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: Hi everyone! I'm back in R17 rating. Thanks for all the reviews last time. I'm not that good in writing romances but I really wanted to write about Emma and Jesse together. I've read so much of Brennan and Emma. Anyways, it's back to school here in the Philippines and I'm afraid I would leave you guys hanging for a while until I finish the next chapter.

Special Thanks to:

Ladiraid: I didn't send you this chapter for editing to give you more time with your work but I still want to thank you for editing the past chapters. I can't thank you enough. I hope your fiction goes well.

X-gangta's-brat-x: Thanks a lot. I really don't know if Emma could go that bold but it would be fun if she does… thanks for the support… by the way, I forgot to mention you in the special thanks section last chapter. Your review came late and I posted the chapter already so I'm thanking you twice this time. LOL.

Pagan: Thanks, I really love that part too. I believe that Shalimar and Brennan would not only be surprised… LOL… anyways you should stick around longer to know what will happen.

Goldstranger: thanks for reviewing. You guys makes the hard work worthwhile. Anyways, the next chapter maybe  posted later because I'm going back to school but I hope you'll stick around longer… thanks again.

Emma453: LOL, I know what you mean. But I believe me, the group wouldn't be that happy to know about Emma's secret and I mean not happy…especially Brennan.

Aur: thanks for stopping by to read my work. I really appreciate your review.

Shadowfox18: I haven't seen you around before but I really appreciate the review. Don't worry I will write more. Thanks again and I hope you'll stick around longer.

To all my readers who are a Jesse and Emma fan, do you want to help me build a site for them? Contact me at resplendents1@yahoo.com or Lyza@iamyours.com

Underestimated

            ~Thought ~

            Memory

            /Sounds/

            "Conversation"

Chapter 9

            Adam walked in the common room where Shalimar and Brennan were eating their snack. Jesse just called in from the underground to let Adam know that he'll becoming home earlier than he is supposed to, because the defense class ended earlier. Adam spent his time in researching when he came across the result on Emma's scan. He thought he'd check on Shalimar and suggest to her that she talk to Emma soon.

            "Shalimar!" Adam called out.

            "Adam! Do you need anything?" Shalimar stood from the floor where she and Brennan share some pizzas.

            "It has been months since you suggested that we let Emma by herself. Don't you think we have to intervene." Adam crossed his arms across his chest and he posed a suggestive look.

            "Well, okay. I'll ask her later." Shalimar nodded and she tapped Adam on his shoulder.

            "Ask Emma what?" Brennan bat in.

            "Weeks ago, Adam found out from the test that he conducted on Emma that she seems to be working out. Do you think she's working out?" Shalimar asked Brennan about the issue. She knew he might know something. Brennan and Emma are like cats and dogs for their constant fighting but the special bond between them cannot be overlooked. Brennan could be considered as one of Emma's close friend.

"Except for the jogging sessions she now does--every morning, I don't think so." Brennan snorted. "Her body wouldn't stand the torture." He added.

"We wouldn't know Brennan. Emma is showing an athlete vital signs." Adam shook his head and handed Brennan the result from Emma's test.

Brennan leaf over the pages then eventually handed it back to Adam. "Okay, we should ask her then."

/Thump/ Adam and the two mutants heard a loud thumping coming from the dojo. Their protectiveness worked and they all thought of Emma. They run out from the common room and headed straight to the dojo. As expected, Shalimar came in first and she smiled at the sight that her eyes have set upon.

"Well, I guess we have the answer." Shalimar grinned at Adam as they watch Emma got beaten by the solid hologram, which Jesse and Adam programmed.

Unlike Shalimar, Brennan wasn't happy to see what was happening. He came in just in time before the solid hologram hit Emma with a punch again. Brennan blocked it for Emma and he gave a hard kick to end the session. Just as the computer ended the session, Brennan knelt down to check on Emma.

"Are you alright?" he saw bruises on Emma's arms and other parts of her body. "Oh my god. Adam, Emma's hurt."

"I'm alright Bren." Emma pushed his hands away.

"Alright? You have bruises all over your body and you're alright?" Brennan argued with Emma.

"These are old bruises." Emma declared as she stood up while Brennan assists her.

Shalimar and Adam walked over to check the said bruises. The feral cringed her forehead as she stroke her thumb against Emma's bruises.

"Where did you got these?" Adam asked as he leaned over to see the bruises but Emma didn't answer back.

"Have you been training here for months now Emma?" Shalimar looked at her with concern. Emma still didn't answer but she just shook her head, instead.

