The Truth Behind...

SUMMARY: imagine for one second that what we saw in season 1 and 2 was only part of the truth. Imagine that everything that led to season 2 final started in season 1 after Emma was divided. Imagine that Emma is not dead... . This story will contain maybe 10 chapters(????) hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

ARCHIVE: anywhere BUT ask me first )

RATING: For now PG13 (might change in the next chapters)

PAIRING: Adam/Emma (I might add a little Shal/Bren, not sure yet)

REVIEW and FEEDBACK: Yes, Yes, please, I'm begging!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Jimmy for his great insight on the show and his helpful comments. I've had no beta reader (argh I know) sorry for misspelling errors, they are all mine...

Disclaimer: The characters belong to their respective creators (wish they belong to me... but....) I just borrowed them and put them in a not too nice situation.
italics indicat thoughts; bold indicate silent conversations
Chapter 2: Trying to bend the truth....

The next morning came too early for all members of MX and especially for Adam. Sleep had eluded him for most of the night. Questions were whirling in his mind and he could not resolve himself to answer some of them. So the leader of the team was the first up as usual. He went to the gym and tried to concentrate on a complicated katta to clear his mind. But like it had happened the previous night, his thoughts were always drifting toward the events of last evening. He was at it for 2 hours now, his muscles were aching and it was getting him nowhere. He let out a low frustrated sigh, retrieved his towel and wiped sweat from his naked upper body. He had to start the Katta anew, frustrated, he threw the towel on the bench. After a few seconds, he focused back on the moves and let his body take control. Slowly, he felt his energy and concentration coming back. Breakfast would have to wait... . "Morning Jess. You seen Adam or Emma? They're usually up before us."

"Yeah, Adam is in the gym and I'm pretty sure Emma is still asleep."

The young man went directly to the coffee pot and poured himself a full cup. He carefully sipped the beverage and instantly felt better. He watched Brennan and Shalimar eating their scrambled eggs like two starved kids. He retrieved a plate and sat with them. Jesse was still reflecting about the previous night events; Emma's behavior had been really strange, as if she was hiding something. He was too absorbed in his thoughts to realize Brennan was speaking to him until he caught the last part of his question.

"What is he doing in the gym. I thought he would stay nearly all day in his lab?"

It had been only a few months since Brennan joined the team and he was still not used to the whereabouts of their leader. The man himself and his actions were a dark and shadowy mystery to him. Shal and Jess watched each other and smiled knowingly. They had been the same at first, considering him only as a mild, mannered and weird scientist who was trying to correct his mistakes. The two friends had learned at their expense that he could also be a deadly weapon. After all, he was the one to show them how to kick GSA agents ass. But it was true that Adam had changed during the last months. He would come to help them on the field more often. He was no longer confined in his lab. Shalimar reflected that it might be due to Emma's presence.

"You know, he's not exactly how you see him. What kind of exercise was he doing Jess?"

"Some strange Kata, never saw him doing it. He was so deep in it that he didn't hear me."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I think it was a variation of the one he taught us two or three years ago. You know the one to clear your mind."

Brennan watched his two friends exchanging memories and remarks about THE katta. He had had enough of their babble explaining difficulties in the moves and time it took them to master it. He wanted an answer.

"You didn't answer my question."

Both of them looked at him a bit bemused. They had completely forgotten Brennan was with them and waiting for an answer.

"He goes to the gym everyday now, usually at night when he can't sleep or when he can't find the solution to a problem. Sometimes, he goes there in the morning but that only happens when he's got something on his mind. Maybe he's worried about Emma?"

"What is it with me?"

The three friends jumped hearing her voice. They had been too focused on their discussion to notice her coming in the kitchen. She directly went to the stove putting some water to boil. The preparation of her morning tea was a calming routine for her. She opened the metal box containing her favorite white tea and inhaled its scent lightly closing her eyes. She put a little amount of leaves in the porcelain teapot and washed the leaves with lukewarm water waiting for the water to boil.

