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 is the forth chapter (a little bit longer than the others!) 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 added a little Shal/Bren in this chapter.)
REVIEW and FEEDBACK: Yes, Yes, please, I'm begging!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Jimmy (as always!). I've had no beta readers for this one (again argh I know) sorry for misspelling errors, they are all mine... Huge thanks again to the people who reviewed the story.
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 4: Shadows wait you when you rise...
Shalimar awoke to the unpleasant noise of her alarm clock. In one split second, the alarm went flying to the opposite wall crashing to pieces. The young feral lazily stretched wondering why she would have to wake up that early. That was one of the few things she had never been able to understand about Adam, his bad habit to wake up early and to want others to do the same. She put her head back on the pillow, thinking of the few previous days.
Things were changing quickly with Brennan and she was not sure to be ready for the change. But that was a thing she preferred not think of, not now. Some other things were also changing in the sanctuary, it was not something really obvious but it was in the air like a subtle perfume. Yesterday, when they had came back from their walk, they had found Adam and Emma curled on the couch reading the same book. She had had the time to surprise them but as soon as they had heard the boys speaking they had lightly pulled apart. He must have been trying to comfort her. The young woman blamed her hyperactive imagination for having thought otherwise. There could be no more to that gesture. After that, they had exchanged a few words about their respective activities of the day and headed to eat supper.
The young feral yawned. She could take care of this after her breakfast. A girl talk with Emma was definitely on today's program. Gracefully, she got up and went to the bathroom she shared with her surrogate sister, recollection of her walk in the woods still lingering in her mind.
Entering the bathroom, she heard the young psionic softly singing in the shower. Shalimar was surprised to find her friend there. Emma never sang and at this time, she would usually be already working or having breakfast with Adam.
"Morning Emma!"
The other woman stopped singing and slightly turned in the shower box fully smiling at her friend.
"Morning Shal."
Emma resumed washing her hair, happily singing unaware of the inquisitive stares the feral gave her. Life was great. Shalimar watched her wondering what was going on. The smile on her face was too bright.
"Emma, did something happen while we were gone?"
Emma chuckled and flashed a smile at her friend. Shalimar was brushing her teeth. Emma on the other hand was under the spray of hot water and she could still enjoy the aftereffects of her dreams. It was the perfect time to drop a little bombshell.
"Nope, nothing special, I just managed to drag Adam to go shopping with me."
The young feral spat out a mix of water and toothpaste on the mirror. Had she heard right or was it her imagination. Emma just laughed a little more at that sight and got out of the shower wrapping herself in a fluffy bathrobe. The young psionic was grinning mischievously visibly enchanted by the situation.
"You what???"
"We went shopping and we had fun. How was your little walk in the woods with Jesse and Brennan?"
Shal decided to ignore her question and cleaned the mirror instead. Adam hated shopping. It was his own private nightmare. How did she manage to drag him shopping that was a mystery. But as always Emma was working miracles when it came to convincing Adam to do things he hated.
"I can't believe it. He didn't complain, asked you to go back, you didn't use your abilities on him?"
"No, no and no."
They were looking at each other in an awkward silence when the voice of Adam interrupted them saving Emma from embarrassing questions.
"Emma, Shalimar, I need to see you in the lab as soon as possible, we might have a little problem." A few minutes later the four younger member of MX were standing in the lab waiting for Adam to explain the situation. From the minute Emma entered the lab she knew something was bothering Adam. His hair was still damp from the shower as if he had been rushed and he had an untouched tea mug in his hand; everything about his body language was screaming troubles. The boys were already there, drinking coffee. After saying hello to the boys, she locked eyes with their leader. The couple silently exchanged a few words. Adam smiled at her before starting.
"Ok. Now that we're all here, let's begin."
The picture of a young man in his mid thirties appeared on a holographic screen with his record scrolling on the left of the screen. Every one in the lab focused on it.
- This man is Thomas Ellis. He is a molecular who can produce earthquakes. He was reported missing yesterday by his friends in Berkley. I got news from one of my contact that he was taken by a terrorist organization called "Black Curtain". This organization is specialized in government destabilization. I've had words that they might go with Ellis to Ryad. We have to stop them quickly.
"Piece of cake!"
Adam stared at his second "son". The young man didn't seem to realize the seriousness of the situation.
