I'm back . . . back at uni. YUCK! Sorry for the delay in chapters but I am still in the middle of unpacking and all. I thought I'd post the chapter for all of you who have been waiting. Keep all the reviews coming, it makes the writing worthwhile. Especially since I read other people's stories and can't help but think. They are so much better than mine. All of you - keep it up. I wait for the end of the day, when I can come and relax by reading your fiction.

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"Why doesn't she get up Adam, it's been two days?" Shalimar quietly asked the tired looking man. He hadn't slept in two days, running every test he could think of on Emma, with no result.

"I think . . . I think she doesn't want to get up. I think that she's given up, she doesn't want to face the pain anymore."

"You can't mean that Adam. Emma is not that weak to give up."

"But we can't know what pain she had been suffering. If Emma's disclosure was anything to go by, unconsciousness might be the most merciful state for her at the moment."

"What do you mean?!"

"Think about it Shalimar, if she's in pain every waking moment, then it is better she doesn't wake up until I can find some way to correct the problem. I can only guess that her psionic powers have evolved in some way, which she had been unable to control. I only wish I knew what caused this change."

Shalimar looked at Adam's haggard face. "Well, you're not going to be any use if you don't get any rest. You look like hell."

"Gee, thanks." But Adam did not protest as Shalimar shepherded (more like carried) him to his room.

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Brennan watched, as Emma lay unmoving in the lab. *~ This is all my fault. I shouldn't have pushed her so hard. ~* Brennan knew that somehow, he had managed to put Emma on this table. *~ I shouldn't have said those things to her. ~* Brennan still shuddered at the thought of that night, the night he had made Emma cry.

He brushed the hair of her forehead, praying that somehow his touch would wake her up. She didn't even bat and eyelid as he caressed her cheek. She just lay there, still as a corpse. *~Please Emma. Get up. I am sorry for what I did. Let me make it up to you. Just please wake up. ~*

Brennan bent down, his face in his hands, tears seeping through his fingers. What if she never woke up? What if he never got a chance to say he was sorry? He couldn't bear it. The thought that he would never see Emma smile was killing him. *~ Emma, you have to come back. You can't leave us . . . you can't leave me. ~*

*~ Let me help you. ~*

"Emma, is that you?" For a moment, everything was right in the world again.

*~ No, sorry. I am not Emma but I CAN help her. ~*

*~ YOU. You're the guy that did this to Emma. You bastard . . . I'm ~*

*~ You're going to do nothing. If you want to help Emma, you'll get me to her. She needs me right now. ~*

*~ She needs us right now, not some outsider. ~*

*~ Don't let your feeling blind you to the fact that you haven't been able to help Emma yet. Maybe, just maybe I can help her. Aren't you willing to take that risk, for her? ~*

Brennan looked at Emma, for her he was willing to do anything.

*~ Then bring me to her. Hurry otherwise we'll lose her. ~*

If anything could have convinced Brennan, the urgency in that unknown voice did it. Without asking any more questions, he got up and went to the Double Helix. The last thing the 'voice' told him was to meet him at the club they were at last night.

*~ Only for you Emma. Only for you. ~*

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Brennan arrived at the Club, it seemed deserted, no one in sight. How was he to find this man? He didn't know his name, description, anything. *~ He better show up, otherwise . . . otherwise . . . ~*

"Otherwise you'll do what? Right now, you need me more than I need you." Brennan whirled around to see who was speaking.

Smiling, slightly ironically at him was a good-looking young man, maybe his age, or a little older. Black hair left slightly long, and black eyes. An olive colour complexion, probably Latin American or Spanish, Brennan figured. He was about Brennan's height, but slightly leaner of frame. He just missed being slender by a margin. He was handsome, Brennan reckoned - if you liked those sort.

The man's eyes crinkled in a smile - he definitely had a nice smile. "If you've finished looking me over, can we go to Emma?"

"Wait a minute, I don't know anything about you. Why should I take you anywhere?"

The man sighed, clearly impatient to leave. "OK ok! My name is Edward, I am Spanish-American. Well, my mother was Spanish and my father was American. I am 30 years old. I have a Master's degree from Yale in psychology. I am not married at the moment. And . . . and let's see what else can I tell you . . . oh yeah, I am a telepath and the only one who can help Emma at the moment.

His . . . Edward's, expression became concerned and brooked no arguments. If Brennan wanted to help Emma, he had to get Edward to her. Brennan looked at Edward, clearly wondering if he could trust him.

*~ For the love of God, she could be dying as we speak. ~*

For a second Brennan saw into Edward's mind and that convinced him. There was no way to fake that sincerity or the concern. Brennan led him to the Double Helix and flew towards sanctuary . . . and Emma.

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"What do mean he can help Emma? We don't know anything about him! HE could be the reason Emma is in this condition. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!" Shalimar screamed at Brennan, for a moment he thought that she was going to deck him. *~ Not that I don't deserve it. But I had to do something! ~*

Jesse calmed Shalimar down while Adam wading into the attack, "I appreciate your concern, but this man could be a security risk. He could have fooled you to get into Sanctuary. It's been known to happen." Adam stopped to look at Edward, who was patiently standing in the corner.

"Adam, I know all of this, and all I can say is that I was not thinking rationally. But this guy is a very powerful telepath. He had no trouble contacting me despite the distance; maybe he can get in touch with Emma. Please Adam, we have to let him try. I don't think he will hurt her."

Adam thought about what Brennan said, and decided that since this man was here Adam might as well let him see Emma. On cue Edward walked up to the two men and said, "Now that you've finished talking about me, can I see her?" Powerful telepath indeed, Adam thought.

"Yes, if you'll come with me."

"My pleasure." Edward followed Adam towards the lab.

Emma was still lying there, not moving. Shalimar hovered protectively around the prone body of her friend, her feral instinct primed to 'remove' Edward if he did anything to Emma.

"Has there been any change in her status?" Adam asked Shalimar.

"None, she's still not responding to any stimuli. Let's see what psionic boy can do." She answered. All the Mutant X members turned to Edward to see what he would do.

Edward didn't say anything calmly walking up to Emma. He gently brushed his hand over her forehead, without any response from her. He bent down over her, his breath gently ruffling her hair. *~ Get up Emma, I'm here. I won't let anything else happen to you. Get up, darling. ~*

"Is that it?" Shalimar demanded; she didn't trust Edward at all. He turned to confront those glowing yellow eyes, but stayed silent. "This is ridiculous, how can THIS guy help Emma?!"

Edward ignored Shalimar, and turned back to Emma. He stroked her cheek, willing her to wake up with all his might. Shalimar was going to tell him to get his hands off Emma, but a moment later forgot what she was going to say. Emma stirred under Edward's touch and opened her eyes.

She took his hand and sat up, her eyes never leaving him. "Edward!?" He nodded at her and Emma smiled.

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