Amazing huh? Two updates with in two weeks, I'm doing good right? Unfortunately I don't think this will continue. I've had lots of free time at work the past week, but as of June 1st (Canada day) my job gets a whole lot busier. Anyways this is a long awaited Shalimar/Brennen chapter, hope you enjoy it.
As always please read, enjoy, and please review.
Talk to you later,
mfkngst
"See anything there?" Brennen's voice asked over Shalimar's comm link. Raising the glass in her hand to her lips to hide her conversation, Shal took a little sip before answering.
"Nothing yet, but some people here had mentioned that a guy fitting Grey's description comes here often." The ferals eyes once again swept the crowd, looking for the man from the photograph. After her discussion with Lexa early that morning, Shalimar had taken her advice and had hit the street to try and track down Michael and the rest of the shadow chasers. As she thought about the ridiculous name, Shal's lips curved up into a smile, which some poor fool took as an invitation. Watching the man walk back to his hooting friends, ego badly bruised by the beautiful blonds turndown, Shal's mind returned to her and Brennen's afternoon.
Normally the elemental and the feral worked well together. They had the good cop bad cop routine down pat, and normally it worked like a charm. And if it didn't they had their looks to get the answers they needed. But for some reason today that just wasn't working. When some of their contacts had held back information, Brennen had quickly turned to violence, trying to beat it out of them. And the few times she had attempted to flirt with them, he had started acting like a jealous boyfriend, intimated the informant, and driven them off. Finally at her wits end with him, Shal had decided to spilt up to check out some of the clubs they had found out Michael frequents. So here she was, sitting alone at a bar, turning down guy after guy, Brennen checking in every five minutes. Deciding she would probably spot Michael just as well from the dance floor, and have a hell of a lot more fun, Shal threw back the rest of her drink and stood up.
"Now don't tell me that a women as beautiful as yourself is leaving this early in the night." A honeyed voice commented from behind her. Turing Shalimar found herself tilting her head back, to gaze up into a pair of piercing storm-gray eyes. Michael Grey's eyes to be more specific. Wow, his picture didn't do him justice, Shalimar thought, slightly taken back by this mans commanding presence. He was easily as tall as Brennen, and just as wide in the shoulders. His black dress shirt, clung to his sculptured torso, beautiful outlining a wonderful physic. His hair was black as night, and combed rakishly back, spilling to his collar. His face was composed of high slashing check bones, a straight nose, and smooth bronze skin that spoke of native American blood running through his veins.
This may not be as hard as I had first thought, Shal mused to herself, smiling like the cat that had eaten the canary.
"Actually I was just heading onto the dance floor. Care to join me?" She purred, her hand coming up to play with the open collar of his shirt, her eyes mirroring her invitation.
Capturing her hand in his, Michael turned and headed to the middle of the dance floor, Shalimar right behind her. Turning, his gray eyes raked up and down Shalimar's body. Taking in her already swaying hips encased in a tight black miniskirt, her arms, back, and mid-drift left bare by a tight, red tank top that was laced up in the back, Michael's lips turned up in a very pleased smile. Pulling the dancing women closer to him, he bent his head to her, until his lips were just a breath away from her ear.
"So kitten, do you have a name? Mine is Michael. Michael Grey."
Leaning back in his loose embrace, Shalimar's smile widened at the humor into his innocent, yet highly insightful nick name for her. Moving back in, so it was now her lips against his ear, she replied simply "Shalimar" before she started dancing again losing herself to the music.
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"Damn!" Brennen growled, slamming his fist on the bar in agitation. Shalimar was not answering her comm ring anymore. He had been trying for the past half an hour to get a hold of her, but he had no luck since she had muttered "busy." He had tried again every five minutes, but had gotten no answers, just the occasional blast of music, to let him now she was there, alright, and obviously on the dance floor. Probably dancing with some guy. Who had his hands all over her. Her body rubbing up against his matching the wild, primitive beat of what ever music was playing.
