Disclaimer: don't know if I'm supposed to write it every time so here it is…Mutant X is not mine

A/N: thank you to all who read this and review.  I know how I'm going to end the story but I don't know how many chapters it will take to get there so I hope you continue to read and enjoy the story as it continues to unfold.

Chapter 15

Emma was lying on the bed in the lab, trying to calm her mind as Adam studied the scans that popped up.  Jesse sat in a chair next to the bed, holding Emma's hand.  Brennan and Shalimar just stood and watched anxiously for Adam to tell them what was happening.

"According to the scans, you're about four months pregnant.  The baby is a girl, and she seems to be growing rapidly.  I think she's growing so fast, it causes you pain every time she gets bigger.  Her pulse is weak, most likely an effect of those electrical jolts.  You need to stay here until the baby is born; you're not to go outside for any reason."

"You're telling me that you're going to deliver my baby?  Besides Adam I need clothes, my pants aren't fitting very well."

"Shalimar, can you pick out some clothes for Emma?"

Shalimar smiled, "Sure Adam.  Come on Brennan," she dragged him out of the room.

"Do you know when the baby will be born," Jesse asked.

"Yes.  At the rate of the various growth spurts, the baby will be born in about seven hours."

"Oh my God!  This is happening way too fast," Emma's voice became small as she said the last sentence, "Adam, I'm scared."

Adam kissed her forehead, "It'll be okay.  We're all here for you.  Rest up, because you'll need it later."  He walked off towards the computers on the far end of the room.

Emma suddenly squeezed Jesse's hand really hard.  "Ow! Emma could you let go?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you it's just that the baby did another growth spurt.  I won't do it again," reluctantly Emma let go of his hand.  "Jess, could you leave me alone, until Shalimar and Brennan come back?"

Jesse looked into her eyes and said, "Sure Em."  He walked out of the lab and headed for his room.  *She's sad but why doesn't she want to talk to me?  She always has before.  I feel like she's pushing me away.*  He laid on his bed and continued to think about her.

Back in the lab

Emma was happy, but really depressed at the same time.  *Jesse was being sweet this whole time, but what if he doesn't love me anymore?  My powers have been going crazy these past few hours and I can't even read him anymore.*

Adam approached Emma and sat down in the chair that Jesse was sitting in earlier.  "You want to talk about anything?"

"No thanks Adam."

Adam gave her a knowing look and she rolled her eyes.  "Fine I'll tell you.  I love Jesse and I thought he loved me, but I don't know if he does anymore.  I mean, I'm having Ashlock's baby, and I know it's killing him.  I always thought, if I ever had a kid, it would be with someone I love.  But here I am, having a baby and she's not going to have a father."  Emma bit her lip to keep from crying.

Adam gave her a hug, "Your daughter will have all of us to take care of her.  She might not even notice not having an actual father.  As for Jesse, you need to talk to him about this.  Only he really knows how he feels."

"Thanks Adam," Emma gave him a smile.  She felt a bit better, and then the pain started again.  "Adam, can't you give me something?"

"Not yet.  I'm not going to give you anything until you're in labor."

"When will that be?"

"In about six hours.  Do you want me to get Jesse?"

"Yeah.  I do want to talk to him about all this."

Adam nodded and left for Jesse's room.

Just then, Shalimar bounced into the room with two bags and Brennan had five.  "We're back.  Look at what we got."  Shalimar emptied the contents onto the counter, revealing what they had bought.  There were toys, baby clothes, and a car seat.

"Okay guys, um I need new clothes but I don't see any.  My pants aren't fitting me at all."

Brennan smiled and threw her a hospital gown, "We made an extra stop and borrowed this."

Emma made a face, "I have to put this on?"

Shalimar sympathized with her; those gowns were ugly, uncomfortable, and they made you feel even sicker than you actually were.  "Well, you'll only be wearing it for five and a half hours.  I'll help you change."  Turning to Brennan she waved her hand and said, "Bye-bye.  I'll let you back in when she's changed."  Shalimar sealed the door behind him and helped Emma change into the gown.  "So, where's Jesse?"

"In his room, Adam went to get him."

"So did you think of a name for the baby yet?"

Emma sighed, "I always thought of talking it over with the baby's father and agreeing on a name.  But there is no way I'd ask Ashlock what he thought."

*My sweet Emma.  Tsk tsk.  You weren't going to tell me were you?*

*Get out of my head Ashlock.  You don't belong here!*

*It's a girl.  I wanted a boy, do you think I'll get one from Shalimar?*

*Leave!*

*Have you thought of a name?  No of course not.  You were waiting to hear my ideas.  How about Gabriella?*

*How about you drop dead.  You're never going to get near her.*

Shalimar was worried about Emma, who dropped into a steady gaze like she was getting a reading, "Who is it?"

"Ashlock," Emma replied with disgust.

*I'll have both of you working for me soon.  Then I'll take Shalimar too.  Good-bye for now.*

"He's gone," Emma was relieved, she hated the feeling of his presence in her mind.

"What did he want?"

"To name the baby.  Gabriella.  There's no way I'm naming her that."

Shalimar laughed, "It's nice to know you aren't letting him get to you."

They finally got the gown on, and Shalimar unsealed the doors.  Brennan, Adam, and Jesse came in, they were all smiling.

Brennan walked over to Emma and said, "Do you have a name for the baby?"

Emma shook her head, "I haven't thought about it yet."

Adam thought now was a good time for Jesse and Emma to talk, "Shalimar, Brennan let's go spar in the dojo."  Before they left Adam nodded to Emma and gave her a smile.  Then the three left Emma and Jesse by themselves.

Jesse walked over to where she was lying on the table.  "So, Adam said you wanted to talk to me.  What's up?"

"I was wondering if you still loved me."

He brushed a stray hair out of her face and smiled, "Of course I love you.  Don't ever doubt that.  Just because the baby is Ashlock's doesn't mean anything.  He controlled you Emma, it's not your fault."  Jesse leaned down and gave her a kiss.  "You're getting big," he rubbed her round stomach.

"Yeah," she smiled at him, "I had Shal scan me and I'm eight months now."

Jesse gazed into her blue eyes, "You'd better think of a name.  Any ideas?"

"No, I can't think of any good ones.  Can you?"

"How about Emily?"

"Emily DeLauro.  I like it.  I can't wait to see her."  Emma's eyes sparkled with happiness, she now had a name for her baby.

"Do you want me to get the others?"

Emma gave him a shy smile, "Could you just stay here with me, until they come back themselves?  Adam and the others will be back soon, because I'm sure Shalimar told them now far along I was."

"Okay, I'll stay here."  Jesse took her hand.  He stayed next to her for two hours.  Suddenly she started screaming, and she held his hand in what he thought could only be a death grip.  Jesse called out over his comm link, "Adam, get to the lab quick!  I think Emma's in labor!"

A/N: Next time…Emma gives birth to Emily.  When the baby sleeps Emma's pulled into her dream.  Read the next chapter if you want to know what it is!  Read, review and enjoy.