Chapter 2:
Author's Note: Okay, I would have had this out sooner, but apparently my disk decided to go haywire and lock me out of this file. Fun. Thanks for the advice about Emma, she's the character I'm the most hazy on.
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own em.
~*~
Brennan's grin slipped from his face at Jesse's blatant announcement. "Jesse man, that's not funny." Jesse glared up at him, still red faced and clutching his midsection.
"Do I look like I'm laughing?" he answered hoarsely. "I can't phase, at all."
"You're not serious." Jesse cast him a withering glance. "Okay, maybe you are serious. Oh, this is SO not good. We need to get Adam."
--
"You know, this could be construed as mildly ridiculous," Jesse grumbled at Adam and Emma as they scurried around the lab. Jesse lay out on the bed in the middle of the room. "I can't phase, I'm not keeling over."
"Jesse," Adam began sternly, adopting his most serious, I'm-about-to-lecture-you expression. "Whatever that uh, Max, did to you, it seriously altered your new mutant abilities. We need to be certain that it's not causing harm to the rest of you."
"But Adam I feel fine. And come on," he said, rubbing one hand over the irritating wires running from his chest, "a heart monitor? Do we really need that?" The patches were starting to itch and the incessant beeping from the machine was driving him up a wall. He sat up suddenly, swinging his legs over the side of the cot.
Emma and Adam exchanged identical reproachful looks. Emma came over, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. She could sense his annoyance, his restlessness. But she could also feel, despite his best efforts to shield her from it, his fear. "It's okay Jesse, we'll try to get you out of here as soon as possible."
"Sure Em, it's okay for YOU." His voice was bitter and he cast his eyes to the floor. Emma didn't respond, just squeezed his shoulder. She understood.
"You've just got to bear with us here Jesse," Adam told him. "Hopefully the tests will show that this is just temporary, and your powers will return in time. If so, we can just relax and wait."
"And what if it's not Adam? What then?"
Adam paused, hands clenching around the computer table. His head drooped. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
--
Adam gathered the rest of Mutant X together a few hours later, while Jesse dozed in the lab. He cast a furtive glance over his shoulder before beginning. "All right guys, we've got a problem."
Brennan, Shalimar and Emma all froze, their faces paling. Brennan asked what no one else wanted to put forth. "Jesse?"
"Well no, not exactly. I still need to finish some more tests before I figure out exactly what's wrong with him. But luckily so far, he seems all right. No, this problem is a little more immediate." He gestured to the TV screen on the group's right.
"According to a contact of mine, there have been a recent series of low profile, high security thefts of military technology at bases around the country."
"So what exactly does this have to do with us?" Shalimar asked. "It strikes me that we've got more important things to deal with right now. Let the military clean up it's own messes."
"This was taken from a security camera the thieves were unaware of at the first theft. Take a close look at the thieves." The video was in black and white and showed three darkly clad figures running through a lobby area. Two members of the Military Police lay unconscious on the floor.
"Those look like GS agents," Emma observed.
"That's because they are GS agents. Eckhart is up to something and I want to know what. I've been able to identify the two men, but the third…" his voice trailed off as he shook his head.
A soft voice interjected from across the room. "It's her. Max." Jesse leaned against the doorjamb of the lab, his eyes never leaving the screen. Adam opened his mouth to say something, but Jesse went on before he got the chance. "Back up the tape Adam, then advance it frame by frame."
Adam complied, albeit grudgingly. Jesse's eyes flicked over every frame. "Stop." The image was frozen in space. Her hair was flying over her shoulder, a few tendrils washing over her features. Her face was serious, eyes dark and stormy and locked onto the camera. She seemed almost to be staring straight through the camera and into the eyes of everyone in the room. Emma shuddered involuntarily. This girl, this Max, held the key to Jesse's impairment.
"My contact says that the components being stolen have been at different bases every time. They started in Virginia and have been moving West ever since. The thefts happen every two weeks. Security at a compound about two hours outside the city has been heightened. It's been two weeks today since the last theft. I want you there. Take one of the vehicles, the Helix is too conspicuous."
Brennan nodded in consent. "What about the girl? What should we do about her?"
Adam nodded, a hand passing over his lips as he considered a plan of action. "She was being advanced upon by GS agents when we saw her the first time," Shalimar pointed out.
"True. But the tape shows her working alongside the GSA," Brennan pointed out. "And she did attack Jesse and Emma in that alley."
