Disclaimer: same
A/N: again thanx to all of the reviewers and now for your reading pleasure…
Chapter 8
"Jesse, I'll give you something to make you dream. Emma, I'll give you something that will help you to relax. When Jesse starts to dream, focus on his dream. Let it pull you in, but at the same time try to block any overpowering emotions. This should help you stay in his dream. Stay for about two minutes and then exit. When you come back; jump into the dream again. This should help you from being sucked in to other's dreams, as well as build some resistance to Gabriel entering your head."
"So what's the problem, it sounds simple."
"It's not that simple Jesse. Emma, you will be very exhausted when you are through. You won't be able to protect yourself; your mind will be open to anything and everything. Jesse, your mind will be open to Emma, it will become a strain on your mind every time she re-enters. Your brain may go into shock, and you could even end up in a coma."
"I understand, but I still want to do it."
"Emma?"
"I'm still in."
Adam put two bio beds together. Emma laid on one, and Jesse laid on the other one.
"Emma, can you hold my hand?"
"Sure Jess, and thanks."
She took one of his hands and closed her eyes, ready to concentrate. Adam injected medicine into both of his "children" and hoped that this would help her.
Jesse's Dream
Emma looked over at Jesse, who was filled with rage. "You touch her again and I will kill you!" He phased his hand through Ashlock's stomach, and then solidified his hand; causing Gabriel so much pain that he blacked out. Jesse was content, he had a feeling Gabriel would leave his girl alone now.
Emma focused as hard as she could, and managed to wake up.
Present: the lab
"I did it!"
"Once yes. Try it again."
Closing her eyes, she focused on Jesse and entered his dream once again.
Jesse's Dream
Jesse knocked Eckhart down on the ground, and started to kick him. "Leave my family alone, especially Emma. You got that?" Eckhart started to bawl like a baby. Emma shook her head; the only place where Eckhart would break down like this would be somebody's dream. She knew hatred was seeping from Jesse's soul, but love was pouring out more than the hatred. Emma was again surprised by how strong his love for her was. Reluctantly Emma departed from his dream.
Present: the lab
Emma opened her eyes and said, "I think I got a hang of it now."
"Good, because Jesse's brain activities are off the wall. Go ahead and fall asleep."
"Thank you Adam," Emma said as she drifted off to sleep.
Brennan and Shalimar walked into the room.
"Hey Adam, did it work?"
"We won't know for sure until she wakes up, but I think it did."
"How cute, they're holding hands."
"Shalimar, don't tease them when they wake up. They are going to be vulnerable emotionally, so be easy on them."
"Is Jesse going to be okay? His machine is beeping like crazy."
"I don't really know Brennan, but if his brain doesn't relax, he may go into shock. Why don't you two go outside for a while, but not in the city. Take a hike, get some fresh air. When you come back, I'll be able to tell you how Emma and Jesse are doing."
Shalimar sighed. All she wanted was her friends to wake up and be okay. Even though time alone with Brennan would be fun, she couldn't stop worrying about her two younger friends.
"Come on Shal," Brennan pulled her out of the lab. "Why don't we pack a picnic lunch and eat it outside." He hated the outdoors, but knew that Shalimar loved it and maybe she wouldn't be worried about Emma and Jesse.
"This made her smile, "Okay, but you don't like the outdoors. So why did you suggest it?"
Brennan smiled at her. *It's not so bad when I'm with you.* But what he told her was, "I need a change of scenery."
"Alright then, a picnic it is." Shalimar and Brennan walked into the kitchen to fix their lunch.
The Strand
Gabriel wasn't happy when he returned and Emma was gone. *Maybe I should go after Shalimar first. Her fear of fire practically paralyzes her. She'll be easy to capture. She'll be mine soon. And then I will get Emma back. With both of them at my side, Adam won't have a chance. Then we will go after Eckhart and put that fool back into stasis where he belongs. Emma and Shalimar will be mine. With my powers and theirs, I'll have an army of new mutants; our children. I will rule the world, with the two most beautiful women at my side.*
Gabriel pushed the P.A. button, "Anybody who captured Emma DeLauro or Shalimar Fox and brings them to me, I'll give them something special. If anybody wants to find out what it is, I suggest you find those girls and capture them."
Gabriel turned of the P.A. system and sat back, it'll only be a matter of time. He went to his bed. *Maybe I'll see what Emma is up too.* He fell asleep.
