Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men.

Impossible

Chapter 10

The next morning Adam announced they had a working theory. Work would continue but they might be ready for a trial by mid afternoon. Brennan spent much of his morning in the lab trying to follow the progress Adam was making. During a badly needed break from trying to understand what they were talking about, Brennan wandered toward the kitchen. Passing the dojo he overheard Jesse's conversation.

"Shalimar, you have a lot of ability. Your feral nature gives you an edge I couldn't teach you. All I did was show you a few moves. You just have to believe in yourself. Trust in the fact that you can do whatever you want."

"But, Jess, I'm not trained like your Shalimar. I can't fight anyone like that. She's strong."

"For a feral, strength is secondary. Your abilities will work for you. You just have to trust them. You need to gain a little confidence in yourself. How about if I program a few random opponents, like last night? You can see what you're capable of without my help. If you get scared, I'll stop the simulation. Just try to rely on your instincts. The moves will be there."

Brennan saw the doubt in her face as she gave in. He remembered their conversation from the night before. The things she revealed evoked anger as well as fear for her. Knowing his wife, he knew what Jesse told her was true. Taking only a moment to make his decision, he turned and headed to his room.

Fifteen minutes later Evie stood, arms crossed, in the hall as Brennan came down the stairs. "Brennan, what are you up to? That's not your usual choice in dress clothes."

"No, you're right. This isn't really me is it?…but that's the point." He touched her shoulder as he looked into her confused face. "Don't worry, Evie, and I suggest you stay out of my mind for the next little bit. You won't like what you read and I don't want you hurt." Brennan smiled and winked as he stepped away.

Evie watched as he turned to walk away from her and called out to stop him. "Brennan, wait!"

Not turning and just raising a hand in silence he continued on his way.

Adam, Brennan's about to do something terrible. I think you should get out here.

Adam stopped talking mid sentence and looked out toward the hall. "Excuse me," he offered as he hurried out the door. "Brennan!" He stopped him just as he passed the lab door. He saw Brennan turn and sensed Evie quickly coming up behind him.

"Woman, you're fast," Brennan smiled half-heartedly at her over Adam's shoulder.

"What's going on?" Adam's voice left no doubt he expected a very good answer.

"Jesse's trying to get Shalimar to have a little more confidence in her fighting ability. I'm going to help." Brennan's nonchalance didn't fool Adam for a minute.

"Dressed like that? All you're going to do is scare her more. She'll only see the other Brennan. How's that going to help?"

"Look. I don't know what she told you but last night she told me that he…rapes her every time she goes to see her son." Brennan had to inhale deeply to retain his restraint on his caged anger and frustration. "She feels she can't fight him, so she doesn't. I want to show her that she can. If she goes back I don't want her to have to go back to a life of not being able to say 'no'." His voice strained and cracked.

"But this girl is a frightened feral most of the time. If you go in there and corner her…" Adam stops and shakes his head. "I don't want to even think about it. This is too dangerous, Brennan. She'll tear you to pieces because I know you won't really fight back and hurt her. What happens then?"

"Well," Brennan taps his hand on Adam's arm. "I guess I'll have to rely on the two of you to put me back together." He gave a lopsided grin as he winked at Evie. "Besides if Shal's there now and he tries anything with her, you know she's gonna give him hell. This Shal has to be able to do the same if she hopes to survive. Don't worry."

Adam felt Evie slip her hand into his. There was nothing he could do and he knew she'd sensed his unease about the situation but…he could see that Brennan was determined and if he stopped to take the time to really think about it, he'd realize that Brennan was right. This is exactly what she needed. Seeing that she could beat opponents was one thing but she really needed to know that she could beat him. "You'd better tell Jesse what's going on." He kissed his wife's head then returned to the men waiting in the lab.