Brennan turned around and went in the panel control as he made some adjustment in the program. "Who gave you the passwords?" he demanded.

"I did!"

They heard Jesse from the dojo entrance. The molecular saw the psionic in the center of all the commotion. He rushed beside Emma to check on her and consoled her with a look in her eyes. Emma smiled back at him and they felt at ease in each other's solace. Then they were interrupted by Brennan's yell.

"You gave her the password?" Brennan angrily walked over Jesse; he wanted to beat the hell out of him. "What were you thinking Jess? We all agreed to keep the code from Emma to keep her from being hurt."

"I wasn't hurt." Emma defended.

"Yeah right… just all bruised." Brennan answered cynically.

"That doesn't prove anything." Emma irately replied.

"NO! It proves something Emma. It proves that you're still not strong enough to handle yourself." Brennan hissed.

"You know what Bren? You're really acting odd lately. Don't you think you should let Emma alone?" Shalimar tried calming Brennan but she failed.

"Let her alone? The last time I let her alone she…"

"Died?" Emma leaned forward and raised her brow. "Jeez Bren. I don't know when are you going to stop mentioning my deal with Caleb."

"I can't help it Emma." Brennan hissed

"Bren, that deal was like ten years behind us." Emma defended again.

"But that incident just proved that…"

"I'm helpless with out you guys? Yeah! Thanks for lifting my spirit." Emma started walking away.

"Emma!" Jesse called after her and he started walking after her when Brennan caught him by the shoulder.

"Why did you gave her the code?" Brennan repeated his question.

Emma turned around and faced the mutants. "Leave Jesse out of here Brennan." Emma shrugged towards Jesse and waited for him to be by her side. "He didn't have to tell me anyway. I'm a psionic, remember?" Emma said, again trying to leave with Jesse but Adam called out.

"Emma! Please come with me in the Lab." Adam softly stated.

"I'm okay Adam." she irately replied.

"I know that but I need it for the progress record…please."

Emma saw the different level of concern in Adam's eyes. She knew Adam trust her and she would trust Adam with her life. Adam is like a father to her since the day she walked in the Sanctuary. She looked at Jesse and then looked back to Adam. "Could Jesse come?"

"Sure!" Adam agreed, guessing that the two mutants are sharing some private secrets just between them.

"Okay!" Emma agreed.

Adam led Emma and Jesse in the Lab A, leaving the feral and the elemental behind.

***

"What was that?" Shalimar asked Brennan.

"What was what?" Brennan hissed back

"You are acting so… so…" Shalimar paused for a moment. A question is hanging on her head but she didn't want to let it out. She knew Brennan's answer would break her heart but her mind pleaded to her and her mouth let the words out. "Do you love Emma?"

"Of course I do. We all do." Brennan casually replied.

Shalimar shook her head. "No, not that love. I mean…are you in love with her?"

It was a tripping question for Brennan. "What are you talking about Shal?"

Shalimar didn't let him finish. She raised her hand and interrupted. "Just answer my question. Are you in love with Emma?"

"Hell no!" he angrily replied.

"Are you sure?" Shalimar was not convinced with his answer. She knew him well enough to know that he is lying; Shalimar didn't need to be a telepath to know that he is lying.

"Shalimar, where is this leading?"

"Brennan, I just needed you to tell me the truth."

"About what?"

"About your feelings for Emma."

"I'm not in love with her Shal. She's my friend and that is all." Brennan replied irately.

"Are you really sure?"

"Shal?"

"Okay!" Shalimar cut him off for the second time. "I just thought you needed to know that Jesse and Emma have been having a little affair."

Brennan was stunned. He was not able to react at once and Shalimar let him absorbed the truth he just found out.

"It's not possible." Brennan stated in disbelief.

"And why is it impossible?" Shalimar asked, with her arms crossed on her chest.

Brennan couldn't think of anything. He honestly thought that Emma is attracted to him. He was greatly considering the concern Emma has for him. ~God, I was a jerk! ~ He told himself. He didn't hear Shalimar calling him anymore. He just walked out of the dojo absent-mindedly.

Shalimar stood alone in the dojo, wanting to cry. She couldn't understand herself, a minute ago, she was hoping that Brennan would tell her that he is not in love with Emma. Now that she heard him say the exact words, she still feels alone… maybe because she knew that Brennan was not telling her the whole truth. She sighed. She would deal with it later, she promised herself… later.

