Here we go with chapter 3. This chapter is especially for you my dear Audrey because you give me inspiration...

Enjoy!

Chapter 3

The cool obscurity of the undergrowth was surreal, magic. He felt as if he had been transported to some fantastic forest in the middle of a dream or a fairy tale. The earthy scents, the sounds, the quietness, everything hit him, slowly clearing the anger he felt. He had fought with Adam again about a mission. And again he had stormed out of Sanctuary. It was not something new and he sometimes wondered why he was staying with them. He didn't belong there anymore but Emma's lingering presence was preventing him from leaving.

When he finally reached his destination, the anger had dissipated leaving a hollow sensation in his mind. Carefully, he spread the blanket on the soft grass beneath the tortured tree. He wearily sat down, reclining on the old polished trunk. It had always been one of her favorite places. They would come for a picnic, sometimes to talk or to read. With time, it had become their little secret garden, a place sheltered from the ugliness of the world. The others were probably aware of the place but they never mentioned anything.

The elemental looked up at the green moving canopy with delight. The sun was playing through the leaves casting abstract shadows on the grass. A little ray of sun found his way through the leaves and touched his face, warming it. The sensation spread and amplified.

Closing his eyes, he remembered the last time they had been sitting there together. A smile crept on his face; a peaceful hour filled with bird songs and the sounds of golden leaves ruffling in the wind, her head resting on his shoulder and her small hand in his, her presence beside him, the comfort and love radiating from her mind.

As he relaxed, a picture of her formed in his mind. She was sitting on the mossy stone in front of him, a light smile playing on her lips and a book in one hand. Her slender form was bathed in the sunlight giving her a surreal glow. Yet she seemed so amazingly real.

"My little butterfly charmer."

Hearing him, her smile only got wider and she put her book on her knees. As if on cue a bright butterfly landed on one of her hand. He looked at the insect with wonder as it probed her skin to find nectar. After a few seconds of fruitless search, it flew away. Soon enough his eyes drifted back to her face. He watched her, taking in every little seemingly insignificant detail. Her own eyes were glued on his face as if she was trying to recall something vital. That was how he wanted to remember her, happy, a smile on her face, with her hair hanging down her shoulders. And here, in his mind, he didn't feel the need to hide his emotions.

"I miss you, Em. I miss your presence, your touch, spending time with you."

Soundlessly she got up and kneeled close to him. Her hand touched his cheek forcing him to look at her straight in the eyes. Her lips on his felt like a butterfly touch; a warm butterfly touch. His hand grasped hers and he squeezed it. When they drew apart, he simply kept staring at her with a little smile.

"I'm so sorry. I failed, I wasn't able to protect you."

Her second kiss was even lighter than the first one. But it filled him with comfort and love. An emotion he had been denied for too long.

"I love you."

And then she was gone. Slowly he opened his eyes and blinked a few times unable to believe what he had heard. Maybe it was just his imagination playing tricks on him. Maybe he was a fool; but he wanted to believe that those words were real. For the first time in months, he genuinely smiled and let a little tinge of happiness ignite in his heart. He didn't know if he was ready to heal. But he knew that her love would be his strength. Smiling he took the book resting at his right and began to read out loud.

XXX

A hand abruptly falling on her shoulder startled her effectively cutting the connection. The gigantic bouquet of roses she had been holding fell down on the table with a dull sound. She sheepishly looked up at her friend and colleague. Once again, she had caught her lost in a dream. She didn't have the time to reflect on what she had experienced. Her friend took the flowers and quickly assembled them back creating an amazing shading of reds. Emma put her hand on the old wooden table absentmindedly stroking a crease. Her mind was still stuck on that dream.

"Are you ok? You might still be suffering from some strange aftereffects. Maybe we should go back to see the neurologist?"

Annoyed, Emma put a strand of hair behind her ear. Of course she was still suffering from what had happened months ago. But it was not something physical: it was something inside her mind, something invisible to the normal human eye; yet so much more painful than any physical injury she had ever experienced. Whit a resigned sigh, she took the flowers resting beside her and started to prepare a floral arrangement just like she had been shown a few weeks ago. Meanwhile her friend put the roses in the awaiting vase in the store window.

"I'm fine, Olivia. I… just had one of those strange daydreams."

The other young woman froze. After those 'daydreams' Emma was always a total wreck. Worried she threw glances at her every now and then, waiting for her friend to explain what was truly bothering her. And she didn't have to wait too long.