"Damn it!" once again Brennen slammed his fist on the counter, this time making the drinks on the bar slosh in their glasses. Receiving a glare from the bartender, Brennen threw a couple of bills on the bar, and strode outside, jealousy eating threw him with every step. All day he had been dealing with guys hitting on Shal, and her flirting back. The rational part of his brain was telling him, she was only working them for the mission, but he was just not longer listening to that part, after the past week or so. Ever since Lexa and Jesse had left for Montana, sanctuary had been decidedly tense. Even when working 16 hour days with Dr. Owen, the tension between himself and Shal had been building. And with no Jesse or Lexa there to act like buffers, there was no moment of peace. As a matter of fact, this was the first time him and Shal had spent apart since Lexa and Jesse had left.
And obviously she was taking it better then he was, Brennen thought with a scowl, felling like a jealous fool. Slamming the door of the jag, Brennen sat there trying to decide if he should go to the last bar on his list, or go meet up with Shalimar. Finding it not a hard choice to make at all, while images of Shal and some other guy danced through his head, Brennen slammed the car into drive, and peeled off towards Shal.
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Michael captured Shalimar's hands in his, and pulled her off the dance floor, heading towards the bar. Ordering a whiskey on the rocks for himself, he order Shal another cosmopolitan. Pleasantly surprised that he had remembered what she had been drinking when they had met, Shal leaned back against the bar, elbows resting on the smooth worn wood of the counter, and gazed thoughtfully at him. It was hard to believe that this charming, and attentive man was the leader of a terrorist organization determined to kill her, and those like her. There had been a few times that night when she had let that little fact slip her mind, and had simply enjoyed her time with him. She would have to be careful not to let that happen again. Bringing her eyes up to Michael's face, she saw him looking at her, one dark eye brow raised, both drinks in his hands. Realizing that he had caught her staring at him, Shalimar felt a heat climb up her checks. Smiling, Michael nodded his head, indicating an empty table in the corner.
Turing Shalimar's walked a head of him, heading toward the empty table. Almost there a few men stepped in her path, and Shalimar recognized them as a few of the men she had turned down earlier. Seeing that they had obviously had a lot more liquor in them now, Shal realized that they, like many other cowards before them, felt braver with more alcohol in them. Getting ready to shoot them down again, Shalimar watched in awe as the color drained away from their faces. Turning she found Michael behind her, glaring at the men, who were know slowly slinking away, their tails held firmly between their legs. Wondering if the men had backed away like that because of Michael's powerful and confident aura, or if they had known him, Shalimar sat down at the table and accepted her drink from Michael with a thanks. Putting her question aside, Shalimar got down to the fine art of flirting and drawing information.
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Approaching the bouncer, Brennen pulled out at couple of bills, and folded them in his hand.
"Hey man. How's it going?" Brennen asked, transferring the money to the big, black, man, in a hand shake.
"Not bad." the bouncer replied smiling, showing some of his gold teeth. "Have fun." He added, already turning to the next person in line, Brennen had skipped.
Entering the club, Brennen's eyes quickly scanned the crowd on the dance floor, trying to pick out Shalimar's curling, blond hair. Not finding her, his eyes next went to the bar area and tables. Not finding her, he raised his ring to his lips, when he spotted her sitting at a table in the far corner at the back. Dropping his hand, it curled into a fist at his side as he noticed there was a man sitting across from her. Automatically taking the mans height and weight into consideration, Brennen judged them to be about equal. Equal except for one thing, Brennen though feeling the electricity hum through this veins.
Heading over to the table, Brennen never took his eyes off Shalimar, missing the interested looks of many of the women on the dance floor. Brennen was wearing a pair of dark jeans, a red sleeveless shit, and a black leather motorcycle jacket. He had not shaved that day, his hair looked as if he had repeatedly run his fingers through it (which he had), and his face was set, accenting his jaw muscles, and strong chin.
So intent was he on reaching Shalimar, that he didn't notice the three men, until they stepped directly into his path, blocking him from reaching Shal. Annoyed, he glanced down at them, silently asking them to get the hell out of his way. When they didn't move, Brennen went to take a step around the three. Which they immediately countered.
"Is there a problem here?" Brennen asked, his already hot temper starting to boil.
