a treadmill. "Shalimar, can we talk for a minute?" He wasn't completely sure what her reaction would be.

She just looked down. "Yeah, sure, Brenn."

He began hesitantly, "I just wanted to apologize for having to keep you in the dark. We all knew you were going to be the one most mad at us. We didn't have any other options. If Tony got to you and read any plans we made, they'd be useless. You understand, don't you?" He tried to look into her eyes but she would only stare at the floor.

After a long silence, she looked up at him. "I do understand, Brenn. I just felt like I wasn't trusted and it hurt to think you wouldn't trust me."

He moved closer to her for the first time in almost 16 hours. "Shalimar, I trust you with my entire world. Please forgive me for hurting you. I love you and I only want to protect you." He held her close now and looked deeply into her eyes. The long, loving kiss she gave him let him know down in his heart that he was forgiven.

When she moved away she looked over to a young man pumping iron. A young man she would die for before she would hurt him. Now it was her turn to apologize. Brennan followed her as she went closer to Jesse but stayed back to give them a minute.

"Jesse, I need to apologize for accusing you, yesterday. I know how much you love Emma. I was so mad for not being filled in; I just raged. Please forgive me."

Jesse stood up and gave her that cute smile, full of boyish charm. "I know you were just mad and wouldn't really believe what you said. I'm sorry I got in your face, too. I knew we had to let her go, and I know we'll get her back, but it's still hard. Come here." He pulled her into his arms. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Jess."

Brennan came up next to them, "Boy, I'm glad that tension's gone."

Yeah, me, too," said Shalimar as she held her arms around both of them. "Let's go see if Adam has come up with anything yet."

Adam was speaking with Joe when the three had finally returned. He noticed immediately the tension that had been between them was gone. He was proud of his team for their maturity as well as their abilities.

"Where's Evie?" Adam asked.

"I thought she'd be here," said Brennan.

Not having noticed before from being so conscious of her own anxiety, Shalimar realized, "She never did come to train."

Now becoming more concerned, Adam raised his ring to speak. "Evie…Evie, are you awake?" Beginning to panic, he turned to Joe. "Your passkey?" Adam held out his hand as Joe immediately turned it over. They all followed Adam as he now bolted toward her cabin. Once inside his fears were confirmed. She was gone and he knew who had her. He slammed his fist against the wall as he silently returned to his own cabin. /I should have kept her with me last night. I wanted her to stay and I knew she would have, if I had asked her to. I should have told her I loved her. Why did I hesitate…again./

He sat in a chair and put his head in his hands. Shalimar came up behind him and put comforting hands on his shoulders. Sitting up and trying to regain control in front of his team, he turned to Joe. "I think it's time you went to Emma. See what you can find out. She might need your help if Antonio started. The rest of us should go out on deck and make sure there is nothing else to get in our way." Adam's last suggestion really didn't make any sense but they realized he didn't have anything to do and didn't want to feel completely helpless. "We'll meet back here at 3 this afternoon for updates."

In the meantime, Antonio had started his transfers to Emma. She had been preparing but was a little shocked when it began. The calm peacefulness she had established for herself was shattered by the screams of unreleased anger. Black shadows floated past her. Their presence was so heavy they were tangible as they bumped into her. Negative feelings began to overwhelm her; hate, doubt, jealousy, sadness, grief. Aggressive desires began to attack her; murder, vengeance, lust. Emma focused her mind and concentrated on caging these wild emotions. After a little time she was able to section off a side of her mindscape and force all Antonio's evil into it, not allowing it to roam free in her.

After her initial reception, she found another person wandering lost in her mind. Emma concentrated and saw a lovely young woman with long light brown hair, confused and trembling. Calmly approaching her, Emma spoke softly to not frighten her any more. ~~Hello.~~

The girl jumped as she turned and saw Emma approach.

~~Don't be afraid.~~

~~Where am I,~~ she asked.

~~My name is Emma. What's yours?~~

~~Anna.~~

Emma thought for a moment and then realized what must be happening. ~~Anna, you don't have to be afraid. You're in my mind.~~

~~How could that be?~~ her trembling became worse.

~~Do you remember, Antonio and what he was doing to you?~~ Emma could see Anna's face grow grim as she nodded. ~~I'm psionic just like you. Unfortunately so is Antonio. I think he may have linked you and me together to try and combine our powers so we could more easily take his evil.~~

As Anna looked around, Emma saw tears come to her eyes when she spotted the dark shadows on the far side of Emma's mind. Emma reached out and took the trembling girl into her arms to comfort her. ~~It's ok, they won't bother you.~~

~~I couldn't do that. I tried but I was too afraid.~~ As Anna thought about the evil in her mind it suddenly appeared in Emma's.

Inky phantasms taunted Anna then went after Emma. She could feel Anna's fright at seeing it all over again.

The four months of Anna's ordeal all began to spill into Emma's psyche like water breeching a damn. Emma's mind began to spin as she lost Anna in the confusion and fell to the floor clutching her head and squeezing her eyes in concentration. After what seemed a long battle to hold her mind, Emma was beginning to weaken. Despair was trying to sink its claws in her.

Suddenly she felt something; the presence of added strength. She opened her eyes and Joe was kneeling in front of her. He took her hands and helped her to stand. Over the din of the whirlwind he called to her. ~~Emma, look into my eyes! Don't look away! Concentrate!~~ Despair was immediately dispelled and the whirlwind began to subside. After a few minutes, all the additional demons were banished to the place Emma had previously designated and what remained around her was a white fog as she struggled to clear her mind. Breathing deeply, the fog dissipated and Emma smiled with appreciation.

Joe was pleased he was able to help his new friend. ~~You're ok now. Your friends would be proud of you.~~

Suddenly remembering, Emma squeezed Joe's hands and looked around. Out of the clearing smoke walked what Joe thought was a vision. He looked back at Emma, who just smiled and released his hands.

Slowly, he walked to the girl before him.

As she recognized him she ran into his waiting arms. ~~Joe, I knew you'd find me.~~

He held her tight as they just cried in each others embrace. Emma could feel the release of love between their minds as they reconnected after such a long time.

After a few long moments, Joe turned back to Emma. She explained her theory- how Anna was with them. He held Anna tighter as he realized all the implications. ~~I have to go now.~~ He felt Anna's arms tighten and knew she wasn't willing to let him go. Turning to her and lovingly looking into her eyes, he told her, ~~It will be ok. Emma will take care of you.~~ He glanced for a moment at Emma to see her nod in agreement. ~~I'm working with her friends to defeat Antonio and get you back. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise.~~ He kissed her tenderly and released her as he turned to Emma.

~~Antonio took Evie, last night. Adam's really worried about what he'll do to her. We don't have a choice but to wait for an opportunity to strike. Is there anything you want me to tell them?~~

~~Relate what you've seen here. Tell them I'm in contact with Anna. Let them know that I'm still ok, so they won't worry and do anything rash.~~

Joe nodded, then turned and kissed Anna once more before fading from sight.

Emma took Anna into a protective hold, determined to keep her promise.

TBC