Title: Lingering Shadows
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Mutant X characters, and may occasionally
include a few of my own as the work progresses.
Feedback: Feedback and reviews are greatly appreciated.
Chapter 4: Unwanted
"It's okay mother. I won't fail you, I promise I won't fail you." The boy held his mother close, rocking her back and forth as she continued shaking from her grief. Picking up a picture of his grandparents that had fallen to the ground, Ryuko looked at the image and gripped his mother tightly. Trying his best to comfort her, thoughts began entering his mind unbidden.
My son, my son, do not fail me. Do not fail you're family. My son, my son, be safe. My only son. Be safe.
As his mother's thoughts continued in a whirlwind through Ryuko's mind, the eleven year old felt his heart break. Hardened, he continued to rock the woman until she fell asleep. Looking at her sleeping form, Ryuko knew the woman's pain was just beginning. In a fitful sleep her memories would haunt her, and he would be back to wake her and comfort her once again.
Getting up, the boy left the room and headed towards the training area. This late at night the silence could be deceptive. It was in this hour that he often trained his New Mutant powers, powers that no other New Mutant was said to possess. His family knew little of his abilities, and why he was feared so by the organization who was responsible for them. Moving past the entrance way to the center of the room, Ryuko began his training. Beginning first with the simplified form of Tai Chi he had been taught by his parents years before, he slowly carried out the 24 forms to gain a level of peace that he desperately needed. Once through with the Tai Chi, he moved onto a kata, continuing until he had once again left no room for error. No room for thought, for conscience, for heart, only room for the kill. For revenge on all responsible for this pain.
Waking up, Emma tried to control the shaking as she moved to stand up form the sweat soaked sheets. Gaining some control, Emma took a sip of water and put on her bathrobe. Only twenty minutes had passed since she'd first laid down to rest from the blundered mission earlier today and Emma still couldn't get rid of the feeling that they were in trouble. Sinking in a little more into the fuzzy blue slippers Adam had bought her for Christmas, Emma walked out of her room and headed towards the kitchen.
As she poured herself a cup of coffee, Shalimar placed the hot mug on the counter and sat down in one of the barstools. Looking up, Shalimar saw Emma's shaken form walk into the sunny kitchen. Still pale, Emma didn't look too good and Shal was beginning to worry.
"Hey girl! You doing okay?" Shalimar asked, hoping Emma would open up and talk to her. Smiling weakly, Emma joined Shalimar and sat in a barstool facing her.
"Not… not really Shal. That man… Ryuko… those images… I've never felt so much pain and grief before. Even when Jesse lost Amanda, I've never been affected like this before. I can't get rid of the emotions… they're so strong." Emma replied weakly. Seeing the young woman struggle to explain the depth that she'd been affected, Shalimar did the only thing she could; she listened. Encouraged by Shal's quiet attentiveness, Emma continued. "When I first saw him, I felt sadness and pain. Then the images and emotions rushed over me, they were so strong. The Senator… he… he was sending me the same feelings. When I touched him, I felt everything that I had when I looked at Ryuko. Everything… like the Senator was suddenly in that place and time and couldn't get out of it. It was overwhelming." Listening, Shal noticed the name Ryuko, Emma had said it twice. But how would she know the New Mutant's name? Reaching out and placing her hand on Emma's, Shalimar lightly squeezed her friend's hand.
"I'm sorry Emma, I didn't realize how much this… Ryuko?" Shal hesitated while Emma confirmed the name was correct, "had affected you. I forget sometimes how difficult it must be for you, dealing with everyone else's emotions as well as your own." Emma smiled, grateful that Shalimar was listening to her and trying to understand. "You said the Senator had every emotion that Ryuko did?" Shal asked, catching on to something important. Nodding, Emma wondered how it was even possible. "Come with me, we need to talk to Adam."
Getting up, both women went in search of their fearless leader and found him once again in the lab, Adam's home away from home. Discovering nothing had changed the Senator's behavior, Adam turned off the communication device in front of him and released a frustrated sigh. As Shalimar and Emma entered the lab, Adam turned to look at the two women. Noticing Emma's pale skin and thin smile, Adam briefly wondered if she was okay. He wasn't given the chance to ask though as Shalimar began asking him questions.
