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

/Personal thoughts/

~~telepathic communications~~

Chapter 11

Shalimar felt the wind knocked out of her as she fell to her knees on the ground. Evie left a now sobbing Onnaka and rushed to her side. Wolverine turned to find a blank stare on Storm's face which put a knot in his stomach. "Everyone inside!" His order was strong enough to bring everyone into motion.

"I must go." Storm still had the appearance of one looking inwardly instead of at her surroundings, now the inside of her sister's house.

"NO! You can't give yourself up to him. We stay here and wait for the others." Wolverine remembered what Charles had said.

Hearing the power in his voice she turned and was now able to focus on him. "I will get him to release Brennan and Kira and try to hold him off until the professor and the others get here."

"NO! There's no tellin' what he'll do once he gets control of you. I can't let you go to him." Logan was stern.

"Logan," Ororo began softly, "I have no choice. I must see that Kira is all right. He will release her if I go willingly. I can make sure of that."

Knowing that there was no way to stop her once her mind was set, Logan let out a sigh and stepped outside taking Ororo with him. "Ro, Darlin', if he decides that he wants your powers to control and gives up Brennan, he'll come after you again. I know how scared you were. I…don't want to see you have to face that alone."

Putting her hand to his cheek she replied, "Logan, I know you're worried. There is nothing I can do but go. There is no time to wait for Charles and the others. The Shadow King might decide to hurt Brennan or Kira if I don't go." Looking away she admitted, "I am still afraid. I'm afraid I will not be able to stop his control. I am even more afraid of what might happen if I don't go." Meeting Logan's eyes again, "At least I can try to find a way to defeat him. Charles and Jean will be here soon and together perhaps we will get lucky once again. In any case I can not let this evil continue." Her face was hard now.

Logan grabbed her shoulders. "Ro, what are you thinkin' in that beautiful head of yours? Onnaka said he almost drove you to be suicidal. I can't let that happen. You have to stay here. I can't let anything happen to you."

"You have been a good friend, Logan." slap Logan winced. "I know you are concerned but I have to try. Can we let anything happen to these people? And what about Brennan? You know Shalimar will be devastated if anything happens to him. I must find a way to get him free."

"I know, but what about you? I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you. There has to be another way."

Ororo wondered briefly at his words then continued. "I am older now and stronger. I can better fight him now, than when I was a child. I consider sacrifice to be unacceptable. This can still work out for everyone. If I can get him out of Brennan at just the right moment, perhaps Charles and Jean can strike. But I have to be there to determine the extent of what we are dealing with."

Logan was only slightly relieved by her sound rationalizations. "All right, but I don't like it. I'm left feeling like I can't help you."

"I know you will be doing whatever you can when the moment arises. Stay here and wait for Charles. Tell him my plans. I will take Shalimar to bring Kira back. She will want to see Brennan for herself."

"I want you to take something else with you." Not giving her a chance to ask he move closer and pulled her to him. He pressed his lips to hers, holding the kiss for some time. When he moved away he looked into her eyes. "I had to let you know how I feel even if you don't feel the same. I love you, Ro."

Without saying a word she put her hand to his cheek and kissed him again. She felt him wrap his arms around her in a full embrace and return her kiss passionately as he moved one hand through her hair to cradle the back of her head. When the kiss ended he pulled her head to rest on his shoulder as they were yet unwilling to release their embrace. "I have loved you for a very long time. I promise I will be back." Turning she went in the hut to get Shalimar.

After Storm explained the plan, Shalimar insisted on calling Adam. Using the communication terminal for visuals, she and Evie reported Brennan's…capture. "I think Emma should come with the professor and Jean. It seems we'll need all the psionic power we can get."

"They will be leaving within the hour. Scott and Jean are due back in a matter of minutes. I'll make sure Jesse and Emma are with them."

"Adam," Evie asked, "how is Marie?"

"The procedure is going very much as planned. Hank and I are very pleased and expect great results. She's in phase two now. All we can do is wait and watch. Perhaps she'll lead the welcome reception when you all get back. Be careful, both of you." The screen went blank.

When they returned to the group Shalimar reported about her teammates and Marie's progress. She smiled to see Logan standing silently with one arm around Ororo's waist.

"Very well," Storm said. "My hour is almost up. We must go."

