Title: The Time Has Come
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Mutant X characters, and may occasionally include a few of my own as the work progresses. All but the characters in the show are mine.
Feedback: Guys, I really appreciate your feedback and all of the reviews. This is my first fanfic, and it's been interesting to see it unfold. I hope you guys enjoy it. I really look forward to your comments. Thank you Ambrosia, Megara, Chic, Cand, and the rest of you for reading it and taking the time to share your thoughts on it. I hope you guys aren't disappointed with the ending. : )

Chapter 9: Sweet Dreams

Walking down the uneven beach, the white sand beneath her feet gently crunched underneath and between her toes as Emma felt the slight breeze lift and curl her long flowing skirt. Lifting her head, Emma smiled as the gentle breeze caressed her face. Engulfed by a warm sensation that almost made her knees shake at the safety and love it promised, Emma smiled even wider as she turned her head. Two feet away, wearing loose white pants and a light blue shirt was Jesse. A slow smile crossed his face, Emma's beauty and innocence capturing his attention.

Moving over the rough, hot, yet forgiving sand Jesse slowly reached out to touch Emma's cheek, almost fearful she was just a figment of his imagination. Entranced by the hope and hint of fear in his eyes, Emma didn't move. As Jesse's hand made contact with her soft skin, Emma exhaled sharply. The warmth emanating from his hand filled her with sensations she'd never before allowed. Stepping a little closer, Jesse's lips were barely an inch away from Emma's, close enough for him to smell her light scent. Frozen in the moment, neither breathed. Instead they stood, barely apart, and just embraced this time together.

With increasing force, the tides began whipping against the sandy beaches harshly. As the ocean waves increased in size, the wind began picking up speed. Clothes whipping around each other as if with the intention to slap and cause pain, Emma and Jesse suddenly became aware of the changes around them. Looking out to sea, the two no longer saw a mellow sun poising to break the horizon, or heard the carefree crooning of dolphins eager to be seen jumping and playing in their natural habitat. The intensity of the waves increased even as their sizes did, almost announcing an unspoken agreement with the wind element to knock Emma and Jesse down.

Looking at Jesse's calm face, Emma saw his mind race to figure out what was going on. Even as his face showed his thoughts to her, her face showed him panic and fear. With a heavy sense of fear and dread deep within the pit of her stomach, Emma was on the verge of falling apart. Reaching out to place both hands on her arms, Jesse mouthed "We'll get through it together" before the sounds of the crashing waves drowned out all but the noise of the tides breaking against sand and rocks.

Nodding her head in understanding, Emma stepped closer to Jesse and wrapped her arms around him. Blocking the cold, brutal winds, Jesse pulled Emma even closer and hugged her tightly. Together the two faced the whirlwinds surrounding them. With eyes tightly shut, Emma held on. Within seconds all that remained was silence.

The sudden change shocked Emma, initially increasing her panic. After regrouping, Emma stepped back and looked up. In place of the smiling, protective Jesse that she recently confessed her love to stood a rigid, stark-faced version. Staring at Emma with dark ocean blue eyes Jesse bored holes through her. His intensity made her gasp for breath.

"You betrayed me." Jesse bit out. "You took my trust and threw it back in my face, laughing at me the entire time!" Rocked back by the venom Jesse spewed, Emma stared at the man before her.

"I… I didn't…" Emma stuttered, drawing a menacing laugh from him.

"Oh really! Well then, dear, sweet, Emma," Jesse sarcastically emphasized each word, "why did you steal my memory? Hmm… !! When were you gonna tell me what happened, huh? When were you going to tell everyone what you can do?!" Jesse's onslaught hit Emma like a bucket full of 32 degree water on a hot summer's day. Eyes stinging, a tear fell down Emma's cheek. He hates me… the only man I ever opened up too, hates me…

As Emma struggled internally with her fears becoming a reality, a gentle breeze began flowing and carried with it a soft, caring voice. That's not me, Emma. I'm here. You must fight your fears. I am here, with you, and I'm not ever leaving. The distinctly masculine voice penetrated the thick fog of despair that had become Emma's mind. Shocked back to the present, Emma looked around. The cold, hateful Jesse her mind had created as punishment for her earlier deceit stared at her. Fight your fears... I'm not ever leaving. The words created hope and filled Emma's chest with an overwhelming sensation of warmth. Gaining strength and building courage, Emma inhaled deeply before taking a step forward. Glaring, Emma responded to the attacks in kind.

