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

~*~* Chapter 3 *~*~

~*~* Strand hide out *~*~

Gabriel took Shalimar to his bedroom and placed her down on the bed. He tied her hands and then slipped her comm. ring off. "You won't be needing this anymore." He said as he sat down beside her.

"Please don't do this." She begged.

He looked into her fear filled eyes and smiled as he stroked her cheek, then kissed her. "Tell me how to Contact Adam."

"What?"

"You heard me."

She remained silent. Gabriel shook his head when she didn't listen. "Fine then, we're just going to have to do this the hard way." He closed his eyes and entered her mind, making her think she was in the middle of a ring of fire.

~*~ Shal's mind ~*~ She panted as she gazed into the bright orange flames.

"Tell me how to contact him." Gabriel demanded.

"No." Shalimar franticly searched for a way out of the small ring. Gabriel brought the fire closer and asked again. "How do I contact Adam?"

Shalimar didn't speak, so Gabriel brought the fire closer again, letting some of the flames lick her skin. "Tell me, Shalimar."

She fell to her knees in tears. "Take it away!" She cried.

He grasped her shoulders tightly. "Tell me how to contact him and I will!"

Still nothing came from her lips, but soft sobs. "Shalimar, I didn't think I was going to have to do this, but you're not really giving me a choice." Knowing that Shalimar's feelings ran deep, he waved his hand and Brennan appeared. He stood for a moment wondering what was going on and then collapsed to the floor, letting out a cry of pain.

Shalimar jumped up and tried to run to him but it was no use, every time she took a step he got farther away and the flames were still surrounding her. "Ashlocke, stop it!" She screamed as she watched Brennan start to cough up blood. She collapsed to the ground again and whispered something.

"What was that?" He asked.

Shalimar hung her head and said it again a little louder. "Web cam."

"Good girl." The flames suddenly disappeared. He stood up and started to walk away, but then remembered something and stopped. "The code...to the computer?"

When she didn't answer the flames burst up from the ground around her and Brennan let out a horrifying cry. "Stop!" she cried.

"Tell me" He demanded.

Shalimar gave in and let him have what he wanted.

~*~ Shalimar gasped as Gabriel left her mind. Looking down at her he smiled. "Now see, that wasn't so hard." He leaned down and kissed her softly. "I'll be back later." Gabriel got up and headed for the door, but then stopped and turned to her. "Shalimar, that image of Brennan, was only in you're mind. You just betrayed him and the rest of your friends for nothing." He laughed and then left her.

Immediately after the door shut, she burst into tears and cried herself to sleep.

~*~* Sanctuary-Lab *~*~

Adam was busy working on the serum when Jesse walked in. "Hey Adam, I was able to trace Shalimar before they disconnected her comm. link. Gabriel's got her in the old club, umm, The Source I think it was called."

"Ok, good."

"What exactly is that stuff gonna do?" Jesse asked pointing to the serum.

Adam poured some green liquid into a glass vile and looked up at him. "Well, if I can get all of these measurements correct it should take his mutant abilities away, without harming him."

"And if you don't get the measurements right?"

Adam sighed and looked down. "It could be deadly."

Just then Emma and Brennan came in. "Adam I got a hit off of Shal, so at least we know she's still alive." Emma said.

"Good." He replied. "I'm almost done with this." All of a sudden the computer started beeping. Adam went over and brought up the blinking web cam button.

"Hello, Adam."

Adam stared in shock when he saw Ashlocke appear on the screen. "Gabriel. Where's Shalimar?"

"Oh, she's here and don't worry, I haven't hurt her...to much."

Brennan stepped up to the screen, a blazing fire of rage in his eyes. "What did you do to her!?"

"That, I'll leave for you to figure out, if and when you get her back."

"What do you want, Gabriel?" Adam asked really already knowing the answer.

"I want that serum and if I don't get it your precious feral dies. My guess is you've already traced her ring so you know where we are. You have one hour." With that the screen went blank.