Happy New Year to you all!

We've reached the end of another story.
Thanks to all the people who took the time to read and leave a little word. Cassidy Wich, breezyfasheezy, Kitty Invictus, NewMutant2, Tunder28 thank you for having left a word. Animalia-fear, Mony19, proud2Bfilipinoall your comments made my day on more than one occasion. Thanks to you! Josh, Loveconquers, your feedback is always more than welcomed.

My dear Audrey, your comments just made me laugh to tears and I'm more than happy you liked that story so much. But enough of my babbling...

Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Brennan reclined on the swing chair with a happy sigh. Their little talk with Bruce the same morning had gone rather smoothly. The older man had listened with rapt interest, finally understanding what had happened in his school the last few months. They both had been surprised and relieved by his acceptance of their difference. Since getting out of his office, Emma's smile hadn't faltered. She had been talking relentlessly about their projects, how they would move furniture around the house to make it homier, what kind of animal they would have. And now a few hours later, her enthusiasm hadn't abated. Long term projects weren't words they were used to.

He watched her as she played with children on their back lawn, laughing, trying to avoid plastic spars they were firing at her. It felt so normal, so peaceful; so unlike the life he had envisioned. Yet if he was honest, it was all he had ever wanted. He was tired of fighting for a purpose he couldn't understand. And the thought of loosing Emma during one of their missions was tearing him apart. The swing shifted interrupting his musings. Charlie handed him a beer while following his gaze.

"Bruce told me. I'm happy you finally took such a decision."

The elemental took a sip of his beer, still watching Emma. News had travelled faster than he had expected. Three hours, that's all it had taken for the whole teachers staff to know. The monthly picnic an Saturday was going to be a nightmare of endless questions. The thought should have scared him out of his mind. But it didn't. For the first time in years, he had real normal projects. His life wasn't a mumbo-jumbo of impromptu events or life threatening circumstances anymore.

"What made you change your mind?"

It was his turn to smile. The answer was easy, simple and oh so beautifully amazing.

"Emma."

Charlie smiled knowingly at him. Cheerful cries coming from the garden signalled them that some people had arrived. Sure enough Nina, Patti, Rory and Sam were walking to Emma. The four surrounded her, enveloping her in a group hug. The children soon joined them, creating a gigantic human ball. Emma emerged from the mass seconds later out of breath, her hair in a fiery mess of reds. She made her way to the two men with children following her, desperately trying to grip at her legs. When she reached the steps, they finally let go and returned to their games. Charlie took it as his clue to leave the couple; he quickly made a sign to the children, stopping their games.

"We'll leave you two. And don't forget our picnic on Saturday."

"We won't!"

Emma silently sat on the swing chair, curling into Brennan; instinctively his arm found its way around her shoulders, bringing her closer. Their students climbed the stairs to join up with them. Though Emma had invited them, she could still feel the hesitancy in their minds. They sat down, staying close to one another. The sight made her smile. It reminded her so much of their attitude when they had to face Adam. She smiled, deciding it was time to put them out of their misery.

"So, what are you going to do now that you have graduated?"

Four relieved sighs were heard. The young mutants looked at each other, trying to judge if it was the right moment, if they would accept and help them. Patti nodded at Sam, urging him to start.

"We have talked. Nina and I are going to take a five weeks holiday in France before starting University. We'll try to live as normally as possible. Though normal can hardly be used to describe Nina!"

Sam's last remark earned him a light slap on the back of his head and a chorus of laughter when he protested. Through all of that, Emma and Patti are remained strangely still. When Rory rested his hand on her arm, she stood unreceptive as if he had never touched her. It was only when Brennan looked at Emma that he realised what was going on. The two women were involved in a silent conversation and there was only one way to break Emma's trance. Gently he brushed his fingers on her cheek, signalling her that he needed her there, in the real world. Her eyelids fluttered a few times before she focused back on the conversation. She muttered a small 'sorry' and turned to Rory.

"What do you have to ask us Rory?"

The young man laughed nervously while shifting in his seat. He had talked endlessly with Patricia about what they were going to do. After their ordeal in the cave, he had had trouble leaving her for more than a few hours. Finally after hours of debate, they had found a solution but the final decision didn't depend on them.

"Patti and I were wondering if we could come with you when you get back to your team?"

XXX

The dull gray weather of the following morning seemed to be a presage of the day to come. Both mutants woke up grumpy and were reluctant to leave the warm safety of their bed. Having to tell their friends that they would not come back was weighing down on them. The couple barely ate their breakfast without exchanging a word. Finally after two hours of mopping around the house, Brennan decided to go out for a run. Knowing that she would never be able to focus on a book, Emma decided to clean the house while waiting for her friends.

