Disclaimer: see Chapter one
A/N: Wow, I am overwhelmed by all the reviews! Thank you everyone, again!! I have been staring at this chapter for a couple of days now, trying to get it to work better, but I just can't seem to get it right. I don't like this chapter, but I am finally giving up and just posting it the way it is! Please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions—thank you so much!!
Chapter three—House of Dreams
"Day three, it feels like day thirty-three," Shalimar mused to herself as she sat at the Martin's dining room table, listening as the older couple droned on and on about their latest adventure—polka dancing. She felt herself nodding in agreement to whatever was being said, even as she felt Brennan's hand snake his way back into her hair. He was taking advantage of their undercover role as only Brennan could. "The weasel," she fumed to herself, even as her stomach dropped at his touch. He was enjoying this way too much. She twisted forward and sideways in her chair in order to get out of his natural reach. Leaning her elbows on the table, she interrupted Mr. Martin as he paused in his speech to take a drink.
"So, I would be interesting in hearing more about your daughter. She looks to be about our age?" She casually inquired, gesturing towards a family picture on the sideboard.
"Yes," Brennan spoke up, "we would love to meet her. We're looking for new friends since we're new to the area." He inched his chair closer to Shalimar and wrapped his arm around her shoulders in an exaggerated squeeze. "Em here is desperate for girl friends again."
Shalimar smiled sweetly, nodding her head in agreement towards the couple while discretely dropping one hand beneath the table to squeeze Brennan's knee, hard. He jumped slightly and removed his arm.
"Ah, yes, our daughter," Mrs. Martin hemmed as she glanced over at her husband.
"Her name is Carrie," he picked up, "and I am sure she would love to meet you. However, she is out of town at the moment, and ah, we're not sure when she'll be returning."
"Business trip," his wife added as an afterthought.
There was a pause in the conversation as Brennan and Shalimar looked at each other. "Now what?" her eyes asked him.
"Tell us about her," Brennan coaxed.
"Ah, not much to tell," Mr. Martin laughed as he waved his hand dismissively. "But about that polka. I just bet you kids would enjoy it just as much as we have."
"Hey," Mrs. Martin brightened up, "Let's show them what we've learned so far. We would love to have you join us in our next lesson. It's a wonderful way to pass the time."
Brennan groaned. This was going to be a long afternoon. Shalimar raised her hands in protest, even as Mr. Martin grabbed one and yanked her to her feet.
"Come, come, we'll go into the living room," he enthused as he pulled her along with him. Shalimar followed behind him, glancing over her shoulder to make a face at Brennan trailing along behind her.
Mrs. Martin turned on the music, brightening as the lively sounds of accordion and trumpet filled the room.
"Shall we," she beckoned to her husband as he came up to her. They joined hands and stood side by side, pausing for a moment to pick up the beat. Suddenly they both moved forward at the same time and danced right-left-right, left-right-left, right-left-right, left-right-left. Shalimar lost count of their steps as she stood speechless at the show before them. Brennan raised his eyebrows helplessly before sinking onto the couch to watch them. She strolled over and sat on the opposite side of the couch from him. Just as her mind started wandering again, she realized Brennan had gradually worked his way closer to her. She glared at him as he again wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Relax, Shal," he whispered in her ear, "I just wanted to let you know I'm going to sneak into the girl's bedroom. If they happen to notice I'm gone, tell them I had to use the bathroom or something."
"Wait—" she hissed even as he stood up and made his way toward the hallway. The couple danced merrily on, so he disappeared around the corner without incident. Shalimar realized then they had their eyes closed. She had to admire their dedication to the dance, even as she cringed at the swelling crescendo. Maybe it was an acquired taste. A few tense moments passed before Brennan reappeared at her side, sliding into place just as the dance ended and the elderly couple opened their eyes with glee.
"See!" they exclaimed, "Isn't it wonderful!"
"Wonderful," Shalimar nodded in agreement, even as she tugged Brennan to his feet. "But really, we must be going now, we have much to do yet this afternoon."
Brennan tightened his hold on her hand as she tried to drop his from her grasp. He raised it to his lips and kissed it softly while waggling his eyebrows at her. "Oh yes, much to do." He echoed. Shalimar's eyes dared him to continue.