Jesse was watching Shalimar as she fought a would-be mugger in an alley. He closed his eyes as Evie called to him. Her methods gave him all the information in the seconds it took Brennan to come up behind him. He turned and looked into his determined face. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes." Brennan wasn't backing down. "Don't tell her anything. Just change the alley to a bedroom and lock the door. Let it only open for me. Then do me a favor and go help with the kids or something."

"No way. I'm staying right here."

"It's not gonna be pretty, Jess."

"I'm not leaving, Brennan. Once you have her trapped and fighting there's no telling if she'll be able to stop before you're dead. She'll need Jesse to come in and calm her down."

Brennan stared hard into his friend's face. Seeing that Jesse wasn't going to back down, he relented. "Fine but don't try and be her knight in shining armor. She needs to fight me herself."

"Yeah, I got that part." Jesse returned Brennan's nod of agreement and turned to reprogram the computers.

In seconds, Shalimar found herself panting and looking around a plain looking bedroom. "Jesse?" she called out but got no answer. Her heart rate settled from the fight as she walked around this new area. "Jesse, what's going on?" As she reached for the door she found it locked. Suddenly a voice from the other side caught her attention.

"I don't want to be disturbed. Is that clear?"

She knew that voice. It must just have been Brennan in another part of Sanctuary. But he sounded very close. She stepped back as the door knob turned and the door began to open. Her heart sunk as she saw Brennan walk in. Dressed all in black and staring at her, he stepped into the room. "Brennan, what…what are you doing?"

"That's a stupid question. I thought I told you to be ready for me when I got here." He turned and locked the door.

Familiar feelings of dread and hopelessness began to assault her mind. (This isn't a good simulation.) "Jesse!" she called out beginning to feel the desperation seep into her heart. "Jesse, this isn't good! You have to stop this!"

Brennan walked closer and took off his jacket, throwing it onto a chair. "Kilmartin can't help you. He hides like a coward…but don't worry. I'll find him one day and put an end to his pathetic resistance."

Shalimar continued to back away from him as he slowly approached. (Find him? No! This can't be. How could I have gotten back? How could I be here?) Frantically, she began looking around the room for a way out. There were no windows and the door was locked. (But maybe…) Without further thought Shalimar ran for the door. But when she felt him catch her she began crying and struggling in his arms. "No, let me go!"

"I don't think so," Brennan held her as she struggled. Even though he was so convinced that this was the right course of action to help her, he fought to keep in character when all he wanted to do was hold and comfort her. Lifting her up against a wall and pressing his body against hers he had her trapped. Though she struggled she wasn't really fighting him off. Even with weaker feral abilities than his wife he knew she should be able to at the very least push him away from her. (Come on, girl. Fight!) his mind screamed. Brennan lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers. Keeping misplaced passion out wasn't a problem. He hated forcing her but still he pushed. He continued to kiss her for a few more seconds then moved his kisses to her neck. When she still didn't fight him he began roughly handling her sides. Leaning his full weight to hold her against the wall he reached down and pulled at her knees until they bent and her legs were stretched around him. Still she didn't fight. Dropping her legs he pulled away abruptly and let her fall to the floor. Reaching out he grabbed her by the arm and began pulling her toward the bed. "Come on, I don't feel like waiting any more."

Shalimar's head was in a whirl. (This can't be happening. How did I get here? They must have opened the door and I was pulled back without warning. I'm here again and I can't get out. I can't get away from him. I have no choice.) (You always have the choice.) Brennan's voice came back to her. (Jesse said my instincts would work if I trusted them.)

Brennan couldn't handle keeping up this charade very much longer. "I said I want you now!" He reached out and pulled at the hem of her shirt lifting it higher as she seemed frozen in place. When he looked back to her face he was shocked to see the glow of cat's eyes glaring back at him. Even though this is what he was waiting for, when he finally saw it he didn't react instantly. That second of stillness caused him to not block when her fist came across his face. Stumbling back he smiled at her but quickly remembered his part. "Well, you're finally gonna make this fun for us, huh? It's about time. It'll be just what I need to really put me in the mood." Brennan lunged toward her.