"So, you were telling... ."

"We were talking about Adam. We supposed that he went to the gym early this morning because he was worried about you."

"Oh. Worried about me? Why? I feel perfectly well."

She finished preparing her tea and started to prepare two plates of fresh fruits with 2 slices of buttered bread and strawberry jam on each. She put her plate in front of her and the second beside her. She sat with them as calmly as possible. She didn't want her friends to suspect what had happened yesterday night. She still had trouble to fully understand what her relapse was about. Nobody made a comment on the second plate. Usually, she would be alone with Adam for breakfast. The first who was up would prepare it and would wait for the other while preparing tea. When the others were around they usually would not do it to avoid questions.

"We told him you were having headaches lately. He was surprised yesterday evening you were not with us. Are you sure you're fine Emma?"

Emma felt her heart froze for a second. Then she collected herself. They didn't suspect anything and they didn't look like they wanted to talk about their silent conversations. The headaches were another problem. How could she tell them that they were linked to the absence of trance. She didn't want them to know the exact extent of her powers. The young woman felt bad about it but she had to lie to her friends. She also felt bad because Adam was certainly worried about her.

"HE shal, it's not a problem. I just needed some hours alone to find peace and get away. Have my mind for myself."

The young woman paused and carefully sipped her tea. It was partly the truth after all. She needed to reassure them.

"Sometimes, I just need to be alone. That's it. Trust me nothing is wrong with me."

The other young woman stared at her now empty plate knowingly. She sometimes needed to be left alone. That was part of her, an important part of her. She could understand her friend. But she also knew, felt Emma was hiding something. Whatever it was her friend was not comfortable with it.

Meanwhile, in the dojo, Adam was successfully finishing his Katta. He felt refreshed and somewhat better. Now he could think of his growling stomach, somehow he knew that Emma had prepared it and was waiting for him with the others. He retrieved his towel and went straight to his bedroom and adjoining bathroom. He badly needed a shower, a cold shower. During his exercise he had partly started to understand what had happened the evening before. And it was not something he liked or was ready to deal with.

Emma was watching her friend's happy chatter while eating her kiwi. Life was sweet now, she was no more on the run. She had a home, a family. The only thing that could perfect her happiness would be true, untamed love. She sighed. With her power it would be quasi impossible to find. And then, then... there was Adam, their leader, a surrogate father figure, the man she could have silent conversations with, a man who could surprise her, a friend she trusted. Her reflexion was cut by Adam's entrance. "speak of the devil". His hair was still damp from his shower, his happy smile contrasting with the strictness of his black outfit. For the first time Emma noted that he had gained muscles since Brennan and her had joined the team. She shook her head lightly wondering why she was acting like a teenager. He was her best friend, nothing more...

"Morning everybody."

"Morning Adam."

Adam greeted them all, taking a small porcelain bowl from the cupboard. He sat with them, choosing the seat on Emma's right with the spare plate. The young woman poured him tea. Her face was a perfect mask of peace and happiness.

"Thanks Emma."

She simply smiled at him and resumed eating her fruits. If she had perceived something of his inner turmoil of the previous night, she didn't show it. Jesse watched them mesmerized. This was even weirder than the silent conversation of the other night. She had prepared his breakfast and put the plate down only a few minutes before his arrival. Brennan and Shal were too taken in their fork battle to have noticed what was happening. Something was going on or was it just his imagination. Adam began eating feeling slightly disturbed by the presence of the young woman sitting beside him. He risked a quick glance on his right and saw Emma staring at her plate shyly, eating in silence. The only noises were coming from Shal and Bren's fork battle. The two of them were slightly bent over the table playfully smiling and moving their forks in the air in a mock sword fight. "children". His attention was caught back by Jesse's voice.

"So Adam, what do we have to do today?"

"Not much Jesse. Beside, I've checked the records, you've had a rough week. Why don't you take the day off."

