Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X. Evie is my character. The idea for part of the evil plot was gleaned from an episode of Star Trek: TNG. They get the credit.

/Personal thoughts/

~~telepathic communications~~

Chapter 32

As they walked back into Sanctuary, Emma pulled close to Jesse, "You know; I didn't thank you for how much you helped me while Antonio had control."

"Me? I didn't do anything except carry you out." Jesse held her close.

"You did. At one point, Joe helped you to be able to speak to me. I really needed to hear your voice."

uh-oh "Um, Em, it wasn't Joe who helped me get to you," he saw Emma's confused face. "It was Adam."

"What? How could Adam have done that?"

"Hold on." Raising his ring to his mouth, "Adam, could you meet Emma and me in the lab, please. She has a few questions we need to answer."

"Alright Jess, I'll be right there." Adam's voice sounded like the kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar. Emma began to worry.

Once in the lab, Adam and Jesse explained everything. Then Adam administered a local anesthetic and removed the tiny device from Emma's neck. Emma sat up and rubbed the numb spot. "And here, I thought we were developing a special bond."

"So, you're not upset with me?" Jesse braced himself and winced when she said, "I didn't say I wasn't upset. I'm really mad. …I thought I was going to learn all Superman's secrets."

Jesse smiled in relief and caught her eyes, "Well, you know, he and I are very close and he tells me everything. I could fill you in, tonight, if you want."

Adam smiled at them. He went over and kissed Emma's head. "I'm proud of you." He tapped Jesse's shoulder and left to find Evie.

Brennan and Shalimar were walking outside and sat against a tree at the edge of a clearing. Shalimar nestled in between Brennan's legs as he wrapped his arms around her. "You did a good job fighting off Tony's control."

"I'm sorry I told you that you weren't man enough." Shalimar shifted uneasily. "Those were his words. In my head, I told him you were ten times the man he was."

"Only ten," Brennan teased. Feeling her shift away, Brennan turned her to face him. "Hey, I'm only teasing. I know you wouldn't have given in to him." He kissed her lips lightly.

As they were mere inches apart she looked into his eyes, "You're the only man I want, the only one I'll ever need."

In that instant he remembered what Grandma told him before she left. You have a good home, a wonderful family and a beautiful girl. Enjoy the life you were blessed with and make every moment count. He couldn't imagine his life being any more perfect. He kissed her deeply and let all his love, admiration and passion flow into her. They didn't need the shooting star that blazed overhead; all their wishes for the moment were fulfilled.

"There you are. I was looking for you." Adam finally found Evie in her room as he almost passed her opened door. "May I come in?"

"Sure," she smiled as she remembered his profession of love the last time they were alone in the lab. That was all she thought about all day. She stood and walked over and kissed him gently sliding her hands around his waist. Worry began to strike when she felt him hesitate. "What is it Adam? Is everyone alright?"

He drew his courage to continue from the loving embrace he was in. "Everyone is fine. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute." While holding Evie with one arm, he reached into his pocket for two things. He fingered a small item as he took a deep breath and pushed a button on a device he had hidden, which caused Brennan and Jesse's rings to beep a signal. They went into action filling in the girls as they worked.

Adam looked into Evie's eyes. /I always want to see them shining at me that way./ "Evie, you did believe what I told you in the lab, didn't you?"

"Of course, I believed you." She began to pull back in confusion then froze when he turned away from her.

His heart began to beat wildly and his hands began to sweat. Taking a deep breath he turned and took her hand and led her to the bed. Indicating for her to sit he knelt in front of her. "Evie, I love you so much. I can't bare the thought of not being with you. I can't ever risk losing your love again." Adam's heart was pounding so hard he could hardly breathe. "You've already permeated my soul. I want you in every part of my life." He hesitated only to look deeper into her eyes and produce the item from his pocket. "Evie, please be my wife."

Evie gasped as she felt his eyes looking into her. She looked at the ring and then back into his eyes. /Is this real? I'm not just loved. I'm truly…desired./ Tears began to fall from her eyes as she tried to regain her voice. "Oh, Adam,…yes, I will." She watched as he put a beautiful diamond ring on her finger then kissed her hand before sitting on the bed next to her. He reached up and lovingly took her face in his hands and kissed her. He became more impassioned as she once again melted against him. He wrapped his arms around her back and held her tight as he couldn't get enough of her love in that moment.

When he released her, he saw her look at the ring he'd given her. "Do you like it?" he asked. "It was my mother's." It sparkled and shined and made the candlelight in the room dance.

"It's beautiful. I love it…almost as much as I love you." She kissed him again then looked back at the twinkling.

Adam got more excited as he stood and took Evie's hand. "Come on, I have an engagement gift for you," he smiled mischievously.

"What? Another gift? But Adam…" Suddenly, her eyes looked at him warily as he produced an ocular blinder.

"Please," he put on his best puppy face.

"Ok," she felt him quickly put it in place, "but don't let me fall."

Suddenly he scooped her up in his arms. "I won't," he kissed her cheek as he left the room.

The team stood on the side, smiling, as Adam came down the steps with Evie in his arms. He put her down gently facing their family with her back to the gift. Adam took off the blinder and stood behind her to make sure she didn't turn around. Everyone came up and congratulated the couple with hugs and kisses. Evie proudly showed them her ring.

Adam smiled at them. "Are you ready?" He felt Evie's expectation as he gently turned her around.

Her breath caught in her chest when her eyes fell on the most beautiful baby grand piano she had ever seen. Slowly she moved over to it and gently brushed it with her fingers. "Oh, Adam…"

"Do you like it?" He walked with her.

"Yes, thank you." She turned and kissed him.

"Play for me."

She smiled then sat at the keys and began playing as Adam sat next to her and put his arm around her waist. Brennan wrapped his arms around Shalimar and Jesse embraced Emma. At that moment they all knew that no matter what their mission as Mutant X would bring them, there would always be love and music in their Sanctuary.

Is it ever really the end?

On to Paradise