"What do you think Emma?"
The brunette shook her head. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure Adam. I didn't really get a clear read off of her."
"Bring her in, if you can," Adam finally said. "Whether she's working for Genomex or not she does have some vital information. I'd like to examine her, see exactly what her abilities entail. But be careful, she's proven she's capable of being dangerous."
"Got it. We're on our way." Brennan turned on his heel, Emma and Shalimar close behind. Jesse moved out of the doorway, but Adam's arm across the hallway hindered his progress.
"Forget it. You're not going."
Jesse swore beneath his breath. He should have known Adam wouldn't just let him leave. "Adam, you know I can handle myself. Abilities or no I can deal with GS agents fine."
"You're right Jesse, I do know you can handle yourself. But I also know that the others are fully competent of handling this assignment by themselves, and so do you. So I see no reason to unnecessarily risk you on this mission, especially when you're not one hundred percent. Now please, I have a few more tests, so go back into the lab." Jesse grumbled incoherently and turned around.
--
The intense summer sun beat unmercifully down on the black SUV parked just beyond the fence line of the government compound. Sweat beaded on Brennan's forehead and rolled down his back. He had his head turned to look out the window, one hand swiping at the sweat on his face. His other hand rested lightly on the steering wheel, his fingers tapping it.
"Any change from your end?" he asked into his comm.
"Nothing here Bren. We're talking lazy days."
"We've been here for six hours already," Brennan grumbled to both women. "Maybe Adam's contact got the information wrong."
"Maybe you're just ticked that you're waiting in the car," Emma teased. She was positioned on the other side of the base, crouched on the far side of an embankment.
"Yeah, how exactly did that happen anyway?"
"We outvoted you," Shalimar told him dryly. "Just grit your teeth and deal."
"Hey guys," Emma interrupted their banter. "I just caught a flash of movement on the West side of the complex. We may want to go check it out."
"I'm on it," Shal told them.
"Why you?"
"Cause I called it, and I'm already inside the fence. Hold up while I check this out." Brennan sat up a little straighter, waiting tensely for Shal's next transmission. Emma dared to move over the rise, exposing her position.
--
Jesse came into the main room, pulling a dark blue shirt over his head. He noticed the look Adam shot him. "Don't even say it Adam. I put up with all your tests. I can sit behind a computer and monitor their movements. It's really not that stressful." Adam held up his hands, allowing Jesse to slide behind the computer screen.
"I should be there," he grumbled beneath his breath. His fingers tensed over the keys, waiting for Shalimar to give them an update.
--
Shalimar's voice rang out over the air. "The window's open. I can see one of the guards down in the hallway. He's breathing."
"Emma and I are on out way. Don't move until we get there."
They all gathered outside the jimmied window. "I can't believe we missed this," Brennan muttered. We should have been able to see them before they even got inside."
Shal paused, one leg stuck through the window. "Well we did. Let's not worry about it and just get in there."
Once all three were inside, Shalimar turned to her friend. "Getting anything Emma?"
She shook her head, and paused in the hall, trying to focus on Max. "It's fuzzy, like in the alley. It's like something's blocking me. I get a vague impression, I know she's here, but that's it. She's alone by the way." She blinked once, and shrugged. "Sorry."
"Not your fault. Let's just do this thing."
The three split when the hallway forked. Brennan tested each of the doors in his aisle. All were locked. He bit back a sigh of frustration when he reached the last door, an electronically locked lab room, with still no sign of the girl. He had however, seen two more officers laying unconscious. He was about to turn back, when a noise on the other side of the door made him pause.
"I think I got her," he whispered into his comm.. Ushering a small electronic burst, he sent it at the lock. There was a loud pop and the door slid open. Shocked gray eyes met his across the room. She froze for a brief moment, than flew into action. She hefted a Bunsen burner and hefted it at his head. Brennan ducked as she leapt the lab table. "Hey! Stop!"
"Okay, if you're not going to listen, we can do this the hard way." A ball of electricity leapt into his palm.
The girl stopped then, just long enough to flash him a sly grin. "Catch me if you can."
"You asked for it." He threw the ball of energy at the girl. The wave of energy struck the wall. Max was gone. She had phased through the wall. "Shal! Shal she just phased through the wall. She's coming your way."
"I'm on it."
--
"Jesse."
