Things Best Known

Disclaimer: Not mine! Mutant X belongs to Tribune and Marvel.

Summary: She thought she knew him better than anyone. She was about to learn that things are not always what they seem. B/S.

Rating: PG

A/N: I'm back with a new story! I am still working on this one, so I maybe a bit slow in updating, but hopefully not more than 4-5 days at most between updates. I'll be writing as quickly as I can! This story will be angsty, but I am trying to maintain a balance of humor and drama throughout it as well. Please let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions. Thank you so much!!!

Things Best Known—Chapter One

Time together at Sanctuary was a sacred affair. Too often, they found themselves separated by the danger of their work, and they had learned to fully appreciate moments spent together. It was because of this very awareness that Shalimar found herself increasingly frustrated by Brennan and his seeming indifference to time. For years, they had danced around each other and flirted, and for years she had waited for something more to happen.

They sat next to each other at the dinner table; Lexa on her other side and Jesse immediately across from her. Today, for a reason she couldn't explain, she had just sat next to Brennan and slid her chair close. She sat so close so that her thigh touched his, and the kindling warmth of it pulsated through her. Something deep down had pushed its way up after years of being carefully buried by caution and fear. Today she was tired of waiting.

In her hand, she clutched her fork, spearing a spinach leaf off her plate and jerkily bringing it to her mouth. Her heart pounded with nervous energy, and she could feel Brennan cast his eyes towards her in silent curiosity.

"So," Jesse paused to chew his mouthful of food, "Whatcha guys want to do tonight?" His gaze swept the table, lingering on Lexa.

"Basketball?" Brennan piped up hopefully.

"Dude, you want to lose again?" Jesse smirked at him.

"In your dreams, bro." Brennan laughed as Jesse shook his head.

Lexa cocked an eyebrow. "I hope your dreams are more, ah, exciting than that."

Shalimar narrowed her eyes as she watched Jesse and Lexa exchange knowing looks. Less than a year, and already they were more obvious than her and Brennan. She pressed her leg a little closer to his, smiling as she felt his muscles suddenly tense.

Beside her, Brennan cleared his throat as he shot her a questioning glance. She ignored him, forcing herself to calmly take another bite of her salad, praying her hand wouldn't shake and give her away. After a moment he shrugged and rejoined the conversation bouncing back and forth between Jesse and Lexa.

She waited a few more minutes until she felt his leg relax and settle deeply against hers. Her heart lurched again, and she was sure her pounding pulse would visibly give her away. One hand stole beneath the table as the other continued to rotate between her plate and her mouth. Her fingers trembled as she held her hand inches above his thigh, hesitating for a brief moment and then gently stroking a finger above his knee.

Brennan choked on his water, spitting an arcing spray across the table and hitting Lexa.

"Brennan!" She shrieked, shoving back her chair with indignation.

"Sorry, Lexa," he mumbled at her as she dabbed at her wet shirt with a napkin, voice trailing away as he felt Shalimar's fingers again settle down on his knee. She smiled as he stared at her, eyebrows winged upward.

Jesse knew Shalimar well enough to know that smile; she was up to something. He watched her and Brennan for a moment more, lips suddenly curving into a mischievous grin. He nudged Lexa, drawing her attention away from her blouse to the tension across the table. Her eyes twinkled as she immediately caught on.

"You know, Jess," She threw the soggy napkin onto the table. "I just remembered I wanted to show you, uh, something."

"Something, huh?" Jesse couldn't help but tease her as he rose from the table to follow her.

"Shut up, Jess," Her voice floated out behind them as they left the room. Shalimar's ears picked up their laughter even after they were gone. I'll have to remember to thank them later. She turned toward Brennan as her hand again deliberately massaged his leg. Wide eyes met her gaze.

"Shal?"

"Yeah, Bren?"

He swallowed convulsively at her cherubic look. He wasn't sure what had gotten into her, but he liked it. He decided to keep up her innocent charade.

"It's your turn to do the dishes."

Her eyes flared for a moment, and her fingers dug into his leg before relaxing again and stroking a path up and down his thigh. "It is, is it?"

He squirmed slightly. "Yeah, and the—the dishwasher is still broken."

She frowned, pads of her fingers moving in concentric circles. "We've got to get Jesse to fix that."

