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Chapter 4

Jesse did a quick sweep of the safehouse computer and started downloading the updates for the central system. He hated those missions where they had nothing to do except pushing one or two buttons and survey a place. It was boring, yet it had the advantage of giving him time to think about Shal. He would have talked to Brennan if only he had not been sworn to secrecy. The molecular sighed and resumed typing the different codes when prompted for.

Meanwhile, Shalimar was pacing outside checking the perimeter for any problems. But everything came clear so the feral decided to join Jesse. Upon entering the place she spotted him watching the three screens lost in deep thoughts.

"How long till you're done? There's nothing here to do and I checked the perimeter twice."

Jesse jumped from his seat hearing her voice. He hated it when she did that to him. He turned his head slightly to watch her coming his way a seductive smile playing on her lips, reaching her eyes. Slowly he turned his chair to face her. The moment their eyes met he knew what she was up to mischief; the little spark in her eyes was speaking volumes.

"What do you have in mind?"

The feral sat across his lap and her eyes turned yellow for a few seconds. She began to play with the collar of his shirt letting her fingers brush against his skin every now and then. The molecular had to repress a slight shiver. Every day it was becoming harder to hide what he felt for her in front of the others. Her lips landed on his earlobe softly grazing at the sensitive skin. Her murmur was barely above a whisper.

"Well it depends on how long we have before meeting Adam's contact."

Jesse smiled at her and lightly ran one of his hands up and down her spine before pulling her at him for a hungry kiss. When they parted, Shalimar rested her forehead against his and licked her lips. The molecular watched the movements of her tongue with a greedy smile.

"You're going to be the death of me woman."

Soon, her leather jacket fell to the ground, quickly followed by his shirt and t-shirt. Her lips began slowly their travel down to his collarbone, nibbling at his skin, liberating an irrepressible wave of desire through him.

"I want you Jesse now."

In a matter of seconds, the rest of their clothes was shed haphazardly across the floor and they made their way to the couch. The safehouse was quickly invaded with lust filled whispers and low moans. Their bodies slid hungrily against one another until all they felt was pure animalistic pleasure. And when they came down Jesse knew he would not, could not lie to the others anymore. The two mutants lay on the couch, completely naked basking in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

"Shal, love I think we have to talk."

The feral just cuddled closer to him, taking in the warm safety of his embrace. She knew what he wanted to talk about; the same things had been turning inside her head for days now.

"I know. Sometimes it weighs down on me too. But let's just wait some more, please."

He began rubbing her back until all he could hear from her was small purring sounds.

"Shal, I know you're not happy with our current situation and it started even before Emma and Brennan announced they were together."

She sighed and leaned on her elbows to watch him. He definitely knew her better than she cared to admit.

"You're right. But…"

"No but my little cat. We wait one month and after that, we'll talk to them."

The computer emitted several loud beeps signaling that the updates were done. The two lovers looked back at the computers and burst out laughing. Little did they know that their future had already been sealed.

XXX

Later that night Emma sat alone in the lab working on a disk they had found three days ago. Shalimar had gone to bed earlier saying she was tired. Jesse had worked with her and Adam a few more hours before calling it a night. She had sent their leader to get some sleep an hour ago sensing his tiredness. Brennan was not far away and Luke was peacefully sleeping. Everything was perfectly in place under the cover of the night.

The psionic watched the code displayed on the computer screen. It seemed easy, a simple alignment of numbers and letters. They had easily gone past the first algorithm but they had hit a wall after that. Adam had been working on it for two days now but had not been able to find a way to decode the message. And the young woman was starting to loose hope. How could she break that code if Adam couldn't?

"I don't get it."

A deep low voice made her jump nearly knocking her cup of tea off the table.

"Did someone ever tell you that to solve a problem it's better to let your brain work freely."

"Brennan, you scared me."

The elemental shrugged. Getting closer, he put his hands on her shoulders and started softly massaging her tense muscles. He felt her relaxing under his touch, momentarily forgetting about her work.

"It's nearly midnight Emma. I finished an hour ago and I fed Luke. Our little meeting with James at the mall… it just worries me. I don't know. I have the weird sensation that everything is just too perfect to last."

Emma put her hand on top of his and yawned. She had had the same feeling since their meeting with Brennan's old friends. The fact that the meeting between Shal, Jesse and Adam's contact had been a trap only added to her uneasiness.

It had also affected Luke greatly and it worried her. He had been restless all afternoon, crying in between his sleep hours if someone other than Emma or Brennan tried to touch him.

"I know what you mean. Don't worry about that. The events of the day are just coincidences."

