Title: Lingering Shadows
Disclaimer: All the characters from the show are the property of the producers and owners of Mutant X. However, all the other characters belong to me.
Synopsis: Exploration of how each character deals with the burdens they must bear because of their powers as they face a mutant with extreme rage and a frightening agenda.
Feedback: Please Read and Review as often as you can. I greatly appreciate any and all feedback. Yes, the first chapter was unusual. It is necessary to understand Kage's (also known as Ryuko) background. Thanks for following along this far. I'm hoping this story will blossom, but we will all see. Thank you for all the reviews guys, I really appreciate the feedback.
Chapter 8: Listen
Taking another large bite of his deviled egg, Jesse looked up as Emma started laughing. The bright eyes and nonstop giggles made Jesse suspicious. Narrowing his eyes, Jesse looked at her suspiciously.
"Hey, what's so funny?" Jesse asked in a mock serious voice, making Emma laugh even harder. Unable to stop the fit of giggles, Emma just pointed at Jesse's mouth. Reaching up, Jesse discovered the dripping egg goo that had not quite made it into his mouth. Embarrassed, Jesse quickly finished the remains of the deviled egg.
"Oh you think that's funny, do you?" Jesse said, reaching out and tickling Emma. Too weak with laughter to defend herself from Jesse's assaults, Emma screamed and rolled onto the ground with more fits of laughter. A few light screams later, Emma and Jesse found themselves intertwined on the ground. Noticing the delicate pale skin beneath Emma's jaw line, Jesse wondered what it would feel like to nuzzle that sensitive area with his lips. Noticing Jesse's change of focus, Emma turned slightly and saw his brilliant blue eyes darken slightly.
"Jesse?" Emma asked, uncertainly. Looking up quickly, Jesse turned a bright red. Caught red handed, Jesse slowly separated from the brunette and moved backwards slightly. "Jesse? What's wrong?" Emma asked again, scared at the change in Jesse's behavior. Feeling his face get brighter, Jesse turned his back to try and avoid Emma's searching gaze. Watching, Emma's breath caught. Why won't he speak to me? What's wrong? Why won't he talk to me?? Getting scared and frustrated and not comfortable with either emotion, Emma started getting restless. Oh! Emma! Just ask him. Just ask him.
"Jesse? Please, what's going on? I know something's going on, something has been for a while now. What is it? Please Jesse, I have to ask. I need to know. Do you not want me here?" Emma asked, fear tingeing her beautiful voice.
Shocked, Jesse's head snapped up. She really thinks that?! Turning around completely and seeing the earnestness behind Emma's question reflected in the light pool of her eyes, Jesse exhaled shakily. Moving forward, Jesse gently lifted Emma's hands before tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear. Lifting the corners of his lips slowly until a beautiful smile lit up his face, Jesse felt comfortable at last with the decision to tell Emma how felt. Seeing the brilliant smile and the light in Jesse's eyes, Emma once again allowed herself to breathe.
"Emma, I'm sorry that's what you think, I'm sorry I haven't told you before now. I… I was worried you would think all I felt for you was lust after that mission in Kovakistan. So I pushed my feelings down, trying to hide them from you. It was so tough, knowing that you could sense my emotions almost all the time and not wanting you to know how I felt because of fear. I didn't want to frighten you, or for you to become uncomfortable around." Jesse said, watching carefully as he spoke each word and it's meaning sank in. Breathing easier again, Emma waited for Jesse to finish, not sure what he was really trying to say. "I don't want you to leave Emma, I want you here with me. I just don't want you in danger." Emma's lips parted slightly, in shock. He wants me here with him. Unable to contain her relief and joy, Emma reach out and hugged Jesse.
"I was so sure, so sure you didn't want me. I thought you'd lost faith in me after that afternoon when Kage kissed my hand." Emma said, feeling Jesse tense as she spoke the last few words. Pulling out of his grasp, Emma looked deeply into Jesse's eyes and finally recognized the emotion she'd felt but couldn't name that day; it was jealousy.
"No, I hadn't lost faith in you. I was just concerned; I didn't want you to run into him again. I was worried." Jesse said. Emma let her understanding of his true feelings remain unsaid. Instead, she leaned into him and smiled as his arms came around to embrace her. Content, they remained in each other's arms for several minutes. I can't believe it. He cares about me. He truly cares. Thinking through every expression and action, Emma realized that had she not depended so much on her telempathic abilities, she might have realized sooner. No wonder Shalimar didn't believe me. Smiling to herself, Emma felt at peace for the first time in the longest time.
No, Emma, don't trust him. How can you trust someone you can't sense? Remember the last time. As the thoughts entered her head, Emma fought to keep them out. Becoming agitated, Emma began mentally screaming "No! He is telling the truth. It's Jesse." Her mind still weak from Kage's assaults the previous day, Emma was unable to fight the thoughts of mistrust and deceit that entered her mind. Pulling out of Jesse's embrace, Emma turned to the side and rolled her knees up until she was pressing herself into her knees. Wrapping her arms around her legs, Emma began rocking back and forth saying "No no no no no" over and over again.
"Emma?" Jesse asked, completely taken back and the sudden change in her behavior. Sitting down next to Emma, Jesse wrapped his strong arms around her again and felt her melt into him. Concerned that she was shaking and visibly upset, Jesse continued to call out her name. Asking what was the matter and getting nowhere, Jesse remained strong and secure for her to lean into. Several minutes went by before the thoughts stopped entering Emma's head. Jesse knew something had changed when Emma stopped chanting. Looking down at her, he noticed her eyes had opened and were focused on a small scar on her hand. "Emma?"
Hearing Jesse's voice, Emma looked up before quickly looking back down. "I'm sorry, I can't. I can't trust someone I can't feel." Refusing to budge, Jesse pinned Emma in his.
"You can feel me Emma, see" Jesse said while reaching out and touching her skin with his own. "you can feel me. I'm the same man now that I was when you had your abilities, and I'll be the same one tomorrow when you get them back. Listen to your heart Emma, I am." Jesse's soft words wrapped a warm blanket around Emma. Looking up, Emma nodded and smiled slightly. Sitting together, Jesse continued to hold Emma until well past dusk.
Dammit! They have a stronger bond than I realized. Kage thought, cursing the fortunes of others. Staring intensely at the brunette, Kage envied the blonde man's closeness to her. Getting her to trust him without the benefit of her abilities was nothing short of amazing. That's something even she didn't think could ever happen. Looking from the woman they called Emma to the man holding her, Kage wondered what made him so special. Even as minutes turned to hours, Kage continued to stare in wonder. Deciding that Emma had dealt fairly well with the reality he'd constructed for her, he decided it was once again time to change it. He thought surely the group agree to leave him alone after realizing how much more powerful he was than them. Still, they did appear determined. Forming a plan to assure their compliance and his victory, Kage smiled slowly.
Getting up, Jesse and Emma gathered the remains of their picnic together and started towards the car. Hand in hand, although Emma was still hesitant, the two reached the car and smiled at each other. The drive back to Sanctuary was filled with a contented silence, with Emma leaning against Jesse as he drove.
"There is a moment everyday that satan cannot find." –William Blake