Chapter 3

Adam pulled up to the dock and slid out of the car. He put his sunglasses back on and headed to the end of the dock. He noticed that the beach was unusally quiet and that there was indeed a person standing waiting for him.

"Hello Adam we meet again," the person said.

"It's nice to see you too," Adam nodded.

In his mind, he wondered if he was doing the right thing.

Brennan had contacted Adam but had no luck. He didn't have his comlink ring with him.

"Damn it," Brennan cursed, "what are we gonna do now?"

"Let's just go back to Sanctuary and figure it out there," Emma suggested, "he did say he had some things he had to do."

The filed back into the Helix and flew back to Sanctuary.

"Alright we're home," Jesse said at last. He helped Nat out of the car and they went up to the lab to check on Nat's side. And all the while, Aralyn had a tight grip on Nat's hand.

Young love, Jesse thought, gotta love it.

They were checking on Nat when Shalimar's voice came up.

"Hey everyone! We're on our way back. Couldn't contact Adam," she said.

"Really," Jesse said, "that's funny 'cause I was just talking to him about Nat. In fact he's right here now."

"Ok, let's speak to him," Shalimar said loudly.

"Adam here. Shal wants to talk to you," Jess called.

"Alright I'll be right there." And coming in through the door was Adam, smiling happily.

"Adam? Hey, I thought you had something important to do," Shal assumed, confused. Adam laughed.

"I...I...oh yes, that. I'm all finished with that," he chuckled, "so what's up?"

"A new mutant died," Emma informed him, "we don't know who it is. We do know it's an old lady, however."

"Alright well come back and we'll see what we can find," Adam ordered, "now I must get back to my son."

"Was it just me, or was Adam too happy?" Shal wondered.

"He did seem a little perky," Emma added, "but it could be because he's met Nat."

"Yeah. I mean wouldn't you be happy to meet your kid?" Brennan put in, "I wouldn't worry about it Shal."

"Still. Even if he met his kid, I doubt he'd be that happy."

"Chill Shal it's fine," Emma assured her. Shalimar still looked uncertain as Brennan landed the Helix.

"Hey we're back," Brennan announced.

"Really? I thought it was the boogie man coming to get us," Jesse said sarcastically. Brennan made a funny face and turned to Nat and Aralyn.

"What happened to you kid?" he asked Nat.

"Someone rammed a shopping cart into me," Nat answered, "and they hit it hard."

"He's fine," Aralyn added, "he just cracked a couple ribs. I never knew you could hurt yourself by a shopping cart."

"Well if it's pushed hard enough sure," Brennan shrugged, "and because it's made of metal, I think it would have a big impact. Just take a look at our friend Nat here."

"Well he'll be just fine," Aralyn repeated.

"Ok well I believe you," Brennan said.

"Hello friends," Adam smiled, "I made cookies for you."

Aralyn and Brennan exchanged odd glances that said what the hell?

"Gee, thanks Adam," Aralyn said awkwardly. She took a cookie and bit into it.

"Wow these are good," she gasped, stunned.

"I never knew you baked," Brennan noted.

"Well I guess I turned over a new leaf," Adam shrugged. He put the plate in front of Brennan and then to Nat. They each took a cookie and munched on it.

"Looks like the old woman was a shape shifter," Jesse said, "and she isn't even that old. 42 years old. Her name was Cecile March."

"Cecile March? Hey that's my aunt's name," a voice said from behind them. Emma and Jesse turned to see the person the voice belonged to. It was Nat

"Really Nat?" Jesse asked, raising an eyebrow. Nat nodded.

"She was the one who I was living with," he answered, "she was soo sweet and kind. Always had a smile on. And she was the best baker there ever was."

"Well she reminds me of Adam," Aralyn said, walking up.

"Yeah he has been acting kinda strange," Jesse added. Aralyn nodded in agreement.

"I thought he was like that before," Nat shrugged.

"Oh don't get me wrong. He's a nice guy, but can be really cold at times. But I never knew him to be a baker," Emma said.

"Exactly," Jesse said, "now it says that Cecile is a shape shifter. Does that mean she can turn into humans? Or just objects?"

