Disclaimer: Tell me any avid fan of Mutant X that doesn't know I don't own them. LOL. I don't know how powerful these characters are and I don't even know if they are really like this. All of the actions mentioned below are just my imagination.

Authors Note: Hey! This chapter is rated R. I'm not that good in writing romances so please bear with me. HA HA HA!

Special thanks to:

Paga: it's all right. At least you posted your review on this chapter. LOL.

Emma453: there would be sexual scene between Emma and Jesse. LOL. Thanks for the review.

Goldstranger: Thanks for the email again. Thanks for the review. Hope to see you around.

Ladiraid: thanks for editing.

Here we go now…………..

Underestimated

            ~Thought ~

            Memory

            /Sounds/

            "Conversation"

Chapter 8

            The MX team has just finished their supper and as usual, cleaning up is left for the women in the group. But since Emma is not around, Shalimar had to do all the job. Jesse already left the kitchen and Brennan was left with Shalimar. He took the other dishes to help her. Brennan noticed that Shalimar was quieter than usual.

~She must have had a serious talk with Jesse. ~ He thought. "Are you all right Shal?" he then asked.

Shalimar looked at him and tried to give off a smile. "Yes." Was the rejoinder.

Brennan didn't ask anymore. He knew Shalimar would not say anything to him. He offered to help her and she agreed. She moved a little to give Brennan some space. Her heart skipped a beat every time her skin would brush against his.

This was something she had always wanted—to have some time with Brennan. She was too close to him that she could hear him breathing. Her heart smiles inside her and she could lose control but she was so afraid to take the risk. ~AFRAID? ~ a word that only pops into her mind when there is fire but now…

Shalimar sighed and beamed. She would enjoy the few moments she and Brennan share together. She knew that the time they share together would be gone when Emma is around.

Brennan glanced at Shalimar and saw her smiling. ~at least she's smiling now. ~ he told himself. He had to admit that he enjoys her company, not that they always hangout with each other, but the times they spent together chasing new mutants and running from people who wanted them killed are quite enjoyable for him. He admired how this woman could find laughter even in the midst of danger.

Shalimar bit her lip as she thought of the 'bonding' program, which Adam required them to take. Shalimar giggled inside when she remember the first time Adam sent her to bond with a teammate—Jesse. She barely survived the weekend. All Jesse did was to sit in front of his laptop and she get to stay with him; 'A nightmare for a feral.' As Emma described.

***

 Both mutants were busy cleaning up when Adam came in. "Has anyone of you heard from Emma yet?" he worriedly asked but the reply was a quick headshake from both mutants. Adam sighed and he gently massaged his temple. "Do you happen to know where she is?"

"I'm here!" Emma answered from behind with a clear and up-lifted voice.

Adam had to whip around to see Emma. He was a bit surprise to see a different aura of his precious psionic. He smiled at her and for a minute he forgot the reason he was looking for her.

"Have you eaten already?" Emma asked as she walked to the kitchen table. She placed the heavy groceries she bought for the group. "I bought you a steak Shal." She took out a fresh cut kilo of steak and handed it over to Shalimar. "I got you a six-pack of bottled root beer in case you want to work for over time again." Emma smiled as she handed Adam the root beers. "I suggest you keep that in the refrigerator of the lab or some thirsty mutants will lavish with it tomorrow morning after training." She grinned and it didn't take long before she heard Shalimar laughing.

"Oh, you're so mean. I'm won't take I promise." Brennan crossed his arms across his chest.

"I'm not talking about you Bren." Emma grinned.

"Yeah, she wasn't. Why are you so defensive?" Shalimar mocked. The three mutants laughed and Adam giggled with them.

 "Anyway, I was passing through this bookstore and I found this, of course I made sure you don't have this yet." Emma handed Brennan a book.

"How did you know I don't have this yet?" Brennan asked as he leaf over the book's pages.

"You forgot already? I'm a psionic Bren," Emma grinned. She unloaded the other groceries then she lifted her head and looked around. "Where's Jesse?"

"He's in his room. He said he'd try and sleep early tonight." Shalimar replied.

