Summary: When an old friend of Adam turns up craving revenge, it results in the capture of Bren/Shal, but is the love they hold for each other enough to keep them alive?
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Mutant X. Tribune Entertainment Co. owns the rights to these characters. But I do own any other characters.
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!
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Chapter 3: One talk to change it allIt was around six o'clock that night and Adam had requested a meeting before everyone ate dinner. Brennan was the last one to come into the lab, and he took a seat besides Shalimar. Adam just shook his head at the late team member than began.
"Ok like I said before there had been a few mutant kidnappings in the past couple of days. Now I haven't gotten anywhere on who has been doing it or where they have gone," Adam explained.
"So they just disappear?" Emma asked.
"In a sense yes, but I have a feeling there not around here anymore," Adam answered. "Tomorrow I am going to try to narrow down on the types of places these people might go to get mutants."
"They must have some kind of technology or mutant that can tell mutants from non mutants right?" Shalimar asked.
"Yes it's possible," Adam answered.
"So when we do find out all this stuff what are we going to do about it?" Brennan asked with a yawn.
Shalimar just rolled her eyes at Brennan's stupid question, and again hit him in the back of the head. "Oww Shal what was that for?" Brennan asked rubbing his head once again.
"You just asked a very stupid question," Shalimar replied.
"When?" Brennan protested.
"What are we going to do about it?" Shalimar replied. "Think about what you just asked."
Brennan thought for a minute and looked at the others who were watching him discuss the matter. He finally gave in and turned to Shal, "ya it was a stupid question, wasn't it?"
"Ya," Shalimar answered smartly, but not without giving him a smile.
Emma watched the two closely; she smiled at them arguing with each other it was cute in its own strange way. Adam grinned knowing if Brennan continued with the matter he was going to loose. A thought still crossed his mind that these two where starting to become more than just friends.
"So I'll keep researching it, and get back to you tomorrow," Adam said before the group stood up to leave. "Oh and I don't want you guys going out tonight, you could become targets."
"Fine," they all grumbled.
Emma stopped them as they all entered the hall, "okay so what are we going to do?"
"Ahh…" They all replied.
Emma shook her head at her friends, "how about we watch some movies." They all looked at each other waiting for one of them to agree. "Come on guys, it'll be fun!" Emma said with a little excitement, she reached over and grabbed Jesse's arm, "geez!" She started to drag him along with Shalimar and Brennan following close behind.
"I'm hungry," Jesse announced have way down the hall.
"Jess you're ALWAYS hungry," Brennan replied, getting a nasty look from Jesse. Brennan shrugged as Shalimar and Emma both rolled their eyes at him, "what? It's true!" Brennan defended his accusation as they entered the kitchen.
"So, what do you guys what to eat?" Emma asked moving towards the refrigerator.
"I could go for some popcorn to go alone with the movie," Shalimar suggested as she went up to lean on the counter.
"Sounds good," Emma replied grabbing a couple of bags of popcorn. "Now only if we had a couple of beers to go with it." She said returning to the refrigerator to continue her search for something to drink.
Brennan gave a sly look to Jesse; Shalimar looked at the two with suspicion. "What's going on you two?"
"Nothing," Brennan replied nudging Jesse softly.
"Ya nothing," Jesse agreed.
Shalimar lifted her eyebrow not buying their story, "sure!" She said sarcastically.
"Really nothing," Brennan said innocently.
Emma turned around, "tell us now!" Emma demanded as she stepped up next to Shalimar, and they both crossed their arms waiting for a reply.
Jesse saw the determination in their eyes to get to the truth. He turned to Brennan, "maybe we should show them one."
Brennan glanced at the girls he had to turn away afraid that their death stares were actually going to kill him. "Just one."
Jesse nodded in reply and moved up to one of the cupboards avoiding eye contact with the girls. He flung it opened and reached way in back and pulled out two cans of beer and placed them on the counter, and proceeded to reach back in grabbing two more. He turned to the girls, and pointing to the four beers.
"What the…?" Emma asked a little astonished.
"What you girls don't have your own little stash of something?" Jesse asked.
"No!" Emma replied quickly.
Jesse handed a beer each to the girls and one to Brennan. Shalimar noticed the guys give each other strange looks as they waited for the popcorn to get done. "Exactly how many stashes are there boys?" She asked before taking a sip.
Brennan thought for a moment, "ahh…about seven not counting the one we just showed you."
"Seven more?" Shalimar was amazed that they could hide them so well.
"Uh huh," Brennan shock his head yes.
Before Shalimar could continue and ask where they were the popcorn was done. She and Emma each grabbed a bag, "ready?" Emma asked wanting to start the movie she picked.