***

Emma and Jesse stroll quietly outside the Sanctuary. Jesse and Emma agreed to keep their affair between each other…at least for a while…though Emma knew that Shalimar has started getting ideas from the first time she and Jesse went out. It was not a big deal anyways. They both knew they would have Adam's blessing the moment they tell him but they still agreed to keep it in secret.

Emma told Jesse that the group might act a little more conscious around them, and for Jesse, it means Shalimar might avoid him in fear of Emma's jealousy and for Emma, it means that Brennan might do the same. If this happens, the bond of the group will grow flimsy.

Jesse took Emma's hands on his. "Ems, I know you love what you do but Adam and the rest are now getting suspicious." Jesse started as Emma stop to give him all her attention. "I love you and you know I'll let you do anything that will make you happy…but…"

Emma smiled at Jesse's eyes. "You want me to stop taking lessons."

"Outside the Sanctuary." Jesse added as he nodded. "I want you to stop taking lessons outside the Sanctuary. Instead, I'll be your teacher and I'll teach you here." He motioned the place around them.

Emma thought for a moment then she smiled. "Okay!"

Jesse's eyes twinkle. "Great!"

"But…" Emma interrupted Jesse's celebration. "I really have to finish this month's lessons. I've already paid for it."

"After this, no more?"

Emma nodded.

"Okay!" Jesse smiled as he started pacing again tugging Emma along.

"One more thing." Emma added. She waited for Jesse to look at her before she continued. She joined her hand behind her and swayed like a little girl, she smiled and said: "Lesser outdoors training, for me means…less love-making." Emma grinned.

Jesse took a second to react before he could shake his head. "That one thing I can't agree."

With that, Emma run to the Sanctuary as Jesse run behind her. They passed by the Lab where Adam was working. ~Such children! ~ Adam thought. Adam got used to all the noises his children does…well, the mutants are not really his by blood but since he spent most of his adult life with them, he always thinks of them as his children.

Emma run straight in her room. Still panting, Emma locked the door behind her but Jesse just phased in.

"That's cheating!" Emma's voice was heard across the hallway and a sweet laughter followed.

"You didn't say I couldn't use my power." Jesse replied. It was soft but enough to be heard just outside.

Shalimar stood at the far end of the hallway as she watch Brennan got out of his room. She could see him clenching his hand as he hears the laughter inside Emma's room. A moment later there was silence. It doesn't take a genius to know what is now happening in Emma's room.

Brennan closed his eyes as he tried to control the electricity in him. He could feel sparks of his energy slips through his skin. He bit his lips as his breathing became constricted. His head started spinning when suddenly his eyes flew open as he heard moaning from Emma's room. His knees begun to fail him and he ended up leaning against the wall opposite Emma's door. His jaws dropped and his eyes widened.

~They're doing it. ~ He told himself. He brushed his hair with both of his hands, letting out a heavy sigh. ~She's mine. I should be in there…touching her… not Jesse. ~ He chanted to himself.

It took all of Shalimar's energy not to breakdown as she watches the love of her life fell apart. She stepped back in silently paced back to her room, closing the door behind her. Shalimar wanted to cry but she can't. Her feral nature wouldn't let her but she needed to let this emotion out. She looked at window—the sun is almost out. She could prowl early this evening.

~Yes. That will be my only outlet. ~ Shalimar sighed. She opened her window and jumped out, leaping from one place to another, not even caring if she brushes against bushes full of thorns. Shalimar stopped as she reached the lake just outside the Sanctuary. She looked behind… the Sanctuary is far behind her. She was standing alone where couldn't hear Emma and Jesse anymore; she couldn't feel them at all, but most importantly she could not see Brennan any longer. She looked at her arms--it was bleeding. She brushed it with her finger.

"Ouch!" she hissed. ~That hurts ~ she told herself. ~But nothing could be compared to the pain Brennan must be feeling now. ~ She closed her eyes and felt something smudgy in her eyelids. Tears? She was crying… she couldn't even believe it herself. She let it all out…she wanted this…she wanted to cry, but it all she ended up doing is shedding a couple of tears.

Now, she hated her mutation. She wanted to cry but even if force it all out, a tear or two is her best. Shalimar cursed a couple of times and sighed. There was nothing she could do now…

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

***Lyza***

I thought Shalimar's feral mutation makes her do a lot of things she doesn't really like to do so I was thinking maybe there are things she would like to do but her mutation would not allow her. Anyway, it's just and idea. So what could you say? Please review.