"Nothing wrong here." The larger of the three replied, folding his beefy arms across his chest. "Why don't you just turn around and leave."
"Look buddy, I just want to go over there and say hi to a friend of mine. So I suggest you get out of my way." Brennen growled, his arms tensing up, readying himself for a fight.
"And if we don't?" Stooge number two asked, stepping up into Brennen's face, knuckles cracking.
Luckily at that moment, Shalimar's senses recognized a familiar being, and she lifted her head, seeing Brennen and the stooges standing there growling at each other. Taking note of the lack of fear the stooges were showing, Shalimar guessed that her earlier thought of them working with Michael must be true. Standing there in the flashing lights, fists clenched, body ready, Brennen was just as much an imposing figure as Michael had been, if not more menacing. Realizing that she would have to do something before Brennen blew her cover, Shalimar let her eyes got wide, while a shocked expression crossed her lovely face.
Michael, seeing her face widen with shock, turned around trying to see what had caught her eye. Noticing a few of his men, about ready to pick a fight, Michael assumed that this was what had shocked her. Some women just could not abide the sight of fighting and blood. Easing his chair back, Michael got ready to go over and break this up for her sake. Damn idiots!, he cursed in his head, deciding that later on he would have to have a talk with them to teach them how to NOT draw attention to themselves, and more importantly him, when they were out.
Seeing Michael push his chair back, Shalimar quickly turned her shocked expression into one of delight. Momentarily pausing at the change on her face, Michael sat there staring at her, trying to figure out why she was now so happy. He did not have to wait long. Pushing her chair away from the table, Shalimar stood up, and placed a hand on Michaels shoulder.
"Wait here a moment please, Michael. I see someone I know and haven't seen in quite a while." Straightening up, Shal headed over in the direction of the stooges. Laying a hand on one of their shoulders, she politely asked them to move. When one of them quite rudely told her to "shove off lady," Shalimar enjoyed a brief image of throwing the drunk idiot over the bar. But however much she would like to, she knew there would be no way to continue with her cover then, so Shalimar forced the feral in her down and once again asked them to move.
"I though I said to shove o.." the third stooges words abruptly died in his mouth when he saw who he was specking too. Quickly grabbing his two friends he shoved the out of the way, mumbling an apology.
Her way to Brennen finally clear, Shalimar threw her arms around him, hugging him close.
"Oh my god, Nicky! What are you doing here?" Shalimar gushed, pulling back frothier embrace enough o see his face. Smiling, she once again pulled him close to hug. "I didn't know you were in town. Your sister didn't tell me. How long are you here? Where are you staying? How come you didn't call me?" With the last question Shalimar pulled back, a look of mock hurt on her face, as she punched him in the shoulder.
Brennen having had no clue what was going on when Shal had first thrown her self at him, was now catching on. Putting a hand out to ruffle her hair in a brotherly fashion, Brennen's smile widened as he replied. "I just got in today actually for an emergency business meeting, so no one knew I was coming. Oh and I am planning at staying at your place." He replied his tone that of an older sibling picking on a younger one. Sticking her tongue out at him, she grabbed his hand and lead him over to the table.
"Nick Mulray, I would like you to meet a friend of mine Michael Grey" As they had approached the table, Michael stood up extending his hand to the new arrival. Brennen on the other hand, was having a hard time dealing with the protective, and jealous wave that was crashing through him. Shalimar had found the man they were looking for, and had obviously found an in, but Brennen didn't like the idea of any man with her, let alone a cruel terrorist leader. Reaching out reluctantly, Brennen shock Michael's hand applying a little more pressure then necessary.
Shalimar, seeing the look and tension mounting between these two, had to do something before Michael was driven away. Stepping away from Brennen's side, she put an arm around Michaels waist and leaned into him.
"You'll have to excuse Nicky," head tipped back, smile pasted all over her face, she gazed into Michael's face, relieved to see most of the tension drain out of his eyes. "His younger sister and I grew up together and he has always been like a big brother. You should have seen how he interrogated my prom date. He almost made the poor boy cry." Sending a little glare to Brennen, Shalimar hoped her role was as convincing as it seemed.
