After that rather vehement response to my E/J suggestion I think I'll keep my idea to myself ;) I might not be able to post for a few days as I will be travelling. Therefore I am posting 2 chapters. Forgive me if there is any mistake, and sorry if the pace is a bit slow. I am a bit confused now how I want the story to progress (though I will say that I do have a frim couple I want. Any wants to guess?)

As for the 'stranger', I will say that he is NOT a member of Mutant X. Sometimes, though you love your family, and your friends, they are too close to see the whole truth. Sometimes one need an 'outsider' to come and shake things up. This is what I want to do. Tell me if I succeeded. Enjoy.

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Adam left the lab, clearly puzzled. Before Shalimar and the other patently worried boys could inundate him with questions, he held up his hand and said, "Emma's fine. Nothing happened at the club that I can tell you about, and before you ask, I don't have any theories on what she saw or felt. You'll have to ask her about that."

As Adam stopped for breath, Jesse commented, "One more of the "I-don't-know stories Adam, and I'll begin to think that you were joking about your genius."

Adam smiled and continued, "Despite your obvious disbelief, I will say this. Emma seems to be happy. She seemed calm and absolutely rational. Whatever happened, if anything did for that matter, it seems to have helped her. Now I know you don't want to hear this but I think you should let it be. She does not seem in any danger so there is no point in aggravating the situation."

The young mutants looked at each other and privately concluded that Adam's advice was probably best. At least, they could leave it until tomorrow.

"Where is Emma?" Brennan asked.

"She turned in for the night, which I suggest, is the best thing for you three as well."

"But . . . but . . ."

"Go to BED. We will discuss this in the morning."

And that was the end of the matter. Adam said goodnight and left the lab, to be followed by the rest.

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The sun streamed into Emma's room, falling on her face and bed. Emma smiled as the sunlight warmed her face and snuggled deeper into bed. She didn't want to get out of bed; she had been having the most wonderful dream. She had dreamt of a wonderful place where she had been alone. There had been no other people, no pain, no anger, nothing. It was somewhere Emma could rest and rebuild.

She was surprised how much she still yearned for this place, even when she was awake. Her mind protested at having to leave; it was not ready for real life to intrude into its calm. Unfortunately, Emma had to get up, her stomach was grumbling and she knew she could not sleep for the rest of her life, not matter how much she wished to.

Emma stumbled out of bed, heading to the bathroom to take a quick shower. Slowly, as her senses fully woke up she was losing that dream-like peace. Life seemed to be a hurry to get back into her mind. She stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her wet body. She sat down on he bed to dry her hair, fully awake now.

*~ Which is not a great thing considering . . .~* Sure enough, emotions started intruding into her privacy. Her friends were up and having breakfast, satiating their hunger. *~Pass the bread. Anyone want any coffee? ~*

It was as if someone was picking at a fresh scab. Emma tried diverting her attention by trying to remember what she had felt in her dream, but it was slipping away. Emma stopped drying her hair and concentrated on last night. Why was that dream-place special? The answer came obligingly to the surface - because he was there. Emma didn't know who 'he' was but he had helped her. Throughout the night, he had been two steps behind her, never intruding but always there - a silent presence. For that perception and kindness, Emma was grateful.

*~ But who was he? Why did he help me? ~*

*~ Because I could. ~* Emma whirled around, almost falling of the bed. There was no one in the room, and Emma knew without a shadow of a doubt that the voice did not belong to one of the Mutant X members.

*~ Who . . . who are you? ~*

*~ A friend who wants to help you. Who CAN help you. ~*

*~ How? How do you know me? HOW do you know what is wrong with me? ~*

*~ Easy, I will answer all your questions but maybe face-to-face? I am sure this means of communication is difficult for you too. And I haven't slept all night as it is. ~*

*~ Then it WAS you last night. Thank you. ~*

*~ No problem, I live to help beautiful women. ~* Emma blushed at the sincerity in the man's thoughts and quickly asked the question uppermost in her mind.

*~ When can I see you? ~*

*~ Very soon, well . . . as soon as I get some sleep. Will you be all right if I leave you? ~*

Emma didn't know what he meant when he said 'leave her' but she could make a pretty good guess. For a second she hesitated and then bravely said, *~ Yes, I think so. Don't worry about me. ~*

*~ Good girl. Don't worry I'll be back soon. Remember, always, that you are strong even without me. Don't miss me too much. ~* And with a mental equivalent of a wink he was gone. Emma didn't know why, but she felt abandoned. However, when the pain did not start she thought that the man might have been right. She would be okay, even without him. *~ Still, I hope he comes back soon. ~*

She finished dressing and decided to leave her room. She felt good enough to face the whole world, even Brennan.

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"Good morning guys. I hope you've left something for me." The Mutant X members almost choked on whatever they were eating as they heard Emma's happy voice. They all turned as one to look at her.

Emma's step faltered for a minute, their shock presenting a daunting picture. However, she squared her shoulders and kept walking. She had every right to be there, she told herself. Any way, she was feeling much better now, nothing would happen. *~ Oh yeah, ~* a traitorous voice whispered in her head, *~ what happens when you face Brennan. Can you forget what he did to you? Can you forget what he did last night? ~*

Emma refused to listen; she put all the hurt and pain bubbling in her and buried them deep inside her. She would deal with it later- later, she promised herself. Now she wanted to eat.

"So, did anyone of you leave anything for me to eat?"

Jesse smiled at her; he was not going to question the sudden change in Emma. "Naturally, thought if you had been a little late Brennan would have eaten everything." And he shovelled a large helping of eggs into Emma's plate. Her place had always been set, every morning since all the trouble began.

Emma looked down at her plate and then up at her friends. She smiled; her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. She could feel the love emanating from all of them, whatever else they felt they were happy to have her back. Sometimes, she mused, her gift was not such a bad thing after all.

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