Relation to other stories: Stand alone.

Disclaimer: Characters aren't owned by me, just appearing in my story featuring the characters of Mutant X.

Pairings: Shal/Brennan, Jesse/Emma, Shal/Emma.

Warnings: As the pairings would suggest there is some slash ahead, folks.

Valentines, Cupids, And Mutants

"Why did you think we would have a problem going to this thing, Adam?" Brennan asked, leaning off the edge of the counter he was on.

"Well, these perspective clients are holding this Valentine's ball. I want them to believe we're into the same things they are so we can get close enough to infiltrate them unknown. I told you about their habits already and how distrusting they are. When we're there I think it would be best to stay in groups. I mean couples."

"Couples?" Shalimar echoed. "What are you saying here, Adam?"

"I'm saying for appearances and to keep suspicion low I want you to act like a couple."

"Want who to act like a couple?"

"All of you. I want you to stay together as much as you can in groups of two to ensure you don't draw too much attention to yourselves."

"You're not serious?" Shalimar asked in a slight chuckle wanting to clarify her ears hadn't misinformed her.

"Yes, Shalimar, I am."

The look on Adam's face washed away any remaining doubt in the feral's mind as well as the rest of the team.

"This is very important," Adam continued. "Do you think you guys can handle it?"

Shalimar sighed, reluctant for her own reasons to be a part of this plan but not wanting to let the team down.

Jesse, Brennan, and Emma all nodded in agreement and Adam turned to Shalimar who sat looking off in the other direction.

"Shalimar?" he asked. "Can you do this?"

She paused before replying, "yeah, sure. Whatever," she answered before shrugging it off and leaving the lab to head to her room.

Emma stood still for a moment after the feral's departure trying to ignore the hits of emotion she'd picked up while standing beside her.

"I'm gonna go too," Emma finally said not realized she'd interrupted Adam but she hadn't even been listening to him or thinking of anything else since Shalimar had left. No matter how hard Shalimar tried to hide it when she was upset Emma always knew. She wouldn't always speak up about it, but she always knew.

Emma excused herself and began to make her way to the feral's room. She knocked lightly on the door and awaited an answer.

"Shal, it's Emma."

The door slowly opened to reveal the feral whose face informed she wasn't in the mood for talking. It wasn't enough to turn the psionic away, however. She was determined to help her friend feel better whether she wanted her to or not.

Emma stepped into the feral's room and sat herself down on the neatly made bed waiting for Shalimar to turn and face her, a feat which seemed to take a bit longer than it should have.

"Ya know, Shalimar, I couldn't help but notice how upset you were tonight. Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Not really," the feral answered in a sigh, heading over to her dresser to straighten the top up.

Emma couldn't help but notice how Shalimar's eyes refused to meet her own and wondered if it was personal.

"You seemed really upset with Adam's request."

Shalimar sighed and turned around to shake her head at the psionic.

"Can we talk about something else please?"

"That's fine, Shal, but I want you to know I'm here for you."

"I know. I just don't wanna talk about it. And it wasn't just what Adam said."

Emma almost thought she'd been feeling a sense of extra love pouring off the feral lately. She thought perhaps she had feelings for someone on the team but with the way she acted tonight Emma had to question her reasoning.

"Then what was it?"

"I was upset before that." Shalimar paused before turning back to her dresser to fiddle with the knick-knacks on it. "About other things."

Emma sat in the moment of awkward silence between them wondering if she should question the feral with her suspicions.

"Love?" she finally asked quietly.

Shalimar froze in her place almost afraid to turn and face the psionic at the words. If she was ever afraid of anything that is. But she was. She was terrified of the look she'd find on the psionic's angelic face and in her eyes if she turned to face her. Maybe it would make everything all better. Make all her dreams come true and give her life the meaning she'd been wishing for since she'd met the redheaded beauty. Maybe all those hopes and wishes would be shattered. She didn't know if she could withstand the impact of all her dreams falling off the shelf in her heart. Didn't know if it was worth the risk to turn around and meet her eyes, to reveal what she held inside. She was afraid.

"I need to be alone," she finally managed an answer when she was sure her voice wouldn't shake or reveal herself.

Emma starred at the feral's back, let down by her response. She'd hoped she'd confess what she knew, or hoped, she was feeling, and hopefully for her. Rising to her feet, she took a small step forward and placed a soothing hand on the feral's shoulder, gently rubbing the skin exposed through her sleeveless, black top.

"If you change your mind you know where to find me," Emma reassured as she headed to the door. "Goodnight," she said and turned to the feral once more in hopes she'd look at her.

"Night," Shalimar answered still remaining motionless with diverted eyes.

Emma's face formed a sad frown as she opened the door to show herself out wondering why they played these types of games either one another.