Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. Evie is my character.

/Personal thoughts/

~~telepathic communications~~

Chapter 3

A few days had passed and everyone worked on their various projects. No particularly intense missions presented themselves so everyone was home most of the time. Adam worked in his lab trying to come up with a reasonable working scenario based on his theory to help Rogue control her powers. Evie was in and out, helping him and working on a few of her own running experiments. He'd decided to not ask her about what happened the other night. He didn't feel the timing was quite right, yet.

Early one morning, he put in a call to Charles. Adam sat at his desk in front of his computer and soon he was facing his friend.

"Hello, Charles. How are you?"

"Adam, I'm fine. How are you this morning?"

"I'm doing well and excited to be able to give you my news."

"Really? What might that be? I sense joy."

"Hey, no reading me. Give me the chance to tell you." Adam smiled at his friend.

"Who me?" Charles asked innocently then smiled back.

"First, I believe I have a working theory to help Marie gain control of her powers. I think you were right to suspect that genetic manipulation could resolve her control issues."

"That IS good news. I'm sure she'll be very anxious to hear your proposal. How soon can you be ready to present it?"

"Well, I can present the basics now, but I would like to confer with Hank. I really think we need to collaborate."

"Wonderful. Would you and your team like to be our guests here at the mansion as you work? I believe the lab here would have everything you need. If not we could arrange for whatever else is necessary. School is almost finished for the year and I know the students would like to see your team again."

"Thank you. That would be just fine."

"Can you be ready to come out this weekend? I'm sure Marie will be eager to get started."

"This weekend, it is."

"What was your other piece of news? You said that was first."

"Well, actually, do you remember my mentioning we took on a new member to the team?"

"Yes, Dr. Kihliya, wasn't it?"

"That's right. We're to be married in June. We haven't set a specific date yet but we would be honored if you and your X Men would be our guests and celebrate with us."

"Adam, congratulations! Yes, of course. It would be our pleasure. Thank you. I look forward to meeting her."

"Thank you. We'll talk more when I see you."

"Very well. Until then."

Later that night Adam caught up with everyone in the rec room. They were all settled in, getting ready to start a movie.

"Hey, guys, anyone up for another little trip?" Adam couldn't help smiling in anticipation of their response.

Immediately he was attacked by pillows and groans; exactly what he expected.

"Come on. This is different. We're going to New York to visit Xavier's School."

"Have you come up with a way to help Marie?" Shalimar asked excitedly. She and Marie really enjoyed the time they spent sparring. Shalimar knew Marie could beat her to a pulp; but with Marie, she also knew she could put her heart and soul into the fight and not have to worry about hurting her sparring partner. Marie could also fight with reserve but not as much as with some of the others. This created a bond between the young women almost immediately.

"Actually, I think I have. I need to consult with Hank McCoy. I believe we can work on my theory and be able to genetically enhance her ability to control her own power. She can easily control the powers she absorbs. The absorbing itself, however, is rooted to her DNA and I think I can work with that."

"That would be so wonderful," Emma joined in. "The feelings I sensed from her were really conflicted. She is emotionally very strong. She tries to be brave and upbeat but she keeps the truth deeply hidden. She's actually very sad."

"Alright, Adam," Brennan replied. "When do we leave? It would be nice to see some of those kids again."

"Well, we're to go up this weekend. As you can imagine, Charles wants me to get right to work if this is going to help her. He feels like she's his own, even closer than the rest and he's anxious to see her happy. We'll lock down and take the Helix. Plan to be there for a couple of weeks."

"Adam, a couple of weeks?" Evie sounded a little surprised and…sad.

He moved over to where she sat and put his hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him. "Don't worry. We'll work everything out." His smile reassured her.

"Work what out?" Jesse felt out of the loop.

"Should we tell them?" Adam slyly smiled and winked at Evie.

Smiling back, "I guess we should let the cat out of the bag."

Shalimar sat up straighter. "Hey!" Everyone laughed.

"Go ahead," smiled Adam allowing Evie to give their news.

"Well, Adam and I set the month for our wedding. We want to be married this June." The smile that covered her face made Adam proud to have put it there.

Both girls squealed as delight flowed between them.

"Don't worry; everything will work out just fine." Adam assured everyone. "We'll leave Saturday. Sitting next to Evie and shifting to allow her to lean her back against his chest he asked, "So what's on tap for a movie, tonight?"

"It was girls' pick tonight," Brennan cringed.

"They picked The Wedding Planner," sighed Jesse. "I think it was Emma's attempt at a hint." He was immediately pummeled with 3 pillows.

TBC