"Well anything really," Nat replied, "I never saw her change into a human before."

"Hmm," Emma muttered, "I wonder...."

"Wonder what?" Aralyn and Jesse asked at the same time.

"What if Adam wasn't Adam?" Emma continued, "what if he's an imposter?"

"You mean, what if he's Cecile," Jesse finished for her.

"Exactly," Emma said.

"But you said that she died in the fire," Aralyn brought up.

"But Cecile died," Emma said, "not Adam. Somehow, Cecile must've got a visual of Adam and used it to turn into him. Then she walked out of the building before it blew up. It's just a theory, I don't know if it's true."

"But my aunt wouldn't just do that unless she had a reason," Nat stressed.

"Well my boy," a voice cackled from behind them, "the reason is you."

Nat whipped around and saw his aunt standing there, a gun in her hand.

"What are you doing auntie?" he asked, "why are doing this?"

"Eckhart gave me pay to bring you to him Natty," Cecile spat, "I couldn't refuse."

"Why'd you blow up your home Cecile?" Emma questioned. Cecile glared at her.

"Because Emma, I couldn't leave any evidence that I'm still alive," she answered coldly, "now any more interrogation before I go?"

"Yeah just one." The older woman turned just in time to see Shalimar kick her in the stomach. Brennan followed Shalimar and prepared himself.

"What'd you do to Adam?" he snarled.

"Nothing," Cecile said truthfully, "I have no idea where he is."

"She's telling the truth," Emma confirmed, "she's just doing what Eckhart told her to do."

"Correct," Cecile groaned, "now don't move or your friend gets it." She had picked up the gun slowly, without anyone noticing. She pointed it at Aralyn.

"No! Don't do auntie!" Nat cried, "what's wrong with you?"

Cecile pushed a greying strand of hair out of her brown eyes. She stared into Nat's equally brown eyes.

"I loved you and your mother so much," she grinned weakly, "I have tried so hard over the years to get you two the help you need. Now I have the chance and I won't let it slip from my fingers."

"But I've got help," Nat replied, "my dad knows what to do. He can help me."

"You can't trust Genomex," Shalimar said uneasily, "they're dangerous. Especially Eckhart."

"Leave your nephew with us and we'll take care of him," Emma assured Cecile. She took a step forward and Cecile readied the gun.

"I said don't move," she scowled, "Nat come here."

Nat obiedently walked up beside her. Aralyn looked at him with terrifed eyes. Next thing she knew, Shalimar had hit the hand Cecile was holding the gun in. But she still heard a gun shot. Aralyn gasped as she felt impact. And it wasn't the bullet. Nat had stepped in front of her before Jesse could get out of his seat. He took the bullet to the chest.

"Oh my god," Aralyn gasped, "Nat!!" Heavily he landed on her and Aralyn felt the hot blood pour onto her.

There was a clatter which meant that Cecile had dropped the gun. Emma glanced over toward her and felt her pain. Literally. Cecile was shaking, her face pale and distorted.

"Here Aralyn. I'll help you up," Brennan offered. He gently lifted Nat up so slowly that Aralyn could see a turtle creep past.

Jesse took her hand and jerked her up. Aralyn looked at the state of her clothes. There was a middle sized blood stain on her light blue shirt.

"Oh no! My poor, poor, nephew!" Cecile shrieked. She had just realized what she done. Brennan carried Nat to the lab and put him down on one of the beds.

"Oh god where's Adam?" Aralyn moaned, "where could he be?"

"I don't know but we have to get a hold of him some how," Jesse pointed out, "meanwhile, Emma you see what you can do, I'll take care of tracking Adam and Brennan and Shal you can deal with Cecile. Aralyn you go get some rest. We'll find Adam I know we will."

Adam stood siltently, waiting for the answer.

"Now Mr. Kane you're sure about this?" the man asked at last.

Adam paused for a second. "Yes. Yes I'm sure."

"Well we'll get started then." And with that they climbed into the car and sped off.

End of chapter 3

YAY!!! I finally updated. hehe

Woow mysterious. To be quite honest I don't really have a clue who the mystery man is. (the one Adam was talking to). Well whatever, we'll all find out soon.