Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men.

Imaginary Friend

Chapter 25

Jesse could feel the sting of the cut as his head rested in Shalimar's lap. He felt her fingers gently trace his face and move through his hair. His eyelids were getting heavy. Must have lost…too much…blood, the thought passed as he fought to keep his eyes open and focus on her face. She was calm but still feral; her eyes glistening gold, darting back and forth protectively from him to their surroundings. "Shal," he tried to speak but could only get out a whisper. "Shal," he tried again and watched as she looked intently into his eyes. After a few seconds he saw them dull and turn brown as fear creased her brow.

"Jesse,…" Shalimar's voice cracked as it only did when she was really afraid. "Jess…where are we? What's happening…to me?"

Jesse tried to sit up but immediately felt dizzy. Lying back as Shalimar pulled him to her, he closed his eyes to stop the spinning. When it finally settled down he opened his eyes again and tried to smile for her. "Shal, we're at the mansion. Remember, I told you when we flew over that the professor is going to help you? Call him for me, Shal. I can't."

"What? No! I can't." Nervousness cracked in her voice and her eyes flashed golden but quickly returned to brown as she fought to control it.

"Shalimar, listen to me. No one will hurt you. Think about the professor. Concentrate on all you know about him. He would never, ever hurt you." Jesse watched as Shalimar's face softened in realization. "Call him, Shal. I think I have a concussion. I can't do it myself." He smiled proudly as he watched her push the fear aside and close her eyes.

"Professor…" she called timidly.

"Yes, My Child. I'm here.

Professor, Jesse's hurt.

Yes, I know. May I come into the bay and check on you both?"

Shalimar hesitated a long time. Finally she made her decision. "Yes."

A few moments later a click and swish was heard as the bay doors parted and the hum of the professor's chair broke the deep silence of the hangar. Shalimar jumped, edgy at the sounds, her head darting back and forth as she struggled to keep her eyes from turning and the feral from taking over. Protectively she leaned over her injured cub as her hand scrunched full of his shirt.

Jesse sensed it immediately and reached up to take her hand over his chest. Rubbing it soothingly he whispered to her, just letting her hear his voice, hoping it was enough to focus on over the fear. Relief spread over him like a blanket when she looked at him with tears in her brown eyes. She had made it over the hurtle.

Jesse, are you alright?

Yes, Professor. I think so…but…she's really scared.

I know. But rest assured she will be fine. Close your eyes. Jean and Evie are waiting to care for you. The professor calmed Jesse's mind enough to give him respite as the concussion claimed him into unconsciousness.

Shalimar watched and began to panic as Jesse seemed to pass out in her arms. Snuggling him closer she began to whimper.

"Shalimar, he's alright. Don't be afraid." The professor appeared in her mind and slowly walked to where she was crouched, quivering in a corner.

From the war room Adam, Brennan, Evie and Jean watched and prayed as they saw Jesse's eyes close and Shalimar curl herself around him. Brennan's heart was pounding in his ears. Anger, fear, worry consumed him. Blue tendrils twisted rampantly around his fists and began to lengthen and rise up each arm.

Adam met Evie's eyes with nothing to offer except shared pain as they together turned back to the monitors.

The closer the professor got, the more she seemed to shake and whimper. "Child, try to relax. I am here to help you." Charles watched as images suddenly appeared around him and swirled closer to Shalimar. She reacted with cries of fear as they seemed to intensify. Immediately, Charles closed the distance and reached his arms out to her. Falling to his knees, he embraced her as she began to thrash against his hold. He held her tightly against him as he constructed walls around them. Within moments they were tightly concealed in a box, away from the images and sounds that continued to tempest outside. In the silence he created she quickly calmed and he soothed her into a deep sleep in his arms.

Adam let out a sigh of relief when he saw Shalimar collapse quietly over Jesse's body.

"Doctors, you may come in now." Charles turned to face the camera.

"I'll get a med kit and scanner," Jean whispered as she left for the med lab.

Evie turned and stood in front of Brennan. She watched fearlessly as the electricity and confused mix of emotions continued to radiate around him. His eyes were closed to fight the pain; she knew. She also knew he could sense her there. Brennan, she's asleep. Evie gasped as Brennan's head snapped up to hers. He couldn't mask the intense glare he turned on her. Brennan was instantly in front of her as she stood in his mind. His hands, still spiraling with the image of electricity, painfully grabbed her arms. Uncontrolled anger threatened to snap the only thread left holding it at bay.

