Nice big chapter today cos I haven't put one up in a while. Hope everybody had a happy new year. That was kind of the reason for not putting a new chapter up for a while. My 'happy new year' was extended way longer than it should have been. Plus I just got the first two DVD box sets of Mutant X Series 1 so have been catching up on the ones I missed. Very cool interviews on both as well.

Anyway, glad to hear you're all liking the story so far, sorry if its moving a little slowly, I'm afraid its just one of those stories. I am working on a new one though, which will be uploaded soon.

Nothing has changed: I still do not own Mutant X or any of its characters. When I marry a 90-year-old billionaire I will be buying it so that's something to look forward to.

Please continue to review, and have a nice day.

'You can't run away from me.'

'I'm…not…running!' Shalimar shouted over her shoulder. She was fed up of listening to Gabriel insult her and the rest of Mutant X.

Plus, she figured she was going to be here for a while so she may as well go check it all out. More of the buildings were gradually fading away into nothingness and eventually when Gabriel took over there would be nothing left. She hated that he was going to win but she no longer had the strength to fight him. She only had enough energy to walk away. Her eyes glazed over as she carried on towards the city.

Brennan ran into sanctuary. He had talked to Adam on his com ring 45 minutes ago and had broken every law to do with driving to get back that quickly.

Adam had refused to tell Brennan what was going on, all he knew was that it had something to do with Shalimar. If she was dying Brennan wanted to be there in her last few moments and if Adam had found a cure the sooner Brennan got there the sooner whatever Adam had to do could be done.

He skidded round the door of the lab. Adam was sitting, watching Shalimar. As Brennan stopped just short of the bio bed Adam looked up.

'What's going on?' Brennan demanded.

Adam explained the situation for the second time that day.

When he had finished he left Brennan to go and fetch Emma and Jesse.

Two minutes later they were all standing around Shalimar waiting to hear Adam's plan.

He was extremely dubious about telling them. It would be dangerous and he didn't want to force them into risking their lives, He wasn't even sure that his plan would work. But it was the only thing he could come up with.

'Gabriel is just in her mind, he's found some way of transferring his into hers. The major part of the plan involves you,' he said looking at Emma. 'You have to probe her mind, tell her that he's not real.'

'That's it…that's you're master plan!' Brennan shouted. He was getting frustrated. While Adam was coming up with plans Shalimar was lying there, helpless. She didn't have time for experiments.

Brennan looked at Adams face. His calmness in the face of everything that was going on was infuriating. The glass door of the lab cracked as Brennan stormed out.

The remaining three looked at the door as it swung back violently, shocked at Brennan's sudden outburst.

Adam started talking again, clearly shaken but determined to carry on.

'You have to let Shalimar know that Gabriel can do nothing to her, she's the only person who can fight Gabriel and in order to fight him, she has to stop being scared of him. Emma, it will be dangerous. I'm not sure what's going on in there,' he said looking at Shalimar's motionless body. She looked so peaceful; he hoped she was ok.

She had finally reached the buildings. They were smaller than they had appeared in the distance due to her increasing weariness.

They sparkled as the sun hit the windows. Even that was getting smaller. The heat and light being emitted from it were less intensive than they had been. Shalimar felt a shiver run down her spine though whether it was from the chill or the fact that Gabriel was still following her around like a stalker she couldn't be sure.

Suddenly the doors of the skyscraper in front of her opened to reveal Emma.

Emma looked at Shalimar. She could tell even without using her powers that she was weak. Emma looked over Shal's shoulder and saw Gabriel. He looked smug, like he knew he was winning. Except that was not going to carry on as long as Shalimar had friends.

Emma walked over to Shal quickly, not wanting to waste anytime; she didn't know how long she could stay.

'Look Shal, you have to listen,' began Emma. She didn't know what she was going to say - Oh hey Shal, you know you thought he was all powerful…well guess what! - It wasn't exactly easy knowing how close to giving in Shalimar was. And if she was too weak to fight Gabriel then what good would it do Emma being there.

Shalimar looked at her. First Gabriel was in her head and now Emma. It was all so confusing and all Shalimar wanted to do was get some rest. Tears started streaming down her face as she lowered herself to the ground. She sat there; she didn't care what Gabriel thought anymore.

The rain began but it was weaker than before. Gabriel smiled. She was breaking. He would gain control of her body and then he would exact his revenge on Adam and that pointless little group of his.

Emma crouched down in front of Shalimar. This was way more worrying than anyone had previously believed, even Adam. She had to tell him so he could figure something out but she really didn't want to leave Shalimar. Without Emma's support Gabriel could do anything to her.

'Shal, listen to me. You have to be strong. I know its hard but you cannot give in to him. You're a fighter…so fight!'

'Nice little pep talk there Emma but its not gonna do any good.'

Emma stood up. She stared at him. He looked exactly as he had when he was alive. That same smirk, those cruel eyes and that really annoying hair which flopped over his face. Even down to the leather jacket, Gabriel hadn't changed.

'Emma,' he said tauntingly, 'you're searching for something in here,' he said tapping the side of his head with his index finger.

Busted. She had been looking, she didn't know exactly what for, just some clue as to why Gabriel was doing this to Shal. She got that he had a link with her, she really did but why was he torturing her like this?

'Why?' Emma asked trying to put some kind of force behind the word. She remembered how scared of Gabriel she had been when he was alive, but like she had just told Shalimar, she had to fight.

'Nothing to lose. I lost my body thanks to Adam, I don't intend to lose my only other shot at getting revenge.'

Emma looked back at Shalimar. She was sitting on the floor, staring into space, the occasional tear rolling down her face, no life in her eyes. The rain was calming down. In all Emma's experience weather in peoples heads reflected how they felt. Emma had been in many minds; Shalimar's had always been so beautiful, such a mix of urban and rural. Emma could have wandered for days at a time in there. But now there was no life left. Soon it would be completely barren.

Emma was not going to let that happen.

She crouched again in front of Shalimar.

'Shal, I'm gonna go get Adam, he's gonna be here soon and then he's gonna help you.'

Emma wasn't sure if Shalimar had heard her, there was no reaction, her eyes just kept staring. Atleast there were still tears. Which meant Emma had time.

She turned and ran through the doors exiting Shalimar's mind.