Disclaimer: I don't one Mutant X.
Chapter 8 – Wheels of Change
"You really want to visit grandmother? She'll be so shocked. I think I should call her and warn her first."
"No, I would like to surprise her. She enjoyed the last surprise."
"That was 2 years ago," Tasha reminded. "You're both a little older now."
"Has it really been that long? I had better take 2 dozen flowers." He rose to his feet. "Dinner is long overdue, don't you think? While you get it, I will make my arrangements." He slowly walked out of the lab and into his living quarters.
Tasha turned to go but stopped when Adam grabbed her hand. He held it in both of his as he pulled her closer. "Tasha, I want to thank you. You allowed me to share that success with the team. I wish they could have been here to actually do the procedures on but we'll get to very soon. When we do I want you with us."
"They were so happy, Adam. I wish you could have heard them. Let me get dinner and then afterward maybe you can contact them again. I'm sure they would want to talk to you." She smiled then leaned in to kiss his cheek before turning to go.
At dinner the Creator informed them of his plans for the next day. "You really are going to see her, aren't you?" Tasha asked with some disbelief.
"Of course I am. I think after our success today, I should take a little time for myself. I don't believe there is much time left. I want to share it with the ones who mean the most to me. I am not as heartless and self absorbed as some may think." He smiled at her. "You know I did have a life outside the lab once. It was a very long time ago but I think I can still remember how to have some fun." He was glad to see her happy. He knew that life would really change for her once he passed on and hoped that it would be for the better; though fear of the opposite passed through his mind.
Looking to Adam he continued. "You may have tomorrow to look over which ever files you would like." Glancing over to Tasha he added, "Or you may also take the day off."
Adam looked over at a now blushing Tasha and decided to act. "It would seem that you've already figured out that Tasha and I have feelings for each other. I suppose we haven't been as secretive as we thought." Adam smiled at her. "I would like to ask your permission for her hand. I'm not sure how yet but I'll get her away from here and then I want to marry her."
The Creator finished his meal and put down his fork. "Natasha, is this what you really want."
She looked across the table and into Adam's eyes. How could she ever deny the feelings she has. Without removing her gaze she answered, "More than anything else." Finally looking to her guardian she said, "I love him."
Adam's heart swelled as he heard her declaration for him. He looked up to see the Creator staring hard at him.
"I am not as naïve about the business of this organization as either of you may think." He paused as he watched them look at each other and then back to him with new expressions of concern. "I have known for a long time that the leader has been trying to sway the other members against me. I know who he's convinced into treason and who remain loyal. My work was priority 1. I had to finish it. I knew that you and your team would be able to survive in the meantime. I did not rely on only the information given to me by the leader about what was happening. I have my own lines of information. After having to come here I have had those lines cut but I am not totally without contacts. The leader is still after your team. He will also not commence any other operations until they are dealt with. They are his priority 1 at this point. He does not yet know where they are but he suspects you do. He will try to make you talk."
Both men turned when they heard Tasha gasp. Adam reached over to her and took her hand in his. Squeezing her hand he smiled at her then turned back to the Creator. "My team will get us all out of here. We'll deal with the leader and correct the damage he's done if we can."
"There will be need of many resources when I'm gone. You will find that I am not as trusting as the leader thinks. I did not survive over 3 centuries by blind trust. Over the years I have kept 2 small private libraries. As technology advanced I created files that I locked away from many prying eyes. Find the storage unit within the system called 'Gabriela'." He paused and smiled at the look on Tasha's face. "Over the years I have changed the name to match the one closest to my heart." Sadly he looked down. "There have been a precious few women who have understood and loved me. You'll find them in the files as well." After a brief pause he took a breath and continued. "Knowing the background of the file name you should be able to figure out the password." He smiled as he watched them look to each other in wonder. "You," he answered their wondering. "Typing in 'Adam and Natasha' will bring up information that will take you days just to sort through.