"Brennan!" Charles appeared beside them. He stared deeply into his eyes when the man turned quickly in response.

As Adam watched, Brennan slumped in the chair, electricity quickly dissipating in the air. He turned to his wife and waited as she opened her eyes and returned.

With tears in her eyes that refused to be stopped she moved into her husband's embrace. For a long moment they held each other, both giving and drawing support. "He's so hurt," she whispered into his shoulder. "He almost lashed out at me…Charles entered and put him to sleep."

Taking a deep breath and trying to regain his strength, Adam kissed her head and stood taller. "He'll be alright. Let's go see about Jesse." He kept his arm locked about her as they went.

Jean was in the bay ahead of them and already scanning the unconscious couple on the floor. "Physically, Shalimar is fine. She's exhausted from the constant fear but other than that she seems ok."

Adam moved to Shalimar's side but hesitated before touching her. He looked up at Charles in silent question.

"I have her consciousness safely contained. She does not sense you near her." He watched as Adam gently lifted Shalimar from Jesse's chest and leaned her against himself not lifting her completely because Jesse still lay across her lap.

"Jesse was right about the concussion," Jean had moved on to her next patient. "The cut isn't bad and he really hasn't lost that much blood." She glanced at the dark crimson staining Shalimar's shirt and hand.

"I can take care of this." Evie knelt by his side and placed a hand on each side of his head. Closing her eyes she focused on his injury and let her powers take over.

Jean watched in awe of the display. She had of course seen it before. They all had, but each time the shimmering appears they're struck by its beauty. All the rest use their powers to defend and attack when necessary. Evie is the only one with the ability to sooth and heal. Jean turned and saw Charles watching with the same appreciation. When she looked at Adam, she saw beams of loving pride.

Brennan began to stir. Before his mind was completely conscious he felt a presence, a waking dream. He smiled as he looked across a bright meadow full of wildflowers. There she was. He knew he would find her there. His heart leaped in his chest as she strolled over the green toward him. Her smile was as dazzling as the sunshine. He heard her call his name. "Brennan…" he stretched out his arms to her, still much too far to reach. "Brennan…" Confusion furrowed across his brow as her voice deepened and lost the softness he knew. "Brennan…" Like a stained glass window shattering, he watched in shock as the bright image before him shattered and pieces of broken glass fell to his feet. "Brennan…" the voice clear and recognizable now caused him to turn in silent remembrance…and pain.

"I am sorry, Brennan…You are feeling her because I am holding her consciousness isolated and guarded."

"Professor…will she be…" the sleep he just awoke from helped the physical and he was more rested to control his powers but his mind and heart were still weary and lost without her.

"I will do all I can…come into the hangar…you may approach without fear of upsetting her."

With a whispered groan, Jesse began to wake. Conscious enough to remember where he was, he tried to move but was restrained by both Jean and Evie. "But Shalimar…"

"She's ok, Jess," Evie smiled when he looked up at her. "Charles has her asleep. Are you dizzy?"

He closed his eyes and sat up slowly with the doctors' help. Slowly nodding his head he opened his eyes. "I'm ok, thanks." He turned a charming smile to Evie. He didn't have to feel the back of his head to know the only thing he would find is dried blood. "What now?"

"I think a warm washcloth and a change of clothes will due for a start," Charles answered. "Then I will work with her in my office."

"Brennan…" Adam began to question.

"Is here…" Charles nodded to his friend as the bay doors swished opened and they all saw Brennan dart through.

Silently, he stopped in front of the group. Slowly, he lowered himself to the floor as he stared into his wife's face. Hesitant to make a move she would sense, he met Adam's eyes.

"It's ok…Take her to your room. Evie'll go with you." Adam smiled as he shifted the woman in his arms and released her to the loving embrace of her husband.

Brennan hesitated and looked at Jesse. He saw his friend nod and a curl touch his lips. With a slight quiver in his hands he reached out for her. When he finally touched her and knew she wouldn't react, he fully embraced her and lifted her into his arms. At last he could hold her…touch her…high on his chest he buried his face in her hair…tears burning his eyes for release.

"Come," Charles took the lead. "We will begin as soon as she is readied."

TBC