Hello to you... I finally managed to write the end of this story. Enjoy!

AN: I have a few people to thank here... Jimmy Thanks my friend without you this story wouldn't even exist!My dear Audrey what can I say? You know how much I enjoy our little talks and the weird ideas coming out of them (evil grin). Kiki my dear beta without you you know how my stories would be... Josh because you gave me one or two ideas (without knowing it) And then thanks to Alytru146, Angel, Bohemianbabe, Delauro, EmmaMulwray, Gauri (I'm keeping the idea for latter use!), Gelf, Ivette,Megara1, Mony 19, Sagutcheway, Shalcat-Kitty, Shiroi Sakura whotook the time to read this story.

Chapter 7

The young woman sat frozen on the couch. Outside the blizzard peaked up with renewed strength lashing at the windows making them sinisterly crack under the pressure. Barely minutes ago the weather had been fine with stars shining. What was going on? This was just pure nonsense and it frightened her to no end. It couldn't be another panic attack; it had never been like that.

Lightly Emma ran her fingers on the woollen cover they had left on the couch scant hours ago trying to find something to anchor her mind to, anything. Its texture felt raspy, the contact warm and real. Even the smell of wood in the fireplace, the warmth it radiated, was real. Nothing was out of place around her; each and every little thing was perfect just like in her memory. Her observation only increased her feeling that everything was an illusion, an illusion created only for her, something that would disappear if she closed her eyes.

Brennan watched her looking at the fire with an absent expression. Her reaction had been less than normal. It was not like her to panic so easily. His little angel appeared so young, so lost that it made his heart ache. The elemental sat on the couch and wrapped her in his arms trying to protect her from whatever was haunting her.

"What happened Emma?"

The psionic sniffed unable to hide her anguish. It was still too present in her mind for her to deny the truth especially in front of him.

"I focused on the lights and then the world… vanished; it fell to pieces. I was standing alone in an empty space with no sensations, no emotions and I could not get away from that place."

Her shivers only increased and he tightened his grip on her. Her worry was slowly creeping over his mind making his heart constrict. He had to use all his strength to keep it at bay.

"Emma, we have been watching the aurora for almost half an hour. I have never left you."

He paused unsure.

"When did you start having panic attacks honey? Did it start that morning before we fought?"

She nodded silently in his neck almost like a frightened child. It was a good thing that they shared that bond. She didn't need to explain everything; he could sense it from her.

"Yeah, I went out because I was suffocating. And it was not just a panic attack. I think that this world is an illusion. Am I going crazy Bren?"

Her uncertainty made him gasp. He took her face in his strong hands making eye contact with her. Tears were threatening to burst from her eyes and all he wanted to do was comforting her.

"Oh Emma! Honey, you're not getting crazy. There has to be a logic explanation."

Tears of helplessness were now sliding down her cheeks wetting his thumbs, chilling him. She was barely able to contain her sobs and she began to tremble like a leaf under the assault of the wind. Gently he cradled her in his arms rocking her in hope to stop the shivers. But he knew that without something she considered real to cling to, it would not stop.

He focused on his love for her creating a small cocoon for them both. He didn't know if it would work but he had to try nonetheless. The emotional flood slowly filled him steadily growing overflowing his heart, reaching her mind engulfing them. Her sobs receded as she focussed on the steady sensation slowly engulfing her. His love for her was gently overwhelming her mind fighting the darkness giving her an anchor point.

"Emma this is real. Whenever that sensation threatens to overcome you I want you to remember that our love is real and that I am here for you whatever happens. Look at me honey, if this world is an illusion then all I know, all I'll ever known is you and what we share."

She looked at him through her tears searching for his eyes. If she hadn't been in love with him already she would have instantly fallen for him. His strength and his love for her were all she needed. Her shivers stopped and she gave him a faint smile.