"Yup," they all replied together.
Emma led them to the rec. room, Jesse took a seat in one of the chairs as Brennan and Shalimar took a seat on the couch only at separate ends. Emma turned on the T.V then went over and cuddled up with Jesse in the chair.
"So what movie are we watching?" Shalimar asked impatiently.
"Titanic," Emma replied with a smile.
Shalimar huffed, "you have got to be kidding me. That's a sappy movie; the only good part is the end."
Brennan chuckled and both girls glared at him causing him to turn his head away from them. "Sorry," he quickly apologized. He slowly turned his head back towards them trying not to make eye contact, "but I agree with Shal, it is a sappy movie."
"Fine, we can watch a gross action or horror movie after this one, it that ok?" Emma replied trying to compromise.
"Fine," Shalimar and Brennan both replied.
The movie started and Brennan kept glancing over at Shalimar who was hogging all the popcorn. Shalimar could feel him staring at her and she turned to look at him. She saw him eyeing the popcorn and smiled. "Would you like some of this?" She whispered.
Brennan just shook his head no and returned his attention back to the movie. Shalimar smiled and slowly scooted over closer to Brennan placing the popcorn between them. Brennan looked down at her and grinned as he took a handful of popcorn and popped it into his mouth.
It had been an hour into the movie and the popcorn and beers were now gone. Brennan had his arm closest to Shal on the back of the couch, but slowly slid it closer to her back. Shalimar could sense his arm behind her she kept still as she felt his thumb stroking her shoulder blade. The immediate touch sent images of the night before through their heads, revealing Shalimar viciously tarring up Brennan's back as he made love to her.
Their eyes widened as the images raced through their mind, but not once did the two look at each acknowledging the images. Emma was bombarded by images that she really didn't care to see. She couldn't believe what she had saw, she only grinned at the fact that the two hadn't confessed their true feeling for each other yet.
Shalimar couldn't handle anymore of the images, "I'll be right back I need a drink." She announced as she stood up to leave.
"You know I need a drink too," Emma said climbing out of Jesse's grip.
"Here we'll pause the movie," Jesse replied.
Brennan just rolled his eyes, "ya we wouldn't want to get to the where Jack bites the dust sooner."
Shalimar didn't even pay attention to their comments, she just needed to get out into the all to think, and the only problem was Emma.
Emma could tell Shalimar had seen the images to, and she wanted to talk to her about it. Once out into the all she finally spoke, "Shal what happened last night?"
Shalimar whipped around, "nothing!"
Emma gave her a look, "Shal I KNOW what happened between you and Brennan last night."
"What are you talking about?" Shalimar asked still trying to act like she didn't know what she was talking about.
"Shal I saw the images," Emma told her.
"You read me?" Shalimar asked getting a little upset.
"NO Shal, you two were broadcasting them throughout the room it was hard not to notice," Emma explained.
Shalimar rubbed the back of her neck a little ashamed, "oh, sorry."
"Shal what's going on between you two?" Emma began to question.
"I don't know. We were so drunk last night neither of us had control over our actions…" Shalimar paused. "It just happened. I mean we don't even remember anything from that night, just these few images that come."
"Shal you love him don't you?" Emma finally asked.
Shalimar took a moment to think, "I don't know. What do you think I should do about this?"
Emma placed a hand on Shalimar's shoulder, "just go with it, if you love him." With that Emma turned around and went back into the room leaving Shalimar in the hall by herself.
Shalimar sighed, "just go with it, if I love him." She said to herself then followed Emma back in.
Shalimar walked over to the couch and sat back down with Brennan, she leaned back so his arm was touching her back. Brennan slowly began to rub her shoulder blade with his thumb again and Shalimar became more relaxed.
Adam came in an hour a half later and found them all asleep. Emma was asleep in Jesse's lap in one of the chairs. He circled around the couch and noticed Shalimar in a deep sleep on Brennan's chest, with her arms wrapped tightly around his waist and his arm draped around her shoulder.
This was Adam's worst fear, it was bad enough that Jesse and Emma had hooked up, but now Shalimar and Brennan were starting to become a thing. He sighed shaking his head as he left the room think about having a talk with Shalimar once she woke up in the morning.
Emma woke up to the voice of Adam over her comring. "What is it Adam I was asleep and very comfortable?" Emma said groggily.
"I need you to wake up everyone and come down to the lab immediately," Adam ordered.
Emma didn't argue it sounded really important. She gently shook Jesse and he moaned slightly. "Jesse wake up," Emma whispered.
"Why," Jesse wined still keeping his eyes shut.
