I don't know what to say anymore. You guys are amazing. Now the story... Things are getting a little out of control...

Chapter 4

Brennan knocked on the door and entered her classroom effectively interrupting her. Emma diverted her gaze from the chemical equation she was writing on the blackboard slightly annoyed. The chalk dangled in her hand for a few seconds before she set it down on her desk. The silence of her students was unnatural, full of expectancy.

"Emma, the principal wants to see us when you're done."

She stole a glance at her watch.

"Okay, give me five minutes. But come in and sit down. If I remember correctly your favorite courses were chemistry when you were a kid."

A shiver crept down his spine. He hated chemistry; it had always been his worst nightmare when he was still in school. And the little witch parading in that lab-coat with those fake glasses perfectly knew it. Under the amused smiles of her students, he made his way to the only available desk in the front row. Emma resumed her course quietly enjoying his discomfort.

As the bell rang, the students hastily fled the classroom much to his relief. The young woman carefully took her glasses off, folded them and put them on the desk with a sigh. She loved that new job. The fact that it helped her teasing Brennan was a huge bonus. The elemental watched her cleaning the blackboard and a plan quickly took shape in his head.

Without a noise he got up and came to stand a few inches behind her. His hand covered hers, as if helping her cleaning the board. His other hand found his way around her waist bringing her close to him. Her breath got caught as she felt the thoughts drifting her way. 'Oh no. Not that Brennan.' His hand gently squeezed hers bringing more color to her cheeks. A warm tingle sped through her limbs as the images became more vivid, his presence more evident, his breath in her neck warmer. She closed her eyes basking in his fantasy. She tried to protest but it seemed untrue even to her own ears.

"Bren, we need to… please don't…"

His lips lingered on her neck making her moan, silencing all her protests. The low sound made him shiver and his hand found a way under her blouse. Her skin felt so warm, so inviting. And he wondered how it would be like to have her naked against him. Without realizing it his fingers began to work on the buttons of her blouse. Her low whimpers called him back to reality. He was supposed to be in control. He abruptly let her go as if her touch was burning or dangerous. The elemental fled to the door not looking back; he wasn't sure he would be able to face her.

"I'll wait for you in Bruce's office."

Emma took a few steps toward her desk and collapsed on her chair, panting. She should have known that messing with Brennan would cause her troubles. The young woman looked at her trembling hands wondering what had happened. She was receiving that kind of thoughts every day. She was used to control or ignore them. But when it came from Brennan it was different, more intense; it made her skin tingle. Sighing she got rid of her lab-coat and headed for Bruce's office.

XXX

When Emma arrived at the principal's office she spotted Brennan and Bruce talking, laughing like old friends. She opened the door without knocking and seated herself close to her friend, sliding in her role of the perfect little wife.

"Emma. How did you chemistry course go? I heard you had some problems with Nina."

The young woman shoved her worries in a little corner of her head.

"Good I guess. And for Nina, accidents do happen, especially when you work with chemicals."

"Perfect. I need you two to do something for me. Ms Wahlis broke her ankle and Mr Franck has caught the flu. We're two teachers short for a field trip. So, you are going with Helena, Charlie and class 2c for their annual science field trip. I don't need to tell you that it was Sarah and Melie's class. They are all a bit perturbed. I trust you to be there to help those kids."

Brennan chocked on his coffee, wondering if he had heard right or if Emma was playing with his mind to get a revenge. The psionic just watched him an amused smile playing on her lips knowing what was playing in his mind. She wanted to be part of this only to see him grumbling every minute.

"A camping trip in the woods?"

Bruce smiled at Emma, clearly amused by the young man's reaction. He had felt a connection to his two youngest teachers the moment they had stepped in the building. Visibly Brennan was not the kind of man who loved being outdoors and his wife knew it.

"No. A camping trip in a mountain area to study biology, geology and ecology. Think of this as a giant practical class. Their reports are going to count for their final exam. You won't have to answer their questions. All you'll have to do is survey the class and make sure they don't get into trouble."

