Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men.
We're All Family
Chapter 20
"Adam, we're at John's car. It was locked but I phased in. Brennan must have tossed the tracker in after he found it. It looks like an old GSA make."
Logan moved around the level. "Shalimar, over here." He was standing about 40 feet from the car. He stooped down and picked up what looked like a tiny dart. "Sedative." He held it out for her to inspect.
She held it under her nose then turned wide eyes up to him. "Brennan," she whispered. "Adam, we found a sedative dart. It has Brennan's scent on it."
Adam dropped his head as his spirits fell at the news. "Follow the plan. Get the cars back home. Jesse, drive John's car and take the scenic route. Cyclops, please monitor him from the air and assure he isn't being followed. We'll relay the confirmation. Shalimar, can you drive the Mustang?"
"Yeah," she answered.
"Good. Then get the Helix and get back here."
Wolverine watched as Shalimar headed for the car. "Cyclops," he called and stopped the man as he was leaving. "I'm gonna ride with Shal. Then I'll ride the Helix back."
Cyclops watched her for a moment and nodded his head. "Good idea. See you at home." He tapped Wolverine's shoulder and turned toward the roof exit.
Wolverine jogged back to the car and surprised Shalimar when he got into the front seat. "Hi."
"I can drive the car back."
"I know. I just thought I'd ride with you. I've never seen your driving." He grinned slyly at her when she glare then started the ignition.
"Adam," Hank called from the med lab. "Dria is beginning to awaken.
"Great...she's too weak to take this shock right away."
"Don't say anything. We really don't have anything to tell her yet." Evie tried.
"She'll know as soon as she looks at me." Adam stepped closer and cupped her face in his hand. "She's the only other woman I could never keep anything from. Besides, she has to know."
Charles came to his side. "If I may be so bold, I agree she must be told. If you would prefer, I could enter her mind and inform her as I keep her mildly sedated. That way I could soothe her mind and her body will be more relaxed when she finally awakens."
"She's getting a rude initiation into our lives," Evie conceded. "When Charles releases her I can add to her strength. She'll be ok." Evie could feel the guilt and despair trying to sink its claws into Adam.
Adam considered for a moment then nodded silently. In the med lab he reviewed the last scan Hank ran. "Charles,"
"Don't worry, My Friend. I will break it as gently as I can. But my previous contacts with her lead me to think that she is a woman of unspoken strength." He moved to the head of her bed and placed his hands gently on either side of her face then closed his eyes.
Charles walked slowly into Dria's mind. Feeling her sudden fear he called out to her. "Dria?"
With the anesthesia wearing off, Dria felt as if she was walking around inside a cloud. Suddenly her peacefulness was interrupted by a presence she couldn't recognize. Fear began to squeeze at her heart and then she heard a voice. Someone was calling her. "Who…who's there?"
"Dria, please don't be frightened." He walked closer so she could see him then stopped.
"Charles? Is that you?" she asked tentatively.
"Yes, Dria. I've come to talk to you." Feeling her fear subside he stepped closer.
"But…I don't understand. How can you be…?"
"In our minds I am not restricted to the limitations of my body." He smiled tenderly at her. "I need to explain something to you and Adam wanted to make sure you remained calm."
"Am I ok? Didn't the surgery…go well?" she asked slowly.
"Your procedure was very successful. According to the report, John was able to completely remove the cancer. The anesthesia is almost out of your system and you will be waking soon." He felt her relief wash over her mind. It was so completely moving that he just closed his eyes and felt the release of years of pain and fear. When it had passed and a serenity took its place he opened his eyes and stepped closer as he took her hands in his. "There has arisen a situation. John, Brennan, Jack and Sissy went to a conference with Nicholas Winslet."
"Yes. I knew that John was asked to speak with him again."
"The conference ended several hours ago and they have not yet returned. Brennan has also not checked in. When we suspected a problem we sent a team to investigate. We don't have much information at this point but we think they have been…kidnapped." He felt her hands tighten in his but she said nothing. "Logan and Shalimar found evidence of a sedative near John's car. There was no blood or signs of struggle. It would seem to indicate that they were not hurt."
"I understand." Dria turned and stepped away.
When she didn't say anything further, Charles stepped up behind her and gently put his hand on her shoulder. "Dria?"
"I'm fine, Charles. Thank you for telling me."
"Mutant X and the X Men will find them," he assured her.
Dria turned, easily finding his eyes and smiled at him. "I know."
Charles was touched by the truth behind her words. He felt suddenly awed by the faith she had for the people whom she'd just met.