"Oh!" Emma pouted her lips. "I'll just give this pizza to him tomorrow." She said, taking the pizza to the freezer. Emma turned around and found everyone looking at her. "What?" she asked.

"I've been asking myself this question for two weeks now. What have you been sniffing lately? I mean what drugs have you taken Ems?" Brennan grinned.

Emma eyed him for a minute or two then she walked over to him. "I change my mind. I'll take the book back." She said while trying to snatch the book from Brennan.

"I'm just kidding Ems." he replied while giggling. Emma didn't stop and she continued trying to get the book from Brennan as she giggles.

Shalimar laughed and shook her head. "Brats!" she said.

Finally Emma stopped and instead, she hit Brennan lightly on the arm. Brennan stirred and grabbed his arm, acting that it really hurts. He then looked at Emma and asked her again. "But really. What's with this surprise stuff?"

"Yeah Ems. What's with it?" Shalimar asked her too.

Emma smiled. "Let's just say that I've learned to trust." She answered with a wink. "So," she face Adam. "You were looking for me?"

"Oh! Yeah!" Adam stammered. "I need to scan you again."

"Will it take long?" Emma asked him.

"Not really. I could ask Shalimar to help me so it will be quicker." Adam looked at Shalimar and smiled when he saw her nod.

"Can I come too?" Brennan asked as he wiped his wet hands with the towel.

"No Brennan. You stay here with the dishes." Adam replied with a grin in his face.

"But Adam, dish washing are girls' job." Brennan whined.

"Not for to night Brennan." Adam turned and left with giggling Shalimar and Emma.

"You sure this won't take long?" Emma asked again. Adam answered with a nod. Emma smiled and turned to Shalimar. "Do you think I could go and talk to Jesse after this?"

"I think so." Shalimar giggled as they went straight to the Lab.

Adam helped Emma into the med bed and they started the testing.

***

Jesse was busy in his late shower. He closed his eyes as his mind takes him away for a while. He could remember Shalimar talking with him this afternoon, telling him that Emma is attracted to him and not Brennan but then he could remember the looks in Emma and Brennan's eyes when Emma was healing him. He shook his head and bit his lower lip. The first women he fell in love with after he recovered from Amanda's death turned out to be in love with someone else.

Jesse opened his mouth and he could taste the sweet tang of water. He could see Emma smiling at him. The taste of Emma's lips lingered in his mind; the touch of her body made him shiver. How he would love to make contact with her skin again; and feel her for real. Desire filled him and his mind started asking him questions he didn't want to hear.

~You had your chance. Why didn't you take her then? ~ A voice inside him demanded. ~Because she is too precious and I can't risk losing her just to satisfy my lustful desire. ~

***

Emma stood by Jesse's door, still gathering her courage to face him. She knocked once and waited.

"."

There was no reply. She knocked again and this time called his name. "Jesse?" Emma could sense him inside but she could not hear him answering. "Jesse?" she called again.

"."

Still no answer, Emma was tempted to go inside. Is he sleeping yet? She didn't know. There is away to know…enter his room.

***

Jesse decided to end his shower. Turning the shower off, he took his towel and wrapped it around his waist. He stepped out of the shower cubicle. He reached out for the doorknob, turned it and pulled it open. He shivered as he felt the cool air through his wet skin. He shivered as he pulled the bathroom door close. When he turned around, he almost leaped back in surprise.

"E…Em…Emma?" Jesse suddenly felt as if fire is burning his whole body. He found Emma smiling at him. All the questions in his mind flew away and he was left as vulnerable to psionics as he could be.

Emma stepped closer to him. She looked at his taut muscles and admired the texture of his skin. She reached out to touch him. Her finger traced the path left by water droplets. She felt him shiver and she beamed.

Jesse was stunned with the boldness Emma is showing him. He is not used in this. He tried to control his desire again so he closed his eyes. After a few seconds, he felt her lips on his cheeks. His eyes flew open and his jaw dropped.

