Hi! All right, I didn't get any reviews on the last chapter yet, so I guess I'll just plow right on ahead. Thank you, La Licorne, for reviewing chapter 4- I am glad you liked it! Actually, I am delighted you liked it; you should have seen my face, lighting up with another of those silly grins. Anyways, to get going with the actual chapter: sorry if you don't like this one, either because you didn't like the last one, and so don't like this one, or just don't like it. But please read and review (I really enjoy constructive criticism, like La Licorne's, because otherwise how should I know what I'm doing wrong and right? ;D).

Disclaimer: I only own Emmaline and the idea, nothing else!

Chapter 6

Charles looked at Rahne. He was uncertain; Emma had mentioned that she was surprising, but talk about out of the ordinary. Perhaps this was a hallucination, that Rahne's, Emma's, or someone else's mind had conjured. Yet it did not seem that way- the memory was clear, not hazy, and the edges of the transition between the man and Emma were so blurred they would have been nonexistent to any telepath but Charles Xavier. Rahne's mind had not even seen the change—only the difference in appearance was apparent to the girl.

No, it was not a hallucination. But what else could it be? That it was real, and what Rahne had saw was what was there, seemed to be the only reasonable explanation. However, that was not his primary concern now; Emma was. Rahne was only scared, and was unharmed, but whatever was wrong with Emma must be serious, if anyone could guess what she could do. Charles quickly scanned the institute, and the grounds, but did not find Emma.

He thought back to their first conversation, a few days ago, upon her arrival. Emma had mentioned that she had some form of what he guessed to be a telepathic bond, with many different minds that she had visited over the years. From her tone, he had supposed they meant trouble, but Emma had seemed reluctant to explain further, and Charles was polite and respected his newest student's wishes for privacy, and also felt the need not to push her, Emma being remarkably unstable.

These minds... could they have strengthened this connection against Emma's will? This seemed very unlikely to Charles, as this would be difficult unless they either hosted some very strong desire which she could fulfill, or were accomplished telepaths. Hmm... a desire she could fulfill... that seemed most likely of the other options, which numbered few, but the chances of that happening were small. Maybe her mind rebelled against her? This seemed most likely to happen with most people, but Emma, well, seemed quite confident with her mental capabilities (everyone had them, just telepaths were much stronger and much more in control, with far more options, but most people could put up a basic shield.)

First, Charles had to find her before anything could be done. He said to Rahne, "Rahne, it's fine. Everything is under control. Don't worry. We can fix this. Why don't you head to the kitchen and get a cup of tea from Ororo? She was making some already, so head right on down, it's fine." Charles ushered her downstairs, then headed for Cerebro to find Emma.

Emma's POV

I felt someone looking for me. My mind was always extra-sensitive when I was in this state, which was both good and bad, depending on the circumstances. Now, it was a good thing, and gave me hope. Momentarily, I felt my heart beating, blood surging through my veins, then I was back, trapped in my prison.

Jake had taken over only the part of my mind that made me move and speak, see and hear. I could still examine what was going on, but I had no control over what I did at this point. However, I had full access to my mind, allowing me to think. Sometimes thinking is good, and helps. Other times, you over-think a situation, and make it more complicated then it needs to be. But now, I was utterly calm, and peaceful, although not content.

Funny, though... In recent times, I had pondered the idea of completely abandoning reality and living in one of my happy dream-worlds. I eventually gave up the idea, but only because I was terrified that I would get stuck in a nightmare. A lot of them were nightmares, a select few were happy, far to many were sad, many were real life happening as it did, and some were memories.

One that had always stuck with me was the time one of my many cousins gave me a bookmark. It had said, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." She had said she made it in Bible camp, trying to explain to a two year old. It was before my third birthday, before my mutation presented itself to me. I had no idea of what Bible camp was. I had never been to church. My mom said she believed in God, but that was all I ever got; my dad refused to talk about the subject. I was fairly neutral on the whole thing: it was people's choice what they wanted to believe, not mine. End of subject.

The saying stayed with me though, although I carried little regard for the memory—too young to realize her kindness in giving one of her handmade creations to me, a person only slightly older than a baby, and very likely to tear it to pieces. She had given it to me, and I still had it.

I had brought it everywhere I'd ever been. Which was a lot of places. I spent years moving from Minnesota, on the border of Canada, all the way to the countryside of New York.

'The big apple'. That's what they called New York City. Where Jake was heading...

I hated the place with all my heart.

Sure, there was a certain glamor, but glitz and glamor and glitter never suited me—just stuff on the surface, the pretty painting on the ugly, disfigured thing itself. Full of crime, thieves ran loose around the place. Yeah, there were officials, and some were caught, but far to many went about the streets. That wasn't what bothered me about them—it was the fact they were miserable, low, feeling helpless, worthless, or so selfish they stole. Many, I understood why—it was life or death, nobody had ever had or ever would help them—but many were full of greed.

Greed. The horrors it had bestowed upon mankind. One of this world's attributes I most detested. There were few I disliked more, other than war and hatred. All they brought was destruction and hurt. I didn't mean property. I meant people's hearts. Because so many people are like me—they hurt to the heart. Everyone gets hurt to the heart in someway.

Hearts can't be mended with tape. I knew that much.

***

Charles had located the girl, at long last. A half hour ago he had sent out Ororo and Logan. They would be able to help Emma recover herself, hopefully enough to bring her back to the mansion, and then Charles would help the girl. Give her support. Emma was a building leaning on one support; never a good thing. She needed someone, something to lean on.

And he was there to help her, as were the others here.

I felt a hand touch my shoulder and gently lift me up. A battle of words had wound itself around me, from Jake and whoever had come for me. Too fast to register in my tired mind, at long last it was all over. In the good way. Now I could rest, have a break, for a few hours, until the next curve in the road.

A gentle smile curved its way up my lips. My head fell to the man's shoulder, and I slowly nodded off, the warmth inside of me beating the chilly late October winds.

Logan carried the girl, Ororo falling in stride behind him. This had been a unique battle between opponents, one of words—not the kind he liked, but the job was done now. The girl was safe. He glanced down at her resting figure, a miniature smile plastered upon her face. After so much, she managed to smile.

He found the corners of his mouth twitching up, and found the same look on Ororo's face, one that mirrored his own.

Leaves crunched beneath their feet as they walked the last block to the mansion. There was a long conversation inside awaiting him. He wished this moment could last forever. Logan sighed. Life went on; he knew that well enough, as he should after this long.

The end! Of the chapter I mean. Of course not the end of the story! Silly me. I hoped you liked it. Sorry if the end of the chapter wasn't great. It's really late but I'm posting it anyway. Hope you enjoyed reading the latest addition! I changed some of my mistakes in the previous chapters too, so if you're bored or something please read them! Please review-I'm starting to feel lonely. Is anyone reading this? Even if you're anonymous, PLEASE review. :) Thank you if you just decided to. :) Well bye for now (until I update)!

-flying feather scribbles