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 is the third chapter 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 into the show and his helpful comments. I've had no beta readers for this one (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.
Chapter 3: It starts with one thing... .
Emma stirred between the cool cotton sheets and put her book down on the floor. Despite the exhaustion of a shopping day and an afternoon trying to beat Adam at a chess game, she still felt restless. Her body and mind were full of energy that would not let her sleep or concentrate. Her mind kept drifting back to the event of the day and their portent on both her and Adam's life. Things were changing and she felt she was venturing into unsteady ground. But the memories and the sensations elicited from this day felt so perfect and right. She turned from side to side, unintentionally entangling herself in the sheets. The whole situation was frustrating, infuriating, absurd at best. She laid back on her stomach thinking back of the day events for the twentieth time.
Adam and her had had a great time the same morning. She had enjoyed spending time with him away from work simply enjoying life, pretending they were normal people. She had discovered more about him during their car ride than in the 3 last months. In the teashop, they had playfully argued about what tea would be best for the morning, the evening or the afternoon. The shop owner had watched them, an amused grin plastered on his face. Their discussion about evening tea had brought up their similar way of thinking leaving them a bit surprised to realize they were alike.
Later, sitting in a coffee shop, she had been able to talk to him about her childhood nightmares, when she would pick up feelings, emotions, memories of people around her. She would wake up in the middle of the night completely terrified, unable to move, not knowing what was going on. At that time she had no one to trust. Seeing her shiver, he had taken her hand in his and entwined his fingers with hers. It was simply a friendly touch, a reminder he was there for her. She had squeezed his hand gently, silently thanking him, drawing strength from him. After that, they had walked aimlessly around town, their shoulders slightly brushing. He had been holding her hand lightly caressing the interior of her wrist with his thumb until their stop at the bookstore.
Instinctively she had shut down, denied every emotions linked to that touch. But now that she was alone, the feelings and sensations were coming back full force. How could a touch so simple, so innocent cause such reactions in her body and soul. Adam was just a friend; a friend who shared many of her likes and dislikes. She could not deny that she found him handsome. They had the same interest in science. The young woman could have carried on with their similarities endlessly. She shivered despite the considerable rise of her body heat.
"Who am I trying to fool? If it had only been a friendly touch I would not feel completely head over heals. I could be able to sleep."
She wanted him despite the situation, despite the differences. She had been drawn to him from the first look they had exchanged. The memory of the events in the bookstore came back to her mind. She closed her eyes, the temperature in the bedroom instantly rising at that simple evocation.
They had entered the small shop still hand in hand and he had followed her to the scientific section. She had felt surprise coming from him; that had only made her smile grow wider. She exactly knew where the books she wanted were located: last row in the back on top of the shelves. His hand had left hers as soon as they had reached their goal. She had stretched her slender form and got on her tiptoes to reach for the books. At that moment, she had felt him coming behind her. On an impulse, he had put his right arm around her midsection to support her. Her back had been pressed against his chest and she had been able to feel each and every of his heartbeat, his muscle moving beneath the clothes. The first touch had startled her, but soon, she had relaxed and decided to enjoy the moment. After a few seconds she had retrieved the three books and slowly lowered herself. In the process, she had leaned further into his warm embrace enjoying his closeness. His breath had felt like liquid fire on her cheek raising an emotional storm in her heart. His voice had come out husky and raspy as if he had been fighting for control over it.
"I didn't know you liked Stephen Hawking's books. You should have asked me, I've got all of them."
She had closed her eyes fighting to get control over her raged emotions and body reactions. His low voice, nearly a whisper, had been a powerful spell leading her to a delightful limbo of sensation. Her body had been burning. She had sunk further down in his embrace enjoying the contact between their bodies, the heat coming from him.
"I... I know, but I wanted them, I have the bad habit to write things down or draw in my books. I know it might seem ridiculous."
Buying books should have been a safe ground, but it backfired. "How were we able to put ourselves in such a situation." His second arm was now securely wrapped around her shoulders and she had felt his grip tighten around her as if his life depended on it. His hand was caressing her arm through her coat sending shivers down her spine.
"I do the same Honey. Maybe we have more in common than just our silent conversations..."
She had lightly turned her head to see his eyes. A maelstrom of repressed emotions, longing, fear and resolve had been expressed in them. Her emotional shield had been reinforced by her trance not allowing her to perceive his turmoil. The allusion evoked by his words was, nonetheless not lost on her. They had crossed a boundary. Her resolve to hide her feelings from him melt like ice at the second. Her free hand reached for his neck and she let her fingers slowly caress it leaving trails of molten lava on his skin. She had wanted him.
"Adam..."
"Yes Emma?"
