Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X.

Chapter 11 - Adversary

"Miss Fox, I really think you should step back slowly." When she didn't move he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device. "This is a remote which will trigger the tracker I had implanted into your precious Adam's neck. I had intended to let him escape and have him lead us to you. Since you so kindly delivered yourself, I have no further use for it, except as a method of putting an end to one of our longest running experiments." He saw Brennan take a small step forward and held up the remote to show his finger on the trigger. "I see you care as little for this clone as I do. That could be a good thing. After I have the Creator stabilize you, perhaps he can add some modifications and you can join my organization."

Brennan and Shalimar both moved back as Jesse put his hand out and held Lexa's shoulder. "We'll never join you. Your organization is shut down." Lexa stated. "We've initiated our own cleanup and you're the last piece of trash to be thrown away."

"Highly unlikely. It's a shame, really. You all have so much potential. Now you'll never see it fulfilled. After I shut down this project," he pointed the gun at Adam, "I'll write off your files and move on. I'm sure I'll find others with your abilities, who will be more willing to cooperate." When Lexa tried to move, he pointed the gun back at her. "I think, Miss Pierce, that you should have your hands occupied right now." He move closer to Adam and kept the device in his hand pointed at him. "You've let yourself become attached to Mutant X in your recent stay with them. Perhaps he's not your first choice but I think that you and Mr. Mulwray should share an affectionate embrace."

"What?" she looked incredulously at him.

"Do it!" he ordered and watched as they moved closer to one another.

Without thought for themselves they embraced. Brennan pulled her closer as he spoke. "He's trying to make sure we don't try to shoot at him."

"Very good, Mr. Mulwray. Now Miss Fox, if you please, there is a variety of tapes on the shelf. Kindly wrap them securely so they can't take their hands off each other."

"You're sick, you know that?" Shalimar spat as she slowly moved to comply. When she was done and there was no chance of Brennan or Lexa using their hands without hurting the other, Shalimar threw the remaining tape on the floor and glared at the leader.

"Very good. Now, you, Dr. Kane..." he smiled as Adam glared at him. "Stand with your precious team. It will be so much nicer for you all to go at the same time. And easier for me," he sneered. He watched as Adam slowly crossed the floor, stepping back and never taking his eyes off the leader. He saw Shalimar reach her hand out to touch him. "Yes, very good idea, Miss Fox. I think you should embrace each other as well." He watched as Adam pulled Shalimar to him. And if you so much as twitch out of his arms, you'll watch him die in yours."

In this past year not a day went by that Adam didn't think about his team. He loved them all. He tried to remember all the good times they had as they lived and worked together. He longed to be close to them again. Now with Shalimar in his arms he felt a measure of relief. He knew how strong she was and that she wouldn't hesitate to spend her last breath to protect them all. He also knew that for all her strength and bravery she still craved protection and reassurance. When she first came to live in Sanctuary, she often came to him for the security she could find in his arms. She looked up to him and trusted him and in her he found the daughter he never had. After she found out that he was alive, she wanted to run into his arms to feel that security again but was never given the chance. Now, though he saw the bravery she was putting forth, Adam could feel the need in her arms. He held her tenderly and securely. When she looked up at him, he smiled at her. For a brief moment they shared the comfort they used to have and it gave them the strength to turned back defiantly to the leader.

"Now, Mr. Kilmartin, I have a job for you as well. First, tape them together. Before I dispose of you and leave, I would like you to collect the storage units holding the notes and projects the Creator worked on. There are 5, I believe, kept in a vault behind that picture. The Creator and his little nurse are the only ones with the combination but I think you should be able to get in.

Shalimar felt Adam tense at the reference to Tasha. She looked up and saw the anger reflecting from his eyes.

Jesse finished then stepped to the front of his group and put his hands out. "I'm sorry to disappoint you but they're not in there. Tasha already took them."

"I don't believe you. Open it," he ordered then watched as Jesse moved into position. Lowering his arms he waited.

"Alright, but I already warned you." Jesse moved to the wall and took down the picture and massed his fist. Punching through the thick, solid metal door, he grunted with the pain of each punch.

Lexa put her head into Brennan's chest as she heard his pain. Brennan pulled her close in comfort. Adam did the same for Shalimar.

When the locking mechanism was destroyed, Jesse pulled the door from the wall revealing an empty hole.

"Well," the leader straightened, "it would seem that I have added incentive for my next contact with the lovely Dr. Stanos."

Shalimar heard Adam's heart begin to pound. "She's safe," she whispered to him.

Brennan and Lexa began to walk closer and stood behind Shalimar. Brennan turned and nodded his confirmation as he heard what Shalimar said.

Adam smiled gratefully as he again held her closer then turned to the leader. "You'll never find her," he said to his back.

The leader turned at the sudden information. In his rage he spat, "I think I will, and when I do I'll teach her the difference between you and a real man."

With the leader distracted, Jesse took the door, still in his hands and threw it at him. It hit his legs and knocked him to the ground. Everyone watched as the gun went off but remained in his hand; the bullet flying over their heads. In his fall the device in his other hand was dropped. Jesse moved in all the confusion and was behind Adam in a flash. As Shalimar watched the leader try to find the device and re-aim the gun she yelled, "Jesse, the tracker!"

