Thanks so much to you Mony 19, NewMutant2,Proud2bfilipino, Cassidy Wich, Kitty Invictus.You were able to put a bright smile on my face and make me grin like an idiot. That's good to hear from you Kitty; Sara was Rory's girlfriend. And don't worry, everything will become crystal clear in the next chapters.LoveConquers awwwww... you already know what I think. Thank you so much.

Chapter 3

The rest of the week went by like a gloomy dream. Every one in school had been affected by the murder of the young woman. A strange feeling of sadness had been floating in the halls, tempering smiles and laughter. A service was held on Thursday and it appeared to relax the atmosphere a little.

Despite the overloaded mood, Emma and Brennan settled in a routine alternating between their classes and research about the mission. Adam and Jesse weren't able to find a single suspect element about the Wuong or any other teacher. The police report about Sarah's death Adam sent them was useless as well. The school archives search didn't come out fruitless. The archive of the year 97-98 had disappeared. When Jesse and Shal had tried to contact teachers working during that span of time, they had it a wall. Either they were dead or they had moved out of the country. When Brennan and Emma compared the archive of the previous and following years they found three students name missing. Immediately they had sent the names to Jesse but hadn't gotten any news.

The whole situation started to get them down especially Emma. For a reason the elemental couldn't figure, she was feeling responsible. The embarrassed tension between them had only added to her discomfort. Their kiss was a taboo subject and they carefully avoided it. It was some kind of silent agreement and neither would have dared to break it.

XXX

Emma looked at the content of her plate with disgust. Sighing, she diverted her gaze from the food and watched through the kitchen window. Helena was observing them from her own kitchen. The whole situation was a nightmare. Another sigh and she resumed eating despite her lack of appetite. Seeing her getting more depressed with each passing minute made his heart shrink. He had to do something to distract her.

"Do you want to go out tonight and see a movie?"

She looked up only to find him staring at her, his fork suspended in midair, with a little hopeful smile. Quickly she took a glance in his mind. His concern reminded her that she was not alone in this mess. His mere presence comforted her. But behind that, she caught a glimpse of a little something. The sensation sent pleasant warmth in her. She rested her free hand on his, suddenly needing the physical contact.

"Ok. Spending time away from work and our neighbours will be great."

XXX

Realizing they were early, they headed to a nearby park in an overloaded silence. Upon reaching their destination, they sat silently on a bench near the water both lost in a whirlwind of questions.

Emma refused to consider the true reason he had asked her out. She wanted to enjoy her evening out with him. So she dismissed all her interrogations and breathed deeply, taking in the scent of the late spring day.

Children were running around the park playing with a ball; others were playing Frisbee. Their shouts and laughter resonated around them discordantly but she didn't care. An elderly couple was quietly strolling near the water a dog running playfully in front of them. A light breeze was carrying the scent of flowers their way.

Everything around her felt so normal, so perfect. Where was her place in that little world? The moment she had realized she was different everything had changed. Many of her dreams had shattered. That was until she had met Brennan, Adam, Shalimar and Jesse. They had allowed her to dream again, especially Brennan. Did he have a place with her there? The possibility that it might not be the case made her heart heavy.

"Emma? Are you ok?"

Startled, she lightly turned to see Brennan watching her with a worried frown. For one split second, she considered lying. But he knew her too well; he would instantly guess what was on her mind. So she chose to avoid the subject. Her voice was low as if she had been afraid someone would hear her.

"I'm… I don't know. The whole situation is getting to me. I would like to be able to do more for them. It feels like we've hit a wall. We have no lead at all and one of the girls is still missing."

Gently he wrapped an arm around her shoulders bringing her closer to him. Instinctively she rested her head in the crook of his neck. Feeling her so helpless was not something he liked. But before he had the time to say a single word, she went on broaching the subject they had so carefully avoided.

"And there is that kiss…"

Instantly he tensed. He wasn't even sure what had happened that night. His mind was a total mess when it came to her. She was his best friend, someone he truly cared about; but was there something more behind that feeling? That was a question he felt unable to answer. However he would lie to himself if he didn't recognise he was attracted to her.

He stole a glance at her, maybe in search for some clues. She was playing with her wedding band and it stirred something in him, something powerful, strong and heart warming.

