I know it's been a long time... butI finally found inspiration. Anyway, you guys are more than great. Thanks for encouragement, reviews and feedback.This one is especially for you.

Chapter 2

10 minutes after the explosion

Her lungs were burning drawing breath in was like swallowing overheated sand, painful, excoriating. She could not recall where she was or what had happened. Her only thought was that she was alive even if it was a living hell. Every part of her body hurt and she felt nauseated. Cautiously the young woman got up leaning on the remaining of a nearby wall. Dust, glass shards, little metallic scraps were sticking to her clothes and she could feel a warm liquid trickling down her arm. A glance told her it was blood. Quickly she repressed the nausea.

Around her, there was nothing but wreckage. The air was thick with smoke and dust particles. In a far corner of the room a fire was still consuming a pile of paper. Several glass containers were spread on a draining board. The different labels, the configuration of the place indicated her she was in a lab. Carefully she wiped her eyes, trying to get rid of small particles. Her surroundings felt alien, unwelcoming.

And then, she realized she could not recall why she was there. She knew her name, she knew she was a mutant but part of her memory seemed locked. She looked at the ring on her right hand; it felt like a restrain. Hastily she took it off her finger and let it fall to the ground. Whatever had happened, she needed to get out. Deep inside her mind, she knew she was in danger if she stayed where she was. Wearily she made her way through the wreckage, careful not to hurt herself more than she already was.

It was only an hour later when she caught sight of her reflection in a store-window that she realized how much she had changed. Her second shock was the date written on a newspaper. One year of her life was missing.

XXX

A few months later

Brennan opened his eyes and found himself in front of a small shop. He climbed the three steps with awe. Upon opening the door, his nostrils were instantly assaulted by the mixed smell of lilies, roses and other flowers he didn't know. Sunlight was bathing the small space giving a surreal quality to the alignment of colorful flowers.

Gardenia, the wonderful perfume hung in the air reminding him of Emma. As if on cue, he heard soft laughter coming from the back of the shop. It trickled down his spine pleasantly reminding him of happier times. He felt drawn to the sound and his feet moved on their own will, leading him to the source of the pleasant melody.

A young woman in a white simple cotton dress was assembling white roses in a bouquet. But when he tried to look at her, her face remained blurred. However, he knew that it was Emma; the certitude was ingrained in his heart. The thought made his heart beat a little faster. Gently, he got closer and touched her arm. Warmth, silky warmth; his fingers brushed against her skin softly. The action stopped her laughter and the flowers fell on the table.

"I've been waiting for you. Where have you been?"

XXX

"Brennan, Brennan, wake up!"

Hastily, he turned around following the disturbing voice. The dream vanished and he felt someone shaking his shoulder. Abruptly he awoke. Shalimar was standing near his bed with a cup of coffee in one hand and the other resting on his shoulder. She had that smile again; a smile he hated because he knew it was pity. He fell back on the bed with a sigh. One of his hands came to rest on his eyes shielding him from the light. The feral silently put the cup on his bedside table.

"Sorry to have to wake you up. Adam wants to see us in half an hour."

He opened his eyes once again and took a look at the steaming cup. He felt unable to answer her. He knew she was doing her best to be nice and comforting but it was not the time. Brennan watched her leaving while drinking the coffee she had brought.

This had just been a dream; but it was not quite like the others. This one had seemed more real; he had felt, smelled and touched things. He had touched her. Maybe he was just starting to lose his mind.

XXX

The elemental sat wearily on the platform. He didn't want to go to the lab or in any other place where he could encounter Shalimar and Adam. He was too ashamed to face Adam and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of Shal's wrath. Once again, he had failed to protect one of the people he cared for. It was just a broken wrist; but still he had failed.

He rested his elbows on his knees and started rubbing his hands. Despite the seriousness of the situation, all his thoughts kept returning to his dream. It was now partly blurred and the images were no more so vivid but the sensations were still here. An invisible weight had settled in the pit of his stomach, slowing each movement, each thought, each gesture. Never, no more.

The realization she would never be there again had hit him more strongly than the previous times during the mission. It had been like a blow to his stomach; deep down he could still feel it. And it made him sick.

Carefully he took out the silver chain where her ring was hanging. The little silver reminder felt heavy in his palm. It had the weight of regrets. But it was a small something he clung to as if it was a lifeline. He could still recall when she had put it on her finger the first time. Abruptly she had looked up at him; her hesitancy had been so palpable. She needed answers and she had found them in his eyes. The discovery had been mutual. He had found in her a part of him he had thought was dead.

And now, with this ring in his palm, he knew that this little something she had unlocked was slowly perishing.

XXX

Adam watched Brennan sitting on the platform near the small waterfall. There were days when he wished he could erase all their worries and pains. There were days when he hated himself because he was responsible for their suffering. He had suspected something was going on between him and Emma. However he had never had any proof of it. Now the certitude was tearing his heart apart.

Shalimar silently came behind him and rested her hand on his shoulder. He lightly turned around to look at her. She seemed tired, sad and he was sure his expression matched hers.

"You ok?"

Adam shrugged. Less than a few months ago he had lost his youngest daughter; Brennan was not doing well despite the façade he was keeping up for them. Every day he retreated a little more in his shell. Hearing him laugh genuinely was rare and his smiles were faked. But what saddened him the most was the angriness the elemental had started to show lately. He had become rude, unforgiving, ruthless. Slowly he was destroying himself.

"I should go and talk to him."

She squeezed his shoulder lightly. She had never felt so powerless in front of a situation. If Emma had been there she would have found the words. But she was gone. She breathed deeply trying to find the words that would comfort him. Like a low breeze softly brushing against her hair, she felt the words and they were out before she could analyze what she was saying.

"You can't erase his regrets Adam. He'll learn to live with it. He needs time to forgive himself."

The older man turned around abruptly. He could have sworn Emma was there, talking to him, comforting him.

"What Adam?"

He shook his head wearily. It was just his imagination again. He could not let his weaknesses appear not now that his other children needed him.

"I'll go and check on Jesse. He should be awake right now"

She watched him going in the lab direction and sighed. She should be mad at Brennan. But she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Jesse's wrist would heal with time; Brennan's heart would never mend.