"I'm tracking her comm. signal Adam. Follow her Emma, Bren. She's outside already, nearing the East building. Shalimar, leave your signal open so we can hear you."
"Not a problem Jess. I see her now. Girl's quick, but she ain't that quick. I'll catch her before the fence."
--
Max glanced over her shoulder at blonde woman fast approaching. With a low growl she dropped out of her dead run and spun so she was facing Shalimar. The feral mutant's face twisted in a half grin, half smile. "Oh hon, you would have been so much better off running."
Max slung the small duffel bag off her shoulder and tossed it on the ground. "We may as well be civil about all this," the girl said cockily. "After all, I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Max."
"That's it? Just Max?" Shalimar cocked an eyebrow. "Whatever. I'm Shal. I'd say you should just come with me, but somehow I get the feeling that ain't gonna fly."
"You're a smart little kitty. Nope, only way I go with you is dead, or unconscious."
"I don't know about the first, but I'm sure the second can be arranged."
"Shake?" Max offered up her hand.
"Sure."
--
Jesse suddenly sat bolt upright in his chair. The words had sparked something in his memory. –"Hi, I'm Max." "Jesse," he had responded, reaching out to clasp her hand. Then, blackness.-
"No Shal! Don't touch her!" Jesse spun to the next computer screen, noting quickly that Shal had stopped moving. "Brennan, Emma, where are you?"
"We can see them Jesse, Brennan's almost there. Oh God, Shal's down. I don't see the girl."
Brennan kneeled down next to Shalimar, who had just begun to come around. "Max is gone Jess, we lost her. You okay Shal?" The blonde nodded slowly, hand lifting to her head.
"I feel like I got kicked in the head by a horse. Little bitch," she muttered darkly.
Brennan chuckled softly, offering Shal a hand up. "Yup, you're okay."
--
Jesse tossed his headset on the desk and stood up suddenly. "Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going after her. She has to be stopped."
Adam stood in his way. "I agree with you Jesse, but how do you plan on going about capturing her when you can't touch her? Stay here, wait until the others get back and then we'll create a plan of action together where we won't put anyone else in danger."
"If we wait that long we'll lose her. If I take the Helix I might be able to track her. Besides, I already have a plan." He ducked around Adam, running for the hanger. Adam immediately turned for the computer, intent on stopping him. Unfortunately, Adam had taught his young sage too well. Jesse had managed to lock Adam out of the system just long enough to take off with the Helix.
"Jesse? Jesse can you hear me?" he slammed a hand onto the table. "Damn it! Emma, get everyone back here quick. Jesse just went after Max alone, and he's turned off his comm."
--
A young woman sat alone at the end of a bar in a crowded club in the city. Her shoulders were hunched over, her forearms resting against the metal lip. She turned the tumbler in her hands slowly, watching the light reflect off the amber liquid. Her eyes were quiet, almost vacant.
"Buy you a drink?" Someone asked from behind her.
She shifted the glass from in front of her just long enough to give the man a glimpse. "I've got a drink. Go away."
"Now that's not exactly civil is it? How about I just give you a hand?"
The girl spun on her stool. "Look buddy…" her voice trailed off when she recognized the young man in front of him. "Shit."
"Yeah, I'd say shit just about covers it." Max swung a wild fist, but this time Jesse was ready for her. His hands were encased securely in leather gloves. He snatched her wrist a few inches from his face. "Not this time."
Max wasn't finished. She still had the glass in her other hand. She swung it with all her might, the glass shattering on Jesse's head. The new mutant stumbled back, clutching the now bleeding gash on his forehead. Max used the opportunity to twist out of his grasp and dart into the crowd, shoving people aside as she ran.
Jesse shook his head and blinked to clear his head. "Oh, now you're just irritating." He went after her. He could see her just up ahead, flying through the emergency doors of the club.
"Stop!" He drew the gun from his waitbelt. "Stop or I'll shoot." Max turned. Jesse held the gun level, never wavering. "Well isn't this a familiar situation? But this time I think I'll skip the handshake, thanks."
"You won't shoot me."
"You know they say about assumptions. I certainly wouldn't make any about me." He pulled the trigger. The dart imbedded itself squarely in Max's shoulder. She shot him one more hateful glare, before everything went dark and she sank to the ground.
Chapter 2
Hope you like this part too. This is winding up fairly Jesse-centric, but I'll keep the others in there a fair amount too.