Adam, you must remember that this organization is vast and it needs to be maintained for the betterment of mankind. Eliminating those who are corrupt is not the same as eliminating the Dominion as a whole. Every so often God sees fit to deliver a genius to this Earth. Once here that person develops and begins his work. If his work is beneficial to man it is allowed to better the world. If his motives are evil and self serving, he must be stopped, no matter what his work entails. The reigns of responsibility for this must be passed down with caution and discernment. My time is almost at an end. You will take my place and run the organization as you see fit until you pass it on to your successor."
He stood from the table and moved closer to Natasha. Taking her hand he spoke softly, "I have already told you how I feel about you and Adam. You have my full blessing." He kissed her as she stood to embrace him.
Turning to Adam he said, "I also give you my blessing. Knowing that my daughter will be well cared for and loved is what will give me peace for the rest of the time I have left to me." His look suddenly turned solemn as he continued. "I know you have been in contact with your team." He paused at Adam's look of surprise.
Adam stood sharply. "Does the leader know how?" he asked then turned a concerned look to Tasha.
"No," the Creator answered, "and I think perhaps I would also prefer not to know." He looked suspiciously at Tasha who guiltily looked down. "I suggest they find a way to help you as soon as possible. With my work on this project done the leader might decide to do something sooner rather than later."
"Will you be safe going out tomorrow?" Tasha's concern showed on her face. "How do we know they won't try to do something to you while you're gone? What if they try to hurt Grandmother?"
The Creator embraced her again for surety, "I will have 4 of my most trusted guards with me. I know which are yet loyal and which would betray me. They will not leave the grounds and will keep the house secure. I would not allow any danger near your grandmother. Her home has been secretly under surveillance for many years now. No one will ever harm her." Smiling he kissed her forehead and released her. "I am going to turn in now so I can be fresh for my visit to Gabriela. I would like her to see me at my best." He smiled then turned and left the room calling his 'goodnight' behind him.
Tasha and Adam quickly and quietly cleaned up then went to his room. Once they were safely inside with the door closed she turned to him. "Adam, what are we going to do?"
He could hear the worry in her voice. "Everything will be ok. We'll get out of here and then I'm going to marry you." Adam smiled as he moved to embrace her, trying to take away her concerns. He put one hand in her hair as he kissed her. After a slow meaningful kiss he moved his hand and activated the device behind her ear. "Jesse?"
"Yeah, Adam." Tasha and Adam moved to sit beside one another on his bed.
"How is everyone?"
"Evidently we'll all be just fine, thanks to you."
"I'll actually do the manipulations as soon as I possibly can. It'll be first on my list as soon as we're out of here."
"Adam, the leader told Lexa her time was fast approaching. Do we have anything to worry about?" Jesse asked as he put his arm around her.
"No. If we move and get this done, I'll be out in plenty of time to do the procedure, though she will have to be first."
"Have you been able to get anything yet?"
"Lexa's talked to our contact. We've been able to give him some information I got off the system. His information and that of a few others were marked with orders to find and bring in. We think that they're the ones who suspect the leader rather than conspire with him."
"We have to move quickly. With this project done, the Creator suspects the leader will try to move against him. He's threatened to hurt people if I don't take over and work under his rules. Is Lexa's contact in a safe place? He may be our only hope of help."
"Yes, he is. He told us that he had made preparations for just such a time when the leader would show his true colors. He seems to have been very well resourced and was able to keep up the guise of going to the listed hideout while keeping the true one a secret."
Adam looked at Tasha and smiled. "Jesse, listen. The Creator will be leaving this facility tomorrow. He has a personal guard that is loyal to him but there will only be 4. If the leader intends anything, that will give him the perfect opportunity. I don't think he'll let it pass."
"I'll make contact," Lexa said, "He has guards that are loyal, also. Do you know where he's going?"
Tasha looked at Adam with fear in her eyes. "Adam, what if..."
Adam knew her question. "It's the only way to keep her safe. I'm sure the leader will have him followed in the morning. If they let him get to the house, she'll be in danger. She'll have to be taken to safety. My team won't let anything happen to her." He watched as she nodded in agreement.