XXX

Adam sneezed loudly nearly emptying his cup of coffee on his desk. He had been awake for seventy-two hours and he started to feel less than good. But he dismissed quickly his concern for his health. Two of his protégés were still lying in the lab and another was down with the flu. Another sneeze and he knew that it would take less than 2 days to bring him down completely.

The first thing he did upon entering the lab was checking their vitals. The scientist watched them with dread. The longer they stayed in that state the hardest it would be to bring them back. Wearily he rubbed his forehead. The readings from Emma's scan were starting to show little disruptions. Any other day he would have dismissed them thinking it was just linked to her higher brain activity. But they were getting more frequent and irregular. Maybe if he could convert those signals into images and sounds he would be able to understand what was wrong with them.

XXX

Brennan watched Emma sprawled on the bed nearly lying on top of him. She had fallen asleep an hour ago completely exhausted. The elemental couldn't help but replay her words in his head. 'This world is just an illusion'. He gently stroked her hair. How could something so beautiful so amazing be an illusion? It was beyond his understanding. Yet he knew that if Emma had sensed it, it must be the truth.

How could have they been trapped in an illusion? They hadn't met any new mutant so it couldn't be a trap. Could everything around them be Emma's doing? He knew she was powerful, maybe more than she would let on. However it seemed unlikely that she had such power. Yet… he could still remember Adam telling him about her abilities.

His hand traveled down her back softly pushing the covers aside. He circled her tattoo with his fingers lightly. In response she sighed and cuddled closer to him; gently he tightened his grip on her. If this was an illusion there was no point leaving their shelter.

His musings abruptly stopped when he heard Emma whimper softly against his chest. The young woman began to trash disentangling from his embrace. He tried to take her back in his arms but she kept getting away from him. He could almost hear her heart madly hammering in her chest, her ragged breath. She was having one of her attacks again and he could do nothing to help her. Suddenly she sat opening her eyes but instead of their usual blue they were pitch black. The elemental sat up stunned and leaned on the headboard.

"Emma, what is wrong?"

But she stayed silent unmoving with her eyes fixed on him as if trying to figure a problem. Despite the lack of pupils movements he knew she was getting more focused on him and it made him uncomfortable. Unable to hold her gaze any longer the young man looked around only to realize he was floating in a black empty space. Bright star clusters began to form around them and her earlier words resounded in his mind again 'This is just an illusion'. He should have been frightened by her ability to create such an amazing space; yet it was a part of her he would have to deal with eventually.

"Emma, focus. Don't let your fear get the best of you!"

She blinked a few times; the stars around them vanished before her eyes turned blue again. Instantly the cabin reappeared around them with the fire happily cracking. Brennan let out the breath he had been holding and then he realized that the fire had been dying when they had gone to bed.

Emma stared at him completely shocked. She tried to speak but the words were caught in her throat. What she had seen was beyond her understanding. She felt Brennan wrap her in his arms and put the covers back on them. He started rubbing her back hoping he could ease her fear a little.

"This place is not real Bren. Our bodies are back in Sanctuary."

XXX

The loud irregular beeping of Emma's heart monitor called Adam back to reality. He rushed to her side hoping it was not what he feared. Her heartbeats became crazy and before he had the time to react he was engulfed in a black empty space.

His own heartbeat increased and then his surroundings changed. He was in the cabin with Brennan and Emma. The couple was lying on the bed talking but he couldn't make out what they were saying. He tried to call them but his shout was silent. After a few seconds he was back in the lab and Emma's heartbeat had nearly returned to normal.

Wearily he returned to his seat. Emma's power had extended to a point where it could become dangerous for everyone in the vicinity. He had been careless. He should have seen how her ability had evolved. He focused back on the readings. With each passing second she was getting weaker. And Brennan's vitals were mirroring her reactions exactly.

Her body would not be able to endure those brutal changes and provide enough energy to hold the illusion much longer. It was merely a matter of hours for both of them. He looked at the red liquid in the syringe he was holding. Little crystals were shining, reflecting the artificial light of the lab. He closed his eyes trying to convince himself it was the only decision; that it was going to save at least one of them.