Author's Note: Okay, I would have had this out sooner, but apparently my disk decided to go haywire and lock me out of this file. Fun. Thanks for the advice about Emma, she's the character I'm the most hazy on.
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own em.
~*~
Brennan's grin slipped from his face at Jesse's blatant announcement. "Jesse man, that's not funny." Jesse glared up at him, still red faced and clutching his midsection.
"Do I look like I'm laughing?" he answered hoarsely. "I can't phase, at all."
"You're not serious." Jesse cast him a withering glance. "Okay, maybe you are serious. Oh, this is SO not good. We need to get Adam."
--
"You know, this could be construed as mildly ridiculous," Jesse grumbled at Adam and Emma as they scurried around the lab. Jesse lay out on the bed in the middle of the room. "I can't phase, I'm not keeling over."
"Jesse," Adam began sternly, adopting his most serious, I'm-about-to-lecture-you expression. "Whatever that uh, Max, did to you, it seriously altered your new mutant abilities. We need to be certain that it's not causing harm to the rest of you."
"But Adam I feel fine. And come on," he said, rubbing one hand over the irritating wires running from his chest, "a heart monitor? Do we really need that?" The patches were starting to itch and the incessant beeping from the machine was driving him up a wall. He sat up suddenly, swinging his legs over the side of the cot.
Emma and Adam exchanged identical reproachful looks. Emma came over, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. She could sense his annoyance, his restlessness. But she could also feel, despite his best efforts to shield her from it, his fear. "It's okay Jesse, we'll try to get you out of here as soon as possible."
"Sure Em, it's okay for YOU." His voice was bitter and he cast his eyes to the floor. Emma didn't respond, just squeezed his shoulder. She understood.
"You've just got to bear with us here Jesse," Adam told him. "Hopefully the tests will show that this is just temporary, and your powers will return in time. If so, we can just relax and wait."
"And what if it's not Adam? What then?"
Adam paused, hands clenching around the computer table. His head drooped. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
--
Adam gathered the rest of Mutant X together a few hours later, while Jesse dozed in the lab. He cast a furtive glance over his shoulder before beginning. "All right guys, we've got a problem."
Brennan, Shalimar and Emma all froze, their faces paling. Brennan asked what no one else wanted to put forth. "Jesse?"
"Well no, not exactly. I still need to finish some more tests before I figure out exactly what's wrong with him. But luckily so far, he seems all right. No, this problem is a little more immediate." He gestured to the TV screen on the group's right.
"According to a contact of mine, there have been a recent series of low profile, high security thefts of military technology at bases around the country."
"So what exactly does this have to do with us?" Shalimar asked. "It strikes me that we've got more important things to deal with right now. Let the military clean up it's own messes."
"This was taken from a security camera the thieves were unaware of at the first theft. Take a close look at the thieves." The video was in black and white and showed three darkly clad figures running through a lobby area. Two members of the Military Police lay unconscious on the floor.
"Those look like GS agents," Emma observed.
"That's because they are GS agents. Eckhart is up to something and I want to know what. I've been able to identify the two men, but the third…" his voice trailed off as he shook his head.
A soft voice interjected from across the room. "It's her. Max." Jesse leaned against the doorjamb of the lab, his eyes never leaving the screen. Adam opened his mouth to say something, but Jesse went on before he got the chance. "Back up the tape Adam, then advance it frame by frame."
Adam complied, albeit grudgingly. Jesse's eyes flicked over every frame. "Stop." The image was frozen in space. Her hair was flying over her shoulder, a few tendrils washing over her features. Her face was serious, eyes dark and stormy and locked onto the camera. She seemed almost to be staring straight through the camera and into the eyes of everyone in the room. Emma shuddered involuntarily. This girl, this Max, held the key to Jesse's impairment.
"My contact says that the components being stolen have been at different bases every time. They started in Virginia and have been moving West ever since. The thefts happen every two weeks. Security at a compound about two hours outside the city has been heightened. It's been two weeks today since the last theft. I want you there. Take one of the vehicles, the Helix is too conspicuous."
Brennan nodded in consent. "What about the girl? What should we do about her?"
Adam nodded, a hand passing over his lips as he considered a plan of action. "She was being advanced upon by GS agents when we saw her the first time," Shalimar pointed out.
"True. But the tape shows her working alongside the GSA," Brennan pointed out. "And she did attack Jesse and Emma in that alley."
