Title: Elements of Trust
Author: Nights
Email: nights@poetic.com
Rating: PG-13 (for some foul language)
Archive: yes
Pairing: None really, but Shalimar and Jesse are the main characters being dealt with.
Disclaimer: Mutant X is the property of Tribune Entertainment, and maybe even Marvel Entertainment. The characters and universe of Mutant X are being used by this author for entertainment purposes only, without any possibility of making money.
Summary: An exploration of the bond between Shalimar and Jesse. Held a few years when it was just Shalimar and Adam, no one else. This is my first Mutant X fanfic, so please be nice to me. :)

Part I: Flaws

It was starting to become a habit. Shalimar was again looking into the ring, left without a genetic code, lying on top of Adam's desk where he usually did his paperwork. It was supposedly for another one of their brothers, actually a sister. An empath. From Adam's readings, a very strong one. Hunted by the GSA. Yes, the script is the same as always. Shalimar saved her life, brought her to the Sanctuary. Adam asked her to join them, and she said no, her face a mixture of fear and trepidation. Shalimar brought her to the safe house, said goodbye, and that was it.

But that was just yesterday.

Shalimar sighed. Adam was typing furiously into his computer, rebuilding their database. A week ago, one of the mutants Shalimar saved from an impending GSA capture had turned on them, using his gift of telekinesis to disrupt the peaceful flow of machinery in the Sanctuary. Oh yes, Shalimar gave him a good beating, but not before he had cracked her ribs with just one glance.

Shalimar winced, remembering the sound of ribs collapsing, the gritty whine it emanated as she continued to fight despite the exertion. After Adam applied medical attention to her and assured her she was going to be all right, she had asked him, one more time, the purpose of their quest. And he had given her the same answer. A slight smile, telling her that she already knew the answer.

But how long can she go on this way? Sure she was an independent person, and despite Adam's fathering, nurturing instincts Shalimar never needed to go to him for comfort. Yet Shalimar was not stupid, her feral instincts told her every time she approached a mission alone that things are not going to remain this easy. The GSA agents will figure out the pattern of her attacking style, maybe someday use her power against her, who knows.

She looked at the ring again, picked it up, admiring how it plays with the light from the bulb over her head. She frowned, seeing the face on the ring as not hers. That face had an expression alien to her.

An expression, bearing the face of pain. That was understandable; she still had to recover from her injuries. But what else was there?

Shalimar gripped the ring tightly, her jaw clenching hard, as she realized that it was an expression of fear. Mixed with the ugly sight of sadness. A sadness she didn't fully understand.

She threw the ring back at the desk.

**************************

"Shalimar?"

Shalimar sat up in surprise, cursing as she whacked her head on the light bulb over her head. She reminded herself to keep her instincts in check and not lower them just because she was in familiar territory. She got up and strode to Adam's side, settling an arm at the back of his chair.

"You have got to do something about that light bulb, Adam," she complained. "That was the third time in a row. I swear if this happens one more time I'll be throwing it to the wall."

Adam didn't look up from the computer. "What did I tell you about controlling your feral instincts?"

"I don't bother about them when I'm at the Sanctuary," she answered flippantly.

"That light bulb was never a problem to you, only recently." Adam turned off the computer monitor and swiveled around to face her. "Are you still feeling the after effects of the attack and your injuries?"

Shalimar pasted a smile on her face. "No. I'm fine. I told you, I don't care if fellow mutants betray us, its all part of the game, right?"

Adam studied her for a full minute. Just as she was starting to feel like the smile would permanently be glued to her face, Adam turned back to the computer and flipped the monitor switch on.

"My contact gave me a call. Apparently GSA agents have been sighted patrolling in a remote district. Being remote, that means it isn't too far from here." Adam pointed the location in the map tacked next to the computer.

She surveyed the location, a smirk forming in her features as she realized the significance of the location. "Prussian Gardens. That's where them rich bigwigs live, right?"

Adam nodded. "The target is, presumably, living in that location. I've done some research, and tonight a prestigious family will be celebrating the 20th birthday of their only son."

Shalimar nodded in understanding. "A perfect way for the GSA to kidnap that mutant, should he or she is living there."

Adam nodded again, and focused her attention on the database. "You're right on track. The target is Jesse Kilmartin, the son of the prestigious family."

Shalimar whistled. "Looks like he won't be making it to the opening of the presents." She straightened up. "Tell me everything I need to know and I'll get him out of there as soon as possible."

Adam consulted the database. "Some of the information are fuzzy because I'm still rebuilding the database, but from what I can discern-" Adam's eyes narrowed as he looked closely to the information on screen. "-he's a molecular. He can alter the density of his body, from hard to soft, to barely tangible, even completely intangible."

A wicked grin sliced through Shalimar's face. "From hard to soft, huh? How old did you say this guy is again? And is there a picture?" She leaned to check the information, and groaned in disappointment when Adam switched the computer monitor off again.

The pout left her face when she saw that Adam's expression was serious. "I understand that you're always excited to face a challenge but I'm advising you again and always to be careful. We don't know anything about Jesse and who knows, he might turn on us like what the others did." He gripped her hand tightly, his voice firm "By all means, don't risk anything. I don't want anybody in the party to be hurt, and if you can't bring Jesse and yourself here safely, don't bother and abort the mission. Is that clear?"

Shalimar had never seen Adam this serious. The previous events must have really shaken him. "I understand."

With a sigh of relief, Adam released her hand. "Don't take any unnecessary risks, Shalimar." He turned back to his computer. "You're all I got."

Shalimar nodded and ran up to board Double Helix. Same here.

******End of Part I******