Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. I created Evie and the rosy world she lives in.
A/N: Thanks to all of you. Your reviews are inspiring and heartwarming. Like everyone else, I love to get them. Life right now is a little crazy. I think I'm going to be doing a few quick posts. There is more to come though it seems to be moving very slowly. Stay with me and in the end everything will come up rosy.
We're All Family
Chapter 11
That night as everyone slept, Adam couldn't. All he could see was the pain in Dria's face when she spoke of Andrew beating her. She didn't deserve that. No one deserves that but least of all her. She was so young and sweet. She should have had a husband who would be strong enough to move mountains for her and sensitive enough to laugh with her. Instead she got a man who was so self centered and weak that he raised his hand and… The rage Adam felt inside him was still there, churning. Over the years when he would think about her and miss her, he would go into the dojo and work out. He had a special program just for those times. One he created that, though he knew he would never reenact for real, always helped him to release the stress and anger over losing Dria. Tonight he was more than stressed. Tonight he was more than angry. Tonight he was furious.
Adam turned his head and looked at the woman asleep by his side. He saw her turn and felt the stirring in her mind. Knowing that his feelings were waking her and that he was too angry to put up a block that would protect her, he took a deep breath and slipped out of bed. Grabbing on pair of sweats and a tee shirt he padded barefoot out of his room and down to the computer.
Adam turned with a start when he heard his name whispered behind him.
Shalimar looked at him with soft brown eyes. "This is the one time of night I know everyone is usually asleep; even you."
Adam turned to his keyboard as he whispered back. "I thought since Shawna arrived you were too tired for nocturnal prowls."
"She's sleeping much better now and I'm back to my old self." She looked over his shoulder and saw that he was preparing for a sparing match. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I just have to let off a little steam." He knew lying would have been futile.
"Want a real partner?" she offered.
"No, thank you. I already have someone picked out." He pushed a button and a man appeared on the platform standing in the middle of an alley.
Shalimar looked at the scene then looked at Adam. "A street fight's not usually your style."
Adam turned and put his hands firmly on her shoulders. He pulled her toward him and kissed her forehead. Pushing away he looked into her eyes. "Go to bed, Shalimar." Walking away, he stepped up to his place and ordered the computer to block and shield the dojo.
In a matter of moments the alley, the man and Adam were gone. From her position at the controls, it looked as if the place was empty. Looking down at the screen it took her a minute to figure out just what he had done to create his own private brawl. Something else caught her eye, the settings. Shalimar went to the kitchen, fixed a hot mug of chocolate and headed for the main computer stations. She settled herself in what is usually Jesse's chair and began tapping into the dojo controls. She smiled at her accomplishment as the monitor granted her a cat's eye view of the alley. She sat back and sipped her mug and kept silent vigil.
His heart beat and his chest heaved as he punched and kicked and blocked. Sweat soaked his shirt and beaded on his brow as he took a right hook to the jaw and stumbled back. There was a cut on his cheek. His ribs were sore. His arms and shoulders were bruised. Blood now trickled from the cut in his lip. Adam regained his balance and lunged forward; body slamming his opponent into the holographic brick wall behind him.
His enemy was in bad shape, too. Blood dripped from cuts and bruises turned black. He was strong. He was tough. He was on the defensive.
The two enemies grappled and clashed. Fists and legs were precise weapons of their masters as the battle raged.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to pick up on this," Shalimar whispered as she sensed Evie approach.
"What's going on?" Evie stood behind the chair and faced the monitor. "Adam…" she gasped. "Where is he?"
"In the dojo."
Evie looked toward the dojo and back to the computers.
Shalimar smiled slyly then answered Evie's unspoken questions. "That's our resident genius. He rigged the computers to shield the fight. He saw me before he started. I was only able to break in enough to get visual. I think he knew I wouldn't listen when he told me to go to bed."
"He set this?" Evie asked in disbelief as she tried to access the controls.
