Okay people, I am back with a new chapter. I hope some of you are still
interested in reading this fic. If any of you are please give me some ideas
on how to end it. If I had some ideas to play with I could get down to
writing the chapters and post a LOT more quickly.
Thanks - and I am very sorry for the LONG delay.
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"Have they moved since we left?" Jesse wryly asked as he and Shalimar returned to their table.
Edward shook his head; Emma and Brennan were still staring at each other.
"Do you think they would mind if I ate their dinners?" Jesse joked.
'Don't think so. Anyway, I don't think they would notice." Edward replied.
"Well . . . it would be a shame to let all the food go to waste. Wonder why we bothered ordering for them?" Jesse carefully removed Brennan's plate from him while Shalimar did the same for Emma. Jesse's hand stilled as Brennan turned to look at Jesse.
"Go ahead, someone might as well eat." Brennan spoke in a flat, lifeless voice. Jesse nodded, though the joke didn't seem so funny anymore.
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*~ Emma, please don't do this to me. ~*
Brennan turned away from Jesse, concentrating entirely on the beautiful woman in front of him. He knew that she could hear him - she had to hear him. He had to make her listen to him; he needed to make everything all right. He could not lose Emma.
*~ Emma . . . please . . . Let me make it up to you. ~*
*~ Brennan . . . please leave me alone. ~* Emma cut in. She could not handle his anguish. It was as if someone was rubbing salt into a raw wound. The pain left her breathless.
She would not allow him to pity her.
Try as she might she could not shut him out - and in all honesty she did not want to. The pain reminds us that we are alive, wasn't that was Edward had said? Right now Emma needed to be reminded that she was alive.
*~ Then let me do that for you . . . ~*
Emma was not sure that Brennan even realised what he was saying to her - doing to her. She knew that he could 'hear' her and Emma right now would give anything to shut him out. She would give anything to hide.
After an awkward dinner where nothing much was said, Mutant X and Edward trudged to a new club. No one was really in the mood but going home would have meant admitting defeat and that was one possibility worse than a little discomfort.
Maybe.
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The new club they ended at was a more intimate place than the one they met Edward at. It was spacious with a large dance floor. However, there were many couches placed all over the place, where people could sit and enjoy the vibrancy around them.
On one such couch the members of Mutant X sat, watching each other and not knowing what to do. Emma and Brennan, probably satiated from staring at each other, did all they could to avoid each other eyes. They didn't speak directly to the other; they were almost ignoring the other - however, neither would dance or move away - as if they were incapable of being together and as powerless when it came to being apart.
"Come on guys why aren't you dancing? I thought that was the point of coming to a club?" Emma forced her voice to sound cheerful. She had to learn how to pretend to be happy sometime in her life, might as well start now for her friends.
"We could say the same for you." Edward interjected. Emma looked at him.
*Little one, do you want to talk to me about it? ~* Edward was concerned. Emma was blocking him out, she was hiding something but he didn't want to push her.
*~ She has learnt so much since I met her. She is strong enough to block me out of her mind, keep what she is thinking from me. ~* Edward smiled ironically. *~ She had to pick today to prove her independence. Life is never simple. ~*
"Well, I for one am going to take Emma's advice. Come on Edward I think it's about time I show you how to dance." Shalimar dragged a very startled Edward out to the dance floor - after throwing Jesse a significant look.
Jesse waited - about 2 seconds later, he announced that he was going to the bar to get a drink. It was doubtful that Emma and Brennan even noticed, so lost were they in their own thoughts.
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Shalimar dragged Edward to a secluded part of the club, with Jesse two steps behind her.
"Okay we can speak here. The music is not so loud here." Shalimar determinedly ignored all the couples that were making out around her.
"Does this mean I am not going to get a dance lesson?" Edward grinned cheekily, he was tempted to pout but he was sure Shalimar would deck him. *~ These people are much too violent. ~*
"No."
Edward pretended to be disappointed at the abrupt answer, but he knew why Shalimar had dragged him away from Emma. He waited until Jesse joined him and asked the two younger people, "So what can I do for you?"