Remembering the scene from that morning, Mrs. Martin gave a flustered laugh. "Of course, dears, we understand. But please do come back soon," she invited even as they hedged their way to the door.
"Thank you, we will," Brennan agreed as he placed his arm around Shalimar's waist, ignoring the silent messages she kept shooting his way. "Won't we, honeybunch?"
"Certainly," she oozed back, "poopycakes."
As they entered back into their own apartment, Shalimar whirled around on Brennan. "Well, what did you find?" she impatiently asked.
Brennan stared at her for a moment, before letting out a small laugh. Shalimar looked at him with confusion.
"What?"
He grinned adorably at her. "Only you could watch polka dancing so earnestly," he informed her. "Come on," he teased at her blank look, "This was you," he demonstrated exaggeratedly, dropping his jaw to the floor and bugging his eyes out cartoonishly.
"Hey!" she protested, reaching out to smack him along side the back of his head. He snatched her hand out of the air and pulled her up against his chest.
"Poopycakes, huh?" he fingered a strand of her hair lightly. "I think I could get used to that," he paused to gauge her reaction. She stood frozen, not responding, but not pulling away either. Brennan decided to push his luck. His large hands cupped her face and slowly stroked her soft cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. Her eyes stared up at him, shining with an emotion he couldn't quite read.
"Shal?" he questioned huskily. When she still didn't respond he leaned down slowly towards her and brushed his lips lightly against hers. He felt her resist for a moment before softening under his touch. The kiss deepened for a moment until she gasped sharply and wrenched herself out of his arms. She took a few steps back, visibly shaken before closing her eyes.
"Don't." She whispered.
"Shal, please," he entreated stepping towards her, but stopping as she backed further away. He watched in resignation as she drew herself up to her full height, holding her body in a tight stance.
"Don't," she repeated in a firmer tone, eyes flashing.
They stood there in tense silence until finally he blew his breath out in frustration and turned back towards the door.
"I'm heading back to sanctuary for a bit." He stated softly as he reached for the door.
"Brennan, wait." Shalimar called before she could stop herself. He turned back towards her, and they again stared at each other again. She licked her lips nervously as she saw his eyes drop down and linger on her mouth. With a shuddering breath, she cleared her throat and squared her shoulders. In a blink, the wall was back up. Emily was in control again.
"Tell me what you found," she commanded.
Brennan looked at her a moment more before stepping back towards her and shrugging his broad shoulders. "Not too much. I only had a few minutes, but I dug around a bit and found this." He reached into his pocket and brought out a piece of paper that had a date and time from a few weeks ago on it and the name of a local park. "It's the day she disappeared. Apparently she may have been meeting someone that day. We should give this to Jess to check into it."
"If there's anything to find," Shal murmured doubtfully as she took the paper out of Brennan's hands and examined it. "I just don't get why the parents seem to be involved. Or at least they don't seem concerned about her missing, more like they were covering for her."
"I wonder—" Brennan mused under his breath.
Shalimar waited a moment for him to continue. "What?" she demanded.
"Nothing, just a thought," he answered back. "I'll get this to sanctuary and see what Jess and Lexa can find." He paused, and then glanced back up at Shalimar. This was the first time they had spoken calmly to each other in three days. "Shal," he started, even as she began walking away from him. She turned around and arched one eyebrow at him in question. The look was back in her eyes. His emotions flared, "Never mind, Emily," he gritted out, turning and walking back toward the door, paper in hand.
"Newlyweds, my ass," she heard him mutter angrily to himself.
Shalimar held her body tensely upright for a few more beats before her shoulders slumped in defeat as she followed his movements with sad, conflicted eyes. She braced her spine up against the wall and then allowed her knees to buckle underneath her, sinking down to the floor. The door slammed behind him as he left, and then she was alone. The silence engulfed her.
Brennan leaned up against the outside door for a moment, anger simmering in his posture. Then with a stubborn look, he pushed himself back up straight. "We're not done here," he decided as he clenched his jaw determinedly and stalked away. The honeymoon was far from over.