At those very words, four heads, turned to him with inquisitive stare. Brennan and Shal were still holding their forks high above their empty plates.

"You give us the day off????"

"Yeah, don't look at me this way. You worked hard and you deserve it. Do whatever you want."

The young feral gazed at their leader for a few seconds and wondered why he would give them the day off. Maybe he was up to something. Maybe he was in trouble. "Nah, he would have told us". Emma was the only one who had resumed eating her breakfast as if everything was normal. If their leader had something on his mind, she would discover it sooner or later.

"That's great, thanks Adam. Now guys, take out your hiking boots, we have a little trip to do. I know a place you'll all love."

This time it was her turn to get inquisitive stare. She looked at them with her pleading kitten eyes and instantly won the guy's approbation.

"Why not. You come with us Emma, Adam?"

Both Jesse and Brennan uttered at the same time. Their friend had been withdrawn form the group lately and it could be the right occasion to bond with her.

"I don't think so. I'm not up to a walk in the woods. Sorry guys, another time maybe."

"Emma?!?!?"

"I just need to rest a little more. Don't worry about me and go have fun...."

"Adam????"

"Well thanks guys, but I've got work to do ... maybe another time"

"Ok."

The three of them watched Emma and Adam disappointed by their refusal, but when they had something on their mind arguing with one or the other, or worse the two, was a lost battle. And this morning both their leader and little sister seemed to be in tune.

"Ok. Don't expect us before 8 pm. We're gonna have fun...."

"Be careful... ."

The recommendation was voiced in stereo by Adam and Emma. It was rewarded by three stares clearly saying that they could take care of themselves. The guys got up following a loopy and bouncy Shalimar. They put the dishes in the dishwasher and left Adam and Emma alone in the kitchen.

When they left, Adam got up and sat in front of her, releasing a breath he had been holding. He needed to see her, her eyes. She looked at him curiously but did not say a single word. A comfortable silence stretched between them for a few minutes, each other enjoying the peacefulness and the company of the other. Emma knew she had to tell him about last evening but she was not ready for it.

"Adam, I have something to tell you. I had to tell the others... you know about our silent conversations. I know it was our secret but..."

She lowered her eyes to her now empty plate, slapping herself mentally. She had to tell him about her relapse, but she could not. Not now, sooner or later she would find the perfect moment to talk to him. The older man smiled at her. She was so sweet. He should have been mad at her. He would always try not to make a difference between his children. But she was not his daughter. He could not think of her as his daughter, not after last night.

"Don't worry about it Emma. It's better this way. Look at it on the bright side. We won't have to hide it anymore. "

Her smile grew brighter at the second. He was not mad and more important, they would be able to use their little gift in front of the others.

"Yeah. So it's a day off. What do you want to do?"

"Don't know. I have some projects to work on."

"Come on Adam. You gave us the day off and you're going to work. I'm gonna go shopping and you're coming with me."

Adam frowned at her delighted voice; shopping was not his favorite hobby. But for her, he could do an exception. He playfully protested knowing she had already won.

"Emma!"

"No, Adam, you're coming with me. Besides, we need some tea and that's something I won't trust the others to buy. I also need your advice on books I want to buy. No clothes or shoe shopping I promise."

She was looking at him, a resolved and hopeful stare plastered on her face. The older man knew it was a lost battle. How could he disappoint her? It could be fun after all and they could go somewhere nice to eat... .

"Ok. Fine, I'm coming with you."

"Great... ."

The young woman got up from her chair and lightly kissed him on the cheek letting her lips linger a little more than necessary, enjoying the feeling of his skin on her lips.

"I'll meet you in the garage in 15 minutes."

Then she left hurriedly without looking back or waiting for his answer.

Adam was staring at the emptiness of the kitchen wondering what had just happened. He lifted his hand and put it at the spot where her lips had been. It was almost surreal. He smiled feeling all his doubts and hesitations leaving him for once. Today he would live for the present. Today, he didn't need to think about consequences.

TBC