"I did not betray you, or Mutant X. I did what I had to do to protect Jesse. I will not justify my actions to you or anyone else. I had no choice! My powers have the ability to hurt people, and to damage them. I have to use them to protect those that need protecting, New Mutants in danger or members of Mutant X." Emma exclaimed, with each word gaining confidence and the knowledge that it was true. She had been afraid that Jesse and the others might see her actions as a betrayal, and that drove her to keep her silence. Realizing her greatest fear, that of innocents or any member of Mutant X getting hurt by her powers, relinquished her of all doubt. She accepted with a sudden finality that her actions had been necessary. It hurt her to see her friends hurt during the constant battles they fight, but the knowledge that she hurt one of them would destroy her. With a smile, Emma found peace. Accepting her actions as necessary to protect those she cared for brought a new calm to her countenance.

The stark and cold Jesse dissipated into thin air. Stunned, Emma continued to look at the empty spot in front of her. Closing her eyes for a minute to get her bearings, Emma's eyes fluttered open to the sounds of Jesse's concerned voice calling her name.

"Emma? Emma?" Jesse called, worrying why it was that Emma had gone still and her breathing shallow. As her eyes opened, Jesse took a deep, calming breath. "I was worried. You didn't answer me."

"I was… fighting." Stepping back, Emma looked at Jesse with wonder. The sheer strength he seems to give me… it's amazing. "Jesse, I fought. I fought my fears, I faced the anger that I envisioned you would have if you found out what I did. If you found out about me taking away your memory." As Emma spoke, Jesse walked forward and hugged her. He knew she would have a battle on her hands, but to face it alone?

"I'm so sorry Emma. I said we'd face it together, I'm so sorry." Jesse couldn't release his hold on the small brunette. He didn't want to ever let her go.

"But Jesse… you did help me. I heard you, deep inside of me, I felt you. The strength you gave me, the love… it's beautiful." Emma answered, causing Jesse to pull back and look at her. Seeing the soft curve of her lips as they lifted into a smile, Jesse finally relaxed and grinned himself. He had her back, and neither would ever let the other go.

Waking slowly, Emma looked down to find herself on the chair in the lab room. A mass of blonde hair sprawled heavily across her chest. Lifting her hand and running it through the hair, Jesse stirred slightly before lifting his head. Seeing the conscious woman before him, Jesse leaned in and kissed her. Speechless, Emma knew it wouldn't be the last time Jesse took her breath away. Holding each other, both jumped when they suddenly heard an ear-piercing scream.

Five feet away, just inside the lab doorway, stood Shalimar so happy that she could scream, and before realizing what she was doing she did. Rocking back and forth on her heels in disbelief, Shalimar quickly came to her senses as her own scream began causing her ears to ache. Rushing forward, she hugged both her friends at once.

Dropping the glass he was holding, Brennan cursed before running out of the kitchen at a break neck speed. Brennan and Adam both reached the lab to stare at Shalimar hugging Emma and Jesse so tightly it looked as if they could barely breath. Unable to do much more than stare, both men stood in place until Shalimar looked behind her and stepped back. Having access to Mutant X's two previously unconscious team members, Adam moved forward first, torn between hugging them and taking their vitals. Still undecided, Brennan moved past him and hugged both Jesse and Emma. Snapping out of it, Adam finally did the same.

After questions and answers where "How are you?"s and "Okay"s were grunted, the team gathered together in the more comfortable setting of the common room. As Emma leaned into Jesse where they were sitting on one side of the couch, Shalimar took up the seat on the other side of it. Brennan and Adam both grabbed chairs. Soon the room filled with discussions of Night Club visits and miraculous stories of facing one's worst fear with the strength of one's best friend and love.