Emma's dream
It's was beautiful, there were waterfalls, and the ground was covered with flowers. She was lying down on the grass, just taking in the beauty of the place where she was at. Lying next to her, was Jesse; he had fallen asleep. Cold suddenly fell upon her. Jesse disappeared, and was replaced by Gabriel.
"My Emma, why did you run from me? We will rule the world together. Our children will become a great army. So powerful that nobody will stop us."
Emma was not happy, "Get out of here Ashlock. You have no business here. Leave!"
Gabriel stepped closer, "You are my business."
"If you don't leave, then I will." She closed her eyes tightly.
Present: the lab
When she opened her eyes, she was back in the lab, holding Jesse's hand.
"Emma, are you rested enough?"
"Yeah. Ashlock's not going to give up. He's still after me and Shalimar. How come Jesse's not up yet? Is he going to be okay?" Emma's eyes immediately filled with worry as she remembered what Adam told them before they started. *If he doesn't wake up, it'll be all my fault.*
"Jesse's mind is relaxing more. He should wake up soon. Don't worry about him, he'll be fine. In the meantime, why don't you eat something?"
Emma was hungry, but she couldn't leave Jesse. He was always there for her, and now she would be there for him. "No. I'll eat with Jesse when he wakes up. I'm going to stay right here." She pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down; taking his hand in hers once again.
Adam looked at her and sighed. *Maybe I should leave them alone for a while.* "Emma, I'm going to check on the safehouses and make sure they have enough supplies. Brennan and Shalimar went somewhere outside, if you need them talk on your comm links."
"Okay Adam," her glance fell on her teammate once again.
Adam grabbed the car keys and walked towards the hanger.
Outside Sanctuary
Shalimar dragged Brennan into a cave that was about two miles from Sanctuary. "Let's have our lunch in here."
"Shal, it's too dark, and the ground is cold. And why did you bring that big bag anyway?"
Shalimar had carried a big duffel bag out of Sanctuary but refused to tell him what was inside. It drove him crazy the whole way. Shalimar smiled and dropped the bag. "It's just stuff that'll make this cave perfect for our picnic."
Brennan watched as she unpacked the bag. Shalimar had brought three blankets for them to sit on, candles, matches, and two pillows. Brennan raised his eyebrow as she unpacked the last two items. "Uh Shal? What're the pillows for?"
"You can wipe that look off your face Brennan. They're to cushion your soft city butt from the hard ground. I brought one for me too."
He stood there and watched as she started to set up their picnic area. When she lit the candles, a soft glow illuminated the cave.
Shalimar hoped Brennan would take the hint. The romantic lighting of the cave should've tipped him off. *Is it possible for a guy to be this dense? Maybe he needs some help.* "Come on, let's eat. I'm starved."
Brennan sat down next to the beautiful blonde. They began to munch on the sandwiches that they made. They ate in silence, not having any idea how to bring up a conversation without rambling like an idiot.
Shalimar finished her sandwich, took a drink of water and said, "This is nice. So much quieter than if we were in Sanctuary, right?"
"Yeah. I just hope Jesse and Emma are okay."
Darkness cold air set in, and the two didn't even realize it. They were talking about Jesse and Emma.
"Do you think they're up now?"
"I'm not sure Brennan, we should head back though. It's getting cold and dark. Adam's probably worried about us."
"I know you see fine in the dark, but I don't. I think we should stay here until the morning. We can let Adam know where we are, and tell him we'll head back when it's light out."
Shalimar knew it would be safer that way and agreed. "Fine."
"Adam?"
"Yes?"
"Shal and I are in a cave about two miles from Sanctuary. It's too dark now, so we'll head back in the morning."
"Are you two going to be alright? It's supposed to rain hard tonight."
"Yeah. The cave is warm. See you tomorrow Adam."
"Goodnight you two."
Shalimar moved the picnic basket and the leftover food off the blanket. Then she grabbed the last blanket (they had been sitting on two of the blankets and the pillows), and laid down with her head on the pillow.
"Uh Shal, where do I sleep?"
"Right where you're sitting. Unless you want to lie on the cold, hard ground."
"No that's okay," Brennan laid down with his head on the pillow. "Could you share the blanket?"
"Sure, but it's not that big. So we have to get closer."
Brennan moved his pillow next to hers and laid back down. They both fell asleep on their backs, as the last candle burned out.
A/N: I'm sorry it's not as much of a cliff hanger as some of the other chapters were. But stay tuned to find out if Jesse will ever wake up, if Gabriel will get his way, and what about Eckhart? As always…read, review and find out!