"What do you think Emma?"
The brunette shook her head. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure Adam. I didn't really get a clear read off of her."
"Bring her in, if you can," Adam finally said. "Whether she's working for Genomex or not she does have some vital information. I'd like to examine her, see exactly what her abilities entail. But be careful, she's proven she's capable of being dangerous."
"Got it. We're on our way." Brennan turned on his heel, Emma and Shalimar close behind. Jesse moved out of the doorway, but Adam's arm across the hallway hindered his progress.
"Forget it. You're not going."
Jesse swore beneath his breath. He should have known Adam wouldn't just let him leave. "Adam, you know I can handle myself. Abilities or no I can deal with GS agents fine."
"You're right Jesse, I do know you can handle yourself. But I also know that the others are fully competent of handling this assignment by themselves, and so do you. So I see no reason to unnecessarily risk you on this mission, especially when you're not one hundred percent. Now please, I have a few more tests, so go back into the lab." Jesse grumbled incoherently and turned around.
--
The intense summer sun beat unmercifully down on the black SUV parked just beyond the fence line of the government compound. Sweat beaded on Brennan's forehead and rolled down his back. He had his head turned to look out the window, one hand swiping at the sweat on his face. His other hand rested lightly on the steering wheel, his fingers tapping it.
"Any change from your end?" he asked into his comm.
"Nothing here Bren. We're talking lazy days."
"We've been here for six hours already," Brennan grumbled to both women. "Maybe Adam's contact got the information wrong."
"Maybe you're just ticked that you're waiting in the car," Emma teased. She was positioned on the other side of the base, crouched on the far side of an embankment.
"Yeah, how exactly did that happen anyway?"
"We outvoted you," Shalimar told him dryly. "Just grit your teeth and deal."
"Hey guys," Emma interrupted their banter. "I just caught a flash of movement on the West side of the complex. We may want to go check it out."
"I'm on it," Shal told them.
"Why you?"
"Cause I called it, and I'm already inside the fence. Hold up while I check this out." Brennan sat up a little straighter, waiting tensely for Shal's next transmission. Emma dared to move over the rise, exposing her position.
--
Jesse came into the main room, pulling a dark blue shirt over his head. He noticed the look Adam shot him. "Don't even say it Adam. I put up with all your tests. I can sit behind a computer and monitor their movements. It's really not that stressful." Adam held up his hands, allowing Jesse to slide behind the computer screen.
"I should be there," he grumbled beneath his breath. His fingers tensed over the keys, waiting for Shalimar to give them an update.
--
Shalimar's voice rang out over the air. "The window's open. I can see one of the guards down in the hallway. He's breathing."
"Emma and I are on out way. Don't move until we get there."
They all gathered outside the jimmied window. "I can't believe we missed this," Brennan muttered. We should have been able to see them before they even got inside."
Shal paused, one leg stuck through the window. "Well we did. Let's not worry about it and just get in there."
Once all three were inside, Shalimar turned to her friend. "Getting anything Emma?"
She shook her head, and paused in the hall, trying to focus on Max. "It's fuzzy, like in the alley. It's like something's blocking me. I get a vague impression, I know she's here, but that's it. She's alone by the way." She blinked once, and shrugged. "Sorry."
"Not your fault. Let's just do this thing."
The three split when the hallway forked. Brennan tested each of the doors in his aisle. All were locked. He bit back a sigh of frustration when he reached the last door, an electronically locked lab room, with still no sign of the girl. He had however, seen two more officers laying unconscious. He was about to turn back, when a noise on the other side of the door made him pause.
"I think I got her," he whispered into his comm.. Ushering a small electronic burst, he sent it at the lock. There was a loud pop and the door slid open. Shocked gray eyes met his across the room. She froze for a brief moment, than flew into action. She hefted a Bunsen burner and hefted it at his head. Brennan ducked as she leapt the lab table. "Hey! Stop!"
"Okay, if you're not going to listen, we can do this the hard way." A ball of electricity leapt into his palm.
The girl stopped then, just long enough to flash him a sly grin. "Catch me if you can."
"You asked for it." He threw the ball of energy at the girl. The wave of energy struck the wall. Max was gone. She had phased through the wall. "Shal! Shal she just phased through the wall. She's coming your way."
"I'm on it."
--
"Jesse."
