I'm back! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. First writer's block, then school started and I had homework coming out of my ears. Anyways, here's the next chapter. Please review!

Reminder: I don't own Mutant X.

Chapter 10: Aurora's Dilemmas

12:30 P.M. By now Aurora and Luke had talked about everything they had been through since graduation, which was the last time they saw each other. Aurora still sat on the couch with her jacket hanging over the arm. Luke sat on the other end drinking a cup off coffee. By now he had finally changed out of his exercise clothes and was wearing black pants and a black t-shirt.

"It sounds like you've been through a lot since the last time I saw you," said Luke after taking a sip of his coffee.

"Yeah, my life has changed a lot, but so has yours. I mean your attending Oxford in England! I've never been off the west coast."

"But you're a city girl. You and I both know that you love it."

"That may be true, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see the world, eventually."

"I hope you do. There's a lot more out there than Southern California where you've spent your whole life."

"You're making it sound like I'm trapped here."

"I'm just saying you shouldn't ground yourself here because of obligations to other stuff."

"I don't see it that way. My friends are here, my brother's here, my school's here, and Mutant X is here. They all mean a lot to me. Most importantly, Jesse's here."

"I don't get what you see in him," Luke said with a hint of jealousy as he finished off his coffee.

"Well I don't expect you to." Aurora could tell Luke still loved her. It made her feel uncomfortable, especially since they were alone together. Aurora moved farther away from him on the couch.

"I don't mean to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but how do you feel about Jesse anyway?"

The question caught Aurora off guard. "What do you mean?"

"Do you love him?"

Aurora didn't know what to say to him. On one hand it wasn't any of his business, and on the other hand she didn't want Luke thinking there was a chance that they could get back together because there wasn't. "Jesse and I have only been dating a few months."

"I know, but you didn't answer my question."

Aurora couldn't look him in the eye. As she opened her mouth to answer, Adam came on in her Comlink.

"Aurora, they got Edward and are here at Sanctuary."

"Alright I'll be right there Adam," she said as she stood up and grabbed her jacket.

"Let me guess, that was the Comlink communication thingy you told me about right?"

"Yeah, and I'm needed back at Sanctuary. The guys are back with Edward."

"I won't hold you up then," said Luke as he stood up and walked her to the door.

Right then the door opened and Gabriel walked inside. "Hey Aurora, what's up?"

"Nothing, I was just leaving. I'll call you later."

Gabriel nodded as Aurora left and headed to the elevator. She let out a sigh of relief. Thank you Adam, she thought. I don't know what to tell Luke, or Jesse for that matter. She puzzled over what to do about her situation as she stepped into the elevator.

As Aurora entered the lab she saw Adam and Emma standing there, waiting for her. She looked around the room as if expecting Edward to pop out of nowhere.

"Where are Jesse, Brennan, and Edward?" she asked.

"Brennan went to escort our new guest to his quarters and Jesse went to take a shower," Emma answered.

Aurora nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Ha he said anything yet? About Shal?"

"Edward? No," said Adam. "We haven't told him why we broke him out yet. We thought it was best for him to settle in first."

"And now we're harboring my mother's killer!" Aurora paused and then continued. "So what have you two been doing?"

Emma spoke first. "I'm trying to go more into Edward and Carlos's background."

"And I'm trying to trace Carlos's transmission," said Adam. "But so far, no luck. He must have found a way to block the signal."

"If there's nothing for me to do right now, I'm gonna check on Jesse. It's been a rough morning."

"We understand."

With that, Aurora left the lab. She passed through a few corridors and made it Jesse's door. She heard loud music coming from inside. She knocked and heard no answer. Aurora opened the door and saw Jesse standing inside with on his jeans on and drying his wet hair with a towel. He turned around, saw Aurora, and smiled.

Aurora smiled back. Is this my day to see guys with their shirts of or what, thought Aurora? Aurora knew how muscular Jesse was, but seeing drops of water fall from his muscles made her blush. Jesse turned off his stereo and hung his towel on the back of his desk chair.

"Sorry to barge in. I knocked but I guess you couldn't here."

"It's no problem. I'm glad to see you."

"Aurora noticed a bruise on Jesse's cheek. "What happened?" she asked as she placed one hand on the back of his neck and touched the bruise with the other.

"I'm fine," said as he put his hands around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "Let's just say Edward wasn't too cooperative." Jesse changed the topic. "Where were you this morning?"

"I had a hard time sleeping last night. I just had to get out," Aurora answered, being vague.

"You sure that's the only thing bothering you?"

"Things are just confusing right now."

"You know you can talk to me about it right? I'm here for you."

"I know and that means a lot to me."

Aurora leaned into Jesse and her lips brushed his. They kissed again more passionately. They sat down on Jesse's bed and continued. Aurora put both her arms around Jesse's neck as she laid down on the bed with Jesse above her. Jesse kissed the back of Aurora's neck as she brushed her hand through his wet blonde hair. For the moment, Aurora forgot about her problems and just focused on how much she enjoyed being this close to Jesse.

Suddenly Brennan opened the door and saw them. Aurora and Jesse looked at him and stopped everything.

"We need to talk," Brennan said. "All of us and Edward. We need to find Shalimar," he said, acting as if he hadn't seen anything though the expression on face revealed that he was beyond pissed. He walked out before Aurora and Jesse could tell him anything. They both got off the bed. Jesse grabbed his blue t-shirt and put it on as they followed after Brennan.