Emma traced his jaw line and she leaned again to kiss his lips. It was a sweet short kiss then she kissed him again and this time she found him kissing back. Jesse kissed her with all care and passion. He placed his hand behind her head to support her head while his other hand went down on her waist. Emma's arms wrapped itself around Jesse's neck, pulling him closer to her, intensifying the kiss.

Jesse's lips traveled down Emma's neck. It stayed there for a while gently sucking and nipping her flesh. He heard Emma's sweet moan and it the desire burn more but he still kept himself on guard for he didn't want to scare her away. Jesse's mouth parted Emma's neck. He needed to back away for he might take her in her arms and consequences be damned.

"No Jesse." He heard Emma whispered when he parted from her touch. "Take me Jesse."

"."

Jesse couldn't believe what he was hearing. Is she really asking him what he thought she is? Jesse felt his knees shake and his heartbeat pounded hard, fast and loud. He was speechless when Emma took his hand placed it on her chest.

"Touch me Jesse." She whispered, "Take me Jesse. Please!" she begged him. "Take me Jesse, I'm yours." She uttered sweetly in his ears.

"Emma?" Jesse was caught off guard but he couldn't fight it anymore. He could feel his man-ness hardened against the towel around his waist. "A…are you sure?" it was all that he could say. Emma's nod is everything he needed to confirm. He pulled Emma close to him and he rained her with kisses. He found himself taking Emma. He looked at her with all compassion and love. He laid her on his bed and started pulling her tank off. Emma helped him by raising her arms. Jesse pulled Emma's pants down and Emma shivered as her legs touched his.

"Aren't you going to take the towel off?" Emma teased.

Jesse smiled. "Not yet." He kissed his again will hands cupped her small breast. He heard her moan again and he liked it. His lips created a wet path on Emma's neck and down to her breast. Jesse bit her flesh and he started massaging it with his tongue.

"Oh god…" Emma let out a soft cry when she felt Jesse's hands went in between her legs still avoiding her core. Emma wanted to be in control so he pushed Jesse down on his bed and she went on top of him. She smiled devilishly at him and she bent down to kiss him, trusting her tongue against his, exploring his mouth. After a minute of long kiss she pulled away from him and she looked at him intimately, tracing his muscle with her fingers.

Jesse lifted his head to kiss her but Emma stopped him and again she smiled sinisterly. She pushed him back and her lips touched his nipple and she played it with her tongue. Jesse let out his own cry for pleasure but Jesse also didn't want to be not in control so he lifted Emma and laid her again. He captured her breast with his lips and sucked it, applying gentle pressure on it.

"God, Jesse. Take me now!" she moaned.

Jesse ripped the towel away from his waist and he positioned himself on top of her. He pushed her legs apart and he carefully thrust his hard member into her core, feeling Emma's wetness against his skin.

Emma pulled her body up and wrapped her legs around Jesse's waist, pushing him into her more. She bit Jesse's shoulder and left her mark while her fingers dug into his back. Jesse was huge but she didn't care. He's inside her and that is all that matters.

Jesse stayed in her for a while, allowing her to get use to him. After few seconds, he started to move in her slowly, afraid that he might hurt her. He noticed Emma's expression when he moved.

"Am I hurting you?" he asked, scared that he might be hurting her.

"No Jesse. Go on! You're just…" Emma let out a longer groan. "You're so good Jesse!"

That encouraged him and he moved a little faster. Emma's hips started moving with him.

"Yes…god…Jesse…" Emma uttered in pleasure.

"God Emma, you're driving me crazy." Jesse bit his lips as he feels her. Jesse moved in her a lot faster and he could feel himself reaching to the peak of his arousal

"Ahh!" Emma cried as an orgasm washed over her.

Jesse slipped out of her when he felt her come out. He rolled beside her and he let her lay on his arms. Emma pulled Jesse's cover and she tucked them both in it. Jesse kissed her temple and he smiled at her.

***

"Are you sleepy yet?" Emma asked Jesse after their hot moment.

"No." Jesse smiled. "You said you are going to tell me something."

"Yes Jesse but I want you to promise not to tell anyone. Not even to Shalimar." Emma let Jesse promise her. When Emma heard what she wanted to hear, she let out a loud sigh and started. "Jesse, I wanted to tell you my secret."