"We need your help." Shalimar stated flatly.
Edward blinked; he hadn't expected her to be so forthright. *~ I think I might die of shock. Shalimar asking for help. Wonder if I can tease her about it. ~* Watching her face, Edward prudently decided that teasing was probably not a good idea.
"With?" Edward knew exactly what they wanted but decided to draw out the conversation - hoping to use the time to come up with a solution, any solution. Playing cupid was not one of his specialities.
"With Brennan and Emma. We want you to make them see their love for each other." Shalimar cut through the games and threw down the gauntlet. If Edward truly cared about Emma he would do all he could to help the psionic.
"That's all? And here I was thinking that you wanted me to do something difficult. Anything else I can do for you? Maybe bring down the stars and moon as well?" Edward rolled his eyes. *~ Make Emma and Brennan see . . . What do they think I am - a miracle worker? ~*
"So you won't help." Shalimar's voice became ominously flat.
"I didn't say that, of course I will help. I would do anything to make Emma. But I don't think it is going to be easy. Those two are very stubborn." Edward massaged his temple - this was going to be a long night.
"Besides, there are other issues to consider." Edward fell silent, how was he going to explain how important Brennan was to Emma' mind.
"Did Brennan cause Emma's breakdown?" The question was gentle and deadly serious.
Shalimar looked at Jesse in disbelief. *~ How could he think that of his best friend? ~*
"It's not that simple. He didn't CAUSE her breakdown, though he did have a big part to play in it."
Shalimar whirled around to look at Edward. *~ What the hell? ~*
"As you know, psionics are vulnerable to mental attacks and telempathic or telepathic psionics especially so. I don't know if you've ever thought about it, but everyday, every waking moment for Emma is a battle - a battle for sanity. She is constantly buffeted with emotions, hers, yours, everyone's.
The closer Emma gets to someone, emotionally, physically the more sensitive she becomes to his or her emotions. At this stage, I don't even think she really has to be trying to pick up something from you people. Now, this can be both rewarding and painful."
Shalimar made to interrupt but Jesse stopped her. He thought he could see what Edward was getting at, but he wanted to make sure.
"Being close to someone means that your mind becomes closely linked to theirs. On the one hand, this means that your defences against this person are negligible at best but it also means that they can block others out. It is as if their minds drown out all others.
This bond is generally the strongest between two people in love - Emma and Brennan are no exception. Their minds are very tightly bound like their hearts. Brennan can overwhelm Emma but he is also her strongest defence against the pain of the outside world.
Emma needs Brennan - to love her, to protect her. And considering how closely they have 'bonded', he needs her for his own sanity as well."
"Then what is the problem?" Shalimar pursed her lip, this was getting nowhere.
"The problem is that neither are willing to admit how much they need each other. With normal lovers such denial would be painful but with Emma and Brennan it could be life threatening. Emma already tried to sever her link with Brennan and almost lost her mind. She failed and that is why she is still sitting here today. Despite the fact that Brennan does not believe that he loves her, despite the fact that he is unaware of the mind-meld - some part of him refused to give her up.
But I don't know how long they can keep this up. Emma is hurting and trying to shut him out. I hope she does not do something foolish, but if she tries to cut Brennan off again I might not be able to save her again this time." Edward stopped, he didn't even want to think of such a possibility let alone talk about it.
Jesse and Shalimar's faces had drained of colour, they looked at each other - getting Brennan, and Emma together took on a whole new urgency.
"But she wouldn't do it again, she must have learnt from her mistakes - didn't she?" Jesse's question was almost desperate.
"Yes, I do believe she had learnt how important Brennan is to her." Edward paused. 'But she does not know how important she is to him. She is convinced that he does not love her; she is convinced that maintaining the link would be 'unfair' to him. If she believed that breaking the link with Brennan would be good for him, I know she would do so. I don't think she has thought of trying - yet. But when it occurs to her, I don't think any amount of personal pain would stop her."
"What would that do to Brennan?"
"Besides breaking his heart? If I am correct about their bond, then losing Emma would probably fry his brain." Edward voice held no trace of uncertainty.