"Adam, is it possible for there to be a New Mutant who can project an image or attitude onto someone else and make them believe that something is happening when it's not?" Shalimar asked, grimacing at Adam's confused face as he nodded. "Adam, before you ask, you need to let Emma explain what happened today." With that, Emma explained everything that had happened, including how Ryuko and the emotions she picked up in full force from the Senator had affected her. Listening to Emma explain everything, Adam began grimacing. Moving to the computer console to his left, he began typing furiously until the records he was looking for appeared on the screen.
"Ryuko Kinku. Is this the New Mutant you guys fought today?" Adam asked, turning the console over so Emma and Shalimar could see Ryuko's file and picture. As the two women nodded their heads, Adam once again grimaced. Turning to another console, Adam took off the magnetic lock that kept Brennan and Jesse in their rooms. "Brennan, Jesse, meet us in the lab." Adam ordered, still upset with both men but understanding that he needed his entire team there. "And guys… behave."
Walking down the hall, a still angry Brennan ignored Jesse who was past the point of anger. Jesse didn't understand what was happening to him lately. He loved Brennan like a brother and valued his friendship, but when he saw Emma helpless in his grasp, Jesse cringed. As the image entered his mind, Jesse set his jaw tightly and refused to give in to his initial impulse to kick Brennan's ass. Instead, he gave the older man a cold shoulder and walked past him to stand next to Emma in the laboratory. Sensing that neither New Mutant had calmed down, Emma sighed and slumped forward a little. Something was going on and she didn't know what, only that it would forever change things.
Asking Emma to retell the events of the day to the two newcomers, Adam noticed the way Jesse's fist clenched and unclenched as Emma spoke of Ryuko's kiss and how Brennan's straight, stiff shoulders relaxed and slumped a little as Emma described the emotions she was forced to deal with unexpectedly. Hmm… Why are these two acting so strangely?? Even as Adam wondered what was going on, Emma had finished speaking and Brennan took a step towards her before Jesse blocked his way. Looking bashful, Brennan slumped his shoulders a little more before finding the courage to apologize.
"Listen, Emma, I'm really sorry about before. I didn't know what had happened. I should have trusted you, I'm sorry." Brennan said, thoroughly ashamed with himself. Walking over Shalimar squeezed his shoulder, offering her silent support. Placing one hand over hers, Brennan turned and smiled at her. Maintaining the contact, Brennan turned back and looked at Jesse. "Jess, I really am sorry. I should have trusted Emma, but I never should have gone off on her like that. Thanks for protecting her Jess, thanks for looking after my little sister." Looking up, Emma smiled brightly into Brennan's shining eyes. She had long thought of him as an older brother and good friend, but to know he felt the same was wonderful.
Looking back and forth between Brennan and Emma, Jesse noticed the sparkle in Emma's eyes at the mention of being Brennan's little sister. Fully seeing the feelings exchanged between the two, Jesse's lips turned up slowly. He knew they were close, and often watched from afar wondering if he and Emma would ever be as close. Slightly shrugging his head to Brennan, Jesse and Brennan made amends. Fully pleased that everyone was getting along again, Shalimar and Adam smiled as the blonde began making light-hearted chatter. Spending a few minutes enjoying each other's company, it was Adam who finally brought everyone's attention back to their enemy.
"As Emma said, the New Mutant you guys faced off with today is named Ryuko Kinku. He was one of Genomax's first, and most powerful, New Mutants. So powerful in fact, that when they went back to bring him in for some gene therapy that would fix some of the mutations, his family had already disappeared. They were unable to find them, their best guess being that the family had left the country." Adam explained, with the others listening attentively.
"Adam, what exactly are his powers? We know he's a Molecular Psionic mix. He ran so fast today that we were hardly able to make any contact with him." Shalimar said, frustrated. The feline feral enjoyed a challenge, but a New Mutant able to go so fast you couldn't see him much less punch him went a step further.
"Yes, Ryuko is a Molecular Psionic mix. He has propulsion and imperviousness powers, giving him the ability to alter his speed tremendously and to become rock hard like Jesse can. As a psionic, he has telepathic and illusionist powers. He can read people's minds, and project onto them images or attitudes. The combination of these powers… well, it's not good." Adam said, as the realization of what happened to the Senator hit the entire team. "He must have targeted these officials for a reason. Jesse, I want you to run a background search on them all and see if you can't find a connection." Nodding his head, Jesse moved to do so when he stopped for a second beside Emma first. Looking up into Jesse's blue eyes, Emma smiled as the young man reached out and squeezed her hand. Watching Jesse leave, no one commented on the odd behavior. Instead, Shalimar and Brennan moved to the common room and Emma excused herself to get some rest. Still peaked, everyone nodded as Emma left the lab.
