Dark Tomorrow

Chapter Ten: Emma's Attempt

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The Sanctuary was still and silent, and happier than it had been it days. Shalimar was back, and although there was still a lot to do to bring her back into the world she belonged it, the Mutant X team was thrilled.

Adam had managed to convince Brennan and Jesse to go with him for a movie that night, in order to give the girls some time alone - he believed Emma could try and reach Shalimar, preferably without using her abilities.

And so, just over an hour and half after the guys had left, Emma sought out her best friend, who was in the garden, staring into the clear streams of water.

"What is it about water that makes people stare?" Emma asked wonderingly.

Shalimar smiled. "Something very hypnotic, don't you think? I love the water, it's so simple and clear and pure . . ." she sighed.

Emma sat down beside her. "Shal, you do know that you belong here with us, don't you?"

"I guess I do." Shalimar admitted. "But some part of me is still afraid of letting you guys in, like I did with Max, because - " she broke off.

"Because what?" Emma asked. "Shal, what did Max do you to?"

"He hurt me." The feral said vaguely. "He betrayed me."

"That's not all he did." Emma pointed out. "I'm empathic, Shal, remember? Even without reading you, I can sense there's something else. And you haven't even started using your feral abilities again."

There was a flash of panic in Shalimar's eyes. "I don't want to." She said sharply.

Emma stared at her best friend in disbelief. Something had definitely happened to her . . . where was the Shalimar Fox who loved the thrill of a fight and used any opportunity to flash her eyes gold at any offender? This timid woman who hid in her shell was not the person Emma remembered.

"Will you let me read you?" she asked gently. "I can help you, Shal, I can help you get past what Max did to you and become the fiery feral we all remember and love."

"I don't want to be feral again." Shalimar said, the panic fleeting across her eyes again. "I don't ever want to turn feral again." And she leaped up and ran away from Emma.

The telempathic stared after her in shock. What had Max done to Shalimar to make her fear her feral side and everyone else? What had happened to her?!

An hour later, the guys returned and Adam took Emma into the lab. "Well?" he asked gentle, seeing Emma's distress.

"Something's very wrong, Adam," Emma said, almost in tears. "She simply won't open up and trust us with telling us what happened to her."

"I suppose that's understandable; she's only been back a week." Adam replied, a trace of unease in his eyes mingling with concern.

Emma sighed. "That's not all, Adam."

"Oh?" Adam looked very worried.

"She's terrified of being feral and absolutely refuses to flash her eyes or spar or let any part of her feral side take over."

"She won't at all?"

"Nothing." Emma shook her head. "Something's wrong, and I won't read her without her permission. Even if I did, she's probably built a tough brick wall to keep me out. She simply won't tell me."

Adam sighed. "Maybe Jesse or Brennan will be able to help her. I'll ask Jess to convince her to take her shopping in a couple of days."

"I hope it works, Adam." Emma said as she headed out of the lab. "'Coz Shal needs someone to get rid of her demons and let her be herself again."

The father of all Mutants watched her go and buried his head in his hands. Emma's attempt had been something of a failure, but at least they now knew there was a concrete problem that needed dealing with.

Unfortunately, Adam, for all his brains, couldn't for the life of him figure out a solution to this one.

** TBC.

**

A/N: Sooooo sorry for how long I've taken to update!!! Things have been really crazy and besides all that, I've had other ideas that were just screaming to be written down. Anyway, I hope I'm forgiven, and I promise the next chapters will be up very soon! Please review . . .