"Yeah well it is an older brothers provocative." Brennen replied lightly, fighting the almost overwhelming urge to rip Shal out of that monsters arms and beat him to a bloody pulp.
Sitting down at the table, Shal curved into Michaels side with Brennen across from the, the three talked for an hour, reliving the fictious childhood stories of Shalimar, "Nicky" and his sister Nicole. Finally, when it became apparent to everyone that Brennen was not going to leave with out Shalimar, Michael announced that it was time for him to go home. After getting Shalimar's number and promising to call tomorrow he bid Brennen goodnight, gave Shalimar a soft kiss and left. Sending Brennen a warning look to bite his tongue, Shalimar stood up and headed out side to her car. Getting in, she slammed the door closed and sped off towards Sanctuary, to mad to Brennen to even check to see if he had his car there.
Pissed she drove fast, enjoying the wind through her hair and the scenery that flew by. Brennen had almost blown it a couple of times tonight. When ever Michael had touched her, she had felt the air around her charge just as it did right before a lighting storm. Once again tonight Shalimar found herself cursing his jealous boyfriend attitude. Turning her radio up loud, Shalimar let Quiet Riot clear her head as she sang along at eh top of her lungs.
"Well I'm an axe grinder, pile driver, momma says that I never ever mind her..."
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"Shalimar!" Brennen hollered, slamming the door behind him for emphases. After Shalimar had drove away from him at the club, Brennen had run quickly to his car, hoping to catch up with her. Anger and impatience, pushed him to drive faster and faster, but unfortunately also blinded him to the police car that had pulled him over. Now he was late getting home, tired, pissed off, and he had a speeding ticket!
"Damn it Shalimar come here!" Ripping his leather jacket off, Brennen flung it in the direction of a chair, barely stopping his search of sanctuary. "Shal!"
"What?!" A very annoyed Shalimar demanded walking from the kitchen to Brennen. Stopping a few feet in front of him, Shal crossed her arms over her chest, cocked her hip, and gave Brennen a glare that would have made Lexa proud. "Is there something I can do for you?" She asked, the temperature in the room dropping a notable 5 degrees, with the ice in her voice.
"What the hell was that all about?" Angry, Brennen threw his hands up in the air, his face a classic mix of anger and male confusion. Shalimar felt a smile tug at her lips but refused to let it show.
"What exactly are you talking about?" Her cool voice once again asked, her amusement with him, over just as quickly as it had begun. "Is this about Michael," when she saw his eyes flare with anger, the feral felt hers heat to match it. She was damn sick and tired of his jealous lately! "Because if it is GET OVER IT!!" Shal yelled no longer to keep her anger in check. "That's the assignment right! Find Michael, which I did, make an in, which I also did, and find some way to keep tabs on him. That's another check! So what the hell is YOUR problem? I am just doing my job here!"
Taking a step closer, Brennen grabbed Shalimar by the upper arms, and dragged her up on her tiptoes, ignoring the flashing yellow of her eyes. "Well I don't like it! HE is an evil man, and I don't want you anywhere near him!"
"Well to bad, because you have no say in this or in my life Brennen. We are not married, hell were not even dating Brennen, so what I do is my business and no one else's!"
"What about the team Shal? Don't we get a say in it?"
"Yeah the team dose, just like always, and it is my part of this mission to get us an insider, so back off Brennen."
"But there has got to be another way. One that doesn't involve selling your self like a common whore!" Shalimar's hand lashed out and slapped Brennen in the face, her eyes shining with angry tears.
"How dare you?" Shalimar demanded her voice a low growl. Striking out she once again slapped Brennen across the face. "What gives you the right to comment on my personal life?"
With that, Shalimar whirled on her heel. Brennen made a grab for her arm, but one look from her and he quickly dropped it. Watching her storm out of the room, Brennen slumped onto the nearest chair, and put his head in his hands. Rolling his head in his hands, Brennen whispered to himself in a voice of quiet despair, "What have I done?"
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Well I finally wrote a Shalimar and Brennen chapter, although I don't think it was what many people were hoping for. But don't worry there is more Lexa and Jesse in the next chapter. And once again please let me know what you thought of this update