"What's wrong, Em?" Brennan asked as he saw the saddened psionic shuffle her way into the living room.

"I don't know," she answered softly.

Emma walked over to stand beside Brennan and Jesse and tried to ignore the pain in her throat that begged her to cry.

"How's Shal?"

"Still hating me."

"Nah, I'm sure she doesn't hate you."

"She told me she did, Brennan. Actually, she screamed it at me before kicking me away from her."

"Well, I don't think she's herself, obviously, I wouldn't worry about it too much. You know she doesn't hate you."

"Yeah," Emma sighed not sure if she believed herself.

"Adam's gonna figure this out, Em," Jesse reassured and gently rubbed her back. "It'll be ok."

Emma reached down to take her wrist in her hand and rub the large bruises that covered it. She couldn't remember ever feeling so hurt and confused. She loved Shalimar more than anyone and couldn't imagine what she'd done to make her feral friend hate her so fiercely. She wanted to return to the lab and assist Adam in helping her but then remembered it would probably just hurt her more physically, emotionally, and mentally so she decided against it. Not to mention she was sure the feral didn't want anything to do with her as her constant attacks on her would suggest. She wondered if she'd done anything to provoke the hatred in her. She'd noticed Shalimar acting somewhat differently lately but didn't think anything of it. She'd noticed all the different readings she'd pick up off her and how they seemed to fluctuate so often recently.

"What do ya got for us, Adam?" Jesse asked as Adam walked his way over to them.

Emma looked up and tried to regain herself as she was pulled from her doubtful thoughts.

"It's not good I'm afraid," he replied with a long sigh as he stopped to stand before them.

"What's wrong?" Brennan asked, as his deep concern was apparent in both his voice and face.

"I think Shalimar's trapped herself inside her own mind and not just her own mind, but her emotions as well."

"What do you mean trapped herself?"

"I've seen this before it's very rare," Adam continued. He gestured to the large screen above them and typed on the keyboard against the wall. Emma, Jesse, and Brennan all looked up to follow what he was revealing.

"You remember last week when you recovered the new mutant being held hostage by the gang of psionics? I'd been monitoring Shalimar since she told me one of them had used her powers on her and almost caused her to pass out."

"Yeah, I got there in time she was clutching the walls almost ready to drop," Emma reminded.

"Right. I think this psionic has caused a reaction in Shalimar that she can't tolerate. I've heard what they do, psionics like the one you faced. They'll try to discombobulate their enemies but swirling all of their emotions and thoughts around inside them. Eventually, it causes their sanity to somewhat break down and they can't tell what's real anymore, can't put the misplaced feelings back where they belong."

"But why did it take her so long to feel the effects?"

"I don't know. She's been a little off this whole week but I wasn't too worried about it. I think something triggered it inside her. This psionic most likely targeted her most primal emotions, fear, love, hatred, etc. and Shalimar was keeping herself balanced until something triggered the part of her mind that was slipping away."

"You mean me," Emma said.

"I don't think that's too likely unless there's something you haven't told me," Adam said.

Emma looked down as to avoid his eyes. She remembered how they'd come so close to kissing before Shalimar attacked her. How she'd felt her lips upon her own, if only for a moment, but long enough to realize it was what both of them wanted and craved. She knew how many times they'd kissed before but also knew that one was leading in an all knew direction, one they'd never really discussed in such detail.

"I don't think so," Emma finally replied before turning her gaze back to Shalimar's information on the screen.

"Well," Adam continued. "I think she's too confused to know what's real and what's fake. Her lashing out at you is probably just because you were there when it all became too much for her to take. I don't think she really hates you, Emma. At this point she's crazed."

"What can we do for her?"

"Make it as easy for her as possible. Keep her comfortable and be here for her but it's her mind. It's up to her to pull herself through."

"Why can't I help?"

"The mind is a fragile thing, Emma. She already views you as something she has to fight. If you went in, it could cause more problems for her. I think the best plan of action is to continue to monitor her and have faith she's strong enough to deal with her inner demons."

"And what if she can't?"

Adam paused not wanting to address the question for knowing he didn't like the answer.

"Adam?" Emma pushed.

"She'll stay crazed."

Emma's mouth fell open slightly as the news hit her like a truck out of nowhere.

"How is she doing now?" Jesse asked impatiently.

"Not too well, actually," Adam informed. "Her brain waves are all over the chart and it's even taking its toll on her body. The longer she struggles with this the harder it is and will be for her to return to herself."

Emma, Jesse, and Brennan all hung their heads at his words.

"She's in a very fragile state right now," Adam reminded. "I don't want any of you to have any contact with her without letting me know first, understand?"

They all managed to nod their heads.

"I'm a psionic, Adam," Emma started. "Why can't I just go in her mind and tell her what's going on? She's so scared I can feel it. I can tell her what's happening to her and help her get through it I know I can. Just like when Eckhart had her trapped in the dreamscape and I was able to help her along."

"Emma, I told you, it's far too dangerous. Most likely she won't even believe you if you did. She's not thinking rationally and she has no idea what's reality and what's fantasy anymore. She needs to realize it for herself. She needs to be sure. Adding you to the chaos in her mind will only give her one more thing to deal with and have to sort out."

Emma was mostly certain he was probably right but she couldn't stand the thought of just standing by and hoping Shalimar would be ok. She couldn't function knowing what was happening to Shalimar not to mention all the pain she was picking up off her was almost as if she was experiencing it for herself.

"I want her to be ok just as much as you do." Adam smiled and placed his hand on Emma's shoulder in a comforting manner. "I believe she's a fighter and will make it through all this. I'm headed back to the lab. She's calmed down somewhat for now I need to do a couple more tests." Adam smiled at the three of them before heading off again.

"I think I'm gonna go lie down," Emma said and rubbed her forehead as her headache was becoming stronger every minute.

"Alright, we'll see ya later, Em," Brennan said.

"Come get me if anything happens ok."

"Sure thing."

"You go rest and I'll be in with a drink in a few ok," Jesse said and smiled at her.

"Ok, thanks."

Emma forced a smile and slowly walked off to her room leaving the guys both feeling very sad at the news of Shalimar and very uncertain of what they could do to help.