Cat and Mouse
Chapter 6
Marking Her Territory
A/N: A brief explanation of the difference in the twin's hair color. Hair is not always the same shade. The two girls' hair were just different shades of the same color, one is quite a bit darker than the other one.
A/N: glad you are all liking the story. But let me continue…
…
Emma did not know the first thing about being a mother to two four year olds. Well, she had the mother-hen routine down pat from being around the members of Mutant X, but two four years olds were a different story completely.
They continued to stay at the Estate house, updating the computer security systems and allowing Emma time to decide what she wanted to do about the whole situation. Even the staff enjoyed the two young girls, in a house that had been long empty of happiness since Myra's accident.
Bob and Carol left after two days after giving Emma and Adam the girls' medical records and some pointers and to give Emma an adjustment period without them hovering around in the background.
Emma found some journals of Myra's in the old bedroom and read some of the early entries. Myra always expected Emma to return to her daughters. She insisted that the girls not get "too close" to Bob and Carol; they were to be called Aunt Carol and Uncle Bob. Emma felt out of place reading that part, so she chose not to read anymore.
…
Chessy and Jori had already completed a year at Miss Patsy's School of Dance and wanted to share what they had learned with their Mama. A short recital was planned later for after lunch. Emma smiled to herself remembering her first few years at the studio.
"Mama?" Jori asked.
"Don't cry." Chessy added.
"We're ready." They chorused.
Emma startled, not realizing that it was after lunch already and everybody was gathering in the studio. She smiled down at her daughters. Her daughters, she thought, proud to be brought together with them again.
She followed them into the studio and took her seat with the others. Chessy and Jori ran over behind the screen. Shalimar started the music at their cue: Handel's Water Music. They came out dressed like mermaids and did a lot of spins. Emma sighed. Shalimar tapped her knee in appreciation of the efforts the two girls were in dancing for their Mama.
After they were done dancing, they both ran over to Emma expectantly. "Mama, it's your turn now."
Emma protested some, but allowed them to pull her behind the screen. She had not expected this. Chessy told her, "You're going to dance the last dance and Jori and I will be dancing the mirror parts."
Oh, no. They wanted her to dance her's and Myra's last dance. She took a deep breath.
Mama, you can do it. Do it in memory of Aunt Myra for us. You need to open up about it. Chessy chided her in her head. They were both strong telepaths. Emma didn't know if they were stronger because of her genes, or that was how their mutancy was progressing. We know the dance and will help you get thru it. Aunt Myra showed us the movie and we memorized it… Jori chimed in behind her sister.
"Ok!" Emma knew she couldn't resist her daughters and that scared her some. She changed into the outfit that Chessy held out for her.
Jori signaled for Shalimar to put the next track on. The three came out and stood with their backs together. Chessy and Jori were leading this dance and gave Emma all the mental cues.
Turn around, Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you're never coming round.
Turn around, Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears.
Turn around, Every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by.
Turn around, Every now and then I get a little bit terrified and then I see the look in you eyes.
Turn around Bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart,
Turn around Bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart
Emma danced the way her daughters wanted her to dance it, with no thought of sadness. She suspected that Chessy was behind the telempathy that was leading her around and around. Adam is just itching to see what mutancy powers they really have, she thought as she looked at Adam watching the dance ensue. Shalimar was beaming like a Cheshire Cat and the boys were really surprised. This dance was better than what she did with Myra.
The three landed in a heap, giggling almost hysterically, as the song ended. The rest of the group were on their feet hooting, whistling and showing big appreciation for the dance they had just watched. Emma smiled and tickled her daughters until they stood up and curtseyed.
…
Later that evening, after Shalimar and Emma had put the twins to be, the two sat down for a talk. Emma was troubled by the twins talking about Katya. "How could they have talked to Katya? I miscarried her!"
"I don't know either, Emma." Shalimar pulled her closer in a hug. "Maybe Adam can figure it out later when we go back to Sanctuary." She unbottomed Emma's shirt to the waist, admiring the small, milky breast. She playfully nipped one. Emma moaned. Shalimar got up briefly to make sure the door was locked, before she returned her attentions to the female body before her.
Emma giggled and pulled away. "Catch me!" She rolled over to the other side of the bed and dropped to the floor. Shalimar lunged over the bed to try and catch her. Emma rolled under the bed to the other side. She was enjoying teasing Shalimar tonight. Shalimar's eyes flashed briefly and then she pounced unexpectantly on Emma when Emma stood up. "Ah ha!" She liked it when Emma played back this way. She missed it over the past few days.
Being reunited with her daughters had put a lot of happiness back into Emma's eyes. Shalimar closed her eyes willing the memory of the haunted ones that had looked up at her a few weeks ago to go away. She didn't like seeing it in Emma's eyes. Once in a while the hauntedness was back briefly and Emma would always blink rapidly a few times. Nobody noticed this except for Shalimar. Nobody now until Chessy and Jori, that is. The twins were so atuned to Emma's emotions, that they would instantly be by Emma's side giving her a hug, even before Shalimar could react. Shalimar was slightly jealous of that and was hurt sometimes by Emma giving all the attention to the twins.