"Uh-uh." He couldn't believe they were having such a mundane conversation while his heart pounded madly inside his chest.

"Brennan?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you help me?" Her fingers inched higher.

"Sure." His voice cracked.

She smiled triumphantly; he wasn't as calm as he wanted her to think. With a final seductive squeeze, she released his leg, standing up to gather the dishes from the table. Brennan's eyes followed her fluid movements as he waited for his body to calm down. Finally blowing out a loud breath, he stood up in time to bring the final dish to the kitchen sink.

She smiled at him over her shoulder as she plunged her hands into the soapy water in front of her. He stood uncertainly next to her for a moment as she began scrubbing a plate. She made quick work of the job, swirling her hands through the suds looking for another dish. Silence stretched between them.

"Here." Brennan finally spoke, causing her to jump slightly. She stiffened in surprise as he stepped up behind her, stretching both arms around her and dropping another plate into the water. "You almost forgot one."

"Thanks." She desperately tried to still her shaky legs. They were silent as she washed the final dish. Each time their fingers touched beneath the foamy water, their eyes met and a burning tingle intensified as he loamed over her. She bit her lip as she rinsed the plate and set it out to dry and again ran her hand along the bottom of the sink to feel for any lost dishes. Only the lukewarm water slithered around her fingers, then something grabbed and held tight. She looked up, startled, then suddenly was very shy.

Brennan separated her fingers with his own, and she felt her wrist bend upwards as his palm met hers.

"Shalimar."

He pulled their hands out of the water and turned her to face him. His touch was cold and wet, and it tightened about her wrist, bringing a quick comfort and warmth. It was as if he felt it too for he let go just briefly before grasping her hand more firmly.

"Shal." He took her head in his hands and held her, and she felt a calm, dizzy quiet as he pulled her close. Could this finally be happening?

Brennan brushed a stray strand of hair off her face, his damp fingers lingering, then running down to her chin. She bent her face into his touch. She could only look at him, her shivering passing as she stayed still; waiting.

His eyes studied hers for long moments before dropping to linger on her mouth. She watched as he licked his lips, and she knew he was just as nervous and determined as she. His gaze darted back up to meet hers, and he smiled tumultuously as she leaned slightly closer.

"Brennan!"

They both froze as Lexa's voice stopped them from the doorway. He took a moment to let her see his disappointment before turning away. She released a shaky breath and glared at Lexa from behind his back.

"Sorry, Shal," Lexa nodded to her, "But I need to speak to Brennan for a moment." Her tone bode no argument; indicating she was in business mode.

Brennan turned and raised his eyebrows at Shalimar before crossing the kitchen to meet Lexa. Later, he seemed to promise her. Shalimar watched him leave before collapsing back onto the counter.

She expected him to return quickly, but long moments passed and he didn't come back. Finally she sighed and pushed herself off the counter, turning back to the sink to release the now cold and slimly water. She thrust her hand down to the drain, crying out as pain suddenly stabbed through her finger. She jerked her hand back out and frowned as blood ran freely from a cut on her index finger. She cautiously ran her other hand back through the water, muttering under her breath as she discovered a knife buried on the bottom. She released the drain and sucked on her finger in annoyance.

"You ok?"

She spun around to see Brennan leaning in the doorway, studying her.

"Yeah," she shrugged as she pulled her finger out of her mouth and held it out in front of her as he approached. "I just cut myself on a knife."

He was quiet, his eyes dark and unreadable as he took her hand in his, softly running a finger across her palm and then across the laceration. He turned it over and touched the redness of her wrist, raw from prolonged contact in water.

"I'm sorry."

His voice was heavy, and she sensed there was more to his words than just her small wound.

"Brennan?" Her forehead wrinkled in concern.

He shook his head, forcing a smile. "I've got to go, Shal."

"Alright," She spoke slowly, waiting for him to explain.

He sniffed and their eyes met again as he reached for her cheek to smooth the hair from her face. He groaned in frustration, before suddenly pulling her to him in a deep kiss. She gasped from the suddenness of it, but he grabbed tight. His breath was hot on her face, and he kissed her again. His lips were desperate, unyielding.

"Brennan?" She tore away, surprised.

"I've got to go," he repeated, backing away, eyes unable to let go of hers.

He reached the doorway, and for a moment, they held each other, and then he was gone.