Emma ran as fast as she could. Though she had taken care of Ekhart for the time being, she knew that it was still possible for him to get the others on her. Taking advantage of the Genomex vacation plan was not high on her to do list, I mean just look at what it did to Jesse.

Finally, after what seemed like forever she made it to the helix. As soon as she was in Adam took off, and the team made their way to home.

Em's first order of business was to examine her boys. Brennan was fine-ish. He looked bad and Em could sense that something was something else besides his body that was hurting, but for the most part he was fine. Jesse was the one that was in the most danger. She could feel him slipping away with every second. Every breath he took was a struggle, one that you could see thanks to his split open chest.

It took her only a second for Emma to hit Jesse with a blast of soothing energy, and the results were instant. His tense body relaxed visibly, and his breathing eased. Shal who had been kneeling by Jesse's side looked up at Emma, 'thank you' written all over her face.

Em gave her a smile and flopped down into a chair next to Witson and Jessica. She allowed her mind to zone, falling into the rhythm of the Helix. Before she knew it they were back at Sanctuary.

"What's taking so long?" Shal asked for the thousandth time. Em, Witson, and Jessica were all gathered in the Dojo. They had reached Sanctuary about two hours ago and so far they had heard nothing from Adam.

"There's two of them in there Shal, relax. You know Adam, he'll be in there until he's sure they're both in the clear," Emma said trying to ease the fear in her friend.

"Jesse is hurt badly though. Partly, mostly, because of me...for that I am greatly sorry…I pray that everything is fine," Witson said softly and sincerely.

Shal looked at the formor agent and nodded. For some reason she belived the man, despit what he had done to Jesse. "He's strong...Jesse's been through a lot..." she tried weakly.

Emma felt both of their pain.She wanted to help them, so she did the only thing she knew how to, she shut her eyes and breathed deep several times. Shal recognized this as her 'reading' the surroundings.

"Adam isn't tense…Brennan's hurting…he needs therapy, again…Jesse's vague…medicine…But there isn't anything really…" She said as she came back to herself.

Shal smiled at her, "Thanks Emma."

"I don't mean to sound selfish, but is there a place were I may sleep?" Jessica asked softly after a few minuets of silence. "It's just that my head is hurting…."

Emma smiled softly, understanding perfectly as always. "Sure, I'll show you to one of the guest rooms. If you want, I can wake you when Adam's out."

"That'll be great. Thank you," Jessica said, and the two girls were off.

Adam stood in the lab staring at his two 'sons.'

Brennan had been beaten buoyed what Adam thought he could take. His jaw was fractured, his face was swollen, and several fingers and ribs were broken as well. There was something else that Adam couldn't put his finger on, but he didn't want to push it. Right now, all Brennan needed was rest. And with a few painkillers and a lot of ice, Adam had managed to make Brennan comfortable enough to sleep.

With Brennan now drifting off to sleep, Adam could focus on Jesse.

He had given Jesse a mild sedative, to help with the pain. He hadn't even dared to touch him until he was sure the medication had kicked in. And by the glazed look in Jess' eyes, he was sure.

"He was unbelievable Adam…" Brennan whispered as the drugs began taking full affect.

"Take it easy Brennan, let the drugs work," Adam said as he began to peel back the bandages on Jesse's chest.

"What they did…he was put through hell Adam…he…" Brennan started, but he couldn't quit grasp what he was going to say.

"I know Brennan, just rest. I'll take care of him now," Adam said reassuringly as he watched Brennan drift off to drug induce sleep. "Now for you my young friend. Let's see what those asses did to you."

Adam started to examine the wounds on Jesse's chest and body. The wound was deep, infected, and impossible to stitch. Adam would have to clean it, cut out the dead flesh, and pack the wound with gaze and let it heal from the inside out. He would also have to replace a good deal of Jesse's blood. He had already started using plasma. From what he could tell, there were also a series of first and second degree burns dotting his torso and face. Adam could still smell the stench of burnt flesh on Jesse's skin.

However that wasn't what was worrying Adam. At the moment, though in tremendous pain, Jesse was stable for the most part, a little more plasma wouldn't hurt. The wound would close, the burns heal, he'd worry about scarring latter. No, there were two things that were holding Adam's concern.

The first was the collar that was around Jesse's neck. It was very similar to a governor, but it was a little more complicated. Instead of just piercing the brain steam to gain control of the mutant, this thing attached itself. It was imbedded in Jesse's neck.

"I'll have to surgically remove it…" Adam said to himself.

"Just…make…sure…I'm…a…sleep…" Jess coughed out through the drugs.

"Jess!" Adam said in surprise, "Are you alright?"

"Hurts…Adam…breathing…" Jesse said, labored.

"I know Jess, try and relax, I know it hurts. I can't give you anything more, I'm sorry."

"Know…just…hard…."

"Breathing?"

Jesse gave a very slight nod.

"Hmmm….that's what I was afraid of…" Adam said as he carefully examined Jesse's internal organs, which were visible through the wound. Jesse did his best to grin and bare it, but Adam could tell he was hurting him, but he had to be sure… "Damn it."

"What's…wrong…" Jesse panted.

"Your lungs are damaged, badly."