"Adam wants us all in the lab pronto," Emma said getting off of his lap as he slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. Emma glanced over at the couch and saw the position that Shalimar and Brennan were in. Shalimar had her head snuggled into Brennan's chest arms tightly wrapped around his waist, like she was gripping a security blanket.
Jesse grinned, "I knew they were going to hook up."
Emma looked at him giving a small laugh, "you knew?"
Jesse shrugged, "Yup."
Emma just shook her head and walked over to the two. She gently shook the two to wake them up from their deep sleep. Shalimar just snuggled her head deeper into Brennan's chest and tightened her grip around his waist. "Shal, Brennan wake up," Emma ordered giving them another shake.
Shalimar sighed, "five more minutes Emma."
"Nope sorry Shal Adam's calling a meeting," Emma replied.
Brennan finally opened his eyes, "why so early?"
"Beats me," Emma answered.
Brennan nodded in reply and nudged Shalimar, "Shal wake up."
Shalimar huffed, "fine." She slowly untangled her arms from around Brennan and sat up. "But I'm going to have a serious talk with that man about the time of day in which he calls meetings," Shalimar grumbled as she stood up and started walking to the door behind Emma and Jesse.
Brennan grinned at Shalimar's comment; he couldn't agree more he was perfectly comfortable when Shalimar had her arms around him. He moved up behind her and gently placed his hand on her lower back guiding her out of the door and down the hall. Once they got close to the lab door Brennan removed his hand before entering.
"Good you're all here," Adam said as he turned back to his computer.
"Ok Adam what's so important that you needed to wake us up?" Shalimar asked a little pissed off.
"There was another mutant kidnapped late last night," Adam replied.
"How many does that make?" Emma asked.
"Five," Adam answered.
"And you got us up to tell us that, couldn't it wait until later in the day?" Shalimar grumbled.
Adam sighed, "all the mutants kidnapped were placed in the Underground by us."
"What?" All four asked in unison.
"I can't tell you who the mutants were but I did find out that they were in the Underground," Adam explained.
"How did you find out?" Shalimar asked finally realizing this was important.
Adam paused for a minute, "I have my sources, but that's not important right now." The four turned and looked at each other, but Adam continued. "Alright I believe the kidnappings have happened in this 10 mile radius," Adam brought up a map on the computer. "The center point is this building." The four moved closer to the computer as Adam pointed to the spot on the computer."
"Hey that's Meta," Brennan pointed out.
"Meta?" Adam asked confused.
"The club we went to the other night," Brennan explained.
Adam pinched the bridge of his nose a thought for a second, "alright I want you guys to go back tonight and see if you can track these guys down, don't confront them just watch." Adam explained. "JUST watch!" He repeated looking straight at Shalimar.
"Fine," She huffed.
"Alright we'll have another meeting before you leave tonight," Adam replied before the team started to file out of the lab. Before they were all out Adam spoke again, "Shal can I talk to you for a second?"
Shalimar stopped and turned around, "Sure Adam." Shalimar looked up at Brennan who nodded and left the lab leaving the two alone. Shalimar turned and walked back to Adam, she noticed Adam's sad expression on is face. "Adam what's wrong?"
"I want to talk to you about Brennan," Adam began.
Shalimar quickly jumped to conclusions, "is there something wrong with him?" She asked looking very concerned.
"No he's fine, I just need to know if…you love him?" Adam asked sitting at the edge of the table.
Shalimar eyes widened at his question, "what?"
"Do you love him Shal?" Adam asked again.
Shalimar thought for a minute, "I don't know for sure, I have these feelings but I'm not sure about them," she explained.
"Shal I had this same talk with Emma that I'm about to give to you," Adam told her, and Shalimar nodded her head yes. "You need to be absolutely sure about your feelings for Brennan, I can't have you two start a relationship, then break up or something," Shalimar looked like she was about to say something, "wait let me finish," Shalimar stopped her thought. "I want you to think about this for awhile, make sure you know what you're doing before you start something that could jeopardize the team if it doesn't work out. Do you understand?"
"Ya I understand," Shalimar said softly and looked at the floor.
"Good, I just want you to think about what you're doing. I'm not going to tell you not see him or anything, I hope you make the right decision," Adam ended his speech.
Shalimar just nodded yes and got up and left the lab and headed for dojo. She just sat in the middle of the dojo with her knee tucked up to her chin rocking her self back and forth as she thought of what Adam said about Brennan. Brennan noticed Shalimar in deep thought in the middle of the dojo.
He slowly made his way up to her, "Shal?" he said softly.
Shalimar stood up quickly and wiped away her tears before she turned to face him, "ya."
