I thought I would post this although what I should be doing is writing the three uni papers I have due on Monday. Ahh well, being screamed at is definitely less important than mutant X. Hope you like, I was somewhat distracted. I have this horrible vision of my proffs screaming at me.

As for the plot, this chapter is a breather between 2 intense ones. It's a little tamer than I originally wanted but I wanted to show that despite that angst and pain life does go on. Hope I remember that when I am late with the assignments.

I was reading the reviews again today ( I love reading them. So, all of you thanks. It means a lot to me), for those of you determined to see some 'badness' in the story I can still do that. It would fit into my mood these days perfectly ;) However, I could make this a little more gentle, a it were.

PS. For the life of me I cannot figure out how to post a review. I would really like to so can someone help me?

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Emma entered the kitchen a little earlier than usual. Last night's events had drained her and she needed some breakfast badly. She was in such a hurry to get to the food that she almost tripped over Jesse, whose head was sticking in the fridge. Jesse didn't even notice; he was so engrossed in finding the milk.

Emma lightly tapped him on the shoulder; he was blocking her from the big plate on pancakes. And if he didn't move soon she was liable to pick him up and throw him over her shoulder. Emma giggled slightly at the thought of her picking up Jesse. *~ Yeah right, delusions of grandeur. ~*

Jesse looked up impatiently, *~Who is tapping me so rudely . . .? ~*

"Emma? What are you doing up . . . ?"

"Trying to get pass you, so I can eat." Emma said, hunger evident in her voice.

"Oh . . . yeah." Jesse said not moving a muscle. He continued to stare at Emma; something was different about her today. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

"Jesse . . ." Emma was almost whining, close but not quite yet.

"What?"

"The pancakes Jesse. The pancakes!"

This time Jesse moved, not taking his eyes off Emma. There was definitely something different about her. She looked . . . older?! Was that it? There was a definite air about her . . . a maturity about her that Jesse knew wasn't there before. *~What changed? ~*

Emma looked up from her breakfast to look straight into Jesse's eyes. He immediately straightened at the gentle sadness he saw in them. He was going to ask he if anything was wrong but she stopped him by shaking her head slightly.

Jesse subsided, if Emma didn't want to tell him at this moment, he was not going to force her. Emma knew that and she smiled her thanks at him. Yes, she had grown up, Jesse thought, a peculiar sadness filling him. Emma smiled, and her eyes twinkled but even Jesse could see the pain behind the laughter.

Jesse had seen Emma in pain before; he had seen the pain rob her of everything else. But even the pain was different this time. It was if Emma had made her peace with her inner daemons. It was as if she had stopped fighting, and in that surrender she had found serenity.

"The mild is going to curdle if you keep standing like that." Edward's voice cut into Jesse's thoughts. The older man walked up to where Emma was sitting. He gently brushed her cheek and sat down. Emma's eyes closed at the contact and she smiled. Edward smiled back, and took her hand gently squeezing them.

Jesse watched this silent exchange between them. A question had been asked and Emma had answered it. Jesse wondered what was happening between the two psionics.

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*~ I know that you are very beautiful dear heart, but I am getting a bit uncomfortable under Jesse's scrutiny. ~*

Emma smiled, *~ He wants to know what happened to me. He wants to know why I have changed . . . Curious boy isn't he?~*

*~ Has anything changed? ~* Edward's 'voice' was light but Emma could feel the worry underneath.

She sighed, Edward knew the answer to his own question probably better than she did; however she also knew that until she said the words he was never going to be satisfied. *~ I suppose so. It's not every day that you realise that you are completely . . . hopelessly in love. ~* Emma swallowed, striving to keep the conversation light. She looked at Edward; she was not going to cry! *~ I love him Edward. I love him so much. ~*

*~ I know little one. ~*

*~ But you know what? I love him and that is enough. What I feel for . . . him . . . is a part of my - it's all I have. And I will not give it up for the world. ~*

Edward gently took Emma's hand in hers. She smiled at him, telling him the truth. Her love was a part of her soul; she finally accepted it - yet she could not say HIS name. *~With time. With time. Maybe with time, you will learn to take joy from this pain. ~*

"What's wrong with you three?" An irate voice demanded starling the three people in the kitchen.

"I know it's early in the morning but such silence is unnatural. Jesse, shut your mouth, it's scraping the floor at the moment. Emma, get a room!"