Abruptly he put the syringe back on the desk. He would give them until midnight. After that he would have to make a choice.

XXX

The moment Brennan had seen her eyes and the fire he had understood. So the news didn't shock him. The implications however were more frightening. He dared not think how it could influence their relationship. What if they had gone all that way in vain?

"How?"

Emma sighed against his chest. She knew he would not let her get away that easily.

"I thought it was just a dream. But then I opened my eyes and I was in the lab. We were lying on the medical beds and Adam was working on our EEG. Things were different there, the odors, the colors. I was able to sense Shalimar and Jesse too."

His voice was barely above a whisper but she heard him loud and clear.

"So all of this, us, what we have lived is just some kind of dream."

Upon perceiving the worry laced with his words she instantly looked up. How could he think that they were an illusion? How could he think that she had not meant what had happened?

"What? Brennan did you loose your mind? This is not funny."

She took a deep breath before going on. Of course something occurring in the 'mind-world' would frighten and create doubts in anyone's mind.

"What happened to us was meant to be even if it just occurred in our minds. Don't ever doubt that."

Her outburst eased his fears. His hands framed her face lovingly drawing her to him. When their lips met it was like a first kiss, sweet, overwhelming.

"I hate to break the mood but how do we return to the 'real' world? "

She put her head back on his chest sighing. She didn't have the answer to that question but somehow it was linked to her sleep and dreams. She knew that if she would find a way out. But Brennan was trapped with her and it might become a problem. She was tired and weak. All she wanted was to rest with him beside her.

XXX

Emma awoke to the now familiar pain going through her skull. She rubbed her forehead desperately trying to ease the throbbing pain a little although she knew it was useless. With each second the pain increased and she could feel tiny tentacles piercing through her brain causing a burning sensation to radiate from her head to her limbs. She froze afraid the slightest movement would trigger more pain.

When the pain subsided she opened her eyes only to find herself in the lab with Adam bent over her a worried frown on his face. She blinked a few times before looking around her nearly frantically. She tried to move but her body felt like lead. Turning her head to the left she spotted Brennan. He was still asleep unmoving and so pale it made her gasp.

"Welcome back to the real world Emma."

She diverted her gaze from her love only to find Adam smiling at her while checking her pupil reflexes.

"Brennan… he's still there. I need… to get back…"

Her voice was low, hesitant and tired. Adam finished his examination and watched her not fully understanding what she was saying. Brennan was with them. His vitals were good and the reading on his EEG had gone back to normal the moment Emma had awoke.

The young woman tried to get off the bed but her legs felt numb, useless. Her weakness only upset her; she wanted to get back, she had to get back. He gently squeezed her shoulder trying to comfort her.

"Adam he's trapped inside his own mind and if we don't do something he's going to die."

"Emma Brennan is sleeping. He'll wake up in a few hours. You don't need to worry. I'll give you something to help you relax if you want."

The young psionic closed her eyes frustrated. Why wouldn't he listen to her? But then it was Adam. She couldn't expect anything else from him. So instead of arguing with him endlessly she just focused on Brennan and the cabin.

Her breath got a little shallower as she put herself in a trance. Everything around her quickly became a blur and she had to repress the panic. Another breath and the horizon cleared before her revealing the valley. Her head started to throb but she was beyond the pain. A blink and she found herself standing on the porch of the cabin. The pain was no longer there and she wondered why it had been so easy. But she shoved her concern in a little corner of her mind.

Afraid to wake Brennan up she carefully opened the door and made her way to the bed. He was peacefully sleeping on his stomach virtually occupying the whole bed. One of his arms was flung over the bed his hand dangling in the air. She sat close to him and her fingers brushed his back lightly. Instantly his eyes shot open. The elemental blinked and turned his head.

"Hey, why are you out of the bed and…"

He detailed her from head to toe. A voice in the back of his mind screamed at him something was not right.

"dressed…"

She ruffled through his hair playfully smiling at him.

