I know it took me a while to update (sorry but workis a killer!). Anyway... this is your chapter(suggestions, comments and feedback are always welcomed.)

Chapter 5

Shortly after Luke's scan Adam had thrown them out of the lab without any excuses. Knowing he wouldn't let her stay with him, Emma had put the baby to sleep and had resumed her work on the code. Brennan had gone outside for a run saying he needed fresh air to wake up. The psionic knew it was his way to deal with his worry about Luke so she had let him go without a word, respecting his need for privacy. When Adam had called them for an emergency meeting nearly two hours latter, worry and anguish had filled their hearts.

Emma looked at the clock for the third time. Seeing the hour her pacing only increased and she impatiently folded her arms in front of her. What was taking them so long? Helplessness was nagging at her heart and she hated that feeling. With a frustrated sigh she sat on the couch absentmindedly flipping through some magazines desperately trying to divert her mind from her problems.

A few minutes later Brennan arrived, closely followed by Adam. Quickly she locked eyes with her boyfriend and felt the uneasy vibes coming from him. The mere mention of a meeting had alerted her of the seriousness of the situation. Feeling Brennan's nervousness had only added to her worry.

The elemental silently sat close to her wrapping one of his arms around her shoulders. He began to rub her arm in a soothing gesture. In response she slid her hand in his intertwining her fingers with his.

As if carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders Adam heavily sat on the coffee-table in front of them. The older man rubbed his hands together, head bent down, starring at a point on the ground. Trying to find the right words had never been easy for him especially when it was bad news.

"I scanned Luke and I think that his sleeping troubles are not related to colic Emma."

Closing her eyes she breathed deeply. Why was he circling around the truth and sending those mixed waves of pain, worry and pity? As if sensing her turmoil Brennan quickly interjected.

"Cut the crap Adam, what his wrong with Luke?"

The older man looked at Brennan slightly surprised by his outburst. But what was he expecting? The elemental always seemed to be able to read Emma's emotions and he was very protective of her.

"The next few months are going to be critical. Luke is a psionic and his DNA is not totally stable. I don't know why exactly; he's a new breed, harder to stabilize. Strong emotions tend to affect him. Unlike you Emma, he can't control his ability and he can't shield himself."

He watched his two children as the information slowly sank in. He knew what they were going through. It was always really hard when the dreams shattered and you had to face stark reality.

"So what do we do? We leave and go on a deserted island till he is able to control his power?"

Adam chuckled slightly at Brennan's suggestion. It would probably be the wisest thing to do for Luke's sanity. But he needed them there and he wanted to keep an eye on the little one.

"No Brennan I don't think it would be a good idea. I'll try to stabilize his DNA. The other part is up to you two. When Luke is awake, he has to be in contact with one of you. When you go outside with him, you have to emotionally shield him. It is going to be hard. You won't have much trouble here but it could be quite tricky outside even for you Emma. And you Brennan you'll have to learn how to fully control your new ability."

The couple silently nodded realizing what it might imply for their future. The changes would be huge but they also knew that it would be the only chance for Luke. The young woman was the one to utter the question that haunted them both.

"What happens if we fail?"

Adam looked at the ground. He could not hide the truth from them.

"If you fail, he'll go insane. I'm sorry, but you needed to know."

After a few minutes of overloaded silence Adam left them to go back to work. Brennan simply took Emma in his arms in an attempt to comfort her. He refused to think that the outcome would be bad. He was already too attached to the baby to give up right now.

"We'll make it through Emma. Even if it's hard, even if the road is tiring we'll make it through because we are together."

The psionic rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh and squeezed his hand. He was right they had to be strong for Luke. The strength and comfort coming from him soothed her, gave her faith in them. They were doing the right thing; they could not falter, not now.

XXX

Jesse stopped in the hallway watching his two friends. They were locked in a tender embrace on the couch, probably comforting each other. Adam must have brought them the bad news by now. Thought the sight made his heart ache, he didn't want to be at their places. He looked down at the papers resting in his hands; suddenly it felt futile, meaningless. What was the point trying to focus on work when the only thing that occupied his mind was Shal? Silently he retreated in the shadows heading in Shalimar's bedroom direction.