"So what do we do?" Jesse asked, Shalimar was too choked up to talk.
"I have no clue."
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Thanks - and I am very sorry for the LONG delay.
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"Have they moved since we left?" Jesse wryly asked as he and Shalimar returned to their table.
Edward shook his head; Emma and Brennan were still staring at each other.
"Do you think they would mind if I ate their dinners?" Jesse joked.
'Don't think so. Anyway, I don't think they would notice." Edward replied.
"Well . . . it would be a shame to let all the food go to waste. Wonder why we bothered ordering for them?" Jesse carefully removed Brennan's plate from him while Shalimar did the same for Emma. Jesse's hand stilled as Brennan turned to look at Jesse.
"Go ahead, someone might as well eat." Brennan spoke in a flat, lifeless voice. Jesse nodded, though the joke didn't seem so funny anymore.
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*~ Emma, please don't do this to me. ~*
Brennan turned away from Jesse, concentrating entirely on the beautiful woman in front of him. He knew that she could hear him - she had to hear him. He had to make her listen to him; he needed to make everything all right. He could not lose Emma.
*~ Emma . . . please . . . Let me make it up to you. ~*
*~ Brennan . . . please leave me alone. ~* Emma cut in. She could not handle his anguish. It was as if someone was rubbing salt into a raw wound. The pain left her breathless.
She would not allow him to pity her.
Try as she might she could not shut him out - and in all honesty she did not want to. The pain reminds us that we are alive, wasn't that was Edward had said? Right now Emma needed to be reminded that she was alive.
*~ Then let me do that for you . . . ~*
Emma was not sure that Brennan even realised what he was saying to her - doing to her. She knew that he could 'hear' her and Emma right now would give anything to shut him out. She would give anything to hide.
After an awkward dinner where nothing much was said, Mutant X and Edward trudged to a new club. No one was really in the mood but going home would have meant admitting defeat and that was one possibility worse than a little discomfort.
Maybe.
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The new club they ended at was a more intimate place than the one they met Edward at. It was spacious with a large dance floor. However, there were many couches placed all over the place, where people could sit and enjoy the vibrancy around them.
On one such couch the members of Mutant X sat, watching each other and not knowing what to do. Emma and Brennan, probably satiated from staring at each other, did all they could to avoid each other eyes. They didn't speak directly to the other; they were almost ignoring the other - however, neither would dance or move away - as if they were incapable of being together and as powerless when it came to being apart.
"Come on guys why aren't you dancing? I thought that was the point of coming to a club?" Emma forced her voice to sound cheerful. She had to learn how to pretend to be happy sometime in her life, might as well start now for her friends.
"We could say the same for you." Edward interjected. Emma looked at him.
*Little one, do you want to talk to me about it? ~* Edward was concerned. Emma was blocking him out, she was hiding something but he didn't want to push her.
*~ She has learnt so much since I met her. She is strong enough to block me out of her mind, keep what she is thinking from me. ~* Edward smiled ironically. *~ She had to pick today to prove her independence. Life is never simple. ~*
"Well, I for one am going to take Emma's advice. Come on Edward I think it's about time I show you how to dance." Shalimar dragged a very startled Edward out to the dance floor - after throwing Jesse a significant look.
Jesse waited - about 2 seconds later, he announced that he was going to the bar to get a drink. It was doubtful that Emma and Brennan even noticed, so lost were they in their own thoughts.
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Shalimar dragged Edward to a secluded part of the club, with Jesse two steps behind her.
"Okay we can speak here. The music is not so loud here." Shalimar determinedly ignored all the couples that were making out around her.
"Does this mean I am not going to get a dance lesson?" Edward grinned cheekily, he was tempted to pout but he was sure Shalimar would deck him. *~ These people are much too violent. ~*
"No."
Edward pretended to be disappointed at the abrupt answer, but he knew why Shalimar had dragged him away from Emma. He waited until Jesse joined him and asked the two younger people, "So what can I do for you?"
"We need your help." Shalimar stated flatly.
