You're Still You

Disclaimer: don't own them... wish to God I did... wouldn't that be fun!
Pairings: Emma/Adam.. with hints of Shal/Bren and Jesse angst.
Genre: romance with a slice of drama thrown in for fun.
Rating: pg13... just to be safe.
Author's note: For all of you Shal/Bren lover's.. here's a slice for you! and those who love Jesse.... sorry... rejection does sting! and it works so well with my story! i hope you all don't think this chapter is too whiney... ENJOY!

Chapter 6
A Love's Relief


Jesse was in the Lab, looking around in the computer for the mp3 file. Brennan was watching the doorway, it looked odd that the two members of Mutant X needed to sneak around, but it was necessary for their plan. Adam and Emma could not find out until it was time that He, Brennan and Shalimar had put this little scheme together.
There it is Jesse said softly. Brennan looked at Jesse impatiently. Well come on then Jess!... hurry up! I don't want to get caught! He said with a worried sound in his voice.
I'm coming... give me a few more minutes... I have to download it to the mp3 player. Jesse said calmly. Brennan was annoyed with the situation, he hated sneaking around and lying to his friends, he wished that this plan would end soon.
Ok.. got it Jesse said has he picked up the mp3 player and headed for the door.
was all Brennan said as he joined Jesse in the hallway.
Jesse headed to where Shalimar was waiting for them.

Shalimar was sitting on the leather couch in the sitting room, her long legs crossed in a indian stance, her wavy golden hair draped over one shoulder like a curtain of pure gold hiding her face from the world. Brennan saw her then, as she was, and he couldn't even imagine anything as beautiful as the sight before him. His chest tightened, holding his breath motionless in his body. *Dear God she's beautiful!* he thought, as he sat down next to her, his thigh brush ever so lightly against her own. The touch made him shiver slightly, it was like he was being touched by an angel.
Jesse saw Brennan's face when he looked at Shalimar, it didn't take a Rocket Scientist to know that Brennan had fallen for her, hook line and sinker. He sighed sadly. *Well.. why did i expect this would be any different, Adam and Emma.. why not Bren and Shal* He sat down in the arm chair across from them. Jesse knew that he was attracted to Shalimar, that she was the icon of what he wanted in a woman, but he also knew that it would never happen. He knew that she didn't love him that way, only as a brother and nothing more, and it saddened him greatly, but he swallowed his hurt and attempted to get on with his life.
Ok here it is... i downloaded it to the mp3 player Jesse held up the mp3 player. It also has a record function he said matter of factly. Brennan and Shalimar looked at the hand sized gizmo. Umm ok.. Shalimar said taking it from Jesse. I'm gonna go find Emma She said smiling. Shalimar's hand brushed along Brennan's leg as she stood up to leave. Brennan watched her go and smiled when she turned her head back at him and winked.

Shalimar looked all over Sanctuary for Emma, and finally stopped at her bedroom door.
She could hear crying coming from her room and grew concerned.
she said as she knocked on her door. Emma... can i come in? a few minute later she heard footstep move toward the door and then the door sliding open.
Yeah Shal, come in Emma's voice was full of despair and sadness, her eyes where red and swollen from crying.
Emma! what's wrong Shalimar asked and put her arm around her friend.
Emma looked into her blond friend's eyes and cried, slowly losing her balance. Shalimar grabbed Emma and sat her on the bed, hugging her friend while she wept.
Emma... tell me what's wrong... Shalimar rocked her gently. Please... tell me!
Shalimar pleaded softly.
Emma couldn't bring herself to tell her. She was the cause of her pain, knowing that her one love, the one person she trusted with everything, wanted the blonde woman that was comforting her, and not her. It killed her inside, her own raw emotions drove her crazy. so she just cried, let it all out, and Shalimar just let her.
After Emma was finished, Shalimar smiled and wiped a tear from her cheek.
Are you ok now? she asked softly. Emma nodded but didn't speak, she just stared into Shallimar's eyes, into the eyes of her betrayer. *what was she thinking! Shalimar didn't do anything to you! She doesn't know how you feel about Adam* Emma wiped her eyes with her fists and sighed.
I'm sorry Shal, it's been a rough day she smiled weakly. Shalimar grinned and handed Emma the mp3 player. Here! I think this will cheer you up... Emma took the mp3 player and looked at it. Shalimar laughed softly.
It's your Song! I found it on the mp3 player earlier today...just sitting there.. i thought you might like it. Emma's eye went huge as she hugged her friend. Thanks Shal She smiled as she pushed the play button. The music was just how she wanted it, just like she made it into. She laughed and hugged the player to her chest.
It has a record button also.. so you can record your voice with the song Shalimar hinted slightly and smiled. Emma... why were you crying? Shalimar's voice grew soft again. Emma eyes went dark again, she hung her head. I.... I was crying because... i'm in love with someone but... her eyes welled up again. Shalimar brushed a lock of Emma's hair from her face. But what..? Shalimar lifted her face and looked into her eyes.
But... I found out that he loves someone else a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Shalimar looked at Emma. How do you know he loves someone else? she asked softly. someone told me Emma replied.
Some one told you! Shalimar said in surprise. Emma! don't take what people say to be the truth! you always go to the source for correct information! Shalimar growled lowly in disgust. who told you this information? she wanted to know. Emma looked at the fiery blonde feral. she said simply. Well he didn't really tell me anything.. i kinda put it together She said with emotion in her voice.
What do you mean? the blonde asked.
Well I asked Jesse if he knew what happened to my song, since it went missing from my room today, while i was napping. He said that he didn't know anything. Since i knew that you and Brennan didn't know anything about it from when i asked you two this morning, i figured it must have been Adam that wrote the poem. I guessed that he wrote it for someone... and since you and he are close i figured that it must have been for you, and that i just got in the way. Emma placed her hand on her flushed face and continued. I couldn't take the pain, of knowing that he loves you Shalimar, I just crumbled! I love him...Shalimar.. I love him so much it hurts! Emma started to cry again.
Shalimar was shocked. She couldn't believe that Emma thought that Adam love her, rather than Emma. Shalimar embraced her young friend.
Oh Emma...He only loves me as a friend, maybe even as a daughter, but nothing more. Shalimar sighed. Between her sobs Emma replied. But you don't know that for sure, do you? Emma looked up at Shalimar her face red with tears again.

No... your right, I don't know for sure.... but i can tell you this... I only love Adam as a friend, I wouldn't let that change, especially now that i know how you feel about him!
Shalimar looked into Emma's eyes. Emma.. I promise you that ok? Shalimar rubbed her friend's back, trying to comfort her. Emma reached for the tissue box on her night stand, dabbing her eyes she nodded and hugged her friend. * Why was she taking this so hard? She knew that Shalimar would never do anything to intentionally hurt her, she was her friend and Shalimar loved her.* Emma just shook her head and tried to wipe away her tears. I'm sorry Shal, i didn't mean to lays this all out on you. Shalimar just laughed. Emma! I wouldn't be a good friend if I minded! That made Emma giggle. I know... she said still giggling. Shalimar smiled and looked at the psionic. You've fallen hard for him, haven't you Em? Emma nodded. Oh God yes! I never felt this way about anyone before, Shalimar! He's everything to me! Emma's eyes lit up as she spoke. Shalimar just nodded and hugged her friend again. I think that you should tell him She said pointing to the mp3 player. Emma looked down at it again and smiled. Shalimar got up from the bed and walked to the bedroom door. I hope you are feeling better now, Em She said as she left the room, with the beautiful psionic sitting on her bed.