Thanks for the reviews, and yes, Emma is jealous, but she won't say it. It's so obvious, but Shal clearly can't see it. Ah, to be blinded by love lol x


VII – The Morning After

The smile still hadn't faded from her lips. She doubted it ever would, but she toned down her happiness a touch as she entered the kitchen where Emma and Brennan were eating their breakfast in near silence.

"Hey," she said brightly, hopping over to the fridge to pick up a bottle of water before jumping up to sit on the countertop.

Emma hardly even looked up from her cereal and never said a word to her, which worried the feral. Brennan watched her showcase of happiness and asked about he previous night, and her good mood.

"Good morning to you too. What's got you so chirpy? And what happened to you last night? It's like you just disappeared," he commented, taking a mouthful of toast.

Shalimar smiled at him, sipping her water. She wasn't sure if she wanted to tell them about Alex yet, but she was just so damned happy!

"Well, I'm a morning person," she grinned, flipping her blonde hair from her face. "I got kinda sidetracked last night. I went into the band room to talk from the guys from Human Reflex and I guess I lost track of time," she lied, hoping that excuse would stick.

Emma looked at her for the first time since Shalimar entered the kitchen and the feral was afraid she could sense that she was lying.

Brennan stood up as Adam's voice summoned him to the lab from his comm.-link. He never noticed the look Emma was giving her, which was so cold it made Shal literally shiver.

"Well, sounds like you had fun anyway. Why don't you give me the full low down later," he told her exiting the room backwards.

"Sure," Shal smiled, feeling Emma's eyes on her but avoiding contact with her.

The psionic coughed and continued glaring at her, but Shalimar refused to look at her.

"So, are you gonna tell him about your make-out session with Alex?" Emma asked suddenly, standing up and slamming her bowl into the sink. She raised her hand to her hip and watched Shal for a response.

The blonde was shocked.

"W-what? I never-" she began, eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.

"Oh come on Shal, I'm not stupid. You leave with her as soon as she shows up and we don't see you for the rest of the night? Brennan may buy your excuse, but it doesn't wash with me. Plus, eyes are great inventions," the psionic added snidely.

Once more, Shalimar was astounded. She had moved away from the group, pretty much the opposite side of the club. And why was Emma so pissed anyway? It's not like it affected their friendship in any way.

"You… you saw us?" she asked quietly. She didn't know why, but she felt guilty or lying to Emma.

"Yes, Shalimar. I saw you. I saw you staring at her when she was on stage, I saw you dancing with her and I… I saw you kissing her," Emma explained, looking down when she said the last part.

Shalimar stared open-mouthed at her, too stunned to speak or think about why Emma was so hurt. She couldn't understand how they could have been seen, unless Emma had followed them. But why would she do that? Granted, Shalimar had been staring at Alex and they did leave pretty quickly. Had she really made her attraction towards Alex that obvious?

She shook her head and looked at Emma. Pain and anger were emanating from her being and the hurt in her eyes was confusing and distressing her.

"Emma, why are you getting so upset? I… I don't see how it's any of your business," the feral said gently, seeing Emma's hurt instantly turn to rage. She clearly said the wrong thing.

"It used to be my business," she hissed, turning on her heel and storming from the kitchen.

Shalimar lowered her head, knowing that her friend was right.