Edward blinked; he hadn't expected her to be so forthright. *~ I think I might die of shock. Shalimar asking for help. Wonder if I can tease her about it. ~* Watching her face, Edward prudently decided that teasing was probably not a good idea.
"With?" Edward knew exactly what they wanted but decided to draw out the conversation - hoping to use the time to come up with a solution, any solution. Playing cupid was not one of his specialities.
"With Brennan and Emma. We want you to make them see their love for each other." Shalimar cut through the games and threw down the gauntlet. If Edward truly cared about Emma he would do all he could to help the psionic.
"That's all? And here I was thinking that you wanted me to do something difficult. Anything else I can do for you? Maybe bring down the stars and moon as well?" Edward rolled his eyes. *~ Make Emma and Brennan see . . . What do they think I am - a miracle worker? ~*
"So you won't help." Shalimar's voice became ominously flat.
"I didn't say that, of course I will help. I would do anything to make Emma. But I don't think it is going to be easy. Those two are very stubborn." Edward massaged his temple - this was going to be a long night.
"Besides, there are other issues to consider." Edward fell silent, how was he going to explain how important Brennan was to Emma' mind.
"Did Brennan cause Emma's breakdown?" The question was gentle and deadly serious.
Shalimar looked at Jesse in disbelief. *~ How could he think that of his best friend? ~*
"It's not that simple. He didn't CAUSE her breakdown, though he did have a big part to play in it."
Shalimar whirled around to look at Edward. *~ What the hell? ~*
"As you know, psionics are vulnerable to mental attacks and telempathic or telepathic psionics especially so. I don't know if you've ever thought about it, but everyday, every waking moment for Emma is a battle - a battle for sanity. She is constantly buffeted with emotions, hers, yours, everyone's.
The closer Emma gets to someone, emotionally, physically the more sensitive she becomes to his or her emotions. At this stage, I don't even think she really has to be trying to pick up something from you people. Now, this can be both rewarding and painful."
Shalimar made to interrupt but Jesse stopped her. He thought he could see what Edward was getting at, but he wanted to make sure.
"Being close to someone means that your mind becomes closely linked to theirs. On the one hand, this means that your defences against this person are negligible at best but it also means that they can block others out. It is as if their minds drown out all others.
This bond is generally the strongest between two people in love - Emma and Brennan are no exception. Their minds are very tightly bound like their hearts. Brennan can overwhelm Emma but he is also her strongest defence against the pain of the outside world.
Emma needs Brennan - to love her, to protect her. And considering how closely they have 'bonded', he needs her for his own sanity as well."
"Then what is the problem?" Shalimar pursed her lip, this was getting nowhere.
"The problem is that neither are willing to admit how much they need each other. With normal lovers such denial would be painful but with Emma and Brennan it could be life threatening. Emma already tried to sever her link with Brennan and almost lost her mind. She failed and that is why she is still sitting here today. Despite the fact that Brennan does not believe that he loves her, despite the fact that he is unaware of the mind-meld - some part of him refused to give her up.
But I don't know how long they can keep this up. Emma is hurting and trying to shut him out. I hope she does not do something foolish, but if she tries to cut Brennan off again I might not be able to save her again this time." Edward stopped, he didn't even want to think of such a possibility let alone talk about it.
Jesse and Shalimar's faces had drained of colour, they looked at each other - getting Brennan, and Emma together took on a whole new urgency.
"But she wouldn't do it again, she must have learnt from her mistakes - didn't she?" Jesse's question was almost desperate.
"Yes, I do believe she had learnt how important Brennan is to her." Edward paused. 'But she does not know how important she is to him. She is convinced that he does not love her; she is convinced that maintaining the link would be 'unfair' to him. If she believed that breaking the link with Brennan would be good for him, I know she would do so. I don't think she has thought of trying - yet. But when it occurs to her, I don't think any amount of personal pain would stop her."
"What would that do to Brennan?"
"Besides breaking his heart? If I am correct about their bond, then losing Emma would probably fry his brain." Edward voice held no trace of uncertainty.
"So what do we do?" Jesse asked, Shalimar was too choked up to talk.
"I have no clue."
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