The political careers of the murdered or disabled politicians spanned decades, with the earliest traces on record dating back to WWII. One Senator worked on the intelligence committee responsible for identifying a target for the a-bombs, while others chaired on committees for everything from humanitarian aide to sanctions. Each man got his start in one way or another in the early 1940s. Running a background check on the rest of the members of the Senate and the House, Jesse located 49 others with a similar history. Not looking good, Adam took the news as well as expected and began running numbers to determine who would most likely be Ryuko's next target. Narrowing it down to 3 men, Adam called another team meeting.
"Are you really going to split us up? Do you think that's wise Adam?" Brennan asked, not convinced they could handle this guy together, much less separated. Sighing, Adam put aside his own fears about this to reassure the others.
"Look, I understand your concerns Brennan. But in this instance these three men will all be attending the same conference. They'll each be in the same room. You will each be assigned to one with Emma as backup." Adam said, seeing a satisfied Brennan nod his head in understanding. Looking at Adam, Emma was surprised to hear that she would be backup for her three teammates. Why me? Not sure if Adam's choice was random or if there had been some reason behind it, Emma look at the curly haired man and wondered. Slightly relieved that Emma wouldn't be in Ryuko's direct path, Jesse sighed with relief. Sensing Jesse's feelings on the matter, Emma looked over sharply. He doesn't want me there. Upset with the realization, Emma turned and walked out of the room. Noticing Emma's rigid shoulders and quick pace, Shal looked at the guys briefly before walking out and joining her.
"What is it Shalimar?" Emma asked brusquely, not looking forward to a lecture. Walking into Emma's room after her, Shalimar sprawled out onto Emma's bed.
"Nothing girl, I was just gonna ask you that." Shal said, causing Emma to look up. Quickly looking away, Emma briefly thought talking to Shalimar about things might make it easier to deal.
"Just now, when Adam shared the plan and said I would be backup for you three… Jesse… well, he was relieved I wasn't being assigned to one of the targets." Emma said. Looking up, Shal said "So?" forcing Emma to continue. "He was relieved, Shal! He doesn't want me there." Emma said, placing her head down on her arms. Looking at the brunette, Shal's lips parted slightly in understanding.
"Emma, I'm sure it's not what you think. Jesse cares about you, maybe he just doesn't want you getting hurt." Shalimar said, unable to explain Jesse's reaction any other way.
"Or maybe he just doesn't want me here! When Ryuko kissed me, there was something emanating from Jesse, some feeling he was trying to push down so I wouldn't sense it. Shal?" Looking up at the sexy feral with defeated eyes, Emma whispered "He doesn't want me here." Shocked at the depth of the sorrow in her young friend's voice, Shalimar immediately walked over and hugged the girl to her.
"Emma, you're part of Mutant X, you're family. We don't just want you here, we need you. We all need you, you'll never be alone. Don't ever forget that." Shalimar said, squeezing Emma tightly in a bear hug. Looking up, Emma wiped away a tear, smiling as Shal pulled her up so they could both get ready for the mission later that evening.
Turning to take one more look at Emma before leaving, Shalimar couldn't just leave the woman feeling the way she was. "Emma?" As the blue eyed psionic looked up, Shaimar smiled, "The man who fought with Brennan because of how he treated you wants you here. Of that you can be sure." With that, Shalimar turned and left the room. Pondering Shal's last statement, Emma smiled.
On the way to her own room to change, the regal blonde stopped in front of Jesse's room. Trying not to pry too much into her friend's business, Shalimar thought once again of Emma's tear stricken face and decided that whatever Jesse's feelings for the brunette, he needed to understand how sensitive to him she was. Gently knocking, Shalimar tried to smile when Jesse opened the door but failed miserably.
"What's up Shal?" Jesse said, waiting as the silent blonde found her voice again.
"Look, I don't know what's been going on with you lately, but you need to tell Emma how you feel." Shalimar said, slightly amused at Jesse's awkward response. Shrugging it off, Shalimar quickly spoke up. "I just left her room, Jesse. She honestly feels like you don't want her here." Confused, Jesse stared at Shalimar in shock. How could she possibly…?? Every thought and emotion crossing through the Molecular's mind was written on Jesse's face. "She can sense almost every emotion of yours Jesse, she's in tune with you all the time. You're the one person she can't constantly block out." As understanding dawned, Shalimar left Jesse to his own thoughts.