Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X, or the characters.

~*~* Chapter 1 *~*~

~*~* Sanctuary – Dojo *~*~

Laughing could be heard from the dojo in sanctuary. Brennan was tickling Shalimar all over her belly and sides. Her beautiful blonde hair fell across her eyes and her slender form was curled up in a tight ball. Brennan hovered over her enjoying every minute of the torture he was giving her.

"Brennan...stop it!" She managed to get out.

"Why should I?"

"Be...cause...STOP!"

Brennan stopped and let her catch her breath. Something locked her eyes with his as she looked up at him. They gazed longingly into each others eyes as they moved closer together. Their lips only barely brushed against each others when their comm. links beeped. They jumped apart and blushed a deep red.

"Brennan, Shalimar, I need you in the lab ASAP," came Adam's voice.

"Ok." Brennan stood and helped Shalimar up.

"Coming." Shalimar replied. The walk to the lab felt more than a little awkward, but they lived.

After everyone was seated Adam pulled up a picture on the screen. "Doctor James Gilber. He was one of the genetics researchers that worked with me when Gabriel was operated on. He is also the one man who can help us defeat Gabriel."

Shalimar's ears perked up. "How?"

"After what happened to Gabriel he started working on a serum that would completely delete any traces of new mutant DNA. He contacted me just yesterday asking for my help in perfecting it so we can take Gabriel out."

"I'm all up for that." A smile spread across Shalimar's face. "So, where is this guy?"

"I told him to meet you in the train yard behind the docks."

Shalimar jumped up. "Ok, let's go."

"No wait. I want you all to be careful. Doctor Gilber didn't e-mail me over a secured website. Ashlocke could very well know what we are trying to do."

They all nodded and got up to leave, but Adam stopped Emma before she even got to the door. "Emma wait. I want you to stay here and help me prepare the lab for the testing I'll be doing."

"Ok."

"The rest of you be careful."

"Oh, Adam we will. We always are." Shalimar rolled her eyes and walked out the door, followed by Jesse and Brennan.

~*~* Train yard *~*~

Brennan, Shalimar and Jesse met with Doctor Gilber at the train yard, but right when they were about to leave, who should show up? Gabriel of course! "Sharon, why don't you get that serum from the doctor?"

"It would be my pleasure, Gabriel."

Shalimar, Jesse and Brennan all stood in front of Doctor Gilber. "Ashlocke, when are you gonna learn that you're not gonna win?" Brennan asked smartly.

"Oh, but this time I will." He turned his attention toward Shalimar. "Hello, darling. Miss me?"

"You wish." Her voice was a low growl.

"Ahh, to bad." Gabriel looked at Sharon and nodded. She closed her eyes and concentrated on both Brennan and Jesse. Suddenly they both felt like they were being choked. They fell to the ground unconscious from lack of oxygen.

Gabriel took a step toward Shalimar.

"You come any closer to me and I'll kill you." She snarled.

He tilted his head slightly. "You can't hurt me, Shalimar." As he raised his hand a ball of energy formed, but before Shalimar could react she was hit with it and knocked unconscious. He walked over and picked her up. "You won't be able to escape from me this time, my dear." He whispered as he started to walk back the way they came.

Sharon placed a hand on his arm and stopped him. "What about the serum?"

He turned and looked at the very frightened doctor. "Kill him." Gabriel took Shalimar to the car and waited for Sharon.

The doctor fell to the ground dead from suffocation. Sharon smiled. She walked over and picked up the metal box with the serum. She was about to leave when she heard a voice.

"I don't think so!" Brennan threw an electric blast at Sharon that made her drop the box. She was still too weak to harm them again, so she just ran out.

Brennan helped Jesse up, who went to check on the doctor while he went and collected the serum. Brennan started off in the direction that Sharon had gone, but stopped when he heard Jesse.

"Brennan,"

"What is it?"

"He's dead,"

Brennan looked over at the doctor and then glanced back at the alley way that Sharon had run down. He sighed and shook his head. "What about Shal?"

"We need to get the serum back to Adam." Jesse didn't have to say anything more. They took the serum and headed back to the Double Helix.

~*~* One of the Strand hide outs *~*~

Gabriel placed an unconscious Shalimar down in a cell and tied her to a wall. He knelt down and stroked her cheek. "Shalimar, you and I are going to have lots of fun."

Shalimar let out a soft moan as he lifted her head. Gabriel kissed her tender lips once and then left her.

Sharon sat with her head bowed. She knew she was going to get in trouble for not acquiring the serum. She looked up when she heard Gabriel enter.

"Sharon, why didn't you get my serum?"

"Gabriel, I'm sorry." She said as she stood and started to walk towards him.

Gabriel held up his hand, motioning for her to stop. "Ya, know, I'm sorry, too." With that he hurled an energy ball at her and killed her.

******** Well that's the first chapter. Hope ya liked it, more soon to come. ******