GONE FOREVER

Rating: PG 13 for violence, language, and some sexual stuff (nothing major).  This story may turn R later, but for right now it's PG 13.

Genre: Action/ romance

Pairings: Shalimar/Brennan, and Shalimar/original character

(Summary, Author's Notes, and Disclaimer on Chapter 1)

Distribution: I don't mind if anyone wants to put any of my stories on their site, just email me first and tell me you would like to put it on your site! Thanks!

Notes: Italics with [ ] indicate thought. Stars indicate time change or place.

Story by: Quest – shadowfox_fuse@yahoo.com, feel free to email me on any questions or well anything!

*                      *                      *

Chapter 9:  An Old Friend and A New Enemy

            Brennan sat in the rec. room only a half an hour after talking with Shalimar, he laid on the couch processing Shalimar's words wondering if he should take her back so easily or would he get hurt again.  He trusted her and still loved her, but he was really hurt by what he saw.

            Emma entered the rec. room, she noticed Brennan lying on the couch.  "Hey, Brennan can we talk?"  She asked walking up to him.

            "What is up with you girls and talking?"  Brennan huffed.

            Emma just rolled her eyes and kept talking.  "Why are you pushing Shalimar away from you?  I know you still love her I can see it in your eyes."  She stated crossing her arms.

            "Why do you think that?"

            "Because you are.  Shal told you she was sorry."  Emma explained.

            "That doesn't explain why she did it."  Brennan sighed.

            "She was trying to protect you, they might have killed you if they found out you knew where Shal was.  Did you ever think of that?"  Emma suggested.

            Brennan had never thought of that.  "Maybe I was too quick to judge her for what happened."

            "Ya think!!  You should have seen Shalimar when that guy beat you up," Emma said with a smile.  "She fill out, broke the guy's nose on her knee."

            "Really?"  Brennan just had to smile.

            "Brennan," the tone of Emma's voice made Brennan look at her.  "Shal loves you and no one can change that, not even that Deacon guy."

            "I know."  Brennan sighed.  "I love Shal more than anything, but the way they kissed it just made me think.  She's been gone for so long, I thought she might not have as strong of feelings as she did before she left."

            "Trust me she does," Emma explained.  Brennan hung his head in shame.  "She can't forgive herself for what she did or what happened to you."  Emma told him.

            There was a small moment of silence, "I guess I should go talk to her," Brennan finally said.

            "That would be a very good idea," Emma replied as Brennan walked out of the room and up to Shalimar's bedroom.

            Brennan just stood in front of Shalimar's door debating on whiter or not to knock.  He slowly motioned his hand to knock.  He waited a few minutes there was no answer, so he knocked once again.  "Shal please open the door," he begged her after she didn't answer.  Brennan reached down and grabbed the doorknob.  He turned it slowly it was unlocked.

            "Shal I'm coming in."  He announced as he opened it up.

            The room was pitch black, Brennan turned on the light.  Shalimar wasn't in there, some of her drawers were open and her jacket was gone.  He walked over to her bed; there was a piece of paper on her pillow.  It was folded up into fourths and addressed to him.  He slowly picked up letter and started reading to himself, "Ah shit," Brennan stuffed the letter in his pocket and was about to run out of Shalimar's room when he noticed her comring was on the light stand near her bed.  He grabbed it and placed it in his other pocket and ran out of her room.

            "ADAM WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!"  Brennan yelled as he ran to the lab.  Brennan burst through the lab doors, to find the other three talking to each other in a circle.  "She's GONE!"  He huffed.

            "What?"  Adam asked confused.

            "SHE'S GONE!"  Brennan yelled slamming his fist into on of the walls.

            "Brennan calm down and tell us what happened," Adam ordered in a soothing tone.

            "I went to go talk to Shalimar, but she's gone," Brennan started.  "But she left this," he pulled out the note. 

            "What does it say?"  Jesse asked impatiently.

            "The beginning part is for me, but then she writes to everyone," Brennan said trying not to blush.  "So I'll just read you that part."

            "No read us ALL of it," Adam ordered.

            "Fine," Brennan sighed and started reading it.

Dear Brennan,

            I know you'll be the one to find this letter, I don't know how I know I just do.  I want to tell you that I'm sorry for hurting you the way I did, I truly am.  Brennan I hope you don't come looking for me, even though deep down I really want you to.  I just need some time to myself I hope you understand.

            Tell everyone that I didn't want to resort to this but I thought it would be best.  I need to think things through for myself.  I really hope you guys understand!