"I'm stupid Brennan. Forget what I just said. We're pretending to be a married couple; it was bound to happen. Can we just… forget it?"

She was giving him an easy way out of this situation. One word from him and she would forget everything; it would never have happened. Strangely, the thought saddened him. Forgetting, was it what he truly wanted?

"No. I don't think so."

Surprised she looked up only to find him starring at her with a half smile. Slowly he leaned toward her and when he was mere inches from her lips, he murmured in a low seductive voice.

"I don't want to forget what happened Emma."

Her heart nearly stopped. Could he truly want something more? She had to know.

"And what do you want?"

"This."

His lips closed on hers with determined gentleness as if he was afraid to scare her. When she parted her lips and started responding to his kiss, he couldn't help but groan. His hand reached for a ponytail, freeing her hair. He entangled his fingers in them deepening their kiss even more, causing a pleasurable shiver to creep down her spine.

The familiar sound of a bike passing nearby interrupted them. The two mutants broke apart. His thumbs brushed her cheeks and he softly murmured in her hear.

"Maybe we could just see where it leads us. No pressure. We take our time."

A smile crept on her face. That was the best suggestion he had ever made. She kissed his cheek with tenderness.

"I like the idea."

Gently they rose from the bench and headed to the theatre hand in hand unaware of the black shape hidden behind a tree. A strange devious smile spread on the nameless face as it retreated in the school direction.

XXX

Emma put on her jeans short and absentmindedly picked up the blue shirt resting on a nearby chair. If they wanted to make it on time for the picnic, she would have to hurry. She quickly ran down the stairs only to collide with a solid shape. To prevent her from falling, he wrapped one of his arms around her waist bringing her closer to him.

"Careful there my little tornado."

She looked up only to find him staring at her, a playful glint in his eyes. Instantly it made her stomach do flip-flops and her arms came to rest around his neck. He rested one of his hands in the small of her back. And they stood there near the stairs staring at each other silently for a few minutes. The sound of the clock called her back to earth. Suddenly she realized how he was looking at her.

"What Brennan?"

"You're wearing my shirt."

She hadn't done it on purpose, at least not consciously. But judging by his reaction, it was definitely worth it.

"Does it bother you?"

The elemental flashed her his trademark smile. To see her wearing one of his shirts gave him a satisfactory feeling of possessiveness. It felt like marking his territory. The mere thought of her in his clothes was tantalizing.

"Nope, it doesn't bother me. It looks sexy on you so keep it."

Emma blushed lightly, surprised by the compliment and the feelings drifting her way. Embarrassed she disentangled from his embrace and made her way to the door. She still wasn't comfortable with their new situation.

"Thanks. Now hurry up. Did you get the basket with the food?"

Before she had the time to take her purse and open the door he had caught her arm and wrapped her back in his embrace.

"Emma…"

Gently she put her middle finger on his lips to silence him. If they started talking right now, they would not make it in time for the picnic and the last thing she wanted was people talking behind their back.

"I know Brennan. I just want to enjoy your company and the nice weather."

Quickly she kissed him and headed for the door before he had the time to answer or protest.

XXX

The park where the picnic took place was not far away from their home so they decided to walk instead of taking their car. The moment they stepped out of the house, he took her hand and did not let go until they reached their destination.

A few couples of teachers, including Bruce and his wife, were already there preparing the fire, happily chatting. Their children were playing baseball nearby or flying kites. At that sight, Emma tensed visibly. Brennan gently stopped her, feeling the uneasiness coming his way.

"Emma, relax ok. And if you are afraid or worried, just do your thing and send me the feeling you need me."

Surprised she turned lightly to look at him. His fingers gently squeezed hers and she smiled in response.

The first moments felt awkward. They had been propelled in a world that was totally alien to them, a world where they had to watch each and every word, each smile. However it seemed to come naturally. The two friends slid in their role perfectly, sharing smiles and jokes with their colleagues. During the afternoon they completely forgot why they had been sent there. It was natural to speak about their students, their project for the future, their life together.

And when he started chasing her around the park because she had thrown water over him it appeared just like the antics of a newlywed couple.

TBC