Shalimar, Jesse, and Adam arrived later that afternoon. For the first time, the sensation that their mission was officially over reached her mind. And she hated the feeling that had settled in the pit of her stomach. Despite all the reassuring talks, the support they were giving each other, she still feared the reaction of the people who had become their family. What if they didn't accept their decision? So she avoided any talks concerning their departure. When Shal had wanted to help Emma pack her clothes, the psionic had declined her offer, telling her that they would do it the next day. Instead, the two women had gone food shopping for the evening diner, leaving the men to their basketball games.

XXX

Somehow in the afternoon, the sky cleared, giving way to sun. The dinner that took place that day was tense and lacked the usual friendly banter. The three friends had been surprised by the presence of the younger mutants. But they didn't make any comment. Adam watched Brennan and Emma talking with their students. For the first time he realised how different they had become. Emma's eyes were smiling though he could still see from time to time, shadows of wariness and pain fleeting in them. But it was nothing compared to what he had seen before the mission. She seemed in peace with herself and the world surrounding her. The changes in Brennan's behaviour were more subtle. His movements were less jerky, more controlled. He also seemed more opened to the people around him. Those two months had been bénéfique. But he wondered how they would fit back in their old environment. Maybe, the changes had been too great.

XXX

They had finished eating an hour ago and had moved on to the porch for coffee. The friends were now sitting comfortably surrounded by the orange glow of the ending day, enjoying their coffee. The quietness of the starting night seemed almost surreal to them after the events of the past week.

Sun shining through the clouds after a storm. The calmness, the normality of the situation struck Brennan as he sat beside Emma. Shalimar watched them sitting close, always keeping a physical contact, smiling at each other, exchanging muted words. They had changed deeply during those few weeks; their relationship had changed. And she wasn't sure she liked it. But it wasn't her place to judge them.

Her eyes left the couple to move to the only other source of noise. Adam, Jesse, Patti and Rory were talking quietly in a far corner about the last few days, their projects for the future. Nina and Sam had left the same morning for a five weeks holiday in France. The feral put her coffee on a nearby table. It was high time for her to find out what Emma was up to. Her question was voiced in the most innocent tone.

"Happy to get back home, to Sanctuary?"

Brennan and Emma instantly looked up at the unexpected question. Their action caused Patti to turn around, drawing Jesse and Adam's attention to the couple. The elemental took her hand. This was the moment they had been dreading since the Helix landed a few days ago. Their decision hadn't been easy; but it was for the best and they both knew it.

"Jesse, Adam, come and sit down with us. We have to tell you something."

Patti and Rory stayed near the fence. They had already talked with the two teachers and they knew what it was about. As their friends sat down, Brennan squeezed her hand lightly bringing her much needed courage.

"Being there made us realize a few things."

He breathed deeply before going on. Adam's heart hammered a little more forcefully.

"Emma and I are staying there. Bruce gave us full time positions and we're going to buy the house tomorrow morning."

Shalimar and Jesse were gawping at them. Jesse tried to form a coherent sentence but words refused to get out. Shalimar inwardly smiled. She had known that something was up. Adam sat silently, already wondering how he was going to manage his team. The moment he had seen them after their field trip, he had felt something was changing. Seeing the couple today only made it more evident. Jesse was finally able to blurt out a few words; but they were incoherent.

"How? I mean,…"

Emma had to fight the urge to laugh. The reaction was so typically Jesse. The same thought seemed to cross Shalimar's head for the feral poked at him, smiling.

"It wasn't easy to take that decision. But we think that our work here really matters."

Adam instantly forgot about their cover and the four strangers sitting with them on the deck. He could understand their decision. But if he had a chance to convince them, he would do anything.

"What about the team? Don't you think that your work matters?"

Brennan let out the breath he had been holding. He had somehow expected angry shouts, reproaches or accusations. Their leader didn't even seem convinced by his words.

"You remember the day we joined the team. You told us that it was our decision. We seriously thought about it and our decision is to stay."

The older man smiled sadly at them. They were not ones to take decision lightly. The least he could do was supporting them.

"We'll leave tomorrow. Everything is settled then."

Patricia and Rory choose that moment to step in the conversation.

"No. We have another thing to talk about."

XXX

Emma watched the five departing forms going away from the house. A strange feeling of nostalgia settled in the pit of her stomach. She would miss the improvised shopping trips with Shalimar, her chess games with Adam and Jesse, their shared meals, the pointless arguments about insignificant things; she would miss all the little things that had made their daily routine. As if he could sense her thoughts, Brennan's grip on her waist tightened. Her head turned lightly until they made eyes contact. He smiled nearly shyly at her before muttering a small 'love you'. Yes, they had made the right choice. Thought it hadn't been evident; thought it was veiled with sadness and nostalgia. Their fingers entwined and he kissed her hair briefly.

Before getting in the car, the two teenagers turned back and waved at them. The couple smiled and waved back. In her head Emma heard Patti telling her it would be ok, that she would take care of her family. She knew she could trust the telepath. She waved one last time at Jesse, Adam and Shalimar.

It might be the end of their time with Mutant X. But it wasn't the end; it was the beginning of their journey through a life they had chosen.

The end (or maybe the beginning!)