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 11: Visions from the Past
"Hello? Miss?" The awkward young man tentatively touched the dark haired child's shoulder. Turning around, tears streaking her pale face, the eleven year old refocused her eyes on the hesitant young man anxiously trying to get her attention. Staring, the girl moved her lips slightly to let a whispered "Yes?" escape.
"Come with me please." The man said, his gentle tones filled with kindness. Turning back around, the child let one more tear slide down her cheek as the brown VW sped away. Wiping her cheeks, the girl let go of the lingering hope that her parents would come back for her screaming it had all been one horrible mistake. As she grabbed the bag stuffed with some clothes and a tan bear, she quickly turned and began following the man. Walking into the house, the man reached down and took the bag from the girl. "This way please, I'll introduce you to your new foster parents."
Within days a routine emerged, with the young brunette alternating between playing with the other children and playing by herself. When with the others, she dreamed that they were all her real brothers and sisters, and life long friends. She played every game from house to tea party to school. The children became her confidants and companions, while the games created the fantasy worlds in which she lived with the others. No child was orphaned or abandoned while they played, and no one was lonely or upset. After the initial weeks, she settled down and became content to live in this fantasy world forever. Gradually, she began tuning into the feelings of others. Finding the child's play riveting, she hardly noticed how different she was from her friends. Everyone accepted her, there was no reason not too. So occasionally she would be able to calm someone down with a look, or to know when someone was sad and needed a hug. These things, however, brought her closer to them not away from them.
When playing by herself, she would imagine what it would be like to see her parents again, to know that they loved her and wanted her. The desire to be wanted is what kept her going, it drove her to play with the others instead of moping around waiting for something that everyone said would never happen. In these hours, the little girl's heart would overflow with loneliness. She would often fall asleep dreaming of some wonder, her parents, a handsome man to carry her away and love her forever, or even a kind and loyal friend to swear the best friend pact to for all eternity. The dreams varied, but the sleeping patterns did not. She would spend days enjoying the outdoors with her friends, before weeks of self-inflicted isolation and ten to twelve hour nights. Noticing her shift, her foster parents encouraged their son, Gerald, to play with and get to know the girl.
At first, Gerald resisted the idea. He was keenly interested in the sciences despite his organic-oriented parents, working on dual majors in Chemistry and Genetics at Yale University. He visited often though, making sure not to neglect his new found charge. Gerald's relationship with the girl grew over time. He had been a freshman the year she reluctantly joined his family. By his senior year, she had become a sister in spirit if not in blood. They would often talk about their days apart once reunited. He excelled in his studies, and it soon became apparent to all that he would go far. He received a prestigious position at the leading genetic research company Nexgoma at the end of his senior year. Gerald's interest in school had been propelled by his foster sister's differences. She was special, and unique, everything he himself wanted to be. So working twice as hard in school enabled him to receive the position at Nexgoma that would allow him to fulfill his dreams. Ever since the child's special abilities became evident, Gerald expanded his previously limited goals to reach new heights. Suddenly, instead of being satisfied with being a geek and leading the way in bleeding edge research in immunology through affecting genetic manipulations, he worked on designing a drug that could affect an individual's DNA. When he had first taken his proposal to the company's Board of Research and Ethics, they had laughed him out of the room. It took years after that for him to regain his previous respect in the field. Working long hours in the evenings and on the weekends, he used the equipment at Nexgoma to carry out his research and experiments without the knowledge of his colleagues.
As Gerald's research consumed him, he spent less and less time with his family and foster sister. Missing the man she considered a brother as well as a friend, the girl grew lonely and when given the opportunity to make new friends, she took it. Before long, her foster parents saw her move on to make new friends and get into trouble at school while Gerald progressed his research and spent most holidays away from home. Gradually, Gerald began to spend all holidays at work, determined to complete his research. Then his last visit to his foster sister came.
"Michelle! Come inside, where its warm. Emma was hoping you would drop by." The Mrs. of the household greeted her foster daughter's friend. Walking in after wiping snow off her jacket, the blonde smiled at the aged woman in front of her. Moving forward, she began looking around at the Christmas decorations and presents under the tree. There were always a lot, although no child ever received more than two gifts from their foster parents. They were not a wealthy family, but even so, they did their best to fill the house with love. Grimacing, Michelle often wished the home in which she grew up was half as warm and loving.
"Michelle!" Emma excitedly hugged the girl, pulling her out of the reverie that had taken her over. Overjoyed by her friend's warm invitation, Michelle hugged her back before exclaiming how beautiful their house looked. Grabbing the young woman's sleeve, Emma pulled Michelle into the living room where the rest of her foster family and friends had gathered. Laughter quickly filled the room, until the doorbell was heard. As the family began singing a Christmas carol, Emma broke away from the group to walk into the foyer. With a smile still on her face and laughter in her throat, Emma opened the door.
"Aaahhh," Shocked, Emma could hardly speak.
"Hello Emma," Gerald smiled and reached in to hug his foster sister. Returning the hug full force, Emma then tried to drag the reluctant and hurried Gerald into the house.
"Come inside, it's been ages since everyone has seen you. Your parents will be blown away." Emma said even as Gerald stood still, outside of the doorway. Shaking his head, Gerald refused.
"No Emma, I can't stay. I just came to give you something. Something special I've been working on for a long time now. Something to help you reach your full potential." Gerald reached in his pocket and pulled out a covered insulated mug. Confused, Emma tugged on his sleeve once more.
"Don't be silly Jerry, come inside." Emma pleaded, not wanting her friend to go away so soon. Looking around quickly, Jerry turned back to Emma and placed the mug in her hand.
"Do you remember the games we used to play, the one about a special liquid that could make you do wondrous things?" Jerry asked, anxiously awaiting the nod of Emma's head. Once she nodded, Jerry breathed a sigh of relief and placed the mug in Emma's hand. Curling her fingers around the cool metal surface, Jerry looked at the teenager standing before him. She became more beautiful with each passing day. Wishing he could see the woman she would turn into, he sighed at the knowledge he wouldn't get that chance. Releasing her hand, he looked into her eyes and smiled. "I want you to drink this. It's something special I made for you. It will help you do everything you've ever wanted too." Confused, Emma stood looking at the man she has thought of as a brother for so long.
"Jerry, please, come inside." Emma pleaded, sensing something wasn't right but refusing to break the promise she had long since made, the promise to never read her family without their permission. Shaking his head, Jerry looked behind Emma one last time before hugging her. Just as her foster mother began pulling the door back to walk into the foyer, Jerry said goodbye and made Emma promise not to ever tell of his visit there that day. Before his mother reached the door, Jerry was back outside pulling out of the driveway in his BMW.
"Who was it dear?" Shaking her head, Emma replied "No one" before taking her mother's arm and moving them back into the living room to join the room full of laughter. Emma had held onto the cup all day, wondering what Jerry meant and why it was so important no one know he had come that day. That night, after their friends had left and her family was sleeping, Emma slowly lifted the cup up in the air.
"Merry Christmas, Jerry." After whispering the salute to her foster brother, Emma drank the magical liquid. Setting the empty cup down, she prepared for bed and that night she dreamt of a long missed friend.