Emma decided that Shalimar was brooding long enough tonight. She had Shalimar's shirt off a the few seconds before Shalimar reacted. She playfully nipped Shalimar's breasts in the same manner that Shal had done to her a few minutes before. Shal looked down and fell back on the bed with Emma attached.
They soon fell asleep, exhausted.
…
Sarah and Clara loved the house being occupied. They competed among themselves to cook a better meal each time than the last one. They didn't want this to end, but they knew deep down that it might.
…
Only one event was almost a complete disaster. The third day had dawned with a lot of rain and thunder. Adam told them there was no use in trying to work on the computer systems today, so Brennan and Jesse took off for town to pick up some DVD's and snacks for a movie fest for the whole gang.
The first one was the Lion King. Emma was laying on the cushions with the two girls using her stomach as a pillow.
The words of the one song came on, and Emma started crying quietly.
"From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
Some say eat or be eaten
Some say live and let live
But all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give" (Elton John's Circle of Life)
This was one of the songs Myra requested for her last day. Emma tried to get up from under the twins to run from the room, but the twins were not having any of it. They hugged her tightly which made Emma cry louder. Shalimar moved in behind Emma and pulled her up into a sitting position when Emma started choking. The emotional outpouring from Emma scared the twins because it was so strong and they had never experienced that before.
Brennan paused the DVD, aghast at his and Jesse's faux paux in picking out that particular movie. Emma finally stopped crying. "I'm sorry, girls." She told the twins. "I loved your Aunt Myra so much. Aunt Shalimar or somebody can tell you sometime about that."
She looked up at Brennan. "I'm under control now. That song just caught me off guard."
Brennan asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, please play it."
The group settled down. Emma remained leaning against Shalimar, grateful for the contact, and also so happy for her twins at her side.
Adam watched how the twins settled Emma down and sighed quietly.
…
All too soon, all the modifications and upgrades were done. And their eventual return to Sanctuary. Shalimar caught up with Adam that afternoon.
"Adam, we need to have a talk."
"What is it, Shalimar?"
"The twins. And Emma."
"Oh, that. I guess it is up to Emma."
"Adam, I think all of us have a say in it too. We need to weight out the pros and cons of everything. I mean, what happens when we have to go out on an extended mission. Two four years are not exactly easy to work with. What if Emma gets injured?"
Brennan and Jesse walked in. "What if what?"
"Shalimar was just bringing up some concerns that she has where Emma and the twins are concerned and the team. I agree that we need to discuss this out. Because how we proceed from here affects all us, not just Emma and the twins."
Jesse volunteered to go get Emma. She was watching the twins swim with Sarah and Clara. "Emma, Adam wants to talk to us. Sarah, can you watch the twins for awhile?"
"Sure, no problem. They're easy to watch."
Emma reluctantly walked away from the pool with Jesse.
"So what's up, Jess?" She asked.
"That's why Adam is having the meeting."
Emma looked at Jesse. "Oh. That's what I was afraid of."
They walked into the computer room, where the rest of the team was waiting. Adam waited until Emma and Jesse sat down before proceeding.
"Emma, the team wants to know what you want to do about the twins."
"And Mutant X." Brennan added.
Emma breathed deeply. Somehow this was going to be as difficult as when she sat by the Tranquility Pool and told them about her past. "I'm not sure. I knew this would come up sometime or another. I want them with me, but I don't want them to live in danger like we have. I don't want to leave Mutant X either."
"Ok, let's handle this one problem at a time. Emma, you want the twins to live with us at Sanctuary?"
"Yes." She held her breath, know what was coming next.
"Brennan, Jesse, Shalimar. You live there too. Do you want the twins to live there too?"
"Yes, of course. All of us want them there."
"But?"
Brennan started the list, "Food, schooling."
Jesse added, "Training, Missions."
Shalimar ended with, "Sleeping arrangements." Emma looked at her hard. Shalimar had no emotions on her face, so Emma couldn't figure out what was behind Shal's comment.
Adam studied them all, "Sleeping arrangements, we just need to renovate some of the bigger rooms further into the cave. Food. I think Bob and Carol left us with a list of the twins' likes and dislikes, so we just have to add those to the normal grocery list. Schooling? From what I've observed with out specifically testing them, I would say that they are already at a second grade level. I think we could home school them easily with our resources. Training? That's a difficult one to determine from here. Their powers are raw right now, but I think we can refine them better at Sanctuary. I actually would prefer them at Sanctuary. I'm surprised that Genomax has not picked up on them already. Missions? I think eventually we can include them. Sarah and Clara have already volunteered "babysitting" services for any time. The whole staff in fact enjoys them here."
Adam sighed. "Emma, just by being your daughters, they are in danger. But hiding them away will probably be worse than keeping them with us. I'm a firm believer that a Mother needs to be at her children's side. But the final decision is up to you and the twins. They are old enough to have a voice in all this too."
