Disclaimer: I still don't own the characters and I'm not making any money from them. Any similarities in plot are unintentional. If you want to use any parts of this fic, please ask.
AN: Thanks for the reviews, please keep them coming, they give me reason to continue. Sorry for the delay in posts. The last chapter twisted on me a bit and I wasn't sure where I wanted to go next, plus I've spent the last week getting ready for an anime convention. Hopefully the next post will be faster. Don't worry, the end is in sight. :)
Chapter 6: Revelations
There was a heavy silence on the Double Helix as its occupants struggled for something to say. Derrick took advantage of the awkward moment to survey his surroundings. A low whistle escaped his lips as he realized just how advanced the craft was. He couldn't stop the whispered "Wow," that forced its way from his throat. Then he frowned. "What was going on back there, who are you people and where are you taking me?" His voice sounded relatively calm, but Emma could feel his unease without even using her abilities.
Adam sighed. He had no intention of clarifying Derrick's perception of the teams abilities, but the young man did deserve an answer to his questions. "I'm Adam, and I think Emma has introduced you to the others. We don't have time to fill you in on the whole story, but the short version is that we're a group dedicated to helping gifted people who are being persecuted by a corrupt government agency."
"Yeah, right, and we're living in a science fiction novel. Look I wasn't born yesterday, but even the government has to have a better reason for "persecuting" people than that they are gifted. However, I also know that for the common person, gifted doesn't usually include shooting electricity from your hands, flying and going invisible."
Adam chuckled. "Well, you're right. It's not the nature of the gifts though that sends the government after us, it's how they occurred. As you so aptly put it normal gifts don't include those you saw being used tonight. These gifts are the result of genetic experimentation and exploitation. It is the exploitation that the government wants to cover up."
Emma leaned forward a placed a hand on Derrick's shoulder. He involuntarily flinched away; the only sign of his uncertainty so far. "But Emma, that doesn't tell me why you're with these people? You weren't doing anything weird, so what, is this some kind of project with you, like Save the Whales or something?"
Emma sighed. "No, you didn't see me doing anything weird. My talents are in my mind. I have what's called telempathy. I can feel other people's emotions, and I can project emotions as well."
He looked at her for a moment as if she had sprouted fairy wings, or more likely devil's horns. Then his face became devoid of any expression. "So, you're one of these genetic experiments? And when were you going to tell me, when we were killed by this evil government agency?"
"I never intended to hide the truth from you, but this is not just my secret, and as you may have noticed, this information is dangerous, I didn't want to put you at risk."
Derrick's face hardened. "But you did put me at risk, without even warning me, just by continuing to see me. Can you assure me that now my life won't be at risk because I know you?"
Adam frowned. "Eckhart doesn't work that way. The worst that might happen is that they could take you in for questioning. When they found out that you know nothing that could help them capture New Mutants, you would be released."
Emma leaned forward in her chair again. "No offense, Emma," Derrick commented with a tight voice. "I don't feel like I know you any more, so please back up." He was silent for a moment as he thought. "So Emma, how do I know you didn't use your abilities on me?"
The team could see the hurt look on Emma's face. "I didn't, but I understand why you're asking. I don't use my abilities to influence people that way, it wouldn't be right. You'll just have to trust me on that."
"Like you trusted me?" he commented bitterly. Emma had no answer for that jab.
There was some more silence as the team let the scene play out. Derrick contemplated the situation for what seemed like hours to Emma, but was only minutes. Finally, her old friend sighed. "OK, I understand why you didn't tell me, but I'm going to need a few days to think things through. Could you take me home?" he asked. There was a test in his question that no one missed.
Adam nodded. "If you want us to. We'll check the place out for the GSA before we leave. You do realize that if you return, they may come to see you?"
Derrick snorted. "Yeah, I know, but like you said I don't know anything. This is something I have to do, though, if I want my life to get back to normal."
Emma could hear the finality in that phrase. She didn't blame him for wanting nothing to do with her. After all, whether or not she intended to, she had put his life in danger without his knowledge or consent.
Adam looked at Jesse who entered in the new coordinates. It only took moments to deliver Derrick to his apartment. A quick scan revealed no GSA agents in the vicinity. Adam promised Derrick that he would monitor the GSA broadcasts for a while and notify him if he came under investigation. Derrick nodded and left the Double Helix without a backwards glance. Emma did not relax her guard until she felt him safely enter the apartment.