"You shouldn't react that way Brennan. They are dangerous, more dangerous than the GSA. Anyway, we have to go there. I want you Jesse to stay there and make a research about geology of Middle East. We need to know exactly where they are going to strike. We also have another problem. Eckhart is after a couple of new mutants near Lake Tahoe. They called underground 6 for help. Shalimar, Brennan you go after Ellis and Black Curtain. Emma, you and I are going to lake Tahoe. Jesse you know what to do."
Jesse made a face. He didn't like to be left behind but he had no choice. He was not completely fit after is last fight and he might really help them from Sanctuary. Silence in the double Helix was overloaded. Each member of the team was preparing themselves mentally for the next few days knowing they would again risk their lives. Brennan's previous outburst was long ago forgotten. The information Jesse had provided them about Black Curtain had confirmed Adam's worst fears. Brennan and Shalimar should be more than careful with this mission. Half an hour later, they landed near lake Tahoe and left Adam and Emma. Shalimar felt anxious to let them go alone. Somehow she knew something was going to happen. The couple neared the car rental office without a word. The clock was ticking down and they had a mission to accomplish. The rest of their journey to the lake was spent in a comfortable silence with little loving touches exchanged every now and then. Soon they reached their goal and found the house where the new mutants were living. It was nestled in a pine forest at the end of a narrow bare earth road. Everything was quiet and no birds or insects could be heard. It was too quiet. Emma felt a strong anguish coming from Adam as they got near the house. She could feel her own unease slowly building inside of her.
"Something's wrong."
Adam turned in his seat to look at her. Her stance was rigid, her eyes were locked on the house as if it was pure evil. She was lightly frowning like every time she tried to sense people around her. Again he wondered how such an amazing woman could feel what she felt for him.
"Are you sensing a trap?"
"No. I... I'm not sure, but I can feel maybe four agents inside the house. They are frustrated and cnfused. I don't think they have found what they were searching for. Maybe we are too late."
She did not tell her lover she was sensing something else, something that was nearly blocking all her abilities. Adam parked the car along the house refusing to be pessimistic. They both got out of the car, ready for the fight. The front door was opened and noises of people rummaging could be heard. Carefully, Emma stepped into the house, Adam on her heals. The house was a mess. Broken objects and furniture were strewn everywhere on the floor. Noises were coming from the bedrooms upstairs indicating where the agents were. Without any noise the couple got up the stairs.
The fight following their entrance was not easy. Finally they managed to knock the four agents down and tie them in the basement of the house. They searched the house trying to find the new mutants, but it came up fruitless.
Adam looked at Emma wondering what they should do. This was really weird, the whole situation was strange. His mind was trying to process the meager information they had. If it had been a trap there would have been more agents. The only explanation was that the mutants they wanted to help had disappeared without waiting for them or were well hidden in the house or near it.
"Emma..."
The young woman smiled at him already knowing what he wanted her to do. "Guess it has its advantages to be on the same wave length".
"I'm trying Adam. But it's as if someone was blocking my mind."
Suddenly hell broke loose in the house. Objects began to fly everywhere, crashing with loud noises on the walls forcing them to kneel down. The couple heard a deafening painful yell. Emma instantly brought her hands to her ears trying to protect herself from the exhilarating pain in her skull. Adam was doing no better. The man was bent down trying to avoid the flying objects. The pain in his head was the worst thing he had ever felt. Despite the pain he managed to utter something.
"We need to get out of here and quickly."
Emma was unable to answer, she collapsed in front of him overcame by the pain. Adam tried to reach for her and protect her with his body but the pain was not human and unconsciousness wrapped him too quickly in an intangible cloak. Brennan and Shalimar stepped out of the double Helix activating its furtive shield. Brennan was really starting to doubt it would be as easy as he had thought at first. Jesse had given them three locations to check. The two first were just smoke screen. The last one was their only hope to find Ellis. They had landed near an oasis and would stay there until the night. After that, they would go to some ruins were the Black Curtain organization was supposed to be.
The young elemental sighed and wiped a few sweat drops from his forehead. The midday sun in the desert was not something he enjoyed. It was definitely too warm even for him. They were sitting in a small tea shop avoiding direct contact with other customers, waiting for the night to fall. The only positive point to this mission was that he would have at least twenty four hours alone with Shalimar. He was jerked out of his thoughts by her light and melodic voice.
"How do you think Adam and Emma are doing?"
"They are doing well. It is going to be a piece of cake for them. Besides, we're talking about Adam. He's always careful, especially when Emma is around."
