Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot.
Author's Note: I apologize for anything in the story that doesnt fall in line with the actual show. I made up alot. I'm also sorry if anything in this story is confusing. I had it all in my and it came out kind of in a rush. Other than that i did my best...and I hope you like it. Also, thanks for the reviews, all.
Chapter 7 : The Questions are Answered
"Now," said Jules. "You all want to know why I brought you here. It is simple, really. I need you. I need Adam especially." He turned to where Adam sat bound in the chair.
"Why?" Adam asked, exasperated. The doctor paused, deep in thought, before answering.
"Do you remember back when we worked in the same lab? It wasn't too long ago, was it?"
"It was years ago," Adam said. He suddenly had a nervous look about him, causing Shalimar, Brennan, and Emma to stare at him suspiciously. Jules just smiled faintly then began to slowly pace back and forth.
"I can see that you haven't told your team everything about your past. Perhaps now it will all come to light." Surprisingly, Adam did not respond, just glared at the man with clouded, angry eyes. "Do you know," Jules began, speaking to where Shalimar and Brennan now stood behind Emma. "That your dear Adam used to work with me at the Genomex lab?" He watched their reactions carefully. Brennan looked angry, like he didn't believe a word Jules had said. Emma looked upset, as if she had stumbled onto a secret she shouldn't know, and Shalimar just looked…shocked. Adam had worked for the very organization that had tried to destroy them so many times? It didn't seem possible. "Oh yes," said Jules. "We were all paid top dollar to fix genetic…problems."
"We were saving lives," Adam shouted in defense. Jules nodded.
"So we were. But in some cases, things got out of hand."
"That is why I left Genomex," said Adam.
"There were other reasons why you left. Do you remember the last patient we worked on?" Adam's eyes suddenly changed from anger to fear and even shame. Jules looked pleased. "Ah, yes. It was the Kilmartin boy, wasn't it?"
"You son of a…" Jules' laughter cut off Adam's curse.
"Whoever said that a scientist doesn't have emotions?" he cried with glee.
"Look, what's your point?" Shalimar demanded.
"My point is only to marvel at how small a world it is. After all, he did live, didn't he? He's here isn't he?" He meant Jesse.
"Adam what is he talking about?" Emma asked, totally confused. Adam sighed.
"I was in my twenties, right out of college. I worked at Genomex in the genetics department. In the beginning it was all about saving lives, the good of humanity, and finding cures for diseases. But then, I guess we got too powerful. Some of the men I worked under began to…experiment with humans. It was dangerous, and deadly. I admit, I was caught up in it all. It was exciting, pioneering research. But then I saw the cost…and I began to doubt everything. I started investigating some of these experiments, and was horrified by the results. Then, one day they brought in a little boy. They wanted me to do a potentially dangerous procedure with his genes, because it meant a lot of money. I thought the parents were crazy. Risking their child's life that way. But I agreed to do it anyway. He almost died right there on the table, and we had to stop the procedure halfway through. The father, Jesse's father, was furious. He demanded that we try again, even when I explained to him that his son had nearly died. Then I lost it. We almost came to blows. And then I left. And I started Mutant X, and I met Shalimar. And later on, I found out that Jesse was still alive, being held within the Genomex lab, which had grown to phenomenal proportions, since I left. We rescued him, brought him to sanctuary, and the rest is history."
"You give yourself too much credit, Adam," said Jules, breaking the deafening silence that had followed Adam's monologue. "I worked on the Kilmartin boy with you, remember? But I stayed at Genomex. And I got to see the results of our little operation. I became fascinated with these…accidents. And jealous of their abilities. But of course, I couldn't operate on myself, could I? So I did the next best thing. I found a way to harness their power, and transfer it to myself in the form of injection. So far I have a feral, a form of elemental, and psionic. But I've always wanted to be a molecular."
"You're insane," Adam said, barely above a whisper.
"I am a genius!" Jules roared. "Not only can I make myself literally unstoppable, but I can sell this power to the highest bidders, making myself unbelievably wealthy. How do you think I was able to afford this resort? This equipment? These loyal men? You call this insane? Nay…it is absolute genius! It is the cure…for me. The only problem is, the subjects that I use to extract these powers from have never survived the procedure. I need you to perfect it."
"Not a chance," Adam said firmly.
"I thought that you would be reluctant, so I figure I'll give you some initiative." He pulled a handgun from the pocket of his coat. "This is no dart gun, see. And it's aimed right at your precious team." Three of the henchmen moved around where the members of Mutant X sat or stood like sitting ducks, dart guns aimed. The fourth henchman was quietly checking out the door, whence a sound had just come. No one noticed when Jesse hit him over the head with a massed fist, picked up the man's gun, and limped into the room.
"Don't think I won't shoot them, Adam. I don't need them," Jules warned.