He wanted to believe her; it would be so much easier. But worry radiated from her in waves and with his newfound ability it was hard not to be affected. Breathing deeply he shoved the uneasy feeling in a little corner of his mind.

Softly he kissed the top of her head, taking in the scent of her shampoo. It instantly made him forget about the day's event, his anguish. She was the best remedy he could find. She was his world.

"I've put the new bed together in our bedroom. I'll move the rest of my stuff tomorrow if I have the time. And Jesse agreed to help me open a communicating door between the two rooms. That way Luke will have his own bedroom and we'll be close to him."

Emma closed her eyes wearily and switched off the computer silently. The code would have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight all she wanted was to curl beside Brennan and reveal in the comfort of his love.

The couple quietly made it's way to their bedroom hand in hand sharing a companionable silence. Every now and then, Emma would steal a glance at her lover wondering how he had been able to adjust so easily to their new life.

She was ready to open the door when Brennan stopped her with a slight smile. Swiftly he opened the door and covered her eyes with his hands. The young woman laughed lightly and cautiously walked in the room. He always had a way to make her feel happy, loved.

"Don't cheat."

She did as told wondering what kind of surprise he had prepared. The bedroom had been a no man's land the whole day. The only time she had tried to even come close Brennan had blocked the way. So she had stayed in the lab with Adam and Jesse patiently waiting for him to finish.

She heard the door closing nearly silently and cursed. The noise was enough to wake their son up and it would take her a few hours to put him back to sleep. As if hearing her, he reassured her softly.

"Luke is in my old bedroom and I've switched on the baby-speaker we bought this morning."

"You thought about everything did you? Can I open my eyes now?"

The elemental lowered his hands and rested them on her hips. Gently he whispered in her ear, his breath softly tickling her cheek.

"Yeah. Open your eyes."

His arms came around her waist, bringing her closer to him. The young woman opened her eyes and stood dumbfounded. A huge wooden bed with a carved headrest occupied most of the space. He had put their common desk in a corner with the shelves. Their books were mixed with other personal stuff. In less than a day he had rearranged their private space giving it a warm personal touch. Gently she turned in his arms and rested her hands on his chest. Her smile made his heart nearly stop.

"Brennan Mulwray I have no words to tell you how I feel."

The elemental brought his hand to her cheek softly caressing it.

"Then make me feel it."

XXX

Without a word Brennan went straight for the coffee pot and poured himself a generous amount of the steaming black liquid. Adam and Jesse watched him with amused grins each speculating about the reasons for his silence and tired frown. Unconcerned the elemental flopped down on a chair resting his forehead on the table. He was ready to fall asleep when Jesse's question startled him.

"Rough night?"

Brennan looked up snickering. He hadn't slept that bad in years.

"You could say so. Luke woke up at 3 in the morning and cried nearly all night after Emma fed him. So instead of putting him back in his crib, Emma put him on her stomach to sleep. But the results were no better. So we went for my stomach. Have you ever tried to sleep with a baby on your stomach; you can't move."

Adam shook his head. He had warned them it wouldn't be easy. But they hadn't listened and now Brennan was sleeping on his feet. What if a mission abruptly came up? But it was not the time to lecture Brennan; he had the nagging feeling that something was up with the little one.

Hearing a rushed sound the three men turned their head toward the door only to see Shalimar running in her bedroom direction a hand on her mouth. Jesse frowned slightly worried. Adam only shrugged; he was used to the antics of the feral. Brennan just laid his forehead back on the table.

"Brennan don't fall asleep on the table."

The elemental guiltily looked up with pleading eyes. 'Please Adam, not a lecture, not now.' The silent exchange was interrupted when Emma came in with Luke in her arms. She looked as tired as Brennan. Silently she greeted them and quickly kissed her lover. Despite his tiredness, he took the sleeping baby from her arms. The young woman smiled gratefully at him and started preparing her breakfast.

"Adam, I know you're busy with that code but could you scan Luke again? I think he has colic, but I need to be sure it's not something more serious."

The doctor in him had to admire the young woman facing him. She had a well-developed maternal instinct and even if she was tired, her baby came first. He got up and washed his dishes. Before leaving the kitchen he turned around smiling.

"Sure. You two come after your breakfast. I'll examine Luke."

The only thing he hoped for was that his suspicions about the baby were not grounded.

XXX

Two hours later, Adam read the scan a second time before giving the news to Emma and Brennan. How could he have missed that problem the first time? It was no wonder the little family hadn't slept. Wearily he rubbed his eyes and couldn't help but feel sorry for his two children. The next few months would be a nightmare.

TBC...