I was in a bad mood and ill when I wrote this, so decided to put Emma through the ringer again. If any of you are getting bored do tell and I'll try something else next time ;) Thanks for all the reviews and please keep them coming.

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She shouldn't have come, why did she ever let her friends talk her into this. This had been a bad idea.

For the hundredth time, or what felt like the hundredth time some guy passed Emma and thought, *~ Nice, I'd like to get some of that ~*, while looking straight at Emma. Emma didn't know whether to feel offended or laugh in their face. At least some men found her attractive, or if their thoughts were anything to go by, highly desirable.

*~Maybe this evening was not a complete waste of time after all. Shalimar might have been right - good friends, a night out, and men, what more can a girl ask for? ~*

Anyway, being in a club full of young people, mainly twenty somethings had its advantages as well. Practically everyone was young, healthy, and out for a good time. This meant that there was no despair, pain or suffering flooded the room. The worst thing was anxiousness or in a very few, jealous anger. Nothing that Emma couldn't handle, the last few days had dramatically increased her threshold of pain. *~ And the best thing, ~* Emma thought, *~ all these people drown out Brennan. ~* Now that Emma thought about it, this night was looking up.

She could still hear most of the club clearly. She didn't have to try, to pick up stray thoughts or feelings. It was like standing next to high- powered speakers at a rock concert. Not necessarily unpleasant, especially if you liked the music, but certainly deafening. It was amusing in a slightly vicarious way to be able to tell what people were thinking. Much better than being emotionally skewered every night. Emma was tempted to stay here forever.

A couple in the cornet caught her eye. A young boy and girl, her age she thought, obviously on their first date. Emma grinned as she caught their 'conversation'.

*~ Why doesn't he kiss me already? I must have turned him off. ~*

*~ I wonder if she would slap me if I kissed her? ~*

Emma wondered if she should help the couple, sort of speed things up. She decided that was unquestionably the way to go. For the first time in days, she actively used her powers. Simultaneously in both minds, she projected a picture of them kissing, neither mind too averse to the suggestion. Emma turned away, satisfied with the couple's delight at the turn of events.

Across the bar, some guy was watching a beautiful red head dancing. *~She seems nice. I wonder if I should go talk to her? ~*

*~ Will he ever come up and talk to me? He's been staring at me all night. I wish there was some way of calling him to me. ~*

Once again, Emma 'helped' out a little. Maybe she shouldn't be interfering but it felt much better than staying alone in her room. She had forgotten how good it felt to be around people.

*~ I wonder where he is? I hope he'll like the dress. ~*

*~ I wonder if she has a boyfriend? ~*

*~ She's cute. ~*

*~ I wonder if it would be too forward to introduce myself. ~*

*~ Should I ask her to go steady with me now, or should I wait? ~*

It was almost intoxicating, the simplicity and openness of thought around the room. It was a balm for Emma's hurt mind. She wistfully smiled; turning away from the room so that no would notice the sadness in her eyes. If only this could last.

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Brennan watched Emma closely, noticing the smile on her face, noticing the delighted sparkle in her eyes. She seemed to be enjoying herself. Shalimar was right; all Emma had needed was a night out, a time to be around new people. Perversely, that angered Brennan. He was happy that Emma was feeling better, but he couldn't help but feel bitter that it took strange guys ogling her to accomplish the task. He had noticed each and every guy that had passed staring at Emma and he had also noted that she had not seemed displeased. In fact, she seemed on the verge of laughing - laughing in encouragement.

Well, if she could forget what had happened last night and have fun then so could he. He turned to watch Shalimar and Jesse dancing. They both looked like they were having fun - dancing and laughing every time some guy tried to cut in and Shalimar growled at him, very effectively scaring him off.

When the number ended, they came back to rest for a minute. "Where's Emma?" Shalimar asked. Brennan nodded towards the bar where a beaming Emma sat looking at some corner or the other. "She seems a lot better. Admit it guys, my idea was a good one!" Shalimar crowed.

"Yes. I was a good idea. But I thought we had come so WE could have some fun as well. Come on Shalimar, you've had enough of a break. My turn to dance with you." With that, Brennan took her arm and took her towards the dance floor. Shalimar exchanged a glance with Jesse and shrugged. As Brennan and Shalimar passed Emma, Shalimar waved but Brennan ignored her. All he wanted to do was get on the dance floor, not waste time. He impatiently tugged Shalimar's hand, "Come on, the song will finish by the time we get there." Shalimar winked in Emma's direction and obligingly hurried up.

Emma watched Brennan and Shalimar weave their way amongst the crowd. Shalimar might have missed it but Emma noticed the way Brennan overlooked her. Tears threatened; she had been right the first time. She shouldn't have come. As she saw Brennan and Shalimar start to dance, she felt tears silently run down her face. She couldn't let anyone see her crying. She had to get out of here.

She stumbled out of the side fire exit, with the music pumping behind her. The familiar throbbing started in her head, like a disturbing counterpoint to the music. She had to get out of her now.

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