Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men.
Imaginary Friend
Chapter 22
"What's happening to me? Why…?" she couldn't finish as the sobs began.
Jesse soothed her as best he could. "I don't know, Shal, but it's ok. We'll get through it, together, just like always." Gently he reclined them both on the bed and held her as she cried.
Brennan stood in frustration. He couldn't stand to just sit and watch while his wife was in so much pain…knowing she wouldn't let him near her. "I have to do something. Adam, what can I do?"
"There isn't anything…yet. Once we get her settled enough to deal with, I'll call Charles and Jean. They'll be able to sort out the confusion that's keeping her from thinking clearly. When they're done, we'll deal with the memories. At least then she'll be dealing with the facts and not the twisted nightmare." Adam looked directly at Brennan with as much confidence as he could muster. "She'll be able to accept our support and…you'll have your wife back. Until then…" Adam turned back to the monitor with an intense feeling of sorrow at having to watch his children have to go through this…again. "We leave them alone…for as long as they need." With tears conquering his control, Adam quickly left and headed for his room.
Kitty and Bobby silently took the sleeping babies in their arms to their rooms leaving Evie with a pacing Brennan.
"Brennan," Evie whispered.
Brennan stopped in front of the monitor. He watched his wife crying…in bed…in the arms…of another man.
"Brennan," Evie whispered again, "you know that's not how it is."
"Don't read me right now, Evie." Brennan snapped as he closed his eyes tightly and gripped the edge of the counter. "I can't control what you'll see."
"I'm not reading you, Brennan. I don't have to." She walked up to him and gently reached for his shoulders. "Come and sit down." Guiding him back to the sofa she sat beside him as he laid his head against the back.
Breathing deeply to control his voice, he conceded, "I really don't think that. I know better. I've never been jealous of their bond. It's just that…" his voice cracked. With the last of his strength, he sighed, "She's been through so much…" Brennan couldn't hold back anymore. The floodgates burst open and he put up his hands to cover his face.
Evie pulled his hands away and brought him to her shoulder as he began to sob. Crying with him she soothed, "She'll be ok, Brennan." She held him for a few minutes until the torrents had passed. "That's better. Now look…" she directed his attention to the screen as he wiped his eyes to focus. "They're both asleep. Give them some time to rest. I'll keep Shalimar sleeping for the night. Then we'll take care of her. We won't let her stay in this pain, alone…You know that. Very soon she'll be in your arms. I promise." Evie wiped a stray tear from his cheek and kissed him. Standing she smiled as he squeezed her hand in silent gratitude.
When she was gone he fell back into the sofa once again and just numbly stared at the ever blurring monitor.
Evie checked on the rest then headed toward her room. Before entering she took a deep breath and prayed for yet a little more strength. When she entered, the room was dark but she could feel right where he was. Slowly she walked toward him. She knew there were only a very few situations that would put him in this condition. The pain and sorrow that emanated from him were heavy.
Adam put his drink down and stood silently as his wife approached. Words were unnecessary. He enveloped her in his embrace and immediately felt the strength and love he so desperately needed. There they remained until he was able to stand on his own again and be the husband,…the father,…the leader they all needed.
Bobby called home. He knew Jubes would be waiting. He only wished he could report the mission over and everyone well. It wasn't until she answered her phone and he heard her voice that he realized just how much this mission had affected him. He tried hard not to let her hear his tears. "Hey, Baby…yeah…it's over…Well, we got her back…No, she's healthy…but…there were some problems…You know nothing's easy when there's a psionic involved…Adam is confident that she'll be ok. Don't worry… Listen, when I get back…can we…um…I need to talk for a while…yeah…I'm fine…I just want to spend time alone with you…Great…I love you, too…ok, Bye."
Two hours later, Jesse began to wake up. Immediately he was aware of where he was and who he was with. Gently he lifted his head and began to untangle himself from the woman in his arms. He stood near the bed and looked at her face. She looked so peaceful. She always did when she slept. It always amazed him, knowing the torment inside. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. When he turned, he noticed Adam and Evie standing at the door waiting for him to unlock it.
Evie noticed his hesitation to let them in. Jesse, don't worry. I'll keep her asleep. She'll never know Adam was in the room.
He unlocked the door and watched as they approached. "I'm sorry. She's just so terrified this time."
"It's ok, Jess," Evie soothed.
"You did a good job," Adam placed a proud hand on his shoulder. "You're the only one who had any chance of getting her to calm down."
"How's Brennan?" Jesse's sadness deepened as he saw Adam shake his head and walk away.
"He's holding on as best he can," Evie spoke up. "Go and get some rest. You'll need to be here when she wakes up."
Jesse walked out of the lab and toward the computer center. He saw Brennan with his eyes closed and his head back on the sofa. Silently he turned to walk out.
"Don't go, Jess," Brennan called to him.
"Brennan, I just wanted to…" Jesse watched as Brennan lifted his head and twisted out the stiffness.
"You don't have to…" Brennan stood and faced him. "I understand." He turned to the monitor and watched as Adam and Evie scanned and fussed over her. "I just don't get where the fear of me came in." In frustration he punched the counter, the bang echoing through their silent home. "It's just…so wrong." He hung his head, again fighting to rein in the tears.
"Hey, it's just the confusion. She's so confused she can hardly control her mutation. It's like it's on overdrive. But you know how strong she is. She'll be ok, Bren." Jesse put his hand on Brennan's back.
Slowly Brennan turned, nodding his head. "Yeah, I know." He reached out for Jesse's hand. "Thanks…For everything." They embraced.
Jesse tried to be strong for his friend. He knew the man was worried and exhausted. "Evie's gonna keep her out for the night. Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow she'll need us…both." He was glad Brennan didn't argue as he led him toward the stairs.
Kitty quietly watched as Jesse walked into their room. In silence he walked into the bathroom. She heard the shower begin.
Very rarely did Jesse spend more than 10 minutes in the shower. Twenty minutes later he walked out and put on his sleeping pants. With heavy steps and a heavier heart he crawled into bed beside his wife. He looked into her eyes and tried to speak. Nothing would come out. He had spent his strength, every ounce. He fought the anger and the anxiety and now there was nothing left; nothing but tears. He dropped his head onto her chest. Though he was older and stronger now, the tears still came; not in the sobs of his youth, but tears just the same…silent…dripping…painful.
TBC