Suddenly, Evie stepped in front of the door. "Are you able to take both of us? I feel I need to go. I can treat Kira if she needs it and can help if anyone else gets hurt." She looked at Shalimar, yet was unwilling to mention that anyone else might have meant Brennan.

Only after careful consideration, did Storm nod in agreement. Turning slightly and leaning up to kiss Logan, she whispered, "I love you." Leading the others outside, she raised her hands and in a matter of seconds the three were lifted from the ground being carried on the wind.

As he waited and watched, Logan was quick to rebuke himself for allowing indecision and fear to steal precious time; time he could have better spent with the woman he loved. After so much pain in his life, he finally found love; only to have it threatened now by a force which he was powerless to fight.

After a couple of hours the villagers made their way back to their homes. Wolverine was left to do nothing but wait.

At the time Storm left and carried her friends to the mountain base, they found things to be quiet. Realizing that the villagers were in fact released gave Storm renewed hope that the rest of her plan might actually work. As the women were approaching the caves Storm whispered, "When the Shadow King left my body I was extremely weak. I had also pushed myself to the point of death. Brennan's mind is strong but I am unsure how his body will react when he is freed."

"I'll be able to take care of him," Evie assured her. "First we have to take care of that little girl." They saw Kira in a small bamboo cage. She was huddled in a corner and appeared to be asleep.

Shalimar turned as Jaku approached them. A low growl followed her glare.

"I told Onnaka I would take care of her. She is no longer running the fever she had. She is weak though and very frightened."

"I am here now. Release her." Storm was firm.

"I am glad to know that you can still see reason, My Dear." The Shadow King spoke then emerged from the cave to greet them.

Shalimar's emotions were wild. She was glad to see Brennan, living and breathing, but was heartbroken to see him being controlled.

"Why have you brought your friends? They can not help you."

"They are here to take the child home." Storm remained determined.

They watched as Brennan walked closer to them. Each stood rigid and confused as they feared the approach of a loved one. First, he stood in front of Evie. "Brennan has fond feelings for you. You are a healer. A service I am not in need of." Without turning he ordered. "Jaku, give the child to this woman." He glanced to Storm who seemed relieved, "You see; I can be reasonable." He turned his fiery eyes to Shalimar. "You seem to be the object of his affection." Slowly he raised his hand and ran it through her hair. She stood frozen. "Would it please you to know that he is fighting ferociously now?"

"You won't have him for long." Shalimar was just as fierce in her statement.

The Shadow King laughed, then indicated the child and woman coming up to them. "Take them and return to the village. Tell Xavier that this time, he will not succeed in trapping me in the astral plane. I will not be defeated."

He turned and walked to Storm. "You and I will make a wonderful team. Now that I have this body, you will not defy me. It would seem he…respects you and considers you a friend. I will show him how much more you can be." He reached up with both hands and grabbed her face. He roughly pulled her into a kiss as she fought to break free. Lightning blazed and thunder rumbled. He pulled away with the same twisted grin. "The fight from you and him is exhilarating. This will be an interesting, and very satisfying partnership." He turned and walked back toward the cave.

Some distance away, Logan heard the rumbling and growled in response.

Storm looked toward Shalimar with sorrow in her eyes. She saw the feral glow of her friend's eyes as they burned into Brennan's back. She was grateful for Evie's restraining hand on the feral. "Shalimar, you must go back and tell the professor. I will try to free Brennan." She put a soothing hand on her friend which got her attention. "It was not him," Storm said softly.

"I know." Shalimar finally relaxed.

"Now go." Storm turned and disappeared into the cave.

A little while later, as Shalimar and Evie entered the village with Kira, they saw the Blackbird landing in a clearing just beyond the border of huts. Onnaka ran up to them and took her daughter into her arms. "Kira,…how is she?"

Evie smiled as she moved a piece of hair out of the girl's sleeping face. "She's beautiful. Her fever was gone when we got to her but she was weak. The illness drained her, dangerously. I did what I could. Now she just needs sleep and food. I'm sure she'll be fine."

"Thank you so much. I cannot repay the gift of getting my daughter back."

"It was Storm who traded herself for Kira. Now we need to find a way to free her and Brennan, safely. Where is Logan?" Evie was glad to see the village full of people but could not spot the one she most wanted to find.

"He ran to the clearing as soon as he heard the engines approaching."

TBC