"Yeah, but you do need me!" Jesse yelled, and when Jules turned to look at him, Jesse fired the dart gun quickly. At that instant, Shalimar and Brennan went into action, mercilessly attacking the three other henchmen, who were caught off guard. When it was all said and done, they all lay on the floor, out cold. Jules was laying face up, eyes open, five little darts poking out from his chest. Shalimar quickly untied Emma and Adam, and they all looked to where Jesse stood. His arm was still extended, and trembling. But his eyes were closed, and he looked like he was going to fall over any second.
"Jesse?" Emma whispered. He opened his eyes slowly, then crumpled to the floor. Shalimar was there, though, and caught him.
"We have to get him out of here," she said, wrapping one of his limp arms around her shoulder and hoisting him up. Adam got on the other side.
"Hey, where did Jules go?" Brennan said suddenly. They all looked over where the doctor had been lying just a few minutes ago. He was gone.
"Come on," Adam said, walking toward the door. "We have more important things to deal with right now."
TWO DAYS LATER:
Somehow they'd gotten Jesse back to sanctuary and treated his wounds. He now lay in the med bay, surrounded by monitors, sleeping peacefully. Shalimar was sitting in a chair by his side, elbows on her knees, staring into space. They had all been very quiet lately, hardly saying a word to each, except to inquire of Jesse's condition. Shalimar had mixed feelings. They had all known that Adam had had a shady past, but they never knew that he had actually worked for Genomex. And they never knew that Jesse was the reason he'd left. Shalimar looked up as Brennan and Emma walked into the med bay.
"How is he?" asked Brennan.
"Sleeping, obviously," answered Shalimar.
"How are you?" Emma asked her.
"I'm okay. Still trying to figure this whole thing out, I guess."
"How much do you think Jesse heard?" asked Emma worriedly. Shalimar shook her head. Then Jesse stirred.
"S'not nice to talk about people when they're still in the room," he mumbled, opening his eyes halfway.
"How're you feeling?" Shalimar asked, brushing some of his unruly blonde hair back from his face.
"Fine. What were you guys talking about?" The others didn't answer right away. Then Emma spoke softly.
"Jesse, how much did you hear of what Jules was saying back at the resort?" Jesse shifted uncomfortably in the bed, and sat up straighter.
"I heard Adam's entire confession. Everything. I'd been waiting outside the door, trying to figure out how to get rid of those henchmen of his. I heard everything."
"Jess…" It was Adam. He walked slowly in the med bay until he was next to Jesse's bed.
"It's okay Adam, I just was surprised that you never told me," but the molecular would not meet Adam's eyes.
"I'm sorry. I am so sorry." Adam face was drawn and haggard. He turned away from them and stared out the window. The silence in the room was deafening.
"Adam," it was Shalimar speaking, reaching out toward him and putting her hand on his arm. He seemed to shrink from her touch, and would not turn around.
"Adam," Jesse said. "Look, no matter what happened back at Genomex…you have been more of a father to me than my own dad. I trust you, and I forgive you." Adam seemed to break at these words. He closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath. When he opened them again, there were tears glistening on his cheeks.
"I forgive you too, Adam," Shalimar said. "But no more lies. No more secrets."
"Yeah," Brennan agreed. Adam turned to face them.
"I can promise you that I will never lie to you, but I have so many secrets…"
"I trust you," said Jesse with half a smile.
"Me too," added Emma. Adam just looked around at his 'family' and marveled at how lucky he was.
"I have one question, though," Brennan began, breaking the moment. "Where did that Jules guy disappear to?" Adam shook his head.
"I don't know, but we probably haven't seen the last of him."
"I just can't believe that guy, I mean, he truly was insane." Another silence ensued.
"So who's up for lunch? I'm starving," said Shalimar, standing.
"How about we get Chinese?" suggested Emma.
"Oh, no, last time we got that stuff it made me sick. I say we go for pizza," said Brennan.
"Jesse, what do you want for lunch?" Shalimar asked, turning to the molecular.
"Uh…actually, I'd have to go with the pizza."
"Oh!" the girls moaned. Brennan smiled and lightly punched Jesse's arm. Adam had slowly left the room, and stood in the shadows watching them banter.
For now, everything seemed okay. Jesse was healing, and the others were trying to keep things the way they always were. But Adam knew that things would never be the same. There would always be distrust, hidden deep in the souls of Mutant X, whether they forgave him or not.
He rubbed his hand across his eyes. There was so much they didn't know. They never would know, nor fully understand. And he would always have to live with his past. No matter how much he tried to make up for it.
It would never be enough.
For now, it was comforting that they were all together, and that they still, still trusted him. Though he knew it would not last forever.
He made a vow to keep that trust for as long as possible.
THE END
I don't know if I ended that well, I had a little trouble. Any suggestions, criticisms, encouragements, etc. are welcome.