He knocked on the door and came in the room not waiting for her to answer. The feral was rummaging in her wardrobe a frustrated scowl plastered on her face. Nearly half her pants were lying on her bed in a heap. A few tops were lying at her feet. The whole place usually so tidy was a complete mess.

He closed the door and leaned on it watching her. Something was wrong with her; any other day she would have at least acknowledged his presence or screamed at him for not having waited.

"You know that you'll have to clean that mess"

She didn't even bother to look up at the molecular. The day was getting from bad to worst. First she had been sick and now she was unable to find something to wear. All her pants had seemed to shrink lately. Angrily she threw another pair on the bed. Seeing her getting more upset with each new attempt he got closer and made her turn until she was facing him. The feral looked at him clearly upset. If he didn't knew her better, he would have been afraid.

"What's wrong Shal?"

She took two steps backwards, got rid of her jogging pants and T-shirt and put her hands on her hips standing only in her underwear. She had a little interrogative frown playing on her lips as if waiting for him to guess what this was about.

The molecular watched her stunned. What was her point standing there half naked? Something was definitely wrong. She shook her head annoyed. Jesse was definitely clueless about certain things.

"I've put on weight and I can't find anything to wear. And don't tell me you haven't noticed it."

The 'subject'. He dreaded that subject. It only meant trouble. If he told her yes, it would only make her feel bad or worse she would get really angry. And if he said no, she would tell him he was lying. His silence was an answer for her.

"You don't even want to answer. I knew it. This day is a nightmare."

Defeated the feral slumped on the bed near the pile of clothes. All she wanted to do right now was curling in her bed and do nothing for the rest of the day. But it wasn't an option. They had to go to gather information about the people who had stolen and sold the code. She knew she was unfair to Jesse. He was just trying to be there for her.

"Sorry Jesse. I'm just having a bad day."

The molecular closed the distance between them and helped her stand. Gently he cradled her in his arms, smoothing her hair with one hand, the other resting in the small of her back. He could not help it. Seeing her like that bothered him.

"You stay here today and monitor us. I'll go with Brennan. Ok?"

She weakly nodded in his neck. However, it would not solve her problem and he still hadn't answered her question. It was stupid to feel upset with that and she knew it. But it still made her feel like crap.

"Jesse?"

She didn't need to say another word. The molecular sighed; he had to be totally blind not to notice that her waist was fuller, her curves more accented. And even if told her he liked it she would probably get mad. But he had long ago promised himself he would always tell her the truth.

"Yes, you've put on a little weight. But it suits you. I like it."

It was official. The day was hellish. And no words from him would reassure her.

"We'll talk later ok. I need to tell Adam about the changes of plan."

XXX

Jesse and Brennan quickly exited the car and headed in the direction of the 'Walnut Insurance' building. The twenty-floor tower shone in the bright light of the afternoon, the plainness of the architecture contrasting with the surroundings.

They looked up at the building and Brennan nervously tugged at his tie. The whole mission, his meeting with his old friends, Luke, Shalimar staying in Sanctuary with Emma and Adam, everything screamed trouble. The molecular watched him slightly worried; the last thing he needed was his best friend getting distracted from the mission.

Upon reaching the front desk the elemental started drumming his fingers on the counter effectively getting the attention of the girl sitting there.

"Hello, we're here to talk to Mister Morris."

The receptionist silently nodded and picked the phone to announce the two visitors. The ride to the last floor was spent in an overloaded silence each occupant lost in his own preoccupations. A few minutes later they were admitted in a gigantic office overlooking the bay. The man facing them didn't even bother to look up from his papers. He kept on scribbling notes and readjusting his glasses from time to time.

"I know why Adam sent you. But I have nothing new to tell you. All I can give you is a name: James McFarllan. He was in charge of the lab security. He was the only one to have the access and the contacts to sell that code"

Upon hearing the name Brennan's breath got caught and he had to repress a shiver. The situation was worst than he could ever have imagined. If James and his friends were involved they were in for major trouble. And he knew that Adam would ask him to contact his old friends. The thought was less than pleasant; it was a part of his life he had put behind him.