"We are leaving this place my love. I'm bringing you back home with me."

His frown only deepened. What was she talking about? They were home already.

"Emma honey, come back to bed. It's too early to start worrying about our current situation."

He took her hand and made her collapse on the bed with him. But instead of her usual giggle his move was rewarded by a frustrated sigh. The sound was enough to wake him completely. He looked up at her.

"Emma? What is wrong?"

"I woke up in sanctuary."

Brennan watched her stunned. And then realization downed on him. She had found a way back to reality. Their reality. But why did it feel so wrong? His doubts became stronger as he felt her slipping her hand in his. Their fingers entwined and he watched their joined hands. Going back to Sanctuary might change everything between them and he didn't want things to go back.

Sensing his doubts she tightened her grip on his hand. She needed to make him understand that it would change nothing between them.

"Bren, look at me please. I… the world we are living in and the world I have in my mind are only one. They can't be separated. I don't understand why you were stuck here with me. Maybe to help us solve our problems."

She paused and kissed the back of his hand before going on.

"I know it's hard for you to understand and accept. But I want you to have faith in me, in us."

He sighed and nuzzled her neck gently.

"That's not the problem Emma. I have faith in us. But do you imagine how the others are going to react? We were not exactly on the best terms before leaving for that mission. Here we are in a small cocoon."

"Are you afraid we might fall back in our old habits?"

His grip on her tightened imperceptibly.

"Emma, I'm… yes. I don't ever want to see tears in your eyes again because of my behaviour or actions."

"I… Brennan you don't know what might happen to us. But I know one thing. As long as we don't shut the other out, everything will be alright."

Suddenly the pain was back making her nearly dizzy. She felt Brennan gripping at her hand more tightly and she knew that he was experiencing the same pain.

"Brennan… we need to go back now. I want you to think about sanctuary, Adam, Jesse and…"

The rest of her sentence was cut by another wave of pain ripping through her skull. She felt herself slipping from that world and as the dizziness threatened to overwhelm her she held more tightly on her love.

Adam watched Emma's body heaving from the medical bed. Her heartbeat was highly irregular and she was struggling for breath. Quickly he filled a syringe with some sedative. But before he had the time to inject it in her IV she abruptly sat on the bed her eyes wide open gasping for breath. At the same time Brennan sat up in a similar state.

"Brennan! Emma! Oh dear god. Don't ever frighten me like that again."

His exclamation was shortly followed by a loud sneeze.

"I'll call Jesse and we'll scan you. I want to be sure everything is perfectly fine with you two. After that I want you to take rest for at least a week. And I want to talk with you Emma."

XXX

Brennan sat on the medical bed with Emma in his arms. Adam had left minutes ago and the elemental felt happy that the constant flow of questions he had been asking since their awakening had finally stopped. If he had to suffer another medical exam he would have to kill someone.

"So… what do you want to do now?"

"I don't know. Remember Adam gave us at least a week off. Maybe we could take some holidays in a warm and sunny place just the two of us."

"You're not tired of me yet?"

Emma slightly turned her head to look at him with a teasing smile.

"Well now that you mention it… I could use some time alone."

He started tickling her, an offended scowl playing on his lips. She would not get away with that so easily. Her laughter resounded in the lab like water trickling and it pleased him to feel her happiness.

"Stop… please, Ok… it was just a joke. I was thinking of Hawaii or maybe the Seychelles. We could buy tickets and go there just like normal people."

Brennan wrapped her more tightly in his arms and buried his nose in her hair. He knew that she could ask him to go anywhere. He would follow her blindly.

"Hawaii is just perfectly fine honey."

She gently kissed his pulse point. The perspective of one week alone with him was making her forget about what had happened to them. His hand landed on her hair smoothing them back lovingly while looking at the wall.

"Emma, look at the clock."

"Happy New Year love."

He didn't bother answering her; instead his lips claimed hers for a sweet kiss. He knew that it was their first New Year's Eve together and if he could help it their would be many others following.

The end...