The two friends looked at each other finding comfort in each other's presence. They both were worried about their family but they could not let it interfere with their work. The night was falling on lake Tahoe when Adam woke up. He was lying on the floor of an unknown house with a killer headache and nausea. The only familiar thing in his surrounding was the motionless body of Emma. Quickly he got up and kneeled beside her, dismissing all pain. The young woman was lying on her stomach, her face turned opposite to him. The left sleeve of her coat was ripped and coated with blood, her blood. Adam's chest constricted not allowing him to breath anymore and his heart nearly stopped. They still had so much to do. "No Emma! Please don't let this happen, not again". The events of last month when she had met this Caleb and died came back rushing trough his mind causing an unbearable pain in his soul. A pain which was even more forceful than the physical pain he was suffering from. It made him want to yell. Slowly and carefully he turned her so that she was on her back. The young woman was unconscious and pale.
His medical training kicked in and he started searching for a pulse. Adam started breathing again. She was alive, her pulse was weak but it was there. He then checked for other injuries. But the only ones were the deep gash on her arm which would probably need stitches and a small bruise on one of her legs. He cradled her in his arms and started rocking their bodies back and froth finding comfort in the touch of her. It had been a close call this time, again. He should have been able to protect her; but as always he had failed. He closed his eyes trying to keep the tears from falling. Guilt and fear were ruling his heart.
After a few minutes, he heard Emma moan. He opened his eyes and watched her. She was struggling to open her eyes despite the pain, her pale face contorted in a distressed expression. Then he realized they were not safe in this place. The GSA must be on the search for the missing agents and they would surely be there soon.
"Emma, honey, we need to move."
Carefully he got up, holding her close to him afraid to let go, afraid to loose her again. The young woman had given up the fight to open her eyes. Her left arm was hurting and she could feel something wet and warm dripping from it's upper part. The pain in her skull was slowly killing her inside. She felt Adam's mixed emotion but was unable to send him comfort or tell him everything would be alright.
"Do you think you can walk?"
"Um, maybe..."
Her answer was weak and trembling. Scattered destroyed furniture on the ground made their exit even more difficult; Emma, still eyes closed, was stumbling every two steps. The only thing preventing her from falling was her lover's arm wrapped around her waist. Soon they were outside the house in the cool evening. Their car was there untouched. Adam thanked his lucky star and opened the passenger door for Emma. The young woman slumped in the seat overcame by the pain and exhaustion. Her last coherent thought before darkness closed around her was for Adam; she hoped he was not injured. Brennan was drinking his third glass of over sweetened green mint tea and it was not something he liked. He wondered how Emma could be drinking that much tea in only one day. The young man was bored beyond the limits. Waiting was slowly driving him crazy. The night had slowly begun to fall over the oasis and the temperature was now nearly bearable.
He looked up from his glass and watched Shalimar. She was staring at children playing in the street. The young man allowed himself to observe her freely. Her playful eyes were hidden by sunglasses but her smile spoke volumes. The feral was happy watching them. But he could also tell it was something painful. He could relate to that. He had never been able to have a normal childhood and he was ready to bet it had been even worse for her. A part of him wanted to believe they could live a normal life. A life where they could go to the restaurant or a club without being chased by agents. A life where she could have children, a life where she could be happy and would not have to hide anymore. The elemental shook his head. His mood was gloomy, even more than usual. "What is wrong with me"
"Shal we should get going."
The young woman was too taken by the sight in front of her to even hear him.
"Hey Shalimar, are you still with me?"
The young woman slowly turned her head to see him, lowering her glasses in the process. She flashed him a smile that could have melted the north icecap.
"Yeah, I'm still with you. Why do you look at me that way?"
"Which way Shal? Besides, we should really find a transportation to go to the ruins."
It was better for him not to push his luck further with her. They had a mission and he didn't want to be distracted.
Quietly he paid their tea and got up. They needed to find Ellis before he could do any damage. In their rental car Adam informed Jesse that their mission to retrieve the new mutants had failed. On the passenger seat Emma moaned in her sleep visibly in pain. He had to do something for her. Her arm needed medical attention and he wanted her to rest.
- Jesse, Emma has been injured. It's not bad but I think she needs rest. Tell Brennan and Shalimar to pick us up when they are done. You'll locate us with the transmitters in our rings.
After ending the connection with the young molecular, he glanced at Emma. They needed a place to stay for the next days and he knew the perfect one.
TBC