Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. Evie is my character.
A/N: Loveconquers, until recently, I wasn't sure where I was going yet...but I think I got it. Just follow me. Bohemianbabe, Adam's big secret...that's the real question. If you figure it out before I disclose it, I won't have done my job right. Brigitta 1, I'm glad you're here now. I hope you like the story.
I feel I have to let everyone know: this story is running in cycles. First we catch up to the present. That part is done. Now Adam's preoccupation. I've finished writing that part but in order to get to the action it seems we have to wade through a lot of what writers on this site call, fluff. I like it, that's why I wrote it. If I start to put anyone to sleep, please try to stay with me. Action is coming. If I make you roll your eyes then I'm happy. I know this isn't the real world. If it was believable I probably wouldn't be able to write it. This is to give fair warning and encourage everyone to stay with me even if I'm only hanging on by a string. Thanks.
We're All Family
Chapter 5
Reservations made, Evie went to her room to get ready to leave. She showered and dressed. Laying out a suit for Adam, she quickly checked herself in the mirror and headed for his lab. When she didn't see him there, she checked his office. Closing the door slowly she wondered where he could be. Reaching out for his mind she realized she had so many things going through her head she couldn't casually find him. Taking a moment to clear her mind and breathe a cleansing breath, she calmed and reached again. First shock…then question…then sadness crossed her mind as she realized…'He's gone.'
Raising her chin she called into the air. "Adam? Darling, where are you?" She waited…nothing. "Adam…" Still nothing. Worry began to set in quickly. Rushing out to find the others she couldn't keep the worry from turning into panic. 'This is crazy. He just went out. There's no need to panic like this. It must just be'… "Brennan," she called out when she saw him.
Brennan looked up from the story he'd been reading to Nadene and Bryan. "Wow, Evie, you look great. That dress new?"
"Yes, thank you," she answered quickly as she entered the rec room. "I'm looking for Adam. Do you know where he is?"
With a raised brow and a shake of his head he answered. "No. The last time I saw him was about 20 minutes ago in the lab. Isn't he in there?" Brennan put both children on the floor with the book and followed Evie out.
"No. He's no where in Sanctuary." Evie went to the computer station and brought up the visual of the garage. "I called him but he didn't answer."
"His Audi's gone," Brennan stated as he looked over her shoulder.
"You lookin' for Adam?" Jesse walked up behind them and handed Shawna to her father.
"Yes, Jess. Did he tell you where he was going?" Evie turned hopefully.
Seeing the worry on her face gave him hesitation. "Uh…no." Jesse looked cautiously from Evie to Brennan. "He just walked past me…like he was in another world, actually. He looked like he had something on his mind. Did you call him?" He frowned when he saw her nod. "Adam?" he tried. "Adam, can you hear me?" Not getting an answer, Jesse moved to another computer and brought up the tracking program. "His signal's strong. He's healthy."
Evie put her head down and tried to send to him as Brennan and Jesse watched and waited. "I can't reach him," she looked up at them. "He's…blocking me," she stated with a tremble in her voice.
"What's the matter," Kitty asked as she and Shalimar walked up to tell them dinner was ready.
"Adam's not answering us," Brennan passed his daughter to her mother and went to another computer. After a few tense seconds he announced, "I got the trace on his car. He's driving into town…looks like…toward the east side."
"He hasn't just left like this in a while," Shalimar commented.
Adam's mind was on all the information he had gathered in the last two weeks since her call. I can't believe this is happening. After all these years…What will she think? How will she feel? She's very sick. If he hurt her...Why didn't she call sooner? Nothing's making any sense. Adam had more questions than answers…just the kind of situation he'd always worked hard to avoid. His mind was spinning so frantically that he almost missed her voice. Almost. After a moment, it registered in his work-weary brain.
Evie looked at Shalimar with eyes shining and sad. "Adam, please answer us. Where are you?...Adam?" her voice was low and almost broken.
He could hear the tremble in her voice. It was then that he realized in his haste to leave he never told Evie… anything. He shook his head as he realized that he would have to talk to her and soon. "Evie," Adam took a deep breath so his voice was clear as it went over the com system. "I'm fine. Don't worry. I…just have to take care of something. It might be late when I get back. Don't wait up."
"Adam, what…" she began but was quickly silenced as she heard the com system disconnect.
"I lost the tracker. Trace his ring, Jess," Brennan turned.
"I'm on it. Nope…he must have just taken it off." Jesse looked up at him. "What's he think he's doin'?"
"He's not in any immediate danger. If something was going on, he wouldn't leave himself that vulnerable." Shalimar tried to soothe the tension that was grating on her senses. "We just have to wait until he comes home."
"Yeah," Kitty tried as she saw the sadness in Evie's face. "Maybe he really is just buying something and doesn't want to give away where he's shopping."
"Maybe," Evie whispered as she passed them. "I'll change and come back down to feed Nadene," she said absently as she walked away.
Everyone shared sad glances as they could feel Evie's heart break. Shalimar felt a deep ache in her chest for her friend. She furrowed a brow as she noticed that Kitty also winced with a hand to her chest.
Adam drove to his destination with just enough attention to his driving as was needed to get him there safely. His mind was reeling with memories of a time long ago, mixed with an endless stream of 'what if' scenarios. Feelings of love, anger and fear churned in his heart as sadness deep in his soul kept trying to exert itself. Tapping every ounce of inner strength he had, he pushed the sadness away, refusing to let it take hold of him and become a reality.
"Adam, why are you going away? I don't want you to leave." A 12 year old girl and 15 year old boy sat by a brook under the old covered bridge.
"We talked about this, Dria. I have to go to school. I want to be a doctor and I can't do that staying around here."
"I thought we were going to stay together," the young girl put her face in her hands and wept.
"Dria, please don't cry," Adam moved closer to her and pulled her to him. "I'm not leaving you, really. I'll write everyday. And I'll call as often as I can."
Adam smiled as the girl on his shoulder lifted her tear streaked face to look at him.
"You promise?" she squeaked.
"Yes. I promise." He gently wiped her tears with his hand. "Now stop crying. Have I ever broken a promise to you before?"
"No," she whispered as she turned her face down.
"No, and I never will. We'll always be together and I'll always take care of you."
"I should have gone after her!" he shouted as he slammed the steering wheel. On he drove until he came to the Crystal Lake Hotel on the far side of the city.
Adam was right. It was late when he came in. More like very early the next day. Evie was awake the instant she felt him enter their room. As he got into bed and reached to turn out the light on his nightstand she turned to him. "Adam, are you alright?"
"Yes, Darling. Just very sleepy. I'm sorry I woke you." He leaned toward her for a quick kiss on the cheek then turned back and covered himself without another word.
That's when she felt it. It was brief, but there. Never had he kissed her while thoughts of another woman were present in his head. Evie's heart felt heavy as her mind began its parade of scenarios.
TBC
Don't worry, all your questions will be answered…I hope.