Jesse saw the leader reach for the device on the floor. He knew there was no way he could get to it in time. Looking back at Adam's neck he ordered, "Adam, exhale!" With his left hand, massed and holding Adam's head down so he couldn't move, Jesse phased his right hand and put his fingers into the incision. Concentrating on every sensation he located what he hoped was the tracker, phased it and withdrew it from Adam's body.

At that very second, the leader pressed the button on the remote. The blade sprung and cut into Jesse's hand.

As Jesse yelled in pain, Brennan closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and tried to push Lexa back. When he opened his eyes he grunted with the exertion then closed his eyes again.

The leader tried to raise the gun to shoot again but was caught with an electrical blast he didn't expect.

Wonder had crossed everyone's face as their mouths all dropped open. Brennan slowly opened his eyes and saw them all looking at him. There attention was taken when the leader groaned and reached again for the gun.

"Shalimar," Adam whispered. He watched as she looked up at him with golden eyes and a knowing smile. With little effort she pushed her arms apart and ripped the tape holding them. She turned and was about to attack the leader when Adam stopped her with a touch to her arm as he quickly moved past her.

The leader had just gotten his hand on the gun as Adam dove over him. They struggled and rolled on the ground as they fought for control. The leader was not nearly as in shape as Adam was but he did have the gun. The team watched as the entire fight took only a few seconds.

They all jumped when they heard the gun go off and saw the men fall still on the floor with the leader on top. "Adam," they yelled in unison. Their hearts sank as the leader began to move. Shalimar rushed in and pulled at his body, throwing him against the far wall she turned to attack.

"Shalimar," she heard whispered to her. In fear she turned back and looked at Adam as he began to sit up. "he's dead, already. Save your energy."

She fell beside Adam and embraced him. "Adam, thank God." He held her as she began to cry.

Jesse walked up to Brennan and Lexa. "Do you think you can give me my girl back now?" he asked as he phased the tape holding them.

"I don't know." Brennan smiled at Lexa. "I'm starting to get used to her." He winked at her as she smiled up at him. Together they stepped back and let the tape fall when Jesse released it. They moved to help Adam and Shalimar stand.

"Jesse," Adam moved to get the supplies he needed to heal Jesse's hand. Not finding the dermal regenerator, he applied a cream and bandage. As he worked he looked at Brennan. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah," Brennan smiled as he pulled Shalimar closer to him.

"Where did that come from, Man? You've never done that before." Jesse looked to him.

"Are you mutating, again?" Adam asked with concern.

"No, it's something I've been playing with since the last mutation. It's weak and I haven't been able to really do anything with it. That's the first time I actually shot that far. I guess with my hands full," he smiled at Lexa, "it found another outlet." He smiled as they all chuckled. It felt good to be a team again.

"Lexa, are you feeling alright?" Adam finished with Jesse and moved to look into her eyes.

Fear began to show as she looked from Adam to Jesse. "I feel fine...I think"

"Adam," Jesse's concern was clear, "do we have time?"

"Yes, but not much. Where's Tasha? You said she was safe."

"She is," Jesse assured him as he adjusted his ring for open communication. "Tasha?" Jesse called to her.

"Jesse, thank God. I was so worried. Please, Jess. Please tell me Adam's all right." Her voice was strained.

"Would you believe it if I told you, myself?" Adam smiled.

"Oh, Adam," she whispered.

"Baby, listen. Did you take all the storage units including the information on the manipulations?"

"Yes, I have them with me." She looked at the bag she'd laid on the table.

"Find Lexa's contact, the man in the wheelchair." He watched as Lexa held up her phone. "Tell him to call Lexa's phone, I want to talk to him."

"Yes, Adam."

In a matter of moments, Lexa's phone rang. She answered it and gave it to Adam. "Hello,"

"Adam, I am pleased to know you survived. Is the leader...dealt with?"

"Thank you and yes. Do you have the Creator and Tasha's grandmother in safety?"

"Yes, they have suffered no ill affects from the activity of the day."

"Good. My team and I need to get to a lab. I have work I need to do and I need the information Tasha has to do it."

"This facility has everything you'll need. I will have an escort sent for you immediately."

"Thank you." Adam returned Lexa's phone and explained they had to wait for a ride. They moved up to the main level and waited in the buildings main lobby. They watched as teams began their cleanup. Brennan assigned the commander who came in with him, charge of all operatives in the building.

When the doors opened, Adam stood as he saw Tasha walk through. She stopped when she saw him and froze as her emotions wildly collided in her mind. As Adam stepped forward and opened his arms to her she ran to him and fell into his embrace. He held her close as she cried into his shoulder. Feeling her tears subside he moved to look into her eyes. "You shouldn't have come. It's still too dangerous."

"It's never too dangerous, as long as we're together." She gazed at him, seeing his proud smile and then felt as he pulled her into a deep kiss. When he pulled away she was slightly embarrassed as his team came up to welcome her into their fold.

TBC