XXX

As the sun descended on the mountain the five friends gathered around the kitchen table for their evening meal, momentarily forgetting their problems and the mission.

Emma stole the last shrimp from Brennan's plate with an innocent smile. The elemental watched her with a raised brow but made no move to stop her. Instead he just rested his hand on her tight beneath the table. Adam watched the affectionate display between the two with a smile. They had taken the news about Luke with a maturity and a strength that had surprised him. The adversity seemed to have brought them even closer than before.

His eyes traveled around the table and came to rest on Shalimar and Jesse. They were completely silent absentmindedly chewing on their food exchanging little smiles every now and then. If he didn't knew them better he could have sworn something was going on between the two. He shook his head amused and resumed eating. Emma was right. He desperately needed sleep.

Shalimar pushed her plate aside having barely touched it. She had talked to Jesse only scant hours before the evening meal. The two lovers had agreed to talk to their friends and the time was quickly approaching making her more nervous than she had ever thought she would be. Why was it so hard? The doubts were stronger than she had expected; they were like an invisible enemy trying to keep her on the ground. So the feral kept stealing glances at Jesse trying to find the strength she needed. And when their eyes connected she knew; it was the right moment. Her hand rested on his on the table gently squeezing it.

"Guys Jesse and I have something to tell you."

XXX

Hearing Luke crying on top of his lungs through the baby-speaker, Emma evaded the oppressiveness of the kitchen as quickly as possible. She didn't want to be caught in the middle of a battle between Shalimar, Jesse and Adam. The discussion was not going as smoothly as it had for her and Brennan. For some reason Adam couldn't accept them together. The emotional battle going on in the kitchen was a nightmare for her. It was no wonder it had awoken Luke.

She hadn't been surprised by their little news unlike their leader; the signs had been there shortly after Richard's death though she had overlooked them blaming her imagination. Brennan hadn't seemed surprised either. Shalimar had seemed happier lately. If it was because of her relation with Jesse then it was fine with her.

The young woman entered Brennan's old bedroom only to find Luke wiggling his arms and feet, tears straining his cheeks. She closed the door and quietly scooped the baby in her arms. Sitting on the rocking chair she created a shield to protect him from the emotional turmoil playing in their home. But Luke wouldn't stop crying. She reinforced the shield hoping his cries would at least lessen. But they only increased in intensity. The young woman breathed deeply to calm the panic threatening to overcome her. She had fed him an hour ago; he couldn't be hungry. His diaper was clean. Then what was the problem? Hastily she activated her comring and called Brennan. The elemental barely took a minute to join her.

"Thanks for having gotten me out of here. Things are not going well at all. Adam is not reacting reasonably."

Emma knew it would take time before he accepted them together. But right now her main worry was Luke. She could deal with their friends later. She extended her hand and he took it getting nearer. Her eyes held a slightly panicked shine. Without a noise he sat in front of her and bent to kiss her lightly.

"He'll come around love. Luke is worrying me. He won't stop crying despite the emotional shield and I don't know what's wrong."

Adam had told them it wouldn't be easy. How were they supposed to succeed? Emma had showed him how to focus and partially use his mind but he was not sure of him. Sensing his worry she smiled encouragingly.

"We focus together on him, ok. I'll guide you."

In mere seconds their minds connected creating a strong shield. A peaceful sensation settled in the room surrounding the couple. After a few minutes Luke stopped wiggling and crying and fell asleep in her arms. Both looked up a bright smile lighting their faces. They had succeeded.

Careful not wake Luke up she got up and put him back in his crib. Brennan closely followed her and leaned on the crib. Gently he put the light cover on him and stroked his cheek. His other arm wrapped around her waist bringing her closer to him.

"Come on. Let's go and see if things are better with Jesse, Shalimar and Adam."

"Sure. Let's hope they won't do something stupid."

TBC