If You Wanna Stay
Summary: What if the comlink rings ceremony didn't go as it did? (I guess that makes it A/U, right?)
Couple: Emma / Brennan, Emma / Adam (not romantic)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: MUTANT X is copyright 2001, Tribune Entertainment Co. So the characters do not belong to me. Also, I am not making any money out of this story, I'm just giving the Emma / Brennan fans out there a little more to feed on. The title of this fan fiction is from the song 'If You Wanna Stay' by Keith Urban on his 1999 US debut CD 'keith urban'. The title of this chapter is from the song 'Blue Stranger' by Keith Urban on his 1991 self-titled australian CD. So copyrights apply to whoever owns them for these songs..
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Chapter 9
'Maybe this could be the start of something new…
I'm a blue stranger too'
"Eckhart ..", whispered Emma, closing her eyes briefly. "Sorry to disappoint you but Genomex isn't exactly what I would call 'home'."
Mason Eckhart grinned at the remark. "Oh but in time you will, trust me. But first, we need to tend to your wounds, otherwise you won't be able to.. how shall I say.. enjoy the comfort of our facilities."
"I am quite sure I can live without that, thank you", replied Emma as she tried to sit up. The doctor standing next to Eckhart quickly but gently pushed her back down.
"You have suffer a severe cerebral trauma, Miss..err.. DeLauro..." The man paused, briefly looking over his shoulder to Eckhart . "It wouldn't be wise to sit up just yet", he added.
"Ah yes, better listen to the doctor's orders, Miss 'DeLauro' ", agreed Eckhart . "Tomorrow morning if all goes well you should be transferred to your personal quarters."
"What kind of games are you playing, Eckhart ? I'll never join you or betray my friends.. ", replied Emma with disgust in her eyes. "Which part of 'Thanks but no thanks' have you not understood?"
'She is as beautiful as her mother was..', he thought as he witnessed the shift of emotions running through her tired but bright blue eyes.
Looking straight back into her eyes, Eckhart did not let any emotion show through his. "I have learned not to take into consideration any decision that have been taken without knowing all the facts related to the situation."
With these words he walked out of the room, leaving the young woman wondering about what he meant.
* * * * *
"Are you sure you've looked through all their databases, Jesse? She has to be somewhere!"
"Brennan, will you stop pacing around like a lion in a cage, please!", replied Jesse. For the past hour, Brennan had been driving him crazy. Of course he could understand why for he was worried about Emma too. But he knew it was different for Brennan.
"Look, I've searched everywhere. It's like she has never set foot into the Genomex Complex. In a way, it's good news..", he added.
Stopping in front of his friend, Brennan ran a hand through is already messed up dark hair. "Good news? What do you mean, good news?"
"I mean that they did not put her into stasis yet.."
"Eckhart will never put Emma into stasis, Jesse, we can be sure of that", said Adam as he and Shalimar entered the room.
"But that doesn't mean it is good news either. I know Eckhart, he will not stop until he gets his revenge, even is he has to destroy the only person in the world he truly cares about."
Hearing this, Brennan's gaze dropped to the floor as he let out a sigh. "Adam.. I'm really sorry… it's all my fault.. if you want me to leave Mutant X, I'd understand."
Adam walked to the young man silently then put a hand on his shoulder. "Brennan, it's not your fault. If anyone's, it's mine. I should have told Emma the truth right away. I thought I could protect her by hiding it all from her. I was wrong. She needs you now more than ever."
"But.."
"Brennan, if I am right about Eckhart's plan, you are the only person who will be able to reach through to her when we find Emma."
* * * * *
"Are you sure?", asked Eckhart.
"Yes Sir, Miss DeLauro's powers were not affected. Although not entirely perfect, the mental shield technic she used back at the club prevented any permanent damages to her brain. In a few days, once she will have completely recovered, a subdermal governor.."
"That measure won't be necessary by then, Dr. Mayers", said Eckhart, dismissing him with a hand gesture.
Nodding, the doctor left the room as two guards entered.
"The entire squad has been re-programmed, Mr. Eckhart", said the shorter guard.
"Good", replied Eckhart without even looking at them. "And their leader?"
"He's been terminated, as per your orders, Sir", asnwered the taller man.
"Excellent. I put both of you in charge of Miss DeLauro's personal security. At no moment should anyone other than Dr. Mayers or myself be in contact with her, is that clear?"
Swallowing hard, both guards nodded.
* * * * *
Sitting on the medical table, Emma was thinking back to the events that had led to this day. More precisely, her thoughts were about that one kiss and how it had sent her mental shield into pieces.
'Adam was right… again. One little distraction and I am as helpless as a newborn kitten... '
A smile crossed her lips as she thought back to the 'distraction' but vanished almost immediately. Earlier that day she had tried to contact her friends mentally but the pain had been too much for her to handle. If the others could not find her before it was too late…
The hissing of the lab door opening distracted her.
"Well Miss DeLauro, I just heard from the doctor and he said you are well enough to take a little walk outside this..", Eckhart's gaze toured the med lab as he entered. "..this cold environment..."
Crossing her arms, Emma drew back as far from him as she could.
"I am fine here, thank you."
"This was not a question, Miss DeLauro, please follow me or I will have my men.. escort you to your new quarters." Leaning forward he added in a whisper: "And they might not be as nice a company as myself, might I add."
Looking at the door where the two guards were standing, Emma realized she didn't have much of a choice.
* * * * *
"Adam, what did you mean by 'Eckhart's plan'?", whispered Shalimar while the two of them were getting the Double-Helix ready for take off.
Adam's eyes remained focused on the computer screen in front of him.
"Adam?", insisted Shalimar.
Taking a deep breath, Adam looked up to her. "If I am right, Eckhart will stop at nothing in his quest for vengeance… and lying being a second nature to him…"
Shalimar's eyes widened. "You don't think he's gonna go as far as..? "
The look on Adam's face was all the answer she needed to know her best friend was in more troubles than anyone could imagine.
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