"We're locked out. Looks like he didn't want to be disturbed."
"But this setting…"
"I know. It's up to max but at least he didn't disable the safety completely. It won't kill him." She shrugged as Evie turned wide eyes to her. "I've tried to break in. I can't. I could have gotten Jesse to try but I don't think Adam would've wanted everyone to watch or he'd have sent out tickets. He's ok. I think he just needed to get something out." Shalimar met Evie's understanding eyes as she stood up. "He's been at it for about 45 minutes now. Adam's strong but he can't last much longer. He'll…finish one way or another. The computer will default if he's unconscious and can't call a stop. Since you're here to wait for him, I'll go back up stairs." As Evie took her seat at the monitor, Shalimar smiled then turned away.
Evie watched as her husband fought more viciously than she'd ever seen him. Careful to keep her telepathic distance, she didn't want to distract him in any way. She thought back to their conversations over the last 36 hours. She relived his distance, then his love and understanding as they reconciled. She felt his joy over his reunion with his cousin and the pride he felt for his nephew. None of that would have led to this. Then…her eyes widened as suddenly everything was clear. Her hand flew to cover her mouth in shock. "Oh, Adam…" she whispered as she sympathetically felt the pain that would have brought the man she loved, admired and respected…to do this. In the time it took her to realize what was actually happening, it was done. When her eyes focused back on the monitor she saw Adam straddled over the chest of the other man as he lay struggling on the ground. She saw the punches Adam was raining to his head.
Suddenly, Adam's fists stopped. He moved and pulled the man up by the collar. Slamming him back against a wall he leaned in and said…something. Moving back, Adam held him fast with his left hand as his right pulled back and balled into a fist. Like lightning Adam dealt the last blow rendering his enemy…finally…dead.
Panting heavily, Adam stumbled back and watched as the lifeless body fell to the floor. Numbly, he stared until the body vanished in a flicker of light. "Simulation…off," he panted. "Shields down."
Adam slowly walked toward his lab. Inside the door he stopped when he saw his wife standing by the chair. He looked into her eyes…and then away. "I thought the shielding would have been enough to not wake you."
"We'll have to talk to Jesse about making it stronger." Evie moved to the computer and set the scanner.
"Shalimar really went to sleep?" he asked as he sat in the chair.
"Only after I came down. She watched most of it…and yes, she knew you let her in."
"I had a feeling she wouldn't be satisfied unless she knew she had my back." Adam winced in pain as he tried to smile; the cut in the corner of his mouth reopened as fresh blood began to trickle down. When the scan was over, he slowly sat and turned in the chair so his legs were hanging from the side.
Evie moved to stand in front of him. Her eyes held his as she put one hand on his chest and the other to his cheek. Slowly she closed the distance between them as she let her lips gently graze his, careful not to pressure the cuts she could feel. When she felt his hands on her arms she let her powers begin. Motionless, they stayed just like that until her powers stopped.
Throughout the process, Adam could feel his body getting stronger. He felt the opened cuts closing and the bruises healing. The instant Evie's powers stopped, Adam knew and strengthened his hold on her. Hearing her gasp he pulled her against him, trapped her in his firm embrace and he kissed her deeply. When he released his arms she slowly moved back. "I really didn't want you to see that…fight. I just had to…"
"Adam, I think I understand."
"Do you?" He stopped and looked into her eyes. In an instant they were joined and through their bond he was finally able to release the last of his anxiety and accept her comfort. He nodded and kissed her gently.
"It's over, now. Dria's safe. She and John are here." Evie stepped back and watched as Adam stood. "Come on. You need a shower." She smiled as he chuckled at her and took her hand.
When he finally got back in bed, Adam sighed in relief. That part of his past was finally resolved. Just then he remembered… "somber and sober, huh?" he reached over and grabbed his wife by the waist. Not giving her time to get away he began tickling her…mercilessly.
TBC