Their faces had been mere inches apart. She could still remember the sensations created by his breath on her lips. It would have been so easy to yield to the temptation and kiss him. They had been interrupted by the owner telling them he would close the shop for the midday break. Both had sighed not able to hide the disappointment. Adam had slowly released her but never breaking contact with her. She had instantly missed his proximity, his warmth, his touch. They had resumed their shopping hand in hand and had headed back to sanctuary. The earlier friendly banter had been replaced by a longing overloaded silence which had lasted all afternoon and evening.
Emma disentangled herself from the sheets and got up. Staying in bed would do her no good; trying to understand her feelings towards Adam would only lead her to become more muddled. She needed to vent her frustration and focus on something else than him.
In his bedroom, Adam was trying to concentrate on the printout of a recently published article about natural DNA mutation of an Amazonian frog. But there was no use. He was still stuck on the second sentence of the introduction. Every time he closed his eyes, he was reliving the events of the morning and the afternoon. She had dragged him to go shopping. He perfectly knew now that the book shopping had been a pretext to be with her, away from work. He had nearly lost control in the bookstore. Her proximity, her warmth and her confidence in him had produced an emotional overload.
When he had seen the young woman getting on her tiptoes to gather the books, his body has moved without the agreement of his mind. His right arm has found its way around her narrow waist and his hand had found her hip. After that, he had consciously brought her closer to him until her back had touched his chest. In an attempt to release the tension, he had painfully uttered some words about her choice of books, his second arm finding it's way around her shoulders. An inner battle had been raging in him, a battle of the reason versus the heart. Emma had taken her time to answer his question. Her voice had been low and had held a suggestive undertone. He had called her honey.
Adam lowered the article down on the bed and put his head in his hands wondering what had possessed him to do such a thing. If the owner had not arrived when she had turned to him, placed her hand on his neck and whispered his name, he would surely have kissed her. He could still feel the burning touch of her fingers. He knew that they had crossed the invisible fence between close friendship and love. Their chess game of the afternoon was there to prove it. No matter what he would do, the seeds of love were now in the very essence of his being. He looked absently at his bedroom. Usually, it would feel huge but now, he felt oppressed by the four walls. It seemed to him the room was shrinking every time he took a look at it.
Growling, he got up from his bed not able to stay there any longer. He left quickly, without making any noise. The last thing he needed, was Shalimar lecturing him about his bad sleeping habits. On the way to the dojo, he stopped in the living area. Their chess board was still on the coffee table, left untouched after their game of the afternoon, a reminder of their mutual suppressed feelings.
The chess game. They had spent the afternoon playing, teasing and flirting. Every time one of them would move a piece, a touch would be exchanged signaling the move; at first it was just a little brush of the hand with a little comment. At the middle of the game, Emma had moved to sit close beside him, their thigh touching sending fire through his body. At the end of the game, her left hand was resting on his thigh and his arm was draped around her shoulders, her head resting on his. They would simply turn the chess board to play.
Adam realized that he longed, yearned for her, body, soul and heart. What had happened the day before, their silent conversations and the events in the bookstore were the first evident signs of his feelings for her. He wondered if Emma was also restless, trying to sleep. The older man shook his head trying to clear his mind. He needed to do something physical to relieve the tension, something science could not provide him.
He quietly went trough the deserted halls to the dojo. The door was opened and soft light was coming from it, but there was no sound. Carefully, he got closer leaning on the doorframe, his arms crossed on his chest, half expecting to find Shalimar training. Emma was there, practicing her focusing technique. "Guess I've got the answer to my question". The young woman was moving with swiftness as if she was floating in the air. Her moves were precise, fluid and sensuous. She was mesmerizing and he had to fight the urge to reach for her and pulled her into his arms. He didn't move or clear his throat to signal his presence, he just watched her, basking in the sight of her training eyes closed. He detailed every feature of her face and body imprinting them in his mind and heart. "How could she return your feelings. She could be your daughter."
Emma felt, more than heard, Adam coming to the dojo. Despite her closed eyes, she could sense him watching her, his eyes roaming over her face, her body. His stare felt like warm hands caressing her naked skin. The young woman slowed down her routine, feeling her knees becoming weak, her body and mind acutely aware of his presence and stare. For a few seconds she was tempted to lower her emotional shield and read him; but she knew she would gave herself away. After a few minutes, she stopped and opened her eyes to face him. The sight of him, leaning in the doorway, took her aback. He was bare foot with only a cotton pajama pant. He had not bothered to put a t- shirt on and his arms were crossed on his chest.
"Hey, couldn't sleep either?"
"No, I had too much on my mind."