"Are you ok?" Brennan asked creeping closer to her.
"Ya I'm fine," Shalimar, replied trying not to make eye contact with the man that was causing her so much pain inside.
"Are you sure?" Brennan asked as her softly brushed her cheek. Shalimar shook her head yes and tipped her head towards the floor. Brennan used his index finger to bring her head back up so he could look at her. He stepped closer to her and leaned down to find his lips on hers.
Shalimar kissed him for a few seconds and pulled away, "I can't," she mumbled as tears started to roll down her cheeks. She pulled away from his grip, "I just can't," with that she ran off to her room crying leaving Brennan stunned in the middle of the dojo. He stood there for a minute before running off in her direction.
Shalimar burst into her room locking the door behind her; she flopped down on her bed and cried. Brennan finally stopped in front of Shalimar's door, "Shal?" he pounded on the door slightly. There was no answer but he could hear her sobbing inside. "Shal sweetie, what's wrong?"
"GO AWAY!!" Shalimar replied in between sobs.
"Was it something I did?" Brennan asked, but there was no reply. Brennan hung his head and sat down in the middle of the hall with his head in his hands. He was going to wait until she came out of her room so he could talk with her.
He in the middle of the hall of a least three hours, he heard her crying finally stop figuring she cried herself to sleep. Emma soon rounded the corner and found Brennan sitting in front of Shalimar's room.
"Brennan what's the matter?" Emma asked kneeling next to him.
"I don't know what I did," Brennan said looking up at her.
"What?" Emma asked confused.
Brennan sighed, "I found her in the dojo crying and…"
"And?" Emma edged him on.
"And we kissed," Emma smiled. "But she backed away from me and said she can't," Brennan explained.
"Can't what?" Emma asked.
"See I don't know," Brennan answered. "Adam wanted to talk her, then I found her crying in the dojo."
Emma nodded knowing what Adam had talked to her about, "you go get some lunch and I'll talk to her, ok?"
Brennan sighed and looked at Shalimar's door, "alright." Brennan slowly stood and began to walk off thrusting his hands in his pocket as he walked off.
Emma watched him then turned to Shalimar's door, she banged on the door, "Shal it's Emma open up we need to talk."
There was no answer for a few minutes but Shalimar soon yelled back. "NO LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"Shal I know what Adam said to you please let me in," Emma begged.
"Fine," Shalimar rolled off her bed and headed to unlock the door. She flung it open and headed back to her bed.
Emma entered the room and closed the door behind her, Shalimar looked horrible; her eyes were all red and puffy and her face was stained with dried tears. Her hair was tussled and tangled from her intensive moving around in her bed.
Emma sat on the edge of her bed, "so what did Adam say to you exactly?" Emma asked.
"I thought you said you knew?" Shalimar returned.
"Not really I just said that so you'd let me in," Emma replied with a smiled.
Shalimar gave a small laugh, "figured."
"So did he give you the 'this might jeopardize the team if it doesn't work out' speech?" Emma asked.
"Ah huh," Shalimar answered sitting up on her bed.
"Well Shal don't pay attention to him, if you love Brennan he can't tell you not to see him," Emma explained.
"I don't though," Shalimar told her softly.
"What?" Emma turned and looked at Shalimar a little surprised.
"I don't love Brennan," Shalimar said simply. "Yes I have feelings for him but it's not love."
"Shal…" Emma started.
"Emma I've been thinking about it really hard for the last couple of hours, and I don't love him," Shalimar glanced over at her. "I know the feeling of love and this thing between me and Brennan wasn't love."
"Shal you can't be serious? I mean you can tell Brennan has very strong feelings for you, but you don't have any?" Emma asked a little surprised.
Shalimar turned her head away from Emma and took in a shaky breath, trying as best she could not to break down in front of her. "I just can't find those feelings Emma," Shalimar said.
"Alright, Shal I just hope you know for certain before you go a break Brennan's heart," Emma said getting up and heading towards the door.
"I'm sure," Shalimar whispered.
Emma opened the door but turned around before leaving, "just so you know Brennan had been out her for three hours waiting for you to come out so he could find out what was wrong, but I sent him to get some food. Do you think a man that didn't love you would do that?" With that Emma left Shalimar's room.
Shalimar flopped back down on her bed and began to cry once again.
TBC
A/N: STUPID, STUPID, STUPID ::mentally kicking herself:: HOW could I forget to post the chapter!!!! OH THE STRESS!!! Being a high school Senior is VERY STRESSFUL, I didn't even know what day it was yesterday…oh the stress! Please don't come after me…lol, just do it in a Review!!!