Adam watched as Charles raised his head and moved away from the bed. "Is she alright?"
"Your cousin is an amazingly strong woman." Charles met his eyes. "She will be waking momentarily."
Almost on cue, Dria began to turn her head. Adam moved to her side and took her hand. When she opened her eyes he spoke. "Easy, Dri. Not too fast. I don't want you to try and sit up yet. You shouldn't be in any pain."
"No…I'm not."
"Good. As soon as the scans show clear, Evie will give you some strength. When you're safely recovering we'll discuss what we need to do next." He moved quickly from scan to chart.
Dria looked at Evie as she came to her side. She smiled weakly at her. "Don't strain. I'll be fine." Dria reached out her hand and touched Evie's still flat and toned stomach.
"My powers don't affect the baby. I actually feel very good using them while I'm pregnant. It's almost like an endorphin." Evie place one hand on Dria's forehead and the other over the bandage on her abdomen. Closing her eyes the shimmering began.
Adam moved closer to his wife as he knew by now that she wouldn't stop at only giving Dria a little strength. Evie's abilities were strong. She had come a long way since the first display of her powers used to heal his stab wound. Extensive use still made her tired but she didn't pass out from their use anymore. He wasn't taking any chances. She was pregnant again and… pregnant? So much has happened that it hasn't sunk in yet. She's pregnant. Adam smiled at the feeling that washed over him as he watched his wife.
Time marched on. Almost 5 minutes had passed in a silent lab as Evie just began to let her powers subside. When the shimmering was completely gone, her hands fell to the bed by Dria's side as she supported herself and took a deep breath. Adam was by her in an instant pulling her into his embrace. "I'm ok, Darling." She let her arms encircle him and drew on the strength he was sending her.
Dria smiled at the scene, but her attention was quickly taken by a pair of large blue hands. For a moment the thought of how gentle they were for their size crossed her mind as she watched them lift the bandage.
"Very nice work, Doctor." Hank spoke without looking up. "Time with you should be prescribed for all my post-op patients."
"Let's pray we don't need to have any post-op patients." Evie turned from her husband's arms. "That would be even better."
"I agree. Let's see what a new scan will reveal, shall we?" He moved to the computer and began the scan. When it was finished Adam was by his side reading the results as they were displayed. "Your gifts, My Dear Evie, have indeed improved. I remember when this amount of healing would have caused you, too, to occupy one of my beds."
"Hank," Evie reproved as she stepped closer and punched his shoulder.
Adam moved away from them with a chuckle at the voicing of his previous thoughts. He stood beside his cousin, touching her shoulder and waiting for her to open her eyes. "Does that feel better?"
Dria hesitantly reached her hand to the area of the incision. Her eyes widened as her fingers touched smooth skin.
"If I'd have let her do that to begin with, I wouldn't have had to stitch you in the first place." He smiled at Evie as she came to his side. "You did an excellent job," he whispered as he kissed her cheek. Turning back to his cousin he reached for her hands. "You can sit up slowly." He helped her as Evie pulled a blanket and wrapped it around her. "How does that feel?"
"I feel…wonderful."
"Good. Now…your scans were good but you're not to push it," he ordered gently. "I want you to consider yourself a patient for at least a week. No lifting at all. Walking only when necessary and we'll increase your activity with time."
Jesse and Shalimar walked in. "Wow, looks like you met Dr. Evie." Jesse's smile made Dria laugh.
"I'm not thrilled with the prospect of her flying right now but I wanted her to be able to travel as safely as possible," Adam explained.
"Adam, may I speak with you." Charles moved to the far side of the med lab. When Adam was by his side he closed his eyes and stepped into Adam's mind. The men stood face to face. "Will you not consider staying here?"
"I suspect Sanctuary will be receiving a call from the kidnappers. I won't let anything happen to Sissy and Jack."
"I know you won't. Their safety is not in question. Jesse already has Sanctuary linked here. We have people able to move in an instant. Our teams already work as one. My concern is for Dria. If she stays here she can recuperate with many around her to keep an eye on her. If you take her back to Sanctuary, you may all be required to deal with this threat. I would not want to presume on your judgment. Just know that you needn't feel as if you must go home."
Adam raised his head and put a hand of gratitude on Charles' shoulder. "Thank you," he voiced. He turned and rejoined his family. "Jesse, go to the war room and make sure Sanctuary relays any incoming messages. Stay there until you're relieved." As he watched, Jesse's touch
traced Shal's arm; then he turned and left the lab. "Shalimar, will you help Evie get Dria set up in her room. There's no need for her to be here. When you're done, meet us in the dining room."
TBC