Emma weakly smiled. She could tell by the shine in his eyes, his sleeping troubles were the same as hers. Slowly the young woman retreated a bit to leave him room, silently inviting him to come and join her. Adam stepped into the dojo positioning himself in front of her unsure of what he should do. He was ready to start but stopped midways locking eyes with her, his warm brown eyes reflecting his hesitation and doubts. Hers only reflected trust and... love. But he needed to be sure.
"Do you trust me Emma?"
The young woman nodded, unable to speak lost in the depth of his eyes.
"Follow my moves and concentrate on your breath."
Silently he began to move. Emma watched him for a few seconds, overwhelmed by his fluid like motions and started reproducing each and every move. She closed her eyes again trying to see him moving in front of her. The picture she got was so clear and vivid she felt a blush creeping upon her cheeks. After a few minutes he moved to post himself behind her to let her lead the routine, leaving her the option to stop it if she wanted.
Neither of them was prepared for what happened next. Unconsciously, they got their moves and breaths synchronized. The routine became a dance of the souls; it was about trust, mutual acceptance and mind sharing. She focused on the moves completely letting go of her emotional shield and started to feel his presence engulfing her like the other day after her trance. Emma felt her breath becoming labored and her heart beat going wild. Fire roared again in her body. She had to fight to keep her mind on the routine but her body kept on moving unaware of her mental turmoil. The pressure of his presence gradually increased leading her to an edge, like a bomb ready to implode. Just before the final implosion, she reached for his mind and felt him also getting closer to the brink. His mind was fighting the feelings with all its' might.
Let it go Adam, don't fight it
He heard her in his mind and was unable to resist his feelings anymore. After a few seconds, a whirlwind of sensations hit him, filling his mind and heart. His world came down to her presence around him and their exchange of feelings.
Both stopped their moves feeling light headed and weak, unable to train anymore. Seeing Emma falter a little Adam reached for her, pulled her in his arms and kissed her forehead. For the first time in years, he felt complete and happy. He was in peace with himself. Their heart beats slowed down returning to normal leaving them sated and soothed. After what seemed like eternity to them, they broke apart unsure of what to do or say next. Emma had closed her eyes enjoying the sensation of his arms enclosing her. She doubted she could face him without blushing after what had happened. Guilt and doubt had showed their ugly faces in her mind and were holding her hostage.
"Adam, I'm sorry. I should not have done that... It won't happen again. I promise."
The older man was listening to her, not fully understanding what she was talking about. She kept talking avoiding looking at him. His heart nearly broke when he realized she might regret what had happened. After all, he could be her father, having feelings for her was inappropriate. The situation needed to be cleared even if it meant being rejected.
"Emma... Emma, stop it now."
The young woman looked up at him finally stopping her babble. He was starring at her, his brown eyes filled with love and understanding.
"You don't have to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. And if you regret it, then we won't talk about it anymore."
"How can you think I regret it. I don't, I wont' ever regret it. It' just that... you are not mad at me? I mean, I read you and I made you loose control... there's no excuse for what I did."
"Emma, stop it. You're not responsible for what happened. I did it willingly."
They gazed at each other finally understanding it was something neither of them was able or wanted to deny. The couple smiled. The awkwardness of the situation was forgotten.
"You know it won't be easy. I could be your father and..."
Emma let a small laugh escape slowly getting closer to him. She knew they would have to fight to construct something. But it was worth the risk.
"Now who's the one having doubts?"
"I don't. It's just that..."
She was now standing in front of him her hands resting on her hips, her head slightly bent to the left. Their eyes met and she could see his clouded with restrained passion.
"Stop it Adam!"
Her voice was merely a whisper, mirroring his previous outburst. Slowly he leaned forward, bringing his hands on her cheeks, his eyes never breaking contact with hers, searching for approbation. When their lips touched, the repressed passion took over. The tentative and shy kiss became deep and exploring with tongues intertwining, caressing, tasting. His hands left her cheeks to find her hips, pulling her closer to him. Her arms wrapped around his neck pulling him even closer. Everything that was not them faded in the background. Emma needed to feel him, his skin, his breath on her skin, his lips on her body. But she also wanted time to sort her feelings for him out, she needed time to get used to their closeness. After a few minutes, they broke the kiss, struggling to catch their breath. They were still holding onto each other not wanting to loose contact. Adam brought his forehead to rest against Emma's.
"We should..."
"Take our time. Yeah, you are right. I want to enjoy each and every sensation."
They kissed again but this time it was gentler. When they broke apart Adam knew he had to let her go. Otherwise, he would completely loose control and make love to her. He slowly released her and headed to the door. No words of love were needed, their hearts already knew.
"Good night Emma. Sleep well honey."
"You too my love."
TBC