Jesse faced her and looked at her closely. "Okay!"

"I want to tell you where I go everytime a leave the sanctuary". Emma started. She knew she have to tell Jesse. If she's sharing her life with Jesse, then, she should be able to trust him. She wanted Jesse to know everything. She loves him and she believes that in order to have a successful relationship, both parties should be able to trust one another.

~I must tell him and to hell with the consequence. ~

***

Adam and Shalimar are both spending extra time in the lab analyzing Emma's scan result.

"What is it Adam?" Shalimar asked him after she saw him a little stunned.

Adam turned to Shalimar and threw a question on her. "Is Emma working out?"

"Except for the jogging that she now daily does, na-ah!" she shook her head.

"Isn't she rehearsing by herself or does she have someone to rehearse with?"

"Not that I know of. Why?" Shalimar placed her hands on her waist.

Adam placed the results down and faced Shalimar. "Well, her vitals show improvement. And from the looks of it, she has been working out."

"You think she's keeping something from us?" Shalimar asked as she cross her arms across her chest.

"I'm not sure Shalimar. Try asking her tomorrow, I thinks Emma would be honest enough to tell us." Adam suggested.

"Shouldn't we just wait? I mean, is it bad for her? 'Cause if not I think we should let her do whatever she wants."

"Yeah! I think you're right." Adam nodded.  He picked up the results again before he turned to Shalimar again. "I think you should rest now Shal. You've been a big help, thank you."

"How about you?"

"I'll just finish this then it's off to bed with me!" Adam grinned.

"Okay. Good night." She kissed him on his cheek.

"Good night Shal."

***

"You're what?" Jesse was surprised of Emma's confession.

"I'm taking self defense lessons Jesse."

"I heard that. But why did you take them outside? I mean, why not just ask us to teach you." Jesse was rather concern than mad at her.

Emma laughed. "Yeah, like you would teach me."

"I would!" Jesse looked at her and she looked back at him.

"Jesse, I've tried. I've ask all of you like a thousand times but you…"

"You've asked Shal and Brennan. You only asked me once… and you've only asked me when Brennan was there."

"."

Emma sat up and looked at Jesse. "You're jealous with Brennan."

"No, I'm not." Jesse avoided Emma's eyes.

"Yes you are!" Emma teased and she got on top of Jesse. "Look at me Jesse."

Jesse still avoided her eyes but when Emma got his face between her hands, she effortlessly got Jesse to look at her.

"You are jealous." She laughed.

"Shouldn't I be?"

Emma sensed Jesse's seriousness. "Jess, Brennan's like a big brother to me."

"But the way you look at him; your concern for him…it frightens me."

"Jesse, I love you. I'm in love with you. I was afraid to admit it myself but when you started to avoid me weeks ago, I knew I have to tell you this before you started getting ideas. The concern I give Brennan last week was because I was the one who hurt him."

"I love you too, Emma. I'm in love with you. I never thought I will be able to love someone else after Amanda but I did, I've loved you. I love you but I can't let Bren…"

Emma placed her fingers on Jesse's lips, stopping him from saying anything. "I trust you Jesse. Even though I see you with Shalimar everyday…"

"Wait. Are you telling me that you're also jealous…"

"With Shal? Yes." Emma admitted.

"But she's…"

"Your best friend?" Emma cut in Jesse's sentence for the second time. "I know. Brennan's like my best pal too. But you're jealous with him."

Jesse got Emma's point and he smiled. Emma smiled too. She knew Jesse got what she meant.

"I trust you." he said as he pulled her close to him. He kissed her temple and wrapped around her.

Emma dosed off on top of Jesse and he didn't mind. Jesse pulled the covers and made it sure that Emma is comfortable in his arms.

MUTANT-X-MUTANT-X-MUTANT-X-MUTANT-X-MUTANT-X-MUTANT-

***Lyza***

I got some of the ideas from Emma0211's Dealing. Thanks for the inspiration. I hope you won't mind. I'll be trying to make it fair for those E/B shippers. I'll try to make a chapter for you. Please review.