"I… I saw him again. But this time, we were in a kind of forest. It was just…. I don't know how to describe it. I felt his love so strongly. It's infuriating. I know I love him but I can't even recall his name. It's been months and my memory is still a total fuss."

She didn't know how to reassure her, so she crossed the distance to her friend and hugged her. Emma had been subdued the last few weeks. She had seldom seen her smile or laugh. She knew that the memories of the man haunting her dreams were slowly killing her will to live, even if they were unclear.

"You'll get your memory back. Don't loose hope."

Emma closed her eyes tightly. She wasn't sure she wanted to remember. A part of her knew that he was all she had ever wanted. Yet a part of her was afraid. The power he had over her mind and her heart were amazingly strong; and she was not used to the loss of control on her emotions. Her heart and mind were experiencing a never-ending battle since the moment she had seen him in her dreams a few months ago and it was tearing her apart.

"I don't know if I want to remember. And yet I feel so empty like something is missing, a link, a connection, something that gives me the sensation I'm complete. I'm not making any sense, am I?"

"Makes sense. Trust me, Emma. Everything's going to end up fine even if things aren't easy. But tonight… we are going out. And no you're not staying home."

The psionic tried to protest but to no avail. There was no way she could change her friend's mind.

XXX

It was nearly two pm when the two girls left the club. Despite all Olivia's best efforts, Emma hadn't smiled once the whole evening. She had been too absorbed in her inner world to notice things around her. The molecular had tried to start a conversation but the only things Emma had uttered were terse answers, not even phrases. So instead of their usual banter they settled in a deep silence on their way home.

The moment Emma stepped in the park she knew something was wrong. Instantly her senses were on alert following the two hostile presences. She didn't try to alert her friend verbally. Instead she sent her the feeling they were followed and that everything would be all right. The panic in Olivia's mind diminished slightly.

The two shadows slowly closed on them, moving in the bushes around the little road. Without a noise one of the man ran behind a tree, hiding waiting for the two targets to come nearer. With his nocturnal vision he was able to spot his teammate on the other side of the road. A small head sign and he knew that they were ready.

When the two men attacked, a knowledge Emma didn't know she possessed resurfaced. The man tried to knock her out but she effortlessly dodged his punch. However she didn't see the blade in his other hand. It cut through her arm, causing a strong pain to radiate through her body. But she was beyond the pain. Adrenaline and old reflexes took over, forcing her body to move in ways she had never thought possible. She hit her aggressor square in the jaw and using her empathy sent him to dreamland. Turning around she saw the second man holding her friend. It barely took her seconds to make him crumble to the ground freeing the molecular.

As quickly as possible they gathered their bags. They didn't bother to look back. Adrenaline was still rushing through their systems, making them run out of the park. Once they reached the safety of their apartment, they realized what had happened. They looked at each other and let out the breath they had been holding.

The pain instantly hit Emma. It stung and radiated through her limbs nearly cutting her breath. Her heartbeat became slower and she felt faint. She faltered slightly and leaned on the kitchen wall. Instantly Olivia was by her side, checking the wound carefully. Realizing that the blood would not stop to flow she focused on the wound. Emma winced slightly as she applied her hand on the deep gash.

Olivia didn't hear her. Her eyes were closed as she felt the blood rushing through Emma's body. She visualized the steady flow and increased the density of the blood coming to the wound. It barely took seconds before the bleeding stopped. Without loosing a second she went to the bathroom and took out the first aid kit. For the first time she was happy to have learned how to do stitches. After having taken care of Emma, they settled on the couch, waiting for daybreak. Neither tried to talk about what had happened.

XXX

Adam wearily sat at his desk. He hated to admit it, but Brennan was quickly becoming a problem. Another problem amongst thousands of others and he wasn't ready to deal with it, not right now. He vigorously rubbed his eyes, hoping to ease the stinging feeling a little. But it was hopeless. He needed sleep and he knew it. The amount of files and discs on his desk was giving him the feeling he wasn't working enough. He tried to grab a file but the shrill sound of his cell phone prevented him from doing so. Before answering he quickly checked the number of the incoming call. His blood instantly froze.

"They are after her. It's just a matter of time."

The call ended abruptly, but he had recognized the voice without any hesitation. And suddenly his amount of work seemed insignificant. If anything happened to Olivia then, everything he had ever worked and fought for would be lost.