Brennan said in the silence that follows, "Emma, we've seen you go from extreme sadness to radiating joy and happiness ever since the first day we came back here to meet your daughters. I will not stand in your way of your daughters, except if I need to protect them." He played with a tesla coil briefly to emphasize his words.
Jesse added, "They have already figured out some of my firewalls. I'd rather be teaching them to work with us than have them out there where Genomax or someone worse can get ahold of them."
"And they have more mutant powers than we first believed." Adam supplemented his earlier comments.
Shalimar kept uncharacteristically quiet. Emma looked up at her, searching for approval or disapproval of the plans. Shalimar was twisting her hair around distracted. "Shal? What do you say?"
Shalimar snapped out, "Don't ask me that, Emma." And she ran out of the room.
Emma followed after her, bewildered at Shalimar's reaction.
The rest of the team looked at each other in concern.
Emma found Shalimar laying face down on the bed that they had been sharing here. "Shal?" Emma closed and locked the door behind her. She had the feeling that it was going to be a long conversation and didn't want anybody interrupting them. She sat down beside Shal and rubbed her back. Shalimar didn't acknowledge her presence yet.
"This is about us, right?" Emma guessed.
Shalimar turned over and faced Emma, with tears in her eyes. She struggled with her words, "Yes. Is it the two of us? Or is it Shal and you three?"
Emma almost started crying right then and there. "Shalimar! I don't want to lose you too. The twins have half my heart, of course, but my other half is you. You are the only one who really kept me here. I see you by my side, sharing my dreams and tears and my children, as well as your children in the future, for a very long time. I can't raise Jorianne and Chestina by myself. I won't. If you won't be by my side for them, I don't have any reason to stay with Mutant X!"
Emma's words hung in the air between them. Shalimar just stared at Emma.
"Shal, you've been there for me. I want to be there for you. The twins are just one part of my life. The missing part of my life that you've filled is just as important to me. Then Mutant X and Adam. I'll always have a small piece reserved for Myra; I won't deny that. But you are the biggest part of my life, equal to the twins." Emma was starting to cry. "Shal?"
Shalimar looked at Emma hard. "Emma, do you know what you are asking of me?"
Emma wiped her eyes quickly. "Yes, Shalimar Fox. I know what I am asking from you."
"You understand that I am a feral. Emma de Lauro."
"Yes."
"That sometimes I am very unpredictable."
"Yes, my she-cat vixen friend." Emma pulled her shirt off, not taking her eyes off of Shalimar.
"That sometimes I am not always satisfied by one person."
"I don't mind sharing you, as long as you are there." Emma continued undressing herself, still not removing her eyes from Shalimar, waiting and judging her friend's reactions.
Shalimar's eyes flashed yellow showing the cat-like slits. "I don't always play fair." She continued warning Emma, not quite sure if she was ready for where this was all going.
Emma continued, "I don't care, Shalimar. I love you." Emma reached over to pull Shal into her arms.
Shalimar tried one last tactic. "Will you be jealous if the twins call me 'Mommy' instead of Aunt Shalimar?"
Emma just smiled and leaned in to catch Shalimar's lips in a kiss to silence her protests.Shalimar pulled back. "I mark my territory sometimes."
"Mark me all you want, Shalimar Fox. I don't care. I might mark you back." Emma pleaded.
Shalimar pounced on Emma and pinned her to the bed. She started kissing Emma on her chin and neck, letting her feral side take over. She leaned up, checking Emma's eyes for any protests, and seeing none, she dropped her head down on the side of Emma's throat and sucked hard. She broke the skin easily and licked it clean. She continued kissing down Emma's body, teasing the nipples until Emma whimpered and cried out her name. Then she moved down to Emma's thighs. Emma spread her legs wide and whimpered more. Shalimar slowly teased with her tongue.
Then she jumped up and stripped her clothes off in one fluid movement. Emma moved and pinned Shalimar down in the bed instead. She gave her the same torturous trail of kisses down Shal's neck. Something inside her moved her to give Shalimar a similar bloody hicky. Shalimar sighed contentedly when she felt Emma licking the blood. "Emma, are you sure that you want a feral mate?"
Emma whispered her "yes." Shalimar nuzzled Emma's neck until she came to the hicky she gave Emma earlier. She licked more of the blood up and then gave Emma a full French kiss, mingling the two bloods together.
Then, "Shalimar? Emma? Answer me." Adam interrupted them through the com-rings.
The two giggled at Adam's impatience. "Yes, Adam, we're here."
Emma looked deep into Shalimar's eyes. "Do you want to make the whole thing official?"
"What?"
"Flower girls and all?"
"Yes, Emma de Lauro, let's do that."
"We should ask the twins."
"And Adam."
They got dressed reluctantly.
Shalimar called Adam on the com-ring, "Adam, get everybody together. Emma and I have come to a decision…" She looked at Emma and leaned over and licked the blood from her lips. Emma caught her lip back and smiled.
…
TBC
