Disclaimer: Mutant X is not mine. Please don't sue me.

no more introduction. I'll proceed with the story.

I'm sorry

Chapter 20

Everyone walked out of the Lab. Everyone was tired. Emma was a bit startled when Jesse came and tugged her away from the group.

"Would you like to stay up for awhile?" He whispered on Emma's ear.

Emma diverted her glance on him and nodded. "Sure."

"Let's stay on the pond section." He willed her and then smiled. Jesse has a wonderful smile. the kind of smile that makes her forget things. He's a wonderful friend.

Emma watched him walk ahead of her as he leads her to the pond section. She got used to being around him almost all this time. Jesse makes her laugh alot. He makes her happy. The kind of happiness she never felt for the longest time. The kind of happiness only Brennan could give. Ah! Brennan. Emma shook her head and forced him out of her wit. God how she wanted to run to Brennan's arm. But she has to learn how to control this. It won't be long till the man that she love would soon be a father.

"Come on E..." Jesse turned around as he was about to say something but he stopped. He saw Emma's teary eyes. He cared for her so much that he didn't want to see her this way. She is, after all, his bestfriend. Jesse had to stay on that place as he waited for Emma to catch up. He pulled her close to him. He hugged her...hugged her tightly...nothing romantic. Jesse knew Emma needed that.

"thank you." was all Emma could say. She has come to like his company. She was...safe.

"For what?" Jesse asked, still holding Emma tight.

Emma backed away a few steps. "For being there when no one could." She walked a few steps towards the pond and sat on a platform. "for believing in me, even though I often fail."

Jesse smiled and he walked towards her. "You have this power that I can't explain. Even Adam can't explain. I always knew you were powerful than what you are showing us."

Both mutant were silent for awhile. They had a very long day. Emma was very exhausted but both can't sleep. Jesse could see Emma from the reflection on the steel wall across them. She looks so vulnerable. It's almost unbelievable that a woman like her is capable on pretending to be a whore.

"I heard that." Emma grinned and then she looked at Jesse. "Careful with your thoughts, my guards are still lowered."

"Sorry." Jesse giggled.

Emma laughed and playfully poked Jesse. This has been good for her. Jesse laughed too. He was just happy that Emma was smiling alot. Then both were silent again. Jesse wanted to say something but he does not know how to begin. Oh but he was careful this time. His lifted his guards so Emma could not sensed his thoughts.

"So what happened?" He started.

"Huh? Happened to what?" Emma cringed and look at him.

Jesse gazed at her. "You and Brennan."

Emma thought for awhile...sensing Jesse. Her eyes widened. "How did you..."

"I saw you... this afternoon..." He looked away for a couple of seconds before returning his gaze to her. "You see. you don't need to be a psionic to figure out everthing, you know."

Emma's face turned red in embarrasment. "I...I..."

"It's alright Emma. It's good that I know." Jesse looked away. "Don't you think I noticed the way you two acted around each other?" Jesse returned his gaze at her and it made Emma blushed some more. "So tell me. Tell me the whole story, will you."

Emma did not let out a word. She was afraid. Afraid to let anyone know the whole story. She was afraid to hear anymore comment. She's afraid of how Jesse might react.

"I won't hurt Brennan." he joked. "Promise."

Emma loosen up a bit. "Okay." Emma didn't know how to start. Everything was just so messed up. She didn't know if Jesse could understand her that easily. She gave it a try anyway, starting from the very begining--starting from the first time She and Brennan laid eyes on each other.

There was amoment of silence after Emma finished. She was waiting for Jesse's response...too afraid to move--afraid that Jesse must be too wrought to respond.

"So that's explains it." He finally said trying very hard not to say anything that might possibly hurt Emma's feelings. He looked at her and smiled. "Know what I think? I think you two should settle your differences for the least."

Emma smiled sadly.

"Not that I want you to cheat behind Shalimar but then I feel that there is something wrong with-- I mean this set up." Jesse added.

Emma searched Jesse's eyes. "What exactly do you mean?"

"Oh come on, Ems." Jesse snorted. "I know that you know. I know you feel it too. Something isn't right between them. Brennan doesn't really seem to be happy."

"Isn't he?" a single tear trickled down Emma's cheek. "From where a see it, he seems to be very happy."

Jesse didn't notice Emma's tears. "You should get your eyes checked, you know. You're too blind to see."

"Am I?" She made an effort to wipe the tears away without making Jesse notice that she had started crying again. "He seems very good at avoiding me."

"Yeah, right! And you're not even including the fact that he wanted to talk to you so badly that he had probably waited all day in the car stable to see you." Jesse forced a laugh. "Think about it Ems. Really think about it."

Emma tried convincing herself to see watch Jesse has been telling her. She knows she was being pathetic. She was been hurting herself but she couldn't help it.

"Well, we better hit the sack now. It's morning already and you need to rest." Jesse said and he guided Emma to her room. They walked silently side by side, still at a lost of what else to say. Jesse was a bit worried about Emma. He feels that he had choosen a very bad topic. He gingerly took Emma's hand before Emma went in her room. "Ems, I'm..."

"It's okay. I'm alright." Emma smiled at him and gave him a peck on his cheeks. "Thanks Jesse. Thanks very much."

Jesse smiled at her and pulled her in a tight embrace. "Good night, sweetie." He wisherep and then kissed her head.

Jesse watched Emma got inside her room and he waited until she got under her covers before he carefully slid the door close. He let out a loud sigh. He thought about what he told her. He could not believe that he himself thinks that something is not right between Brennanand Shalimar. He could not understand--he should be angry at Brennan but he isn't. He sighed again and turned to walk straight to his room when suddenly he felt an eery eye that seems too stare at him. He looked back to check and he almost jumped at what he saw.

"Brennan! what the... What are you... are you trying to kill me?" He whispered aloud.

Brennan did not stir. He stood there staring sadly at Jesse's eyes. Jesse saw him--he saw beyond him. He saw his pain, he saw his sorrow. "I just..." Brennan started. "I...I just...um..." he forced a smile and he walked towards Jesse and patted his shoulder. "Take care of her for me, will you." Brennan sounded defeated. His voice is week and weeping. He closed his eyes and turned, making his move to leave.

"Wait." Jesse stopped him. "We need to talk, man." Jesse willed Brennan to look at him. "Emma and I...we're not together." He could not believe that he is giving Brennan this hope. He knew for a fact that it would not matter for Brennan would soon to be a father but he just needed to air that out. "We are not together."

Brennan flinched. "What...wha...why are you telling me this?" He was a bit confussed but there was definitely a hope in his eyes now. "Why are..."

"Oh stop playing around, Brennan. Emma told me everything. Everything about you two."

Brennan didn't know how to react. Jesse caught him off guard. He was not ready for this talk. Jesse shook his head and smiled sadly. "Oh yes, Bren. I know. I now know. The question is, how could you have done this to her? How could you let her go through this?"

"I...I..." Brennan tried explaining but it was no use. "Damn it!" he cursed and hit the wall.

Jesse grabbe his arm and forced him to look at his direction. "Stop that, you'll wake her up." he scolded. There were tears on Brennan's cheek. He didn't know when he started crying. "I love her... so much but I don't deserve her. I'm so fucked up. I'm a mess. Damn it but I can't even remember how I got Shalimar pregnant."

Jesse wanted to hit Brennan for the last sentence that he blurted out but he was determine to help. "Let's not talk here. Come." He led Brennnan to his room and then shut the door close hoping that no one could hear them... not even Emma.

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i know, i know... this is so late but i started reading harry potter and i could not stop until i read all the (6) books.

please RandR. Thanks