"I'm tracking her comm. signal Adam. Follow her Emma, Bren. She's outside already, nearing the East building. Shalimar, leave your signal open so we can hear you."
"Not a problem Jess. I see her now. Girl's quick, but she ain't that quick. I'll catch her before the fence."
--
Max glanced over her shoulder at blonde woman fast approaching. With a low growl she dropped out of her dead run and spun so she was facing Shalimar. The feral mutant's face twisted in a half grin, half smile. "Oh hon, you would have been so much better off running."
Max slung the small duffel bag off her shoulder and tossed it on the ground. "We may as well be civil about all this," the girl said cockily. "After all, I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Max."
"That's it? Just Max?" Shalimar cocked an eyebrow. "Whatever. I'm Shal. I'd say you should just come with me, but somehow I get the feeling that ain't gonna fly."
"You're a smart little kitty. Nope, only way I go with you is dead, or unconscious."
"I don't know about the first, but I'm sure the second can be arranged."
"Shake?" Max offered up her hand.
"Sure."
--
Jesse suddenly sat bolt upright in his chair. The words had sparked something in his memory. –"Hi, I'm Max." "Jesse," he had responded, reaching out to clasp her hand. Then, blackness.-
"No Shal! Don't touch her!" Jesse spun to the next computer screen, noting quickly that Shal had stopped moving. "Brennan, Emma, where are you?"
"We can see them Jesse, Brennan's almost there. Oh God, Shal's down. I don't see the girl."
Brennan kneeled down next to Shalimar, who had just begun to come around. "Max is gone Jess, we lost her. You okay Shal?" The blonde nodded slowly, hand lifting to her head.
"I feel like I got kicked in the head by a horse. Little bitch," she muttered darkly.
Brennan chuckled softly, offering Shal a hand up. "Yup, you're okay."
--
Jesse tossed his headset on the desk and stood up suddenly. "Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going after her. She has to be stopped."
Adam stood in his way. "I agree with you Jesse, but how do you plan on going about capturing her when you can't touch her? Stay here, wait until the others get back and then we'll create a plan of action together where we won't put anyone else in danger."
"If we wait that long we'll lose her. If I take the Helix I might be able to track her. Besides, I already have a plan." He ducked around Adam, running for the hanger. Adam immediately turned for the computer, intent on stopping him. Unfortunately, Adam had taught his young sage too well. Jesse had managed to lock Adam out of the system just long enough to take off with the Helix.
"Jesse? Jesse can you hear me?" he slammed a hand onto the table. "Damn it! Emma, get everyone back here quick. Jesse just went after Max alone, and he's turned off his comm."
--
A young woman sat alone at the end of a bar in a crowded club in the city. Her shoulders were hunched over, her forearms resting against the metal lip. She turned the tumbler in her hands slowly, watching the light reflect off the amber liquid. Her eyes were quiet, almost vacant.
"Buy you a drink?" Someone asked from behind her.
She shifted the glass from in front of her just long enough to give the man a glimpse. "I've got a drink. Go away."
"Now that's not exactly civil is it? How about I just give you a hand?"
The girl spun on her stool. "Look buddy…" her voice trailed off when she recognized the young man in front of him. "Shit."
"Yeah, I'd say shit just about covers it." Max swung a wild fist, but this time Jesse was ready for her. His hands were encased securely in leather gloves. He snatched her wrist a few inches from his face. "Not this time."
Max wasn't finished. She still had the glass in her other hand. She swung it with all her might, the glass shattering on Jesse's head. The new mutant stumbled back, clutching the now bleeding gash on his forehead. Max used the opportunity to twist out of his grasp and dart into the crowd, shoving people aside as she ran.
Jesse shook his head and blinked to clear his head. "Oh, now you're just irritating." He went after her. He could see her just up ahead, flying through the emergency doors of the club.
"Stop!" He drew the gun from his waitbelt. "Stop or I'll shoot." Max turned. Jesse held the gun level, never wavering. "Well isn't this a familiar situation? But this time I think I'll skip the handshake, thanks."
"You won't shoot me."
"You know they say about assumptions. I certainly wouldn't make any about me." He pulled the trigger. The dart imbedded itself squarely in Max's shoulder. She shot him one more hateful glare, before everything went dark and she sank to the ground.
Chapter 2
Hope you like this part too. This is winding up fairly Jesse-centric, but I'll keep the others in there a fair amount too.