"Don't I get a good morning?"

"No. What's good about the morning anyway?" Shalimar demanded as she grabbed the (full) container of mild from Jesse.

Emma looked at the blonde, and couldn't help it - it started as giggles but very soon, she was clutching her sides.

Shalimar looked at Emma and then at Jesse - even Edward joined in. She scowled but it didn't have the usual effect on her team members. She drank some milk, completely bewildered.

Emma finally stopped laughing. It felt so good to just laugh; all the tension and misery of the last few days had almost made her forget these simple joys. She went up and gave Shalimar a quick hug and a peck of the check. Shalimar blinked and looked at the younger woman. "I think I woke up in the Twilight Zone or something. What's up with everyone?!"

"Nothing. We are fine, great even." Emma replied.

"Whatever." Shalimar shrugged and turned her attention to more serious matters - food.

Jesse smiled and walked over to Emma. She was a bit surprised when he hugged her. Holding her tightly, he whispered into her ear, "Welcome back, I've missed you." Emma smiled and hugged him back.

Jesse laughed, and sung Emma around. Things were looking a lot better thing morning.

"Watch it you too. Some of us are trying to eat." Shalimar grumbled, but with no real hear. Despite the early hour of the morning, even she was happy. "Now that everyone is all cheerful and smiley, I have a suggestion. Let go out today. It's been so long."

Emma nodded, and looked over at Edward who was watching the Mutant X members with a small smile on his face. "Will you come too?"

"Why Emma, are you asking me out a date?" Edward asked playfully.

"Yes, will you come with me?" Emma answered immediately.

*~ You don't need me to be there you know. You can handle it yourself. ~*

*~ I WANT you to be there. Please ~*

"Well, it's a date then!" Edward grinned.

"What's a date?" Brennan's voice cut in. He looked at the rest of the smiling people in the room and perversely he was annoyed. He glared at the sight of Emma in Jesse's arms. He barely resisted the temptation of yanking her away. *~ How dare he hold her like that? If he doesn't let her go now I'm going to fry him. ~* Brennan could feel his body respond and his power build up. The thought that it was Jesse in front of him kept him in check - for now.

Jesse quickly removed his arms from Emma's waist. He didn't know why Brennan was staring at him, but it made him uneasy. VERY uneasy. Brennan in such a mood was dangerous. He took a step away from Emma, noting that Brennan seemed to cool as he left the young woman's side. *~ Interesting. ~*

"So what's going on? What's a date?" Brennan repeated his question, running his fingers through his hair.

Emma silently watched him, fascinated by the motion of his fingers. He breathing became slightly constricted when he suddenly looked up - straight at her. *~ Don't Brennan. ~*

"Emma asked me to go out with her." Edward answered, coming up behind Emma.

Brennan's eyes narrowed as anger flooded him. He took a step towards Edward, fury clearly written on his face. *~ GET AWAY FROM HER. ~*

Emma blanched at Brennan's anger and instinctively took a step back only to bump against an unmoving Edward. He lightly held on to Emma, his hands lightly caressing Emma's arms.

Brennan watched those hands caress Emma . . . his Emma. He almost felt sick when he saw Emma lean into Edward.

Edward's voice coldly cut through Brennan's rage. *~No, not your Emma. Never YOUR Emma. Remember. You denied her. You have no claim on her. Now, STOP frightening her."

Brennan sucked his breath in. Edward has more than effectively cooled him off. He looked at Emma and noticed that she was trembling slightly. He looked at her, he become aware of the unshed tears in her eyes. At that moment, Brennan would have given anything to be able to take her in his arms.

But he couldn't do that. He had to keep away from her. All he managed to do was hurt her. He was scum; he had hurt and frightened her. Brennan sat down at the kitchen table, and began eating. Anything to distract himself.

Shalimar and Jesse both looked at Brennan, wondering what do to next. The anger, which has seemed so unstoppable a minute ago, was completely gone - leaving . . . leaving nothing.

"So, do you want to come out with us? Dinner and maybe then clubbing after that?" Shalimar quietly asked the elemental. He looked at her and nodded without saying a word. She smiled, forcing herself to be satisfied with that response. She did not say anything about the void she saw in his eyes.

The shinny, happy mood was broken. Shalimar turned back to her breakfast, "What's good about the morning anyway?" This time, her words carried a completely different meaning.