"Tasha," Jesse called to her. "Please trust us."
"I do, Jesse," she whispered as Adam realized he'd entered the conversation. "The Creator will be going to visit with my grandmother. They've been friends for many years now. He's just told us that he's had her protected all this time." She looked up as she now spoke to both Jesse and Adam. "If anything happens to him, they may go after her thinking he may have given her information. No matter what, she'll be in danger and can't stay in that house any longer. Please," she begged them, "don't let anything happen to them."
"We won't," both men said.
"Jess, make the contact and get people we can trust to play back-up to his guards from the time he leaves here. You'll have to give out this location but don't reveal how you got it unless you feel you absolutely have to. If there are any leaks I don't want Tasha as a target. You guys, post yourselves near the house. Don't get involved unless you have to. Get your contact to arrange for a safe place for them to go. I don't think your present location will do."
"Adam," Tasha interrupted.
He saw the look in her eye and quickly shut the link. "No, Baby. I don't want them to know anything else. I'll never reveal their location. They'll get us out of here as soon as they can. We'll be ok until they do." He smiled when she nodded then reactivated the link.
"Adam, what's going on?" Brennan demanded.
"Nothing, Brennan. It's ok. You just make sure the Creator and Tasha's grandmother are safe. Get a plan together and get in here as fast as you can but this can't just be a rescue. I think it needs to be a clean sweep. We have to be able to shut the leader down for good."
"Adam, I don't like this," Shalimar voiced her concern.
"This will work, Shal. It has to. Don't worry. Contact Tasha tomorrow when you have something solid to report. In the meantime, I'm going to try to help from this end."
Adam reached up and touched Tasha's head, closing the link. "Don't worry. Everything will work out. We'll get through this and then we'll get married."
She smiled through her fear and asked, "Is that how long I'll have to wait?"
"Wait...for what?" Adam asked curiously.
"Wait for you to kiss me without immediately talking to one of the others. It's beginning to make me feel like making contact with the team is the only reason you kiss me." She smiled at him.
"I don't want to talk to them now," he whispered as he slowly leaned toward her.
She saw the look in his eyes and shivered at the dark desire she saw in them. Soon she felt his hands on her back pulling her tightly against him as he captured her lips with his. She put her hands to his neck and held him as he kissed her deeply. Their kiss remained for many minutes as they just relished the feel of being in each others arms.
When they finally moved apart, she laid her head on his shoulder and clung to him. "I'm worried, Adam."
"I know, Baby." Adam spoke into her hair as he caressed her. "I don't know what'll happen but the guys will be here to get us out. In the meantime, we'll manage." He gently moved her away to look into her eyes. "Listen to me carefully. If anything does begin to happen tomorrow and we get separated, find a safe place to hide and wait. Jesse will be able to track you. He'll find you no matter where you are. They'll keep you safe. Don't be afraid."
"What about the Creator and Grandmother?"
"We have to trust the contact to be loyal. Lexa and Shalimar will be able to spot a trap. There's nothing more we can do."
"And you?"
"I'll be fine," he smiled at her when she looked up at him. "We'll stay together. I'd like to get a look at the files the Creator told us about. Perhaps they can help in some way." Standing and taking her with him he said, "I'll walk you to your room now and you can get changed for bed. I want you to stay with me again. I'm not letting you out of my sight."
After they returned to his room, Adam got in bed next
to Tasha and turned out the light. Wrapping his arms around her in the
dark he realized just how complete she made his life. He swore to
himself that he would get her to safety and then they'd be happy.
"Tasha, I want you to know what you've done for me. Without you I
wouldn't have survived this. I would have died, crushed and empty. Your
love has given me more than I could ever have hoped for." He leaned
over to her and kissed her. Moving his body closer to hers he leaned on
his arm and pulled her to him. Embracing her, he whispered into her
hair, "I want to show you what you mean to me. I want you to feel how
much I love you." He slowly and tenderly kissed his way to her lips. As
he felt her respond to his kisses he leaned his body on to hers and
proceeded to prove his words.
TBC