"No!" Shalimar yelled as she sprang from her place and avoided his grab. "I won't let you take me again." She spun and tried to kick but Brennan was too quick.

He grabbed her leg and pulled her off balance. When they were still he had her securely in his arms with her back to him. "Who do you think you are?" he whispered in her hair. "I'll take you whenever I want." He moved his hand slowly across her stomach. "And when I've had enough of you, I'll pass you on to the other guys. They've been begging me for a shot at you."

Shalimar's fear began to change. She pictured her Jesse in her head as the rage began to build. Soon it clouded her mind and clear thought was far from clear. Instinct took over as she growled loudly and tore from Brennan's hold. She began the next attack, not waiting for him to move on her again. Adrenaline fueled her actions as she fought him. Harder and harder she fought. The more hits she landed the harder she fought.

Jesse stood at his computer as he watched Shalimar turn feral and begin fighting off Brennan. He knew he couldn't stop them yet. She'd just begun and Brennan was still on his feet. She had to know she could do this. He watched and waited as Brennan took hit after hit.

Evie had joined the men in the lab, sitting off to one side, she knew she would need Adam near her when she felt the rise in fear she expected. When it happened she closed her eyes to try and contain her own reaction to the raw feelings that rubbed like sand paper over her mind and heart.

Charles stopped in mid sentence as he, too, began to feel the fear build and turn to rage. "I'm sorry, Adam. Just a moment." He closed his eyes and slowly asked permission into Evie's mind. Slowly he walked toward her. He frowned to see her holding her daughter in her arms. He knew what he'd been sensing had affected the child as well. Evie looked at him and allowed him the knowledge of what was happening. He felt Shalimar's fear, Brennan's regret and Jesse's worry. He took her hands and together they shielded themselves and Nadene from the rage that was being wildly projected through Sanctuary. When he once again joined the men in the lab he'd found that Adam had explained to Hank and they were silently waiting for him.

Brennan was used to thinking on his feet. He lived his life like that. But this was so different. He was fighting Shalimar. Well, not really, Shalimar…but really fighting. He'd reminded himself over and over that this was necessary. He forced himself to attack when she seemed to slow. He pulled his punches so he wouldn't really hurt her too much. Resisting his natural self preservation instincts wasn't as hard as having to hit and kick this woman. As she blocked another kick from him he noted her faster reflexes. This was helping. Then a thought struck him. He grinned and put up his hands before him.

Shalimar's eyes widened as she saw the electricity sparkle around his fingers. She froze in fear.

Brennan saw the fear overtake her. (This will all be for nothing if all he has to do is light up and she freezes like a deer in head lights.) "There! I knew you'd back away from this. You may be able to throw a punch when your close but you'd never face me like this. You're a coward, Shalimar;" he taunted, "just like all the rest of that trash you call a resistance. This isn't fun anymore. Not when this is all I have to do to get you. Maybe I should let the others have you. You're not worth it. Once I get Kilmartin and kill him, I'll be done with all of you and then I can raise my son the way I want." Brennan saw her cringe at the mention of her son. "He won't be a coward like you. He'll grow up to be strong and fearless." He saw her face began to loose its petrified deer look as she squinted and focused her cat-eyes on him. "He'll grow up and work at my side, until he's ready to take over the family business."

Shalimar stood in stark fear until he mentioned her son. The thought of Shawn being raised by his father was unacceptable to her. When he spoke about killing Jesse she'd gained more ire. His assertion that her son would grow up to be just like his father pushed her over the edge. She couldn't let that happen, no matter what. Without thought or instinct she leaped into the air and landed behind him. Before he could spin around she'd kicked the small of his back.