                                                                        Love,

                                                                                    Shalimar

            Brennan looked up at Adam had a worried look on his face, "Jesse try to contact Shalimar on her comring," Adam immediately told him.

            "I've already tried that, she doesn't reply," Brennan stated.  "Adam I want to go out and look for her."

            "Brennan you can't we don't even know where she is," Adam explained.  "I think we should try to trace her first."

            "Fine!"  Brennan was pissed off he blamed himself for Shalimar leaving.  "I'm going to go get something to eat," he announced before heading out of the lab. 

            As soon as Brennan left the lab Emma turned to Adam, "You know he's going to go look for her, right?"

            "Ya I know.  I just hope he doesn't get hurt," Adam replied.

            Brennan ran straight to the garage and grabbed his black Audi, he speed off into city to find Shalimar. 

*                                                                      *                                                                    *

            Shalimar sat at the bar of a local club just listening to the music and drinking a glass of beer.  She heard a man's voice speak to her, "I didn't expect to see you of all people here."

            Shalimar slowly turned and smiled, "I wasn't excepting to see you here either Deacon."  Shalimar really did want to see him of all people; she still wasn't in a forgiving mood especially with what he did to Brennan.

            "Well it's a small world," Deacon sat down next to her.  "So you here by yourself?"

            "Ya I'm taking a break from Mutant X for awhile."  Shalimar told him, smugly then turned away from him.

            "Really?"  Deacon could cut the tension between them with a knife.

            "Ya, I just need some me time," Shalimar said talking a sip of her beer, hoping he would go away and leave her alone.

            Deacon took a seat next to her, "Shalimar I'm really sorry for what I did to your friend, I truly am.  I just really thought he was hurting you, that's all."

            Shalimar sighed, it sounded like the same words she had told Brennan.  She didn't want to be vengeful, she need someone to talk to.  "I know Deacon, it's just that my emotions got out of hand."

            "It's alright Shal," Deacon said with a smile.  "Can I a least make it up to you?"

            Shalimar took in a deep breath, "What do you have in mind?"

            "I want to show you something."  Deacon replied.

            Shalimar thought for a minute, "So what is this thing that you want to show me?"

            "It's a surprise," Deacon smiled; glad he broke through Shalimar's shell.

            "Sure it is!"  Shalimar got up and paid for her beer then, walked out of the club with Deacon.

            Deacon led Shalimar over to a car, and opened the door for her, "Thank you," Shalimar said as she climbed in 'Maybe I can give him a second chance,' Shalimar thought to herself.  She looked up at him, just in time to see his fist slam into her cheek knocking her out.

            Deacon got into the drivers side and started the car, he glanced over at Shalimar, "My dear Shalimar it's time to join your destiny."  He then drove off.

            Brennan pulled up to the club just as Deacon drove out.  He got out of the car, and headed in.  Brennan immediately went over to the bar, "Hey Sam have you seen Shalimar?"

            "Ya she just left," Sam replied as he whipped a wet beer glass.

            "Thanks," Brennan turned and was about to leave when a girl stepped out in front of him.  "Brennan right?"

            "Ya, who are you?"  Brennan was not in the mood to talk to her.

            "My names Lydia," the girl replied.

            "Sorry I really can't talk right now, I'm looking for someone," Brennan was about to push past her.

            "I know where Shalimar is," the words made Brennan stop in his tracks.

            He looked back at Lydia, "Where is she?"

            "Come on," Lydia motioned for him to follow her outside.

            "So where is she?"  Brennan was impatient.

            "Deacon has her," Lydia explained.

            Brennan was surprised, "Why does he have her?"

            Lydia crossed her arms, "He left the FBI Special Forces, and we think he has joined The Strand."

            "The Strand has Shal!"  Brennan put his hand on top of his head a started walking towards his car.

            Lydia ran after him, "What's wrong?"

            "The guy that runs the organization is obsessed with Shalimar, who knows what he'll do to her."  Brennan said jumping into his Audi.

            "I'm coming too," Lydia said getting into the car with Brennan.  "I'm supposed to bring Deacon back."

            Brennan nodded and started the car, Lydia looked over at him.  "Where are we going?"

            "The Strand headquarters," Brennan replied as he quickly shifted the car into fifth gear and drove quickly down the street.

TBC

A/N:  I want to thank everyone for reviewing my story; it means a lot to me that people enjoy the story!!!  I think there's going to be about 2 more chapters, I'm not sure though.  KEEP those Reviews COMING!!!