The elemental sighed. Spending a whole week, with teenagers on a mountainside was definitely not his idea of fun; it felt more like stepping in hell. Well, it was part of the mission so he would have to go with it. The only added bonus was Emma's presence.

"Ok, when do we leave?"

"Next Monday. You'll take a bus and then you'll have a two days walk to the camping. No need to tell you that you'll need camping equipment."

XXX

The week went by too quickly for Brennan. He hated to think he would be stuck with twenty-four kids and the Wuongs, a couple able to give him the creep, during one week on a mountainside. The presence of wild animals, insects and poisonous plants were not a happy perspective. Emma's presence was not helping at all. Every day it became harder to control his body reactions and thoughts.

Emma on the other hand had been beaming the entire week. She had bought new trekking shoes, done research on the fauna and flora of the place they were going to. She had carefully prepared a list of what they would need and was impatiently waiting for the weekend.

XXX

He stopped the car and realised they had reached their destination. Quietly Emma got out and headed straight to the store. He nearly had to run to catch up with her. Before entering the store he stopped and watched with dread the alignment of backpacks and shoes. He had stepped into hell. 'This time Adam, I'm gonna make your life a living hell'

Emma swam through the rows of mountain clothes with Brennan in her trail. Saying that he was less than enthusiast was an understatement.

"Brennan, we need to choose a tent and a backpack for you. Don't be so stubborn. Come on, we're going to have fun."

Gently she grabbed his hand and dragged him to the section dedicated to the tents. She began to check the different tags, searching for a lightweight one. The elemental was left there, dumbfounded, watching colourful camping items.

"We could take this one."

Quickly Emma turned around and checked the tag. She shook her head. If he wanted to carry extra weight he had just chosen the right one.

"No we can't. It's too heavy. We'll take that blue one."

The elemental looked at the tent she was pointing at. It was at least two times smaller than the other one. Was she really implying that they could both sleep in the small space? Where was he supposed to put his two meters? And then he realized that it would not allow them any privacy.

"Emma, you can't be serious? We'll take that one!"

The young woman sighed. He was not going to make it easier for her.

"No Brennan, we take that one because it's lighter. And it's big enough for you. It's two and a half meter long so stop being childish."

He put his hands on his hips in a frustrated gesture. It was not the perfect place to have an argument. Half their students were there, doing some last minute shopping. And he knew how fast news could travel in small towns. Carefully he read the tag. His examination finished he locked eyes with her trying to make her understand his point.

"What is worrying you Emma?"

Why was he reacting that way? They were supposed to be practical. The less weight they carried, the easiest it would be. And then it downed on her; more than seven nights in a tent and nowhere to escape. When they were home, the bed was big enough; they could sleep without being in contact but in such a cramped space it would be harder.

"I know where you're going to Brennan but we have more than fifty kilometres to walk with our backpacks. So we take the lighter one."

"Emma I don't mind carrying it but we take the bigger one."

She threw her arms in the air, knowing she wouldn't get anywhere with him right now.

"Ok but don't ask me to give you a massage when your back starts to hurt."

He shook his head and took her in his arms. She tried to evade but his grip on her was tight. He didn't want to stay mad at her for such a stupid thing. His hands came to rest on her lower back and instinctively she wrapped her arms around his neck. Even if she tried to be angry with him she couldn't. Not when he took her in his arms and smiled at her that way. Her anger faded and was quickly replaced by an expecting feeling.

"I could convince you to give me a massage."

"Really, and what will you do?"

He looked up as if thinking about a way to convince her, and before she had the time to react his lips were on hers. The contact made her forget where she was. The people around them vanished; her world swirled like a tornado.

Applause coming from the end of the alley abruptly called them back to reality. She turned around only to see Nina and Patti grinning at her. Brennan on the other hand seemed to be very satisfied and she couldn't help but wonder if it was payback for her constant teasing about their little camping trip. For a few seconds, she hesitated to read him. But when he locked eyes with her, she knew she couldn't do it. She would have to trust him.

TBC