With the wind knocked out of him he fell to his knees, the electricity extinguishing as he landed with a thud/ Trying to turn, he felt her fist impact his cheek. He was tired from the internal battle of his conscience as well as the farce with Shalimar. His mind began blanking on him. The next thing he knew he was on his back and Shalimar had just kicked his ribs.

Jesse was on his feet, not able to just sit as he forced himself to watch and not act. There was only so much of this charade he could take and he was well past his limit. When he saw Brennan go down and not get up in a reasonable amount of time he knew his friend was in trouble. "Adam!" Jesse called as he moved down the steps and toward the dojo.

"Jess?" Adam, Evie and Hank came running down the hall, knowing and fearing what they might find.

"She made a break through but in a few more minutes Brennan won't be around to know it." As Jesse approached his destination he saw Shalimar on her knees, straddling Brennan's chest, throwing punch after punch at her now unresponsive foe.

With the force of every blow, Shalimar denounced his intentions. "You…will…not…have…my…son. He…will… never…be…like…you."

Jesse turned and looked at Adam. "I have to go in and calm her down. If I just shut it down I'm not sure how she'll react." When he saw Adam's nod of agreement he turned back and commanded, "Sanctuary, let me in the program." Jesse found himself at the closed door. Throwing his weight against it, he forced his way in and called out her name. "Shalimar!" Cautiously stopping beside her he repeated her name and reached for her shoulders. "Shalimar, stop! You did it. Stop!"

A voice seeped through the rage that clouded her mind. She snapped her head around at the sudden touch of her shoulders. Reacting without thought she twisted and grabbed the new assailant, throwing him to the ground.

When Jesse blinked he found Shalimar now straddling his chest poised with her fist in the air. "Wait, Shalimar! It's me. It's Jesse." He reached to grab her arm before it could come done on him.

"Jesse?" her voice cracked as his voice began to register in her furry filled mind. When her eyes turned brown she looked into Jesse's face then turned to the bloody figure by her side. Slowly she stood as her eyes seemed glued to the unconscious man on the floor. Without resistance she allowed Jesse to pull her away and into his arms. "Jess?" she whispered as she turned and put her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, Shal. It's ok," he soothed. "I'm here. I've come for you. You're safe."

"Jess, he…he was going to…I had to fight…" her voice was weak from the strain as exhaustion replaced the adrenaline that had fueled her.

"I know. You did it. You've beaten him." Jesse felt her body collapse against him. Swiftly, he shifted and had her cradled in his arms. "Program off," he called out and watched as the room dissolved around him. He waited just long enough for the three doctors to move up the stairs then he quickly made his way to the lab. Knowing Brennan would be more than well taken care of he focused his attentions on the woman they had fooled into defending herself. (I hope she'll understand when she wakes up.) He laid her in one of the beds and ran a quick scan before the others returned. He'd watched it all. He knew Brennan never really delivered a single solid punch but this was Shalimar…and she was pregnant. He had to make sure.

Adam made the quick determination that Brennan could be moved without further injury and nodded as Hank ably picked up the large elemental and carried his body to the lab. As he walked in, he looked for Jesse's report. He'd worked and lived with Jesse long enough to convey his questions without words.

"Exhaustion. She's fine. The baby's fine, too," Jesse reported as he moved to Brennan's side. "I wish there would have been another way."

"He'll be ok," Evie put her arm through his as they awaited the scan results.

"He looks worse than he really is," Adam was relieved to report. "Let's just make sure the kids don't come in before Evie's done, though."

Evie healed all of Brennan's wounds. He and Shalimar were left in the lab to sleep off their exertion as everyone tended to the business of fixing the situation they found themselves in. The professor updated those at the mansion as everyone was concerned for their friends. Hank and Adam took their theories out to the scene of the incident. Evie, Kitty and Jesse handled lunch for everyone and care of children. Shawna was the most difficult to occupy. It seemed as though her abilities were kicking in and she could sense her parents. Uncle Jesse had to take her outside just to get her to stop calling for them.

TBC